C222 The Strong Wind Blew!

"Many have entered. Take care of yourselves."

Chen Qingyan made no move to stop them, standing with an air of confidence. "The Medicine Sect didn't extend an invitation to us. It's not quite right to show up uninvited. So, we'll just linger outside."

Inwardly, she berated Yu Yuan, her attitude just as nonchalant.

True to her words, she was indifferent to the fates of the Hu family or Lau Zaihe.

"Many people?"

Hu Yang was startled, his eyebrows arching in surprise. "Why are there so many? And what kind of people are they?"

Chen Qingyan gave a slight shake of her head. "Unclear."

Yu Yuan stepped aside, bowing slightly to signal that Hu Yue should proceed.

When Hu Yue turned to face him again, the warmth and smiles from the lakeside were gone, replaced by a clear look of scorn.

Acknowledging his gesture, Hu Yue confidently stepped forward and passed by him.

"Much appreciated."

Hu Hann, unconcerned about the dangers of Chilly Wind Valley, nodded in acknowledgment as he passed by Yu Yuan.

Yu Yuan offered a smile and a word of caution, "Stay safe."

Following the siblings, Hu Yang, the Hu family members, and their guest elders all made their way past Yu Yuan.

Lau Zaihe lingered, approaching Chen Qingyan last. "You're not joining us?"

Chen Qingyan offered a smile. "No, thank you."

"It's better to travel together for mutual support," Lau Zaihe pressed.

But Chen Qingyan's smile vanished as she shook her head once more.

Resigned, Lau Zaihe sighed silently, gave a respectful bow, and parted ways.

He joined the Hu family in their journey to the perilous Chilly Wind Valley within the Jade Peak range.

Long after the group had vanished from view, Yu Yuan remarked calmly, "The journey of cultivation is fraught with peril. One misstep could spell disaster."

Chen Qingyan agreed wholeheartedly. "On this path, anyone you encounter could harbor ill will, yet appear benevolent and well-meaning. They might be leading you to your demise, all while you remain blissfully unaware."

"Why do I get the feeling you're insulting someone?" Yu Yuan cast a sidelong glance at her.

"I'm merely reflecting," Chen Qingyan remarked.

"Unless something unexpected happens, I fear we may never again encounter the descendants of the Mighty Spirit King or those of the Hu family," Yu Yuan mused, without delving deeper. After a brief pause, he settled himself on the ground.

He silently retrieved several fragmented Spirit Stones and began to draw the Spiritual Energy from them, immersing himself in his cultivation.

Chen Qingyan refrained from practicing the Evil Body Refining Skill and the Soul Forging Technique, wary of revealing his extraordinary abilities to this formidable woman.

Having undergone the trials of the Soul Transformation Pool, he had advanced to the late stage of the Spirit Accumulating Stage.

His current focus was on breaking through to the Yellow Court within his lower dantian. Once this vital point opened, he could channel a continuous flow of Spiritual Energy, storing it in the lower dantian.

The Yellow Court Stage is a critical juncture among the lower three realms.

Advancement to the Yellow Court Stage enables one to amass Spiritual Qi, ready to be summoned at will for the execution of various sophisticated Spiritual Spells.

At the present Spirit Accumulating Stage, one's physical prowess is paramount, characterized by immense strength and a robust constitution.

Put simply, combat at this level is still reliant on sheer physical force.

Many human practitioners tend to overlook this stage, not prioritizing the rigorous refinement of their physical form. It is primarily those who practice Devil Spells and Demon Spells who linger at this stage for extended periods.

Yu Yuan, having honed his physique with the Evil Body Refining Skill and undergone a profound transformation in the Soul Transformation Pool, had achieved an extraordinary level of bodily strength.

Crossing this threshold and opening the lower dantian would signify a true entrance into the path of cultivation.

For cultivators from the Heavenly Source Continent and the Quietus Continent, reaching the Yellow Court Stage is a pivotal step, marking the true beginning of one's cultivation journey.

There's a saying: without entering the Yellow Court, one is not a true cultivator.

"Chi! Chi! Chi!"

Nine dazzling points of light, like miniature suns, coalesced into brilliant streams of Spiritual Qi, surging toward the Yellow Court in the lower dantian.

Meeting resistance as if striking an iron wall, the luminescent streams scattered, and Yu Yuan was thwarted once more in his efforts.

The Spirit Stones in his grasp crumbled into a fine, ash-brown dust, scattering across the ground.

"Knocking at the Yellow Court, knocking at the Yellow Court, but the Yellow Court won't budge."

Yu Yuan muttered under his breath, rousing from his meditative state. He took several deep breaths, regaining his composure and shaking off any sense of defeat.

Glancing around, he noticed Chen Qingyan's absence. A flicker of surprise crossed his mind as he considered that perhaps the girl had changed her plans, venturing alone into Chilly Wind Valley or some other place.

Yet, he harbored no sense of loss. Rising leisurely, he prepared to employ a secret technique, hoping to harness the Heavenly Soul to track the movements within the miasma cloud.

As he was about to proceed, a piercing shriek from the direction of Chilly Wind Valley rent the air, sharp as an icy arrow, seeming to penetrate the heart in a mere moment.

Despite the distance, a sharp pain struck Yu Yuan's chest, and his face took on a pallor.

Then, with the Heavenly Soul discreetly at work, he acutely sensed the presence of soul-shaken experts desperately trying to break free from Chilly Wind Valley.

Regrettably, it was as if they were crashing against an unseen barrier, each one rebounded forcefully.

He could even sense their terror and despair.

Amidst the chaos, he faintly heard Loong Tianxiao's cries for help, "Yu Yuan, save me! Escape..."

In his despair, the dragon-headed Loong Tianxiao seemed to have lapsed into incoherence within the valley.

The abrupt turmoil in Chilly Wind Valley initially left Yu Yuan bewildered.

Until...

Chen Qingyan appeared abruptly, swift as a streak of lightning. Panic shone in the beautiful eyes visible beneath her cyan veil. "Yu Yuan, it's the Chilly Wind! It has burst forth from some cavern within Chilly Wind Valley. And what's more bizarre, the peculiar formation that once vanished, shielding and sealing the valley, has spontaneously reformed!"

Hearing this, Yu Yuan's face turned grave.

He now grasped why the experts who had flooded into Chilly Wind Valley were so desperate to escape.

The onslaught of the chilly wind!

"It's the one behind this, unafraid of the chilly wind, perhaps even capable of commanding it!" A spark of realization hit him. Yu Yuan suddenly understood, "Of course, that's it. It couldn't have grown powerful enough to instill fear in so many experts over three hundred years."

"It, combined with the ominous chill of the valley and that formation..."

Yu Yuan's brow furrowed deeply as he gazed into the depths of Chilly Wind Valley, his heart torn with indecision.

"We should get out of here quickly and inform the Medicine Sect," Chen Qingyan suggested, the urge to retreat growing within him. "From a distance, I witnessed several deaths. The Hu family members who ventured into the valley are likely all dead. And those who haven't gone in are already desperately fleeing."

Anyone trapped in the valley by the formation was doomed.

Those who had not yet entered had a chance, however slight, if they fled swiftly.

"I'm heading into Chilly Wind Valley!"

Yu Yuan inhaled sharply, his pace quickening as he made a beeline for the valley. "There's no need to alert the Medicine Sect; they lack the means to quell the turmoil within Chilly Wind Valley. Better you hurry back to the Heavenly Source Continent, return to the Sword Sect, and continue your training with your master."

Chen Qingyan stood frozen, watching Yu Yuan's momentary hesitation give way to reckless determination as he plunged into the valley.

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