Chapter 174: Eternal Red (4)

Chapter 174: Eternal Red (4)

Although Elder Qin said that they should continue flying in this direction for an hour or so, it takes them nearly another four hours of flight to detect the first signs of the Heavenly Sword Villa.

Their speed is influenced, mostly, by the approaching storm front and the heavy winds. Lan Xiaohui is not sharing her perceptions with me, but I can detect the fluctuations in atmospheric pressure to deduce that this is no simple, small, or passing storm. I am certain that in front of her, all Lan Xiaohui sees is a wall of dark clouds that rises dozens of kilometers high. It wouldnt be strange if it was raining or snowing so heavily that it was very difficult to see the ground, or very far into the distance.

With all these things in mind, it is no surprise that they travel so slowly, especially considering that this terrain is unfamiliar to them, that they were warned not to land and, by implication, not to get close to the ground, on top of poor visibility and likely searching for a small target.

After all, the Heavenly Sword Villa is a secluded, or hidden clan. If it was so easy to spot, wouldnt everyone already know about it?

However, what they notice at that moment is not some strange architecture, or a small courtyard, but rather, a very simple valley. I see the image of it, as if Lan Xiaohui has intentionally decided to show me, for that brief moment, what she sees. I didnt even consider the possibility that Lan Xiaohui might be able to do something like this.

This valley does not look extraordinary in any way. It is slightly pinched on all sides by sheer cliffs, but a cultivator would likely not consider it to be worthwhile for exploration, especially considering the caliber of demonic beasts in this area.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

That is also exactly why it stands out. Now that Wu Yulan and Lan Xiaohui know that a secret sect exists here, naturally, it is the most inconspicuous place that stands out the most.

As they carefully descend toward the valley, and the arches of stones bridging the canyon-like structure, I notice several places where there are signs of civilization. Old, overgrown, and broken statues sit on one side of the mountain, built into its face with small pathways cleared out that lead to caves inside the mountain. On the other side of the mountain, in the distance, I detect the same paths.

As they approach closer, their direction becomes less random and more certain.

Look, theres an old stone courtyard over there. Do you see it? Lan Xiaohui asks and points out to Wu Yulan.

Mm, I see it. It looks abandoned, Wu Yulan says, squinting into the distance.

This might be it. What do you think? Lan Xiaohui asks.

Wu Yulan nods and points into the distance. That arch there has writing on it. I see the character Secluded but the other one is too weathered to be legible.

Lan Xiaohui peers into the distance that Wu Yulan points out and then also nods. It is probably Sword. This is certainly it.

To sword cultivators, such a thing is enough for them to drop their guards and, like moths attracted to the flame, walk forward.

Even I find it fascinating to the point that I disregard paying attention to my surroundings and instead focus more on the sword qi itself. But even so, it is not that I am completely blind to my surroundings, it is just that I do not sense the threat at all until it is too late.

From behind Lan Xiaohui, a sword appears on her shoulder, edge pressed into her neck. When the sword appears, the two of them stop and they do not make a single move, not even to look at the owner of the sword.

I see her clearly now, even though I did not see her approach or where she came from. It is a strange experience when I look upon her.

She has black hair and blue eyes. She seems young, perhaps even younger than Lan Xiaohui by a year or two yet her cultivation is at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm. However, I do not sense her aura at all, which is also why I failed to notice her.

Her cultivation is so deep, and yet I do not sense any spiritual pressure from her. This is so unusual. Even Lady Yue had some spiritual pressure. On the other hand, the force I feel from her blade is enough to make me wonder if I, with my body made of steel and profound cultivation, would be able to withstand even one strike.

Even merely looking at her sword, leisurely resting on my owners shoulder, feels like a burning needle inside my processors.

Intentions? the figure asks in a monotone manner. Just one word.

Lan Xiaohui swallows. Esteemed senior, we have been sent by Lady Feixue to look for the Heavenly Sword Villa. We would not dare to intrude upon you otherwise, my owner explains.

Not your senior, the figure says, sparing on words and syntax.

Lan Xiaohui, however, trembles at the words and their meaning. Not your senior. In other words, younger than you.

There is a moment of silence before Lan Xiaohui speaks again. Lady Feixue gave me something and said that you would recognize it. It is in my hand. May I be allowed to show it to you?

When the figure says nothing for a while, Lan Xiaohui takes this to mean approval and slowly opens her hand, revealing the small jade sword.

A moment later, the sword leaves Lan Xiaohuis shoulder. The figure appears in front of them and begins slowly pacing deeper into the structure.

Follow, the figure says.