Chapter 13: Distant Visitor

Time passed slowly in the cultivation of Lu Yun. Two years elapsed in the blink of an eye. Everything in the world seemed unchanged, unaffected by his presence or absence. However, could his arrival truly change nothing?

In the halls of Yi Garden, Lu Yun once again met Lin Yunfeng. Lin Yunfeng's personality remained the same, but Lu Yun noticed a remarkable advancement in his cultivation. This meeting also included Zhang Aoxue and Li Hongfei.

In the Easy Heaven Pavilion, the four sect masters and the most outstanding disciples gathered, silently awaiting the words of Xuan Yu True Man. Xuan Yu True Man observed the eight individuals below and focused on the four disciples. With a slight smile, he spoke, "Two years have passed in the blink of an eye, and during this time, all of you have made significant progress, which deserves commendation. Among the four of you, Lu Yun and Lin Yunfeng arrived two years ago. Your progress during these two years has been unexpected, especially Lu Yun. A youth who initially knew nothing about cultivation managed to master the 'Easy Heaven Twelve Arts' to the tenth level and achieved mastery in the Flame Heaven Sword Art, reaching the realm of consummation. This is truly an unprecedented feat. As for Aoxue and Hongfei, your achievements are also evident, so I won't dwell on them too much. The main purpose of today's gathering is to discuss the Six Sect Martial Arts Grand Assembly, which will take place at Tianjian Academy in half a month."

Pausing for a moment, Xuan Yu True Man looked towards the entrance. His expression changed slightly, and he whispered, "Junior Brother Ziyang, please go out and welcome our distant friend. Settle him in first, and after I finish briefing these matters, bring him here."

Ziyang True Man nodded and left the room in a hurry, heading towards the entrance of the Easy Heaven Pavilion.

Xuan Yu True Man continued, "This time, we have representatives from Yi Garden, Taoist Academy, Confucian Garden, and Bodhi Academy. It's indeed a rare gathering, and I wonder what brings our three esteemed friends here? We have assembled here, but I'm curious about the purpose of your visit and any matters you wish to discuss, especially concerning the Six Sect Martial Arts Grand Assembly."

The three visitors included a monk from Bodhi Academy, a Taoist priest, and a Confucian scholar. The monk appeared in his sixties with a radiant face and a dignified aura. The Taoist priest, in his fifties, held a whisk and had a thin face with a faint hint of tranquility. Lastly, the Confucian scholar, a middle-aged man, exuded a righteous aura.

Upon seeing the three guests, Xuan Yu True Man rose to his feet to welcome them, saying, "It's an honor to have you three friends visiting from afar. Please take a seat." After they were seated, he inquired, "May I ask the reason for your visit? Is there any specific matter you wish to discuss, especially regarding the upcoming martial arts assembly?"

The monk, representing Bodhi Academy, spoke, "We happened to meet on our way here, so our visit is more of a coincidence than a planned gathering. We are here to take a look around and, at the same time, inquire about the Six Sect Martial Arts Grand Assembly."

The Taoist priest from Confucian Garden added, "Our visit is also related to the martial arts assembly, and we want to discuss the recent increase in demonic and spiritual activities worldwide. It seems that malevolent spirits are becoming more active. We would like to hear everyone's thoughts on this matter."

Xuan Yu True Man maintained a calm expression and responded, "Regarding the martial arts assembly, we have selected four disciples to represent Yi Garden. As for the results, it will depend on the circumstances of each sect. We are not overly concerned about this matter. Regarding the demonic and spiritual activities, we are actively working to address them. In recent years, the Ghost Domain has been secretly active, attempting to break through the seal and enter the mortal realm. We have been vigilant in guarding against such attempts. As for the increased activities of malevolent spirits, it might be a precursor to a greater upheaval. While we are making efforts to prevent such occurrences, we currently do not have a definitive solution."

The Confucian scholar asked, "We heard that there are two outstanding disciples in your sect, Li Hongfei and Zhang Aoxue. Will they be participating in the assembly?"

