Five days later.
Qiushui Town.
This small town is located at the southernmost part of the Eastern Cultivation Land. Going southward for several dozen miles from Qiushui Town, one would enter the notorious gathering place of the Demon Daoâthe South Demon Territory.
"Up ahead is Qiushui Town. Everyone will rest in Qiushui Town tonight, and weâll set off for the South Demon Territory tomorrow morning."
At this moment, a few miles outside of Qiushui Town, Su Xin was addressing the disciples of the Zhenyang Sect.
"Yes, Senior Sister Su!"
At this time, the members of the Zhenyang Sect had all changed into plain white robes and wore bamboo hats, appearing like a group of ordinary loose cultivators.
After all, since Qiushui Town is so close to the South Demon Territory, being too flashy could easily reveal their presence and alert the Demon Sect.
"Senior Sister Suxin, Iâve heard from my father that the South Demon Territory is even more dangerous than the Northern Wilderness. Is it true?"
At this moment, Xu Caihe curiously asked Su Xin.
Beside her, Zhou LingâEr and a few newly promoted inner sect disciples widened their eyes, like a group of curious babies.
The secret trip to the South Demon Territory included one or two commanding disciples from each of the Six Peaks, one steward disciple outstanding in cultivation, as well as several promising new talents who had performed well during the beast wave.
For example, Zhang Ling from Heaven-Reaching Peak and Zhao Zhen from Forgetful Peak.
Xu Caihe and Zhou LingâEr from Danxia Peak.
He Su and Lan Yin from Xiyue Peak.
He Zhiqiu and Shi Ying from Divinity Transformation Peak.
Among these people, only Qiu Zhihe, disguised as Ruo Mei, was familiar with the South Demon Territory. The rest were here for the first time, full of curiosity about this demonic stronghold.
Ye Xiyue had been cold-faced all the way, so they dared not ask her. Instead, they turned to the gentle and dignified Senior Sister Su Xin.
With a gentle smile on her face, Su Xin said, "In Qiushui Town, you find a mix of people; many from the Demon Sect hide among them. You must be aware of them to avoid falling into their traps."
She then proceeded to describe the situation within the South Demon Territory and its various Demon Sects:
"The Three Great Demon Sects, Cyan Lotus Sect, Red Cloud Mountain, and Celestial Fall Sect need no introduction. The Cyan Lotus Sect is extinct, so effectively only two Great Demon Sects remain."
"Red Cloud Mountain specializes in puppetry techniques and the use of poison, while Celestial Fall Sect dominates the world with its âCelestial Beast Recordâ containing twelve volumes."
"But do not think the Demon Sects are limited to just these two. Besides Red Cloud Mountain and Celestial Fall Sect, many small sects also dwell in the South Demon Territory, often proving even more troublesome."
Hearing this, Zhou LingâEr couldnât help but ask:
"Senior Sister Su Xin, Iâve heard of these smaller sects. Are they Blood Pill Sect, Grey Wolf Sect, Celestial Phoenix Mountain, Purple Sword Sect, and Sun and Moon Sect?"
Upon hearing her quickly list so many sect names, everyone became even more curious. Xu Caihe said:
"Iâve heard these from my father too, but he never mentioned what they excel at. Could you tell us, Senior Sister Su Xin?"
Su Xin nodded and said with a smile:
"Blood Pill Sect excels in alchemy, except their alchemy materials and pill furnaces arenât self-prepared. Instead, they rob them."
"Robber alchemists?" Everyone glanced at each other, thinking it was typical of the Demon Sect to operate without principles.
Su Xin continued: "The Grey Wolf Sect practices the evil technique known as the âGrey Wolf Heart-Eating Techniqueâ, which requires devouring the hearts of demonic beasts and humans to cultivate."
"Thatâs terrifying!" Zhou LingâEr and Xu Caihe exchanged a glance and couldnât help but shiver.
Su Xin smiled softly: "You neednât worry. The Zhenyang Sect wiped out the main sect of Grey Wolf Sect years ago, so theyâre unlikely to cause much trouble. However, be cautious of Celestial Phoenix Mountain; itâs an all-female sect."
