novellhall Chapter 63 The Grand Stage of Fallen Demon Valley, Come If You Dare
Chapter 63 The Grand Stage of Fallen Demon Valley, Come If You Dare
Chapter 67 The Grand Stage of Fallen Demon Valley, Come If You're Ordered (4,000-word chapter)
While listening to the casual conversation between True Person Chixia and True Person Lingsu, Yu Zhao discreetly observed the people around him.
Through her observation, Yu Zhao discovered that the cultivators gathered around the stone tower could be roughly divided into four factions.
One group is the Dayan royal family. They seem to be the strongest, with a Nascent Soul stage expert presiding over them.
One of them is the Heavenly Gang Sacred Gate of True Person Ling Su.
The third force was a team composed of three Nascent Soul stage experts.
As for the fourth group, it was Yu Zhao's own group.
These four forces are the strongest, each possessing a Nascent Soul cultivator. As for the others, they are far too weak.
At the same time, Yu Zhao discovered that some of the cultivators gathered here had come to Fallen Demon Valley specifically for some purpose, such as True Person Ling Su and the Dayan Royal Family, who must have been well prepared.
However, most people were unexpectedly and inexplicably transported to the Fallen Demon Valley.
As for how they were discovered? It's simple: cultivators who entered on their own will appear calm and composed, while those who were accidentally teleported in will look either fearful or anxious.
Their facial expressions will be very rich.
However, what puzzled Yu Zhao was why so many cultivators had gotten involved in Fallen Demon Valley.
She didn't think it was a coincidence that so many cultivators had gathered in front of the stone tower; it seemed like a carefully planned scheme.
Moreover, the number of people is gradually increasing; in just a short while, another dozen or so people have arrived.
Currently, several hundred cultivators have gathered in front of this stone tower, and the number is gradually increasing.
Cultivators kept popping up from all directions, just like how cultivators seemed to have sprung up in this Fallen Demon Valley.
As more and more people gathered, Yu Zhao began to panic. It wasn't because of the crowd that she felt uneasy, but rather because she had a sense that a storm was brewing.
So she asked Ling Su Zhenren, "Aunt Ling Su, you said earlier that you went into the Fallen Demon Valley to find medicine. Did you come here because you received some information? Is the medicinal herb in this stone tower?"
"You don't know?"
Hearing Yu Zhao's words, Ling Su Zhenren was very surprised. She looked at Chi Xia Zhenren and the Mad Monk and found that the two of them also looked a little confused.
Now Master Lingsu believed that this group had entered by accident, so she explained, "A few days ago, all the major sects received a divine decree that the Desolate Tower in the Fallen Demon Valley would be opened. This Desolate Tower is the one in front of us."
The tower contains ancient treasures, spiritual herbs, magical artifacts, and other unexpected opportunities. Our Heavenly Gang Sacred Sect needs the Dragon Pill Flower, so we came in to try our luck.
Hearing this, Yu Zhao became even more convinced of his opinion. This was definitely a trap. What kind of bullshit divine decree was this? It was clearly just using people's greed to lure them in.
Upon hearing the words "divine decree," the expressions of True Man Chixia, the Mad Monk, and Zhang Yanqiu all became solemn.
It was obvious that these cultivators from major sects knew many secrets.
Seeing them deep in thought, Yu Zhao knew they wouldn't be in the mood to answer her question, so she turned to Shen Yunshu for help, "Junior Sister, do you know what these Immortal Decree and Desolate Tower are?"
"Immortal edicts are decrees from immortals. One of the main reasons why major sects and families have been able to stand firm is that their immortal ancestors are still alive."
However, immortals seem to be subject to some kind of restriction, making it difficult for them to come to our world. Therefore, they would use some method to convey their decrees.
However, as far as I know, since the founding of the Dayan Empire, imperial edicts have never appeared again; this should be the first time in thousands of years.
Shen Yunshu truly lived up to her reputation as Yu Zhao's encyclopedia; she even knew this much. As she explained it to her senior sister, she frowned in thought, realizing that something was amiss.
According to Master Lingsu, it was the immortal ancestors of all the major sects and families who issued the decrees at the same time, which was very unusual.
She now has reason to suspect that these immortal ancestors are recruiting cannon fodder, trying to use the lives of those in the lower realms to explore this desolate tower.
But if that's really the case, what kind of opportunity is there in this desolate tower that would make these immortals go to such lengths?
Aren't they afraid that too many of their descendants will perish, leading to the destruction of their own power by opposing forces?
Don't be fooled by the fact that Nascent Soul cultivators seem to be everywhere now; in reality, every Nascent Soul cultivator is extremely precious in this lower realm.
They rarely show themselves, and are the backbone of various major sects or aristocratic immortal clans.
If it were to perish, it would be a tremendous loss.
The reason why the sisters seem to frequently encounter Nascent Soul stage experts is because they mingle in the circles of high-level cultivators; in her senior sister's words, they play high-end games.
