Chu Jinmo led Han Yi thirty meters away to introduce him to the other young disciples.
To Han Yi's surprise, the disciples didn't reject him after Chu Jinmo's introduction, though their eyes flickered curiously. He also noticed a subtle attitude of reverence towards Chu Jinmo, which puzzled him greatly. However, now wasn't the time to ask, so he suppressed his questions.
After introductions were exchanged, Han Yi greeted each Senior Brother with humility.
These young cultivators were all disciples of White Tiger Peak: three at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement and two at the Ninth Layer. One of the latter, He Fengdi, had even participated in the Cave Heaven Trial and ranked forty-seventh in the Inner Peak Great Competition.
Many of the top ten from the previous Inner Peak Great Competition had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage thanks to the Foundation Establishment Pill rewards. They had automatically transitioned from Inner Sect Disciples to Elders, gaining access to greater cultivation resources.
He Fengdi's forty-seventh-place ranking demonstrated that his cultivation realm and strength were among the best of the Ninth Layer Qi Refinement practitioners.
After the introductions, Han Yi stood beside the group, listening to Chu Jinmo converse with her five Senior Brothers without interrupting.
During their conversation, Han Yi keenly observed the White Tiger Peak disciples' subtle reverence for Chu Jinmo. It was genuine; even He Fengdi treated her with polite deference.
Is it her status or her strength? Han Yi wondered inwardly.
A short while later, at noon, the Immortal Ship departed. Han Yi followed the group of six, paid his fare, boarded the vessel, and they set off.
The journey from the Profound Pill Sect to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range took only two days aboard the Transcending Calamity Immortal Ship.
The voyage was uneventful.
Two days later, a vast mountain range loomed into view, stretching before the eyes of the disciples on the Immortal Ship. Standing on deck, Han Yi gazed at the majestic peaks and couldn't help but feel a chill. From the depths of the range, the terrifying aura of Demon Beasts occasionally surged forth, only to vanish swiftly.
I've heard the Myriad Demon Mountain Range stretches from the far west, winding southeast all the way to the East Sea coast, Han Yi mused. This mountain range connects the Demon Race's Holy Land with the Demon Cultivators of the East Sea. Though called a mountain range, it's more like a passage for the Demon Race.
"Deep within the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Cultivators are numerous, and Golden Core Stage cultivators occasionally appear. For low-level cultivators, it's practically forbidden territory. However, in the outer regions, you'll mostly find Qi Refining Stage Demon Beasts, with hardly any Demon Cultivators," He Fengdi said softly, gazing at the gradually approaching mountain range.
"Senior Brother He, what exactly is the difference between Demon Beasts and Demon Cultivators?" He Ze, a young man at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, asked with a puzzled expression.
He Fengdi scanned the group. Noticing all eyes on him, he smiled slightly and explained, "Unlike humans, the path of cultivation for demons starts easily but becomes increasingly difficult as they advance."
"Many demons, blessed by their natural environment, can generate Demonic Power by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon or consuming Heavenly Treasures, thus transforming into Demon Beasts."
"Demon Beasts are demons that haven't yet achieved Immortal Foundation Establishment. Their ranks range from first to ninth tier, corresponding to the nine layers of a cultivator's Qi Refining Stage. However, Demon Beasts possess inherently stronger physical bodies, and some Variant Demon Beasts are even born with Divine Abilities, making them far more powerful than cultivators of the same tier."
"Demon Cultivators, on the other hand, have already achieved Immortal Foundation Establishment and begun the initial stages of humanoid transformation. By the Golden Core Stage, they completely shed their demonic traits, evolving into fully human forms."
"Don't worry," He Fengdi assured them from the rear of the group. "The Myriad Demon Mountain Range is vast beyond imagination, its width alone spanning at least the entire Shu Prefecture. We'll be operating on its outermost fringes, where encountering a Demon Cultivator is about as likely as being struck by a meteorite."
Han Yi, also at the rear, suddenly understood something.
He Ze's eyes lit up with admiration. "Senior Brother He, you know so much!"
He Fengdi shook his head slightly. "It's not that I know so much, but rather that I happened to participate in the Cave Heaven Trial."
"If you all experienced the Cave Heaven Trial, you'd gain a deeper understanding of the Cultivation World too."
He Ze's eyes sparkled. "Senior Brother He, what exactly is the Cave Heaven Trial like?"
A fleeting flicker of unease crossed He Fengdi's eyes, almost imperceptible.
"If you ever get the chance, you should witness it firsthand. It's a world far grander, more intricate, and far crueler. But enough about that."
