C229 The Aweinspiring Reputation!

Cultivators from the Primordial Yang Sect, Profound Sky Sect, and Sword Sect carried an inherent and deeply ingrained sense of superiority. The three elite sects of the Heavenly Source Continent prided themselves on being the orthodox path of cultivation, viewing the Demon Palace and Devil Palace as heretical.

Since the dawn of their cultivation journey, human cultivators have been the epitome of strength in the Boundless Land. The Nagas, in a bygone era, reigned supreme over this vast expanse. Alas, that age is long gone. The remaining Nagas now dwell mostly in the expansive sea between the three continents, scattered across various islands.

The woman in black from the Profound Sky Sect, upon revealing her identity, exuded contempt for all present. She showed no regard for Loong Tianxiao's status. Her intention was clear: to assert her affiliation with the Profound Sky Sect and demand obedience from all.

"So, we have a master from the Profound Sky Sect among us."

From a secluded corner of the valley, three Yin God Stage experts emerged. The leader, a towering figure with a yellow gourd in hand, spoke with reverence, "I hail from the Divine Might Empire, serving as the Grand Elder of the Thunder Temple."

Following him, a man and a woman paid their respects to the woman in black. "The Thunder Temple?" she asked with a hint of surprise, giving them a scrutinizing look before nodding. "If I'm not mistaken, the Thunder Temple's lineage is derived from the Thunder Sect, correct?"

Many clans and sects on the Profound Sky Continent maintained varying degrees of connection with the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents. Ancient legends tell that before these lands were discovered, all human cultivators originated from the Profound Sky Continent—the cradle of human cultivation and the ancestral home of mortals.

These cultivators, having mastered their craft and ascended to the Yin God and Soul Wandering Stages, sought further breakthroughs. They soared through the Boundless Land in search of regions with even more abundant and concentrated spiritual energy, leading to the discovery of the Heavenly Source Continent and the Quietus Continent.

Subsequently, the esteemed practitioners began migrating to the Heavenly Source Continent and the Quietus Continent in succession. Yet, the three continents have always maintained connections since time immemorial. Cultivators from the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents also needed to arrange for their Masters to select suitable children on the Profound Sky Continent to initiate into the path of cultivation. Once these children reached the Profound Break Stage, they would be guided over.

The Thunder Temple, within the Divine Might Empire, was a sect with an extraordinary heritage, well-known for its founder originating from the Thunder Sect. The Thunder Sect was one of the seven lower sects of the Heavenly Source Continent and had a particularly harmonious relationship with the Profound Sky Sect.

Thus, upon learning that the woman in black hailed from the Profound Sky Sect, the three cultivators from the Thunder Temple promptly disclosed their identities to extend their goodwill. "Honored Master, your discernment is keen. The thunder techniques we practice at the Thunder Temple indeed derive from the Thunder Sect," the leading elder quickly affirmed, adding, "Given your affiliation with the Profound Sky Sect, we three are eager to serve at your side and await your commands."

The woman in black smiled, her expression one of contentment. "We come from the Rainier Empire, members of the Yang Family, and we wish to accompany you on your journey!" "We hail from the Kingdom of Driliwyr, hoping to escape Chilly Wind Valley with your guidance!" "..."

Following her revelation, a sudden wave of individuals remaining in the valley stepped forward, volunteering their allegiance to her. Leveraging the renown of the Profound Sky Sect, she secured their loyalty without shedding a drop of blood.

Loong Tianxiao, having been subjected to her biting mockery, was on the verge of retaliation. However, the sight of the palace nestled among the clouds behind her rendered him speechless. "Profound Sky Sect..." he murmured internally, pondering the weight of those words, reflecting the heaviness of his own heart. In his lifetime, before his dragon form was destroyed, he too had a formidable reputation. The vast seas between the continents whispered his name, Loong Tianxiao, commanding reverence from the creatures of Hidden Dragon Lake, as well as from the dragons and sea beasts. Yet, his influence was confined to the maritime expanse between the lands.

At the height of his powers, he never dared venture to the Heavenly Source Continent to provoke the Profound Sky Sect.

Hence, Loong Tianxiao was filled with bitterness upon learning that the other party hailed from the Profound Sky Sect.

This was the Profound Sky Sect, not just any major family from the Silvermoon Empire or Rainier Empire that he had encountered in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. These were cultivators from the Profound Sky Continent.

They were clearly not to be equated with the Profound Sky Sect.

"Chi!"

In the depths of the valley, a fine line of blood traced Yu Yuan's brow.

A trickle of blood emerged, which he delicately dabbed away with his sleeve.

The bloodstain on his cuff prompted a peculiar smile from Yu Yuan, yet he remained silent.

The woman in black had declared him unworthy!

Having revealed her affiliation with the Profound Sky Sect, she had rebutted Loong Tianxiao. With the favor of the Thunder Temple trio and pledges of allegiance from many others, she was in high spirits and refrained from striking at Yu Yuan again.

Yu Yuan, after cleaning the blood from his forehead and standing beneath the array of caverns, simply gazed at her from a distance.

"Those willing to join me in the deep valley, come forth," the woman in black called out. "I will attempt to locate the cell where the Poisoners are held and explore the possibility of escaping through the underground."

She ventured further in.

The cultivators from the Thunder Temple, along with nearly a dozen others of varying levels, promptly followed her.

Loong Tianxiao remained stationary outside, his expression grim.

Kuan Xianyun, Jin Fann, and several others who either bore the look of ne'er-do-wells, hailed from the Quietus Continent, or were nefarious cultivators from various empires, watched the woman in black and her entourage with brooding eyes.

"Kid, did you just warn me not to court death?"

As the black-clad woman approached, her gaze landed once more on Yu Yuan, sharp as an arrow, suggesting that a wrong answer could cost him his life.

Yu Yuan looked up at the thick miasma clouds, tuning into their mood.

"I had no idea that Master was from the Profound Sky Sect of the Heavenly Source Continent; please accept my apologies for any offense," Yu Yuan said with a deep bow, his face breaking into a radiant smile. "I was concerned for your well-being amidst this toxic miasma. My eagerness to warn you may have come across poorly, and for that, I apologize."

He bowed in apology.

The woman clad in black paused, her piercing gaze softening considerably. With a dismissive wave of her hand, she said, "Ignorance is no crime. Let it be. You're Yu Yuan from the Silvermoon Empire, correct?"

Yu Yuan responded with a smile and a nod.

"You've got guts, and you've even mastered the Evil Body Refining Skill. You've got potential," the woman in black observed, her eyes narrowing. "Since the Evil Sect was wiped out, the Evil Body Refining Skill was believed to be lost. How did you come by it?"

Yu Yuan's eyes darted about, and he faltered, struggling to reply.

"The Evil Body Refining Skill is truly remarkable. You seem unfazed by toxins and miasma," the woman in black remarked with a tsk of admiration. She gestured towards the several tunnels Yu Yuan had navigated and proposed, "Since you're not bothered by poison, help me scout ahead. Go down and have a look. Rest assured, if you assist me well, I'll make sure you're handsomely rewarded!"

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