C15 Conflict in Death Valley

"Hello there! I'm Duan Dezhang. What happened here?" Duan Dezhang's gaze was fixed on the mechanical clone, finding it enigmatic.

Chu Xing watched them closely. Duan Dezhang had reached the Third Layer of Qi Training, exuding an aura of both calm and ferocity. The other three had achieved the First Layer.

"I'm Chu Xing," he said to Duan Dezhang. "We just had a run-in with a python and fought it off."

The other three stopped smiling as their leader spoke.

"It's too bad we missed it," Duan Dezhang said, still eyeing the mechanical clone. "We could have taken it down together."

"Yeah, it had tough skin. We've got to get going," Chu Xing replied, then turned and walked away with his clone.

After they left, the man with the pig-like face turned to Duan Dezhang. "Big brother, why didn't we take them on?"

Duan Dezhang surveyed the area thoughtfully. "The one in the hoodie is an enigma. He's strong."

The pig-headed man lamented, "That guy got lucky."

Once Chu Xing was a safe distance away, he breathed a sigh of relief. His spiritual energy was depleted, and a clash with Duan Dezhang's group could have been unpredictable.

"Sigh, with so few treasures and so many cultivators, robbery is becoming common. What's next?" Chu Xing pondered, frowning.

His off-road vehicle was beyond repair, and the mechanical clone couldn't manipulate plastic. Pulling out a motorcycle, Chu Xing continued his journey toward Death Valley.

On a motorcycle, navigating the mountain terrain was much quicker than by car, easily dodging animals and roadblocks. Chu Xing passed by two groups locked in battle and chose not to intervene, simply moving on. He also came across several human remains, picked clean by wildlife.

Five days later, Chu Xing reached the outskirts of Death Valley, also known as the Gate of Hell. Previously, many who entered faced numerous dangers, and it was a place few dared to venture. But now, a crowd had gathered at its threshold.

Chu Xing noticed a gathering of Shaolin monks, Wudang and Qingcheng Taoist priests, and other sects not too far away. They had claimed a spot for themselves. Groups were seated apart from each other, but one individual sitting alone stood out. Cloaked in black, the young man appeared to be in his twenties, meditating with his eyes shut.

"He's incredibly powerful. I can't even discern his level of cultivation," Chu Xing mused, inwardly astonished.

Suddenly, a piercing shout broke the silence. "I've finally found you. Hand over everything you have, or you'll regret it." Chu Xing looked up to see Wang Liang, Lee Zhi, and their entourage approaching him.

"What a nuisance," Chu Xing muttered under his breath.

"Watch out, he can wield a Flying Sword to protect me!" Wang Liang cowered behind his group, his right hand bandaged, a malevolent grin on his face.

The mention of the Flying Sword drew everyone's gaze to Chu Xing, including the man in black. Internally, Chu Xing berated Wang Liang; he had intended to keep his control over the sword as a secret weapon.

"Chu Xing, hand over the treasure. There's no escape for you," Lee Zhi bellowed, trying to intimidate him.

Chu Xing took a quick stock of Wang Liang's crew. They all possessed spiritual roots, and three were already at the Qi Training First Layer. He noticed Zhao Chunyang, whom he had spoken with earlier, simply standing by, observing the scene with a detached air.

"So, you're planning another robbery by sheer force of numbers?" Chu Xing confronted Wang Liang, drawing his broken sword, ready for a fight.

"Robbery? You're about to see who's the real thief here. Attack!" Wang Liang retorted, eyes bulging in defiance.

"Wait." A commanding voice cut through the tension. Chu Xing turned to see Lin Miaoke, whom he had encountered in the Qinling Mountains, approaching with a group. Trailing her were two familiar figures – the same Qi Training First Layer bodyguards who had assisted Lin Tianhe days before.

"Could she be Lin Tianhe's daughter?" Chu Xing pondered.

Chu Xing's hunch was spot on. After Lin Miaoke rendezvoused with her father, she ensured his safety before rushing to Death Valley with her team. Upon arrival, her bodyguards immediately recognized that Chu Xing was involved in the conflict—the very man who had saved her father's life.

"Lin Miaoke, what brings you here?" Wang Liang asked with a welcoming grin.

"Wang Liang, Chu Xing saved my father's life. Don't lay a finger on him," Miaoke implored, locking eyes with him.

"But he hurt me and took my things. See this bandage?" Wang Liang retorted, showing off his wrapped hand to Lin Miaoke in frustration.

"Can't you just let it go for now? Everyone's watching. We can all sit down and talk it through once this blows over," Lin Miaoke suggested.

"I'm not trying to disrespect you, but..." Wang Liang began, only to be interrupted by Zhao Chunyang's approach.

