Otherworldly Desert Dust-Chapter 443 - 398: Spiritual Crane Totem

Lishan Sect’s group had also heard of Leng Shu, and they began to whisper among themselves.

"This Brother Leng, we truly don’t want any conflict with this young man, but he’s incredibly venomous with his words, dismissive, and utterly repugnant," said the Female Red Robe Master.

"Indeed, the Wind Chi was discovered by us together, yet he unreasonably charged at us intending to kill, exceedingly brutal."

After hearing their words, Leng Shu’s gaze fell upon Wu Hen, but since he was there to mediate, he naturally wouldn’t take sides deliberately. He then said to both parties, "Everyone is welcome to rest at our camp. We have some Spirit Fruits gathered that can relieve your hunger. I presume the food here is scarce and water is limited, which must have aggravated everyone’s temper. Having one more friend is far better than having one more enemy. Please, follow me, it’s just at the lake beside this pine forest."

"Brother Leng has such an open heart, we will respectfully comply," Wu Hen promptly said.

Seeing Wu Hen join so quickly, the people from Blade Sect realized it was an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with these heroes and also agreed willingly.

"That’s great. If you can set aside your prejudices, then you’re the brothers and sisters of our War Song Mountain Alliance. Should there be any grievances or dissatisfaction, please speak to me in a timely manner, and I will do my best to ensure everyone’s satisfaction. Please, follow me," Leng Shu said.

Wu Hen and Qingxi were the first to follow. Having someone mediate was a welcome arrangement, especially since Wu Hen had also had his fill of scolding.

The people from Blade Sect clearly gave face to Leng Shu and didn’t dare to bother Wu Hen much, but what might happen later remained uncertain. After all, everyone was on War Song Mountain during this period, and they probably thought about teaching Wu Hen a lesson; there were plenty of opportunities.

...

Accompanied by Leng Shu, everyone arrived at the edge of the Ancient Pine Forest, where there was a mountain meadow and a lake about three miles in length.

Near the lake, there were several temporarily constructed wooden camps, and in the center was a Totem Stone Tower built from piled stones, with golden-red flames continuously burning atop the tower, casting a warm glow over the entire makeshift camp.

There were many people in the camp, bustling about as if it were a station village on a mountain, creating a quite harmonious atmosphere, resembling a small Holy Sect, albeit with rather primitive architectural facilities.

However, that was to be expected. Those who could enter War Song Mountain were among the elite of the Holy Sect, and they were not skilled craftsmen, so constructing elegant Holy Clan palaces in this battlefield setting was impractical.

"Brother Leng is back."

"Did Brother Leng go and recruit new members again?"

"Brother Leng’s efficiency is unmatched. He has brought back so many sect members in just a short while."

Leng Shu was highly respected in this camp. As he entered the camp, many people gathered around, with some female members even offering freshly picked Spirit Fruits for this handsome and legendary figure to taste.

Leng Shu greeted each one and inquired about the situation in the camp.

"Brother Fang has successfully accomplished Soul Casting and has left War Song Mountain."

"We found traces of the Fierce God Worm to the west. The Totem is a rare item, but the brothers are hesitant to challenge it. We’ll wait for Brother Leng to make a decision."

"We’re also still discussing moving the camp higher up. Some brothers think higher ground is more dangerous, and their Cultivation might not be enough to handle an aggressive Totem."

Near the Fire Stone Tower, everyone sat down and reported the day’s findings.

As Leng Shu had mentioned earlier, the alliance was about shared information. Nothing discovered was kept secret. If fit for the task, someone would go challenge, with alliance brothers acting as protectors. Under mutual oversight, they ensured no one was harmed and that every alliance member’s interests were safeguarded.

"Let’s discuss matters once night falls. Let me introduce the new members who have joined our War Song Mountain Alliance. They are from the Lishan Sect..." Leng Shu said.

"I’m Cai Yanbin, the Great Protector of the Lishan Sect."

"Feng Lingzhen, Deputy Sect Leader of the Lishan Sect," the Red Robe Female Master stated.

Both were obviously chiefs of a branch of the Holy Sect, and those accompanying them were from their branch.

"Our Lishan Sect has made significant contributions to the Holy State, so we were awarded ten spots for our entire sect," said Red Robe Master Cai Yanbin.

These words naturally highlighted Lishan Sect’s distinction; however, having ten people move together in War Song Mountain indeed naturally provided them with an advantage, making it easy to bully other fellow sect members.

Initially, Lishan Sect’s group hadn’t planned to join others, but after arriving at this lakeside camp and discovering there were over two hundred people, and many still out gathering Totem information, they realized that their small rural band was no match for the War Song Mountain Alliance.

"Qingxi."

"Cai Ting."

The two introduced themselves, revealing which sect power they belonged to.

"Qingxi??" Upon hearing this name, Leng Shu specifically looked toward Qingxi, identifying her with care before expressing with some surprise, "It really is you, Senior Sister Qingxi."

