Changxian Sect is very large. When you look around, many areas are shrouded in clouds and mist, making it impossible to see the scenery clearly. You can only catch glimpses of the mountains and the unmistakable spiritual radiance.
Not long after entering the mountain gate, Kong Qingping set them down and instructed them to wait there while he went into a building. They waited for more than twenty minutes until a Core Formation cultivator finally walked out. With a critical and disdainful gaze, he glanced at them and said,
"Follow me. Once you enter Changxian Sect, don't wander around aimlessly, lest you carelessly lose your life."
He led the way ahead, muttering under his breath, "They're letting anyone and everyone into the sect these days. Being a menial disciple of the grand sect is not something that anyone can achieve."
The previously excited cultivators became extremely nervous and obediently restrained themselves from looking around. They pretended not to hear the words of the disciple leading them. Everyone was at the Core Formation stage, with keen ears and sharp vision. It was clear that the muttered words were intentionally said for the others to hear behind.
The disciple led them to a secluded courtyard and told them to choose their own rooms. Someone would come to arrange things for them in a few days. During this time, it was best not to leave the courtyard because even though they had entered Changxian Sect, they hadn't received their menial disciple identity tokens, so they couldn't be considered members of Changxian Sect. If they were seen and killed, it wouldn't be a problem.
After the disciple finished speaking, he lifted his chin and looked at the dozen or so cultivators in front of him. He didn't mention leaving and immediately an astute cultivator understood the implication. He took out a storage bag, filled it with spiritual stones, and handed it to the disciple, expressing gratitude and hoping for a relatively easier task. He also reported his name. Following suit, several others also handed spiritual stones to the disciple and reported their names.
Gu Yao and Chi Changye didn't move. Li Changhui, who often spoke to them, had originally intended to join the group. But seeing that Gu Yao and Chi Changye didn't move, he hesitated and remained still.
The cultivator showed some favor towards those who gave him the spiritual stones, but he coldly snorted at those who showed no intent to do so. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he left.
The group of dozen or so people quickly divided into two factions. Even the smallest group could easily create disputes and conflicts. Look, this was a living example.
Don't be fooled by the few cultivators who have come together after giving their spiritual stones. Once there's a task that only requires one or two people for an easier job, they will immediately tear each other apart and resort to any means necessary. The small groups quickly disintegrate.
Gu Yao and Chi Changye randomly chose a room and moved in together. Others didn't find it strange since they knew they were brothers. Li Changhui lived next to them, and after tidying up a bit, he came to talk to Gu Yao. He felt uneasy after just arriving.
After entering, Gu Yao just communicated with Chi Changye using their divine sense. Gu Yao suddenly remembered someone who he had left behind in his mind. It was Gu Yan, who had taken the Changxian Sect token with the earnest hope of entering the sect. He wondered if Gu Yan was still living in Changxian Sect. If he was alive, what would he think after seeing the wanted notices of Gu Yao and Chi Changye?
However, with countless disciples in Changxian Sect, finding Gu Yan would be extremely difficult. Gu Yao contemplated momentarily and decided to occasionally investigate when he had nothing else to do. He wouldn't actively pursue it since Gu Yan's name wasn't listed among the names of talented disciples that circulated outside.
Li Changhui sighed after coming in. "What kind of menial tasks do you think we'll be assigned? Should we go out and gather some information about the situation of the menial disciples? It should be safe as long as we're cautious. Those high-level cultivators shouldn't come over to this area. This is the outermost part of Changxian Sect." Gu Yao intentionally asked, "Are you regretting it, Brother Li?"
Li Changhui replied, "I'm just feeling a bit uneasy."
Gu Yao suggested waiting a bit first. Perhaps there are others who can't resist and want to go out to gather information like Brother Li.
Li Changhui thought it made sense. There were bound to be others who shared their thoughts. So they chatted about other things for a while and then parted ways after a short while.
Gu Yao and Chi Changye continued their usual practice of meditation. They mostly communicated through divine sense transmission. It appeared disciplined, but at night, Gu Yao would let the little cat out for a stroll. However, he reminded it to remain hidden and come back quickly if it encountered anything suspicious. There was no need to take risks. Although the little cat impatiently stepped on Gu Yao's shoulder, after all these years, Gu Yao knew that it could understand and follow instructions.
The little cat quickly disappeared. It only returned in the latter half of the night, transmitting everything it had seen through its senses to Gu Yao. It was as if Gu Yao had gained a second pair of eyes. This was the convenience of a contracted spirit, where memories could be shared as long as one agreed.
