Yao Yuchang couldn't help but wonder what was happening at Sanxiang Peak in his absence. Had the Third Elder been stirring up trouble with the Peak Master? The Great Elder had been striving to break through to the Deity Transformation stage for years, but it seemed that his time was running out. The ambitious Third Elder had long set his sights on that position.
The Third Elder never seemed to understand why he was the third in rank.
"Alright, let's move on. According to the information from Wanwantong, we should be nearing the exit," Yao Yuchang said, while secretly dwelling on his internal schemes.
The Absolute Spirit Zone was desolate, aside from the Spirit-Devouring Beasts and patches of black grass. The ground was littered with gray-white stones and dust. Every step they took left faint footprints in the powdery surface.
He Yi, still the subject of glares from those displeased with him, remained indifferent. He trailed at the back of the group, casually admiring the landscape as if there was something worth seeing.
In reality, the view was bleak—nothing but barren wasteland stretched in every direction, devoid of any sign of life. Even the sky, despite the harsh sun, seemed an eerie, pale white, offering no vibrant color. The air itself seemed shrouded in a hazy, gray mist.
It was an oppressive and lifeless environment.
He Yi's gaze swept over the other nine members of the group, his expression cool and detached. He then turned his attention to the distant horizon.
This mission to investigate the mortal world was supposed to be handled by one representative from each of the nine major sects of the Nine Domains. As a disciple of Fuzong from the Northern Spirit Domain, he wasn't originally intended to come along. But he had managed to secure a spot nonetheless.
As he absentmindedly fiddled with the jade pendant hanging from his waist, He Yi's mind wandered to the talisman array he had been researching for years.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, ten days had passed since the new disciples had entered Lingxian Sect.
In these ten days, their schedules had been packed with lessons and tasks. Even the time they were given to write letters to their families—so the sect could send them out as a group—was squeezed into their evening mealtime.
During the day, they attended classes and participated in building projects, leaving no spare moments. The evening hours were the only time they had to quietly practice their cultivation techniques. The Miscellaneous Hall would also arrange for seniors to come and answer any questions they had, making those precious hours even more valuable.
In these ten days, most of the new disciples had already succeeded in drawing spiritual energy into their bodies. For those who hadn't, they diligently practiced under the guidance of their seniors, without feeling pressured. Instead, they grew more focused on their studies.
Baishu was one of the first disciples to successfully draw spiritual energy into his body.
Due to his various responsibilities, he was even busier than the others. Every day, he was the first to arrive at the Cultivation Hall. Once there, he would open the attendance book that Liu Yunan had given him and place it to the side, then begin his morning cultivation under the early light.
In the evenings, while others were writing letters to their families, Baishu would quickly finish his dinner and take the opportunity to collect name suggestions for the mountain they would reside on. Liu Yunan had assigned him the task of gathering ideas for naming their mountain.
Each day, he would gather a few suggestions, then meet with the four other respected individuals—Master Pei, Liang Zhonghuai, Yuan Jinsheng, and Xuanyuan Haoyue. Together, they would sift through the names, setting aside the best ones for a final selection later.
Once that was done, while the other disciples relaxed or socialized, Baishu would sit alone by the sect's bright lights, focusing on his cultivation manuals. This busy and fulfilling life brought him immense satisfaction.
He had no family to write letters to. The only person on his mind was the old beggar who had once taken care of him.
For the past two years, the old beggar had grown weaker with age, and his ability to beg had diminished. Most of what little they had came from the odd jobs Baishu had taken on. But the old beggar couldn't read, so Baishu used the small stipend he received from the sect to buy two sets of clean clothes and some simple food like steamed buns, asking the sect to deliver them to the old beggar.
He chose inexpensive items to avoid attracting jealousy from other beggars, hoping to return to the mortal world soon to check on him. According to the sect's rules, new disciples weren't allowed to leave the mountain until they reached the fifth level of the Qi Refining stage and could proficiently use talismans, including being able to activate them in the blink of an eye.
Even then, leaving the sect was limited. For personal matters, disciples were allowed one trip per month and had to return within a day, or they would face punishment from the Law Enforcement Hall. Of course, exceptions were made for family emergencies. Missions for the sect were different, as senior disciples would usually accompany them.
However, Baishu hadn't expected that he would receive the opportunity to leave the mountain before reaching the required level.
It all started with a problem in Xiushui Village.
In recent years, the crops around Xiushui Village had been flourishing. Not only were the fields yielding better harvests, but even the wild plants, weeds, and flowers were thriving.
While the villagers found weeding more exhausting, as the weeds grew faster than the crops, they had no complaints. The harder work meant a more abundant harvest, which was worth the effort.
However, the influx of spiritual energy not only caused plants to thrive but also attracted more animals. The hunters in Xiushui Village no longer envied the farmers; they were making a good living from the increased game.
But there was a downside.
In summer, the number of mosquitoes and other insects had grown dramatically. While the villagers had managed with herbs like wormwood to repel the insects in previous years, this summer was different. The mosquitoes were more numerous and resilient, and the usual herbal remedies only worked partially.
The hot and dry summer weather made the constant buzzing and biting unbearable. Mosquitoes swarmed over the villagers every evening, and no matter how much they tried to drive them away, their efforts were in vain. The villagers found themselves covered in itchy, red welts, unable to escape the pests.
As dusk fell each day, swarms of mosquitoes gathered over the village, so thick they blotted out the sky.
Xiushui Village was now in the grips of a mosquito infestation, and the villagers were desperate for relief.