Chen Yang pushed his speed to the absolute limit, his figure like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, streaking along the forest path at a breathtaking pace.
The trees on either side blurred and fell away behind him, the rushing wind whipping his robes into a loud, snapping flutter.
This secluded trail leading to Butterfly Valley would take someone at only the second level of the Qi Refinement Realm like Liu Yiyi the better part of a day to traverse with care.
But for Chen Yang, now at the peak sixth level of the Qi Refinement Realm and possessing a body hardened to extraordinary toughness through the Nine Revolutions Body Tempering Art, running at full tilt required only the time it takes to burn a single stick of incense.
His gaze was sharp as a hawk's, constantly sweeping both sides of the path, not letting a single possible trace escape his notice.
Yet all along the way, he had not sensed so much as a shadow of Liu Yiyi — not even the breath of a living person.
Instead, scattered among the undergrowth and crevices between rocks, he occasionally spotted flecks of blood and claw marks left by demon beasts.
The air was thick with a faint, nauseating blend of blood and animal stench.
His heart sank a little more with every step.
Along the way, he encountered several small squads of Outer Sect Disciples retreating in disarray, each one wounded and wild-eyed with panic.
Every time he came across a group, Chen Yang immediately stepped forward to stop them, asking urgently:
"Please, a moment — have any of you seen a female disciple in a pale blue water-sleeve robe, carrying a pack on her back? She should have been heading toward Butterfly Valley!"
The Outer Sect Disciples were first startled by Chen Yang's speed and the aura he radiated.
Seeing that he wore only plain clothes, they took him for an ordinary laborer and naturally adopted a somewhat haughty air.
But the moment their eyes met his, they were cowed by the piercing intensity of his gaze.
"Haven't seen her."
"Who would dare go to Butterfly Valley alone at a time like this? Are they tired of living?"
"The herb plots in Butterfly Valley are completely destroyed! Centuries-old spirit herbs have been devoured by demon beasts! And quite a few laborers have also…"
From their scattered words, Chen Yang pieced together a picture far grimmer than he had imagined.
This demon beast rampage was no minor disturbance.
Butterfly Valley, bordering the back mountains, had borne the brunt of it and been nearly wiped out entirely!
The demon beasts had not only consumed spirit medicine — they had turned the Menial Disciples into prey as well!
Chen Yang grabbed one of the less severely wounded Outer Sect Disciples and asked in a low, grave voice:
"With things this dire, where are the Foundation Establishment Elders? Why haven't they stepped in to suppress this?"
The Outer Sect Disciple gave a bitter smile, his face full of helplessness:
"We can't reach them! The Elders' cave dwellings all have restrictions on them — we simply can't get a message through. Perhaps… perhaps the Elders have been held up by something even more pressing…"
Something more pressing?
The ominous feeling in Chen Yang's heart grew stronger still.
Could it be that deep within the back mountains, something truly terrifying had appeared — something that even the Foundation Establishment Elders had to deal with at full strength?
He dared not dwell on the thought. Only one resolve grew ever firmer in his mind:
He had to find Liu Yiyi!
He had to keep her safe!
Though they shared no blood, they had acknowledged each other as siblings, and Chen Yang treasured that bond deeply.
Especially during those difficult early days after he had first entered the Verdant Wood Sect.
Perhaps for other cultivators, the purpose of cultivation was immortality — but for Chen Yang, there were many other reasons as well…
Because of his turbulent emotions, combined with the prolonged extreme exertion, the spiritual energy within him began to show faint signs of restlessness and instability.
Chen Yang immediately and instinctively circulated the Yimu Immortality Art.
The moment the cultivation technique began to flow, a warm and gentle life force spread instantly through every limb and bone, like sweet spring water pouring over parched earth.
The thread of restless, unstable spiritual energy was swiftly soothed and smoothed out.
Even the anxious turmoil in his mind settled considerably along with it.
The calming effect of this cultivation technique was an unexpected boon.
