Luoxia Abyss

As morning mist still clung to the air, a thin layer of damp chill coated the stone steps of the Heart-Sword Hall. Gong Ning stood at the edge of Wuwang Mountain, her gaze fixed on the solitary figure at the foot of the steps.

Lu Yunling carried a slightly worn black travel pack. Her indigo robes fluttered in the mountain wind, and the green-steel sword at her waist swayed with each step, its tassel chiming softly—a clear, bright sound in the quiet dawn.

“Let’s go.”

Outside Xuantian Peak, disciples from other sects were already arriving. Some groups of three or five chatted excitedly as they checked their artifacts. Others traveled with their masters, who murmured final warnings.

These trial spots were carefully selected—no shortage of prodigies here.

Gong Ning scanned the area and easily spotted Gong Changqian. Tianjian Pavilion had a strong showing this year—six disciples, all of whom had shined during the freshman competition.

“Yunling, the trial grounds are called Luoxia Abyss, located beneath the Yunjin Mountains in Hua Province. It’s extremely dangerous. Be careful.”

Lu Yunling wasn’t worried about herself—she was worried about her Master.

“Master, you shouldn’t have come. Tianjian Pavilion means you harm. With your current cultivation, you’re vulnerable to assassination.”

“This is the best chance. I’m tired of their lackeys parading in front of me.”

Sensing her Master’s determination, Lu Yunling fell silent.

Stepping onto her Master’s flying artifact again, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu. She wondered if her two junior sisters felt the same.

The moment the artifact lifted off, the morning mist parted like a curtain. Lu Yunling looked down—the Path Inquiry Stairs of Xuantian Peak had shrunk to a thin line, Wuwang Mountain’s silhouette fading into the clouds.

She thought of Lingling, who had never seen this.

Lingling, who always clung to the edge of the artifact, shrieking at every gust.

And Qiaohuan, that sly fox, who always claimed her Master’s bed.

People always made irreversible mistakes.

Or drifted apart from familiar things, from loved ones.

This second chance—she had to make it count.

Hua Province bordered Xuantian Sword Sect—half an hour by flight.

The artifact pierced the clouds. Below, endless red mountains emerged—Jin Yun, the burning clouds of Yunjin Mountains, churning.

Lu Yunling heard the distant roar of other sects’ artifacts slicing through the sky. She turned—Tianjian Pavilion’s flying vessel approached from the side, its disciples in brocade robes standing out starkly.

“Yunling, focus. We’re entering through the eye of the wind.”

Gong Ning placed a spirit stone into the Xuan Shu Disk. A defensive formation flared to life, enveloping the vessel.

Then, an ice spirit stone.

The formation turned blue—cold instantly spreading.

The only entrance to Luoxia Abyss was here.

The valley mouth was shielded by a wind veil—a transparent barrier formed by mountain gales and spiritual mist.

As they neared, the wind grew sharper, howling in their ears. The gales slammed into the defense, cracking like thunder. The pale blue shield trembled violently under the wind blades, the vessel swaying.

At the moment of passage—suddenly, the roaring wind and scorching heat vanished.

Lu Yunling staggered, gripping the edge.

She looked back—the wind veil was far behind.

The ice-blue formation had dissipated.

Only the still-warm residue of the spirit stone remained on the disk.

The artifact landed steadily.

Gong Ning looked at the ship’s hull, scorched black by heat—she couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

“I’ll need to maintain this later.”

Lu Yunling stepped onto the land.

The abyss floor was shrouded in purple mist.

Within it grew spiritual herbs.

And lurking—terrifying beasts.

This place had only one entrance—trapping the beasts inside.

That’s why it was used for trials.

Even cultivators of high realm avoided the center.

This trial was for untested disciples—to familiarize them with battle.

Teamwork. Fighting beasts. Their first lessons.

Beast parts could be harvested.

Opportunities claimed.

Everywhere but the danger—was profit.

Other sects’ disciples landed too.

Some looked unwell—holding their heads, gasping, leaning on each other.

Gong Ning quickly said, “This purple mist has a mind-disorienting effect. Circulate spiritual energy to protect your heart.”

Lu Yunling didn’t need telling.

She immediately activated the Return Wind Guard Heart Formula, sealing her sense of smell.

Spiritual Resonance made her more perceptive—but also more vulnerable.

In unfamiliar territory, it was natural to band together.

Some sects had clearly planned ahead.

Xingjian Abbey with Punishment Sword Division.

Zangfeng Hall with Sword-Steering Hut.

Only three groups remained unallied.

Li Shuqin, elder of Yinjian Sect, looked left and right, then made her decision—walking toward Gong Ning.

Her sect’s attire was unlike any other—tight-fitting, pitch-black.

“Elder Gong Ning, I am Li Shuqin of Yinjian Sect.”

Gong Ning was briefly surprised.

Yinjian Sect choosing to ally with her?

Yinjian Sect was the most mysterious of Xuantian Sword Sect—rarely heard from, rarely interacted.

Like Xingjian Abbey, their goal was supplying disciples to Great Yan’s upper echelons.

But while Xingjian Abbey aimed for the Astronomy Platform—few ever entered—most returned to calculate omens, study geography, or become fortune-tellers.

Yinjian Sect trained assassins, shadow guards, death soldiers.

They didn’t accept ordinary families.

Nearly all disciples were sent by noble houses for training.

Gong Ning replied cautiously, “Elder Li, what brings you?”

“No need for pretense. I seek an alliance.

Tianjian Pavilion seeks the same thing as us.

They’re domineering—won’t share.”

Gong Ning nodded, pulling out a cloth from her System space, quickly writing.

“The terms.”

Li Shuqin scanned it, pressed her handprint—allying complete.

“Elder Gong Ning, we seek one thing—Hidden Wind Leaf.”

Hidden Wind Leaf was a key material for crafting stealth artifacts.

Only extreme environments could spawn it—impossible to cultivate normally.

But it was extremely hard to find—hidden in the wind, guarded by beasts.

Tianjian Pavilion excelled at beast combat—no issue.

But for Yinjian Sect? A severe disadvantage.

Gong Ning couldn’t help but marvel.

Heaven truly aids me.

“Elder Li, I have good news.

I can help you find the Hidden Wind Leaf before Tianjian Pavilion.”

Li Shuqin froze. “Truly?”

“I’ve been to Luoxia Abyss many times. I know this place intimately.”

Lu Yunling finally understood.

Her Master’s plan.

Hidden Wind Leaf grew more abundant toward the depths.

If they claimed it first, Tianjian Pavilion would be forced toward the center.

Where it was far more dangerous.

The Yunjin Mountains’ environment wasn’t natural.

This wind. This fire.

It all pointed to one existence.

This was a vast grave.

Buried here—the fallen remains of an ancient Phoenix.