Translator: CinderTL

The ship tower soared twenty-odd stories high.

Bai Wei led Song Wen to a room on the top floor.

"The situation in the Turbid Spirit Realm is unclear. The Spirit Jade Palace, fearing unforeseen circumstances, has dispatched only two Body Integration Stage cultivators—myself and Wang Qiuyue—along with five Void Refinement Stage cultivators and nine Divine Transformation Stage cultivators. The rest of the Giant Flying Ship’s crew are members of the various affiliated families under the Spirit Jade Palace. However, these families aren’t fools; none of their Body Integration Stage Ancestors have participated. Thus, only Wang Qiuyue and I remain as Body Integration Stage cultivators on board. Wang Qiuyue and I are quite close. As long as you stay in this room until we reach the Cloud Passage Mountain Range, you won’t encounter any trouble.

"The sect has already stationed Elder Fan Kang at the entrance to the Turbid Spirit Realm. He’s a late-stage Body Integration Stage cultivator known for his strict adherence to rules. However, we’ve been fellow sect members for thousands of years. With my intervention, he shouldn’t make things difficult for you, allowing you to enter the Turbid Spirit Realm smoothly. Once inside, everyone will be randomly teleported to different locations. You must remember..."

At this point, Bai Wei shifted her tone and continued, "The three great sects have reached a consensus to transform the Turbid Spirit Realm into a jointly managed secret realm. This exploration will last only one month. Remember to leave before the exit closes. According to the Spirit Jade Palace’s rules, cultivators from affiliated families must surrender fifty percent of the treasures they obtain within the Turbid Spirit Realm. To prevent Elder Fan Kang from demanding half of your gains after you exit, if we happen to meet within the Turbid Spirit Realm, you can entrust your treasures to me for safekeeping. If we don’t cross paths, wait until the exit is about to close before leaving. I’ll be waiting for you outside the Turbid Spirit Realm at that time."

"Thank you, Senior. This junior will certainly follow your instructions," Song Wen replied sincerely, clasping his hands in a respectful bow.

Bai Wei’s arrangements were indeed considerate, significantly reducing his risks.

After a few more casual exchanges, Bai Wei excused herself and departed.

The journey to the Cloud Passage Mountain Range was long and arduous. Though the Giant Flying Ship’s speed rivaled that of a late-stage void refinement cultivator, it still took a month and a half to gradually descend upon a range of towering peaks.

Though this region was remote, several towering structures had been erected atop the surrounding mountains.

Their flying eaves and intricate brackets stood in staggered formation, their glazed golden tiles gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. These newly constructed buildings were clearly the work of the cultivators from the three sects stationed here.

As the Spirit Jade Palace’s Giant Flying Ship approached, an elderly man emerged from one of the tallest structures.

His hair was as white as snow, yet his face retained the rosy complexion of an infant.

"Greetings, Elder Fan Kang," Bai Wei and Wang Qiuyue said in unison, flashing out of the ship to bow respectfully.

"Elder Bai, Elder Wang, are you two leading this expedition to the Turbid Spirit Realm?" Fan Kang asked.

Wang Qiuyue replied, "The other Body Integration Stage elders in the sect are all occupied with critical duties and unable to leave. We two, who have only recently entered the Body Integration Stage, were the only ones available."

Fan Kang chuckled. "Elder Wang, you’re being too modest. With you personally leading the way, I’m confident the Spirit Jade Palace’s gains in the Turbid Spirit Realm will be no less impressive than those of the other two sects."

"Elder Fan, you flatter me," Wang Qiuyue said.

Fan Kang said nothing more, simply raising his hand to gesture toward the mountains below.

"Fellow Daoists and disciples of the sects and families, please rest below. The Myriad Swords Pavilion has yet to arrive, so we’ll likely need to wait a few more days before the Turbid Spirit Realm opens."

"Everyone, disembark immediately!" Wang Qiuyue turned and shouted at the Giant Flying Ship.

As her voice echoed, nearly a hundred figures soared from the ship.

Once everyone had disembarked, the ship rapidly shrank to a mere few dozen feet in length before being stored in Wang Qiuyue’s storage ring.

"Elder Fan, please lead the way," Wang Qiuyue said.

Fan Kang didn’t hesitate, descending first toward the towering mountain below.

"Elder Fan, I see no entrance to the secret realm nearby. Has the Turbid Spirit Realm’s entrance been sealed?" Bai Wei suddenly asked.

"This old man has been here for months, naturally not idle. I collaborated with fellow Daoists from the Myriad Swords Pavilion and Profound Sky Sect to establish a formation sealing the entrance. Without the array disks held by the three sects, even a Great Ascension Stage cultivator would struggle to breach this seal," Fan Kang replied with evident pride.

Clearly, he held immense confidence in his mastery of formations.

The group descended through the air, landing on the plaza before a pavilion atop the mountain peak.

Bai Wei and Wang Qiuyue entered the pavilion at Fan Kang’s invitation.

Most of the remaining cultivators, except for a few who followed them inside, remained on the plaza.

Song Wen walked alone to the western edge of the plaza, where a steep cliff plunged into the abyss.

He stood at the cliff’s edge, gazing at the distant mountain ranges.

Unlike Song Wen’s solitary figure, the others gathered in small groups of three to five, whispering among themselves.

These cultivators were either fellow disciples, members of the same family, or had known each other for years. By exchanging information now, they hoped to increase their chances of survival and mutual support should they encounter danger in the Turbid Spirit Realm.

Song Wen, however, preferred to avoid close interactions with these people, fearing that too much talk might reveal his true identity and arouse suspicion.

Yet, despite his attempts to keep his distance, someone approached him to strike up a conversation.

"My name is Xue Cong from Hanling City. May I ask your esteemed name, fellow daoist?"

The newcomer was a middle-aged male cultivator in the late-stage Void Refinement realm. His refined and gentle demeanor immediately put others at ease.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Xue Cong. I am Gou Jun, merely a rogue cultivator," Song Wen replied, clasping his hands in a respectful bow.

"Oh? Fellow Daoist, you’re a rogue cultivator? Then why are you participating in this expedition to the Turbid Spirit Realm?" Xue Cong asked.

"I’ve earned the favor of True Lord Bai Wei of the Spirit Jade Palace," Song Wen replied. "She intends to recommend me for membership. With the Turbid Spirit Realm’s emergence, I’m entering to explore it. If I can achieve some merit, I believe it will secure the Spirit Jade Palace’s approval and smooth my path to joining."

This explanation had been prearranged with Bai Wei and wasn’t a fabrication on Song Wen’s part.

A hint of admiration flickered across Xue Cong’s face.

"If you’ve gained True Lord Bai Wei’s favor, you must possess extraordinary qualities. After we enter the Turbid Spirit Realm, I hope you’ll look out for me."

"Fellow Daoist Xue Cong, you flatter me," Song Wen said. "As a mere rogue cultivator, though I possess some cultivation, I lack powerful spiritual artifacts and secret arts. My strength is limited, and I fear I’ll be the one needing your assistance."

As the two exchanged these insincere pleasantries, another female cultivator approached.

After she introduced herself, Song Wen learned her name was Hong Yi. Like Xue Cong, she was at the late-stage Void Refinement realm and was also affiliated with the Spirit Jade Palace.

"Fellow Daoists, what are your objectives in entering the Turbid Spirit Realm?" Hong Yi asked after a brief exchange of greetings.

Her direct inquiry into their goals was rather abrupt.

(End of the Chapter)

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