Thinking about this, Shen Yunshu felt that her senior sister was right. Her luck was really a bit strange. What proper Foundation Establishment cultivator would frequently encounter Nascent Soul experts?
"Junior sister, junior sister."
Yu Zhao's call brought Shen Yunshu back to her senses. Seeing her senior sister looking at her expectantly, she continued, "As for this desolate tower, I don't know what it is either."
"The Desolate Tower is an ancient treasure."
At this moment, the mad monk spoke up, his tone filled with emotion, "I never thought it actually existed. I always thought it was just a legend. In the legend, it was a magic weapon of an unparalleled demonic master."
That powerful figure used it to forge a formidable reputation in ancient times; he was known as the Nine Nether Demon Emperor, and was the revered patriarch of all demonic cultivators.
"Nonsense!"
The Crimson Cloud Immortal shouted sternly, glaring at the mad monk with her beautiful eyes. The mad monk turned his head away, looking as if he couldn't be bothered to argue with this person.
"Zhao'er, don't listen to his nonsense. Those demonic cultivators are used to embellishing their own reputations. This desolate tower was originally called the Taixu Pagoda, and it was the magic weapon of the supreme powerhouse Taixu Immortal Emperor."
The Immortal Emperor Taixu is a legend of the righteous path. He once single-handedly suppressed the abyss, pacified forbidden zones, and slayed demons, making great contributions to the human race.
The Crimson Cloud Immortal and the Mad Monk gave completely contradictory statements. Anyone with a normal brain would definitely choose to believe one of them.
But Yu Zhao's brain circuits were abnormal; she was thinking:
Is it possible that the Immortal Emperor Taixu and the Demon Emperor Jiuyou are actually the same person?
Putting yourself in her shoes, if Yu Zhao reached that level, she would definitely do the same. There's no other reason than that being a respected and good person comes with too many restrictions. Good people cannot make mistakes, and respected and good people cannot have even the slightest stain on their reputation.
If this continues for a long time, it will inevitably lead to psychological problems. So what should be done?
Just put on another villain's disguise.
In this way, he is the leader of both the righteous and demonic paths. On the one hand, it is conducive to managing the righteous and demonic paths and maintaining a balance. On the other hand, when he feels frustrated, he can vent his frustration by using a demonic alias.
Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?
To be fair, Shen Yunshu's assessment was correct. Yu Zhao's brain is a bit messed up. What decent person would think of a respected and powerful figure like that?
Even a decent person wouldn't come up with this kind of game.
Of course, Yu Zhao was only thinking about it at the moment. She was certainly not so arrogant as to voice her thoughts. Who knew if that Taixu Immortal Emperor was still alive?
Whether the Immortal Emperor Taixu and the Demon Emperor Jiuyou are the same person is not important. What is most important now is which powerful figure created this opportunity in the Desolate Tower.
The opportunities created by the leader of the righteous path and the opportunities created by the leader of the demonic path are not the same thing.
If Yu Zhao doesn't understand the righteous path, doesn't she understand the demonic path?
If the disciples and grand-disciples of the demonic path are all so ruthless, how could the Nine Nether Demon Emperor, the patriarch of the demonic path, be so kind as to give his descendants opportunities?
However, it is impossible to confirm who orchestrated this opportunity. Whether it was the Taixu Immortal Emperor or the Nine Nether Demon Emperor, they are both too powerful. With Yu Zhao's current cultivation level and vision, he simply cannot discern who set up the scheme.
So Yu Zhao turned to metaphysics for help. She sent a telepathic message to Shen Yunshu, "Junior sister, do you think we should enter this desolate tower?"
Shen Yunshu: "————"
My dear senior sister, do you really think I'm omnipotent?
Despite her inner turmoil, Shen Yunshu obediently voiced her opinion: "I don't think we should go in. Something's fishy going on. This opportunity is too bizarre."
That's it!
Yu Zhao immediately understood.
Even someone as reckless as Little Green Tea thinks we shouldn't go in, and coupled with her strange luck, this means that the opportunity in this desolate tower is a death sentence.
Going in means certain death!
So it doesn't matter who left the opportunity now, since it's a dead end anyway.
Once she was certain she wouldn't go in, Yu Zhao's mindset changed, and she started to act like she was watching a spectacle.
"Senior brother!"
Just as Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu were whispering and chatting together, a "senior brother" caught her attention.
She looked up at the sound and saw Zhang Yanqiu's junior brother Mu Feng and the little monk Kong Xiang standing not far away, looking disheveled.
Upon seeing Zhang Yanqiu, Mu Feng rushed over, with the young monk Kong Xiang close behind.
Upon seeing an acquaintance, the two completely broke down. The young monk Kongxiang was somewhat better, but Mufeng immediately hugged Zhang Yanqiu and wept bitterly, "Waaah! Senior brother, I thought I would never see you again. I should have listened to you. I truly regret entering that ruin!"
He teamed up with the young monk Kongxiang and invited a friend to join them in the ruins. As a result, they were inexplicably pulled into the Fallen Demon Valley. Of the ten of them, all but him and the young monk Kongxiang died!
