Chapter Fourteen: Into the Abyss, Set Forth!

The disciple in the blue robe appeared to be a man in his twenties, slender and tall, his face as elongated as his figure, with unremarkable features. A long sword was strapped to his back, and his expression was calm, betraying nothing.

Mo Bufan was the first to approach the disciple, clasping his hands and presenting his trial bamboo slip. “I am Mo Bufan,” he announced.

He was well aware that since his master had sent him out to temper himself, his identity would not be revealed; otherwise, these people might go out of their way to look after him, undermining his purpose in coming here.

Sure enough, the inner sect disciple seemed to know nothing of Mo Bufan’s background. He merely nodded slightly, glanced at the bamboo slip, then gestured for Mo Bufan to stand aside.

Soon after, five other figures emerged from the crowd—three men stepping out alone and a man and woman coming forth together.

There was nothing particularly remarkable about the five; their attire was a mix of various colors, and aside from the first, the quality of their clothing was decent enough. After all, those who could afford to participate in such a trial generally had some means, and these disciples were clearly all from the outer sect.

Mo Bufan couldn’t help but cast a few more glances at the first disciple who’d stepped forward. According to his knowledge, this was the only one among them whose cultivation had reached the fifth level of the Void Refinement Realm.

This man was of average height and appearance, wearing a light blue robe and carrying a sword on his back. His name was Gao Xiu.

As for the remaining four, the shorter one was Zhao Yunfan, at the third level of Void Refinement. The taller one, dressed like the son of a wealthy family, was Zheng Feng. The last pair—a refined and dashing young man named Chen Tianwen, and a beautiful girl in a pale yellow robe named Zhao Sinan—stood together. Zheng Feng, Chen Tianwen, and Zhao Sinan all had cultivation at the peak of the second level.

Mo Bufan glanced briefly at the trio, then looked away. However, when his gaze fell on Zhao Sinan, he muttered to himself, “I must keep my distance from this woman.”

Given his current identity as one with the Nine Yang Body, he had to be mindful of all sorts of complications.

Moreover, women often proved to be the source of trouble, especially when one had a man like Chen Tianwen at her side. The way Chen Tianwen fawned over Zhao Sinan, and her aloofness in response, made it clear they were in that stage where the man was pursuing the woman. He especially needed to avoid entanglements with those two.

Of course, it might be worthwhile to curry favor with Gao Xiu if the opportunity arose. Since this was his first time venturing out, having someone strong by his side could prove invaluable. If they encountered trouble he couldn’t handle, Gao Xiu would likely be able to help.

Lost in thought, Mo Bufan didn’t notice that the blue-robed disciple had finished checking everyone’s credentials. Leading them to a secluded spot, he addressed them, “I’ll be leading your trial this time. On the journey to the Dragonfall Abyss, I’ll do my best to ensure your safety. However, you must remember: don’t stir up trouble once we’re outside, and especially don’t provoke anyone. If you cause trouble I can’t handle, I will abandon you and take the others to safety. Don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“Rest assured, elder, we know the rules,” Zheng Feng replied at once.

“That’s right! Sinan and I have been out on trials twice before. We won’t cause you any trouble,” Chen Tianwen said, fanning himself.

Mo Bufan and the other two nodded in agreement but didn’t speak up as the others had.

Hearing that Chen Tianwen and Zhao Sinan had gone out on trials several times, Mo Bufan couldn’t help but glance at them again. Did they come from such affluent backgrounds?

The blue-robed disciple nodded, satisfied. “Good. Let’s depart.”

With a sweep of his wide sleeve, the sword on his back grew in the wind, transforming into four or five sword-shaped platforms, each over a meter wide. He beckoned the group to board.

It was Mo Bufan’s first time riding a flying sword, and he couldn’t help but reach out to feel the surface beneath him, thinking to himself, “If I get the chance, I must forge one for myself.”

Noticing his actions, Zheng Feng, seated in front of him, furrowed his brow, then smiled. “If you’re feeling unsteady, you can hold on to me, junior brother.”

“Ah? Oh… thank you, Senior Brother Zheng Feng!” Mo Bufan replied, startled.

In all his four years in the Immortal Realm, he’d never ridden a flying sword—only celestial cranes and sedan chairs.

He hadn’t expected to be so kindly underestimated.

Just then, the blue-robed disciple spoke. “Hold on,” he ordered curtly. With that, the flying sword soared into the air, heading eastward.

At the sudden ascent, Mo Bufan was jolted, nearly falling, but managed to grab Zheng Feng for support.

“Whoa, it’s really this bumpy!” he grumbled inwardly. It was indeed not as comfortable as a crane or sedan chair. He remembered to thank Zheng Feng again for the help.

Zheng Feng glanced back, offering a reassuring smile before turning away.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Mo Bufan steadied himself and let go of Zheng Feng’s arm.

———

News of Mo Bufan’s departure for the trial finally reached Song Yuchen and the other elders after he’d already left. The group was first shocked and then hurried off toward Tianyu Peak where Ge Qingyang resided.

Finding Ge Qingyang in the midst of training, Song Yuchen and Gai Nie immediately began to admonish him.

Their words were simple: emphasizing Mo Bufan’s value for producing offspring, criticizing their former senior brother’s lack of consideration, pointing out that while their master had instructed Ge Qingyang to train Mo Bufan, he shouldn’t follow orders to the letter, and so on. They complained about their master’s capriciousness, among other things.

