That night, everyone ended up thoroughly drunk, even Lei Xiuyuan was barely holding himself up, resting his chin on his hand. Li Fei had long since fallen asleep on his shoulder, while Chang Yue was unconscious from intoxication, nestled in Bai Li Gelin’s arms. Ji Tongzhou stared blankly at the wine cup in his hand, Ye Ye was drunkenly joking with Gelin, who was so dizzy he mistook Lei Xiuyuan for one of his male disciples, laughing as he clung to his arm.
Lei Xiuyuan gently extracted his arm and asked in a low, tired voice, “Have you heard any news about Zhen Yunzi in these five years?”
This matter had been weighing on his mind, but with Ji Tongzhou present, he couldn’t speak plainly. Now that Ji Tongzhou was finally drunk, along with the others, Ye Ye even started giggling, “Haven’t… haven’t heard anything…”
Ji Tongzhou suddenly startled, slurring, “Senior Zhen Yun? What about him? His cultivation has regressed to the point where he can no longer serve as a Xuanmen Elder, so he’s been traveling and clearing his mind, right?”
Traveling and clearing his mind? Lei Xiuyuan fell into deep thought.
They once believed that leaving the academy’s protection would expose them to all sorts of storms, but surprisingly, the five years in the sect were even more peaceful than at the academy. This was partly due to the near-closed cultivation of new disciples in immortal sects, leaving Zhen Yunzi no opening to exploit. But the complete lack of activity was unlike his style. Back then, he had patiently schemed from the academy to Qingqiu. How could he now be merely traveling and clearing his mind?
But Lei Xiuyuan was too drunk to ponder this further. Seeing everyone sprawled across the table and chairs, with Li Fei nestled comfortably on his shoulder, he finally gave in to exhaustion, leaning back in his chair and slowly drifting off to sleep.
Three days passed in a blur, with more and more disciples from the Mountain and Sea sects gathering in the city. Apart from a few young disciples in their teens like Li Fei and her companions, most were in their twenties or thirties, no longer impulsive youths. The Mountain and Sea disciples got along surprisingly well, sometimes even seen drinking and chatting together in taverns. The atmosphere was harmonious, not at all like the confrontation between Mountain and Sea sects that the Guangsheng Society disciples had mentioned.
At noon on the fourth day, after lingering for three days, the Mountain and Sea disciples were finally led by their respective Elders, somewhat reluctantly leaving the city. After flying for over an hour, everyone landed on a vast, uninhabited silver-white beach. The sea before them was incredibly calm, but within the clear blue waters, black mist could be seen—the disciples immediately recognized it as the power of a magical barrier. Could the so-called trial grounds be in the sea?!
Lei Xiuyuan surveyed the surroundings. The Mountain sect stood on one side, the Sea sect on the other, each with about a hundred disciples. For cultivation sects as numerous as the stars, sending only two hundred disciples for this initial contact showed how cautious both sides were being.
At this moment, whether from the Mountain or Sea sect, everyone was whispering and speculating about what the trial grounds might be like. Even for the Sea sect disciples, a new trial ground in the sea was quite unusual, and even the Guangsheng Society members looked surprised.
Suddenly, a gust of wind was heard overhead, and in the blink of an eye, three immortals with white hair and youthful faces descended before the crowd. The many Elders from both Mountain and Sea sects immediately stepped forward to bow in greeting. Sharp-eyed Li Fei had already spotted that one of the immortals was the long-absent Master Zuoqiu, and she became instantly excited.
Dongyang Zhenren smiled and said, “Master Zuoqiu, what do you think of the hundred disciples from the Mountain sect? As you suggested, we’ve selected the most outstanding disciples who have broken through the second bottleneck.”
Master Shen from the East Sea Myriad Immortals Society also smiled and said, “Indeed, our hundred Sea sect disciples are also the most exceptional, chosen through rigorous selection!”
Master Zuoqiu returned their greetings and said warmly, “This is excellent. Thank you all for your efforts. I’m deeply grateful for everyone’s assistance.”