Just as he was about to reach the edge of Butterfly Valley, he came across a female Outer Sect Disciple sitting by the roadside, recovering her breath, her face pale as a sheet.
Chen Yang approached and asked as he had before.
The female disciple had clearly suffered a terrible fright; her reactions were sluggish. She stared blankly for a long moment before something seemed to click, and she said hesitantly:
"A… a female disciple in pale blue clothes, carrying a pack? I… I think I remember… just a moment ago… there was someone like that…"
Chen Yang's spirits leapt. He pressed her urgently:
"What happened to her? Where is she?"
"She… she ran into a few Shadow Wolves, and almost… almost got knocked down… but then, an Elder who was passing by saved her… there were a few other female disciples too, and they were all taken away together…" the female disciple recalled in halting fragments.
"Saved? Is she all right? Do you know which Elder it was?" Chen Yang fired off questions one after another, his heart leaping into his throat.
"She's… she's fine. The Elder arrived just in time — only some minor scrapes and a bad fright… I don't know the Elder, but they were very powerful, killed all those Shadow Wolves with a wave of their hand… Oh, right, the female disciple and the Elder seemed to know each other — they exchanged a few words…"
Hearing that Liu Yiyi was unharmed and had been taken away by a Foundation Establishment Elder, the tightly wound string in Chen Yang's heart finally went completely slack.
He let out a long, slow breath.
The mention of an acquaintance reminded him that Liu Yiyi had once told him how, years ago when she had fallen into hardship, fallen ill, and been abandoned, it was a Foundation Establishment Elder of the Verdant Wood Sect who had happened upon her and brought her up the mountain.
He wondered if the Elder who had saved Liu Yiyi this time was that same person.
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With a Foundation Establishment Elder's protection, Liu Yiyi's safety was beyond doubt.
His mind had just begun to ease, and he was about to turn back toward Qingyun Peak to check on Xiaochunhua and the Menial Disciples in the courtyard — when —
Hum!
The inner disciple jade token at his waist suddenly vibrated without warning, emanating a faint white glow.
The female Outer Sect Disciple beside him caught sight of the jade token and was immediately startled, a look of reverence crossing her face. Only then did she realize that this young man in plain, unremarkable clothes was actually an inner disciple!
At the same moment.
A voice, resonant as a great bell and suffused with a blazing, masculine energy, rang out like rolling thunder, reverberating suddenly across the entirety of Butterfly Valley and the wider region beyond!
"All inner disciples, hear my command!"
The female Outer Sect Disciple's expression turned solemn, and she said in a low voice:
"That's Elder Zhu of Crimson Glow Peak! His True Essence, cultivated through the Crimson Yang True Art, is supremely unyielding and yang — that's why his voice sounds like that!"
The resonant voice continued to fill the heavens and earth:
"Last night, demon beasts ran rampant in the back mountains. The sect's Foundation Establishment Elders have gone deep within to suppress the source! All inner disciples who receive this transmission are hereby ordered to proceed immediately to the two rear mountain entrances at Butterfly Valley and Qin Valley. You are to eliminate the low-rank demon beasts that have broken out from the back mountains and protect the safety of the outer disciples. This order is not to be disobeyed!"
The command echoed between the peaks, carrying an authority that brooked no refusal.
Chen Yang looked down at the jade token, still glowing in his hand.
Then he looked up at Butterfly Valley, close at hand and in complete ruin.
Liu Yiyi had already been rescued by a Foundation Establishment Elder — she was safe.
And back at the courtyard, Xiaochunhua was behind restrictions; as long as she was sensible and kept the door shut, she should be fine for now.
Since he had been summoned, and he happened to be right here, both duty and conscience made it impossible to stand by and do nothing.
"So be it."
He let out a quiet sigh, turned, and sprinted toward the familiar entrance leading from Butterfly Valley into the back mountains.
The valley at the entrance was already in chaos.
The ground bore the scars of battle.
A few Shadow Wolves and one wounded Blazing Flame Tiger still prowled and snarled, gnawing at the remains of disciples who had not been so fortunate.