Ge Qingyang, having anticipated this scene, kept his head down and remained silent, letting them say their piece.

After venting for a while, the elders remembered that this was their former senior brother and couldn’t bring themselves to be too harsh. After muttering a few more complaints, they left with a sigh.

Ge Qingyang wasn’t worried that they’d try to intercept Mo Bufan and drag him back to fulfill the “offspring” value they so cherished. They didn’t have the guts—after all, their unpredictable master might do something drastic if he was disobeyed.

No sooner had the others left and Ge Qingyang sat down, when he sensed another presence approaching. With a wry smile, he called out, “Since you’re here, come in.”

At his words, Song Yuxuan appeared at the doorway. The girl’s head was bowed, her face troubled, deep in thought.

“What is it? Do you think I acted wrongly as well?” Ge Qingyang asked his junior sister, whom he’d raised from childhood.

Song Yuxuan shook her head and found a spot to sit. Her cold demeanor, so evident with Mo Bufan, had vanished, replaced with a shy, conflicted expression.

Ge Qingyang couldn’t help but laugh. “Little one, are you worried about Mo Bufan?”

“I…” Song Yuxuan wanted to deny it, but seeing her senior brother’s look, she sighed. “I am a little worried. His cultivation is only at the first level of Void Refinement—what if something happens to him?”

Ge Qingyang smiled. “Don’t worry. When I went to Dragonfall Abyss for my trial, I was only at the first level too. Mo Bufan is no less gifted or resolute than I was then. As long as he’s clever and cautious, the chance of something going wrong is slim.”

“But, senior brother, you came up from the bottom, enduring hardship and struggle. He’s been on Celestial Maiden Peak all this time, never seeing much of the world,” Song Yuxuan argued.

Ge Qingyang hadn’t expected his junior sister to care so much for Mo Bufan, and his smile took on a teasing note. “So, do you hope he’ll stay on Celestial Maiden Peak as Brother Yuchen wishes, to realize his ‘value’ forever?”

“Senior brother!” Song Yuxuan’s cheeks turned crimson. “I’m only being objective! You did act a bit rashly!” Her words were half embarrassment, half annoyance, with a hint of coquettishness.

Ge Qingyang shook his head helplessly. “That’s why I sent him out just as he’s about to break through the first level. His strength is already far beyond what mine was when I entered Dragonfall Abyss.”

He looked at Song Yuxuan. “Besides, little one, his worth isn’t just what Brother Yuchen imagines. He’s meant for greater things. We mustn’t stifle him. Don’t you want him to grow stronger? Won’t you be happier then?”

Song Yuxuan was stunned, then retorted in a mixture of shyness and annoyance, “Senior brother!”

But Ge Qingyang, utterly serious, went on. “And I’ve realized he truly needs some real tempering. Though he trains diligently—almost desperately—it’s all been for the sake of training itself. He’s not honing his heart, and he can’t progress further like this.”

“Hm?” Song Yuxuan looked at him in confusion.

Ge Qingyang explained, “I mean his Dao heart is unsteady—or hasn’t been established at all. Over the years, I’ve felt that most of the time, he’s just training to pass the time, for amusement. If he makes progress, he’s happy; if not, he doesn’t get discouraged, just finds something else to play with. That kind of cultivation…”

“That kind of cultivation… isn’t what I hope to see…”

Song Yuxuan’s face grew even redder. Her vivid imagination supplied her own answer: “Senior brother, he’s not doing it for fun—he’s trying to win my heart. All the disciples in the sect know it, except you, who’s always cultivating. But how could I tell you that…”

Watching his increasingly shy junior sister, Ge Qingyang’s face grew troubled. “This girl… she’s becoming more of a mystery to me. She’s really growing up, with secrets of her own.”

“All right, off you go. Don’t worry too much. Trust him—after all, he’s meant to be your man someday,” Ge Qingyang said.

“Oh…” Song Yuxuan replied, then hastily added, “It’s not like that, he…”

But Ge Qingyang had already retreated into his cave, not hearing her.

Song Yuxuan sighed and turned back toward Celestial Maiden Peak.

———

“Elder, may I ask your name?” Standing atop the flying sword, Chen Tianwen couldn’t resist trying to ingratiate himself with the blue-robed disciple.

“I’m only here to escort you. Whether we’ll meet again is uncertain. No need to get on my good side,” the blue-robed disciple replied coolly.

“Of course, but since you’re escorting us, we must thank you,” Chen Tianwen persisted. “If we gain anything from this trial, we will certainly share some with you. I hope you won’t refuse.”

“Yes, elder, Brother Chen speaks for all of us,” Zheng Feng chimed in.

“Please, elder, tell us your name, so that we may repay your kindness in the future,” added Gao Xiu.

Mo Bufan was a little dumbfounded. So even in the Immortal Realm, flattery was a thing? He scratched his head, then joined in with a few words of his own.

In moments, all five men except the shy Zhao Sinan had revealed their sycophantic natures—Mo Bufan more reserved, the others already thinking about how to reward their escort.

“My name is Qingchenzi,” the blue-robed disciple finally said, a rare smile gracing his face as he basked in their flattery. “Let’s not talk about rewards. I appreciate the sentiment. But since you’re so enthusiastic, I’ll share some advice on what to watch for as you enter Dragonfall Abyss…”