20: Qingfeng encounters a cultivator and saves him!

"Go down the mountain."

These two words floated lightly from Chu Xuanjin's mouth.

Ye Chenfeng in the courtyard, Su Linger among the ice sculptures, and Wang Duojin in the room, all paused simultaneously.

They walked out of their respective courtyards and gathered before their Revered Master, each with different expressions.

There was anticipation, nervousness, and a hint of irrepressible excitement.

Chu Xuanjin said no more, leading the three to the magnificent mountain gate once again.

Su Linger and Wang Duojin thought they would simply walk out of the mountain gate, just as they had arrived.

Unexpectedly, Chu Xuanjin stopped.

He turned around, looking at the Immortal Qi-filled Myriad Dao Divine Mountain, and with a casual wave of his hand.

Rumble—

The earth trembled again.

Under Su Linger and Wang Duojin's horrified gazes, which almost popped out of their sockets, the ten-thousand-zhang-tall Myriad Dao Divine Mountain, shrouded in Immortal mist, rapidly shrunk in a manner that defied all Laws of the world.

Palaces and pavilions transformed into lines on a palm, Immortal cranes and spiritual waterfalls condensed into a tiny speck of light.

Finally, the entire Divine Mountain became an exquisite, palm-sized model, falling into Chu Xuanjin's sleeve and disappearing.

In its place, only a barren, unremarkable mountain hollow remained.

"Th-this...this...Ma-Revered Master..."

Wang Duojin's tongue was tied in knots. He pointed at Chu Xuanjin's sleeve, then at the empty space in front of them, his mind completely blank.

Su Linger's small mouth also formed a perfect O-shape. Her ice-blue eyes reflected nothing but world-shattering shock.

Ye Chenfeng, however, was already used to it, standing calmly to the side.

"Let's go."

Chu Xuanjin seemed to have merely put away an ordinary piece of luggage. He turned and walked out of the mountain hollow.

"True cultivation is not in the Immortal Mountains, but in the Mortal World."

...In a certain mountain range in the Eastern Desolate Region, ancient trees towered into the sky, and the roars of Yao Beasts echoed one after another in the depths of the dense forest.

A group of four walked on the rugged mountain path.

"Thirty zhang to the front left, a Golden Core Stage Iron-Armored Earth Dragon is lurking underground."

Chu Xuanjin's voice suddenly rang out.

Wang Duojin subconsciously pulled out his abacus, his fingers rapidly moving the beads.

"Revered Master is right! The Evil Qi there is extremely heavy, a sign of great misfortune!"

"The brightly colored mushrooms on the right are called 'Seven Illusion Mushrooms.' They are highly poisonous and can cause Soul Transformation Cultivators to hallucinate."

Su Linger quickly pulled back Wang Duojin, who was curiously about to go forward.

"The circling vulture above is a 'Carrion Ghost Crow.' Its appearance usually signifies a large-scale death nearby."

Chu Xuanjin walked along, casually commenting on everything.

Every danger he mentioned coincided with Wang Duojin's divinations.

This deepened Wang Duojin's reverence for his Revered Master even further.

This was not merely traveling; this was clearly Revered Master teaching them how to survive in this perilous world.

"Help—!"

Just then, a shrill cry for help from a woman, mixed with the loud explosion of spiritual power, came from not far ahead.

"Junior Sister, hurry and go! Don't mind me!"

Immediately after, a weak but resolute male voice followed.

The three simultaneously looked at Chu Xuanjin.

Chu Xuanjin's steps did not falter; he merely cast a faint glance at Ye Chenfeng.

"Go take a look."

"Yes."

Ye Chenfeng's figure flickered, transforming into a wisp of green smoke, instantly disappearing at the end of the forest path...In a clearing in the dense forest, two young Cultivators dressed in sky-blue Sect robes were being cornered by a giant ape, three zhang tall, covered in black scales, and with blood-red eyes.

The giant ape's Demonic Qi surged skyward; it was clearly a Nascent Soul Early Stage Yao Beast!

The female Cultivator was gritting her teeth, desperately activating a spirit shield riddled with cracks, struggling to hold on.

The male Cultivator behind her had a pale face, a bloody hole in his chest, and his aura was weak; he was clearly severely injured.

"No! If we go, we go together!" The female Cultivator's eyes were filled with stubbornness.

"Roar—!"

The giant ape let out a violent roar. Its fist, as large as a cooking pot and burning with black demonic fire, slammed down fiercely on the spirit shield again.

Crack!

The spirit shield shattered instantly, turning into countless specks of light.

The female Cultivator let out a muffled groan and flew backward, her eyes filled with despair.

The shadow of death completely enveloped the two of them.

Just at this critical moment.