While stroking the little cat, Gu Yao looked through the memories. Many of them were eye-catching, such as fights, murders, and fires caused by demons. There were even scenes of a cultivator counting his spiritual stones and belongings during daylight. Gu Yao could sense the little cat's thoughts and even its disdain for stealing because it found such actions beneath it. Gu Yao found it amusing.
One scene caught Gu Yao's serious expression. In the scene, there were two cultivators, one of whom was the official that Bairi Kong Qingping had gone to find from the outer sect. Kong Qingping had entrusted this group of more than ten people to this official for handling. However, this official was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, not even at the Golden Core stage. Yet, someone like Kong Qingping, who was at the Golden Core stage, was somehow not as successful as even this Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The Foundation Establishment cultivator had gray hair and a lot of wrinkles on his face. He was talking to a Golden Core cultivator who asked, "Are you sure there are no problems with the people brought over during the day?"
"Senior Uncle, rest assured. They are just scattered cultivators who couldn't make a name for themselves outside. As soon as they heard they could join our sect as menial disciples, they were all eager to come in. Plus, they have passed Kong Qingping's inspection. They wouldn't dare betray the sect," the Golden Core cultivator replied.
The Golden Core cultivator said, "Then let's observe them for a few more days and see what they do."
The white-haired official said, "Alright, as per Senior Uncle's instructions, I will have someone keep an eye on them. Actually, once we send them over there, with their cultivation level, even if they have extraordinary abilities, they won't be able to leave."
The Golden Core cultivator said, "It is better to be cautious. Many cultivators have been eyeing us recently. If something goes wrong, people in our position will definitely face dire consequences."
The white-haired official immediately replied respectfully, "Yes, I will act with caution."
The Golden Core cultivator then turned and left. The little cat followed, but halfway there, the Golden Core cultivator looked back suspiciously. After observing for a while, he let go of his doubt. The little cat remembered Gu Yao's words and stopped following. It knew that it wouldn't be good if it exposed its owner. It also sensed that there were many cultivators in this sect whom it couldn't handle.
Gu Yao transmitted what he had seen in the scene to Chi Changye. Chi Changye frowned slightly and said, "It seems that Changxian Sect has ulterior motives for recruiting menial disciples. We don't know what shady business they want us to do. We mustn't let our guard down."
Gu Yao nodded, aware that he shouldn't be arrogant just because of their current strength. Even the Silver Wolf Clan's patriarch had suffered a serious setback, and they still hadn't recovered their clan treasure.
As expected, some people went out to gather information, but they only interacted with Qi Refining stage disciples among the menial workers. Moreover, those menial workers looked down on them as well. Only two of them spent some spiritual stones to gather a bit of information. However, spending those spiritual stones made them feel extremely heartbroken. If they had more spiritual stones, there would be no need to rely on the identity of a menial disciple to gather information.
Li Changhui ran over to Gu Yao and said, "I found out something. It is said that Changxian Sect often sends menial disciples out for missions, but no one knows what kind of tasks they are assigned. Many menial disciples have not returned alive. Lu Hua, do you think they would send us on dangerous missions?"
Gu Yao shook his head and said, "I don't know either. Now we can't leave, so we can only take it step by step. Actually, no matter which sect it is, menial disciples have the hardest time advancing and are the ones eliminated the most."
Those menial disciples who die won't even be questioned because they haven't officially registered within the sect and are not considered recognized disciples.
Li Changhui knew that Gu Yao was telling the truth. Since they had already entered, they could only take it step by step. After a few more days, two people from their group suddenly went missing and hadn't returned. When they asked others, no one knew where they had gone. Li Changhui quietly told Gu Yao that those two people might have met with an unfortunate incident.
After waiting for over ten days, someone finally came to their courtyard. It was the Foundation Establishment disciple who had brought them there on the first day. He issued them menial disciple tokens and assigned them tasks. Just like when they entered Changxian Sect, they boarded a flying artifact and left Changxian Sect, flying towards an unknown destination.
When someone inquired about the tasks and where they were going, the disciple leading them scolded them, saying that they would know when they arrived, and they shouldn't come out unless necessary. They should focus on cultivating and advancing their cultivation level. In the future, it wasn't impossible for them to become outer or even inner disciples.
Seeing Li Changhui and Gu Yao together on the flying artifact, the cultivators who had bribed the Foundation Establishment disciple with spiritual stones regretted their actions. It seemed that they had wasted their spiritual stones. It appeared that these menial disciples had long known where they were going.
