Chapter 0004: The Absolute Poison Valley in the Primordial Mountain

After three days and three nights of relentless galloping without a word, they finally arrived at the foot of Lantau Island.

Lantau Island and Lantau Peak, filled with the ethereal aura of the immortals, stand in stark contrast to the impoverished mountains and waters. As one walks along, surrounded by the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers, they arrive at the foot of Huangdi Peak. Especially at Huangdi Peak, where mist drifts and the sounds of immortals linger, it feels as if one has entered a fairyland

Qin Haoxuan and the other two each had their own thoughts, each calculating their own little schemes

After the self-detonation of the Ten Thousand Poison Demon Lord, poisonous gas spread over a large part of Lantau Island, forming the Absolute Immortal Poison Valley! The current Lantau Island is only one-third of what it used to be, and even cultivators of extremely high realms do not dare to venture in easily, nor can they easily enter the Poison Valley, as it is difficult to withstand the poisonous gas. The vast Absolute Immortal Poison Valley has always been a one-way entrance with no exit.

After the newcomers arrived in dribs and drabs, the sun had already set. A disciple of the Taichu Sect, around forty years old, finally made his way over leisurely, his demeanor haughty, and said: "Follow me"

After all, Li Jing is the third prince of the Xianglong Kingdom. If he were to respond perfunctorily, it would seem overly pretentious. Qin Haoxuan smiled and engaged in a casual conversation with him. However, the slender Xu Yu stood beside Qin Haoxuan, yet Li Jing did not even glance at him, as if he did not exist at all, completely ignoring him

The thought of living in a paradise more beautiful than the imperial palace's royal garden stirred the hearts of many disciples from humble backgrounds, filling them with excitement and anticipation

Nonsense, if the miraculous elixirs that assist in cultivation were readily available and inexhaustible, even Elder Huang's useless son would possess the cultivation level of the seventeenth leaf in the Immortal Seed Realm. If Senior Brother Zhao's father were also an elder in the sect, with Senior Brother Zhao's talent and aptitude...

While everyone else is making friends and forming alliances for their future, there are a few individuals who sit silently on the edge of their beds. These individuals are either self-conscious or inherently introverted and not good at communication

"Then... then why not hurry and go get it?" Zhang Kuang, who had been pretending to be honest, perked up his ears to listen to the conversation between Zhao Jialong and Xu Tunhu, fearing that he might miss a single word. When he heard that the Immortal Poison Valley, scattered with countless treasures, was located near the Taichu Sect, and that it was still an undeveloped virgin land, he immediately became anxious: "If the treasures are stolen by other sects, wouldn't that be terrible!"

Standing on the hillside, what catches the eye is a cluster of exquisite buildings with red bricks and green tiles, tall and straight trees, and flowerbeds radiating a variety of colors and subtle fragrances, all arranged in perfect harmony.

"It's not that simple!" Xu Tunhu sighed when talking about cultivation: "The first level of immortality cultivation is to plant the immortal root. One must guide the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the body, nourish the immortal seed, and allow it to sprout and grow leaves to be considered a breakthrough to the second level of immortal seed stage. The immortal seed can grow up to forty-nine leaves; the more immortal leaves, the stronger the power. Only after growing all forty-nine leaves can one have the opportunity to transform the seed into a tree!"

During the critical moment of the battle between immortals and demons, the demonic forces began to show signs of defeat. In a fit of rage, one of the ancient demon lords, the Poison Demon Sovereign, self-destructed, poisoning countless powerful beings from both the immortal and demonic realms. Except for a very few who were of similar cultivation level and managed to escape by chance, none were spared! The Poison Demon Sovereign was an unparalleled powerhouse, and to this day, cultivators entering the Absolute Immortal Poison Valley still risk death from poison. Even knowing that treasures lie within, who would dare to venture in to seek them?

Xu Tunhu let out a low sigh: "In places of extreme yin, extreme poison, or extreme yang in the world, it is very easy for mutated spiritual herbs to emerge. After so many years of nurturing, the Absolute Immortal Poison Valley must have given birth to many mutated spiritual herbs. If we can obtain these mutated spiritual herbs, perhaps our sect's ancestors, whose lifespans are nearing their end, could break through to the fifth level of the Immortal Infant Dao Fruit realm and gain a few hundred more years of lifespan. In that case, the strength of our Taichu Sect would experience another leap!"

