Unlike the Cultivators from the three Sects who were stationed in Jiran Valley year-round, this joint operation was a short-term mission.

The next day, Song Yan and the others followed Lu Ziye, clearing the area around the Spirit Valley.

"This kind of spiritual energy fluctuation, which also affects the spiritual plants and Spirit Beasts in the valley, is most likely due to a few situations."

Gu Qingqing curiously stared at this "Senior Brother Lu"; he didn’t seem as strange as Senior Sister Liu Yuechan had said.

Lu Ziye led the three towards the Spirit Demon Plain, explaining, "First, there are special Spirit Beasts appearing. In the Cultivation World, there are many Spirit Beasts and Demon Beasts that are accompanied by special spiritual energy fluctuations, and this is the most probable situation."

"Second, there is a Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Realm nearby who is attempting to Breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm... but this possibility is extremely low."

It made sense; in a small place like Chu, most Sect Disciples would choose to Breakthrough within their own Sect’s mountain gate for safety.

Those who usually chose to Breakthrough in these mountain wilds were typically Loose Cultivators.

As for the situation of Loose Cultivators in Chu, the Six Major Sects generally knew their backgrounds thoroughly. If there truly was a Loose Cultivator with the potential to Breakthrough to Golden Core, it would have been widely known, and people would have already sought to befriend them.

"The third possibility is that a Secret Realm or grotto-heaven is about to appear near the Spirit Valley, and its spatial fluctuations are affecting the valley’s ecosystem..."

"This possibility is the lowest."

"For missions like this, it’s usually just some Demon Beast causing trouble. Most of you are doing your first Sect mission, so there’s no need to be too nervous."

Lu Ziye said sternly, "You don’t need to exert yourselves, and there won’t be any danger."

But in his heart, he sighed deeply.

When other Sects had joint missions, Inner Sect Disciples always went in pairs. Why was he the only one this time?

With no familiar faces to tease, it was truly boring.

If he had to pick someone familiar, it was that Outer Sect Disciple named Song Yan.

What did his Master see in him, waiting at that dilapidated little shop every day for this kid to show up?

"Could it be that she’s trying to eat tender grass from an old cow..."

With no one to chat with and be mischievous, he resorted to sacrilegious, malicious speculation about Qin Xijun in his heart, almost failing to suppress a laugh.

Leaving Jiran Valley, two thousand-year-old green wutong trees intertwined to form a natural gate, their gnarled roots submerged in a cold spring, with faded Talismans of prayer floating on the water’s surface.

"Peace year after year..."

"Diligently cultivate without ceasing..."

These prayer Talismans should have originally been hung on the branches by the Disciples stationed here year-round, but they had fallen due to wind and sun.

Lu Ziye’s tone was relaxed: "Since there’s nothing to do, I’ll take you to Spirit Demon Plain first..."

He thought that these newly promoted Outer Sect Disciples probably hadn’t participated in many outdoor missions.

Many outdoor missions were indeed full of danger, but tasks like clearing the Spirit Valley were truly like sightseeing.

"I’ll take these kids out to play for a couple of days, and they’ll understand..."

Chatting and walking, the stone path turned and opened up abruptly at a broken cliff.

The strong winds of Spirit Demon Plain, mixed with the fresh scent of grass and trees, assailed them. Song Yan clutched his robes, which were being lifted by the airflow.

Deer of various colors leaped, treading the morning glow, their long tails spreading a faint spiritual charm. A Xuan-patterned tiger lay in a doze on a boulder, its breath stirring. There were also some Demon Beasts that Song Yan had never even seen in books or ancient texts, whose names he couldn’t recall.

"What a magnificent sight..."

A few young Cultivators, who hadn’t seen much of the world, marveled at the magnificent scenery of Spirit Demon Plain as they walked across the plain.

Occasionally, Cultivators familiar to Lu Ziye would greet him; they seemed to be Disciples from other Sects.

"Buzz—"

A sound transmission Talisman flew from afar and landed beside Lu Ziye.

"Brother Lu, outside Jiran Valley, near Hidden Moon Lake to the east, a First-Stage Late Stage Demon Beast has been detected. Come quickly to assist..."

A Demon Beast?

Lu Ziye’s expression changed... but after a moment’s thought, he smiled with relief: "It seems the mission will end very soon. No more fun for us..."

A First-Stage Late Stage Demon Beast, solely based on its demonic power level, was equivalent to a human Cultivator at the Qi Refining Late Stage Realm.

However, Demon Beasts were naturally physically formidable, and a few even possessed strange Divine Abilities. Therefore, a Demon Beast of the same Realm would require two or three human Cultivators to attack it together to contend with it.

Fortunately, with the Disciples of the three Sects gathered, it wasn’t a problem.

But Lu Ziye wondered, "Could just one First-Stage Late Stage Demon Beast cause such a widespread spiritual energy fluctuation?"

