Chapter 206: Autumn Rain and Flying Snow
Chapter 206: Autumn Rain and Flying Snow
Luo Feng Spirit Master was a prominent figure in Lou Ri City. Whenever major events required Lou Ri City’s involvement, Luo Feng took charge, earning him considerable fame across the Tianyang Empire.
Luo Feng appeared to be in his forties, his demeanor as free as the wind. His handsome face bore a mesmerizing smile, radiating warmth.
Each branch of the Western Fallen Nine Ridges sent senior disciples of high cultivation levels to lead and protect their juniors during the journey.
Fallen God Ridge had the smallest number of people—only Wan Fang, Cheng Lingyu, Mu Hua, and another disciple named Tian Feng.
Feixing Ridge, Xuanmoon Ridge, Lou Ri Ridge, Mingmo Ridge, and Xingyun Ridge contributed the most disciples, each sending over ten juniors accompanied by two or three senior disciples.
The total group numbered one hundred and twenty, with Luo Feng at the helm.
“Depart!”
At Luo Feng’s command, a flying spirit artifact materialized into a massive flying ship, its surface shimmering with multicolored light and emitting powerful energy waves.
The hundred disciples soared onto the vessel, which felt spacious enough to hold a thousand people.
With a sharp whistle, the ship shot toward Xitian Gate, gliding smoothly without the slightest tremor.
Outside Lou Ri City lay two portals: Rising Moon Gate and Xitian Gate. Ordinary flying magical artifacts struggled to traverse the area due to spatial constraints.
However, a dedicated route existed from Xitian Gate to Lou Ri City, reserved for honored guests.
Luo Feng now took this path, the ship soaring past Xitian Gate into unrestricted space.
Cheng Lingyu stood aboard, watching landscapes blur past, startled by the ship’s speed.
He owned the Cloud Boat, a lower-tier flying spirit artifact with decent speed and stability, but it paled against Lou Ri City’s vessel.
Mu Hua eyed their fellow disciples and muttered, “There’s a pretty junior sister here. We should find a chance to chat her up.”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled. “Lou Ri City has more men than women. Unless you knew her beforehand, there’s no opportunity.”
Mu Hua shrugged. “That girl from Feixing Ridge looks nice. Pity they’re our rivals.”
Cheng Lingyu glanced toward Feixing Ridge’s group, spotting Ye Xinyi. She had reached the mid-to-late phase of the Soul Martial Seventh Realm’s Spirit Communication stage, progressing swiftly.
“She’s the daughter of Xuanhuo Sect, one of Yunyang City’s top powers. They once schemed to kill me, but my Senior Sister slaughtered nearly half their experts. Though we’ve never clashed directly, you can guess our relationship.”
Mu Hua grinned. “She probably wants you dead.”
Cheng Lingyu replied calmly, “She can’t kill me now.”
His gaze shifted to another familiar face—Nie Jiaolong from Xuanmoon Ridge, unexpected among the participants.
Nie Jiaolong was encircled by protective senior brothers from her branch, blocking outsiders.
Onboard, disciples from the nine ridges kept apart, wary despite shared allegiance to Lou Ri City.
Mu Hua sighed, scanning other female disciples. Most were pretty but couldn’t rival Ye Xinyi or Nie Jiaolong.
Cheng Lingyu’s attention settled on Lou Ri Ridge’s three experts besides Luo Feng. One stood out—a silver-haired man.
Clad entirely in snowy white, his silver hair and flawlessly handsome features sparked envy. He stood serenely beside Luo Feng, gazing ahead like a painting’s golden child, his aura magnetic.
Wan Fang’s voice cut in. “That’s Mu Bai, the city lord’s disciple. He’s renowned in Lou Ri City.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned and said, “Elder Brother Mu Bai is quite frightening and hard to see through.”
Wan Fang’s expression turned complex as he whispered, “Don’t underestimate him. Stay alert around him.”
This time, the Western Fallen Nine Ridges dispatched experts to escort disciples to the ancient ruin. Mu Bai’s status stood out, as Lou Ri Ridge also had two accompanying experts in their forties.
Feixing Ridge sent two older-generation experts. Though they shared the same rank as newer disciples, their age and cultivation level far surpassed the rest.
Xuanmoon Ridge arrived with three experts, including a veiled woman who puzzled Cheng Lingyu.
“Wan Fang, who is she? Why the veil?”
Wan Fang chuckled. “Her status in Xuanmoon Ridge is unusual. She’s likely here for leisure, not protection.”
Two male elder brothers stood near the veiled woman, handling guard duties.
“If you know her, why not tell me her name?”
“She’s called Feixue. Avoid prying—she hates gossip.”
Cheng Lingyu studied Feixue. Her veil, though sheer, obscured her features completely.
Slender and graceful, Feixue radiated icy detachment. Her face remained hidden.
Yunjir Ridge had only one accompanying expert, matching Fallen God Ridge’s count.
Youxing and Anmoon Ridges each sent two, while Mingmo Ridge brought three.
Notably, the second veiled figure aboard the ship hailed from Mingmo Ridge.
Since men rarely wore veils, this one was also a woman.
Cheng Lingyu stared at her, confusion flickering across his handsome face.
Clad entirely in snowy white, she should have seemed pure. Instead, an air of melancholy clung to her.
Her lithe figure and elegant poise hinted at beauty, even with her face concealed—a certainty Cheng Lingyu felt instinctively.
Xingyun Ridge’s two experts were middle-aged elder brothers.
Three figures drew particular attention: Mu Bai of Lou Ri Ridge, effortlessly poised; Feixue of Xuanmoon Ridge, enigmatic in status; and Mingmo Ridge’s pale-clad woman, still unnamed.
“Elder Brother, what about her…?”
Wan Fang sighed. “Her name is Qiu Yu.” He offered nothing more.
Cheng Lingyu murmured, “Qiu Yu, Feixue… poetic names.”
Wan Fang shook his head, ending the conversation.
Mu Hua cut in, “Wan Fang, where are we headed?”
“The Blood Moon Wasteland, northwest of the empire.”
Mu Hua gasped, drawing Cheng Lingyu’s attention.
“What’s wrong, Elder Brother Mu?”
“That wasteland’s infamous! No one goes there willingly.”
Cheng Lingyu turned to Wan Fang. “Is it true?”
Wan Fang nodded. “The ruin lies on its outskirts, not the deadly heart. We’ll manage.”
“How long till we arrive?”
“By afternoon.”
The flying ship streaked skyward like a glittering dragon.
Lou Ri City disciples whispered among themselves, divisions between ridges stark.
At noon, Luo Feng Spirit Master addressed them: “Set aside grudges in the ruin. Its dangers demand unity. We can’t enter—survival depends on cooperation. Choose wisely: live together or perish alone.”
Cheng Lingyu pondered—was this Lou Ri City’s harsh lesson in solidarity? One misstep could doom them all.
The ship entered the Blood Moon Wasteland at midday. Barren and lifeless, its cracked earth stretched endlessly. Legends spoke of blood-red moons staining its nights crimson.
Skirting the wasteland’s edge, the ship circled cautiously before reaching the ruin’s northern perimeter. Crowds already swarmed below.
“So many people!” Mu Hua vibrated with excitement.
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes gleamed as they landed. Forces from the Three Saints and Four Peerless waited alongside smaller factions—all drawn to the ancient site.
Lou Ri City’s arrival rippled through the masses.
“Look! Their flying ship!”
Elders recognized the vessel mid-air, though Lou Ri City seldom ventured beyond its borders.