Returning to Sound Valley

"Beyond a thousand mountains, no birds took flight; along ten thousand paths, no human trace remained." These words were a perfect description of the Extreme North Domain of Central Continent. This Ice Snow Wasteland held nothing but endless snow, while fierce, freezing gales ravaged the land without pause.

Suddenly, two figures streaked across the sky above the lifeless Ice Snow Wasteland, adding a rare trace of living presence to the desolate expanse.

"The Extreme North Domain truly is bleak. We've traveled all this way, and I haven't seen any trace of Soul Hall for quite some time," Yao Dan sighed. In fact, it was not merely that he had failed to spot Soul Hall. Along the way, he had continuously used his soul power to carefully probe the surroundings. Within a hundred-mile radius, there was not even a human shadow—nor the trace of a magical beast.

"Soul Hall probably thinks building a branch hall here would be a complete waste of resources." Venerable Feng shuddered beside him, then said through chattering teeth, "I hope the Saint does not laugh at me, but even an ordinary Dou Zun like me can barely endure the cold here."

"Oh? Then how did you discover Sound Valley back then?" Yao Dan asked curiously. As he spoke, he flicked a finger, and a cluster of Nine Nether Wind Flame enveloped Venerable Feng.

"Thank you, Saint." As the icy chill was completely melted away by the Nine Nether Wind Flame, Venerable Feng's speech returned to normal. "Back then, Yao Chen wanted to explore the Extreme North Wasteland. I went ahead to scout it out, but while investigating the Extreme North Domain, I ran out of strength and fainted at the entrance to Sound Valley."

"Did you ever speak with anyone from Sound Valley?" Upon hearing this, Yao Dan's curiosity was thoroughly aroused. It would be good if he could use this chance to learn something about Sound Valley from the side.

"Uh, no. When I woke up, I found myself on a grassland somewhat farther south." Venerable Feng scratched his head and replied embarrassedly.

"Then how did you know that you had fainted at the entrance to Sound Valley..." Before Yao Dan could finish, his soul power sensed an unbroken range of snowy mountains. From within those mountains, an incomparably ancient and powerful aura spread forth.

"Saint, Sound Valley is right ahead. Once you go in and investigate, you will understand why I am so certain," Venerable Feng said with a smile.

Yao Dan said no more. His figure flashed, and he accelerated to the limit, flying toward the source of that ancient aura. Just a few minutes later, he saw an opaque barrier covering an entire valley. At that moment, another powerful pressure descended. Even he could no longer maintain flight.

He immediately landed and walked toward the valley on foot. After only a few steps, he saw a stone archway several zhang wide. A soothing melody drifted out from within it. Two guards stood outside the archway, above which was carved a strange, intricate pattern and a line of large characters:

Listen to the zither's melody, create miracles.

"Yao Dan, Clan Leader of the Yao Clan of the Ancient Eight Clans, requests an audience with the Valley Master of Sound Valley. I was offensive a few days ago, so I have specially prepared a Nine-grade Treasure Pill as an apology!"

After cupping his hands toward the guards outside the gate, Yao Dan spoke in a deep voice. With his sharp eye, he could tell at a glance that both guards were at around the peak of Five-Revolutions Nine-star Dou Zun. Using people of such strength as gate guards—such lavishness was beyond even the Gu Clan!

"A few days ago, the Valley Master already guessed that you would come." One guard raised a hand to accept the Nine-grade Treasure Pill contained in a precious sandalwood box. After opening the box and taking a look, he said indifferently, "I will go in and inform the Valley Master first. Please wait outside for a moment, Clan Leader Yao Dan."

Yao Dan said nothing further, listening idly to the zither melody drifting from within the archway. As the music rose and fell, he actually felt the Dou Qi within his body begin to circulate and condense on its own. This shocked him greatly. Sound Valley truly was far from simple.

"Clan Leader Yao Dan, please enter." A few minutes later, the guard returned to announce.

Upon hearing this, Yao Dan directly pushed open the archway. Beyond it was not a barren, snow-covered valley, but rather a delicate scene of small bridges, flowing streams, and humble homes. An old man with half-white hair and beard stood atop a small bridge, gazing at him meaningfully.

"Yin Xisheng, Third Elder of Sound Valley." Before Yao Dan could speak, the old man introduced himself first. "This time, Sound Valley has been discourteous. The First Elder and Second Elder are both in seclusion cultivating, so sending only the Clan Leader and me to speak with you is indeed somewhat improper."

Yao Dan's expression immediately stiffened at those words. The old man before him was in the early stage of Five-Star Dou Sheng. Yet such strength only made him the Third Elder of Sound Valley?

"You are too modest, Elder. May I, Yao Dan, meet the Valley Master and apologize to him in person?" Yao Dan asked tentatively. His heart was filled with curiosity about the Valley Master of Sound Valley. If he could ally with Sound Valley, the Yao Clan would surely gain a powerful aid!

"The Valley Master said that it is inconvenient for him to meet the Clan Leader." Yin Xisheng chuckled softly. "However, the Valley Master has already roughly understood the purpose of your visit."

Seeing a glimmer of hope arise on Yao Dan's face, Yin Xisheng added with some regret, "The Valley Master said that since the founding of Sound Valley, our only two duties have been gratitude and guardianship. An alliance is absolutely impossible."

"Of course, Sound Valley has always remained strictly neutral. Should any other faction come to discuss an alliance with us, the Valley Master's answer would be the same as it is today." Seeing Yao Dan deflate like a punctured ball, Yin Xisheng added, "Sound Valley will accept this Nine-grade Treasure Pill. However, Sound Valley has never liked owing others favors, so please accept these return gifts as well, Clan Leader."

With a wave of Yin Xisheng's hand, six points of light and a wrinkled scroll of sheepskin leaped from his sleeve and flew into Yao Dan's hands.

"Bodhi Seeds? Then what is this scroll of sheepskin?"

Yao Dan could not help crying out as he looked at the six crystal-clear, rod-shaped objects in his hand, each slowly radiating a faint emerald glow. These six Bodhi Seeds were entirely enough to let a peak Dou Zun directly advance into the Half-Saint realm!

"This sheepskin contains the formula for a Nine-grade Treasure Pill—the Bodhi Great Returning Pill. Refining this treasure pill requires only one Bodhi Seed. As for its effect, it should give a peak Nine-Revolutions Dou Zun a fifty percent chance of advancing into the Half-Saint realm," Yin Xisheng said casually after considering it for a moment.

"Hiss!"

Even someone as composed as Yao Dan could not help drawing a cold breath upon hearing this. Six Bodhi Seeds and the formula for a Nine-grade Treasure Pill—such a return gift was simply far too extravagant...

"I hope the Clan Leader will keep everything concerning our valley completely confidential." Seeing Yao Dan so shaken, Yin Xisheng continued, "Visitors are guests, but Sound Valley does not like inviting unnecessary trouble. If the gift you brought this time had not been sufficiently generous, the Valley Master would likely have simply refused to receive you."

"Understood, understood," Yao Dan said solemnly. He naturally would not foolishly speak of such a powerful faction to others.

"It is getting late, so we will not hold a banquet to detain the Clan Leader," Yin Xisheng added.

"Thank the Valley Master for his return gifts!" Yao Dan understood that he was being politely dismissed, so he said nothing more. After cupping his hands in salute, he left Sound Valley.

The instant he stepped out of Sound Valley, a rustling sound arose, like the sound of an ancient tree stirring beneath the wind. Within only a few breaths, those rustles intertwined and formed a chord. Heard from afar, the chord-like sound was much like the melody of a zither...