114: Chapter 114 Jue Tian Ridge, An Unexpected Encounter

Ye Tian headed north all the way, moving at an extremely high speed.

A few days later, a vast and steep mountain range appeared on the horizon; it was precisely Juetian Ridge.

This place was already the edge of the Liuli Xuan Sect's sphere of influence; further north lay the Violent Beast Mountain Range where Yao Beasts roamed, as well as the activity area of the rival Sect, the "Tianjue Sect."

The terrain of Juetian Ridge was steep, and the Spiritual Qi was chaotic.

Following the instructions in the mission scroll, Ye Tian headed towards Broken Blade Cliff, where the Restriction formation was located.

The deeper he went, the more dangerous the environment became. Low-level Yao Beasts occasionally lunged from the shadows to attack, but they were all easily dealt with by Ye Tian, serving as perfect practice for his Starfall Finger.

Just as he was passing through a pine forest littered with withered bones, a faint energy fluctuation came from not far ahead.

Ye Tian immediately restrained his aura and approached silently. Pushing aside the dense bushes, the scene before him made him startle slightly.

He saw a woman dressed in water-blue robes with a matching light veil over her face, contending with a massive Bone-Rotting Jackal.

"A Yuan Condensation Second Layer Yao Beast!"

Ye Tian narrowed his eyes slightly but did not intervene immediately.

The woman's sword technique was exquisite. Although her face was hidden, her familiar figure allowed Ye Tian to recognize her instantly.

It was Mu Sisi, who had briefly teamed up with him outside that ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave in the Meteor Star Great Rift Valley!

"It's her?" Ye Tian was extremely surprised.

He remembered that in the rift valley, Mu Sisi had acted alone with impressive strength and had eventually departed ahead of him.

He had originally thought she was an expert from some noble family or a Loose Cultivator, never expecting to meet her again in this dangerous Juetian Ridge.

Moreover, seeing her calm demeanor now, she seemed quite familiar with this place.

Why was she here?

And her cultivation seemed to have improved considerably since their time in the rift valley.

Just as Ye Tian was about to reveal himself and greet her...

"Buzz!"

A vast pressure descended from the sky, instantly enveloping the area!

The Bone-Rotting Jackal immediately whimpered, collapsing to the ground with its tail between its legs, trembling violently.

Ye Tian's expression changed drastically. His Stellar True Essence circulated automatically, only then allowing him to barely resist this terrifying sense of oppression!

He was horrified: "True Martial Realm! This is definitely a True Martial Realm expert!"

The next moment, a streak of blue light swept down from the horizon, landing lightly in front of Mu Sisi.

As the light dissipated, a middle-aged woman with an ethereal temperament appeared, wearing the robes of a Liuli Xuan Sect Elder.

She had a beautiful face and appeared to be in her thirties, but her eyes held the accumulation of years.

However, what surprised Ye Tian even more was that, facing this True Martial Realm Elder, Mu Sisi showed no fear. Instead, she sheathed her sword and bowed respectfully, saying, "Revered Master!"

Revered Master?

Ye Tian's pupils constricted slightly.

Mu Sisi... was actually the Disciple of this True Martial Realm Elder?

And she was clearly wearing the robes of a Liuli Xuan Sect Elder!

This meant that Mu Sisi had been a member of the Liuli Xuan Sect all along!

But why did she act alone in such a dangerous place as the Meteor Star Great Rift Valley?

Was it a secret mission, or was she training with a hidden identity?

There must be more to this.

When the blue-robed female Elder saw Mu Sisi, the coldness in her eyes instantly turned into a hint of warmth, and she said softly, "Sisi, are you alright?

Allowing you to train here was a lapse in judgment on my part; Juetian Ridge has not been peaceful lately."

With a wave of her hand, she sent a stream of True Essence into Mu Sisi's body, seemingly checking her condition.

"This Disciple is fine; thank you for your concern, Revered Master."

Mu Sisi replied obediently, but her gaze involuntarily drifted toward where Ye Tian was hiding; she had clearly discovered him long ago.

With her level of cultivation, the female Elder had already sensed Ye Tian's presence. Her gaze shifted toward his hiding spot, and her voice returned to its cold tone: "Who is hiding there? Come out!"

Knowing he could no longer hide, Ye Tian took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and calmly stepped out from behind the bushes. He walked forward a few steps and bowed respectfully, "Outer Sect Disciple Ye Tian, a new arrival, greets the Elder."

