64: Chapter 64 Sunset Valley

After walking out of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the group traveled for a full half-day before finally arriving at their destination just before sunset — Luoxia Valley.

Luoxia Valley was not a valley hidden in a depression in the ground; it was formed by three towering, continuous green mountains arranged in a horseshoe shape.

True to its name, which meant 'Falling Sunset Clouds,' the valley was currently bathed in the glow of the setting sun. The rocky walls of the horseshoe-shaped mountains were reflected a fiery crimson by the sunset; the jagged rocks lost their usual cold austerity, gaining a touch of gentle elegance.

Viewed from afar, the entire Luoxia Valley seemed enveloped in a sky full of crimson clouds, with Immortal Qi swirling around it, serene and otherworldly.

The mountain gate of Luoxia Valley was simple and grand, carved from a single massive piece of cyan stone. It lacked excessive ornate decorations, featuring only patterns of flowing clouds and falling sunset glow on either side of the gate; within its simplicity lay the deep heritage of the Sect.

As Yun Nian and her group reached the mountain gate, two gate-keeping Disciples quickly stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands.

"Senior Sister Yun Nian, you've returned!"

Yun Nian possessed a clear and elegant beauty. Her plain white dress fluttered gently in the mountain evening breeze, and her black hair danced with the wind. Her exquisite face held a faint, gentle warmth. Upon hearing them, she nodded slightly, her cool eyes sweeping over the two as she gave a soft response in greeting.

She did not linger after that, leading the group behind her through the mountain gate of Luoxia Valley.

The gaze of the gate-keeping Disciples instinctively fell upon Lin Qing, who was beside Yun Nian. Seeing that he was not wearing the attire of Luoxia Valley, a flicker of doubt flashed in their eyes, but they did not speak to ask.

Yun Nian was the Eldest Senior Sister of Luoxia Valley and held an extremely high status within the Sect. Since she had brought this person back so openly, they naturally would not stop him.

Crossing the mountain gate and officially entering the heart of Luoxia Valley, the scenery inside was even more striking. A wide, smooth bluestone path ran through the entire valley, and ancient bamboo huts and wooden houses were built against the mountains, scattered orderly throughout the valley.

After the group entered the valley, Yun Nian stopped and turned to face the Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters accompanying her, her clear voice slowly rising in the evening breeze.

"This trial has been exhausting. Go back and rest, and make sure to properly digest what you have gained from this experience."

As her voice fell, she shifted her gaze slightly to Lin Qing, who stood silently nearby. A gentle and soft smile curved at the corners of her mouth as she continued.

"Fellow Daoist Lin Qing, please come with me for now to pay respects to the Valley Revered Master."

That smile was like the sunset glow brushing against one's face, tender and moving, diluting the innate coldness and aloofness she usually carried.

Lin Qing nodded slightly, his expression calm and indifferent as he cupped his hands to Yun Nian. The other Disciples bowed and took their leave, dispersing one by one.

For the rest of the journey, only Yun Nian and Lin Qing remained, walking side by side.

"Eldest Senior Sister, you're back!"

"Senior Sister Yun, I hope your journey was safe!"

Respectful greetings followed one after another, showing how popular Yun Nian was within Luoxia Valley. Facing everyone's greetings, Yun Nian maintained a gentle attitude, nodding in response to each one with dignified and graceful conduct.

The two followed the stone path toward the depths of the valley, where the surrounding buildings became increasingly ancient and grand. After walking for about half an hour, a Great Hall standing at the deepest part of Luoxia Valley finally came into Lin Qing's view.

The entire Great Hall was built against the mountain, standing halfway up the slope with a backdrop of ten thousand feet of green mountains and facing the entire Luoxia Valley. The terrain was majestic and the Aura powerful. The plaque above the door bore three ancient characters — Luoxia Hall.

