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Translator: Fate
Translation Checker: Silavin
“I heard that a powerful Demon is occupying the mountain up ahead. Even True Immortals from the Immortal Palace have to be careful and avoid it when they pass through.”
“But, Senior Brother… Master has asked us to find the Jade Moon Flower, but it’s said to be found in the Deathly Demon Abyss behind that mountain. How are we supposed to gather the Jade Moon Flower if we don’t go through that mountain?”
A thick layer of mist billowed around an ancient and idyllic bamboo forest. Every single bamboo stem was as thick as the circumference of a bowl. All the leaves rustled as a gentle breeze blew through the densely-packed greenery.
A group of young cultivators were gathered inside a pavilion deep within the forest and staring at the majestic mountain range in the distance. They all wore the same robes, which featured a divine sword embroidered on their sleeves.
The one who spoke was a handsome man with a firm brow and bright eyes. He carried a sword on his back, making him seem like a young Sword Immortal.
When he heard his Junior Sister’s words, his eyes widened and his sword buzzed. He stared straight to the peak of the mountain.
“We can go around and enter through the other side, called the Nether but there’s a large river of filth there that’s perpetually shrouded in Chaos Mist and miasma. There are also a lot of strong Demons. We must all be careful and avoid getting attacked by the Demons there. Even I might not be able to keep all of you safe. Still, it is said that Demons there have quietened down a lot recently,” he added.
“In the past, many of our Seniors would come over at this time to aid the neighbouring settlements and cities in wiping out the Demons.”
The bamboo forest was extremely large, and as the breeze blew, it brought with it a clean and fresh scent that left one feeling invigorated.
They were all disciples of the Divine Sword Dao Sect and possessed remarkable talent.
The young man who served as their leader was a powerful Direct Disciple. His Master was a supreme expert who had the potential to rank among the Immortals.
The Junior Sister who asked the question earlier looked to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. She was a beautiful young woman with fair skin and captivating eyes that sparkled in the light. Two dimples formed on her cheeks when she smiled.
Now, she spoke up cheerfully. “Senior Brother, let’s go around and go through the Nether then. I’d much rather run into some strong Demons instead of one we can never beat. I’m too scared to directly go through this mountain. I heard that the powerful Demon from that mountain has nine heads, eighteen arms, and three eyes on each head. They say he eats so many young boys and girls each day that even ancient Demons would quaker in fear at the mention of its name. I even heard from Master that a True Immortal from Immortal Palace once prostrated themselves outside the mountain and bowed in respect before they dared to pass through the area…”
Once the young woman brought up this topic, the other disciples also grew interested in the subject and began to share the rumours they heard.
“That’s right, and that’s not all. I also heard that the Immortal Officials from the Immortal Palace are too afraid to try and govern this area. It is said that the place where the Nether meets the Dark Sea is actually a massive battlefield that’s been around since ancient times. Countless experts have died there. Some say that the being occupying that mountain is the reason why those in the Dark Sea are too afraid to cause any trouble.”
All of the junior disciples were engaging in fervent discussions.
The young man in the lead shook his head and said, “Can’t all of you show a little more discretion? How can you talk about this so openly? We’re already very close to that mountain. Aren’t you afraid that the powerful Demon will hear you and capture you to feast upon?”
Upon hearing the words of their Senior Brother, all the Juniors realised their folly. The timid ones immediately paled and clammed up, too afraid to whisper another word.
“Haaaaaa… I just don’t know what to do with all of you… Take a look at yourselves. To think that you all want to travel beyond the Sect, alone I might add, to gain more experience! You won’t even be able to handle a Demon alone!”
The young man shook his head and eyed the crowd helplessly.
He composed himself, cupped his fists, and bowed respectfully towards the mountain up ahead before saying, “We mean no harm or disrespect. Please do not take offence. We will leave right away.”
The solemnity shown by their Senior Brother made the Juniors turn even paler. They were terrified. Their minds were flooded with the rumours they heard.
“Let’s go.”
The young man was laughing on the inside. He wanted to frighten his Juniors to teach them a lesson. He wanted them to learn to be more cautious with their words and their actions when they travelled beyond the Sect.
That being said, he did not expect them to be this frightened.
“I hear no respect in your words and sense no sincerity in your heart. Do you think an apology like this makes a difference?”
The group of young men and women were about to go around and leave the dense bamboo forest. But just then, a crisp voice rang out before them.
A young woman dressed in red appeared. She had exquisite features, including willowy brows, a tall nose, and naturally red lips.
Although she was young, it was obvious that she would become an enchanting beauty when she grew up. She gave off a mysterious aura.
She stood on a tree with her sword in hand and eyed the group of young men and women coldly.
“Huh…” The young man in the lead gasped in surprise. He did not expect to find other cultivators in this area.
His eyes flashed with admiration as he studied the young woman in red.
Thanks to his good manners, he did not let his emotions show. Instead, he smiled politely and cupped his hands in greetings. “Greetings. I am Song Ming from the Divine Sword Dao Sect.”
The other young men and women were studying the young women in red curiously too. None of them thought they would encounter another cultivator in this area. They would never have stepped foot in this forest if it had not been because they had to pass through the area to gather the Jade Moon Flower.
However, the young woman in red showed no intention of interacting with them. After saying her piece, she simply eyed Song Ming coldly as if she were dissatisfied with what he said earlier.
“Miss, for us to be able to meet is a sign of fate. I spoke carelessly earlier. Please do not take it to heart.” Song Ming knew that the young woman in red must have heard what he said earlier to scare his Juniors, so he chuckled and said, “Might I ask what brings you here?”
“There are higher powers watching from above. You will pay the price for such disrespect one day.” The young woman in red frowned when she saw that Song Ming showed no inclination to apologise for his earlier words. Nevertheless, she did not wish to say anything else. She turned away and left.
She came down the mountain on her Master’s orders. He instructed her to head over to the Nether and hunt down some Demons to hone her Sword Technique. Alas, she did not expect to hear these young and immature cultivators gossiping about her Master. It made her deeply displeased.
Therefore, she stuck around to listen in on what they were saying.
She thought that the young man named Song Ming would show a bit more wariness and fear, but instead, he was simply using this matter to scare his Juniors. A means to teach them a lesson. He did not actually take it seriously.
That infuriated the young woman in red who had nothing but the utmost respect for her Master. She wanted to teach them a lesson, but she resisted the urge to do so.
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