Three months later, southern Chen Prefecture.

Guan Zhao Mansion, located near the border of Qi Country and Chu Country.

Outside the city, on a desolate hill, stood two groups of Cultivators. One group walked out from the city, while the other was about to enter.

All of them wore the Daoist robes of Cave Abyss Sect Disciples. A cold wind blew through the desolate mountains, making their robes flutter.

Among the group leaving the city, the leader cupped his hands in greeting: "Elder Yu, you’ve had a hard journey."

The Cultivator referred to as Elder Yu had a solemn expression, radiating an aura of authority without anger, with his hands clasped behind his back.

Upon hearing the other’s words, he nodded and said:

"Elder Yang and our fellow Disciples have been stationed here for half a year; you all are the ones who have truly endured hardships."

The two groups of Cultivators, though all Cave Abyss Sect Disciples, varied in gender, age, and whether they were Inner Sect Disciples or Outer Sect Disciples.

The few Cultivator Disciples leaving the city mostly had joyful expressions.

Those behind Elder Yu, however, had no mood for small talk. They were all silent, quietly listening to the two Elders reminisce and exchange pleasantries.

Among them was a Disciple with a refined appearance, wearing an Inner Sect Disciple Daoist robe, with a dark blue long case strapped to his back.

Unlike the surrounding Cultivators, who had downcast eyes and appeared dispirited, he maintained a calm expression, with a subtle sharpness in his eyes.

From the desolate hill, he gazed at Changping Prefecture City in the distance.

The young man was none other than Song Yan.

A few days ago, the Sect issued a conscription. As a newly advanced Late Stage Qi Refining Disciple, he naturally joined the ranks of Disciples assigned to Changping.

Although both leaders were Elders, it was clear that the Elder leading the group entering the city held a higher position.

The reason was simple.

This Elder Yu was Yu Tian, the Peak Master of Ling Quan Peak!

Before leaving the Sect, Song Yan had already inquired. Besides Elder Xu Ziqing, who would be permanently stationed in Changping until the mission period ended, the other Elders also rotated their guard duties.

This journey with him had somewhat changed his perception of the Peak Master’s role.

This Elder Yu Tian was not aloof and high-minded.

On the contrary, he was very pragmatic.

He would never let his Disciples do something he could do himself.

"Fellow Disciples, please take care."

That group of people returned to the Sect by Spirit Boat, while Yu Tian led his Disciples towards the city.

As they walked, he told them: "Changping is located on the border between two countries, where evil demons and heretics are rampant, and where demon Cultivators gather in the Corpse Bone Abyss."

"No matter how long you are stationed here, or what kind of tasks you perform, you must always be careful and cautious."

"Whether you complete your tasks well or not is another matter. It is truly not worth it if you lose your life due to carelessness."

"Yes, Elder."

"Yes, Elder."

The group quickly entered the city.

Greeting them were Xu Ziqing and several accompanying Cave Abyss Sect Disciples.

"Elder Yu."

Yu Tian nodded: "Ziqing, let’s talk inside. First, let these Disciples rest and make arrangements for them."

"Yes."

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Xu Ziqing gestured for several Disciples to welcome their fellow Disciples. He noticed Song Yan, wearing an Inner Sect Disciple Daoist robe, in the crowd and, slightly surprised, took a few extra glances.

Perhaps he found it a bit unexpected.

But soon, he accompanied Elder Yu Tian to the assembly hall.

"Fellow Disciples, you’ve had a long journey. Please follow me."

Everyone followed the Disciples, heading east.

Changping Prefecture City in the twilight, bathed in the setting sun, exuded a dark red, rusty atmosphere.

A vital border town.

The buildings were mostly constructed from an interweaving of unnamed black wood and sandstone.

Copper bells engraved with runes hung from the eaves, seemingly for warding off evil.

Occasionally, one could spot oddly shaped tile-made guardian beasts on the rooftops.

East of the prefecture city.

Yangwu Courtyard.

"Everyone, this is where we stationed Disciples will temporarily reside."

Song Yan looked up, the two characters "Yangwu" having been repainted many times over.

This was a large complex of old residences. According to the leading Disciple, Disciples from all Six Major Sects were stationed in this area.

Of course, the Sect Elders had their own separate courtyards.

He casually picked a room with an open view and pushed the door open.

The houses were all old, with cleanliness being their only advantage.

After spreading his Divine Sense to thoroughly inspect everything inside the room, ensuring no strange objects were left behind, Song Yan began to unpack his belongings.

He set up a very simple protective Formation by placing four Formation Beads at the four corners of the house.

Although this extremely simple Formation was not very effective, it could serve as a basic warning system.

After all, this was not like the courtyards in Linghua Valley of Bei Ya Mountain, which came with their own Formations.

To put it bluntly, this place was no different from an inn in the mortal world.

Moreover... due to the limited space, there was no room for Xiao He.

She was too lazy to even emerge from Song Yan’s sleeve.

As newcomers, they had no tasks assigned yet.

Song Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, cultivating.

A moment later.

He slowly opened his eyes, frowning.

"The Spiritual Qi here is even worse than I imagined."

Compared to the misty and ethereal spiritual aura of Cave Abyss Sect’s mountain gate, the Spiritual Qi here was not only thin and barren but also mixed with some turbid Qi.

The efficiency of refining Spiritual Qi was less than one-tenth of what it should be.

The engraved Spirit Gathering Formation patterns in the room were a pleasant surprise.

However, he still needed to provide Spirit Stones himself.

"..."

Thankfully, he had made thorough preparations this time; otherwise, coming here unprepared would have truly left him clueless.

He took a deep breath, adjusting his mood.

He was about to go out for a walk to familiarize himself with the surrounding area.

Just then, he heard a commotion outside the room.

Pushing the door open, he looked in the direction of the sound, only to see many Cultivators gathered in front of the eastern corridor.

His gaze sharpened, and he recognized many familiar faces.

Cheng Yu stood with his arms crossed, a hint of mockery on his face.

Opposite him was a female Disciple from Cave Abyss Sect with red-rimmed eyes, wearing a gray robe, clearly an Outer Sect Disciple.

Li Qingfeng still wore his usual cheerful expression.

But everyone could tell that the Fat Man was seething with anger right now.

"Senior Brother Cheng, this patrol mission has always been handled by Disciples from various Sects on a rotating basis..."

"Why is Junior Sister Cen suddenly required to patrol the periphery of Corpse Bone Abyss alone tomorrow night?"

Li Qingfeng stepped forward, half a pace, blocking the female Disciple. His usually amiable voice now carried a rare hint of coldness.

"Which Elder issued this mission? It seems against the rules and too dangerous."

Cheng Yu chuckled, not answering his question: "Junior Brother Li, your words are quite unreasonable."

"A few days ago, fellow Daoists discovered traces of demon Cultivators on the outskirts of Corpse Bone Abyss. Surely you’re not unaware of this, are you?"

"Increasing manpower is also for the sake of all fellow Daoists, so that everyone can safely get through this period."

"As for danger... the situation in Changping is extremely chaotic right now. Which mission isn’t dangerous?"

Cheng Yu spoke with righteous indignation.

"What?"

"Could it be that Cave Abyss Sect Disciples only know how to Cultivate and are afraid of bloodshed?"

Several Cultivators around him sneered.

Cheng Yu was about to say more, but his peripheral vision caught Song Yan slowly approaching from outside the crowd.

He frowned, then noticed the Inner Sect Disciple robe on him and narrowed his eyes.

He was not surprised by Song Yan’s arrival.

He seemed to have known it all along.