Seeing He Fengdi's reluctance to continue, the group reluctantly dropped the subject. They had previously asked him about the Cave Heaven Trial, but he had always remained tight-lipped, as if bound by some unspoken oath.
"Alright, we're almost there."
"Everyone, stay fully alert. This mission isn't just about hunting Demon Beasts; we also need to be prepared for potential ambushes."
He Fengdi's face was grave as he scanned the group, his gaze finally settling on Han Yi, the newest member. His solemn expression remained unchanged.
"Junior Brother Han might not be fully aware of the situation, so let me quickly explain."
"This Inner Sect Disciple mission has been assigned to the Myriad Demon Mountain Range for two main reasons: to hone our disciples' combat skills in life-or-death situations while minimizing the risk of ambushes by cultivators from the Blood God Sect."
"In recent years, the Blood God Sect has been constantly interfering with our sect's operations. Knowing that we're transporting disciples here to hunt Demon Beasts, they'll undoubtedly attempt a covert interception."
"If we're unlucky, we'll certainly encounter them. So on this trip, we must not only face the Demon Beasts but also guard against Blood God Sect disciples disguised as Robber Cultivators."
"Therefore, please remain vigilant, strike swiftly, and avoid any carelessness. Remember this above all else."
Han Yi's expression sharpened. He hastily cupped his hands in a respectful salute and replied, "Understood, Senior Brother He. Thank you for the warning."
"Alright."
He Fengdi said no more. He had already extended Han Yi considerable courtesy by allowing him to join the group out of respect for Chu Jinmo, and reminding him of the key precautions was the height of his responsibility. If Han Yi remained careless, it would be his own fault.
Meanwhile, Han Yi gazed at He Fengdi, his interest in the Cave Heaven Trial piqued.
He Fengdi possessed a condensed, unwavering aura—a quality Han Yi had only observed in the hundred disciples who had completed the trial, never in any other member of the Profound Pill Sect.
This suggested that those hundred individuals had undergone a profound transformation in just one year, hinting at extraordinary secrets hidden within their experience.
Since the inaugural Cave Heaven Trial, the Profound Pill Sect had yet to hold a second. Han Yi theorized two possible reasons: either the results were unsatisfactory, or the cost of securing trial slots was exorbitant—so steep that even a sect as wealthy as the Profound Pill Sect couldn't afford another attempt in the short term.
Han Yi suspected the latter.
Han Yi had observed during the Inner Peak Great Competition that over ninety-nine percent of those returning from the Cave Heaven Trial had undergone a profound transformation. Their combat instincts and prowess far surpassed those of ordinary cultivators from the Profound Pill Sect.
After the Cave Heaven Trial, no matter how the Profound Pill Sect and Primal Beast Sect squabbled, Han Yi saw no further significant breakthroughs on the horizon.
The Holy Land truly lives up to its reputation.
Its high cost is justified.
Facing He Fengdi, who radiated such a formidable aura, Han Yi's heart skipped a beat. After a quick assessment, he realized he couldn't be certain of victory. However, he was confident that by unleashing all his hidden cards, he could at least maintain a stalemate.
This self-assured strength was the foundation of his initial plan to venture out alone.
"We've arrived."
"All disciples, disembark here."
"The Immortal Ship will remain stationed here until it reaches its full complement of one hundred passengers or until one month has passed, whichever comes first. Then it will depart for the sect."
"Farewell, and may you all fare well. Conduct yourselves wisely."
A Foundation Establishment Stage elder in a black Daoist robe announced loudly from the deck of the Immortal Ship.
The vessel slowly descended, touching down with a gentle shudder before its engines fell silent.
"Move out quickly!"
After disembarking from the Immortal Ship, He Fengdi waved his hand and led the group swiftly toward a specific direction within the Myriad Demon Mountain Range.
Behind him followed another cultivator at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement, three at the Eighth Layer, and Chu Jinmo and Han Yi, both at the Seventh Layer, who kept pace closely.
Chu Jinmo was somewhat surprised to see that Han Yi, the lowest-ranked member of the group, hadn't fallen behind. Instead, he maintained a tight formation with the others, his face solemn but devoid of fear.
This Junior Brother Han must have more to him than just his exceptional alchemy skills, Chu Jinmo mused.
The thought flashed through her mind and vanished. Every cultivator carries secrets, myself included. That's perfectly normal.
Meanwhile, as the three Immortal Ships landed, over three hundred disciples from the Profound Pill Sect dispersed rapidly into the Myriad Demon Mountain Range.
Most formed groups, ranging from three or four to twenty or thirty members, while only a few chose to venture alone.
This marked the implementation of the New Policy: "Go forth and settle in the Myriad Demon Mountain Range."