The Half Mountain Pavilion is essentially a long corridor, serving as a promotional display for the Taichu Sect. The low walls, which are half the height of a person, are adorned with various carvings, featuring rare and exotic creatures, famous mountains and rivers, as well as many oddly shaped deities, along with some history of the Taichu Sect

The boy smiled faintly, revealing his white teeth. He nimbly took the quilt and, after shaking off the dust with Qin Haoxuan, timidly said: "Xu... Xu Yu..."

The prince status of Li Jing has attracted the attention of many, and quite a few people have taken the initiative to approach him to establish connections.

Tomorrow morning, you will gather here, and someone will take you to participate in the final test. The area above the halfway point is a sacred ground of the sect, and you currently do not have the qualifications to enter. Remember not to wander around, or you will be expelled from the sect and never accepted again!" He pointed to the low, dilapidated houses and said: "That will be your accommodation for tonight.

Li Jing took the lead and walked into the bungalow, a musty smell immediately wafting towards him. The narrow and elongated bungalow was dark and damp, and stepping on the floor caused water to ooze out, producing a hissing sound.

In the Taichu Sect, there are countless individuals with superior talents compared to oneself, as well as many second-generation immortals born with a golden key. With an average talent and no special background, if one cannot seize this opportunity to take a bold risk, there is fundamentally no hope of standing out among the tens of thousands of disciples in the Taichu Sect.

Despite the considerable danger, Qin Haoxuan's desire to seek treasure in the Immortal Poison Valley has intensified even further

He wore a yellow shirt adorned with two embroidered golden dragons playing with pearls on the chest, a white jade hairpin twisted into his hair, a finely carved dragon-shaped jade pendant hanging from his waist, and an amber-colored jade ring on his hand, making it evident that he was not a commoner.

Even Qin Haoxuan, who is usually calm and composed, couldn't help but be taken aback. He had thought that the area near the Juexian Poison Valley, specifically Dayu Mountain, would be desolate and miserable, and that the Taichu Sect must be hidden deep within the mountain. He assumed that the depths of Dayu Mountain would be even more dangerous than those of Xiaoyu Mountain. Having already risked his life and prepared to ascend the mountain to learn the arts, he never expected that this place was simply a paradise on earth

The smile that appeared on the face of the guide was filled with disdain, and with a flick of his large sleeves, he said: "Even if your emperor himself were to come, he must abide by the rules of the Taichu Sect on Mount Da Yu. Third Prince? With your mere mortal status, do not act arrogantly in front of Taichu."

A group of disillusioned youths, although cursing the Taichu Sect for its stinginess in their hearts, dared not express their dissatisfaction, watching helplessly as the guiding senior brother turned and left.

"Hey, can you help me pull down the blanket?" Seeing his lonely and helpless appearance, Qin Haoxuan felt a surge of compassion and took the initiative to greet him: "I am Qin Haoxuan from Xiaoyu Mountain, and you?"

Having said that, he left in a leisurely manner

I have been practicing for thirty years, only breaking through to the Immortal Seed stage, and have grown eleven Immortal Leaves! Brother Zhao is a leader among our generation, having spent over thirty years to cultivate twenty-two Immortal Leaves. If one cannot grow the seed into a tree and break through to the third level of the Immortal Tree stage, after exhausting a lifespan of one hundred and fifty years, without any miraculous elixirs to extend life, there is only the path of death! The third and fourth levels on the path of cultivation are not as simple as mere words suggest!

The mountain gate is inscribed with two blood-red clerical script characters—"Tai Chu"

The two senior brothers are so impressive; they must be experts at the third and fourth levels!" Zhang Kuang chuckled foolishly while flattering them

Soon, Qin Haoxuan formed an assessment in his mind: Li Jing appeared warm and enthusiastic on the surface, but deep down he was quite opportunistic, only associating with those he deemed valuable and promising

Brothers Qin, from now on we are all disciples of the Taichu Sect, and we are fellow brothers of the same year. The Taichu Sect is filled with powerful individuals, and as newly admitted disciples, we may not receive much attention. In the future, let us support each other and advance together!

In front of the mountain gate, besides Qin Haoxuan and the other two, there were continuously disciples of the Taichu Sect bringing in newcomers who had passed the assessment. They also mentioned that someone would be receiving them at the pavilion halfway up the mountain before disappearing. It is likely that they hurried off to meditate and cultivate, making up for the losses incurred during these few days of being away.