A green figure appeared before them without warning.

The figure was not tall, even somewhat slender, yet it stood like an insurmountable chasm, blocking the violent giant ape.

"Fellow Daoist, don't go over!"

A wave of sorrow surged in the male Cultivator Lin Qingyan's heart.

Seeing the human who suddenly appeared, a hint of disdain flashed in the giant ape's blood-red eyes. Its giant fist, burning with demonic fire, did not stop for a moment, smashing down fiercely towards Ye Chenfeng's head!

Lin Qingyan and Liu Feiyan could barely bear to watch.

However, the expected scene of flesh and blood flying did not occur.

Ye Chenfeng didn't even look at that fist.

His figure left an afterimage in place.

Fast!

Extremely fast!

Wind Chasing Sword Art!

Clang—

A sword hum so faint it was almost inaudible.

A slender thread of green sword light, like a mountain goat hanging its horns, leaving no trace, flashed past the giant ape's arm.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

The giant ape's massive body stiffened in mid-air.

For the first time, confusion and bewilderment appeared in its violent, blood-red eyes.

It lowered its head and saw that its arm had, at some unknown point, separated from its body.

Immediately after, a faint bloodline slowly emerged from its neck.

Pfft.

The enormous head soared into the sky.

Black demonic blood gushed out like a fountain.

The massive headless corpse crashed to its knees, then slammed heavily onto the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust.

One sword.

Just one sword.

The violent Nascent Soul Early Stage giant ape was decapitated.

Lin Qingyan and Liu Feiyan's eyes were wide as saucers, and their mouths were open wide enough to fit an egg.

They stared blankly at the green-robed youth standing with his sword, then at the still twitching corpse of the demonic ape on the ground, their minds completely blank.

Instant kill... A youth who looked even younger than them had instantly killed a Nascent Soul Stage Yao Beast with a single sword!

What kind of monster was this?!

Ye Chenfeng slowly sheathed his sword. He turned and glanced at the two completely stunned individuals, but said nothing.

He simply walked quietly to the side, waiting for his Revered Master's arrival.

A moment later, Chu Xuanjin, accompanied by Su Linger and Wang Duojin, unhurriedly emerged from the forest.

"M-many thanks, Fellow Daoist, for saving our lives!"

Lin Qingyan finally recovered his senses. He struggled to get up and bowed deeply in Ye Chenfeng's direction.

"Lin Qingyan of Qingyun Sword Sect will never forget this kindness!"

Liu Feiyan also quickly followed suit, bowing. She looked at Ye Chenfeng's young face, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

"Liu Feiyan of Qingyun Sword Sect thanks Fellow Daoist!"

Ye Chenfeng merely nodded slightly, not replying.

Seeing this, Lin Qingyan's gaze turned to Chu Xuanjin, who was walking at the front.

He could feel that this man, with his extraordinary and unfathomable aura, was the backbone of this group.

"Junior greets Senior." He respectfully bowed again. "May I ask Senior's esteemed name and which Immortal Sect you hail from? Qingyun Sword Sect will surely repay this great kindness in the future!"

Chu Xuanjin's gaze swept over the bloody hole in his chest.

"Myriad Dao Divine Sect, Chu Xuanjin."

Myriad Dao Divine Sect?

Lin Qingyan and Liu Feiyan exchanged glances, seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

They prided themselves on knowing a thing or two about the famous and influential Sects in the Eastern Desolate Region, yet they had never heard of this name.

But how could a Sect that could cultivate such a young Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator be an unknown entity?

It must be an ancient Sect that had been hidden from the world!

Lin Qingyan's respect grew even deeper.

"So it is a distinguished individual from Myriad Dao Divine Sect. Junior has been disrespectful."

He gave a bitter smile, pointing to his injury.

"We two Juniors were originally ordered by our Sect to come here to gather 'Dragon Blood Grass,' but we unexpectedly disturbed this 'Black-Scaled Demonic Ape' and almost lost our lives here."

"Now that Junior is severely injured, the road ahead is still fraught with danger. We two are about to return to our Sect. May I ask if Senior's party is heading towards Tianhuo City?"

Chu Xuanjin glanced at him.

"Indeed."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy appeared on Lin Qingyan's face.

"That's wonderful! Our Qingyun Sword Sect's mountain gate is three hundred li outside Tianhuo City. If Senior doesn't mind, would you consider traveling with us? Firstly, we can look out for each other on the way, and secondly... it would give Junior an opportunity to express our gratitude."

He spoke with great sincerity.

Chu Xuanjin pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over his three Disciples.

For experience, one naturally goes to places with many people.

This Qingyun Sword Sect sounded like a good destination.

"Permitted."

He uttered a single, faint word.