A cold light flashed in Chen Yang's eyes. Without a moment's hesitation, he extended two fingers and swept them through the air, the spiritual energy within him surging!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several sharp spell techniques shot from his hand, piercing cleanly through the skulls of the Shadow Wolves!
At the same time, his body moved like lightning, closing the distance to the Blazing Flame Tiger in an instant.
The power of the Nine Revolutions Body Tempering Art erupted — a single, brutal punch!
Boom!
The Blazing Flame Tiger didn't even have time to breathe fire. Its massive skull caved in under the blow, and with a dying wail, it collapsed and breathed its last.
Having swiftly cleared the threats near the entrance, Chen Yang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the deep, shadowed back mountains with vigilant eyes.
Before long, the sound of figures cutting through the air rang out in succession.
Three silhouettes arrived from different directions, landing nearby.
It seemed the inner disciples who had received the summons were beginning to gather.
After a while, a few more inner disciples arrived.
All told, only eleven had come — a sparse, scattered group.
Including Chen Yang himself, there were twelve inner disciples in total.
Chen Yang couldn't help but feel a little taken aback.
Were there really so few inner disciples in the Verdant Wood Sect?
And judging by their cultivation levels, most appeared to be between the fifth and seventh levels of the Qi Refinement Realm.
A large, broad-shouldered man with knotted muscles and a shaved head seemed to read his confusion, and grinned wide, his voice booming like a great bell:
"You look unfamiliar, Junior Brother. Newly promoted to inner disciple, are you?"
Chen Yang cupped his fists in greeting:
"I am Chen Yang. Indeed, I was only promoted not long ago. And you, Senior Brother?"
"The name's Zhou Shan!"
The bald giant was refreshingly open, slapping his solid chest with a broad palm:
"Surprised there are so few of us, Junior Brother? Heh — every few years the back mountains kick up one of these demon beast frenzies. It's not an official sect mission, there's no spirit stone reward, and you're risking your neck. Plenty of folks just hide away and pretend they never got the message, or leave the sect entirely to wait it out."
Chen Yang understood at once.
He thought of those inner disciples below Qingyun Peak — doors shut tight, deaf to the desperate pleas of the Menial Disciples outside.
In the eyes of those lofty individuals, the lives of laborers and Outer Sect Disciples were perhaps truly no different from those of ants — not worth risking themselves over.
"I see. Thank you for explaining, Senior Brother Zhou."
Zhou Shan waved it off, and was about to say something more when he took a closer look at Chen Yang, scratched his bald head, and muttered:
"Chen Yang… Chen Yang… why does that name sound familiar…"
He suddenly smacked his forehead, eyes going wide:
"I remember now! You're the Chen Yang who beat Li Yan into a sorry mess at the promotion trial a few days ago?!"
Chen Yang hadn't expected his "achievement" to spread so quickly. He could only give a slight nod:
"That would be me."
"Well done! Well done indeed! Ha ha ha!"
Zhou Shan erupted with excitement, his fan-like hand clapping Chen Yang hard on the shoulder:
"You really vented my frustration for me!"
Chen Yang, somewhat dazed from the enthusiastic slapping, asked in puzzlement:
"Does Senior Brother Zhou have a grudge with Li Yan?"
A female disciple nearby, who seemed rather quiet and gentle, explained softly:
"Back when Senior Brother Zhou was still an Outer Sect Disciple, he went to Crimson Glow Peak to purchase some Pills. He accidentally said something that offended Li Yan. Li Yan used his position to order all Crimson Glow Peak disciples not to sell any Pills to Senior Brother Zhou — and that lasted a full year, severely hampering Senior Brother Zhou's cultivation. Things only improved after Senior Brother Zhou was later promoted to inner disciple. It's been a thorn in Senior Brother Zhou's side ever since."
Chen Yang nodded in understanding:
"That Li Yan truly is petty and narrow-minded — always bullying those weaker than himself." He had experienced it firsthand on the Qingyun Peak plaza.
"Couldn't agree more!"
