Chapter 97
After confirming that Jin Sumian was fine and having agreed to go on a mission on her behalf the next day, Pei Ling took the time to return to the alchemy room to retrieve the Life-Extinguishing Blade and other belongings.
The next morning, he had just finished a cultivation session when Lu Luqiang’s voice sounded from outside the cave abode. “It’s time to set off.”
He quickly took Jin Sumian’s nameplate and walked out. Lu Luqiang stood on the lantern with a cold expression. “Come up.
I told Senior Brother Zhang Shuo yesterday that you’re representing Junior Sister Jin in this mission.” After Pei Ling stepped onto the lantern, Lu Luqiang took out her nameplate and got him to accept the mission. Then she formed a hand seal and got the lantern to fly southwest. She looked straight ahead and said without looking at Pei Ling, “Senior Brother Zhang Shuo and the others were not too happy. In the end, they agreed to let you join because of Junior Sister Jin.
So someone might want to see your strength later. Don’t hold back.
Our Holy Sect has always respected the strong.
The stronger you are, the more benefits you will get.
Don’t embarrass Junior Sister Jin.”
Pei Ling nodded. “Thank you for your advice, Senior Sister.”
Lu Luqiang maintained her aloofness for a while. Seeing that Pei Ling did not speak, she could not help but ask, “When did you meet Junior Sister Jin?”
“More than a month ago...
You were there.
It has been a while,” Pei Ling said calmly. “Su Mian is a very good girl.”
Lu Luqiang sneered. “Of course.”
She did not like Pei Ling, and she was feeling frustrated that she could not get anything out of him. When the lantern landed on a wide cliff, she said coldly, “We’re here.”
Pei Ling had never been to this part of the mountain peak where the cliff was located. He only saw the vegetation on the entire mountain peak, and the rare beasts that appeared from time to time.
There was a species of red-tailed, green-eyed mountain sparrow in the forest. Its feathers were beautiful and cute. It flew in the forest, and the chirping of the birds complemented the clear spring, making it look even more beautiful.
However, the cliff they were on was barren. There were countless saber marks on the ground.
Pei Ling followed Lu Luqiang down the lantern. There were a few holes in his robe, and he felt a tingle where his exposed skin was.
He could not help but be startled. He quickly looked around but did not see the enemy.
“This is the Nether Blade Cliff.” Lu Luqiang sneered when she saw his actions and said, “A senior of the Holy Sect once cultivated the Cold Abyss Saber Art here. Over time, the saber intent permeated the cliff. Not only is it difficult for plants to survive, but the remaining saber qi will also be attracted to cultivators who cultivate the saber technique.
In the early years, even inner sect saber cultivators would specially come here to comprehend.
This place is very famous in the outer sect, especially for cultivators who practice the saber. Almost everyone knows about it.”
She said calmly, “But don’t you know?”
Pei Ling frowned slightly. Just as he was about to speak, someone not far away suddenly said, “Junior Sister Lu, this was a long time ago. Now, less than 10% of the saber intent is left in this place. Very few people, even saber cultivators at the Qi Refinement realm, will come here specially.”
The two of them looked over and saw a burly man in a red robe striding over. As he walked, he said, “Is this the junior brother who came on Junior Sister Jin’s behalf? To be able to land on the ground without any blood at the seventh level of Qi Refinement, you seem to be quite capable.”
“This is Senior Brother Zhang Shuo,” Lu Luqiang introduced. “Senior Brother Zhang Shuo is already at the ninth level of Qi Refinement and is only one step away from Foundation Establishment.”
She then introduced him to Zhang Shuo. “This is... Oh right, what’s your name?”
Pei Ling’s heart skipped a beat. Ninth level of Qi Refinement?
Isn’t this mission only for those above the sixth level of Qi Refinement?
Why would a disciple at the ninth level of Qi Refinement come?
He suppressed the doubts in his heart and said respectfully, “Hello, Senior Brother Zhang. My name is Pei Ling.”
So it’s Junior Brother Pei. Zhang Shuo sized him up carefully and quickly recalled if he had heard of such a person in the outer sect.