Zhao Zhen asked confusedly, "Senior Sister, why pay special attention just because itâs all-female?"
Su Xinâs expression became slightly serious: "Celestial Phoenix Mountain claims to be descendants of the Ancient Divine Phoenix. Itâs said they can grow wings and fly a thousand miles a day, and they love to capture male cultivators to absorb their essence. Male disciples should be especially careful if encountered."
"This..."
The male disciples were dumbfounded to learn there was a sect specializing in capturing men. Shi Ying patted his chest:
"If I encounter these bird people, Iâll tear their wings off and see how they harm others!"
Mo Xiaolan, hearing so many secrets about the Demon Sect for the first time, couldnât help but ask:
"Senior Sister Su Xin, what is the specialty of the Sun and Moon Sect?"
Su Xin hesitated, seeing the disciples watching her expectantly, sighed slightly, and said:
"The Sun and Moon Sect is what outsiders call them, but they call themselves the Joyful Union Sect."
"..."
Mo Xiaolan was stunned and blushed. The other disciples also felt a bit awkward. Zhou LingâEr, by contrast, laughed cheekily and asked:
"Senior Sister, is the Sun and Moon Sect all male?"
Su Xin lightly tapped her and warmly replied:
"The Sun and Moon Sect cultivates various dual cultivation techniques, suitable for both men and women. Hence, it has both male and female members. Be careful; they like to abduct common cultivators to forcibly aid their cultivation, regardless of gender. Cultivators in Qiushui Town frequently go missing, usually due to them."
"They capture both men and women? The Sun and Moon Sect is truly wicked!"
The disciples were stunned upon hearing this; Xu Caihe asked: "Senior Sister, what happens to the cultivators captured?"
Su Xin sighed: "Our sect has sent people to rescue them, but itâs often difficult. Even if theyâre found, itâs usually just their drained corpses, a tragic sight."
"Drained?"
"How do they drain them?"
Su Xinâs expression was solemn as she warned: "The Sun and Moon Sect specializes in disguising themselves as ordinary cultivators for ambushes. Their sinister techniques emerge endlessly. Be very cautious, and never act alone!"
"Yes!" Everyone quickly agreed, each feeling a chill down their spine.
Truly, the South Demon Territory is perilous and eerie!
"Weâve reached Qiushui Town!"
Up ahead, the gates of Qiushui Town appeared. The group approached with apprehensive hearts, ready to witness the desolation and barrenness they had imagined.
After all, Qiushui Town being so close to the South Demon Territory, frequented by Demon Sect members, couldnât possibly be prosperous.
However, as everyone walked through the gate, they couldnât help but gasp in amazement.
Instead of barrenness, a picturesque scene unfolded: flowing streams, willows by the banks, lined shops, and bustling crowds.
This was no frontier townâit was a beautiful, prosperous, gentle water town!
"So beautiful!"
"So lively!"
Everyone was stunned. Though smaller than Zhenyang City, this townâs beauty and grace surpassed it.
A small river ran through the town, stone bridges spanned it, connecting the banks with leafy willows, and bustling traffic.
"In such a beautiful place, could there really be Demon Sect members hiding?"
The disciples walked along the bustling riverside street, looking around in wonder.
"Brother, look over there!"
Liu Su suddenly became excited, tugging at Qin Gengyunâs sleeve, pointing to a stone bridge not far away.
Nearby, Mo Xiaolan and Qiu Zhihe were also startled, gazing intently at the stone bridge.
Qin Gengyun stopped walking, overwhelmed with indescribable feelings.
This stone bridge was familiar, seen in memories from Sheng Tanglianâs relic.
Five hundred years ago, Sheng Tanglian came to a water town, walked up a stone bridge, and encountered some troublemakers, prompting Zhenyang to intervene heroically.
But he had no cultivation then and was beaten by the troublemakers.
Yet Sheng Tanglian was drawn to him, taking him on her boat home to treat his wounds.
That was Sheng Tanglian and Zhenyangâs first meeting.
And now, that very stone bridge was right in front of Qin Gengyun and his group!