The Valley of Death not only had fierce beasts but also abundant medicinal herbs, ores, and crystal cores. Every day, it attracted martial artists who weren’t afraid of death.

They definitely didn’t dare enter alone and would often recruit team members at the valley entrance. If they could survive and exit, they would share whatever they obtained equally.

Unfortunately, after entering, very few could ultimately survive to share the resources.

Even so, this couldn’t stop the martial artists’ enthusiasm. They would rush in like moths to a flame every time.

Wandering martial artists had no families or sects to protect them and could only rely on themselves. Going to the wilderness to earn resources was an extremely common phenomenon.

“Quite a lot of people here.”

Jun Changxiao stopped before the valley with his twenty-five disciples.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

A martial artist called out, “Are you taking disciples into the valley?”

Jun Changxiao said, “That’s right.”

The person said, “The Valley of Death is a forbidden area of Qingyang Commandery and extremely dangerous. Sect Leader Jun is only bringing this many people—I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it once inside.”

Jun Changxiao said, “It’s not about quantity, but quality.”

Quality?

Everyone shook their heads.

They knew that a minority like Li Qingyang from Tiegu Sect had decent strength.

As for the other disciples…

Entering would be going to their deaths, and they would even become burdens.

Jun Changxiao naturally wouldn’t explain, nor would he have his disciples display their strength for them to see. He said, “All disciples, listen to the order—follow this Seat into the valley!”

With that, he strode into the Valley of Death.

The twenty-five Tiegu Sect disciples, carrying their iron bones proudly, entered in an orderly manner under everyone’s gaze.

“Not a single Wushi, entering is just courting death!”

“Last year when Alliance Leader Qin brought disciples here for training, didn’t over ten still die after they came out?”

“Sect Leader Jun probably thinks that after defeating Haoqi Sect, he can swagger through Qingyang Commandery.”

“Still too young. Once he suffers a major loss, he’ll know his true capabilities.”

“I’m afraid they’ll be completely annihilated and never come out again.”

Everyone discussed in low voices, completely pessimistic about Tiegu Sect’s Valley of Death training expedition.

“With them opening the path ahead, we can follow behind and pick up scraps!”

“If the situation turns bad, we can also immediately withdraw!”

“Right, right!”

Many small teams decided this was a good opportunity and began moving to enter the Valley of Death.

In an instant, only a scattered dozen or so people remained at the valley entrance. They didn’t enter because they worried Tiegu Sect wouldn’t be able to withstand it, and then there wouldn’t even be a chance to retreat.

Those who dared to follow in were gambling; those who didn’t dare were playing it safe.

……

The entrance to the Valley of Death was a narrow passage resembling a canyon, shrouded in pale mist. Occasionally cold winds blew through, giving people an eerie feeling.

Jun Changxiao, who had walked in, raised his hand.

“Swoosh!”

“Swoosh!”

Xiao Zuiji and Li Yuhua walked forward.

Forming a triangle formation with the Sect Leader, they raised the Initial-Grade Sturdy Iron Shields before them.

The ten disciples with mid-grade spiritual roots stood on both sides of the formation and also raised their Sturdy Iron Shields.

The wandering martial artist teams following from behind saw the Tiegu Sect disciples advancing step by step holding shields, and all shook their heads.

The fierce beasts within the valley were incredibly cruel. Taking these kinds of iron shields couldn’t possibly block their charges—they would only get in the way when the time came.

“Awoooo—”

Suddenly, wolf howls came from above the canyon. Earth Flame Wolves with flames beneath their feet appeared one after another.

“Not good!”

“It’s an Earth Flame Wolf pack!”

“They shouldn’t be at the entrance!”

Many martial artists turned pale with shock and immediately retreated toward the back, even planning to withdraw from the cave entrance.

Whether they could actually withdraw, everyone felt uncertain.

Because over a hundred Earth Flame Wolves had gathered above. Once targeted, escape would definitely be difficult.

If they had known they would receive this treatment upon entering the valley, they wouldn’t have followed in even if beaten to death!

The small wandering martial artist teams were now filled with regret.