Xuan Yu True Man smiled and glanced at his disciples before saying, "Friends have keen ears, indeed. Even the outstanding disciples of our sect are known to others. I am not well-informed about the outstanding disciples of your Confucian Garden. It seems I underestimated your knowledge."

The Taoist priest added, "I have heard about these two disciples as well. This time, among the disciples of the six sects, there are many outstanding individuals. It seems to be a remarkable year for our Six Sect Martial Arts Grand Assembly. Tianjian Academy has six outstanding disciples participating, Bodhi Academy has two, Confucian Garden has three, and our Yi Garden also has two. It promises to be a lively competition, especially the fierce competition for the top six spots. In the end, it will depend on each individual's abilities."

Xuan Yu True Man laughed, "Regardless, someone will undoubtedly claim the first place. Our goal for this assembly is for Yi Garden to enter the top six. For many years, we have consistently ranked at the bottom, and I feel somewhat embarrassed about it. I hope our disciples can perform well this time and break the pattern of trailing behind. As for the first place, based on what you've said, it seems Tianjian Academy is the clear favorite. They have consistently produced outstanding talents over the years, truly a legendary presence in the world of cultivation. After all these years, no one has managed to replace them, making them the myth of the cultivation world. The strength of Tianjian Academy has always been formidable."

The representatives from the other three academies nodded in agreement, acknowledging the strength and tradition of Tianjian Academy. The conversation continued, touching upon various topics, but no conclusive results were reached.

Finally, the representatives from Taoist Academy and Bodhi Academy took their leave, citing other matters that required their attention. Only the Confucian scholar, Danqing Jianxia, chose to stay behind. The conversation continued between him and Xuan Yu True Man.

Here, Master Xuan Yin led the four outstanding disciples of Yi Garden, each riding a sword, heading towards the Dark Yin Valley. The journey from Yi Garden to the Dark Yin Valley was approximately over five hundred miles, and the five of them arrived in just half an hour. Xuan Yin Master, flying in mid-air, glanced back at the four disciples. Li Hongfei from Qian Court and Zhang Aoxue from Kun Court were leading the way, distancing themselves from Lin Yunfeng and Lu Yun by over a hundred feet.

Xuan Yin Master spoke, "We're approaching the Dark Yin Valley. Let's descend. The surroundings of the valley are guarded by the Yin-Yang Lock Demon Array, making it impossible to force entry. We have to enter from the valley entrance." With that, he descended on his sword, gently landing at the entrance of the Dark Yin Valley. Soon, Li Hongfei and Zhang Aoxue joined him, silently observing the entrance.

When Lu Yun and Lin Yunfeng landed, Xuan Yin Master cast a stern glance at Lin Yunfeng and scolded, "Useless, hurry up. I'll lead you four inside now. Once inside, there are two paths, one to the left and one to the right. Each pair of you will take one. Soon after, there will be more forks, and at that point, you'll each choose a path. What you encounter will depend on your own luck. I can tell you that there are seven caves inside, each harboring different demon spirits and monsters. In these seven days, whether you can come out unscathed depends on your abilities and luck. If, by any chance, you encounter the most powerful monster inside, the Howling Moon Sky Wolf, be cautious. Now, follow me in." With that, he led the four slowly into the valley.

Lu Yun carefully observed the valley entrance. It was peculiar, resembling the mouth of a wolf. The towering rocks on both sides looked like fangs, as if the wolf were ready to devour anyone. Simultaneously, Lu Yun noticed the mysterious array surrounding the valley, with a dangerous Yin-Yang composition. It seemed impossible for an ordinary person to enter.

Xuan Yin Master led the four through the complex array, reciting, "This array is constructed using the Eight Trigrams Yin-Yang. As long as you pay attention, it should not trap you. The most peculiar aspect of this array is that it is difficult to enter but relatively easy to exit. Of course, this applies to you. For the demon spirits and monsters inside, once they enter, they will be engulfed by the Yin-Yang essence of the array, and they won't be able to leave." Soon, Xuan Yin Master guided them through the array, arriving at the entrance of the Dark Yin Valley.

