Mó Sù led the group of four, along with nine black-robed guards, through the first barrier without delay. They ignored Tang Jian's burning glare and walked straight toward the second barrier. With one step forward, they crossed it, officially entering the Ming Valley.
As they passed through the rippling curtain of water, a new world opened before their eyes—one thick with demonic energy.
Black mountains, black trees, and even the ground was black.
Overhead, a dense canopy of dark clouds hung in the sky, shrouding the horizon in shadow. The only glimmers of light came from the black crystals scattered across the terrain, their sizes irregular and placement random. Dim, flickering lights shone from within, like stars trapped in stone.
The moment Jian Dan crossed the barrier, she immediately became alert, scanning the surroundings. Mó Sù and the black-robed guards wasted no time either, focusing on adapting to the intense demonic energy surging through their bodies.
Having gorged itself earlier, the spirit of Mó Yuè Zhǎn jolted to life the instant they entered. It slipped from Jian Dan's dantian and hovered protectively in front of her. This time, it stayed close and, following her mental command, deliberately slowed its intake of demonic energy to avoid disturbing the others during their adaptation.
Jian Dan felt the pressure ease. She stooped and picked up one of the black crystals, examining it closely. Inside the stone, the flickering specks were actually solidified demonic energy.
This meant these were demon crystals. Whether they could be absorbed was still uncertain.
The current environment wasn't entirely safe, so she didn't test them just yet. Instead, she gathered a few with the densest concentration of energy and stored them in her spatial ring.
"Mó Yuè, we're almost ready. How about you?"
Mó Qǐ was the first to finish adapting to the oppressive atmosphere. The others soon followed, withdrawing their cultivation and preparing to move forward.
Jian Dan called Mó Yuè Zhǎn to her side with a gesture and pointed to the black crystals on the ground.
"I suspect these formed due to the density of demonic energy here. Take some samples. Let the Peak Lord of the Armament Peak analyze them when we return."
The others glanced around and quickly spotted several scattered demon crystals of varying sizes. They picked up a few and stored them as instructed. Jian Dan then brought up another concern.
"Our divine sense is being suppressed here. I can only probe within a five-li radius. That puts us at serious risk."
Everyone extended their senses to confirm and found the same limitation.
"When we entered, Mo Xuan Zhēnzūn mentioned that the Nether Valley hasn't seen large-scale disturbances lately. Whatever lies ahead is still unknown."
Mó Sù added what Mo Chang Zūnzhě had told them earlier.
"Because of the heavy concentration of demonic energy, the Zhēnzūn cannot go further themselves, but they've remained near the barrier."
"Understood."
Jian Dan swept her gaze across the area and voiced a new proposal.
"Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, we all know plans rarely survive contact with reality. I think it's highly likely we'll encounter Ming Beasts, but probably not in this entry zone."
"You've got another idea again? Let's hear it," Mó Yì said, arms folded casually, though the nine black-robed guards had already taken formation in the nine-palace position, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
"This place is gourd-shaped. The narrow part near the exit should be where demonic energy is thinnest, at least relatively speaking. From the beasts' perspective, it's a weak zone."
"If they left their high-density region and charged toward the thinner edge, I don't think it's to breach the cultivation world. The spiritual and demonic qi are mixed there—it wouldn't be a comfortable environment for them. So I believe there's only one explanation."
"You're saying it's a warning," Mó Qǐ said, frowning as she caught onto Jian Dan's meaning.
"Yes. That's my guess. They intentionally drew the attention of Demon Sect cultivators. In that case, we're essentially reinforcements. If something happens in the Ming Valley, we're bound to investigate."
"And now here we are," Mó Sù nodded. He clearly agreed with her assessment.
"So what do you suggest?"
"Our current pace is too slow. We need to go deeper immediately. If we delay too long, I fear the beasts may launch a second wave."
"That's just your personal speculation."
Mó Qǐ, catching on to Jian Dan's intentions, stepped in to object.
"Senior Sister, don't dismiss it so quickly. You know why we're here. I'm not trying to be a hero, but I do understand what it means to follow the Heavenly Dao."
Everyone—including Mó Sù, Mó Yì, Mó Qǐ, and the nine guards—turned their attention to Jian Dan as she continued.
"I have Mó Yuè Zhǎn. This environment benefits it, and the demonic energy poses less danger to me than to others. I'll go ahead, push deeper into the valley, and wait at the middle of the gourd-neck area."
"I'll leave behind marks and warning signals as I go. The rest of you should absorb the energy as you move and use the time to strengthen your cultivation. We're short on time. By the midpoint, we'll definitely encounter Ming Beasts."
Mó Yuè Zhǎn fluttered around the group, then landed beside Jian Dan, clearly showing it could handle protecting its master.
For a moment, no one spoke. Threads of demonic energy continued to seep into their bodies. As Divine Transformation cultivators, their techniques automatically activated, drawing in and compressing the energy into their dantian.
The effect was most apparent for Mó Qǐ. As a full-fledged Peak Lord, her cultivation was already at late Divine Transformation. In an environment this rich, she might even break through to the Divine Soul stage.
"I'm just scouting ahead. I'm not leaving you behind. Don't make it sound like I've abandoned you," Jian Dan said with a bright smile. She cupped her fists in farewell and called out, "Mó Yuè Zhǎn!"
The blade immediately expanded in size and hovered in front of her. With a light tap of her toe, Jian Dan leapt up and landed gracefully on its surface.
No one tried to stop her. Jian Dan knew her plan had been accepted. Without hesitation, she said, "Go." At her word, Mó Yuè Zhǎn surged forward joyfully, soaring into the depths of the valley until its figure vanished.
"Well, Mó Yuè has gone ahead to scout. We shouldn't fall too far behind either. As your Senior Brothers and Sisters, we should keep up."
"From now on, let's move in relay formation, using our five-li divine sense range as a boundary. Strengthen your cultivation while we advance. I suspect once we reach the midpoint, there will be tough battles ahead."
Standing atop Mó Yuè Zhǎn, Jian Dan began communicating with the blade spirit through divine sense.
"Are you sure there are no Ming Beasts on this side?"
"Positive. They're likely on the far end. Right now, we both need to go all in. I need to recover if I'm going to help you. And your cultivation must keep up too, or you won't be able to control me properly."
Hearing the weapon spirit's smug tone, Jian Dan clenched her teeth. Just as she was about to respond, the spirit of the "Mò Xī" sword resting within her dantian also chimed in.
"Count me in. You cultivate both Dao and Demon paths. We need to rise together. That way, I benefit too."
Jian Dan rubbed her temples. "So this is what they'd been waiting for." She didn't bother arguing. Instead, she sat cross-legged atop Mó Yuè Zhǎn, releasing her full strength and activating the Heavenly Demon Art.
Demonic energy from all directions rushed toward her, forming a thick black cloud that completely enveloped Jian Dan and the floating blade below.