"I thought Junior Brother Leng no longer recognized me," Qingxi said with a light smile, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

"How could I not? Senior Sister Qingxi, you were once considered a genius in the Holy State and were even named one of the Seven Heroes along with the Qilin Girl. Many years ago, I visited the Holy State and witnessed your grace. I was extremely envious back then... You must now be a leading figure in the Holy State, so why have you come to War Song Mountain? I remember you entered War Song Mountain five years ago," Leng Shu said as he looked at Qingxi, his face filled with surprise and astonishment.

Mentioning the past left Qingxi unsure of how to reply.

The members of the Blade Sect furrowed their brows, previously thinking the words Qingxi had spoken were just to scare them, not expecting this woman to indeed have some real strength and reputation in the Holy State.

"Brother Leng does not know, but Qingxi is the only one among the Seven Heroes who failed at Soul Casting, and after suffering a great loss of vitality, her cultivation regressed. She was sent to establish a minor sect on the soil of the Da Xuan in the Cang Chu Divine Realm..." At this moment, a woman from the crowd spoke.

"The path of cultivation always has various obstacles, and senior sister should not lose heart. Since you have entered War Song Mountain again, it means there is still a chance for you to reach the pinnacle, and now that we have formed this alliance, it is to ensure that everyone who enters here can successfully cast their souls," Leng Shu comforted.

These words eased Qingxi’s embarrassment, and she gave Leng Shu a grateful look.

"Actually, I too faced suppression from some of our sect members during my Soul Casting journey, and I was injured while challenging the Golden Dawn Totem on the Second Layer Mountain. Brother, this alliance you’ve formed is excellent. Since we are all from the same sect and here for Soul Casting, internal conflicts only bring more drawbacks. I believe no one wants to end like me, who was initially soaring high but fell due to malevolent competition among sect members, thereafter living in obscurity," Qingxi spoke.

"That’s true."

"Senior Sister Qingxi is right. There are not a few like Senior Sister who failed at Soul Casting. After their failure, years of external duties are required to produce contributions satisfying enough for the Holy Sect to grant another opportunity to come here. Everyone must cherish it!"

"Opportunities are rare; let’s all pull together," several other cultivators of notable skill said.

"Brother Leng, Brother Leng, we have discovered a Fog Crane on the eastern Purple Mist Mountain. This is a Purple Core Totem," a group flew over from another direction of the lake.

"Purple Core Totem?" The others became excited.

"I remember it should be Qiujiang Sect’s turn to cast souls, right?" Leng Shu asked.

"Yes, last time we let the Fang Family brothers have a Purple Core Totem, and after they succeeded in soul casting, they left War Song Mountain. It’s indeed our turn now. If it’s a Fog Crane Totem, it should suit my cultivation method well," a man from the Qiujiang Sect slowly stood up and said.

"In that case, let’s set out. Our alliance will trap the Fog Crane for you, and some of our brothers will help drive away nearby fierce beasts to give you a relatively safe environment to challenge this Purple Core Totem... Of course, according to the rules we previously established, you only get one chance. If the challenge fails, another person in line will take over," Leng Shu said.

"Don’t worry, I understand. We all have been here together for so many days," the man from the Qiujiang Sect said.

"Even if you fail, don’t lose heart. If we find a totem of a lower tier, we will prioritize you for soul casting to ensure everyone can leave with a Holy Soul," Leng Shu said.

"Alright, then let’s depart for the eastern Mist Mountain."

"For those who have just joined us, you might not understand how we conduct communal soul casting. I know you also have doubts. Why not come with us, and after you’ve seen the whole process, you will understand War Song Mountain Alliance’s philosophy," Leng Shu said with a smile.

Wu Hen and Qingxi both nodded, and the ten people from the Lishan Sect also agreed to observe.

...

About fifty people from the camp set out, all of them were in the Saint Child Realm of the Holy Sect. Even if they encountered some of War Song Mountain’s mountain monsters or fierce beasts along the way, there was no need to retreat; these creatures were surely scared away by their imposing presence.

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They smoothly reached the eastern Mist Mountain, where purple mist twirled around, and immortal mist floated. Atop a needle-like stone tower stood a Spiritual Crane, its feathers a dazzling purple-blue and its form as beautiful as a graceful Fairy, yet also resembling a rather miraculous sword.

The Spiritual Crane seemed aware of the approaching War Song Mountain Alliance crowd; its gaze was proud, seemingly unconcerned with the newcomers.

"Indeed, it is a Fog Crane Totem. If successfully soul cast, all the Sword Skill Sacred Formulas of the Holy Sect would leap qualitatively. Releasing Holy Breath would envelop it in Holy Fog, concealing shapes and allowing one to rush in flight as swiftly as the Spiritual Crane!" Yin Zhiyu from the War Song Mountain Alliance stated.

"Brother Zhou Zheng of the Qiujiang Sect, your fortune has arrived!"

"Yes, this Fog Crane is a premium totem! Ah"