Chapter 29: The Master Sets Obstacles, Climbing the Path Alone

Jiang Youling had no objection, so she sat down quietly to one side, carefully observing Mount Danyang.

Unfortunately, she knew nothing of flora; among the precious herbs and exotic flowers of this mountain, she did not recognize a single one.

The disciples tending to the plants each attended to their own duties, and not one of them spared her a glance.

Feeling a slight sense of boredom, Jiang Youling began to cultivate in silence, accompanied only by the tinkling sound of a spring.

After an unknown amount of time, a synchronized greeting suddenly rang in her ears—"Greetings, Master."

Master Hong had returned!

Jiang Youling hurriedly opened her eyes and stood up, looking toward Master Hong, only to find his cold gaze looking back at her.

Hong Dengyuan waved his hand, signaling the other disciples to return to their tasks, and then walked toward Jiang Youling.

Jiang Youling's heart hammered like a drum; she felt as if every step Master Hong took was treading directly upon her heart.

She hurriedly lowered her head in salutation. "Greetings, Master."

Seeing her panicked state, Hong Dengyuan wore a half-smile, half-sneer. "What? Weren't you quite sharp-tongued yesterday? Now you've become frightened?"

Jiang Youling's panic intensified, yet she dared not talk back. She maintained her bowed posture, only to hear a cold snort from above.

"Since you claimed 'The Heavenly Derivation is forty-nine, and Man escapes the one,' and said 'A heart like a bright mirror can reflect all,' then I shall see just how steadfast your heart for the Dao truly is!"

With that, Hong Dengyuan sneered and flicked an envelope from his sleeve.

"You are limited to six hours to deliver this letter to 'Xuanming Valley' a hundred miles away. During the journey, you may not use the strength of Spirit Cranes or the sect's cableways; you must rely solely on your own feet, otherwise, you will be deemed to have failed."

Wang Chujun, who had been secretly observing the two, couldn't help but frown upon hearing this.

Mount Danyang and Xuanming Valley were a hundred miles apart. If the terrain were flat, a labor disciple might be able to deliver the letter within six hours on foot.

However, the paths between the two mountains were rugged, and the section nearing Xuanming Valley was described as: "A thousand precipices like knife-cuts, ten thousand abysses where yin winds rise!"

Furthermore, the valley was filled with miasma; once one inhaled too much, there was a real possibility of never returning!

The Master's move was, quite frankly, too much of a provocation.

Just as Wang Chujun was hesitating over whether to plead for Junior Sister Jiang, she heard the girl nod and accept the grueling task.

"I request that Master inform me of the route to Xuanming Valley. I shall set off immediately to deliver the letter."

Hong Dengyuan had not expected her to agree so readily, and he couldn't help but sneer. "Chujun, why don't you tell her what kind of place Xuanming Valley is?"

Wang Chujun said hurriedly, "Xuanming Valley is occupied by yin-evil energies year-round, and miasma runs rampant. With Junior Sister Jiang's current cultivation, she certainly won't be able to endure it. If she inhales too much miasma, there is even a risk of death! It would be better to quickly admit your mistake to Master and apologize to exchange this for another task."

Jiang Youling had expected to be given a hard time, but she hadn't imagined it would be to this extent; for a moment, she was stunned.

It wasn't that she was unwilling to yield, nor was she someone who lacked flexibility, but if one's Dao heart wavered, it would be like a broken sword or a snapped string. Even if one were to mend it later, the cracks would remain forever, and the resolve to seek the Dao would be lost.

Seeing Jiang Youling remain silent, a mocking smile curled the corners of Hong Dengyuan's mouth. He wanted to see whether she would accept this potentially life-threatening task or kneel and beg for mercy to secure her immediate peace.

A moment later, a calm voice broke the silence.

"Thank you, Senior Sister, but I have made up my mind. I will go to Xuanming Valley to deliver the letter."

Wang Chujun was startled. "Junior Sister Jiang, have you truly thought this through? This concerns your life; you cannot act on impulse..."

She wanted to persuade her further, but upon receiving a warning glance from Hong Dengyuan, she dared not say another word.