Guangwei Zhenren smiled and said, “Master Zuoqiu’s foresight is admirable. Since you’ve taken the initiative to connect us, how could we not oblige? This visit to the East Sea has indeed broadened our horizons, allowing our Mountain sect disciples to experience the grandeur of the Sea sect, rather than remaining like frogs in a well.”
Several Sea sect Elders hurriedly exchanged pleasantries. Seeing the Elders chatting amiably, Li Fei tugged on Lei Xiuyuan’s sleeve and whispered, “Look, even Master Zuoqiu is here. It can’t be about pitting us against the Sea sect.”
Lei Xiuyuan pondered for a moment: “If they want us to interact and gauge each other’s abilities without offending, then it’s likely we’ll enter the trial grounds together and form teams freely.”
“What’s your brain made of?” Li Fei reached up and patted his head. “You’ve figured it all out. Let me see what’s inside that head of yours.”
Lei Xiuyuan wanted to laugh but held back, patting her head in return and whispering, “At least it’s not filled with water like yours.”
Li Fei immediately tried to crack her knuckles, intending to make the threatening sound she used to make as a child. However, having not made this street ruffian gesture for years, her joints didn’t cooperate, and no sound came out.
Lei Xiuyuan couldn’t hold back anymore and chuckled, “Silly.”
Li Fei was still busy trying to crack her fingers, unable to make a sound. It seemed she had forgotten most of her once-sharp close combat skills. How had she become weaker as she grew older?
Lei Xiuyuan gripped her hand tightly, and her heart suddenly fluttered. Just then, Dongyang Zhenren’s voice rang out: “Mountain sect disciples, listen well! You’re about to enter the new trial grounds in the East Sea. Everything there will be entirely different from what you’re familiar with; don’t judge it by common sense. This trial will be held jointly by the Mountain and Sea sects—a grand event for both. You must be rigorous and not take it lightly!”
The disciples erupted into chatter once again. After lingering here for three days and seeing the Mountain and Sea disciples gather, even the slowest among them could guess the true nature of this trial. Was this the beginning of interactions between the Mountain and Sea sects?
“This trial ground is filled with demons and dangers. There are thirty Demon Cinnabar Fruits within. Upon exiting, each team must collect at least three fruits. Those who fail to collect three will be considered to have failed the trial. Only demons can pick the Demon Cinnabar Fruits; don’t think you can obtain them through human effort alone.”
As soon as Dongyang Zhenren finished speaking, the Mountain sect disciples erupted into chaos again. Thirty Demon Cinnabar Fruits, with each team needing to collect at least three, and two hundred disciples in total—it was impossible to form groups of more than twenty people. This meant they not only had to deal with demons and beasts but also be wary of other participants! And what were these “Demon Cinnabar Fruits” that only demons could pick? How were they supposed to get demons to pick the fruits for them? Wasn’t it only the Sea sect disciples who could control demons?
As the Mountain sect disciples buzzed with excitement, Master Shen from the Sea sect spoke up: “For this trial, obtaining three fruits per team will be considered a pass. However, if a team consists only of Sea sect disciples, it will also be considered a failure.”
The Sea sect disciples immediately began to clamor. A team with only Sea sect disciples would fail? Did this mean they had to team up with Mountain sect disciples? Their cultivation methods were so different; how could they possibly work together?!
“Silence!” Master Shen suddenly roared, startling the Sea sect disciples into quietness. The leader of the East Sea Myriad Immortals Society was known for his stern demeanor, famous throughout the Sea sect. Even disciples from other sects were somewhat afraid of him.
“This is the East Sea, and you are the hosts! Our guests have traveled thousands of miles to be here. As good men and women of the East Sea, you should act like proper hosts! If you only care about winning and losing, only thinking of yourselves, even if you win, you’re useless! Do I need to remind you how we in the East Sea should treat our guests?!”
His words immediately stirred up the Sea sect disciples, and their responses rang out loudly.
With all necessary matters explained the Mountain sect Elders stepped back. Master Zuoqiu smiled and said, “Master Shen, I’ll trouble you to send the two hundred disciples into the trial grounds.”
