Chapter 10: Peril in the Valley

As the Shadow Blade was swung, Liu Junhuai advanced rather than retreating, delivering a decisive strike towards the rat's head.

The seven-star grass was gathered up, and as Liu Junhuai turned around, the sound of "chirp, chirp" had already become a chorus. The mice arrived, hurriedly rushing towards the deep pool, and with a "plop," they jumped into the pond, submerging to the bottom.

This mist-shrouded valley is called Qingyunyang, and it is the most recently recorded location in the "Compendium of Extraordinary Objects." The Seven Star Grass, used for refining the Peiyuan Pill, grows at the deepest part of the valley. The Peiyuan Pill is the most practical yellow-grade auxiliary elixir for cultivators, characterized by its mild nature and ease of absorption. The spiritual energy content of a single first-grade Peiyuan Pill exceeds that of several low-grade spirit stones

At the bottom of the valley, a silver waterfall cascades down the cliff, rushing like thunder, carrying immense force, and crashing into the deep pool, splashing countless sparkling water droplets. The Seven Star Grass is located in the low-lying area of this deep pool, where three-tiered demon beasts known as the burrowing mice guard it.

Liu Junhuai twisted his wrist, and the Shadow Blade struck the waist of the burrowing mouse. With a "puff," the mouse's body was swept aside by the blade. He stepped forward to pin down the mouse's tail, and with a flash of cold light, the mouse's head flew off.

Proceeding cautiously for several dozen zhang, the gap gradually narrowed, forcing one to move sideways. The Heavenly Eye also observed the arrival of the third elder flying over.

Heavenly Crown Ridge Mountains. For the past two days, Liu Junhuai has traversed countless mountains, merely gathering a few decades-old medicinal herbs along the way. Cultivating the Dao is arduous, he has grumbled about this all day long

After practicing all night, Liu Junhuai felt no fatigue at all and was contemplating whether to catch a fish to satisfy his hunger. Suddenly, he heard faint voices coming from a distance, and he furrowed his brow, ultimately deciding to hide in the crevice of the rocks.

It is still early, so the three of us will go out to gather some information first. We will be notified when the master arrives. " After a brief wash, the three of them left together

The Third Elder did not look this way again, yet Liu Junhuai did not dare to be negligent. At this moment, Liu Junhuai found himself in the open area among the stone crevices, with the depth of the crevice extending over one hundred zhang, but the gap narrowed increasingly as it went deeper, no longer wide enough for a person to pass through.

For safety's sake, Liu Junhuai no longer hesitated and carefully advanced along the deep stone crevice, making every effort to keep his footsteps silent. The Heavenly Eye provided a 360-degree coverage, so he was not afraid of the opponent's spiritual perception, and his own aura was also concealed by the Heavenly Eye, allowing him to feel less worried.

The emaciated monk in a gray robe laughed heartily, repeatedly waving his hand, and said: "Not only the Sea Sky Pavilion, but also the Heavenly Machine Sect, the Hall of Yama, Long Whale Island, and the Heavenly Connected Mountains have all come. The various families of the Phoenix Ridge Kingdom are also on their way, and the Chu family from the Northern Region is just ahead."

The Starry Sky Continent is divided into five regions and one territory: East, South, West, North, and Central, along with the Han Territory. Each of the six areas is overseen by a regional lord. Each region comprises over a hundred vassal states. The Fengling Kingdom, where Lord Liu Junhuai resides, falls under the jurisdiction of the Western Region, as recorded in the "Chronicles of Extraordinary Objects".

After experiencing this peril, Liu Junhuai felt the marvelous nature of the Heavenly Eye. While the divine consciousness only perceives within a certain range, it can easily be detected by those of a higher realm. In contrast, the Heavenly Eye disregards the opponent's divine consciousness perception, and events occurring within its range are as if seen with one's own eyes, which brought him great joy

The rising sun emerges from the eastern horizon, casting a small halo of light. The morning mist is yet to dissipate, and the air feels somewhat damp and moist. Liu Junhua squeezes through the crevice in the rocks, tilts his head back, expands his chest, and takes a deep breath

The news should be true, after all, it involves the Twelve Communication Jade Talismans! Each talisman is worth one hundred high-grade spirit stones; if the news were not true, he would not be so extravagant. What if the master is his biological father?

