"That's right, the Tian Yuan Sect and the Ba Dao Sect have already encountered them. Currently, our Chi Jian Sect has not had a direct confrontation." Song Mingqin explained to Yan Yuzhu.
"It's also strange, why didn't the Di Sha Hall arrange for anyone to attack your Chi Jian Sect?"
Qu Fei turned back to look at Song Mingqin, suddenly feeling a bit odd.
"Perhaps they are short-handed?" Song Mingqin said, "The Black and White Twin Fiends, Bull-Horse Head Tota, Meng Po, and Lu Pan can only deal with four sects. Another sect is naturally left unoccupied."
"The way you put it, it seems to make sense," Qu Fei said.
"Yuzhu, there are no Di Sha Hall members around here. Quickly take your Guang Ming Palace people and rendezvous with our other three sects." Song Mingqin said, "We had a confrontation with the Black and White Twin Fiends and the Bull-Horse Head Tota earlier. They eventually escaped by blood遁. For now, even if the Di Sha Hall members come again, you still have us two old men."
"Yes!" Yan Yuzhu turned back and called to the elders and disciples of Guang Ming Palace behind her, "Guang Ming Palace disciples, heed my command, advance forward."
"Yes!" The disciples of Guang Ming Palace shouted in unison, and under the leadership of Song Mingqin and Qu Fei, they proceeded to the valley and rendezvoused with the other three sects.
"Sect Leader Yuzhu! Your Guang Ming Palace has finally arrived. We couldn't contact you or the Sect Leader of Lei Ting Valley here. We thought you had met with misfortune," Chu Tai said with a laugh.
"We encountered some unexpected circumstances on the way, which caused a delay," Yan Yuzhu briefly recounted the encounter of Guang Ming Palace.
"What exactly does this Di Sha Hall want to do? The sects that came to this ancient cultivation relic are not just us five," Ying Yao frowned, completely baffled by what the Di Sha Hall was trying to achieve.
"Senior Song, how much do you know about the sects in the northwest?" Ye Bufan asked quietly from the side.
Song Mingqin pondered for a moment and said, "The cultivation sects and families in the northwest are a bit more complex than those from the east."
In the cultivation world, there were also some individuals with wicked intentions. They were mostly entrenched in the northwest, causing trouble and wreaking havoc, collectively known as the demonic cultists.
Among them, the Di Sha Hall was the leader, followed by the Fei Xie Sect, You Ming Hall, and Luo Sha Valley.
On the righteous path, there were sects like Tian Yi Men, Tian Xing Yuan, Ni Hong Mountain Villa, and Jin Can Palace. However, the demonic cults' influence was slightly greater, and the righteous path was constantly at a disadvantage.
Ye Bufan pondered for a moment and said to Song Mingqin, "Senior Song, I was wondering if there's a possibility that these demonic cults have joined forces to prevent us from entering the ancient cultivation relic. This way, more of their members can enter, and they can obtain more."
"Kid, your guess is not without merit," Qu Fei said. "As you can see, several of our sects have lost quite a few disciples. It's very likely that they are also depleting our combat strength. This way, even if they enter the ancient ruins, their chances of victory will be higher."
"It seems a tough battle awaits," Ye Bufan took a deep breath, his anticipation of meeting the legendary Living Yama growing even stronger.
"Alright, now we are just waiting for Lei Ting Valley. I wonder how they are doing," Ying Yao said. "If there are no problems, we'll cross the valley and head directly to our destination to wait for the people from Lei Ting Valley."
The people from the other sects had no objections, so the vast group set off into the valley.
Song Mingqin and Qu Fei were positioned at the front and back of the team respectively. Song Mingqin and Ye Bufan were responsible for clearing the path, while Qu Fei and Yan Yuzhu of Guang Ming Palace were responsible for the rear guard.
Upon entering the valley, Ye Bufan felt a chill wash over him, causing him to shiver involuntarily.
From the outside, there was a natural chasm across the valley, through which one should be able to see the sky. However, after entering the valley, Ye Bufan found that they seemed to have entered another space.
After walking about a hundred meters and exiting the valley, a forest appeared, followed by a wide, flat area covered with tents. As Ye Bufan and his group emerged, people outside the tents immediately picked up their weapons and looked at Ye Bufan with vigilance.
"It's the Fei Xie Sect," Song Mingqin said, recognizing their scorpion-tail-like hairstyles. He identified them as members of the Fei Xie Sect at a glance.
"There are people behind them too!" Ye Bufan looked back. On the ridge of the valley behind them, people were standing.
"That should be people from Tian Xing Yuan," Song Mingqin said.
The people from Tian Xing Yuan had constructed simple suspended tents using trees on the valley ridge. This way, they could be aware of any disturbances at any time, and if the Fei Xie Sect intended to do anything detrimental to them, they could react as quickly as possible.
As the Ba Dao Sect, Tian Yuan Sect, and Guang Ming Palace members fully entered, figures also appeared in the forest.
"Ye Bufan," Song Mingqin called out to Ye Bufan, pointing to a large wheel emitting a blue halo behind the trees. "That should be the entrance to the ancient cultivation relic."
Ye Bufan followed Song Mingqin's gaze and coincidentally saw five figures flying out from within the wheel.
"Hmm?" As those figures appeared, the energy of the Dragon Emperor Token within Ye Bufan immediately fluctuated.
These five figures landed on the trees. One of them was clad in black armor and exuded a strong aura of malevolence. As Ye Bufan's gaze fell upon him, the person also turned his head and looked in the direction of the valley.
"Hmm? Why is the Dragon Emperor Token fluctuating? Could it be that some of these newcomers are carrying a Dragon Emperor Token?" Living Yama's thoughts stirred, and he turned his gaze to the other four people.
"In three days, this restriction will disappear. I believe it is time for us to decide who enters first and who enters later," said an elder with white hair and a white beard, exuding an air of immortal grace.
"That's obvious. You righteous path people are more numerous, so naturally, you go first," said a hawk-nosed man standing beside Living Yama.
"Hmph! You think too highly of yourselves. Who doesn't know that this ancient relic changes by the hour? The danger is highest for the first ones to enter. Why don't you say that your demonic cult members are generally stronger, so if they get trapped, the casualty rate will be lower?"
Living Yama narrowed his eyes and looked at the elder, saying, "Old man, I respect your age, so I won't stoop to your level. If that's how you see it, then there's no point in us talking further. From now on, everyone should do what they need to do, and we shouldn't interfere with each other."
"Hmph! You're playing a clever game. How many of our people have been lost? How many have you lost? Moreover, we just obtained the map left by the vanguard, and you snatched it away. You're taking all the advantages!"