The entrance to Yellow Maple Valley lay hidden amid countless mountains. With autumn in full swing, red maples blazed like fire across the slopes, lending the words "Yellow Maple" on its plaque the vivid crimson of congealed blood.
At that moment, however, the valley entrance was eerily quiet-the steward disciples who normally greeted visitors were nowhere to be seen. Only a few dead leaves spiraled down onto the bluestone steps, evidently crushed loose by some invisible pressure.
Mo Chenzi and his party approached through the red maples, their footsteps unusually clear in the empty valley. He wore the robes of an outer sect elder of the Star Palace, his white beard stirring in the mountain breeze. His Nascent Soul Late Stage pressure spread outward as though it had physical substance. Wherever he passed, the spiritual plants in the valley drooped their leaves, and even the flowing streams froze for an instant.
Behind him, Black Bear led the way with a wolf fang club slung over his shoulder, its shaft wrapped in cloth bearing the Black Tiger Gang's wolf-head pattern. Poisonous mist flickered around Bamboo Viper's fingertips, and a few unwashed spots of venom stained the hem of his bamboo-patterned robe. Shi Mang carried a stone-shattering axe on his back, its blade gleaming coldly beneath the maple shadows.
Fifty Core Formation Stage disciples stood in ranks on either side, some bearing Star-Magnetic Shields, others gripping Poison Sting Darts. All were elite disciples from the various outside sects, yet Mo Chenzi's pressure made them hold their breath involuntarily, even keeping the clinking of their weapons to a minimum.
"Elder Mo, Yellow Maple Valley's Guest Reception Hall is just ahead." Black Bear lowered his voice and planted his wolf fang club on the ground. "I scouted the way. The valley's unnaturally quiet. They