Volume Five: Ancient Legends Chapter Fifty-One: For Survival

Chen Chen's cultivation was proceeding in full swing when, one day, he received a notification from Chen Xianyu, an immortal senior of the Misty Sect.

Chen Chen and several other inner-disciple youths were instructed to accompany him to another mountain near the immortal peak to gather certain spiritual herbs used for alchemy.

The Misty Sect had not been established for long. Within the vast realm of cultivation, there existed several other major tribes, each of them being a paramount and influential power within its own stellar region.

Although representatives of these forces rarely manifested themselves in the mortal world, this did not mean they lacked power within the cosmos.

If truly calculated, some of these forces even encompassed multiple major stars.

Their attendant planets and the living beings upon them were simply too numerous to count.

Most prominent among them were the tribes of the Southern Dipper and the Northern Dipper.

In the celestial sphere, each corresponded to extraordinary stars of immense significance.

They played a vital role within the religious systems.

Their mere manifestation in the mortal realm—represented by just a few tribes that worshipped them—was enough to make the Great Cultivation State feel like a blessed paradise favored by heaven and earth.

The national strength of the Great Cultivation State grew stronger with each passing day, incomparable to the small states of the past.

Chen Chen and the others descended from the immortal mountain where the Misty Sect was located, accompanied by the immortal senior Chen Xianyu and others, journeying all the way to the nearby mountains to gather medicinal herbs.

When Chen Chen's group arrived at that mountain range, another group of people had already gathered there, having likewise come for the rare treasures of heaven and earth hidden within the mountains.

Chen Xianyu frowned slightly and thought to himself, "People from the Demonic Sect..."

At this time, Chen Chen and his companions reached the outer perimeter of the mountain range. The attire of the Misty Sect members was quite refined.

They clutched long swords in their hands, wore their hair tied up in crowns secured with hairpins, and were dressed in Tai Chi Daoist robes.

Though their figures were still small and youthful, such an outfit was already considered a rare and exceptional sight within the Qingfeng Tribe for centuries.

Vaguely, they were already the talents within the misty immortal mountain who practiced orthodox ways and trod upon the correct path.

Chen Xianyu's attire was likewise extraordinary; his Daoist robe was woven from an unidentifiable material, instantly marking him as an immortal senior far beyond ordinary reach.

As the group arrived before the mountain range, another group of disciples was already stationed there.

Chen Chen and the others were similar in age to them, yet those youths were dressed entirely in tight-fitting black garments, with a large character for "Demon" printed prominently on the backs of their clothes.

Aside from the respective immortal seniors and demonic leaders guiding them, both groups consisted of children in their early teens.

This expedition into the mountain range to gather herbs was for medicinal ingredients that had been growing for many years.

With rivals gathered at the foot of the mountain and unknown perils lurking within,

the spiritual herbs remained ownerless until someone entered the mountains. To make those herbs recognize a master, one needed genuine cultivation and Daoist attainment.

Chen Xianyu led Chen Chen and the others into the mountains to search for medicine. The members of the Demonic Sect sneered coldly and began assembling their own ranks, preparing to venture into the mountains to hunt for something.

Spiritual herbs grew everywhere within the mountains; those who knew medicine recognized the true spiritual plants, while the ignorant lacked knowledge. The shallow-minded encountered herbs without recognizing their worth, whereas the profound-minded met them with understanding and reverence.

Chen Xianyu led his group, carefully guiding the way at the front.

The journey ahead in the mountain range was fraught with danger. The conditions within were obscure, with numerous unknown perils lurking in the shadows.

Outside the mountain range, trailing right behind Chen Xianyu and his group,

was yet another faction of people—who had naturally come for the rare treasures of heaven and earth within the mountains as well.

According to the usual conduct of Demonic Sect disciples, any heavenly treasures found in the mountains that they recognized would be collected.

If their sect master had given instructions to find them, they would naturally seek them out.

For those treasures they did not recognize, if disciples of the immortal sects happened to find them, these demonic practitioners would resort to plundering them.

Such behavior was the consistent style of the Demonic path; the demonic way was the primary path they practiced.

Acting in such a demonic manner was how they manifested themselves in the mortal world.

They, too, were striving for survival, searching for their own sustenance and living space.

Beyond the Qingfeng Continent existed an even greater Demonic Sect.

That was where their headquarters lay, along with the lands and kingdoms they represented.

Within the Qingfeng Continent and the Qingfeng Tribe, they possessed minor sects and lesser factions, which were the demonic branches established across the various tribes of the Great Cultivation State.

Though not referred to as immortal mountains, these served as the stronghold settlements of the Demonic Sect, hidden away deep within the mountains where their exact locations were sometimes entirely unknown.

Chen Xianyu and the others led the crowd of immortal children into the mountain range, while the rear-guard members remained extremely cautious, keeping a wary eye out for any schemes from the Demonic Sect practitioners behind them.

This expedition included a total of twelve individuals, combining the accompanying seniors and the sect disciples.

The specific precious medicinal ingredient Chen Chen was assigned to search for was known as pine resin.

It was said that this rare treasure of heaven and earth could be obtained from pine trees.

A small amount of pine resin could cure illnesses within the body, and consuming it year-round could prolong life and help one cultivate a healthier physique.

Aside from Chen Chen's specific task on this journey, the other inner disciples led by Chen Xianyu also shouldered their own assignments.

At this point, everyone who had accepted a task received their respective objectives, and the disciples ventured into the mountain range accordingly.

Upon entering the mountains, Chen Chen spotted a tall pine and cypress tree standing proudly not far away.

After requesting permission from Chen Xianyu, Chen Chen headed toward the pine tree to complete his task.

