Chapter 94: Fire Dragon Valley

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Fire Dragon Valley

Before the Mountain Gate Cyan Jade Steps, a colossal, majestic ship occupied half of the bluestone plaza.

The ship’s hull, forged from Profound Iron, emanated a cold, dark glint as it hung suspended in the center of the palace square. Astral winds stirred the bronze bells on its corners. The prow, shaped like a dragon swallowing clouds and exhaling mist, was perfectly level with the Gilded Hall Roof at the top of the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps of the Celestial Ladder.

The disciples passing by looked up. They saw the ship’s hull was embedded with thirty-six Rune Chains, a number corresponding to the celestial stars. On deck, the eyes of a bronze-cast Mountain Guardian Beast shot out a cold glint, facing off against the distant Eight-Treasure Glazed Lamps hanging from the eaves of the great hall amidst the clouds.

"This..."

Liu Chen narrowed his eyes. He felt this Flying Ship was completely out of place in Purple Cloud Valley, or rather, completely out of place in the entire Cultivation Realm of the Great Xia Dynasty.

"That’s the Purple Cloud Ship, a powerful tool of Purple Cloud Valley. Rumor has it that if Purple Cloud Valley were ever in crisis, this Flying Ship could carry the entire sect away to safety. It seems the Sect Leader places great importance on this Inner Sect Disciple trial."

Yang Haichen couldn’t help but speak up. He had heard the rumors about the Purple Cloud Ship. Everyone speculated whether it had offensive capabilities and how powerful they might be, but so far, the Purple Cloud Ship had only ever been used to transport disciples.

"Board the ship."

Mo Xuan sized up the Flying Ship. ’If I remember correctly, this is a model the Mo Family phased out a hundred years ago. From a certain perspective, the Sect Leader is quite responsible.’

’If this thing were activated at full power, a single strike would be enough to level the entire Purple Bamboo Peak.’

The boarding process was very simple. After stepping onto the Flying Ship, Liu Chen was assigned a private room. All the Inner Sect Disciples participating in the trial were given their own rooms on the lowest deck. The higher levels were residences for the upper echelons of Purple Bamboo Peak.

His two junior sisters had been taken to the highest deck by their Master and his wife.

"Junior Brother, you can rest and recuperate here. We will arrive at Fire Dragon Valley in one hour."

The one in charge of assigning rooms was a True Disciple. Liu Chen didn’t know him, but the man clearly knew Liu Chen. The other Inner Sect Disciples all received a token with a room number, but this Senior Brother personally escorted Liu Chen to his door.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

After thanking him, Liu Chen entered the room. Although it was only one hour, Liu Chen was unwilling to waste any time. If he cultivated for an extra hour now, he could act more quickly later in Fire Dragon Valley.

Just as he was about to close the door, three ancient, resonant bell chimes echoed. Liu Chen’s vision blurred for a moment. When it cleared, the sight of the Purple Cloud Valley plaza was gone, replaced by a roiling sea of clouds.

Liu Chen paused for a second, then closed the door. Immediately after, cries of surprise sounded from the hallway.

The True Disciple, who hadn’t gone far, shook his head as he watched the Inner Sect Disciples rush out of their rooms. He had been like that once. In comparison, this Spirit Chef was certainly different.

His only regret was that the True Disciples of Purple Bamboo Peak were too monstrous; he still hadn’t managed to buy any Spiritual Cuisine.

One hour passed leisurely. Liu Chen’s Resting Technique was four hundred Proficiency points away from the next Realm, which would require a full two hours of practice.

Unfortunately, there was no more time.

Three bell chimes rang out. Liu Chen opened the window beside him and took in the view outside.

The sea of clouds visibly receded, replaced by a cliff face. The wind and sand that blew against the ship were blocked by its hull.

"All Inner Sect Disciples participating in the assessment, disembark the Flying Ship!"

The Sect Leader’s distinct voice echoed throughout the Flying Ship. Liu Chen slowly rose and walked out of his room.

