Volume 1, Chapter 60 – The Astonished Crowd

Outside the natural valley where the Yaochi Immortal Palace was located, dense poisonous miasma and illusion formations shrouded the area throughout the year.

Like loyal guards, they isolated this immortal paradise from the outside world.

When the hundred-zhang-long hull of the Cloudsea Spirit Vessel appeared in the sky above the area…

Buzz…

It was as though some invisible will had been stirred.

The toxic miasma below, which never dispersed throughout the year, and the layers of illusion formations hidden within it automatically parted to either side.

A broad, clearly defined aerial passage naturally appeared amid the miasma and illusory light, leading straight into the depths of the valley.

The spirit vessel entered smoothly along the passage without the slightest delay.

The instant the flying vessel truly passed through the barrier and entered the valley…

“Heavens…”

“Th-This is…”

Every new disciple aboard the spirit vessel who had been leaning against the portholes fell silent at the same moment, regardless of background or age.

Their eyes widened into circles. Their mouths fell open unconsciously, and their faces were filled with shock!

The sight before them completely overturned everything they understood about cultivation sects!

The first thing to flood their senses was spiritual energy so dense that it had nearly taken physical form!

Every breath felt as though a cool, sweet spring were washing through their organs and cleansing their souls.

Many children whose cultivation was still shallow, or who had not yet formally drawn qi into their bodies, felt utterly refreshed after taking only a few breaths.

Several new disciples at the Qi Refinement stage even felt the spiritual power within them stirring restlessly, as though they were already showing signs of a breakthrough!

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Then came the visual impact.

Below them stretched a vast lake veiled in mist: Yaochi.

Its waters were as clear as glazed crystal, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and outlines of distant mountains. The exquisite island at the center of the lake resembled a pearl resting upon a jade-green plate.

A faint golden halo intertwined with the mist rising from the lake, while traces of rosy light flickered within it.

Raising their gazes beyond Yaochi, they saw a magnificent complex of palaces rising and falling like structures carved from white jade.

Upturned eaves and interlocking brackets, carved beams and painted rafters: every detail flowed with gentle spiritual light and natural Dao resonance.

The main hall towered high, imposing and majestic.

Side halls and pavilions stood in harmonious order, half concealed within spiritual mist.

Winding covered walkways curved through the grounds, connecting the various sights.

Farther away, several peaks of differing shapes stood guard in every direction.

The entire world before them seemed to have been carefully sculpted by the finest craftsmen imaginable.

Spiritual energy, Dao resonance, scenery, and architecture existed in perfect harmony, as though formed naturally as one.

There was none of the mortal world’s clamor here, nor any of its filth. There was only peace, serenity, and omnipresent Dao resonance.

“An… immortal paradise…”

Zhao Ling’er murmured, her lovely face filled with enchantment.

This world was reflected in Wang Zhaojun’s clear eyes.

Her small hands clenched unconsciously, as though she wanted to carve everything before her firmly into her heart.

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Xiaocao hugged the new clothes in her arms, her eyes becoming moist without her even noticing.

Was this… going to be her home from now on?

It was so beautiful… as beautiful as a dream.

Even Xiao Ya, who came from the imperial family and had witnessed the grandeur of several major sects, was completely dazed.

According to the knowledge from her previous life, a flawless ecological environment and energy field like this could exist only in virtual reality.

Yet this place was real!

It was a miracle born from the perfect fusion of nature and the Dao!

“The spiritual energy concentration… is at least a hundred times higher than outside! No, it may be even higher!”

“And the quality of the spiritual energy… pure, gentle, and full of vitality… How is this possible?”

Xiao Ya’s mind raced as she attempted to analyze everything before her through the scientific framework she knew, only to discover that everything exceeded the boundaries of her understanding.

Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli exchanged a smile as they watched everyone stare in stunned silence.

They understood the feeling very well.

Had they not reacted in exactly the same way when they first arrived at the Yaochi Immortal Palace?

Yun Yun controlled the spirit vessel and slowly brought it down near the edge of the vast white-jade square before the main hall.

The instant the spirit vessel came to a steady stop and the cabin doors opened, even purer and denser spiritual energy rushed toward them, carrying the freshness of Yaochi’s mist and the faint fragrance of flowers and trees in the distance.

“Everyone, form ranks in the square.”

Yun Yun’s clear voice entered every disciple’s ears, rousing them from their astonishment.

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The new disciples snapped back to their senses as though awakening from a dream and did their best to suppress their excitement and nervousness.

Under the guidance of Liu Ruyan and Gu Luoli, they filed out of the spirit vessel and formed orderly ranks upon the mirror-bright white-jade square.

More than a hundred boys and girls stood utterly silent. Only their slightly hurried breathing and curious gazes sweeping across their surroundings could be heard.

Their clothes differed, as did their temperaments, but all their faces carried hope for the future.

Just then…

Rumble…

A faint tremor passed through the ground, as though some enormous creatures were approaching.

Everyone instinctively looked toward the source of the vibration.

Ten figures of varying sizes appeared from the western side of the square.

The one leading them was Mo Lin, who had taken human form. He wore black armor, and his face was firm and resolute.

Behind him…

Was a group of “young demons” that had not yet assumed human form and still retained their true bodies!

There was a juvenile jiao more than a zhang long, with glossy black scales and lively eyes.

There was a young ape over a zhang tall, powerfully muscled and carrying a stone staff over his shoulder as he looked around curiously.

There was an avian demonic beast cub with an entirely azure body and magnificent tail feathers.

There was a small deer with tender antlers and light, nimble steps.

There was even a python as thick as a bowl, covered in multicolored scales and flicking its tongue…

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The ten young demons were all of different species, but every one of them was highly intelligent and clear-eyed. They had plainly been selected with great care.

Although they had not yet taken human form, their movements already showed a degree of discipline. They followed behind Mo Lin while curiously examining the human youths in the square.

Almost at the same time…

“Hahaha! I, Fushan, am back too!”

Another bold laugh rang out.

Fushan’s mountain-like figure came striding toward them.

Ten figures likewise followed behind him.

The demon race youths Fushan had brought back leaned more toward the “strength” and “defense” types.

There was a pangolin covered from head to tail in earthen-yellow armor.

There was a rhinoceros with thick limbs and a single horn upon its head.

There was a tiger cub with fiery fur and fierce eyes, though it was trying its hardest to look “well behaved.”

There was even a round Iron-Eating Beast clutching a bamboo shoot, its eyes heavy with sleep…

The arrival of these twenty young demons instantly added a touch of liveliness and a strangely adorable air to the formerly solemn and quiet square.

The human youths curiously studied the demons.

The demon race youths likewise examined the humans who would cultivate alongside them in the future.

The two groups stared at one another with wide eyes. The atmosphere was somewhat delicate, but there was no hostility.