The female Elder's gaze swept over Ye Tian. Sensing his aura was around the Ningyuan First Level, she frowned slightly. "Ningyuan First Level? A newly joined Outer Sect Disciple? What are you doing here in Juetian Ridge?"

Her tone carried bewilderment, clearly believing that with Ye Tian's cultivation, coming here was pure suicide.

Hearing this, Ye Tian truthfully gave a brief account of how Elder Qian from the Mission Hall had made things difficult for him and forcibly assigned him a grade a mission.

Upon hearing this, the female Elder's face immediately darkened. "Hmph! That old scoundrel Qian Fugui! To think he dares to abuse his power like this and oppress a new Disciple! He simply has no regard for the Sect's rules!"

She looked at Ye Tian, her tone softening slightly. "I am now aware of this matter. You may return to the Sect with peace of mind. I will personally inform Senior Brother Sect Head and ensure this scoundrel is severely punished. You do not need to complete this mission."

If it were any ordinary Disciple, hearing such a promise from a True Martial Realm Elder, they would surely be moved to tears of gratitude and head back immediately.

However, Ye Tian shook his head, his gaze firm. "Thank you, Elder, for upholding justice for this Disciple. But... I wish to stay."

"Hmm?" The female Elder was stunned, and even Mu Sisi beside her glanced over, a flicker of surprise in her beautiful eyes as she re-evaluated the youth before them.

"Stay?"

The female Elder's tone was filled with confusion. "Are you aware of the dangers of Juetian Ridge? Even Ningyuan Late Stage Disciples must form teams and act with caution here. You are merely at the Ningyuan First Level; how is staying any different from seeking death?"

Ye Tian met the female Elder's gaze and said calmly, "This Disciple understands the dangers here. But the path of martial arts has never been a smooth road.

If one always hides under the protection of the Sect out of fear of danger, it may be safe, but like a flower in a greenhouse, without experiencing the wind and rain, one will never achieve greatness.

By choosing the path of martial arts, I have already prepared myself to face all hardships.

Though this place is dangerous, it is also an opportunity for tempering."

Hearing this, a strange light flashed in the female Elder's eyes as she looked Ye Tian over once more.

As a True Martial Realm expert, she had seen countless Genius Disciples, but a newcomer like Ye Tian, who possessed such a firm Dao Heart despite his low cultivation, was truly rare.

Especially that confidence hidden beneath his calmness; it did not seem to be blind arrogance.

Mu Sisi, standing to the side, looked at Ye Tian with even more profound meaning in her eyes.

She had witnessed Ye Tian's decisiveness while fighting Yao Beasts in the rift valley. Hearing these words now, she grew even more curious about this seemingly ordinary youth.

The female Elder pondered for a moment, then sighed and said with some appreciation, "Very well. Since your mind is made up, I will not forcibly stop you.

It is good for a young person to have spirit, but remember to act within your capabilities and not overreach."

She paused, her expression turning serious as she warned, "However, there are a few things you must keep in mind: First, Juetian Ridge is no longer completely under the Sect's control. The Yao Beasts are fierce, and there are several natural danger zones where space is unstable; do not go deep.

Second, to the north lies a Sect called the Tianjue Sect, which is a mortal enemy of our Liuli Xuan Sect. Their Disciples act ruthlessly. If you encounter them, especially their Inner Sect Disciples or above, remember not to face them head-on. Retreat immediately; preserving your life is paramount!

Do not throw your life away for the sake of a petty argument!"

"This Disciple will keep the Elder's teachings in mind," Ye Tian replied with a bow.

But in his lowered eyes, a sharp light flickered.

Run?

That was not his style.

If he truly encountered people from the Tianjue Sect, it wasn't certain who would be the one running!

The female Elder nodded and said no more, turning to Mu Sisi, "Sisi, let's go."

With a sweep of her sleeve, she took Mu Sisi and turned into two streaks of blue light, vanishing into the horizon in an instant.

Before leaving, Mu Sisi seemed to glance back at Ye Tian once more, her gaze complex.

Ye Tian stood where he was, watching the direction in which they disappeared, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

"Mu Sisi... a Personal Disciple of a Liuli Xuan Sect Elder? Was she training with a hidden identity in the rift valley? The Tianjue Sect... mortal enemies? It sounds rather interesting."

Far from being intimidated by the female Elder's warning, he felt an even stronger Battle Intent.

Danger and opportunity always coexist!

Calming his mind, Ye Tian identified his direction and continued toward where the Broken Blade Cliff Restriction was located.