Volume Two – The Manifestation of the Nine Provinces Map, Entering the Spirit Ruins as a Disciple Chapter 71: Aid on the Journey Home

This was the first time since entering the Nine Provinces that Chen Yu had enjoyed himself so freely. The land truly lived up to its reputation as a place where spiritual energy converged, a realm beyond comparison with the desolate lands bereft of such force. Even the wild fruits by the roadside quenched thirst and delighted the palate with their unique flavors, while the meat of the wild beasts was likewise extraordinary, suffused with traces of vital energy.

No wonder, then, that even the common folk of the Nine Provinces possessed such robust constitutions. Without ever practicing cultivation, they still attained the prowess of third-rate experts from the barren domains he had once known. Such was the difference wrought by the very heavens and earth, shaping the living beings within. Only now did Chen Yu truly understand why that venerable gentleman had once regarded the three of them with such regret. Despite their innate gifts, they had been born in a land so impoverished in spirit—a fate both pitiable and unchangeable. Little could that gentleman have foreseen that his casual act of kindness would bring the trio an entirely different destiny.

The tribulations of the Three Calamities had reforged their foundations, tempered their bones, and granted them bodies surpassing even most cultivators of the Nine Provinces. Moreover, they had braved the prohibitions of the Heaven’s End Mountains and finally arrived in this sacred land of cultivation.

Riding along the grand avenue, Chen Yu absorbed the atmosphere of this new world, drawing ever closer to the gates of the Spiritual Ruins Sect.

Suddenly, a muffled boom echoed from the distant woods, sending flocks of birds fluttering skyward in alarm.

Curious, Chen Yu gazed toward the sound. “That direction leads to the Forest of Forgetting Sorrows, doesn’t it? Has something happened?”

His mind drifted back to his experiences with Xiao Gu and the others more than half a year ago. “It’s only a short detour,” he thought. “No harm in taking a look.”

Spurring his horse, he reached the forest’s edge in less than half a stick of incense. From within, he could clearly hear the sounds of battle—beastly roars, the clash of weapons, rocks shattering, trees toppling.

“Could disciples from the sect be in danger?” Chen Yu wondered. After all, the Forest of Forgetting Sorrows lay close to the Spiritual Ruins, a common place for outer sect disciples to temper themselves.

Soon to join their ranks himself, Chen Yu thought it might be worthwhile to make some acquaintances.

With that, he guided his horse toward the commotion. It wasn’t long before he saw three disciples of the Spiritual Ruins surrounded by six Azurewood Wolf Fiends. To his surprise, one of them was an acquaintance—none other than Xue Ren.

Xue Ren and his companions were already wounded, their clothes stained with blood, the scent only rousing the wolves’ savagery further. They were on the brink of disaster.

The wolf fiends bared their fangs, drool spilling from their jaws as they eyed the trio like prey.

“Senior brother, what do we do now?” Xue Ren asked, panic-stricken. “I’ve used up all my talismans. If we can’t drive off these wolf fiends, we may meet our end here.”

The other two were at a loss as well. “Unless someone comes to help us, I fear we’re truly doomed…”

“I can’t believe we’ll lose our lives here for the sake of a few spiritual herbs. We were reckless,” sighed another. “There’s nothing left but to fight with everything we have. Perhaps we can carve a path out through blood.”

All three nodded grimly, knowing there was no other way.

At that moment, the urgent sound of hoofbeats echoed through the trees, striking hope into their hearts. Even the wolf fiends turned to look.

“Someone’s coming!” the three cried. “Let’s hope it’s a senior brother from the outer sect with a Yuan Realm cultivation.”

But when Chen Yu appeared, his servant’s garb dashed their hopes.

Xue Ren’s eyes widened in shock as he recognized him. “It’s him!”

“Brother, you must go! These wolf fiends possess the strength of seven breaths in the dantian—you can’t possibly fight them. Hurry back to the sect and get help!” one of the disciples shouted urgently.

But Chen Yu ignored them, urging his horse forward.

Sensing the threat, two of the wolf fiends growled and lunged at him.

Though frustrated by Chen Yu’s recklessness, Xue Ren and his companions knew this was the perfect opportunity to strike. Perhaps, if the four of them fought together, they could escape these deadly fangs.

As the two wolf fiends charged, Chen Yu remained calm. Clamping his legs around his horse, he drew his sword, eyes cold and fixed ahead. When the enemies were scarcely ten feet away, he struck without hesitation. Channeling the Sword of Righteousness with the power to summon wind and rain, he unleashed a storm of sword energy. With a single slash, he severed a leg from each of the wolf fiends.

The beasts howled in agony, then were kicked aside by the horse’s hooves, crashing against a tree.

This sudden reversal stunned both Xue Ren’s group and the remaining four wolf fiends.

“How can this servant brother be so powerful?” Xue Ren’s companions exclaimed, relief mingling with amazement.

For Xue Ren, the shock was even greater. When he had last met Chen Yu, the latter was only at six breaths in the dantian. Had his cultivation truly risen so high in just a year?

After wounding the two wolf fiends, Chen Yu leapt from his horse, moving with graceful agility into the fray.

The remaining four wolf fiends, both enraged and fearful, abandoned Xue Ren’s group and surrounded Chen Yu.

“Senior brother, be careful!” Xue Ren and the others called out anxiously.

Chen Yu met the oncoming beasts with a cold, disdainful smile. Gripping his sword tightly, he struck: “Sword of Righteousness!”

Sword wind turned into a tempest, sweeping over the four wolf fiends in an instant.

There was the sickening sound of flesh being sliced. Blood spurted in all directions; the beasts were butchered without mercy.

Xue Ren’s group was left in awe. “Just one more exchange—and look at his strength!”

“He has the aura of nine breaths in the dantian. There’s no mistake—it’s nine breaths.”

“To be at nine breaths and wield such power… Is he truly just a servant disciple?”

Both companions turned to Xue Ren for answers.

With a wry, embarrassed smile, Xue Ren revealed what he knew—astonishing the other two even further.

“Just over a year, and he’s advanced several realms? That’s incredible.”

While they marveled, Chen Yu finished off the last of the wolf fiends.

“Brother Xue Ren, it’s been a while,” Chen Yu greeted them with a smile, bowing courteously to the other two as well.

“Junior brother, are you truly a servant disciple?” After their heartfelt thanks, the three questioned him.

“For now, yes,” Chen Yu replied without hesitation—especially since he still wore the servant’s garb of the Spiritual Ruins Sect.

“For now? Don’t tell me you—”

“Heh… I just returned from completing the trial to become an outer sect disciple. I’ll be counting on you all for guidance in the days ahead.”

“Ah… of course, of course,” they replied, laughing awkwardly, unable to hide their embarrassment.