Chapter 28: An Invitation from the Zhaoyang Sect

On the journey home.

Qin Yue and Hu Jiuyan encountered many people, and from their words, finally understood what Feng Li meant before their departure.

“Damn it, we’ve all been duped. These monsters have become so sophisticated, they actually know how to use the schemes humans excel at…”

“No wonder those young monsters from the Beast Valley, who hold such high status, only showed up in the initial stage, fought a few rounds with the demonic sect and the talents from the great sects, and then vanished. Turns out, they went to the Dragon Palace ruins to seek treasures. We’ve really suffered a loss, a big one!”

“It’s truly unforgivable. Using Feng Qianning to trap us in the Beast Valley, sending guards for the rare medicinal herbs, we didn’t gain a single benefit. Instead, we provided cover for those monster clan prodigies…”

“Enough complaining. At most, we were pawns used by others. The ones who suffered most are the talents from the major sects.”

“Hahaha, exactly! I heard the young lord of the Zhaoyang Sect, upon hearing that the Dragon Palace ruins appeared in the North Sea and Feng Qianning and the monster clan prodigies reaped huge rewards there, was absolutely furious!”

“Funny! Apparently, he smashed a mountain peak with a single slap!”

“The ones truly enraged must be the high-levels of the major sects. Who could have believed that these great monsters, who rarely interact with humans, would be so adept at misdirection?”

“Do you think the saintess from Tianluo Sect was playing a double act with the Beast Valley?”

“Probably not. I heard when they fought for treasures at the North Sea Dragon Palace ruins, Feng Qianning clashed fiercely with the monster clan prodigies, showing no mercy at all. She even chopped off the tail of a certain unnamed young monster king…”

“Ever since half a year ago, when ancient divine beasts appeared above Zhaoyang Sect and the Ten Holy Lands, creating celestial phenomena, many ancient ruins have begun to reveal themselves. The North Sea Dragon Palace ruins are just the beginning. After this setback, the major sects will surely pay closer attention.”

A group of people, either excited or frustrated, discussed animatedly.

Among the rogue cultivators, some were well-informed and knowledgeable, their words causing Qin Yue and Hu Jiuyan’s hearts to stir.

The rest were even more exhilarated.

“Do you think the springtime for us rogue cultivators is coming?”

“Yes, with celestial signs and ruins appearing, if we’re lucky enough to obtain an ancient inheritance, we’ll become rich overnight!”

“Forget about ancient inheritances. Even a single page of an ancient secret technique would be enough. If you master just one move of true divine power, you’ll rise to the top!”

“Hahaha, you lot are ugly but dream beautifully. Even if you enter ancient ruins and find treasures, can you keep them?”

“Can’t it happen that no one else finds it but me?”

“People should have dreams! The great monsters of Beast Valley have them. Why shouldn’t we?”

Qin Yue and Hu Jiuyan listened quietly on the side, and couldn’t help but admire those great monsters—they really outwitted everyone this time.

Especially Qin Yue, who had recently enjoyed pleasant interactions with the Beast Valley monsters, knowing them far better than most.

Except for the fact that he himself had tricked them, he had to admit: these were truly beings of a high order.

At that moment, someone recognized Hu Jiuyan and greeted her with a smile, “Captain Hu, have you gained anything these past months?”

Hu Yan gave a slight smile. Her only real harvest over the past three months was meeting a remarkable “junior brother.”

For her, that was already a tremendous gain.

“Not bad, I made quite a few friends.”

“Haha, truly! The friends you’ve made in these three months are more than in the past ten years combined!”

“Don’t mention it. After three months in the deep mountains, I feel I’ve gained ten pounds… Every day was eating and drinking, and the wines brewed by the monster clan have a unique flavor!”

“I even bought dozens of pounds to bring home for my family and friends to try.”

Those who could walk together in groups were basically people without serious conflicts.

The treasure-hunting killers would never travel together like this.

Really, these rogue cultivators couldn’t say they gained nothing; the resources of Beast Valley were excellent.

They might not have collected supreme elixirs, and their dreams of instant wealth were shattered, but everyone harvested plenty of ordinary spirit herbs. Selling them later would bring considerable profit.

Not everyone used their herbs for cultivation; most ordinary cultivators pursued wealth—big wealth—for a prosperous life in the world.

So, as for the great monsters of Beast Valley, most only complained a little, but deep down, they felt little animosity.

…

A few days later.

This group had nearly reached the area where the barrier had originally been set up, their numbers growing from dozens to several hundred.

The crowd was so dense that even in the lush, wild forest, they stood out.

Qin Yue wasn’t wearing that flashy enchanted robe, just carried his backpack, walking side by side with Hu Jiuyan.

When they reached a clearing, a massive flying vessel suddenly soared overhead.

It wasn’t flying very high, about forty to fifty yards, and almost made no thunderous noise—only the hidden propellers emitted a faint hum as it neared.

It was Qin Yue’s first time seeing such a high-tech product unique to the cultivation world up close.

Low altitude, low speed, silent cruising.

In terms of technical sophistication, it was on par with any aircraft from his previous life.

Many people looked up, eyes filled with envy. It was obvious this was the privilege of a great sect—someone recognized the emblem and identified the vessel’s origin.

“It’s the Lingyun Sect’s ship, one of the top sects in Zhuoyong Holy Land!”