In the sky, they flew for an unknown amount of time. They completely lost their sense of direction, and even their spiritual consciousness couldn't extend beyond their rooms. The artifact was crafted from special materials that isolated their spiritual consciousness. They were only alerted when someone spoke up to inform them that they had arrived. One by one, they emerged from their respective rooms, with expressions that didn't look too good. It was evident that they had an uneasy feeling, otherwise, why would they be so guarded against them?
After disembarking from the flying artifact, they found themselves in a secluded mountain valley. They were then led into one of the caves, which unexpectedly housed a teleportation array. The cultivator leading them scolded them to hurry into the teleportation array.
Li Changhui's growing unease became more intense. However, with a Golden Core cultivator guarding them, there was no escape even if he wanted to run. So, he stayed close to Gu Yao and Chi Changye, as if seeking some comfort and strength in their presence.
The location where the teleportation array was built was secluded, not to mention the destination it would transport them to. When stepping into the teleportation array, Gu Yao even doubted whether he and Chi Changye would be able to return the same way they came.
It had been some time since they arrived on the Qianhao Continent, and Gu Yao knew that places like the Tianlin Continent were not unique. During the ancient war between the hundred clans, the heavens and earth were shattered, forming fragmented continents. The Tianlin Continent was one of the smaller fragments, and there might be even smaller ones. When some sects discovered such places, they would sometimes take control of them and use them as a training ground for their disciples.
Dizzy spells overcame them, and the group of over ten people was sent out through the teleportation array. The disciple leading them did not accompany them, and it was needless to say that there were people waiting to receive them on the other side. Gu Yao and Chi Changye had been closely observing the situation of the other cultivators. They noticed that after the teleportation, some of them had turbulent spiritual energy within their bodies and appeared to be in pain. Gu Yao and Chi Changye quickly followed suit, knowing that the teleportation array exerted more strain on Foundation Establishment cultivators. As for Gu Yao and Chi Changye, who possessed a Golden Core and refined bodies, they did not feel much discomfort.
"Have you rested well? If you have, quickly come out from the teleportation array."
A gloomy voice sounded in their ears. Gu Yao looked up and almost couldn't hide the astonishment in his eyes. The owner of the voice was Gu Yan. He never expected to encounter him in such a place. If it wasn't for the same face, Gu Yao would have had trouble recognizing him. Gu Yan had become completely different, with a somber disposition. He wore a black robe that covered him from head to toe, only exposing his face and even obscuring his neck. It gave off a strange feeling.
Chi Changye glanced at Gu Yan and then lowered his gaze. They didn't communicate with each other or use telepathy because it wasn't entirely secure. They wanted to assess the situation first.
Together with the others, they walked out of the teleportation array, seemingly uneasy just like the rest.
Gu Yao pretended to be casual and glanced at Gu Yan again. Unexpectedly, Gu Yan had also reached the completion of Foundation Establishment. Aside from his strange appearance, he also emitted an unusual aura. Suddenly, a sense of alarm arose in Gu Yao's heart. He recalled what the Silver Wolf Clan Chief had said. Could this be one of their strongholds? Was Gu Yan in a similar situation as the encounter with the Silver Clan Chief?
Without extending their spiritual consciousness, they could already sense several powerful auras within the cave. So, one by one, they obediently followed the black-robed cultivator out.
Outside was a forest, with towering trees that exuded an eerie atmosphere. From deep within the forest, beast roars echoed, filled with a savage and bloodthirsty aura. It made one question whether they could truly find a way out of this forest.
The black-robed cultivator, Gu Yan, pointed to a row of stone houses and said, "You will stay here. It is strictly forbidden to wander around. Any violations will be punished by death!"
The words he spoke were filled with a bloodthirsty intent, leaving no doubt that this person was capable of eliminating them all.
Gu Yao and Chi Changye entered one of the stone houses and sat facing each other. Chi Changye held Gu Yao's hand and wrote in his palm, "Gu Yan?"
Gu Yao nodded imperceptibly. It was indeed Gu Yan. Although it seemed that Gu Yan had reached the completion of Foundation Establishment, they could tell that the circumstances here were not what Gu Yan had originally anticipated.
"His aura seems strong, but it is also mixed and strange." Chi Changye continued to write in Gu Yao's palm. Gu Yao's hand started to itch, and he struggled to withdraw his hand, giving Chi Changye a helpless glance, suspecting that he had done it on purpose, pretending to earnestly discuss matters.