However, fortunately, after the Earth Flame Wolf pack appeared, their cold eyes all locked onto the Tiegu Sect group ahead.

With them attracting the aggro up front, our chances of withdrawing are great!

“Awoooo—”

The wolf howls came again. The hundred-plus Earth Flame Wolves seemed to receive a command and immediately charged down, dragging flames beneath their feet, fangs bared and snarling.

Jun Changxiao raised his hand, the corners of his mouth curved in a smile.

“Clang! Clang!”

Li Qingyang and the other inner sect disciples all summoned their Cold Edge Swords.

The outer sect disciples without weapons raised their shields, forming defenses on both sides.

“Awoooo!”

An Earth Flame Wolf comparable to a second-rank Wutu charged first.

But while its body was still in midair, a “bang” was heard as its head exploded, and its body crashed to the ground.

“Babies.”

Jun Changxiao put away the Desert Eagle and said, “It’s time to show real technique!”

“Swoosh!”

An Earth Flame Wolf’s sharp front claws gathered surging flames as it pounced toward him!

“Whoosh—”

Sword light flashed, and the head separated from the body.

Li Qingyang stood with sword before the Sect Leader, his gaze flashing cold and fierce.

“Squelch!”

Su Xiaomo charged out. Under flashing sword light, an Earth Flame Wolf was directly beheaded.

Previously when doing sect missions at Meridian Opening cultivation, he could only rely on positioning to evade. Now facing even stronger Earth Flame Wolves, he could easily kill them instantly.

This was the best proof of improved strength!

Tian Qi, Li Fei, and the others also began taking action. In the narrow passage, sword light flashed frequently.

“Squelch! Squelch!”

Earth Flame Wolves were slaughtered one after another, their blood spraying onto the stone walls, emanating a nauseating scent.

The martial artists who had been fleeing backward saw several Tiegu Sect disciples killing Earth Flame Wolves like cutting melons and vegetables, their facial expressions immediately freezing.

“Senior Brother, watch out!”

Just then, Li Yuhua charged forward with his shield raised and violently knocked away an Earth Flame Wolf that was ambushing Su Xiaomo from the side.

“Boom!”

The Earth Flame Wolf crashed into the stone wall, its four limbs twitching as it fell to the ground.

“Good heavens!”

“What kind of impact force is that, to directly knock an Earth Flame Wolf unconscious!”

Everyone cried out in shock.

“Boom!”

Another collision sound came.

They saw Xiao Zuiji charging with shield raised. Three Earth Flame Wolves were all knocked flying, dying on the spot from the impact!

Everyone’s eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets.

Just relying on an iron shield’s charge to create enough force to kill Earth Flame Wolves by collision—this was simply terrifying!

“He’s Xiao Zuiji!”

“No wonder he has such powerful strength—turns out he’s the Sect Competition champion!”

Everyone felt relieved.

However, when they witnessed Tiegu Sect disciples without weapons raising shields and charging head-on against attacking Earth Flame Wolves, repeatedly knocking them flying, they all thought in shock, “They’re all freaking monsters!”

“Look quickly, that female disciple seems very afraid!”

Someone noticed Ling Yuanxue. Although she held a shield, both her hands and legs were trembling.

Right!

Facing so many Earth Flame Wolves, this was a normal reaction!

“Awoooo!”

Just then, an Earth Flame Wolf jumped down, its target precisely Ling Yuanxue!

“She’s in trouble!”

“Without fellow sect members to help, this girl is definitely doomed!”

While everyone was speculating, Ling Yuanxue discovered an Earth Flame Wolf attacking her, closed her eyes, and charged forward with her shield raised.

“Ahhh!”

“Bang—”

Because Ling Yuanxue’s charging speed was very fast, at the same moment she struck the Earth Flame Wolf, she happened to pin it against the stone wall.

“Ahhhh!”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

With her eyes closed, she repeatedly smashed with the shield, quickly pounding the Earth Flame Wolf until its flesh was torn open.

The wandering martial artists behind stood there like wooden chickens, one after another.

This girl… was way too brutal!