Six days later, in front of Shouming Palace, Feihe Tower.
Twelve disciples gathered together, chatting and laughing cheerfully. These disciples were all from the sa sect, and their cultivation had reached the Ming Qi Three Realms. This ti, they were heading to the small demon cave to cultivate, hoping to leverage the abundant spiritual energy within to condense their Xuan Seed and advance to the Xuan Guang Realm.
Nowadays, Shouming Palace was no longer the quiet and secluded place it used to be. True Master Peng had openly aligned himself with the disciples of this lineage, which led to many low-level disciples coming here to cultivate in the demon cave. It also provided an opportunity for them to temper their character.
One disciple let out a sigh suddenly and said worriedly, "I’ve heard the Heart Demon is good at stirring the mind, invisible and formless, making it extrely difficult to guard against. I’m unsure if I’ll be able to withstand it."
A tall and refined disciple dressed in a blue robe chuckled and joked, "Co now, just a re devil—what is there for us fellow disciples to fear? We are nurous and united; surely we don’t need to worry about a devil attacking us. If any senior brother happens to be bewitched by the devil, I’ll just slap him awake with a single smack. Surely that will do the trick!"
His words imdiately sparked a round of laughter. A young woman dressed in pink glanced at him and covered her mouth, laughing as she said, "Alright then, Yu Senior Brother, if you’re bewitched by the devil, I won’t hesitate. My slap will be loud and clear!"
Yu Senior Brother replied cheerfully, "Junior Sister Bao, if you don’t make my face swell, that ans you’re being soft-hearted toward !"
The disciples were all from the sa sect, and so had even known each other since childhood. So, their conversations didn’t hold back in humor or teasing.
A disciple ca closer, bumped Yu Senior Brother with their shoulder, and teased him with a sly grin, "I’m just worried that the devil you et might look exactly like Junior Sister Bao, and then you won’t want to snap out of it!"
Junior Sister Bao blushed, spat playfully, and scolded, "Hmph, shaless!"
The group of disciples erupted into hearty laughter.
Mo Ying watched her fellow disciples with a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She said, "Actually, we’re quite fortunate. To enter the demon cave and have seasoned seniors from the sect protecting us—truly, we should be grateful."
The disciples unanimously agreed with her sentints. The demon cave wasn’t a place for casual outings like a spring trip. Many who entered before this had rarely returned unscathed. But they happened to join at an opportune mont, which gave them a slight advantage—it was considered their good fortune.
A delicate and frail-looking young girl broke the chatter and wondered aloud, "I wonder which senior the sect will send to protect us? How will they compare to our own ntors?"
Mo Ying thought for a mont and replied uncertainly, "It might be soone from the elder ranks. Junior Sister Rui, there’s no need to worry. Whoever it is, their cultivation and abilities are surely formidable."
The twelve disciples waited for nearly an hour when a rumbling sound suddenly echoed from the sky. A stream of flying mist descended slowly through the clouds. Before long, the mist dispersed, revealing a striking young Daoist with an extraordinary deanor and noble air.
At the sight of him, the disciples couldn’t help but notice his deep and unfathomable gaze. There was an indescribable pressure emanating from him that left them tense and apprehensive, unintentionally holding their breaths.
Mo Ying imdiately recognized his identity, her lips parted in a stunned exclamation, "Uncle Zhang!"
Eight years ago, during the sect’s grand competition, so of the disciples here had seen Zhang Yan before and now cried out in surprise again.
One disciple who didn’t know his identity asked about it, and upon learning who he was, they were filled with astonishnt.
No one had expected the sect to send Zhang Yan, one of the Top Ten Disciples, to protect them. For a mont, all eyes were wide with awe, and no one dared to even breathe heavily.
Zhang Yan wore a gentle smile as his gaze swept across the twelve disciples, addressing them calmly, "Are you all prepared? Once the ti arrives, I will lead you into the demon cave."
Though his tone was stable and courteous, his towering position and imposing aura left the Ming Qi disciples in awe, rendering them unable to respond imdiately.
Mo Ying hesitated briefly, intending to speak, when Junior Sister Rui timidly said, "Uncle Zhang, we’ve already prepared the elixir pills and magic artifacts."
Zhang Yan nodded slowly without saying much else. He flicked his sleeve and walked into Feihe Tower first.
The disciples continued standing there dumbfounded until a deep, commanding voice resonated from inside the building, "What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and co in!"
It was then that they snapped out of their daze and hurriedly entered the tower.
Zhang Yan’s gaze extended toward the Sea Eye, seeing its waters bubbling and churning as if boiling. He knew the ti had co.
He spoke in a deep voice, "Listen carefully. Shortly, I will exert my mana to bring you into the demon cave. Once inside, if you encounter any strange phenona, do not panic and under no circumstances act recklessly. Do you all understand?"
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