Two days later.
In front of the Ghost Ridge Palace residence, numerous disciples gathered, all belonging to the lineage of Taoist Qiu.
Atop the stairs, clad in a purple robe, with snake-like vertical pupils and a thin face, Taoist Qiu held a black python coiling around his left hand, hissing. His gaze towards the disciples was so chillingly cold that they dared not meet his eyes.
Pei Haibing and Yu Wenxian, two inner disciples, served to the left and right of Taoist Qiu, as only inner disciples were qualified to stand beside him.
"Master, all the disciples from our branch above the Second Level of the Yunling Realm have arrived."
Yu Wenxian finished counting the numbers and turned to report to Taoist Qiu.
Taoist Qiu's expression was indifferent as he slowly said, "The task of patrolling the mountain has been distributed. All branch disciples will participate—you must not tarnish my reputation. Of course, whoever kills the most Alien Ghosts will also receive a corresponding reward from me."
While speaking, the python in Taoist Qiu's hand opened its massive mouth and spat out a White Bone Sky Slaying Sword.
The White Bone Sky Slaying Sword was about three feet long, the blade translucent and pure white. As soon as it appeared, it immediately radiated a glowing spiritual charm, spinning and twirling in mid-air, slicing through the air with a whistling sound, effortlessly piercing through stones as large as millstones.
"This is the White Bone Sky Slaying Sword, an excellent choice even among Low Grade Flying Swords. I give you one week, and whoever succeeds will depend on your fate."
Listening to Taoist Qiu's explanation, all disciples, including the inner disciple Pei Haibing, were envious.
The typically stingy Taoist Qiu actually offered such a grand reward. Such a fine Low Grade Flying Sword could fetch thousands of Blood Marrow Crystals on the Black Market.
"What a great item!"
Su Jie's heartbeat quickened; who wouldn't covet such a Flying Sword?
"It's just a pity I don't know Sword Formulas, otherwise I could have competed for it."
Atop the stairs, Yu Wenxian pursed her lips and said somewhat regretfully.
Next to her, Pei Haibing became excited, his eyes intensely fiery as he stared at the White Bone Sky Slaying Sword. He said, "Master, your disciple will surely not disappoint you. I will slay the Alien Ghosts to celebrate your upcoming seventieth birthday."
His cultivation of the White Bone Transformation Taoist Skill was particularly suited for this Magic Artifact. Once he obtained the White Bone Sky Slaying Sword, it would be akin to adding wings to a tiger.
In Pei Haibing's view, this was a weapon Taoist Qiu had prepared especially for him, merely using a subtler method to give it to him.
To avoid drawing criticism from other disciples, especially the envious looks from Yu Wenxian.
"If you outcompete the other disciples, this Magic Artifact will be yours."
Taoist Qiu retrieved the White Bone Sky Slaying Sword, his tone calm.
"Master, I will not disappoint you."
"Go arrange for the dispatch."
Taoist Qiu nodded slightly, then departed gracefully.
"It seems Junior Brother Pei is determined to obtain the White Bone Sky Slaying Sword!"
Once Taoist Qiu had left, Yu Wenxian's eyes shifted, and she said with a gentle smile.
Looking over, Pei Haibing was very grateful, "Thanks to Senior Yu for giving me a hand."
If Yu Wenxian had competed with him, Pei Haibing would not have had any confidence of winning.
Fortunately, from Yu Wenxian's tone just now, it seemed she was willing to step back and befriend him.
Thinking this, Pei Haibing grew even more arrogant, thinking that if it weren't for Yu Wenxian's messy lifestyle, having a Taoist couple as beautiful and graceful as Senior Sister would indeed be wonderful.
Yu Wenxian shook her head and said, "I don't really care, but Master has so many disciples, it's not certain you will get the White Bone Sky Slaying Sword."
Pei Haibing looked coldly at the numerous disciples below and arrogantly said, "Senior Sister, you must be joking. Those insects below, lacking in potential and talent, are destined for a lifetime of menial tasks and catching Poison Insects. What can they use to compete with me?"
These words sparked resentment among many disciples below.
But what could they do when Pei Haibing was an inner disciple, and his strength was even at the Sixth Level of the Yunling Realm?
Down below, Su Jie also heard this, but he was not as angry as the others.
While Pei Haibing was indeed arrogant, Su Jie was more concerned with Yu Wenxian.
This woman, was she intentionally setting Pei Haibing up as a target to alienate him from the other disciples?
"This woman is not simple!"
Su Jie sighed inwardly, finding Yu Wenxian more noteworthy compared to the simple Pei Haibing.
"Then let's congratulate Junior Brother Pei in advance. The Master said to arrange for the dispatch, so let's take action quickly."
Yu Wenxian smiled, leaving Pei Haibing appearing very pleased with himself.
Pei Haibing nodded, regaining his indifferent expression, and spoke, "Those called by name, come forward to fetch your token, which marks your assigned defense area. Luo Ruxin, Cheng Jian, Yao Shouye, First Token, stationed southwest of Golden Sand Mountain. Fei Yinglong, Lu Yu, Qu Dong, stationed at the eastern cliff of Plum Blossom Valley..."
One by one, those called stepped forward. Some were elated as they received their tokens, while others looked like they were mourning.
Because the teammates and stationed areas varied in danger levels, the weaker the teammates, the more hazardous their duty stations, the different the risk factor.
