Sky Soul Precipice! . . .
Sky Soul Mountain loomed on the horizon. The mountain currently hosted a branch of the Saint Sunlight Sect, and its perimeter was heavily guarded.
Cha Eun Xiao spent several days in the vicinity of the mountain, meticulously gathering information about these sentinels. To his astonishment, he discovered that since Saint Sunlight Sect's occupation of the mountain, they hadn't been able to extract the slightest bit of soul power from it.
The immense reserves of soul power were palpable to those who understood its nature. However, the power remained tantalizingly out of reach. This vexing situation had confounded every member of Saint Sunlight Sect for nearly two years. Countless attempts had been made, but they had led to nothing more than the sacrifice of four level seven Dao Origin Stage cultivators.
Soul power was a unique and formidable force, but it could be perilous in the hands of those who failed to harness it skillfully. Attempting to harvest soul power required a minimum of Dao Origin Stage level seven mastery, and any misstep could result in the loss or grievous injury of a level seven cultivator.
During these two years, several cultivators from the Saint Sunlight Sect suffered severe injuries or perished while trying to harness the soul power. Consequently, the reserves within Sky Soul Mountain remained untouched. The mountain became a forbidden area for the sect, and the mere mention of an assignment to collect the soul power would induce immediate and mysterious illnesses in the members, ensuring none accepted such a mission.
Naturally, the soul power was a valuable asset for the sect, but the lives of its disciples held even greater importance. No one wished to jeopardize their lives for an endeavor that was statistically likely to end in failure.
Understanding this, the leadership of Saint Sunlight Sect refrained from reprimanding their disciples. They were aware of the futility of collecting soul power at the mountain and acknowledged the dire consequences their fellow cultivators had faced.
With time, the significance of Sky Soul Mountain within the sect diminished, evolving into a training ground exclusively for the younger disciples. Those of higher cultivation stages above Dao Origin Stage no longer frequented the site, relegating it to a training facility filled with members whose potential remained untapped.
The secret initially concealed by the sect gradually became common knowledge, no longer shrouded in secrecy. Cha Eun Xiao, upon hearing this information, felt a wave of relief wash over him.
In light of the circumstances, the mountain contained no Dao Origin Stage cultivators from the Saint Sunlight Sect. Should he encounter a level nine Dream Origin Stage disciple of the sect, his level four proficiency would enable his escape. While defeating a level nine cultivator was a remote possibility, his primary concern was the prospect of conflict disrupting his covert mission.
One more matter weighed on Cha Eun Xiao's mind: the Sky Soul Precipice. This daunting precipice was concealed beneath a perpetual shroud of clouds and fog, its true height unknown, and its depths uncharted. No one had ever returned from the precipice, and this enigma had intrigued Cha Eun Xiao. He recalled a time when he and Li Wuliang, after indulging in liquor, had succumbed to a sudden impulse to explore the precipice. Two level nine Dao Origin Stage cultivators, laughing and slightly inebriated, jumped off the precipice to quench their curiosity. The experiment lasted an entire day.
Sky Soul Precipice, a chasm of unfathomable depths, beckoned to them that day. With reckless abandon, Cha Eun Xiao and Li Wuliang threw themselves off the precipice. Their descent was unimpeded, and there were no obstacles in their way.
Their descent continued, day and night, until it had lasted a full day. How far had they fallen? The answer remained a mystery to all, for nobody knew the height they had descended.
The two daring men were resolute in their quest to reach the precipice's end and discover the enigmatic wonders that lay below. After plummeting for a full day and descending tens of thousands of meters, a never-ending abyss shrouded in darkness was all that met their eyes. It was at this point that their souls began to feel the impact. A dull ache permeated their consciousness, and their soul power seemed to be whisked away by an invisible force.
As they continued to fall, a growing sense of oppression weighed upon them. But Cha Eun Xiao and Li Wuliang were not easily deterred. They persisted in their descent for an additional thirty meters, even attempting to pool their energy to counter the oppressive force. Nevertheless, their efforts were in vain, and they found themselves on the brink of death within the precipice's unfathomable depths.
Cha Eun Xiao shuddered as he recollected that harrowing experience. He vividly remembered the mild yet pervasive winds that blew ceaselessly within the precipice, seemingly attempting to wrest their souls from their bodies.
Though the winds appeared unthreatening at first, they deepened their grip on their very souls as they descended another thirty meters. As they grew increasingly unwell and contemplated retreat, their willpower began to wane. Fortunately, their determination remained unwavering. They leaned on each other for support and slowly began to ascend, making their way out of the treacherous depths.
It was only after they had climbed fifty meters that the oppressive force dissipated, and they were able to reclaim their strength and ascend to the mountainside.
The memory of this traumatic incident still sent shivers down Cha Eun Xiao's spine. Both he and Li Wuliang swore to never speak of it again. The experience had been nothing short of a disgrace, and they refused to acknowledge it.
During their private conversations, they would occasionally allude to the incident to tease one another.
"Think you have the courage? Why not go down there and see for yourself!"
"Why don't you venture down? If you do, I'll concede that you're braver than me!"
"Care to make a wager? Whoever loses has to go back down there."
"I won't bet on such a matter!"