The Silence of the Dao

Chu Ming lowered his voice and spoke to Venerable Lingfeng and Haoqing, who had gathered around him.

Venerable Lingfeng nodded. After taking the pill, his aura steadied somewhat. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Before entering the Source Sea this time, our Time Sword Sect received a message left behind by a senior.

"Deep within this Lawstorm Plain lies a place called Sword Scar Valley. Within the valley is a temporary shelter left behind by one of our sect's forebears during an early expedition.

"It has concealment and defensive restrictions. Perhaps we can take shelter there for now."

Sword Scar Valley? Chu Ming recalled that it had been one of the sect's objectives mentioned in Haoqing's jade talisman.

"How far is it? Is the route safe?" Chu Ming asked.

"According to the senior's account, from our current location, traveling at full speed will take roughly half a day." Venerable Lingfeng identified the direction and pointed toward a spot deep in the plain where faint, hazy waves of sword intent could be sensed.

"The route passes through some areas where the storms are stronger, but compared to remaining exposed to those divine-sense sweeps, the risk is more manageable.

"It's just..." He glanced at the injured disciples and the others, who were in poor condition. "With our current state, our speed will likely be affected." Just then, from the distant edge of the plain, a relatively "gentle" divine sense carrying an unmistakable probing intent focused in their direction. Its owner seemed to have discovered them, yet did not immediately display hostility, as though assessing them instead.

"Someone's coming. Fast." Chu Ming's gaze sharpened as he signaled everyone to stay on guard.

Before long, five streaks of light descended from the sky and landed a hundred zhang away from Chu Ming's group.