Chapter 179: Journey to Zhou Ling City

Chapter 179: Journey to Zhou Ling City

Tianling Mountain, Xuanyun Sect.

A silver-haired girl was feeding the Immortal Cranes in front of the property hall, her cold gaze shifting towards the azure sky in the east.

He still hasn’t returned.

Thinking about how she left later than him but came back earlier, based on his skill level, he shouldn’t be dawdling. Maybe he was assigned another task along the way, which delayed him for some time, resulting in his current absence.

As for Master Sister and the Fourth Junior Sister, they were also out on missions, and with her master not around, she was the only one left in the entire sect.

Lately, there had been many disciples dispatched on missions, and since she was the strongest among her peers, it felt quite mismatched for her to be leisurely feeding cranes in front of the property hall while waiting for Lin Nuo.

She had already visited the place where he was on a mission, and the locals said he had completed it and left a while ago. Now, she had no clue about his whereabouts and could only return to Tianling Mountain, hoping to run into him.

After several days without seeing him, she was starting to get frustrated.

The two Immortal Cranes in front of her were particularly proud; most disciples of Xuanyun Sect couldn’t get close to them, but when they encountered Qin Shili for feeding, they instantly became timid.

There was no choice; if they flapped their wings in defiance, they would end up as ice sculptures in the next second. Thus, they obediently ate the feed and didn’t dare to be picky about it, expressing no complaints whatsoever.

At that moment, an elder holding a large white brush walked over, and Qin Shili’s gaze finally returned from the distant azure sky.

“Elder Yuan, good day.”

Qin Shili stopped feeding the cranes and respectfully greeted Elder Yuan.

“Shi Li, good.”

Elder Yuan stroked his long beard and chuckled lightly.

“Shi Li, you seem a bit distracted, always gazing into the sky. Is there something on your mind?”

“It’s not that serious; I’m just a bit bored since returning.”

“Bored? Your master and I noticed you frequently going out on trials and accepting tasks. We wanted you to stay at Tianling Mountain to rest properly, or perhaps you could practice a new technique.”

“I won’t try new techniques until I have perfected the old ones.”

Qin Shili responded,

“Do you know why my Junior Martial Brother hasn’t returned yet, Elder Yuan?”

“Unfortunately, I’m not clear about that. The tasks assigned to him by Xuanyun Sect aren’t difficult; logically speaking, he should have come back by now. Perhaps he took on new commissions again; I can’t know everything. However, I do know about your Master Sister and Junior Sister; they have gone to Zhou Ling City. It’s been heard that Zhou Ling City has issued a recruitment order, calling for capable individuals to form the Righteous Path Organization to fend off the fierce beasts and rogues attacking nearby. This organization is set to be elevated to the Royal Army level.”

“Why go through all this trouble for just a few fierce beasts?”

Qin Shili was confused; she had been on numerous expeditions, and had slain quite a few fierce beasts, including several Heaven-level ones, collecting plenty of soul fragments, although she hadn’t decided how to deal with them yet.

“Shi Li, Zhou Ling City is close to the Sacred Altar, plus the rampant fierce beasts pose a significant threat, so it’s only natural to recruit experts for assistance.”

“The Sacred Altar has been firmly guarded for hundreds of years, and the sorcerers there are quite formidable. If the situation is dire, seeking help from powerful experts is reasonable, but those responding to the recruitment order may vary in strength; it’s uncertain if some will try to take advantage and that true strong individuals wouldn’t come just because of the call.”

“That’s true.”

Elder Yuan continued to stroke his beard, chuckling softly.

“Shi Li, if you feel bored in the mountain, why not accompany me to Zhou Ling City? It might help resolve the issues with the fierce beasts.”

“Zhou Ling City has already issued a recruitment order; there’s no need for me to take action.”

“No, Shi Li, I have an ominous feeling about this fierce beast attack; it is sure to be a sign of something significant. And who knows, Lin Nuo might also go to Zhou Ling City to lend a hand.”

“Hm? Will he go?”

As soon as Lin Nuo was mentioned, Qin Shili suddenly became intrigued.

“However, he doesn’t seem like the type to go just for a recruitment order.”

“That’s likely true, but he might go for the Sacred Altar. The Sacred Altar doesn’t typically allow outsiders to approach, but in times of disaster, outside assistance can access it. As far as I know, Lin Nuo has never been to the Sacred Altar; perhaps he will go for it. Look, he still hasn’t returned, and it coincides perfectly with Zhou Ling City’s recruitment order—what a coincidence, right?”

Qin Shili pondered, and it indeed seemed like a coincidence.

Since she wasn’t waiting for Lin Nuo’s return on the mountain, it wouldn’t hurt to make a trip. If it were a minor matter, he’d return quickly. If it were something significant, she could gain some experience, and if she ran into Lin Nuo, even better.

“Alright, let’s set off.”

Qin Shili nodded in agreement, then called out her Spirit Sword, flying away from Tianling Mountain with Elder Yuan.

…

Lin Nuo followed Du Lun and the others to the north. On the way, they encountered a small group of fierce beasts, which were quickly dispatched, and Du Lun collected the soul fragments from the slain beasts.

Lin Nuo knew Du Lun wasn’t exactly a good person, but on the surface, he played the role of a righteous individual, and with the reputation of the second young master of the Lin family, it was quite easy for him to get into the Five Star Team.

Many people entered the Five Star Team with specific motives; those who built merit while in the team gained wide recognition, plus completing tasks could earn rewards. Slaying fierce beasts also allowed them to collect soul fragments using their Spirit Techniques for crafting spiritual and mysterious implements.

Following Du Lun’s lead, Lin Nuo and the others reached the northern region near the Sacred Altar, where several fierce beasts were already wreaking havoc, destroying the array set up by the Spirit Masters.

“Newcomer, this is the Sacred Altar area; this battlefield is far scarier than you imagine. Right now, there are a lot of fierce beasts here, and our numbers are limited. Let’s split up, and good luck.”

Du Lun’s right hand was about to land on Lin Nuo’s shoulder as a friendly gesture, but Lin Nuo instinctively dodged.

He wasn’t fond of others touching his shoulder, especially those trying to feign friendliness.

“Okay, then we’ll head west.”

“Young Master Wu, let’s go together for mutual support.”

The follow-up Yan Shuqin requested.

Lin Nuo shook his hand:

“No need, the area here is large; we have fewer people, and if we go together, our combat strength won’t be sufficiently balanced. I’ll move with my disciple.”

Lin Nuo shifted his gaze to Ling Meng:

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Ling Meng agreed, then followed Lin Nuo as the two, clad in light gray robes with hoods covering their heads, vanished into the jungle like sorcerers wielding some sort of secret arts.

“Ke Xin, we need to put in more effort.”

Yan Shuqin smiled at Su Kexin, then headed in the opposite direction.

Du Lun also led some people in another direction, probing the fierce beasts’ presence and energies to fend them off.

Du Lun had set up spiritual detection in this area; as long as Lin Nuo and the others didn’t move too far away, he could sense their position.

At this moment, several floating doors enveloped in dark energy emerged near the Sacred Altar, instantly spilling forth a horde of various ruthless fierce beasts, attacking the remaining strongholds nearby, even pushing towards the Sacred Altar.

“With so many fierce beasts, can you imagine how many soul fragments there are? Even if I offer half to the lord upon my return, he will be thrilled.”

Du Lun chuckled, brandishing his spear and rushing into the crowd of fierce beasts.