Chapter 220

A pitter-patter of light rain began to fall across the world; cultivators naturally have spiritual power protecting them, and a slight activation keeps the rain from wetting their clothes.

After flying for more than ten days, they finally stopped at a place called Falling Cloud Mountain.

Here, clouds and mist intertwined; at the foot of the mountain mortals lived, yet this place had no defensive formations whatsoever—just the two elders who had come along ordered the observatory's disciples to restrain their breath on their own.

Ming Xian looked around and said, "Senior Brother, how much longer?"

"This time, all the southern forces will come; it looks like we've arrived a step ahead."

"That makes five forces," Ming Xian said.

Yan Buji stood before the disciples; as the most formidable Lianqi Phase disciple of the Clear Wind Observatory on the surface, he also felt some worry for the observatory's strength.

Not to mention anything else, just a late-stage Lianqi cultivator coming alone—no one knows what the Clear Wind Observatory intends. Is it that they don't take this demon tribe attack to heart, or is the observatory really that weak?

At least, in these years Yan Buji has been with the Clear Wind Observatory, he has never heard of any genius disciple within, let alone an unparalleled elder.

"All disciples, first sit and meditate here to rest, waiting for the other forces' cultivators," Ming Zhong shouted.

Yes.

Yan Buji sat down and continued to ponder the mystery of the staff and the stone egg.

After waiting a few days, the five forces arrived one after another, and all the cultivation forces of southern Abyss Dao gathered.

The leaders were all Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, with numerous Lianqi Phase disciples; the six forces assembled here, numbering close to one hundred.

This number may seem large, but for the cultivation forces of southern Abyss Dao, rushing to aid the Huang Du of Abyss Dao is already a long journey, and along the way they don't know what dangers they'll encounter, so they won't commit all their strength.

Moreover, although Profound Abyss Dao calls for all forces to unite against the demons, who can guarantee safety and profit?

For the cultivators of southern Abyss Dao who have not yet suffered demon tribe harassment, merely contributing manpower and effort is enough; they won't wholeheartedly devote themselves.

"Ming Zhong, Ming Xian, it's been a long time," said more than ten Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators standing ahead, smiling as they greeted.

Ming Zhong returned the greeting and said, "Elder Zhao He of the Thousand Crane Gate, how have you been lately?"

"Haha, still the same old." Zhao He had a head full of white hair, his face lined with many wrinkles, he carried a treasure sword, dressed in green robes, and chuckled a few times.

"Elder Ming Xian, it's been many years since we last met; back then, at only Lianqi Phase seventh layer, he went and dealt with a single Abnormal Beast, and now having entered the Foundation Establishment Stage his strength must have greatly increased," laughed a Foundation Establishment cultivator in a blue robe standing nearby.

Ming Xian chuckled: "Elder Wei Zhong overpraises me; I was merely lucky. Elder Wei Zhong has cultivated in the Great River Sect since childhood, mastering a marvelous technique; a heavy water long river back then also buried many heretical demons, far surpassing my humble self."

Wei Zhong laughed twice: "Old, old, now it's the young people's world. Oh right, this is my disciple Lin Ruoyu. Come, come, come, greet these few elders."

Behind Wei Zhong stepped out a young woman, graceful and lovely in appearance. At first sight she resembled flowing white clouds; upon second look she resembled a deep, tranquil pool. Her temperament was serene, unshowy.

Lin Ruoyu faced the gathered Foundation Establishment elders, gave a slight bow, and said, "Lin Ruoyu of the Great River Sect, greetings to all elders."

"Her spiritual power is pure and refined; congratulations, Elder Wei Zhong, on gaining an excellent disciple." The surrounding elders bowed and smiled.

"Hahaha, my disciple is formidable—she's only been cultivating for ten years and already reached Lianqi Phase ninth layer! Moreover, she ranks seventh on the Thousand Mortal Physique List as the 'Ice Skin Jade Bones'!" Wei Zhong laughed proudly.

Oh, no wonder her cultivation is so fast. This Ice Skin Jade Bones not only absorbs spiritual energy faster than ordinary people, but also excels uniquely in defensive power.

Don't talk about me either—have you found any disciples you like?

I haven't found any I like, but there are still a few I've looked at.

Ming Zhong chuckled: "I, in my humble way, have fortunately taken on a disciple who can inherit my mantle."

Oh!!

The surrounding elders looked over, and Ming Xian turned his head, beckoning Yan Buji with a finger to come over.

Yan Buji nodded, walked over, bowed, and said, "Clear Wind Observatory's Yue Jin, greetings to all elders."

The surrounding elders took a look and wondered, "How come he's a bit old?"

Seeing the signs of age on Yan Buji's head and face, even if he had entered cultivation, it must have been late; yet now he actually possesses Lianqi Phase eighth-layer strength, his spiritual power surging so deeply that he is indeed not weak.

Generally speaking, when taking on disciples, everyone wants to be the teacher; they certainly wouldn't want to see an old person as their own disciple, which would feel somewhat strange.

However, the Clear Wind Observatory is indeed different from the norm; being overly unworldly while only looking at affinity and ignoring other factors is rather unconventional.

"Yue Jin, right? Since you are Disciple of Elder Ming Zhong, have you inherited his mantle?"

"Yes, this humble Daoist has indeed learned what my master taught."

"That's good; if you get the chance, come to the Great River Sect and we can have a good talk." Wei Zhong laughed.

Yan Buji didn't understand what the Great River Sect's Elder Wei Zhong meant by showing friendliness; when he looked at Ming Zhong, he also nodded.

Yan Buji bowed: "Yes, this humble Daoist will certainly visit the Great River Sect in person if the opportunity arises."

"Hahaha. This is my disciple Lin Ruoyu; just meeting face to face counts as knowing each other."

Yan Buji bowed toward Lin Ruoyu, and Lin Ruoyu returned a light bow.

Both of them took no further action, simply standing obediently to the side and listening to the elders' conversation.

Meeting disciples also carries the meaning of a greeting between forces, proving that one's recruited disciples can be trusted; thus, staying beside these elders to attend to matters, as long as it's not something major, they won't be made to leave first.

This also side‑confirms the difference in status and position; Lin Ruoyu and Yan Buji are both regarded by the elders as Lianqi Phase cultivators.

"Since everyone has arrived, I don't know when the dignitaries of Profound Abyss Dao will come."

"The news is that they'll arrive in the next two days; compared to this, what exactly is Profound Abyss Dao's attitude toward this demon tribe invasion?"

"I haven't heard of any arrangements from the upper sect; it seems they just want us to settle this matter within the Abyss Dao territory."

"Put simply, what if a few demon emperors show up?"

Demon emperors stand above demon kings, terrifying Existence comparable to Nascent Soul Stage true lords.

If a demon emperor were to actually appear, even the current sect master of Profound Abyss Dao alone would likely be unable to contend with it.

After all, demon tribe cultivation differs from that of humans; it is said that a demon emperor of the same rank can take on two or three Nascent Soul Stage true lords without issue.

Ming Zhong waved his hand: "There won't be any demon emperors appearing; if there truly were, the people of the Myriad Dao Mountain Range would long ago have been unable to resist sealing the yin‑yang rift."

"So you mean they've already reached an agreement in advance?" several Foundation Establishment cultivators said, their faces pale, feeling unwilling.

Ming Zhong sighed: "Let's take it step by step."