Mu Feng was filled with despair. Just when he thought he was going to die, he actually walked out of that dangerous place and came to this place.
Upon seeing Zhang Yanqiu, his pent-up emotions erupted instantly.
Zhang Yanqiu could only gently comfort him, while the young monk Kongxiang, after seeing Qingxuan but not his master, already had a guess in his heart, but still wanted to confirm it.
He approached Qingxuan, his voice trembling slightly, "Uncle-Master, my master...?"
"He has fallen. I'm sorry, junior disciple, I cannot save him."
Qingxuan felt sad when she thought of her deceased friend. Although she left decisively, she was still a human being and could not be without feelings.
Looking back now, Qingxuan was also very sad. She raised her hand and patted the little monk Kongxiang on the shoulder, "Nephew, your master and I were like brothers. He has passed away. If you are willing, I will be your master from now on."
I will treat you as my own son, and I will pass on all my skills to you.
Don't underestimate Qingxuan just because he's at the peak of the Golden Core stage in this place. In terms of actual combat strength, although Qingxuan might not be able to defeat a Nascent Soul cultivator, he's not someone you can easily defeat.
Within Yu Zhao's small group, Qing Xuan was the most secretive and possessed first-rate survival skills.
Therefore, her words carried weight. She was a true prodigy from humble beginnings, and her skills were indeed a stroke of luck for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Naturally, she was qualified to teach the young monk Kongxiang.
As for whether she truly considered him her own child, only she knows the extent of that sincerity.
The young monk Kongxiang neither agreed nor refused, but respectfully bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle-Master. My mind is a little confused right now. Please allow me to give you an answer later, is that alright?"
"Of course, don't worry. I will do my best to protect you in this Fallen Demon Valley."
With Qingxuan's words, the young monk Kongxiang was relieved.
If Yu Zhao knew what he was thinking, she would definitely think to herself, "You're putting your mind at ease too soon."
Although Yu Zhao did not fully understand her nominal master, she knew that Qingxuan was a cold-hearted and ruthless person.
Her ability to decisively abandon the sect she came from and run away is enough to show this.
Even Yu Zhao suspected that the monk Huizhen might have been tricked to death by Qingxuan.
Even if that's not the case, it must be that Qingxuan realized something was wrong first and then ran away on his own.
Therefore, after seeing the young monk Kongxiang's adoring affection for Qingxuan, Yu Zhao felt in his heart that the young monk was doomed.
His master protected him too well, and he was completely unaware of the wickedness of human nature.
Regardless of what shady things Monk Huizhen might have done in that temple, he was genuinely good to his disciple, Monk Kongxiang.
To be honest, Yu Zhao was a little envious; her masters weren't that good.
Needless to say, Qingfeng Laodeng's youth has no price; his disciples can melt in their mouths.
Qingxuan, too, was full of scheming; all her kindness was purposeful.
Just as Yu Zhao was lost in thought, someone suddenly exclaimed, "Look, it's fogging up!"
With a gasp from someone, everyone noticed that mist was gradually spreading around them. The mist first appeared from all around and then slowly spread towards the center where everyone was standing.
At first, no one paid any attention except for Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu, until someone couldn't resist touching the mist.
Everyone watched helplessly as the person's flesh and blood disappeared, leaving only a skeleton.
Only then did everyone become frightened, and they each used their own unique abilities to protect themselves, attempting to resist the eerie fog.
Suddenly, the tightly closed stone door at the bottom of the desolate tower opened, and everyone rushed into the tower without regard for anything else.
Seeing this, Yu Zhao cursed inwardly, "Damn it! How can they be so shameless? They're playing the poison circle game, trying to force people into the desolate tower, huh?"
I'm determined not to go in!
With the imperial banner protecting her, Yu Zhao realized that the strange mist couldn't actually harm her, but she didn't want to be too conspicuous, so she pulled Shen Yunshu to hide behind the Crimson Cloud Immortal.
It looks like the Crimson Cloud Immortal used some kind of supernatural power to resist the erosion of the eerie mist.
She thought so too, and while fighting off the fog, she shouted to Zhang Yanqiu and the others, "You go in first, I'll cover the rear."
To be fair, although Master Chixia was eccentric, he was truly a righteous cultivator with awe-inspiring integrity.
At this point, he was actually thinking of covering the rear.
Without hesitation, Zhang Yanqiu grabbed his junior brother and ran into the desolate tower, with Qingxuan and the young monk Kongxiang following closely behind.
As for the mad monk, he has long since disappeared.
"Zhao'er, what are you all standing there for? Hurry up and go!"
Seeing that Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu didn't move, True Immortal Chixia became a little anxious. At this moment, Yu Zhao said, "Mother, if you don't leave, we won't leave either. We'll stay with you!"
Yu Zhao had no intention of entering the Desolate Tower. After waiting until there were no outsiders around, she took her junior sister and True Person Chixia and ran away.
Her words deeply moved Master Chixia, filling him with a sense of pride and joy, like that of a parent seeing their child grow up.
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