Chen Fan and the man in the blue robe walked side by side through the canyon.
Crippled Monkey and a few others fell in behind, while the dozens of attendants from the Gongyang Clan dismounted and trailed at the end of the procession.
"..."
Zhou Mo casually sized up the Gongyang Clan's caravan, only to find himself somewhat awestruck. As expected of a clan from Riversouth—even with only their eyes exposed to the air, these attendants exuded a detached air, as if they had weathered countless battles.
A bunch of old hands.
Their cultivation was likely not low. That armor looked hefty, nothing ordinary people could wear for long journeys.
...
Down the canyon, they arrived at the abyss pit.
The blue-clad man glanced around and couldn't help but inwardly marvel at the location. Surrounded by natural barriers on all sides, as long as they held the canyon, this would be an impenetrable place. There was also, however, an obvious drawback—if the canyon were sealed, there'd be no way to escape.
"What are those..."
He paused slightly, noticing a few peculiarly shaped pits in a cliff. They resembled a starfish, like the outline of a human.
"Oh, you mean those."
Chen Fan followed the blue-robed man's gaze and said casually, "The rainy season wasteland wasn't peaceful. An Eerie King intruded the other day, and the fight got a bit intense."
"The Eerie King was tough."
"He got smashed into the cliff, causing those pits."
"We've been busy lately and haven't repaired them yet. Please excuse the mess, Senior."
"..."
The blue-robed man's heart churned like a turbulent river. After a long moment, the corner of his mouth twitched, and he wore a bitter smile. "Sect Leader Chen, please don't flatter me. I really don't deserve to be called 'Senior.' Just call me... Qi Yue."
"It's all the same."
Chen Fan chuckled affably. "Come, Senior Qi, this way."
The previous day, he had built a few huts in the abyss pit, naming the area the "Reception Zone," specifically to entertain guests of higher status. Cave No. 1 held too many secrets and wasn't suitable to show to outsiders.
He planned to build a city for trade outside the canyon once the sect had taken shape.
"Everyone, you first."
From behind, Crippled Monkey was lost in thought.
He clearly remembered that the Young Master had specifically instructed not to fill up those human-shaped pits yesterday...
...
Inside a carriage in the procession, a young girl in a white dress lifted the curtain and peeked out. She glanced timidly at Chen Fan before scurrying over to Qi Yue. Grabbing the hem of Qi Yue's robe, her eyes sparkled.
"So your name is Qi Yue."
"You never told me your name. I'm Gongyang Yue. Our names match well, don't they?"
Shortly after,
A middle-aged man in hemp clothes, who had been walking alongside the carriage, quickened his pace to approach Chen Fan. He made a fist and palm salute and spoke hoarsely, "I am Gongyang Yiyue, the First Elder of the Gongyang Clan. Greetings, Sect Leader Chen."
"Gongyang Yue is the Patriarch's only child, spoiled since childhood. I apologize for any impropriety on her part. I hope Sect Leader Chen won't take offense."
"It's fine."
Chen Fan stood at the entrance of a hut for reception. After sweeping a glance over the group, he cheerfully waved his hand, signaling everyone to enter.
Just then—
Gongyang Yiyue, about to speak further, abruptly stiffened as if sensing something. He stared at a woman busy deep within a cave, a flicker of shock passing through his eyes.
As a Night Watcher, he was keenly sensitive to the presence of his own kind.
This unassuming woman was a Night Watcher, too!
And...
She had activated at least two or three times. Though she appeared to be seventeen or eighteen, she likely had only one activation left.
Though shocked to the depths, he remained calm-looking. This made the Fan Sect more dangerous in his eyes. A force with a Night Watcher and one without were nothing alike.
...
Inside the hut,
Chen Fan sat on a wooden chair, personally making tea for Qi Yue and the others, with a bitter smile. "These days, the Fan Sect has been stranded here during the rainy season. The rain only stopped yesterday. We're still recovering and haven't yet established trade with the outside world, so we don't have much to offer as proper hospitality."
"I hope you'll forgive us."
"Actually—"
"We planned to rest for a day and head to Rivernorth City tomorrow."
"You must have passed through Rivernorth City on your way here. How is the city faring?"
"Almost unscathed."
Qi Yue sat on the chair, his back ramrod straight, seemingly no longer the Rivernorth Old Demon he usually was. "There weren't many people in mourning in the city. The city walls had suffered some damage, but it didn't look too severe."
In the first half of his life, he roamed around alone with his sword.
He never feared authority.
Nor did he fear the powerful.
Even in the presence of the Gongyang Patriarch, he had never shown such deference. No matter how strong others were, it's none of his business. Why should he bow his head? But around Chen Fan, he subconsciously felt somewhat inadequate.
Largely because he had talked big in front of Chen Fan just a month ago, yet now the tables had turned. He felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, eager to leave this place ASAP.
"That's good."
Chen Fan let out a soft sigh of relief. There were some people he had targeted in Rivernorth City. Better not let them die so easily. He asked again, "Senior Qi, is there anything else you need to take care of on this trip?"
As soon as the words left his lips,
Before Qi Yue could respond,
Chen Fan shook his head helplessly and chuckled. "I recall Mount Nameless is at the northernmost end of the Rivernorth wasteland, right? Why is it so lively today? There are more people at the canyon entrance, holding a banner with an Alchemy Furnace. I wonder which force that is."
"It's the King of Medicine Valley," Qi Yue blurted out without thinking, surprised that the King of Medicine Valley had also come.
"Would you all like to come along?"
"Why not?"
...
"..."
At the canyon entrance, the King of Medicine Valley group came to a slow halt. The banner planted there marked the Sect's territory.
Barging in would be tantamount to declaring war.
But the problem was...
"Anyone here?"
A man with delicate, almost feminine features jumped down from a carriage. Scratching his head, he looked around in confusion. "Isn't there even a guard here?"
"Anyway, it's a force capable of slaying an Eerie King. They can't be this shabby, are they?"
Just then—
A series of hoofbeats came from within the canyon. Soon, Chen Fan riding a Skeleton Horse, accompanied by a group of people, rode up and stopped before them and stated, "I am Chen Fan, Sect Leader of the Fan Sect. You must be distinguished guests from the King of Medicine Valley. My apologies for not welcoming you sooner."
It seemed that the Sect Leader was personally welcoming them.
The old man behind the young man straightened his expression and discreetly poked the young man's waist.
The young man quickly caught on.
He immediately made a fist and palm salute and spoke with great respect,
"This junior is Qi Feng, a direct disciple of the King of Medicine Valley. My father is the Valley Lord."
Although Chen Fan appeared to be around his age, his status and position were a level higher, on par with Qi Feng's father's. Naturally, Qi Feng had to address himself as a junior.
"Please."
Chen Fan smiled. "Let's talk inside."