Chen Xianyu himself had his own duties to attend to; after instructing Chen Chen to be careful, he led the remaining disciples off to search for medicinal herbs in other directions.

The tasks assigned to Chen Chen and his companions on this trip were somewhat perilous, as fierce beasts and wild predators were concealed throughout the mountains.

Once invaders crossed the outer perimeter of the mountains, any snakes, insects, rats, ants, or rare and exotic beasts that failed to retreat deep into the range would pose a direct threat to these young immortal children.

Chen Chen's mission thus became rather hazardous.

After the span of a cup of tea, Chen Chen walked up to the towering pine and cypress.

He first brought his hands together in a salute and bowed respectfully to the tree.

The fierce beasts lurking behind the pine immediately retreated, leaving Chen Chen unharmed.

Having stood through the passage of years, the pine tree reached several meters in height. Chen Chen drew a small knife from his waist and made a horizontal cut across the trunk.

Instantly, a jade-like, nectar-like liquid began to ooze from the pine, carrying a fragrant aroma and possessing a consistency much thicker than water.

Chen Chen retrieved a bottle from his waist, roughly the size of a wine flask. After confirming once more that no one else was around, he waited quietly beneath the tree with the container in hand.

Roughly another cup of tea's time later, Chen Chen filled the flask to the brim with pine resin, then cautiously retreated from the vicinity of the pine tree.

Before leaving, Chen Chen noticed a few pinecones scattered on the ground beneath the tree.

Thinking to himself that it would be a waste not to take them, he gathered the pinecones as well, considering them an extra harvest for the trip.

Meanwhile, Chen Xianyu stood waiting idly at the designated meeting point where he had parted ways with Chen Chen.

When Chen Chen returned to the rendezvous point, several of the young immortal children who had gone out foraging had already returned.

At this stage, they only needed to wait for the senior guardians to return, and the group could safely head back home.

Chen Chen accompanied Chen Xianyu and the others as they waited for a long while within the mountain range, until everyone finally returned with various harvests, concluding the trip successfully.

At this moment, the members of the Demonic Sect finally tracked them down, blocking Chen Xianyu and his group's retreat route completely.

Chen Xianyu's brow twitched as he looked at the arriving group, a deep sense of foreboding washing over him.

These Demonic Sect disciples also wore their hair tied up with hairpins and dressed in long robes, but the large white character for "Demon" printed on the backs of their clothes carried an enigmatic air.

It clearly marked the newcomers as members of the Demonic Sect, requiring utmost vigilance.

Chen Xianyu felt a wave of helplessness; they had merely come to collect heavenly treasures for a sect assignment.

They had to guard against fierce beasts while also dealing with members of the Demonic Sect—the sheer difficulty of this mission was readily apparent.

Though harboring internal grievances, he had to handle the situation with extreme care to avoid losing his life right here.

"May I ask what fellow daoists mean by blocking our path?" Chen Xianyu inquired. The incoming Demonic Sect members had likewise come for those very same rare treasures.

According to the usual conduct of those on the Demonic path, robbing people of money was merely a secondary pursuit.

If they happened to take a fancy to other items, seizing everything together was their habitual style.

At this moment, Chen Xianyu also felt immense pressure. Having come to this mountain range to gather spiritual herbs, aside from guarding against potential beasts at any moment, he now had to face highway robbery from the Demonic Sect, catching him somewhat off guard.

He exchanged a glance with the accompanying guardians, and the accompanying members immediately grasped the hilts of their swords, drawing them half-out as they stepped forward, preparing for battle at a moment's notice.

The Demonic Sect members did not beat around the bush; with a sinister chuckle, one of them said, "What do we mean? We are naturally following our sect master's orders to intercept the medicinal herbs. If you know what's good for you, leave the herbs behind. Otherwise, if any accidents happen, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"

Hearing the Demonic practitioners speak so bluntly, Chen Xianyu instantly felt a surge of unease.

Had he not been reminded, he might have forgotten that in such a realistic world, nothing could ever be resolved merely by wagging one's tongue.

"If you are going to rob us, at least give me a reasonable explanation," Chen Xianyu remarked with a sigh.

"I've already given you an explanation. Enough idle talk—taste my sword!" With that, the group of Demonic Sect disciples instantly clashed into a chaotic brawl with the members of the Misty Sect.

Chen Xianyu and the other immortal seniors naturally drew their long swords to engage the demonic leaders who were guiding the opposing faction.

Chen Chen and his peers did not remain idle either, gripping their own swords as they prepared to trade blows with the young Demonic Sect disciples.

A fierce battle between the two sides broke out instantly. Chen Xianyu, Chen Chen, and the others studied hard every day within the Misty Sect, and now the time had truly come to vie for resources and secure something for their sect.

Both sides fought with genuine fury during the clash. The disciples of the Misty Sect had studied herbalism daily, finally achieving mastery and reaping rewards under the guidance of their senior.

The Demonic Sect disciples, on the other hand, possessed far less professional knowledge in this regard.

Yet somehow obtaining intelligence, they had finally seized the opportunity to plunder these treasures.

The battle between both factions was utterly ruthless; in the face of survival resources, empty words were useless.

Fighting to secure whatever they could for themselves, their companions, and their sect was the only proper course of action.

Those standing on the opposing side who wished to reap without sowing, attempting to intercept the medicinal herbs Chen Chen and his group were bringing back for the sect—those people were their enemies.

The division of labor in society had been clearly established long ago.

The same applied within the Misty Sect, where people had spent days cutting firewood and fetching water, each diligently performing their due duties.

In the struggle for survival within the Misty Sect, everyone exerted their own efforts and harbored their own pursuits, striving to fulfill every stage of their missions so as not to let down the hard work and dedication others had invested in them.