Xionghu Ridge.
Looking from afar.
The entire ridge was shrouded in a thick fog, obscuring the situation within.
Only overlapping layers of mountains could be vaguely seen.
Feng Qingran and the others stood mid-air on their flying swords, looking down at Xionghu Ridge.
“The entire Xionghu Ridge has been surrounded by people from the four great sects. It seems whatever has appeared inside this time is really something special,” Feng Qingran’s voice was as sweet as a lark, soft and crisp.
Baili Wenyue looked down and scoffed, “Looks like there are people from a few noble families too. But they’re actually using Nascent Soul cultivators to guard the entrance. That’s really low!”
Ning Shiyue’s eyes sparkled like brilliant stars as she said excitedly, “Nascent Soul? Then whatever’s inside must be a treasure. We have to stir up this muddy water, we absolutely have to go in.”
“No way! Have you forgotten what happened last time with the Nascent Soul cultivator? Seventh Junior Brother almost lost his life dealing with that Nascent Soul. I can’t let you all take risks again!” Baili Wenyue disagreed.
Ning Shiyue and Feng Qingran exchanged a glance: He really doesn’t seem to know Mo Jinghong’s true strength!
“Sixth Senior Brother, you’ve advanced to the Nascent Soul stage now too. We can run faster, so don’t worry,” Ning Shiyue’s voice was like silver bells, pleasant and lingering.
“That still won’t do. I don’t agree.” Baili Wenyue had changed from his usual love of watching the excitement.
“Then let’s ask Seventh Junior Brother. If he agrees we go in, then we’ll go in!” Ning Shiyue didn’t feel like arguing with Baili Wenyue.
Anyway, as long as Mo Jinghong said there was no danger, everyone would believe him.
This kind of absolute trust had formed over a long time together.
Mo Jinghong had never spoken falsely in front of them.
“Fifth Senior Sister, Sixth Senior Brother, don’t argue for now. There’s about to be a fight down below.” Feng Qingran reminded them.
Ning Shiyue and Baili Wenyue both looked down at the same time.
——————
The eastern entrance was guarded by people from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
A group of rogue cultivators wanted to enter Xionghu Ridge but were blocked outside.
“What right do you have to stop us from entering? Just because you’re a sect, you think you can be this tyrannical?” A leading rogue cultivator shouted defiantly.
The leader from the Heavenly Sword Sect was an elder. He glanced lightly at the rogue cultivator but didn’t speak.
A disciple beside him stepped forward arrogantly, “We’ve already said there’s danger inside Xionghu Ridge. Not letting you in is for your own protection.”
“Hmph! Easy for you to say. Protection, my foot! You sects just want to keep everything inside for yourselves, that’s why you’re deliberately blocking us out.” A rogue cultivator in coarse clothing said.
“Right! You sects have always been like this. You make all the rules. You leave us rogue cultivators no room to survive…”
“We rogue cultivators are cultivators too. Why can’t we enter Xionghu Ridge? Besides, Xionghu Ridge has always been ownerless. Since when did it become someone’s property today?”
…
The group of rogue cultivators, one after another, grew angrier as they shouted.
But the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples showed no emotion at all. They quietly listened to the rogue cultivators’ complaints, even shrugging their shoulders indifferently.
Becoming a rogue cultivator meant having poor talent.
What kind of opportunities did cultivators with poor talent need?
Wouldn’t that be a waste?
Opportunities were meant for outstanding disciples. How dare this group of rogue cultivators clamor here?
If the Sect Master hadn’t instructed them not to lay hands on rogue cultivators…
“You Heavenly Sword Sect are truly unworthy of being called the number one sect! You have absolutely no magnanimity. I think your reputation was built by oppressing others, right?” A rogue cultivator shouted loudly.
Instantly, all the cultivators fell silent.
Was it really okay to curse the Heavenly Sword Sect like that?
The Fifth Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect opened his slightly narrowed eyes.
The Fifth Elder’s eyes were like ice as he looked at that cultivator, “This fellow cultivator seems to have quite a few opinions about the Heavenly Sword Sect?”
That rogue cultivator also realized what was happening, his face turning deathly pale, “I… I wouldn’t dare, I was just…”
The cultivators around him all stepped back, distancing themselves from him.
Leaving him alone to face the Fifth Elder’s pressure.
Among them, the highest cultivation was only at the early Nascent Soul stage. How could they possibly contend with the Heavenly Sword Sect?
The rogue cultivators suddenly regretted their momentary bravery.
“Anyone else here have opinions about the Heavenly Sword Sect?” The Fifth Elder’s gaze swept over every rogue cultivator present.
The rogue cultivators were silent, their eyes showing fear.
“Hmph!” The Fifth Elder snorted coldly, his pressure spreading out, “Even I, an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, don’t dare enter, yet you people actually presume to go in.”
“I said it was for your protection, but you didn’t believe it. Since that’s the case, go ahead and enter.”
“But after you go in, we will not be responsible for your life or death.”
The Fifth Elder’s authoritative voice reached the ears of every rogue cultivator.
The disciples nearby were surprised, but didn’t dare to interrupt.
The rogue cultivators looked at each other, unsure if the Fifth Elder’s words were true or false.
One bold rogue cultivator tentatively walked towards Xionghu Ridge. No one stopped him.
Seeing this, the other rogue cultivators chose to follow.
Only that isolated rogue cultivator chose to turn and leave Xionghu Ridge.
The Fifth Elder watched that rogue cultivator’s departing figure, his gaze dark and unfathomable. Quite lucky, that one!
Seeing that everyone had left, a disciple asked puzzledly, “Fifth Elder, why let these people in?”
“Hmph! On a treasure hunt, you always need some cannon fodder. Those who rush to their deaths are useless to stop.”
The Fifth Elder’s eyes were indifferent as he continued, “Besides, Qinghe Tower has already leaked the news about Xionghu Ridge. More people will come later.”