Arriving before the Great Hall, Yun Nian's expression became respectful. She solemnly cupped her hands toward the closed doors, her crisp and soft voice carrying into the hall.

"Revered Master, your Disciple Yun Nian has returned from the trial to report."

Her etiquette was perfect, yet there was no hint of constraint or distance in her tone; instead, it carried a trace of long-awaited relaxation and intimacy.

The moment her voice fell, a Divine Thought swept out from the Great Hall, brushing gently over Lin Qing's entire body like a tide.

Lin Qing's heart stirred. He released some of the bloodline power that had been completely hidden by the Blood Qi Return technique, maintaining it at the level of the Middle Stage of the fourth rank, which was similar to Yun Nian's.

A moment later, a gentle and calm female voice slowly sounded from within the hall.

"Come in."

As the voice fell, the heavy vermilion doors opened on their own without any wind.

"Please." Yun Nian stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation to Lin Qing.

Lin Qing nodded slightly and followed Yun Nian's footsteps into Luoxia Hall.

The interior of the Great Hall was also simply decorated, spacious and minimalist, with only a few ancient log pillars on either side supporting the entire structure. Wisps of sandalwood incense drifted slowly through the hall, soothing the mind.

On the main seat at the very top of the hall sat a middle-aged woman.

She wore an elegant moon-white Daoist robe, and her ink-black hair was simply pinned up with a plain jade hairpin. Her face was dignified and beautiful, with time not having left many marks on her; her eyes were gentle and calm, and her Aura was peaceful and restrained.

On either side of the main seat sat several middle-aged men and women, each with a thick Aura and sharp gaze, clearly Elders of Luoxia Valley.

Seeing the people in the hall, Yun Nian took a step forward first and bowed slightly with great respect.

"Disciple Yun Nian greets Revered Master and all Junior Martial Uncles. Please forgive me for not knowing you were discussing matters here."

Neither servile nor overbearing, Lin Qing calmly raised his hands and cupped them in a bow toward the main seat and the Elders on both sides.

Sect Master Shen Yurong, in the main seat, first let her gaze fall on Lin Qing, nodding slightly in response to his etiquette before shifting her eyes back to Yun Nian, her red lips parting as she spoke slowly.

"Nian'er, you've worked hard on this journey. Who is this young friend?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Nian quickly took a step forward and replied truthfully.

"Reporting to Revered Master, this Fellow Daoist is named Lin Qing, whom I met in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Fellow Daoist Lin Qing was previously a Loose Cultivator, so I invited him to join our Luoxia Valley. Fellow Daoist Lin Qing also readily agreed and has come with us this time. I ask Revered Master to make the decision."

Sect Master Shen Yurong did not give an immediate answer. Her autumn-water eyes sized up Lin Qing once more as she said thoughtfully.

"I just checked; this young friend has already reached the Middle Stage of the fourth rank at such a young age. It is truly rare."

At this point, her tone shifted slightly.

"Nian'er, have you told young friend Lin Qing about the Dynasty's Heavenly Pride Competition in two months?"

As these words were spoken, Lin Qing also turned his gaze toward Yun Nian, his eyes showing a look of inquiry.

Asked by her Revered Master, Yun Nian's cheeks flushed slightly, and she couldn't help but lower her head, her hands unconsciously clasping in front of her as she spoke in a soft, waxy voice.

"This... Disciple has not yet had the chance to inform Fellow Daoist Lin Qing of this matter."

Sect Master Shen Yurong shook her head helplessly, her gentle voice carrying a hint of slight reproach.

"You child, you are already the Eldest Senior Sister of Luoxia Valley, yet you still act so impulsively."

After the scolding, Sect Master Shen Yurong turned her gaze to Lin Qing and slowly began to explain.

"Since Nian'er hasn't explained it to you, then let this seat explain it for you."

"Two months from now will be our Great Qi Dynasty's decennial Heavenly Pride Competition. This event is a supreme occasion for all young Martial Artists in Great Qi and is also extremely important for the future development of our Luoxia Valley."

