Chapter Forty-Three: The Destruction of Star-Gazing Valley

Chen Mu absorbed the pale blue radiance from the shattered cores without hesitation. His soul force grew robustly, and his mental power strengthened ever more. Having vanquished the Yellow Springs Wraiths, Chen Mu immediately rushed to support his elder brother Chen Feng. After the time it took to burn a stick of incense, all the wraiths were defeated through the combined efforts of the group.

Chen Mu explained the benefits of absorbing the pale blue glow to Chen Feng and the disciples of Qingyun Mountain Sect. They had heard of such advantages before, but ordinary cultivators found the wraiths too difficult to slay. Attempting to absorb their radiance would surely attract swarms of other spirits, making the risks outweigh the rewards. This time, they owed their success entirely to Chen Mu's presence, and the opportunity to absorb the glow was thanks to him.

Everyone greedily absorbed the alluring light, their mental power steadily increasing. Chen Mu's spirit, already comparable to the peak of the Foundation Realm, now seemed poised to ascend to an even higher level.

"Xiao Mu, it's all thanks to you. Otherwise, we would have struggled to escape and certainly lost some disciples. Now, not only have we come out safely, but we've also slain so many wraiths and absorbed that mysterious radiance to strengthen our souls," Chen Feng said with heartfelt gratitude.

"That's right, Chen Mu, you're truly our lucky star," Mo Liang chimed in, patting Chen Mu's shoulder.

"Since we've met, let's act together," Mo Liang continued, seeing Chen Mu's slight embarrassment. "One more person means more care for each other."

Chen Mu scratched his head and nodded in agreement. Following his elder brother's team wasn't a bad idea; after all, Chen Feng was family and trustworthy.

Leaving the white mist behind, the environment changed again. The group took up their maps, comparing routes.

Elsewhere in the Yellow Springs Secret Realm, the disciples of the Bright Moon Blade Sect, led by Luo Yan, were hunting down the disciples of Starwatch Valley. Whenever a Starwatch Valley disciple was alone, they would be ruthlessly killed.

"Luo Yan! How dare you hunt our disciples? You'll pay for this!"

"Luo Yan! When we leave, the Master of the Valley will avenge us!"

"..."

Luo Yan sneered, spitting contemptuously. "Avenge you? When we get out, your Starwatch Valley will face disaster. This is just a bit of interest; the main course hasn't begun."

"What do you mean?" a disciple of Starwatch Valley asked uneasily.

"Heh, it means the dead need not know so much." At that, four or five disciples of Bright Moon Blade Sect attacked simultaneously, killing the Starwatch Valley disciple.

Meanwhile, Meng Rushan and Chen Wuhen had escaped the encirclement of the Yellow Springs Wraiths, rescued by the main force of the Azurefall Dao Gate, led by the azure-robed Gu Qingtao.

Gu Qingtao was the son of Gu Daozhen, the Gate Master of Azurefall Dao, and nephew to the Vice Gate Master. He was the young leader of Azurefall Dao Gate. The sect was powerful; both the Gate Master and Vice Gate Master were brothers, each at the Nascent Soul stage. Gu Daozhen, the elder, was at the late-stage peak, while his brother Gu Daoyan was at the early stage.

Concerning the plot against Starwatch Valley, Gu Daoyan was a match for Gu Xingyuan. If Gu Daozhen joined in...

Outside the secret realm, elders and high-level members of Bright Moon Blade Sect, Seven Stars Pavilion, and Azurefall Dao Gate had already gathered, launching a massive assault on Starwatch Valley. The valley was devastated, left in ruins.

Countless outer disciples were killed or wounded, and even Elder Liu Quan, who had once looked after Chen Mu, perished within the valley.

Though external factors played a part, the main culprit was an internal traitor—none other than Elder Xiao Ruthless of the Hall of Punishments.

Xiao Ruthless led disciples of the Hall of Punishments in betrayal, joining Azurefall Dao Gate. He had not participated in the Grand Heroes Gathering of Great Xia precisely to act as an inside agent for the other three sects.

The proud disciples of Starwatch Valley were slaughtered one by one, while the weak-willed surrendered, becoming disciples of the three invading sects.

The battle was savage; those who refused to surrender were all killed. Only two or three elders escaped with a handful of disciples. Chen Mu's second friend in the valley, Lü Shi, also vanished.

At this time, Gu Xingyuan, who had brought elite disciples to the Grand Heroes Gathering, was unaware of the calamity befalling her sect. She, with the other sect leaders, passed the time in conversation, waiting for their disciples to emerge from the secret realm.

Two days had passed.

Inside the secret realm, Chen Mu, his brother Chen Feng, Mo Liang, and the disciples of Qingyun Mountain Sect were pressing toward the Yellow Springs Pool, having taken many wrong turns along the way.