"Hmph, since you have made up your mind, then hurry and deliver the letter. As for the route, Chujun, you tell her."

With that, Hong Dengyuan flicked his sleeve and turned to walk into his cave dwelling.

"Sigh! Junior Sister Jiang, you are truly too impulsive. People avoid Xuanming Valley like snakes and scorpions, even ordinary Qi-Refining disciples, yet you actually rush toward it..."

Wang Chujun shook her head repeatedly, looking utterly distressed. "Why don't you just admit your mistake to Master? Don't let his harsh words fool you; he is actually quite a kind person..."

Jiang Youling felt a warmth in her heart. "Senior Sister, there is no need to persuade me further. I will be careful."

"Fine then."

Seeing that she could not be swayed, Wang Chujun gave up helplessly and took a booklet from the study to hand to Jiang Youling.

"This is a topographical map of the area from Mount Danyang to Xuanming Valley. Take your time to look at it and memorize the route before you set out."

She added in a low voice at the end, "Anyway, the Master only said you must deliver the letter within six hours; he didn't say you had to leave immediately. It's fine to eat your fill before you go."

Hearing this, Jiang Youling felt a sense of relief, and her tense mood relaxed considerably. "Senior Sister is right. Xuanming Valley is so far; I should prepare properly."

Thus, after eating her fill and memorizing the route, Jiang Youling finally set out.

The mountain paths were winding, and mist locked the dangerous cliffs.

Jiang Youling moved stealthily, as if walking on thin ice.

At times she climbed using vines and creepers, using both hands and feet; at others, she pressed herself against the cliffside, her heart hanging by a thread.

By keeping her eyes on all directions and proceeding step by step, she managed to safely pass the halfway point despite the treacherous terrain.

By the time twilight fell, the yin winds grew sharper. Ahead, a precipice as sharp as a knife blocked her path, forcing her to stop.

While hesitating, she suddenly saw an iron chain hanging from a rock crevice, mottled with rust, of unknown age.

Jiang Youling stepped forward and tested it; though rusted, the chain was sturdy.

She steeled her resolve, took off her outer robe, and twisted it into a rope, binding herself firmly to the iron chain to prevent any accidents.

Once everything was secure, she gripped the chain tightly with both hands, braced her feet against the cliff, and crossed the void.

The mountain wind howled, shaking the iron chain incessantly as if trying to hurl her into the abyss.

Her fingertips were worn raw and blood seeped out, yet she gritted her teeth and moved forward inch by inch.

By the time she finally reached the other side, she was exhausted.

Jiang Youling slumped to the ground, looking back at the path she had taken, still trembling with fear.

However, before she could catch her breath, the miasma ahead surged, and indistinct strange noises drifted toward her, as if living creatures were prowling within.

Jiang Youling forced herself up and gazed intently, seeing only

The miasma churning like waves, dark shadows drifting like phantoms; withered branches moving without wind, and decaying leaves swirling on the ground.

She picked up a stone from the ground, holding her breath in a state of high alert.

Just then, a gray fox darted out. Its emerald eyes met hers for a moment before it vanished into the mist. It had been a false alarm!

Jiang Youling breathed a slight sigh of relief but did not dare let her guard down.

The miasma forest outside Xuanming Valley was a place of true peril; decaying leaves had accumulated into marshes over the years, and the miasma condensed like gauze.

One wrong step, or inhaling too much miasma, would mean certain death.

After resting for a moment, Jiang Youling took out the Miasma-Avoiding Pill that Senior Sister Wang had pressed into her hand before she left, swallowed it, took a deep breath, and stepped into the forest.

As soon as Jiang Youling entered the miasma forest, the light seemed to dim abruptly.

Ancient trees twisted and turned, blotting out the sun; decaying leaves reached her ankles, and a chill seeped into her clothes.

She looked around, attempting to discern her direction, but the forest was thick with miasma, a vast expanse of white.

Just as she was wondering which direction to head, she suddenly spotted several strange herbs growing in a rock crevice—

The leaves of those strange herbs were like jade blades with patterns resembling star orbits, and they all pointed toward the same direction.