Qin Haoxuan couldn't help but be astonished. He had once explored the depths of Xiaoyu Mountain, which was fraught with danger and easy to get lost in. Not to mention, it was three times larger than the Great Yu Mountain, the largest mountain in Xianglong Kingdom, and was known as the Absolute Immortal Poison Valley from the battlefield of immortals and demons in ancient times

After a hurried journey of three days and three nights, we finally arrived before the final test tomorrow! Zhao Jialong let out a sigh of relief, dismounted, and said to the three of Qin Haoxuan, who were still immersed in the beautiful scenery: "Huangdi Peak prohibits riding horses up the mountain. You should follow the Tongtian Ladder to the Half-Mountain Pavilion, where there will be personnel arranged to assist you. Make sure to rest well tonight, as the final test tomorrow is extremely important, remember!"

Zhang Kuang and Zhang Yang were radiating with enthusiastic smiles, having already captivated several young individuals, engaging in lively conversation.

The ancient teachings of Taichu, with thousands of years of heritage, left these young men in awe, each one intently gazing at the murals and inscriptions, feeling a swell of pride in their hearts for being disciples of Taichu

It seems that on the path of cultivation, having exceptional talent alone is not sufficient; one must also possess countless spiritual pills, miraculous medicines, and rare treasures as support, so that progress can be made more swiftly. Although my aptitude may not be as great as Zhang Kuang's, I am fortunate to have the invulnerable little snake. Perhaps I can possess it and enter the legendary Immortal Poison Valley. If I can obtain one or two treasures, I am certain that I will shine brightly in the Taichu Sect.

Although these two large dormitories can comfortably accommodate two hundred people, and more than two hundred beds are arranged with quilts, these quilts are both damp and thin, and when squeezed with force, water can be wrung out of them, emitting a pungent musty odor

The group of youths chatted for a while, and the sky completely darkened, as the cold mountain wind howled through the cracks in the wall

However, that guiding senior brother took them through a winding path and led them to a nearby area of low, dilapidated bungalows

Qin Haoxuan took a full three hours to reach the Half-Mountain Pavilion at the fastest speed, and by this time, the sky was beginning to darken. The setting sun cast its glow over Lantau Island, painting a beautiful dusk scene in full view

While most people were socializing, Qin Haoxuan and Xu Yu, who were tidying up the bed, caught Li Jing's attention

As expected of a royal offspring, this successful self-exoneration provided a way out for himself and garnered considerable goodwill from the children of humble origins

Qin Haoxuan. Qin Haoxuan also returned the gesture with cupped fists.

The reprimanded Zhang Kuang secretly cursed Xu Tunhu in his heart, yet on the surface, he displayed a simple and honest smile, repeatedly agreeing.

The end of the Heavenly Ladder is the Hall of Primordial Treasure, a sacred place of the immortals that the people of the Xianglong Kingdom yearn for. If one is not a disciple of the Primordial Teachings, even the emperor, who is considered a dragon among men, can only enter once in a lifetime during the time of his coronation.

After dining in the cafeteria with more than 200 newcomers, he navigated through the exquisite building towards his residence. A noble young man, dressed in luxurious attire and adorned with a jade pendant, could not help but exclaim: "My goodness, this is even more beautiful than the imperial palace's garden"

Wait! Is this a doghouse? Is this meant for people to live in?" A tall and imposing young man furrowed his brows and questioned without any reservations

Xu Tunhu's expression turned cold as he realized he had said too much, and he closed his mouth, no longer daring to make a sound

Xu Tunhu cast a disdainful glance at Zhang Kuang, whose intelligence had seemingly dropped to zero upon hearing the word "treasure," and coldly remarked: "If one could take and demand at will, would I need you to remind me? Moreover, if other sects dare to invade the territory of my Taichu Sect, do they think my Taichu Sect is without defenders?"

Qin Haoxuan did not join the crowd; he responded perfunctorily to the boy who took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him, selected a quilt, and began to tidy up the hygiene.

