Zheng Yi's gaze fell back on the Inner Sect Token in his hand.
With a slight thought, he infused the aura of the Soul-Catching Banner and Spiritual Power from his body into the Inner Sect Disciple Token.
As expected, with a flicker of light, the white light emitted from the token transformed into a dot of red, revealing a peculiar arrow.
Without much hesitation, Zheng Yi followed the direction indicated by the red arrow and continued forward.
This time, the distance wasn't far. After walking a few hundred meters, Zheng Yi passed through the area covered in dense mist, and the scene before him suddenly became clear.
Looking up, Zheng Yi couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
On both sides were bottomless chasms!
Looking down, black mist roiled below, making it impossible to discern the state of the depths. The darkness was oppressive and eerie, stirring a sense of dread in the heart. Those afraid of heights might feel dizzy, their legs going weak.
Under his feet was a staircase about a meter wide, stretching upward into a mysterious valley shrouded in thick mist in the distance.
One must admit, the sects in the Cultivation Realm love to create mysteries. This applies to both the Demon Sect and the Righteous Sect.
However, Righteous Cultivation Sects exude more Immortal Qi, while Demon Dao Sects possess methods that are more mysterious and unfathomable.
Who would have thought that following the direction of the Inner Sect Disciple Token would lead to a path flanked by such chasms?
If one wasn't careful just now, they might have easily stepped into empty air and fallen into the abyss below.
Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators can't even manage short-distance flight. Falling off these cliffs, with their mortal flesh, would surely mean certain death.
Zheng Yi dared not gamble that a Demon Sect cultivator would be so kind-hearted as to save him at the last moment.
Moreover, as he stood looking down, Zheng Yi only felt the chasm below filled with roiling black mist that exuded a terrifying aura, making his soles cold as if something ominous had locked onto him.
That terrifying sensation was akin to the crushing pressure one feels when facing a fierce beast, hinting at immense danger to life.
The black mist roiled tumultuously, and Zheng Yi pulled his gaze back, unsure of what terrible things might be hidden beneath this chasm.
Even if a fall didn't kill him, it likely wouldn't lead to a good outcome.
First an Illusion Array, then the fog, and now a bottomless chasm — the methods of the Soul Catching Sect are indeed inscrutable.
Perhaps this is the style of the Demon Sect.
Outside the valley, two disciples dressed in Soul Catching Sect attire stood guard. Upon seeing Zheng Yi appear, they seemed to be conversing about something.
Zheng Yi adjusted his clothes, tying the White Jade Token that signified his status as an Inner Sect Disciple to his waist, and walked up.
The guardian disciple verified the token, gave him a peculiar look, but did not stop him, allowing Zheng Yi to enter the valley.
In an instant, all the mist gradually dispersed, revealing a scene of grandeur before him, entirely different from the eerie atmosphere earlier.
Before him lay a sprawling complex of buildings, with towering structures standing in the valley, and he could vaguely see figures moving among them.
Taking in the majestic valley, Zheng Yi took a deep breath and proceeded.
As he traversed the valley, Zheng Yi found there weren't many people around.
Even the Soul Catching Sect disciples he encountered were hurrying along, displaying an air of aloofness.
Zheng Yi then remembered that at this time, the Soul Catching Sect was embroiled in a sect war with the neighboring Hundred Beasts Sect over a Spirit Stone Vein.
Setting foot in the sect's headquarters for the first time, the expansive array of building complexes was entirely unfamiliar to Zheng Yi. He had no idea where this so-called Internal Affairs Hall was.
Nor did he know whom he should seek out for clarity.
Just then, a figure approached from not too far away.
Zheng Yi's eyes lit up upon noticing that the person's token was an Outer Sect Metal Token, and promptly made up his mind.
Without further ado, he stepped forward to block the man's path.
"Junior Brother, I have something to ask you."
"Dare I ask where the sect's Internal Affairs Hall is?!"
Liang Qing had just received a sect mission and was preparing to head out to the nearby market to make preparations.
He was nearing the late stage of the Qi Cultivation Third Layer, having diligently cultivated for years. Completing this mission would earn him a sect reward of a Qi Nourishing Pill.
If luck was in his favor, advancing further wasn't impossible.
However, as he was mentally strategizing the mission approach, someone unexpectedly blocked his way forward, nearly causing him to collide with the stranger in his haste.
Liang Qing's heart filled with anger as he looked up coldly to find a completely unfamiliar young man, plainly dressed and weather-beaten. He seemed like a traveler fresh off a long journey.
"A bumpkin from who knows where."
"A new sect servant..."
Liang Qing's eyes lifted, ready to unleash his anger, but he inadvertently noticed the Inner Sect Disciple Token hanging from Zheng Yi's waist.
In fact, Zheng Yi had purposely displayed this conspicuous Inner Sect Disciple's White Jade Token.
Suddenly, it felt as if cold water had been poured over him.
Liang Qing's expression changed, the anger in his heart vanishing instantly, and his face broke into a smile. He quickly bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Senior Brother!"
"The Internal Affairs Hall is in that direction."
He then pointed Zheng Yi in the right direction.
"Hmm?!"
Zheng Yi nodded and proceeded forward.
Behind him, Liang Qing's expression flickered for a moment before he finally gritted his teeth and respectfully called out.
"Senior Brother..."
"Is there something else?"
Hearing the voice behind him, Zheng Yi paused, turned around, and with a slight frown, spoke in a low, steady voice.
His recent experiences in the Doomsday World, slaying zombies and refining Fierce Ghosts, cultivated an intangible aura of coldness.
Particularly notable to cultivators skilled in the Qi Observation Skill, it was evident that an intangible aura of gloom clung to Zheng Yi.
This aura, a result of frequent dealings with ghosts, had crystallized naturally and wasn't something easily feigned.
Although subtle due to Zheng Yi's shallow cultivation, a closer inspection suggested an unseeable malevolent aura encircling him, as if numerous Resentful Spirits and Fierce Ghosts were howling around him.
This aura, combined with the invisible prestige of his status as an Inner Sect Disciple, provided considerable intimidation.
Hearing his low voice, Liang Qing's face turned pale, and he promptly responded with deference.
"Forgive me, Senior Brother, I'm just unfamiliar with your seniority — this must be your first visit to the mountain gate."
"Explain clearly..."
"What do you mean?"
Zheng Yi's expression darkened slightly as he gazed at him indifferently.