Volume 1, Chapter 7: The Perilous Journey Begins, Accompanied by Might

Lin Fan put away the scroll, took a deep breath, and said to Xia Jiang, "Let's go." Xia Jiang nodded and followed him silently.

The two walked quickly toward the sect plaza. Along the way, Lin Fan’s brows were tightly furrowed, his mind continuously pondering the contents of the scroll. He felt an inexplicable sense of unease; this mission seemed extraordinary, the mystery surrounding it like a thick fog that obscured the path ahead.

The plaza was teeming with people, the noisy chatter washing over Lin Fan like a tide. Looking around, he noticed the other disciples whispering to each other, their faces etched with tension and anxiety, which only deepened the mysterious atmosphere of the mission. Lin Fan keenly caught several unfriendly gazes. He followed them and, as expected, saw Qian Ning’s gloomy face. Qian Ning stood in the crowd, his eyes fixed on Lin Fan like blades, gleaming with malice.

Lin Fan felt a chill in his heart and clenched his fists. A tense atmosphere spread between the two, as if the surrounding air had frozen. Lin Fan met Qian Ning’s gaze without the slightest retreat. Qian Ning gave a cold snort, a sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth, as if foreshadowing something to come.

More and more people gathered in the plaza, and the clamor grew louder, yet Lin Fan felt an inexplicable pressure, like the calm before a storm. He took a deep breath, striving to remain calm while waiting for the mission to officially begin.

"Lin Fan!" A rough voice called out to him. Lin Fan turned to see a burly man walking toward him. It was Zhang Meng, an outer sect disciple. He grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "I didn't expect you to take this mission, too."

Lin Fan nodded slightly, but before he could speak, a crisp voice came from the other side. "It seems we meet again for this mission." Lin Fan looked over to see a woman in a pale blue dress approaching gracefully—it was Zhao Ling'er, an inner sect disciple. She wore a faint smile, her demeanor cool and elegant, much like a snow lotus on an icy peak.

Zhao Ling'er walked up to Lin Fan, bowed her head slightly, and said softly, "Lin Fan, long time no see." Lin Fan nodded in acknowledgment, though his heart was filled with even greater suspicion. What exactly was this mission that would bring them all together? He sensed that something was about to happen...

Just then, an elderly voice echoed from the center of the plaza: "This mission is exceptionally perilous..." The elder in charge of the mission, with hair and beard as white as snow, announced in a voice like a booming bell, "This mission requires you all to work together to succeed! Do you understand?" The crowd replied in unison, "We shall obey the elder's command!"

Qian Ning had intended to seize the opportunity to cause trouble for Lin Fan, but the elder's stern gaze swept across the crowd, forcing him to hold back for the time being. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, yet he forced a hypocritical smile onto his face. This abrupt change in expression bewildered the surrounding disciples.

Upon entering the mission site, the Nether Valley, a chilling aura rushed to meet them. The surrounding trees were withered and twisted, reaching toward the sky like ghostly claws. Suddenly, a foul stench filled the air, accompanied by a deafening roar. A pack of demonized beasts burst from the dense forest, their eyes glowing scarlet, fangs bared, as they lunged at the group.

"Watch out!" Zhang Meng roared, charging forward first. His giant axe whistled through the air, cleaving a demonized wild boar in two. Foul, black blood sprayed out, and the air was filled with a nauseating stench. Lin Fan pulled his long sword without hesitation, his movements nimble and his blade flashing as he engaged a demonized leopard. The leopard’s claws were sharp as knives; they tore through Lin Fan’s sleeve, leaving a bloody gash. The stinging pain stimulated his nerves.

Zhao Ling'er stood in the back, her hands forming seals as she chanted. A pale blue light radiated from her, forming a shield that enveloped the group. This sudden barrier took everyone by surprise, and they cast grateful looks toward her. The shield blocked the attacks of the demonized beasts, emitting dull thuds with every impact.

The battle grew increasingly fierce. The roars of the beasts, the clashing of weapons, and the shouts of the disciples wove together, echoing throughout the Nether Valley. Lin Fan felt an adrenaline surge; his long sword seemed to have a life of its own, each swing carrying lethal intent. His eyes were like torches, fixed intently on the enemy before him, not daring to relax for a moment.