"Let it go, Wang Liang. Give Miaoke a break. Making a scene won't do us any favors," Zhao Chunyang chimed in, standing beside Lin Miaoke with a reassuring smile directed at Wang Liang.

Realizing he was outnumbered, Wang Liang conceded, "Fine, I'll let it slide for now." He then turned to Chu Xing with a stern look, "Chu Xing, this isn't over. We'll cross paths again," he huffed before departing with his entourage.

Lin Miaoke approached Chu Xing, her tall figure clad in a blue outdoor outfit, her features partially obscured by a large hat, lending her an air of beauty and mystery.

"Chu Xing, Lin Yu, I can't thank you enough for saving my dad," Lin Miaoke expressed earnestly, her voice tinged with emotion.

"Think nothing of it; it was the least I could do. And thank you for stepping in today. Without you, I'm not sure how I would have handled things," Chu Xing replied with gratitude.

"It's the least I could do. Be cautious around Wang Liang—his father holds a ministerial position. I'll do what I can to dissuade him from targeting you," Lin Miaoke advised, pausing briefly before adding, "Of course, I'll try my best to talk him down."

"That guy can be petty, but I'll have your back too. I'll help talk some sense into him," Zhao Chunyang added, joining the conversation with a friendly smile.

"Thank you," Chu Xing said, casting a glance at Zhao Chunyang that reflected his newfound insight into the man's character.

After exchanging a few words, Lin Miaoke and Zhao Chunyang departed. Watching their retreating figures, Chu Xing mused, "What exactly is Zhao Chunyang's background?"

Finding a vacant spot, Chu Xing pitched his tent and settled in.

As the excitement died down, the onlookers began to gossip.

"See that stunning woman? She's the princess of Tianhe Group, Lin Tianhe's daughter."

"She's the epitome of beauty and wealth—a dream goddess!"

"Forget it, buddy. The guy with her is the son of a minister from the capital."

"Still, it's worth dreaming about. Nowadays, it's all about proving your strength!"

...

Chu Xing thought to himself, "It's no surprise he's in Lin Miaoke's company." Soon after, the conversation shifted to Death Valley.

"What's happening in there?"

"Who knows? The animals seem to have lost their minds, charging at something fiercely."

"I'm planning to check it out in a few days."

...

As it turned out, an invisible barrier had formed in Death Valley, driving animals to frenziedly collide with it. Adventurers who had braved the valley reported numerous animal fatalities against this unseen wall, which seemed on the verge of becoming visible.

"Could this be a formation?" Chu Xing pondered. Elder Xu had explained that setting up such a formation was intricate, requiring inscribed platforms, array flags, and spirit stones for activation.

Formations were powerful and varied in type and scope. Once activated, they could function autonomously, drawing in spirit energy. The efficiency of this process depended on the surrounding concentration of spiritual power. Cultivation sects, family estates, and key mining sites all employed formations for protection and energy gathering.

Chu Xing then commenced his cultivation practice inside the tent. He engaged the Profound Heaven and Earth Technique, causing the Qi within his dantian to spin and channel spiritual energy through his body's meridians. This energy not only fortified his physical form but also flowed back into the vortex, which absorbed both the internal and external spiritual energy into his dantian. Part of this energy was assimilated by the vortex, while the remainder was drawn into a mysterious black sphere.

Chu Xing had advanced to the Qi Training Second Layer, where the spiritual energy within his vortex had grown more plentiful, swirling in an exceptionally beautiful dance. However, mastery over this energy would only come with reaching the Foundation Stage; for now, he was limited to executing basic techniques.

Upon ascending to the Qi Training Second Layer, Chu Xing's Spiritual Force expanded, adding another layer to his Spiritual Sea, albeit a minuscule one in comparison.

His mechanical clone was on the cusp of entering the Qi Training Second Layer, but the Earth's spiritual energy was somewhat lacking.

Two days swiftly passed, and the number of visitors to Death Valley swelled. Some settled into tents, others in their vehicles, while a few simply rested in the open air.

During these days, groups ventured inside, and those who returned spoke of a vast barrier network that had manifested.

That morning, a sudden, thunderous "boom" echoed, reminiscent of a mountain crumbling, leaving Chu Xing's ears buzzing.

"Quick, get inside, the barrier is opening!" someone cried out.

Emerging from his shelter, Chu Xing beheld a colossal peak rising from Death Valley, its summit shrouded in mist, its height a mystery. Gathering his gear, he and his clone made haste toward the interior.

Now, the valley was overtaken by the massive mountain, with the cries of animals cascading down its slopes. The crowd began their ascent.