"Junior Brother, don’t run around recklessly after the trial begins. I don’t think anyone will give you trouble."

Liu Chen had only taken a few steps when Yang Haichen appeared right beside him. Judging by this, their rooms must have been close to each other.

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother. I’m quite afraid of dying."

Liu Chen nodded in agreement. Senior Brother Yang certainly meant no harm. For him to think of reminding Liu Chen at a time like this was already quite admirable.

Most of the Inner Sect Disciples around them were hurrying along, with few showing any signs of confidence.

Liu Chen walked off the Flying Ship, and the entrance to a valley came into view. On a nearby cliff face, someone had carved the three large words "Fire Dragon Valley" with a weapon.

"Fire Dragon Valley is even a little bigger than Purple Cloud Valley. We’re going to be in for it this month."

Yang Haichen followed beside Liu Chen, looking troubled as he surveyed their surroundings.

"A month?"

Liu Chen glanced at him. He had no idea this trial was supposed to last a month. In fact, before this, Liu Chen hadn’t even known the specific location of the trial. He only heard the name "Fire Dragon Valley" after boarding the Flying Ship.

"Yeah, a month. If everything goes smoothly, we’ll be able to rest in Purple Cloud Valley for ten days before directly participating in the Great Xia Dynasty’s annual festival."

Yang Haichen nodded. Ever since the Inner Sect Disciple assessment began, everything seemed to be scheduled. After the festival in the tenth month, there would be time to cultivate a bit in the eleventh and twelfth months.

Then, at the start of the new year, it would be time for the Inner Sect Disciple rotation. The previous batch of Inner Sect Disciples, who had been on trials throughout the Great Xia Dynasty, would return. Those who survived this trial would then go to other places to carry out missions.

"That really sounds grueling."

Liu Chen nodded, found a rock sheltered from the wind, and began to practice his Resting Technique. The information Senior Brother Yang revealed mentioned a festival, which was probably the same one his junior sister had asked him to prepare Spiritual Cuisine for. But that wasn’t important. The most important thing right now was his Resting Technique.

Yang Haichen, who had been following him, was about to say more. But when he saw Liu Chen sitting there studying his Magic, he tactfully kept his distance and also stopped other Inner Sect Disciples who wanted to approach.

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"Our agreement with Thunder Mountain and Qingxu Hall is for four hours from now. However, I imagine some Loose Cultivators who got wind of this have already entered Fire Dragon Valley. After this, some of those Loose Cultivators will surely become part of Purple Cloud Valley, under the pretense of serving our Inner Sect Disciples."

At the highest point of the Purple Cloud Ship, the Sect Leader of Purple Cloud Valley quietly gazed out at the vast Fire Dragon Valley. From this vantage point, the mountain range rising within the valley looked like a crimson fire dragon.

Fire Dragon Valley was once the home of a Noble Family in the Great Xia Dynasty that had the greatest potential to become an Immortal Sect. Unfortunately, just as the Noble Family was flourishing, the Black Feather Dynasty on the other side of Fire Dragon Valley refused to allow a family on the border of two dynasties to fully align with the Great Xia Dynasty. And so, war began.

The Black Feather Dynasty is different from the Great Xia Dynasty. In the Great Xia Dynasty, the Three Immortal Sects are more influential than the Royal Family. In the Black Feather Dynasty, however, the Royal Family holds more power. To be precise, the Black Feather Royal Family itself evolved from what was once the strongest Immortal Sect.

"The Black Feather Dynasty will definitely take action. The losses in this trial will be heavy."

Mo Xuan walked over and studied another exit of Fire Dragon Valley. From there, it was only a journey of a few hours to reach the Black Feather Dynasty.

Once the Three Immortal Sects completely set up their Arrays here and transform it into a true trial ground, the Loose Cultivators who originally gathered here will have no choice but to flee to the Black Feather Dynasty.

"This is a necessary ordeal. Fifty percent of the Evil Cultivators in Fire Dragon Valley were deliberately forced here by the Black Feather Dynasty."