Just then, a massive demonized wolf, radiating a chilling, murderous aura, lunged from the depths of the forest. It let out a sky-shaking roar and pounced directly at Lin Fan...

Lin Fan’s heart skipped a beat, and he thought, "This is bad!" The demonized wolf was incredibly fast, its claws carrying a foul wind as it lunged for his face. Lin Fan felt the world go dark as the thick, putrid stench hit him. He instinctively leaned back while swinging his sword to block. However, the wolf’s claws still raked across his chest, instantly tearing skin and flesh as blood sprayed out.

"Lin Fan!" Xia Jiang’s anxious cry pierced through the chaotic battlefield, trembling with fear. She tried to rush toward him, but she was pinned down by several demonized beasts and could not break free.

Lin Fan felt a sharp pain in his chest, a burning sensation that spread rapidly. Blood surged from the wound like a broken dam, instantly staining his tunic red. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, his grip on his sword tightening as his eyes grew even more determined.

"You beast!" Zhang Meng’s eyes were bloodshot, and his roar sounded like a thunderclap. His giant axe hummed, and a burst of violent spiritual energy erupted. He swept his axe horizontally, forcing back the surrounding beasts, and then charged toward the demonized wolf like a runaway chariot. Before the wolf could attack again, Zhang Meng’s axe, fueled by savage power, cleaved it in two. The foul blood and gore splattered everywhere, like a rain of blood.

The surrounding demonized beasts were intimidated by this astonishing display of power and retreated, whimpering. Zhang Meng stood tall with his axe, his chest heaving, looking like an angry guardian deity, awe-inspiring to all. He turned to look at Lin Fan with worry and concern. The other disciples also cast looks of admiration at Zhang Meng; they had never seen an outer sect disciple so powerful and dependable.

Lin Fan was pale, sweat streaming down his cheeks. He barely supported his body, clutching the wound on his chest with one hand, gasping for breath. He felt dizzy, as if all his strength had been drained, but he knew he could not fall. He took a deep breath, struggling to keep his wits about him.

Zhao Ling'er quickly arrived at Lin Fan’s side. With a look of concern, she gently tore his clothing to prepare to bandage the wound. Her fingertips were cool as they brushed against the wound on his chest. She took a white medicinal powder from her pouch and carefully sprinkled it over the injury.

A cooling sensation instantly dispelled the burning pain, and Lin Fan felt a wave of relief. He looked up at Zhao Ling'er to see her brows slightly knit, her expression focused and earnest as she tended to him, her eyes filled with worry. Lin Fan felt a warmth spread through his heart.

Nearby, Xia Jiang watched silently, her gaze shifting between Lin Fan and Zhao Ling'er, her expression complex. Her hands were tightly clenched, her nails digging into her palms. She, too, wanted to do something for Lin Fan.

Just as the group thought the crisis had been averted and began to relax, the ground suddenly started to tremble. A "rumbling" sound, like low thunder, echoed from the depths of the Nether Valley, chilling everyone to the bone. Their expressions changed, and they vigilantly looked toward the source of the tremors. They saw towering ancient trees, as if pushed by an invisible force, leaning and collapsing one after another with deafening roars. Dust filled the sky, blocking out the sun.

Then, an aura so powerful it was suffocating swept over them like a giant wave. Everyone’s face turned deathly pale; their hearts felt as if they were being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.

"What... what is this?" an outer sect disciple asked, his voice trembling with terror.

Just then, a massive figure slowly emerged from the dust. It was a giant demonized beast, its body as large as a small hill, covered in hard black scales. Its hideous head bore two curved horns, and its blood-red eyes, like two giant lanterns, radiated a terrifying, vicious light. With every step it took, the ground shook violently, as if the entire Nether Valley were trembling in fear.

It opened its gaping maw and let out a deafening roar, as if to tear the heavens and earth apart. The air instantly solidified, and a feeling of despair enveloped everyone’s hearts.

Zhang Meng gripped his giant axe, his expression grave; even his rugged face showed a rare trace of fear. Zhao Ling'er’s brows were tightly locked, the color drained from her fair face. Lin Fan clutched his chest wound, his face pale, yet his eyes remained firm.

"ROAR—"

The demonized giant beast roared as it charged toward them, and the very earth shook.