"Could it be on the verge of advancing to Second Stage..." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

By the time Lu Ziye arrived near Hidden Moon Lake with the Cave Abyss Sect Disciples, the Disciples from the other two Sects were already standing on the nearby cliff.

"Brother Lu."

Song Yan stood almost at the back of the crowd, everyone looking towards the distant cold pond.

Beneath the calm water of the pond, a faint white light flickered, like breathing spiritual light.

"Crucian Carp Dragon..."

Beside Song Yan, another Cultivator from a different Sect, also standing at the back of the crowd, looked slightly puzzled and said:

"This fish demon dislikes cold ponds, so why would it appear in Hidden Moon Lake..."

This person was dressed in a white Daoist robe; judging by the insignia patterns on the cuffs and collar, he seemed to be a Disciple of the Spirit Talisman Sect.

He seemed to have a hidden meaning in his words, but Song Yan didn’t pick up on anything.

"Senior Brother seems very familiar with this demon?"

"I am Wan Songran, of the Wan Family from Chen Prefecture."

The Wan Family... Song Yan suddenly understood.

In the land of Chu, besides the Six Major Sects, there were also four great Cultivation Families.

The Zhao Family of Eastern Chu.

The Qin Family of Southern Chu.

The Wan Family of Western Chu.

The Yan Family of Northern Chu.

Although the strength of the four great aristocratic families couldn’t compare to the Six Major Sects, they were still comparable to Sects like Ziyang Sect.

Among them, the Wan Family from Chen Prefecture in Western Chu was famous throughout the land for its Spirit-controlling methods, so it was natural for them to be familiar with these Demon Beasts.

A descendant of a prestigious Family... "Brother Wang, Brother Chai, is this fish demon the culprit behind the spiritual valley’s fluctuations this time?"

Lu Ziye’s expression was suspicious. After a spiritual examination, judging from its aura, this fish demon was still far from advancing to Second Stage.

"Heh heh, whether it’s the culprit or not, no one knows right now. Slaying this demon first and returning to report is the proper course of action."

"Xia Wei, set up the formation."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Three Outer Sect Disciples from Profound Origin Sect flew forward, and in a short while, they had already placed Formation Plates and formation beads at three corners of Hidden Moon Lake, beginning to set up the formation.

As if sensing a threat, the previously calm cold pond began to subtly stir.

Bang!

A large, dark Crucian Carp Dragon leaped out of the pond, roaring with an open mouth, bringing forth gusts of demonic wind.

At the same time, in the shallow water by the pond, more than ten small demons emerged in single file, mostly First-Stage Early Stage, with a few First-Stage Middle Stage Demon Beasts among them.

"Cave Abyss Sect Disciples, assist in slaying the surrounding small demons."

After giving instructions, Lu Ziye, along with Wang Xi and Chai Yanghui, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Spirit Talisman Sect, went forward to confront the fish demon.

The fish demon flicked its long tail, attempting to knock away the three Disciples setting up the formation, but it was blocked by a stream of azure jade light.

Chai Yanghui moved the Talisman in his hand, and the azure jade glow began to spread, forming a circular net, attempting to trap the fish demon within it.

"What a powerful Talisman..."

Song Yan exclaimed. This was the Spirit Talisman Sect of Xiapi Prefecture in Lin Prefecture, renowned for its Talismans!

One Talisman unleashed could trap a First-Stage Late Stage Demon Beast!

He didn’t get lost in admiring the extraordinary talent of the three great Sect’s Inner Sect Disciples; the sounds of Spiritual Artifacts and Spells surged around him like a tide.

Song Yan’s mind was steady, and he summoned his Flying Sword, joining the battlefield.

The small demons in the pond were all water-element Demon Beasts, so his slightly more proficient fire-element Spell had little effect.

And among the Cultivators present, his cultivation was considered to be at the bottom, with no offensive pressure, which was actually perfect for practicing the few Flying Sword manipulation techniques recorded in the "Essentials of Swordsmanship."

At the same time, in a corner of the battlefield no one was paying attention to.

Wan Songran, the Spirit Talisman Sect Disciple who had spoken to Song Yan earlier, retreated while fighting, gradually disappearing into the deep forest by the pond.

With a few leaps, he jumped onto a branch, and using the dense foliage, he watched the fierce battle in the pond from afar, his gaze fixed on Wang Xi.

"With Wang Xi’s strength, plus five Profound Origin Sect Disciples, this battle should end very quickly..."

"But he’s not using Spiritual Artifacts, not employing killing moves, not activating spiritual energy..."

"Right now, it’s completely the Cave Abyss Sect’s Inner Sect Disciple and Senior Brother Chai Yanghui leading the charge."

"This Wang Xi."

"No, it should be said that this Profound Origin Sect has a big problem."

His gaze shifted between Wang Xi and Shen Huai, finally narrowing as he took out a red and black short flute from his qiankun bag.