Chapter 312 Those country bumpkins from Longxiang Pavilion, come out and face your deaths?

Passing through a winding, secluded bluestone path in the southeast corner of the academy, flanked by dense Spiritual Plants, the view suddenly opened up before them.

A naturally formed mountain pass, about thirty meters wide, stood like a gateway, separating the inside from the outside.

Stepping into the pass.

The scene that greeted their eyes.

Caused the three, Zhao Tiezhu, Lin Kuo, and Xiao Yutian, who had arrived travel-worn and weary, to instantly freeze as if struck by a paralysis spell. They stood stock-still, mouths agape, their pupils reflecting an unbelievable brilliance.

Before them.

Was a vast valley gently embraced by steep mountain walls on three sides.

The valley entrance faced a clear, babbling stream. The water, drawn from some unknown mountain spring, shimmered with a faint spiritual light. Its gurgling sound was pleasing to the ear, injecting vitality into the tranquil valley.

On both banks of the stream.

Lay flat and fertile land, dotted with wildflowers and Spiritual Plants visible everywhere. The air was filled with the freshness of vegetation and the fragrance of soil, along with a pure and balanced flow of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. It flowed gently into their bodies with each breath, refreshing their spirits and even dispelling some of the fatigue from their journey.

Looking up.

The three mountain walls were not bare rock but covered with thick vegetation. Ancient trees reached for the sky, vines hung down, lush and verdant.

The mountain terrain undulated.

The entire valley was roughly forty acres in size.

The ground was flat and open, sufficient to accommodate many buildings and activities.

Even more wondrous.

The sky above the valley seemed exceptionally azure and clear. The Spiritual Qi, as if guided by an invisible force, naturally converged and flowed into the valley, creating a natural, gentle spirit-gathering effect.

In the inner part of the valley, nestled against the mountain wall, were scattered seven or eight simple stone houses.

The houses were built from bluish-gray mountain stones, rugged in style yet sturdy. Their roofs were covered with thick, unknown dark green vines, making them blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

In front of the stone houses was a small, level clearing paved with bluestone slabs, along with traces of a small, long-dry but structurally intact pond.

"This... this is Lingqi Valley?"

Zhao Tiezhu's voice trembled.

He rubbed his eyes hard.

As if afraid everything before him was an illusion.

"My heavens..."

Lin Kuo murmured to himself.

He came from a decent family in City C.

When had he ever seen such a spiritually beautiful place?

In his impression.

The best cultivation site in City C.

Was merely a public cultivation room that required queuing, its Spiritual Qi concentration far inferior to this.

Xiao Yutian simply squatted down.

Grabbed a handful of the valley's soil.

Feeling the faint Spiritual Qi contained within.

Then scooped up a handful of stream water.

It was cool and sweet, with a faint, weak fluctuation of spiritual power.

"This water... this soil... are both far better than outside! Having tamed beasts Cultivate here would absolutely speed up their progress by a huge margin!"

After the shock.

Came wild joy and a sense of unreality.

"Jiang... Jiang Yun, are we... really going to live here from now on?"

Zhao Tiezhu turned his head.

To look at Jiang Yun beside him, who appeared calm.

His voice still carried uncertain excitement.

"From now on, this will be the Foundation of Longxiang Pavilion."

Jiang Yun nodded, his gaze sweeping over the valley.

The environment here was serene, Spiritual Qi abundant, the area vast, and it possessed natural terrain and basic structures. It was indeed an excellent stronghold.

Although it fell short compared to the Holy Son Courtyard on Heaven Pillar Peak, which gathered purer Spiritual Qi and was arranged with more Advanced Formations, it already far exceeded what ordinary students could imagine.

Most importantly, it was big enough, independent enough.

Capable of accommodating more people.

Seeing the three, Zhao Tiezhu and the others, as excited as Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden.

Jiang Yun's heart also settled slightly.

At least.

Zhao Tiezhu and the others.

Finally had a stable, decent foothold within the academy.

The group walked along the path by the stream deeper into the valley.

The further they went, the more amazed they were.

The valley was deeper and more expansive than it appeared from the entrance. The central area rose slightly, offering an excellent view.

Although the stone houses looked simple on the outside, their interiors were more spacious than imagined. The stone walls were thick, warm in winter and cool in summer. With just a little cleaning and repair, they could be used directly.

The bottom of the dry pond left by the previous occupants seemed to have faint remnants of Formation patterns. If living water from the spiritual stream could be channeled in, it might become a nice landscape feature or even a small auxiliary cultivation facility.

More importantly, the entire valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only the entrance for access, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.

The mountain walls were steep, with dense forests above. If someone were to peer down from the mountain or watch from above, those in the valley could detect it in advance.

This kind of terrain.

Ensured both privacy and a degree of security, while also subtly carrying the sense of being under public scrutiny. It aligned with Jiang Yun's desire to develop discreetly yet not fear trouble, able to display strength when necessary.

"Excellent! Truly excellent!"