Facing the left and right paths, Xuan Yin Master gave the four a brief look before saying, "Now, go in. For the next seven days, with your cultivation, going without food should be a minor issue. Be cautious on the way; this is mainly to enhance your combat experience and enrich your adaptability. Be careful; this place is full of dangers. Let's hope you all come out in one piece. Hongfei, you go in first." After a nod from Li Hongfei, he chose the left path and swiftly departed. Next, Zhang Aoxue selected the other path. Now, Lin Yunfeng and Lu Yun remained; they exchanged glances, and Lu Yun followed Li Hongfei's path, leaving Lin Yunfeng to take the opposite route.

Without discussing the different encounters of the other three, let's focus on Lu Yun, who proceeded along the narrow path and soon reached a fork. There were four paths, and the second path on the left had a conspicuous footprint on the ground, evidently left by Li Hongfei to indicate his chosen direction. Lu Yun paused for a moment, then selected the far-right path, intending to distance himself from Li Hongfei and keep his secrets hidden.

After three miles, surrounded by lush flowers and plants, Lu Yun arrived at another fork. There were four paths this time, with a clear footprint on the ground indicating Li Hongfei's chosen route. Lu Yun took the far-right path, aiming to stay far away from Li Hongfei and avoid revealing his secrets.

Three miles later, he reached a large cave. The aura of demonic energy inside was strong, suggesting a powerful monster was cultivating there. Lu Yun entered the cave calmly, and suddenly, numerous black gas formations appeared, taking on various eerie shapes in mid-air. Simultaneously, the black gas surged towards Lu Yun, seemingly trying to devour him.

Lu Yun calmly observed the black gas around him, a faint smile appearing on his face. At this moment, he emanated an overwhelming aura, forcing the black gas to retreat continuously. A silent, eerie wind echoed in the cave, appearing terrifying. Lu Yun's eyes revealed a hint of a sinister smile as the sword above his head erupted with radiant brilliance, enveloping him in a layer of crimson light.

Suddenly, a black shadow lunged at Lu Yun from behind, as if attempting to tear him apart and consume him. Simultaneously, nine black shadows appeared from different directions, carrying different auras, all fiercely pouncing towards Lu Yun.

Lu Yun arrogantly smiled. Here, with no one else around, he was the master. A burst of five-colored radiance erupted from Lu Yun's body, and nine layers of mental waves were deployed around him, each layer increasing in frequency, tightly guarding him. Additionally, the sword above his head flickered with a crimson light, illuminating the dark figures, causing them to emit eerie screams.

Upon learning from Lin Yunfeng that the Fiery Sky Sword from Yang Court was domineering against worldly monsters, Lu Yun decided to unleash its power. The Yin Court's Demon Slaying Sword, on the other hand, had the ability to counteract demons and monsters. At this moment, Lu Yun utilized the power of the Fiery Sky Sword. Red light flashed, and instantly, numerous howls and roars filled the entire cave.

Aiming at the ten dark figures approaching him, three were immediately sent flying and dissipated into thin air. The remaining seven, which seemed formidable, were merely pushed back. Lu Yun, looking at these seven figures, sensed that the three most powerful demonic auras had yet to reveal themselves. Lu Yun's eyes showed a smiling expression, proudly, as the sword above his head ceased rotating and transformed into a fiery dragon, swirling and dancing in the cave. A wave of intense heat, like hellfire, incinerated everything, and eerie cries echoed, creating a chilling atmosphere.

With his hands behind his back, Lu Yun smiled and said, "Why don't you reveal yourselves, fiends? Do you want me to take action?" Suddenly, a voice echoed, "Cultivator, don't go too far. This is the Dark Yin Valley, not a place for cultivators like you. If you don't leave, don't blame us for not showing mercy." The eerie voice contained a hint of threat.

Lu Yun coldly looked at the dark figure, sneering, "Even though you are a trinity, I can still force you to reveal your true form. By then, it might be too late for everything. Since I entered here, your fate has been sealed. I want you to show yourselves just to see your true forms. If you haven't done anything evil, I might spare you."

