Whether it was his previous visit to Cave Abyss Sect or the trip to Jiran Valley, Wang Xi and Shen Huai had always been close.

Profound Origin Sect wanted him to die so casually; it was hard to guarantee that this person wasn’t involved.

Soon, the Elders had arranged important tasks for their newly arrived Disciples.

When it was Xu Ziqing’s turn, he slowly unrolled the scroll in his hand.

"Zhou Ye..."

"Assigned to Team C-1."

"Chen Chen..."

"Assigned to Team B-2."

"Song Yan..."

Hearing his name, Song Yan slightly raised his head, meeting Xu Ziqing’s gaze.

"Assigned to Team A-1."

Team A-1, permanent patrol.

Which meant, the most dangerous group of people.

Song Yan’s heart sank slightly.

In reality, the so-called "danger" wasn’t the worst part of this mission.

After all, more than half a year had passed since the Changping incident.

There weren’t many situations that required patrols to actually pursue Demonic Path Cultivators.

Moreover, with the Six Major Sects stationed here, as long as he was careful, there wouldn’t usually be any danger to his life.

The real reason most Six Major Sects Disciples were unwilling to join the permanent patrol was that the time required for the patrol duty far exceeded that of other positions.

To put it bluntly, the Six Major Sects Disciples who came here were all for steadily accumulating "merit points" in exchange for the spiritual items needed for their Cultivation.

The less effort required, the better.

In the eyes of many, a position like permanent patrol was the epitome of thankless hard work.

However, not everyone thought so... The morning meeting dispersed.

Team A-1 officially assembled.

He also saw his teammates.

The person in charge of leading the team was a Senior Brother from Sheyang Sect, at Level 9 Qi Refining Realm.

He stroked his chin, sizing up Song Yan: "Hmm... I heard Junior Brother Song is skilled in swordsmanship; joining our team will surely greatly increase our strength!"

"Let me introduce myself, I am Dai Rui, an Inner Sect Disciple of Sheyang Sect, and captain of Team A-1."

Dai Rui spoke very amiably, which dispelled some of the gloom.

At least the atmosphere was good.

"Song Yan, an Inner Sect Disciple of Cave Abyss Sect."

He also gave a simple self-introduction.

Soon, Dai Rui began discussing daily work with him, his tone full of ease, without any hint of dissatisfaction.

This is why it’s said that not everyone considers permanent patrol a bad thing.

Because, theoretically, only Disciples who are excellent in all aspects and relatively strong in combat would be assigned to Team A-1.

It can be said... for some Cultivators, this is a kind of... honor.

For example, Dai Rui in front of him, and a small number of other Cultivators in the team.

Surprisingly, among the team members, he saw Shen Huai.

Her expression was a bit unnatural.

He didn’t know if it was always like this, or if seeing Song Yan reminded her of the Jiran Valley incident.

He nodded slightly, considering it a greeting.

This person’s allegiance still needed to be determined.

It was currently uncertain whether this person was involved in Wang Xi’s actions against him and the others.

However, the Jiran Valley incident had a significant impact on Song Yan; to this day, he still harbored some hostility and wariness towards Profound Origin Sect Disciples.

"There are four permanent patrol teams in total. Our Team A-1 is responsible for three villages near Changping Prefecture City."

"Caoyuan Township."

"Cheng Family."

"Shiguping."

"Actually, our task isn’t heavy. We just need to patrol daily in small groups, and if there are no special circumstances, report back that we are safe."

"Of course, if there are any traces of evil demons or demon Cultivators, report it to me immediately."

Listening quietly to Dai Rui’s arrangements, Song Yan nodded, seizing an opening to ask: "Senior Brother Dai, the time for daily patrols..."

"Haha, don’t worry, Junior Brother Song." Dai Rui laughed heartily: "Although the permanent patrol position is indeed busy, time for daily basic Cultivation will still be reserved for everyone."

"Our patrol time will rotate with our comrades in Team A-2."

Song Yan felt a little relieved: "So that’s how it is."

Dai Rui led the team members out of the Prefecture City.

Since they were all Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, they didn’t walk slowly.

He walked and talked: "Among the three locations we are responsible for, Shiguping is special. It is near Corpse Bone Abyss and is the most dangerous."

"Since you’re new and unfamiliar with the area, you can follow me for the next few days to get acquainted."

"Okay, thank you, Senior Brother Dai."

"Hey, we’re all comrades, no need to be so polite."

...Outside Corpse Bone Abyss.

Wasteland.

An abandoned thatched cottage courtyard.

A "massive" demon figure stood beside a dilapidated stone table in the courtyard.

This figure was covered in thick fur, about ten feet tall, yet wore a coarse linen short shirt.

Its arms and the backs of its hands were covered in gray beast fur.

It was actually a second-tier shape-shifting ape demon!

At this moment, he was slowly pouring wine into a wine cup on the table.

In front of him stood six or seven people, mostly dressed in yellow robes.

"Brother Liu, look at those Cultivators from the Six Major Sects outside..."

The ape demon made a clucking sound: "Such a big show, even this old ape is a bit scared in his heart..."

"If you don’t give more benefits, this old ape will just have to lay low and retreat back into Corpse Bone Abyss."

The Cultivator referred to as Brother Liu was Liu Ciming.

He looked at the ape demon with a calm expression.

The ape demon didn’t push his luck, chuckling:

"Or honestly tell me, what exactly are you Yellow Springs Path hiding and concealing?"

"Heh heh."

Liu Ciming didn’t reply, simply placing a qiankun bag on the table.

"Old Brother Ape, to be honest with you, I also came here under my master’s orders."

"How could a small fry like me possibly know the reasons behind this..."

"This is what you in Corpse Bone Abyss want..."

"Hmph..."

The ape demon snorted coldly, picked up the wine cup, and took a sip.

Then, with a "smash," he threw it to the ground.

He snatched the qiankun bag, no longer showing a pleasant face.

"Get lost."

Liu Ciming still maintained his smiling demeanor, seemingly unfazed by the other party’s sudden change of attitude.

He cupped his hands in a salute and led his group of Cultivators out of the small courtyard.

"Hoo..."

A soft sigh escaped his lips, carefully controlled.

At this moment, Liu Ciming finally revealed a trace of irritation.

Mediating among numerous forces in Changping, he found it somewhat difficult to cope.

The most troublesome thing was... Hmm?

Unexpectedly, after only a few steps, he noticed two of his Disciples confronting two unfamiliar Cultivators not far away.

He frowned and casually asked the person next to him: "Where are those two from?"

The person beside him had already seen them, and upon Liu Ciming’s question, quickly replied.

"Senior Brother Liu, those two are Disciples of Seed Demon Path, under Hermit Xin Shan..."

"They said they were sent to assist us."

"That one is the Head Disciple, Lyu Qin, and the other one..."

"Is the Second Disciple, what was his name again... It was..."

"Sheng Nian."