Zhao Tiezhu stroked the rough yet solid stone wall.

His eyes even reddened slightly.

He recalled the days in Sky Dome Academy, desperately fighting for meager cultivation resources, the frustration of being ostracized everywhere and unable to even accept missions since arriving.

Now.

It seemed all of that was about to change!

Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian were also immensely excited.

This would be their new starting point.

Their first real home.

Within the academy teeming with strong individuals.

Seeing their emotions settle a bit.

Jiang Yun spoke.

"Iron Pillar."

"Jiang Yun! No! Brother Jiang! Go ahead!"

Zhao Tiezhu responded immediately.

"Since Longxiang Pavilion has been established, someone needs to handle its daily affairs."

Jiang Yun looked at him, his tone serious.

"I have many things to attend to—cultivation, challenging the tower, preparing for the Secret Realm competition, and... I cannot devote too much attention to pavilion affairs. From now on, Longxiang Pavilion will be entrusted to you fully. You will be the Vice Pavilion Master of Longxiang Pavilion."

"Vice... Vice Pavilion Master? Me?" Zhao Tiezhu jolted in surprise, then shook his head like a rattle-drum, "No, no! Brother Jiang, how can this be? What qualifications do I have? You founded Longxiang Pavilion single-handedly, and you contributed almost all the points. I... I have low strength and no management experience..."

"It's fine."

Jiang Yun interrupted him, his gaze filled with trust.

"I value your character and sense of responsibility. Back in City C, you were good to me. I know your character. Coming to the academy, knowing the path ahead was difficult, you never gave up. In managing a force, strength is important, but even more crucial is a heart that is fair, resilient, and willing to consider one's companions. I believe you can do well."

Jiang Yun's words were like a warm current.

Instantly washing away the unease and inferiority in Zhao Tiezhu's heart.

Looking into Jiang Yun's trusting eyes.

An unprecedented sense of responsibility and pride surged within him. His nose tingled with emotion as he nodded heavily.

"Brother Jiang! Don't worry! I, Zhao Tiezhu, dare not promise much else, but I will give my utmost effort and will never disappoint you! Leave Longxiang Pavilion's affairs to me!"

Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian, watching from the side, felt both envy and emotion. Their relationship with Jiang Yun was, after all, a layer more distant than Zhao Tiezhu's. Seeing Zhao Tiezhu entrusted with such responsibility inevitably stirred complex feelings.

But more than that.

Was their congratulations for Zhao Tiezhu and anticipation for the future.

After all.

They all came from City C.

Only if Longxiang Pavilion prospered could they prosper.

Zhao Tiezhu calmed his excited emotions.

And immediately stepped into his role.

He turned to Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian, stating.

"Lin Kuo, Xiao Yutian! We're all brothers. Longxiang Pavilion belongs to all of us! I can't manage it alone. From now on, you two will be Elders of Longxiang Pavilion! Let's work together to take good care of this place!"

Lin Kuo and Xiao Yutian exchanged a smile.

That tiny bit of complex emotion immediately vanished like mist.

Replaced by the pride of fighting side by side.

"No problem! Vice Pavilion Master!"

Xiao Yutian deliberately clasped his fists in a teasing manner.

"We will certainly do our best!"

Lin Kuo also pledged solemnly.

Seeing them adapt so quickly.

Jiang Yun felt gratified in his heart.

He handed the Jade Slip recording the detailed information of Lingqi Valley and the ownership deed to Zhao Tiezhu.

"This is the deed and basic information about the valley. Familiarize yourselves with the environment first, clean and repair the houses. Iron Pillar, you can start contacting fellow townspeople from City C who are still suffering in the academy and bring them here. In the Early Stages, quality matters more than quantity; it's better to lack than to accept indiscriminately. Character comes first."

"I understand!"

Zhao Tiezhu accepted the Jade Slip with utmost care and reverence.

"Alright, from now on, Longxiang Pavilion is in your hands. If you encounter trouble you cannot resolve, you can come find me at the Holy Son Courtyard on Heaven Pillar Peak anytime."

Jiang Yun gave his final instructions.

"Brother Jiang, you can go ahead and focus on your tasks! Leave this place to us!"

The three replied in unison.

Jiang Yun nodded, turned, and prepared to leave.

He already had a plan for what came next.

Having just spent a large amount of contribution points.

He now had very few contribution points left.

He needed to find a way to earn some more contribution points first.

Visit the Mission Hall.

See if there were any efficient missions suitable for him to quickly earn contribution points.

There was also the promise from the Liu Family, and the matter of the Appraisal Institute's Dean candidate... he needed to find time to make contact and fulfill those commitments... Just as he had taken a few steps.

His thoughts drifting toward his upcoming arrangements.

"Longxiang Pavilion's country bumpkins! Get the hell out here and face your death!"

An outrageously arrogant, contemptuous, and provocative roar, like a sudden clap of thunder from level ground, exploded from the cliff above the valley entrance! The sound waves rolled, instantly shattering the newly found tranquility of Lingqi Valley!