The mountain peaks here rose like sharp swords piercing straight into the clouds. Amid the swirling mist and clouds, countless magnificent buildings built along the mountainsides could be vaguely seen. Their style was rugged and ancient. Enormous beast bones and totem poles were visible everywhere. The air was filled with a vast and powerful primordial aura.
In front of a massive mountain gate carved with patterns of a hundred beasts galloping, the group was stopped by guards.
The guards were all fierce beast clan warriors. Seeing the dishevelled appearance of Shi Yan and the others, along with their drastically reduced numbers, they were greatly shocked.
“Shi Yan? Ying Wu? Were you not stationed at Rock Valley? How…”
The guard captain, a burly man with a rhinoceros horn on his forehead, asked in a deep voice. His gaze warily swept over Chen Ping, this unfamiliar human, and the extraordinary little fire qilin beside him.
“Captain Xi Wu, Rock Valley… is gone!”
Shi Yan’s voice was filled with grief. He quickly recounted the sudden assault by the elite forces of the Myriad Souls Demon Sect, Elder Li Yan’s death in battle defending the valley, the near annihilation of the disciples there, and finally how they were saved by Chen Ping.
“What?! Elder Li Yan, he…”
Captain Xi Wu’s sturdy body shook. His eyes revealed shock and anger.
He looked at Chen Ping again. His expression had already changed. There was less vigilance, and more astonishment, doubt, and scrutiny.
Seventh grade of the Human Immortal realm?
Single-handedly routing an elite team led by two fifth-grade Heavenly Immortal realm leaders from the demonic sect?
This sounded utterly unbelievable.
“This matter is of great importance. I must report it to the sect master and the elders immediately! Follow me!”
Captain Xi Wu did not dare delay. He immediately led the group through the massive mountain gate, along the winding stone steps upwards, towards the Myriad Beasts Hall at the summit. It was the most majestic structure, emanating boundless oppressive might.
Along the way, many disciples of the Myriad Beasts Sect cast curious glances. Especially upon seeing this human with weak aura being personally escorted by Captain Xi Wu, they whispered among themselves.
Stepping into the Myriad Beasts Hall, an even more ancient and heavy pressure assaulted them.
The interior space of the hall was extremely vast, constructed from countless enormous beast bones and rocks. The surrounding walls were carved with images of various ancient divine beasts, lifelike and vivid.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was solemn. A lion clan expert with a stature as imposing as a mountain, resolute features, and emanating terrifying aura sat on the main seat. This was the sect master, Lie Tian.
Below him, to the left and right, sat several elders with profound auras. They were clearly discussing important matters.
“Sect Master! Honoured Elders!”
Captain Xi Wu stepped forward, kneeling on one knee. He reported gravely. “The stationed disciples from Rock Valley, Shi Yan and Ying Wu, have returned to report. Rock Valley… was breached by the Myriad Souls Demon Sect three days ago. Elder Li Yan fought valiantly and died defending the valley. Of the disciples there… only thirteen remain!”
“What?!”
The hall erupted in uproar.
Sect Master Lie Tian abruptly stood up. A tangible terrifying pressure instantly enveloped the entire hall, nearly suffocating the surviving disciples like Shi Yan. Even Chen Ping felt a slight pressure.
“What exactly happened? Explain in detail!”
Sect Master Lie Tian’s voice boomed like thunder, echoing through the hall.
Shi Yan endured the pressure and recounted the events once more.
This time in greater detail. He especially emphasised how Chen Ping had descended like a divine soldier at the critical moment, slaying the demonic cultivators with thunderous methods, saving them, and mentioned that Chen Ping claimed to have an old grudge with the Myriad Souls Demon Sect.
All eyes instantly focused on Chen Ping.
The gazes of those elders were like lightning, filled with scrutiny, suspicion, and even a trace of barely concealed contempt.
“Seventh grade of the Human Immortal realm?”
An elder dressed in feathered robes, with eyes sharp as an eagle’s, Yu Sha, spoke first. His tone carried undisguised doubt.
“Shi Yan, are you certain you did not see wrongly? Elder Li Yan, with his fifth-grade Heavenly Immortal cultivation, fought to his death defending the valley. Yet you say this youngster routed the demonic sect’s forces and killed two fifth-grade Heavenly Immortal leaders? It is simply absurd beyond belief!”
