The party traveled day and night, and the journey remained calm from start to finish.
Occasionally, scattered remnants of the evil cult wandered along the way, but upon sensing the lingering Vajra Realm pressure on Cheng Heng, they scattered and fled in all directions. None dared test his edge.
After a full day and night, a stretch of verdant Pill Peaks extending for thousands of miles finally came into view at the edge of the horizon.
Clouds and mist coiled around the mountains, spiritual radiance cascaded down, immortal cranes circled overhead, and spiritual herbs carpeted the slopes. Pill fragrance permeated the air, while pure heaven-and-earth spiritual energy rushed toward them. Compared to Azure Water Pavilion, Cloudpiercing Sect's spiritual energy was several times denser.
Magnificent jade towers and jewel-like halls had been built along the mountainside, rising layer upon layer in immortal splendor. The mountain gate stood tall, its plaque inscribed in gilded ancient script—Heavenly Treasure Sect.
This was Qingchuan's sacred land of alchemy.
As they neared the mountain gate, two Heavenly Treasure Sect gatekeeping disciples in sky-blue Daoist robes stepped forward to inspect them. Their auras were steady, and when their gazes swept over Cheng Heng's battered, heavily wounded party, their expressions turned slightly grave.
"Where have you fellow Daoists come from?"
Cheng Heng stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "Cheng Heng of Cloudpiercing Sect. I am escorting injured elders from Azure Water Pavilion here to seek treatment. Please inform your sect."
At the words "Azure Water Pavilion," the faces of the two gatekeeping disciples changed sharply. A flicker of shock and solemnity crossed their eyes.
News that Azure Water Pavilion had been besieged by the evil cult with the full force of one of its branch altars, suffering devastating casualties, had already spread throughout