Taoist Qiu had entrusted the full responsibility of arranging the mundane task of mountain patrolling to Pei Haibing and Yu Wenxian, and the duo did not miss the opportunity to profit heavily from it.
Desiring strong teammates and safe stationed areas meant having to bribe the two.
"Su Jie, Gu Weonian, Sun Zhihai, Ninth C Token, stationed at Niu Jiao Ridge."
Most people had already completed forming their groups in pairs or trios, Su Jie looked at the token marked Nine C.
On its front was his name, and on the back, the designated area where he would be stationed.
Along with Su Jie who received the same token, there was also Gu Weonian, whom he had once met.
There was also a disciple named Sun Zhihai, who suffered from a disability, missing a left hand, his complexion pale and showing signs of illness.
Su Jie knew this was because the other party could not provide enough poisonous insects to his Lifebound poisonous insect and had to resort to regular blood transfusions, resulting in physical weakness.
When the three of them received their tokens, Pei Haibing did not even look them in the eye.
It was clear that the three were grouped together because they hadn't offered Blood Marrow Crystals as bribes; thus, they ended up as teammates.
Moreover, Niu Jiao Ridge, far from Ghost Ridge Palace, was surrounded by poisonous miasmas and deep valleys, notoriously frequented by Alien Ghosts.
"These three individuals, one old, one disabled, one insignificant junior disciple, are all headed to Niu Jiao Ridge. Tsk tsk, it's doubtful they will return."
As they descended, many disciples cast strange glances their way, discerning people could tell that Su Jie and his companions were deliberately arranged by Pei Haibing.
"Brother Su, long time no see."
Gu Weonian greeted Su Jie with a clasped hand, his face showing a bitter smile, "You didn't bribe the Inner Sect either, huh!"
"I'm poor."
This concise statement left Gu Weonian speechless, as he was in the same boat.
"Ahem, it seems we are all in the same boat. My health is quite poor; I request you two look after me more when we are in Niu Jiao Ridge."
Sun Zhihai coughed twice, speaking with weak breath, his body extremely frail.
"Fellow Daoists, we are also assigned to station at Niu Jiao Ridge. My name is Chen Yun, this is my younger brother Chen Kouyan, and Xu Chaoxian, my husband."
A woman approached, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, quite beautiful and now clasped hands toward Su Jie and the others.
"My name is Su Jie, this is Gu Weonian and Sun Zhihai."
Su Jie returned the greeting; the family in front of him seemed well prepped for Mountain Patrol.
A light shone in Gu Weonian's eyes as he eagerly stepped forward, "Haha, it looks like we are not alone after all. It's better to be in a team, much better!"
Xu Chaoxian, a man of few words, did not join the conversation, seemingly letting his wife, Chen Yun, make all decisions.
"Hmph, one old, one cripple, sis, why waste words with them? Make sure they don't hold us back later."
Chen Kouyan crossed his arms with a look of disdain.
Sun Zhihai's eyes dodged, too intimidated to speak.
Gu Weonian's face also colored with embarrassment since his age was apparent.
"What breed are you to talk like this? We're all here because we couldn't afford to be anywhere but Niu Jiao Ridge. How high and mighty can you be?"
Su Jie wasn't one to tolerate disrespect, and immediately retorted against the disdainful remarks.
"What did you say?"
Unexpected by Chen Kouyan's reaction, he became visibly embarrassed, and his clothes suddenly bursting open from the back.
A swarm of finger-sized, fiery-red poisonous ants crazily emerged, covering half his body and started spreading toward Su Jie.
"Enough! Did I tell you to talk too much?"
Chen Yun suddenly turned around, slapping her brother Chen Kouyan on the head, dazing him.
Su Jie's eyes narrowed slightly. This person did not hide the flow of Spiritual Power in her body while attacking, revealing her strength at the Fourth Level of the Yunling Realm.
Or perhaps, was this intentionally done by her to set a dominating presence right from the start?
When she acted, an ugly bat emerged from her sleeve, emitting a silent menace.
The ants crawling on Chen Kouyan became rigid under the influence of the inaudible sound waves, their previously aggressive posture suddenly calming down.
It must be Chen Yun's Lifebound poisonous insect, a very rare and unique type called Ming Sheng Bat.
"Sorry everyone, my younger brother is a bit unruly. I apologize on his behalf as his elder sister."
"No worries, no worries, everyone's young once!"
Gu Weonian, not wanting relations to sour, could only try to smooth things over as best as he could.
Although he too was at the Fourth Level of the Yunling Realm, due to his advanced age and previous hidden injuries from his youth, his flow of Spiritual Power was not even as strong as that of Sun Zhihai, who was at the Third Level.
Su Jie noticed Chen Kouyan glaring unhappily at him and touched his chest to soothe the restless Thousand-Handed Centipede.
It wasn't to that extent yet; it wasn't necessary to kill anyone over a mere comment. He wasn't that heartless.
"Disciples who have received tokens must set out immediately without delay. Those who do not arrive at the designated station within the allotted time will face the Law Enforcement Team."
Meanwhile, Pei Haibing, having finished distributing the tokens, dropped a cold sentence and left Ghost Ridge Palace with two disciples.
The disciples packed their bags and began their trek.
"Let's go as well."
Su Jie packed his hefty bag and followed the crowd heading toward the mountains far from the Sect.