... He had no impression at all.
It seems that he’s most likely a gigolo.
At the thought of this, his expression became calm. He said to Lu Luqiang, “Junior Brother Zhao, Junior Brother Zhou, and Junior Sister Wang are all here. Only Junior Brother Xu and Junior Sister Li are left. We’re waiting at the pavilion over there. You guys can go over together.”
A gravel path led them down Nether Blade Cliff.
On both sides of the path were large bamboo forests. There were thousands of green poles and dense sword leaves.
There was a clear stream flowing quietly along the path on the left. After walking for more than 100 feet, they came to a small bridge over the stream. Opposite the bridge stood an octagonal pavilion.
There was a skull wind chime hanging in all eight corners of the pavilion. It swayed gently with the soft wind, emitting a pleasant crisp sound.
The pavilion was engraved with countless ghostly patterns that were ferocious and terrifying.
At this moment, three cultivators were sitting in the pavilion.
When they saw Zhang Shuo bringing Lu Luqiang and Pei Ling, they hurriedly stood up to welcome them.
“Junior Brother Xu and Junior Sister Li live far away. They haven’t arrived yet. Let’s wait a while longer,” Zhang Shuo said to them. “The person beside Junior Sister Lu is Junior Brother Pei Ling, who is going to the Han Manor with us on behalf of Junior Sister Jin.”
The three cultivators glanced at Pei Ling and frowned when they realized that he was only at the seventh level of Qi Refinement.
Pei Ling was secretly shocked. Three eighth-stage Qi Refinement cultivators!
Including Zhang Shuo and Lu Luqiang, there was a ninth-stage Qi Refinement realm cultivator, a half-step Foundation Establishment realm cultivator, and four eighth-stage Qi Refinement realm cultivators... Moreover, there were two cultivators who were not present in this team. From the attitude of everyone, the two who were not here were probably at least at the eighth-stage Qi Refinement realm.
Why are there so many experts on the mission to the Han Manor?
“Junior Sister Lu, you’re here.” After a perfunctory greeting, everyone ignored Pei Ling and only spoke to Lu Luqiang. “I heard that your Golden-Winged Red-Threaded Centipede has shed its shell again recently?”
Seeing Lu Luqiang nod, the female cultivator surnamed Wang’s expression relaxed visibly. She said, “That’s good. The Golden-Winged Red-Threaded Centipede is good at devouring ghosts. With Senior Brother Zhang’s strength, we still have an advantage in the current five teams.”
Pei Ling: “?!”
What?
Five teams?
Isn’t their lineup good enough for the mission of the Han Manor?
F*ck!
Could it be another netherworld mission???
Just as he was thinking this, the gray-robed man among the two male cultivators at the eighth level of Qi Refinement sighed and said, “Junior Sister Wang, you’re too optimistic. I just received news that the other four teams had not been idle last night.
For example, Senior Brother Bai Kuang’s team borrowed a Poison Fire Blood Dragon Staff from an inner sect senior brother. Other than Senior Brother Bai Kuang, everyone else’s cultivation level is above the eighth level of Qi Refinement!
Senior Sister Guan Xuerui’s team has a demon pet at the ninth level of Awakening. The others are all at the eighth level of Qi Refinement or above!
Although Senior Brother Jiao Pu and the others did not borrow any Dharma artifacts or demon pets, four hours ago, Senior Brother Jiao convinced Senior Brother Lu Fujiang, who is also at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, to join forces. In other words, their team has two people at the ninth level of Qi Refinement.
There’s no need to mention Senior Brother Tang Nanzhai’s team. Ever since Senior Brother Tang reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement, he entered the Gu Abyss to kill demons and ghosts. His spells were all mastered in the line between life and death. He’s almost invincible among those in his realm! As for Senior Brother Tang’s teammates, they have worked with him on the Gu Abyss battlefield for many years. The tacit understanding they have from that is not something a temporary team like ours can compare to.”
The gray-robed male cultivator sighed again. “So we can’t let our guard down!”
“...” Pei Ling was speechless.
Is it too late for me to back out now?