sinovels Chapter 38 The Three Heroes of the Luo Family
Chapter 38 The Three Heroes of the Luo Family
The Qingshui River originates from the Shiwan Mountains in southern Xinjiang. As it flows north, it merges with the Zhuoshui River, and the sediment deposits form a valley known as the Qingzhuo Valley.
After leaving Shiyang Village, Xiao Ming traveled along the main road, and along the way he found another caravan to accompany him. Finally, a few days later, he arrived at a small village near Qingzhuo Valley.
The village was small, with fewer than a hundred people, most of whom were hunters. Xiao Ming looked around but didn't find anything unusual, so he found a stall and ordered a pot of tea.
"Shopkeeper, is this the Clear and Turbid Valley ahead?" Xiao Ming asked.
"Clear and Turbid Valley? You mean Misty Valley, sir?" the old shopkeeper said, turning around.
"Misty Valley?" Xiao Ming blinked, wondering if he had come to the wrong place.
"Actually, it's not wrong to call it Qingzhuo Valley, that's what the officials ordered, but the locals still prefer to call it Wuzhang Valley," the old shopkeeper explained.
Why is that?
"Sir, you may not know this, but when the Clear Water and the Muddy Water rivers meet, a mist rises from the river and covers the entire valley. The valley is covered with lush vegetation and never sees the sun, which breeds poisonous insects and miasma, which combine with the mist to form a miasma. Even local hunters dare not venture too far in; once they get lost, they can only pray to the immortals for rescue."
"Do you have legends of immortals here?" Xiao Ming asked casually.
"There are some legends of immortals, but I'm so old and I've never seen one. Every year, some people come here seeking immortality, but they all return empty-handed, some even perishing in this Misty Valley. If you're also here to seek immortality, please think carefully," the old shopkeeper kindly advised.
"Thank you for the reminder." Xiao Ming took out a piece of silver and placed it on the table before turning to leave.
Walking through the village, Xiao Ming suddenly quickened his pace and deliberately turned a corner to go around it. A young man emerged from the corner a moment later.
He was dressed in brocade robes and held a feather fan, looking every bit the young master.
"Why is this friend following me?" Xiao Ming stood on the rooftop, looking at the young man dressed like a playboy.
"I am Bai Changnian of the Qingzhuo Bai family. I greet this fellow Daoist." The young man immediately cupped his hands in greeting.
"Fellow Daoist, you haven't explained why you're following me?"
"This is a misunderstanding. I heard that you were inquiring about Qingzhuo Valley, so I followed you here, hoping to travel with you."
"Want to travel with me?" Xiao Ming hesitated.
"Fellow Daoist, this must be your first time here, so you may not know this. Qingzhuo Valley is where the clear and turbid waters converge, and it is full of spiritual energy, which is why it attracts so many cultivators. Over time, it has gradually evolved into a market, and even disciples from the upper sects often come here to purchase supplies."
However, places rich in spiritual energy are also favorite habitats for demonic beasts. Although the market managers regularly organize people to hunt and kill demonic beasts, they also leave some low-level demonic beasts untouched to avoid disturbance from mortals.
"Although most of them pose no threat to cultivators, there are always a few that slip through the net. I am weak and cherish my life, so I am unwilling to take risks easily. That's why I am waiting here to see if any fellow travelers are passing by so we can travel together." Bai Changnian smiled self-deprecatingly, then revealed his Qi Refining Level 3 cultivation.
"I see." Xiao Ming nodded, looking at Bai Changnian with suspicion.
"So, fellow Daoist, you know the way?"
If what he said is true, it won't be easy for him to enter the Clear and Turbid Valley alone. Getting lost would be a minor issue, but missing the ascent for the duel would be a much bigger loss.
"Of course. Although my Bai family can't be considered a local power in Qingzhuo Market, we do have some assets and do some small business. If you are willing to escort me for a while, I will be extremely grateful and will definitely repay you," Bai Changnian said, cupping his hands in greeting.
"Fellow Daoist Bai, you flatter me. My cultivation is also shallow, so I can hardly be called an escort. We are just traveling together to look after each other." Xiao Ming's tone softened.
"May I ask your name, fellow traveler?"
"Xiao Ming is just a rogue cultivator."
"What is your cultivation level?" Bai Changnian asked, then quickly added.
"Fellow Daoist, please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to find out anything. It's just that knowing each other's cultivation levels will make things easier when we enter the valley."
Xiao Ming didn't say anything, but secretly manipulated the token he had obtained earlier, pretending to fully release the spiritual energy fluctuations on his body.
"Fourth level of Qi Refining, Fellow Daoist Xiao, you are not old, but your strength is truly extraordinary. You are already a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator."
"Just lucky," Xiao Ming said casually.
"Then, Fellow Daoist Xiao, let's set off." Bai Changnian chuckled, saying nothing more, but simply making a gesture of invitation.
The two traveled together and entered the dense forest. The surrounding fog grew thicker and thicker, and the visibility was reduced to less than ten feet due to the dense foliage. In addition, there was the intermittent miasma, which explained why ordinary people dared not venture too far.
Bai Changnian, however, was very confident and always led the way. Gradually, the two went deeper and deeper into the area, and Bai Changnian's speed increased.
"Fellow Daoist Bai!" Xiao Ming called out, and Bai Changnian immediately darted out and quickly disappeared into the mist.
Xiao Ming hurriedly chased after him, but he could no longer see him.
"There was definitely a trap."
Xiao Ming looked around and turned to run back the way he came, but then he heard the laughter of several burly men.
"Haha, where are you planning to run off to, young man?"
"You're unlucky to have run into the three Luo brothers."
"Hmph, quickly hand over the storage bag, and we might spare your life."
Amidst laughter, three burly, bald men emerged and surrounded Xiao Ming.
"That pretty boy, well done, you really brought the guy here." Luo Da patted Bai Changnian on the shoulder and said with a hearty laugh.
"Fellow Daoist Bai, why are you doing this?" Xiao Ming's expression was icy.
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, I had no choice. If I hadn't done as they said, I'd probably be a corpse by now," Bai Changnian said timidly.
"Stop talking nonsense and hand over the storage bag now."
Luo Da sized up Xiao Ming and found that he was at the fourth level of Qi Refining. He was relieved. Luo Er was at the sixth level of Qi Refining, Luo San was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and Luo Da was at the fourth level of Qi Refining. They were more than capable of dealing with this little brat.
"If I hand over the storage bag to you, can you let me go?" Xiao Ming asked cautiously, clutching the storage bag.
The three men exchanged a glance and then laughed. "Of course, the three Luo brothers always keep their word. As long as you hand over the storage bag, we'll let you go."
"Since the three of you have made an oath against your inner demons, I'm afraid you might go back on your word," Xiao Ming said timidly.
He was just a boy, and his humble tone made him sound like he was about to cry from fright.
"Enough with the nonsense, hand over the stuff." The three were immediately annoyed. The oath of inner demons couldn't be made lightly, since they had no intention of leaving any survivors.
Luo San strode forward, about to snatch the storage bag from the terrified brat in front of him.
However, at this moment, Xiao Ming, who seemed to be retreating in panic, suddenly threw out a high-level talisman from his sleeve.
The firebird shrieked, and the high-level talisman was equivalent to a full-force attack from the late stage of Qi Refining. This big man was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining. Caught off guard by this sneak attack, he was instantly reduced to ashes.
"So easily defeated, yet you dare to rob us on the road." Xiao Ming laughed mockingly, his previous timid demeanor completely gone.