"If you join our Luoxia Valley now, you can only represent Luoxia Valley in the Heavenly Pride Competition in the future. Do you have any objections, young friend Lin Qing?"

Lin Qing cupped his hands slightly to Sect Master Shen Yurong and asked in a calm tone.

"Valley Revered Master, please forgive this Junior's ignorance, but what exactly is this Heavenly Pride Competition?"

As these words came out, everyone in the hall, including Sect Master Shen Yurong and the Elders of Luoxia Valley, was slightly stunned. Sect Master Shen Yurong looked at Yun Nian with a helpless expression, her eyes clearly carrying an inquiry, as if asking which remote backwater she had found this young man from.

Feeling her Revered Master's gaze, Yun Nian couldn't help but give a sheepish smile and quickly spoke to smooth things over, explaining on Lin Qing's behalf.

"Revered Master, please understand. Fellow Daoist Lin Qing has been cultivating hard in a small place and has never stepped into the outside world or been in contact with many matters within the Dynasty. Therefore, he does not know about the Heavenly Pride Competition."

After saying that, Yun Nian turned to Lin Qing and began to explain in detail.

"Fellow Daoist Lin Qing, it's like this. Our Great Qi Dynasty holds a Heavenly Pride Competition every ten years. Any Martial Artist under the age of thirty, whether a Sect Disciple or a Jianghu Loose Cultivator, can sign up to participate."

"After the competition, rankings will be made based on the strength of all participants. Ultimately, the top five Prodigies will be selected to represent the entire Great Qi Dynasty and travel to the Beichen Empire to participate in the entry examination for the Chuyun Immortal Sect."

"The Chuyun Immortal Sect is an immortal Holy Land that stands above countless dynasties and Empires. It is the ultimate hall that countless practitioners in this world dream of. If one can join the Immortal Sect, it is a leap to the heavens, and their future will be limitless."

"Even if one doesn't make it into the top five, as long as they achieve a good ranking in the Heavenly Pride Competition, they can receive massive rewards from the Great Qi Dynasty, which brings great benefits to both the Sect and the individual."

Word by word entered his ears, and waves finally rose in the depths of Lin Qing's heart.

Dynasties! Empires! Immortal Sects!

One grand term after another appeared in his ears, letting him truly feel the vastness and excitement of this world.

Back then, he had insisted on walking out of the Hundred Thousand Mountains despite all the dangers, wasn't it precisely to see the magnificence and prosperity of the outside world and step onto a higher path of cultivation?

At this thought, there was no more hesitation in Lin Qing's heart. He looked up and solemnly cupped his hands toward Sect Master Shen Yurong on the main seat.

"This Junior understands. I am willing to join Luoxia Valley and am also willing to represent the Sect in the Heavenly Pride Competition in two months!"

Seeing him agree, a genuine smile appeared on Sect Master Shen Yurong's dignified face, and she nodded repeatedly.

"Good! Since that is the case, Nian'er, you personally lead Lin Qing to handle the entry procedures."

At this point, she paused and added.

"Since he has a cultivation level of the Middle Stage of the fourth rank, directly process a True Disciple identity token for him!"

Hearing this, the Elders on both sides of the hall nodded in agreement.

Luoxia Valley's foundation was limited, and its overall strength could only be considered mid-tier among the many Sects in the Great Qi Dynasty. Before this, in the entire Luoxia Valley, including Yun Nian, there were only two young Disciples at the Middle Stage of the fourth rank.

One must know that usually at this time, various Sects would be poaching each other's talents. Now, taking in a young Genius of the fourth rank Middle Stage out of thin air who was also willing to fight for the Sect was undoubtedly a windfall for Luoxia Valley.

"Thank you, Valley Revered Master! This Disciple takes his leave."

Lin Qing and Yun Nian both bowed and then withdrew from the Great Hall.