Chapter 115: Beyond the Bone Abyss

Whether it was the previous visit to the Dongyuan Sect or the group from Silent Valley, Wang Xi and Shen Huai had always been close.

The Xuanyuan Sect wouldn’t casually wish for their deaths without someone’s involvement.

Soon, the elders assigned tasks to each of the newly arrived disciples.

When it was Xu Ziqing’s turn, he slowly unrolled the scroll in his hand.

“Zhou Ye…”

“Assigned to Team C-1.”

“Chen Chen…”

“Assigned to Team B-2.”

“Song Yan…”

Hearing his name, Song Yan slightly raised his head and met Xu Ziqing’s gaze.

“Assigned to Team A-1.”

Team A-1 was the permanent patrol team.

In other words, the most dangerous group.

Song Yan’s heart sank slightly.

In truth, the so-called “danger” wasn’t the worst part of this assignment.

After all, the Changping incident had been over for more than half a year now.

There weren’t many occasions that required the patrol to actually pursue demonic cultivators.

Moreover, with the six great sects stationed here, as long as one was careful, there was little risk to life.

The real reason most disciples from the six sects avoided permanent patrol duty was the time commitment it demanded: far more than other positions.

Simply put, disciples who came here sought to steadily accumulate “merit” to exchange for the spiritual resources they needed for cultivation.

If they could spend less effort, all the better.

To many, permanent patrol duty was the classic example of a thankless task.

However, not everyone thought so…

The morning assembly dispersed.

Team A-1 formally gathered.

He saw his teammates.

The leader was a senior brother from the Sheyang Sect, at the Late Qi Refining stage.

He stroked his chin, appraising Song Yan from head to toe.

“Hm… I’ve heard that Junior Brother Song is skilled with the sword. Your joining will surely strengthen us!”

“Let me introduce myself: I’m Dai Rui, a disciple of Sheyang Sect’s inner sect, captain of Team A-1.”

Dai Rui spoke warmly, dispersing some of the gloom.

At least the atmosphere was pleasant.

“Song Yan, inner disciple of Dongyuan Sect,” he also briefly introduced himself.

Soon, Dai Rui talked about the daily duties in a relaxed tone, showing no hint of dissatisfaction.

This was why not everyone thought permanent patrol was unpleasant.

Because theoretically, only disciples who excelled in all aspects and were relatively strong were assigned to Team A-1.

One might say…

For some cultivators, this was a kind of honor.

Like Dai Rui before him, and a small portion of others on the team.

Surprisingly, among the team members, he spotted Shen Huai.

Her expression was slightly unnatural.

Whether it was always so or because she saw Song Yan and recalled the Silent Valley incident, he couldn’t tell.

She nodded faintly, acknowledging him.

Her intentions remained uncertain.

It was still unclear if she had any involvement in Wang Xi’s attack against them.

But the Silent Valley incident had deeply affected Song Yan.

Up to now, he still harbored some hostility and caution toward disciples of the Xuanyuan Sect.

“Permanent patrol consists of four teams. Our Team A-1 is responsible for three villages near Changping County City.”

“Caoyuan Township.”

“Cheng Family.”

“Shigu Ping.”

“Actually, our tasks aren’t heavy. We just split into groups to patrol daily. If nothing unusual happens, we return and report safely.”

“Of course, if there are any signs of evil demons or demonic cultivators, inform me immediately.”

Listening quietly to Dai Rui’s arrangement, Song Yan nodded.

Taking a moment, he asked, “Senior Brother Dai, about the timing of these daily patrols…”

“Ha ha, don’t worry, Junior Brother Song,” Dai Rui laughed heartily. “Although permanent patrol is indeed busy, we still leave time for everyone to cultivate.”

“Our patrol times rotate with Team A-2.”

Song Yan felt somewhat reassured. “I see.”

Dai Rui led the team out of the county city.

Because they were all Late Qi Refining stage cultivators, their pace was brisk.

He spoke as they walked, “Among the three places we’re responsible for, Shigu Ping is special. It’s near the Bone Abyss, the most dangerous area.”

“You’re new and unfamiliar, so follow me closely these next few days to get accustomed.”

“Alright, thank you, Senior Brother Dai.”

“No need to be so formal; we are comrades.”

…

Outside the Bone Abyss.

A wasteland.

An abandoned thatched hut courtyard.

A “large” demonic shadow stood by a broken stone table in the yard.

The figure was clad in thick fur, about three meters tall, wearing a coarse short cloth shirt.

Its arms and hands were covered with gray beast hair.

It was a second-rank shapeshifting ape demon!

At that moment, it was slowly pouring wine into a cup on the table.

In front of it stood six or seven people, most wearing yellow robes.

“Brother Liu, look at those cultivators from the six great sects outside…”

The ape demon clicked its tongue, “With such a grand formation, even this old ape feels uneasy…”

“If you don’t offer me more benefits, I’ll have no choice but to lower my banner and retreat into the Bone Abyss.”

The cultivator called Brother Liu was named Liu Ciming.

He looked at the ape demon calmly.

The ape demon, not pressing further, chuckled:

“Or maybe you’ll just honestly tell me, you Yellow Springs path guys, what exactly are you hiding?”

“Ho ho.”

Liu Ciming didn’t reply, only placing a spatial pouch on the table.

“Brother Ape, to be honest, I’m here under my master’s orders.”

“The reasons behind this are beyond someone like me…”

“This is what you want from the Bone Abyss…”

“Hmph…”

The ape demon snorted coldly, pinched the wine cup, and took a sip.

Then, with a loud “crack,” it smashed the cup on the ground.

Grabbing the spatial pouch, its expression turned sour.

“Leave.”

Liu Ciming remained smiling, seemingly unbothered by the sudden change.

He cupped his hands in farewell and led his disciples away from the courtyard.

“Phew…”

A quiet sigh was restrained between his lips.

Only now did Liu Ciming show a trace of irritation.

Juggling the many forces in Changping was wearing him down.

The most troublesome part was…

Hmm?

Just a few steps away, he spotted two of his disciples confronting two unfamiliar cultivators.

He frowned and casually asked the person beside him, “Where did those two come from?”

The person had already noticed and quickly answered.

“Senior Brother Liu, those two are from the Demonic Path, disciples under Xin Shan the Hermit…”

“They were sent to assist us.”

“One is the eldest disciple, Lv Qin; the other…”

“Is the second disciple, what’s his name…?”

“Sheng Nian.”

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