Master Shen nodded: “Of course. Listen carefully, this trial will last for one month. Until the last day, no one can let their guard down. Hold on tightly to any Demon Cinnabar Fruits you obtain! Snatching is allowed!”
For the Sea sect disciples, fighting and competing during trials seemed to be a common occurrence, and everyone remained calm. However, the Mountain sect disciples couldn’t help but feel anxious. No wonder the Elders had been so concerned before departure—Mountain sect disciples were skilled in slaying demons and evil spirits but not in fighting against humans. They could only hope that in this joint trial between the two sects, they wouldn’t drag down their Sea sect counterparts.
Master Shen suddenly waved his long sleeve, and the previously calm sea water suddenly rose several zhang high. Black mist swirled within the azure water wall, writhing and twisting. As everyone felt a chill in their hearts, they were suddenly pushed violently, involuntarily flying towards the water wall. Li Fei’s hand was tightly gripped by Lei Xiuyuan, his grip so strong that it caused her intense pain. The enormous pulling force tugged at them, and she felt as if her arm might be torn off.
In the next moment, everything blurred, and cold seawater flooded their noses and mouths. Li Fei immediately choked on several mouthfuls of salty water. All she could see were varying shades of blue. Although it was her first time seeing this, she felt an incredibly familiar sensation in her heart. Those azure, deep, and vast colors seemed to have been imprinted in the deepest recesses of her mind since birth.
After an unknown period, the engulfing seawater suddenly disappeared. Li Fei found herself in complete darkness, unable to see anything. It felt as if she was falling into an abyss, her body plummeting downwards. Her left hand was still tightly held by Lei Xiuyuan, which brought her a sudden sense of security. Following this, a layer of Floating Charm Fire appeared around Lei Xiuyuan, its bright light immediately illuminating their surroundings. White clouds condensed beneath their feet, immediately slowing their descent.
They seemed to be in a long, narrow, pitch-black cave. The cave walls were dark and lightless, appearing to be frequently submerged in seawater. There were countless holes in the walls, making them feel pitted and uneven to the touch, yet slippery.
Lei Xiuyuan looked up and saw only a thin line of white light above—that’s where they had fallen from. Looking down, about ten zhang below their feet was churning black-grey seawater, and near the water, there was another cave opening in the wall.
“Let’s go through the lower opening first.”
Lei Xiuyuan pulled Li Fei towards that cave, flying for about half a cup of tea’s time before suddenly emerging into a vast open space. Above them, at an extremely high point, deep blue seawater hung like a sky, yet not a single drop fell. Outside the cave was an underwater open area, with coral reefs taller than a person and seaweed covering the ground. The fine white sand was soft and smooth.
Without Lei Xiuyuan’s layer of Floating Charm Fire, they wouldn’t have been able to see anything beyond three steps. This place must have been very deep underwater, pitch-black, and deathly silent. Li Fei immediately set up two Bronze Wall techniques and also manifested a layer of Floating Charm Fire around herself.
She tightly gripped Lei Xiuyuan’s sleeve, unconsciously leaning closer to him—this dark and silent underwater world was far from a pleasant place. Moreover, most of them were seeing the sea for the first time, let alone being underwater. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread.
“You’re going to tear my sleeve,” Lei Xiuyuan said softly.
He was playing tricks at a time like this! Wasn’t he the one who had been holding onto her so tightly earlier? Li Fei glared at him fiercely. Lei Xiuyuan held back a smile and extended his hand: “Here, take this instead.”
Li Fei’s heart skipped a beat again. Was he offering his hand for her to hold? She suddenly felt joyful, but that joy was tinged with hesitation. He could treat her with utmost kindness in countless ways, yet he was stingy with words of affirmation. She feared diving in headfirst, but the joy in her heart couldn’t be denied.
She involuntarily reached out, with both anticipation and a hint of fear, grasping one of his fingers.
The next moment, his hand closed around hers, enveloping her entire hand in his warm palm.
Li Fei felt an overwhelming joy, but she was also apprehensive about something. She could only avert her gaze, looking towards the deep, impenetrable darkness in the distance. It was as if Lei Xiuyuan’s heart was hidden there.
She couldn’t see clearly into his heart.