“I’ve never ridden a flying vessel, would love to try it once.”

“Haha, there are long-distance passenger flying vessels in Divine Continent.”

“Forget it, the fare is too expensive. With those spirit stones, I’d rather go to the music house…”

“You go to the music house just for the tunes?”

“I don’t believe it either!”

They teased one another under Hu Jiuyan’s glare, but then watched as the vessel began to slow down, gradually descending, finally landing about thirty yards ahead.

Several figures quickly exited the cabin, leaping lightly to the ground.

A young man called out from a distance, “Brother Qin! What a coincidence!”

The launching and landing of such a vessel consumed enormous spiritual energy. The fact that Lingyun Sect, a top sect of Zhuoyong Holy Land, would land here was already odd to many.

That shout drew all eyes, and soon everyone was looking at Qin Yue.

Qin Yue, having overheard that the vessel belonged to Lingyun Sect, was already wondering if the Huo brothers might be aboard. He hadn’t expected them to land just for him.

He felt a warmth in his heart, smiling as he stepped forward to greet Huo Tong, Huo Qing, Tian Ying, and Chen Xuan.

“Good to see you again!”

“Haha, not just a chance meeting—we purposely slowed down to search carefully. Luckily, my brother is a dragon among men, so striking and handsome that he stands out even in a crowd!”

Qin Yue: “…”

Huo Qing and the others stepped forward to greet Qin Yue, then smiled at Hu Jiuyan.

Huo Tong was open and a little flamboyant, sometimes speaking without restraint. To prevent him from rambling, Huo Qing directly invited Qin Yue, “Since we’ve met, why don’t you and Captain Hu join us on the flying vessel?”

The group of rogue cultivators who had traveled together for days were wide-eyed with disbelief.

Though they hadn’t ignored Qin Yue, they’d only seen him as Captain Hu’s companion, never expecting him to be so extraordinary.

Could he be a scion of one of the Ten Holy Lands?

Qin Yue smiled and politely declined: “Thank you, Brother Huo, but Captain Hu and I still have official duties in the north. We wouldn’t want to trouble you.”

Huo Tong said, “It’s no trouble at all—really! We’re all friends, don’t refuse. When we reach the north, let’s go to a tavern and have a good drink together!”

Tian Ying exchanged a glance with Chen Xuan. The latter was a little shy in front of so many people, so Tian Ying stepped forward and smiled, “We’re all good friends, no need to be formal.”

Unable to refuse their hospitality, Qin Yue was about to accept, when suddenly the crowd behind him erupted in cries of surprise.

Following their gaze, he saw another flying vessel approaching rapidly, slowing and descending.

The reason for their amazement was the sleek, silver vessel with a huge, distinctive emblem.

“Zhaoyang Sect!” someone shouted.

“As expected from the world’s top sect—what a beautiful vessel!” someone else exclaimed in envy.

“Why are they landing too?”

It was as if everyone forgot how they’d mocked Zhaoyang Sect’s young lord Ling Chen days ago; now their eyes were full of eager anticipation.

Qin Yue too saw, for the first time, such a futuristic flying craft in the cultivation world—over thirty yards long, more than a hundred meters, like a graceful metallic giant beast.

Just by sight alone, it was clear this was far more advanced than Lingyun Sect’s old-fashioned “big ship.”

What surprised them even more was that several more vessels appeared in the distant sky, each different in design, slowing and descending.

Huo Qing and Tian Ying exchanged glances, both frowning slightly. Clearly, these people had also discovered Mr. Qin and wanted to intercept him.

Although they counted Qin Yue as a friend, their relationship wasn’t deep. They hadn’t had a chance to explain the truth, and now, even if they wanted to, it wasn’t appropriate.

Once Zhaoyang Sect’s vessel landed, the young lord Ling Chen, young uncle Xuan Xiao, the sect master’s disciples Tang Qingxuan and Chu Wanqing, along with two elders, walked over.

Ling Chen, usually arrogant, now wore a rare expression of warmth, but did not speak first. Tang Qingxuan, smiling, stepped forward, nodded to Huo Qing and the others, then looked at Qin Yue.

This disciple, highly ranked in Zhaoyang Sect, was strikingly beautiful. Even her loose martial pants couldn’t hide her long, shapely legs.

She gave Qin Yue a formal bow as per sect etiquette, “I am Tang Qingxuan of Zhaoyang Sect. Are you Mr. Qin?”

Qin Yue was momentarily stunned, wondering how the monster kings’ appellation for him had reached their ears.

He returned the bow calmly. Though he loathed Zhaoyang Sect, he showed nothing on his face.

“I am indeed surnamed Qin, though I’m not sure if I’m the person you seek.”

Tang Qingxuan smiled, “I’ve seen your portrait, sir. It’s you.”

Tian Ying stepped forward and smiled, “Senior Tang, we meet again.”

Tang Qingxuan nodded, “Yes, what a coincidence.”

Tian Ying smiled, “It’s not really a coincidence—we stopped here specifically for Mr. Qin. We were about to invite him on board.”

Tang Qingxuan looked slightly surprised, then quickly recovered, smiling at Qin Yue, “Our Zhaoyang Sect sincerely invites Mr. Qin to join us. You may enter the inner sect directly and choose your own master!”

Boom!

The crowd erupted in astonishment.