Lantau Island is the place with the best feng shui and spiritual energy in the Kingdom of Xianglong, and it has been nourished by the celestial aura of our sect for thousands of years. It is only natural that the mountains are clear, the waters are beautiful, and the people are outstanding. Xu Tunhu did not mock them, for they too had been equally astonished when they first entered the sect thirty years ago

At this moment, Xu Tunhu took over the conversation: "Hmph, if our Taichu Sect can enter the Absolute Immortal Poison Valley and obtain the magical treasures left behind from the Immortal-Demon War, how could we be merely the foremost religion of the Xianglong Kingdom!" He paused and proudly stated: "Our Taichu Sect possesses an advantage that no other sect has, which is being closest to one of the battlefields of the Immortal-Demon War that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago—the Absolute Immortal Poison Valley!"

Zhang Kuang was secretly calculating in his heart, if I were to rise to the position of the sect leader, wouldn't I be the national immortal master of the Xianglong Kingdom? This title is even more prestigious than that of the emperor

Listening to Xu Tunhu's words, Qin Haoxuan gradually concluded that these so-called immortals were actually cultivators. Although they could soar through the skies and traverse the earth, they were not true immortals. There were still places in this world that they dared not venture into, as well as conflicts and spheres of influence. Moreover, contrary to legends, they did not possess eternal life; to achieve longevity, one must break through to new realms, defy the heavens, and seize life to extend their lifespan

Next to Qin Haoxuan, a small and thin boy, only as tall as Qin Haoxuan's shoulder, stood timidly. He was quite delicate in appearance and seemed at a loss, as if it were his first time traveling far and being in the same room with so many people. Due to his slight and inconspicuous stature, no one took the initiative to greet him

As Xu Tunhu continued to speak more and more absurdly, Zhao Jialong cleared his throat a few times and said coldly: "Junior Brother Xu! Be cautious with your words!"

Li Jing, who had suffered a setback, along with several young nobles beside him, wore gloomy expressions. Li Jing laughed heartily and said, "Isn't it what Father Emperor often teaches us, to go deep into the populace and understand their hardships? Isn't this a great opportunity for experience?"

The battle between immortals and demons resulted in the fall of countless powerful beings, and the various treasures they had devoted their lives to collecting are scattered throughout the Valley of Absolute Immortal Poison. There are long-lost ancient spiritual techniques, sorcery, and many magical artifacts capable of stirring up a bloody storm in the entire cultivation world

Li Jing's warm and enthusiastic smile, with an arm draped over Qin Haoxuan's shoulder, appeared very intimate

Amidst the towering peaks, the main peak, Huangdi Peak, rises straight into the clouds. A winding and rugged yet magnificent ladder to the heavens extends from the summit directly to the foot of the mountain. The starting point of this ladder is a massive, hollowed-out stone gate carved from blue stone, simple and grand, beautiful yet unadorned

The slender and petite Xu Yu did not speak, but Qin Haoxuan was very open and sunny, with a bronze-toned physique and a strong build, indicating that his physical condition was quite good and his aptitude should also be quite impressive

Li Jing approached Qin Haoxuan and cupped his hands in greeting, saying: "Li Jing, may I ask your esteemed name, brother?"

The guide suddenly halted his steps, turning to reveal a face clouded with gloom. Had it not been for the sight of the young man's attire, he might have guessed his identity. A newcomer disciple, yet to make a name for himself, already displaying such arrogance; he would have lost his temper long ago. However, he replied in a tone that was far from friendly: "Newly admitted disciples only receive this treatment. If you are dissatisfied, take it up with the elders!"

Lantau Island, the location of the first sect of the Xianglong Kingdom, features majestic mountains that rise and fall in a continuous range

If there were a miraculous elixir to assist in cultivation, would it not yield twice the result with half the effort

This long corridor is crowded with people, approximately one or two hundred, all of whom are the new disciples selected this year

Boldly, do you know who he is! He is the beloved Third Prince Li Jing of the current Emperor of the Xianglong Kingdom!" A companion beside the Third Prince Li Jing exclaimed loudly. This companion, also dressed in splendid brocade garments and exuding an air of nobility, must also be a scion of a powerful family

In early autumn, the daytime temperatures are not low, but the temperature difference between day and night is significant, especially in this damp and chilly bungalow, where some individuals with weaker constitutions are already shivering from the cold

After guiding Qin Haoxuan and the other two to the registration office at the mountain gate, he and Xu Tunhu ascended the mountain at an astonishing speed, quickly disappearing from sight