The Third Elder waved his hand, signaling a few individuals to leave on their own, yet his gaze intentionally or unintentionally glanced towards the direction of the waterfall

Continuing onward, Liu Junhuai no longer harbored any greed for the treasures that were to appear. Just now, he observed that the lowest cultivation level among the crowd was above the Foundation Establishment stage; the treasures were precious, but life was even more important. Moreover, he seemed to have a vague premonition that the desires of so many people arriving here carried an air of strangeness, and the ultimate outcome of the situation should not unfold as they expected

They are merely small fry; the big shots have yet to make their appearance. The emaciated monk in the gray robe chuckled silently, saying, "You need not worry. If the news regarding the dragon fish is reliable, the emergence of these sects would be considered normal. Your information hall has made no mistakes."

The crevice was narrow, insufficient for an adult to enter. The Third Elder paused for a moment in that open space before turning back out. Once he had passed through the waterfall and moved far away, Liu Junhuai continued on his way.

Liu Qili was immediately taken aback, and a serious expression appeared on his face.

Finally, I faintly saw a faint white glimmer of a seven-star grass about ten zhang away, when a wave of black malevolence approached me. It was an adult mole, four feet long, with sharp black jaws. Its pea-sized round eyes revealed a fierce light, and its body moved like lightning. By the time Liu Junhuai reacted, the two sharp claws of the mouse, accompanied by a gust of wind, were already in front of him

After a moment, another person arrived riding a flying sword, stopping in front of the deep pool. They picked up a jade gourd beside them and took a sip of something, saying: "Interesting, the Chu family from the northern frontier has also come."

Third Senior Brother has really made a big splash this time; not everyone can have such good fortune. Senior Brother, do you really think the Xuantian Dragon Fish exists? That is an ancient pure dragon bloodline

Then we will go to inspect again. The other halls of the Sea God Temple have already set out and will arrive today or tomorrow.

The mole's body arched, its slender tail flicked as it leaped and turned to evade the blade, while its sharp claws reached towards the back of Liu Junhuai's head. Liu Junhuai quickly crouched and sidestepped, his knife slicing towards the dual claws.

After resting for a moment, Liu Junhuai stood up to check a stone crevice behind the waterfall that was wide enough for a person to pass through

With a sharp squeak, the gopher used its claws to push aside the blade, leaping to the side and reaching out to bite at Liu Jun's shoulder.

Liu Junhuai was suddenly drenched in cold sweat. Due to the roaring of the waterfall, the voices of several people were somewhat muffled, prompting him to extend his consciousness. He noticed the Third Elder looking at him and realized that he had already sensed him. He quickly withdrew his consciousness, opened his heavenly eye to continue observing, and was already searching for an escape route in his mind

A tall figure in a gray robe appeared in the void, followed closely by four individuals

As the Third Elder sought to traverse the waterfall, Liu Junhuai had already made an effort to squeeze through a protruding crevice in the rock, his figure concealed by the bulge.

A relatively large space is faintly visible behind the crevice, the ground is dry, and the sky is gradually darkening. Let us rest here for the night

Cautiously, I ventured into the low-lying area shrouded in mist, where the damp air carried a faint scent of mud and fish.

As he advanced nearly one hundred zhang further, suddenly, Liu Junhuai felt a void beneath his feet, and his body plummeted downwards

The master has stated that all disciples outside must arrive at the Dragon Sacrifice Pool within three days. Today is already the third day, and they should not have arrived yet. The three of us have traveled overnight to get here

Continue to move forward in the crevice. The crevice no longer follows a straight line; it is often winding and meandering, with the gaps becoming increasingly narrow. Liu Junhuai can clearly feel the constriction in his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Sitting on the moss-covered bluestone, he turned his head back to see a dozen or so ground squirrels on the opposite side, chattering and dancing with their teeth bared at him

Elder San, please forgive us for our late arrival. We suspect that the Hai Tian Pavilion ... ...

Suddenly, he stopped his actions, smiled slightly, and his gaze abruptly lifted, looking towards the back: "Is it Qili?"

After swimming several dozen zhang in the direction that had already been observed, Liu Junhuai emerged from the water beneath the waterfall

The sound of voices drew closer, filtering through the gaps in the waterfall, and three young men dressed in dark blue short-collared martial arts attire were seen approaching the direction of the waterfall