247: Chapter 247 Tianyin Mountains, Taihu Clan Territory

The Tianyin Mountains.

This mountain range was located in an extremely remote part of the continent's northwest. It was perpetually shrouded in a faint gray "Tianyin Qi," a substance that was neither mist nor haze. Light was dim, visibility was obstructed, and the Spiritual Qi felt feminine and obscure.

The mountain range followed a peculiar layout, resembling a pack of crouching foxes. Jagged peaks and strange rocks stood tall, while the vegetation was mostly shade-tolerant dark greens, deep purples, and dark reds, exuding a mysterious and profound aura.

This was the traditional territory of the Taihu Clan.

The Taihu Clan was an ancient and powerful Yao Race, renowned for their illusions, charms, escape techniques, and their exquisite use of the world's feminine Qi and astral power.

Most of the clansmen were handsome and beautiful, naturally possessing fox-like features (such as pointed ears and fox tails; those with high cultivation could completely transform and hide them). They acted in a low-key and secretive manner, rarely participating in external conflicts, yet no one in the Cultivation World dared to underestimate them, for their foundation was unfathomably deep.

At this moment, deep within the Tianyin Mountains, in front of a secluded valley entrance hidden by both natural mist and a sophisticated illusion array, hundreds of Cultivators were gathered on a relatively flat patch of gravel. They appeared exhausted and their auras were unstable, but most of their eyes held a sense of survival after a disaster mixed with confusion.

These were the remnants of the Hehuan Sect led by Xu Ruyu.

After several days of non-stop, secretive emergency evacuation, they had finally arrived at the place of refuge promised by Lady Qingli.

A Sect that originally numbered in the thousands now had fewer than five hundred remaining.

Among them, core high-level members like Grand Elder Venerable Kumu, Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan, and Granny Liu from the Hall of Power Transmission (who was being supported as her injuries had not yet healed) were present, along with young elites like Leng Ningshuang, Qingyan, Zhao Yan, and Ning Caihe.

There were also some ordinary Disciples who were loyal to the Sect and willing to follow Xu Ruyu to gamble on a future.

As for those like Wang Tiexin and Li Wancai who were "left behind," along with their cohorts, they were naturally not among them.

Everyone looked at the mist-shrouded, deep-looking valley entrance before them, then at the completely unfamiliar surroundings, their hearts filled with a mixture of emotions.

Having left the ancestral land they had managed for many years, they were like rootless duckweed, their future uncertain.

But at least, they had temporarily escaped the desperate situation of being besieged by various major forces.

Lady Qingli stood at the very front of the group. She had changed back into her signature purple dress, which appeared even more charming and mysterious, her beautiful face carrying a hint of gravity.

Beside her stood two handsome young men dressed in plain white robes who carried a faint sense of detachment. They had pointed ears and pale gold pupils, and their auras were deep; they were clearly the Reception Envoys of the Taihu Clan.

"Elder Qingli, according to clan rules, outsiders are not allowed to enter the core area of the Tianyin Mountains without permission."

One of the Reception Envoys spoke calmly but firmly. "These people you brought must wait here."

"You and this... Sect Leader Xu, must first accompany us to see the Grand Elder and the various Clan Elders to state your reasons and await a decision."

Lady Qingli nodded and whispered to Xu Ruyu, "Xiao Yuer, this is a necessary procedure."

"The Taihu Clan has been secluded from the world for a long time, and their rules are strict."

"Follow me. Remember, no matter what you see or hear, try to remain calm."

"I will handle everything."

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath and nodded.

He understood that when staying under someone else's roof, one could not avoid being restricted.

He turned to Venerable Kumu and the others behind him and said, "Grand Elder, everyone, please wait here for a moment. Elder Qingli and I will go and return shortly."

"Keep the Disciples under control and do not cause trouble."

Venerable Kumu nodded slightly, and Hua Xunhuan also nodded in acknowledgment.

Granny Liu opened her cloudy old eyes, glanced at Xu Ruyu, and said in a raspy voice, "Sect Master... be careful."

Leng Ningshuang's cold eyes watched Xu Ruyu. Her lips moved slightly, but in the end, she only said, "Take care."

Zhao Yan patted his chest and wanted to say something, but Ning Caihe pulled him back.

Qingyan's small face was tense, and she clasped her hands together, praying silently.

Xu Ruyu nodded to everyone, giving them a reassuring look, and then stepped into the dense mist with Lady Qingli, following the two Reception Envoys.

The mist was not a simple trick to deceive the eyes. Upon stepping into it, Xu Ruyu immediately felt the space slightly distort. The surrounding scenery became bizarre and kaleidoscopic, as if he were walking in the gap between dreams and reality.

This was a sophisticated illusion array set up by the Taihu Clan. Without someone to lead the way, an outsider would easily get lost or even trigger lethal traps.

After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the view suddenly opened up.

The mist dispersed, revealing a scene completely different from the gloomy atmosphere outside.

This was a vast mountain basin where the Spiritual Qi was so dense it condensed into mist, several times more concentrated and pure than the outside world, carrying a unique, soul-calming sense of femininity.

Within the basin, pavilions and towers were arranged in an orderly fashion, all built from pure white jade and warm spiritual wood. The style was elegant and ethereal, slightly different from the mysterious and charming impression given by the fox race; instead, it exuded an aura of Immortal Qi.

In the center of the basin stood an exceptionally magnificent palace. Its entire structure seemed to be built from moon-white glazed glass, shimmering with a soft glow under the hazy sky. On the roof of the palace, nine lifelike fox tail sculptures spiraled upward, pointing toward the sky.

That was the Taihu Clan's important meeting place—the Moon Fox Palace.

The two Reception Envoys led Lady Qingli and Xu Ruyu straight to the front of the Moon Fox Palace.

The palace doors were wide open. The light inside was soft, yet one could not see the end at a glance, as if it contained a world within.

Stepping through the palace doors, Xu Ruyu felt the scene before him change once more.

While it looked magnificent from the outside, the interior space seemed even more vast. The dome was high and distant, embedded with countless glowing crystals like a starry sky.

On both sides of the main hall stood dozens of jade pillars carved with fox-shaped reliefs.

At the end of the hall was a row of jade platforms raised above the ground, upon which nine wide jade seats were placed.

At this moment, three people were already seated on the three central jade seats.

On the left was a beautiful middle-aged woman dressed in a water-blue palace gown. Her temperament was as gentle as water, and she had a smile in her eyes, yet her gaze was as deep as the sea. She was fiddling with a string of translucent prayer beads in her hand.

On the right was a cold-faced young man in black martial attire. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and he sat with his arms crossed, his aura sharp like an unsheathed sword.