The sinister voice retorted, "Cultivator, you are too arrogant and ignorant. Many have come here before, boasting and making empty threats, but they all died here, becoming our delicacies. Today, you won't be able to leave alive, even though you have the aura of Yi Garden. If you want to live, it's impossible." With that, six tangible shadows suddenly appeared and attacked Lu Yun. Surprisingly, they were all wolves, varying in size and looking extremely ferocious. Lu Yun observed the faint evil glints on top of their heads; evidently, they were not benign creatures.

The six wolf demons moved like the wind, incredibly fast. Their claws and fangs glinted with a chilling light, pouncing towards Lu Yun from different directions. Understanding that these wolf demons were skilled in coordinated attacks, Lu Yun's eyes flashed with a hint of vigilance. The red light shifted, and Lu Yun effortlessly moved three yards away, avoiding the fierce wolf demons. Lu Yun's eyes showed a sinister smile, turning back calmly, waiting for the next round of attacks.

Lu Yun felt composed. Seven days was a long time, and there was no need to rush. Since he came here to enhance his adaptability, he decided to engage with these wolf demons and test his reactions and combat skills. At this moment, Lu Yun retracted the mental waves around him, holding only the long sword. His body slid into the encirclement of the six wolves, and the sword, carrying a faint red light, instantly struck thirty-six times, targeting each of the six wolf demons.

The sword technique Lu Yun displayed was the Fiery Sky Sword Technique from Yi Garden. However, he did not use it in conjunction with the corresponding techniques but solely focused on the sword technique, attempting to kill the six wolf demons with his sword. The long sword trembled and danced in the air, forming a powerful sword aura that enveloped Lu Yun. Countless sword energies swept and cleaved through, instantly hitting three of the wolf demons, causing them to emit ear-piercing cries before turning into black mist, disappearing without a trace. Sword energies traversed, and the cave was filled with flying rocks and debris, reducing them to ashes.

Lu Yun's figure danced in mid-air, and the long sword's red light burst forth. The overwhelmingly powerful sword aura forced the remaining three wolf demons into a corner. Lu Yun arrogantly sneered, "Why don't you submit? Watch my sword." As he spoke, the red light surged. Layer by layer, the sword aura formed a circular light shield, enveloping the three wolf demons and quickly closing in. The three wolf demons dodged left and right, trying to break through the layers of sword aura. However, upon contact with the red sword light, their bodies instantly shrunk. In a matter of moments, the three wolf demons emitted miserable, ghostly cries as their bodies were slowly devoured by the red sword light.

Lu Yun's right hand trembled, and a powerful sword energy, carrying the essence of the Fiery Sky Sword Technique and the corresponding techniques from the Twelve Heavenly Laws, swept towards the dark gas cloud. A black gas immediately rushed to meet Lu Yun's sword light. The collision of two different properties of true energy resulted in a sudden explosion, accompanied by muffled sounds in the air.

Lu Yun's crimson sword light easily broke through the black gas, rapidly approaching the mysterious gas cloud. Just as it was about to strike, a black radiance emerged from the gas cloud and met Lu Yun's sword light. In mid-air, the clash of metal and iron resounded, and the black

 radiance sent Lu Yun's sword light back, surprising him.

Lu Yun carefully examined the black radiance swirling around the gas cloud. In his eyes, a glint of contemplation appeared. It resembled a wolf's fang, thick and long, measuring about three feet. Lu Yun couldn't help but be amazed that these demonic beasts were also skilled in refining. It seemed that this place held many secrets.

Gazing at the spinning wolf fang, Lu Yun's eyes emitted a brilliant light, an aura of standing tall between heaven and earth filling the cave. A layer of green light gradually appeared on Lu Yun's body, gradually strengthening. Stepping forward, Lu Yun coldly looked at the mysterious gas cloud, walking towards it.

The cave suddenly filled with tension, as if the atmosphere was on the verge of bursting. The clash of green and red lights illuminated the dark gas cloud, creating an eerie scene. A strange wind blew, and countless eerie howls and terrifying roars echoed, resembling the cries of undead souls in hell, instilling fear. This bizarre moment hinted at something unusual.