They had endured several attacks from the wraiths, and their route had twisted many times. Nonetheless, they gained greatly, absorbing vast amounts of pale blue radiance from wraith cores, their souls and mental power growing rapidly.

Advancing toward the map's center, Chen Mu and his companions crossed mountains and valleys, and the frequent teleportations left them somewhat frustrated.

Fortunately, they encountered several more disciples of Qingyun Mountain Sect, gradually expanding their ranks and easing Chen Feng's concerns.

After all, if their sect's disciples were left alone, they risked encountering wraiths and being unable to save themselves, doomed to be devoured.

Meanwhile, Starwatch Valley's disciples were also regrouping, though many had been hunted by Bright Moon Blade Sect.

Starwatch Valley had entered with thirty-four disciples, half eliminated in the qualifying round. Several had already fallen to the blade sect's cruelty.

Led by their senior brother Solitude Wind, the disciples of Starwatch Valley dodged pursuit while heading for the central pool.

Their journey was fraught with misfortune; they not only fled the blade sect but also suffered attacks by the wraiths. Unlike Chen Mu's luckier party, several disciples perished in the breakout. Now, excluding Chen Mu, only seventeen Starwatch Valley disciples remained.

Thanks to the wraith attacks, Solitude Wind and his group entered the white mist, causing the blade sect to abandon pursuit and join forces with Azurefall Dao Gate, giving them some breathing space.

The journey was long, and Chen Mu's group grew weary, so they paused on a grassy field to rest.

Chen Feng recalled the discord between Chen Mu and the inner disciples of Starwatch Valley at the start of the Grand Heroes Gathering, and asked, "Xiao Mu, you’re now an inner disciple of Starwatch Valley, aren't you? Why do those inner disciples seem so hostile to you?"

Chen Mu was silent for a moment before sighing, "I've made enemies in Starwatch Valley. They've repeatedly tried to kill me, and when that failed, they slandered and framed me, inciting others against me. In their eyes, I'm now a villain beyond redemption."

"What happened?" Chen Feng asked, frowning.

Chen Mu recounted how he stumbled upon He Silai violating an outer disciple, and was then pursued by the He brothers. He also detailed his accidental offense against Elder Xiao Ruthless of the Hall of Punishments.

"They couldn't kill me, so pinned He Silai's crimes on me, claiming I violated the outer disciple Youlan. All the inner disciples accused me of debauchery and heinous acts, abusing my status as a personal disciple."

"That's infuriating. You suffered injustice in Starwatch Valley. If only Father had sent you to Qingyun Mountain Sect instead—at least you'd have me to look after you."

"It's alright. At least Master gave me the chance for a life-and-death duel with the He brothers. I killed the one who wanted me dead. Things are already much better now; I don't care what others think."

Hearing Chen Mu's story, Mo Liang said, "Brother Chen Mu, if you ever can't stay in Starwatch Valley, you're welcome in Qingyun Mountain Sect. After these days together, your strength is clear to us. I'm sure everyone would welcome you."

Chen Mu was grateful, but politely declined Mo Liang's offer.

At that moment, Chen Mu and the Qingyun Mountain disciples arrived at a natural herb field. There were more than fifty or sixty spiritual herbs growing here.

The vitality within the Yellow Springs Secret Realm was far denser than outside, so the herbs here grew fuller and more potent than those of the same age in the outside world.

Seeing the abundance of spiritual herbs, the disciples of Qingyun Mountain Sect were ecstatic, feeling incredibly lucky to have found such a treasure. Herbs in the secret realm were far more precious than those outside.

Mo Liang was delighted, immediately ordering the disciples to harvest them, then asked Chen Mu if he wanted to pick any.

Chen Mu glanced at the herbs; none were materials he needed for his Death Pellet, so he waved a hand, telling Mo Liang not to worry about him.

Just then, another group from a different sect arrived. Seeing the Qingyun Mountain disciples about to harvest all the herbs, their leader ordered his disciples to intervene.

"Mo Liang, isn't it a bit greedy for Qingyun Mountain Sect to take everything?" The leader revealed his identity—he wore the Seven Stars Pavilion robes. Clearly, these were Seven Stars Pavilion disciples seeking to join Azurefall Dao Gate, led by Zhang Ge.

"This place belongs to no one; it's first come, first served. If we take everything, it's our skill—what's wrong with that? If you wanted some, you should have arrived sooner," Mo Liang replied with disdain.

"Spare me. I want half. Give me half and I'll leave. Otherwise, we'll settle it with blades," Zhang Ge said bluntly.

"Half? Why? Who do you think you are? You only swagger because of Azurefall Dao Gate, bullying other sects. But in Qingyun Mountain Sect's eyes, you're nothing."

"Fine, Mo Liang, don't cry for your mother when we're done! Brothers, attack!"