Zhou Shan grumbled in his deep, rumbling voice, clearly still nursing a grudge over that old affair.
Just as they were talking —
Rustling sounds and beast roars rose again from the forest in the back mountains, clearly more demon beasts being driven out by the commotion deeper within.
"All right, enough talk!"
Zhou Shan's expression turned serious as he looked around at everyone:
"This entrance valley is wide and we're short on numbers. Spread out and hold your sections — each person covers their own area, keep an eye on each other, and don't let any demon beasts slip through to harm people! Stay sharp!"
"Understood!"
Everyone answered in unison, then fanned out, each finding a favorable position to stand watch.
Chen Yang approved of Zhou Shan's arrangement, and felt a measure of genuine respect for these inner disciples who had chosen to come and risk themselves in the rescue effort.
It seemed that not everyone in the inner sect was cold and selfish after all.
He chose a large boulder with a clear line of sight, stood atop it with his hands behind his back, and focused his full attention on the surroundings.
From midafternoon to dusk.
Demon beasts continued to burst from the forest in scattered waves — mostly first-rank Shadow Wolves and Wind Foxes, with the occasional second-rank Blazing Flame Tiger or Glacial Demon Leopard.
Chen Yang and the other inner disciples each fought their own battles, striking out in turn.
Sword light and spell techniques flashed and blazed.
Wave after wave of charging demon beasts were cut down at the valley mouth.
Chen Yang didn't even draw upon his Flying Sword.
Relying solely on the formidable physique granted by the Nine Revolutions Body Tempering Art, his nimble footwork, and basic spell techniques, he handled everything with ease.
He discovered that circulating the Yimu Immortality Art during combat added nothing to his offensive power, but it allowed him to recover spent stamina and spiritual energy at a remarkable rate, leaving him virtually tireless and dramatically extending his endurance in prolonged battle.
The sun gradually sank in the west, painting the horizon in shades of orange and red.
Just as everyone was beginning to think this wave of the beast tide was about to subside —
"AHHH!!!"
A shriek of pure agony, drenched in pain and terror, suddenly tore through the air from the direction Zhou Shan was defending!
Chen Yang's heart seized!
That was Zhou Shan's voice!
Without a second thought, the spiritual energy within him exploded outward, and his figure became a flash of light, hurtling toward the source of the scream at maximum speed!
The inner disciples guarding other positions had clearly heard it too — their faces drained of color as they converged from different directions.
Chen Yang arrived first.
The sight before him made his pupils contract sharply!
There, on a stretch of forest floor reduced to wreckage —
Zhou Shan's powerful frame lay crumpled on the ground like a broken ragdoll.
Covered in blood, his fate unknown!
And beside him, looming with terrifying presence, stood an enormous beast!
It was a colossal crocodile!
Its entire body was armored in thick, jet-black scales that gleamed with a cold metallic luster, and its gaping maw was large enough to swallow an ox whole!
Most chilling of all was the visible black killing aura that swirled around its body, radiating a nauseating stench and an aura of extreme, lethal danger!
At this very moment, clamped between its fang-lined jaws was a mangled, bloodied mass of flesh — unmistakably a human thigh!
Unmistakably Zhou Shan's!
"A third-rank demon beast! A Black-Scale Twenty-Seven-Meter Crocodile!"
One of the inner disciples who had just arrived cried out in horror, his voice thick with fear:
"Its power rivals a cultivator at the ninth level of the Qi Refinement Realm!"
Another disciple seemed to look more carefully; his trembling finger measured the crocodile's length by eye, and his voice rose to a shrill, despairing pitch:
"No… no, that's wrong! An ordinary Black-Scale Twenty-Seven-Meter Crocodile is at most twenty-seven meters long! This one… this one is definitely over thirty meters! It… it's on the verge of breaking through to the fourth rank! Its power rivals a cultivator at the Perfected tenth level of the Qi Refinement Realm — or even… even approaches that of a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator!"
A thirty-meter crocodile!
Every heart in that valley plunged instantly into an abyss of ice!