As Ye Feng turned around, she suddenly saw a man in black robes sitting on a chair in her room.
She was so startled that her whole body jolted.
"You... why are you here again..."
Ye Feng secretly rejoiced that she had not communicated with Elder Long.
Otherwise, Jiang Yantian really might have discovered him.
If that happened, a divine artifact like the Spirit-Fusing Mirror would definitely be seized.
"Why do you think I'm here?" Jiang Yantian chuckled.
One look at that idiot's guilty expression told him she was worried about that damned mirror being exposed.
Wasn't there just a spirit body living inside? What was all the fuss about?
Naturally, Jiang Yantian would not seize her artifact now.
After all, the Spirit-Fusing Mirror and the old geezer inside were Ye Feng's emotional pillars right now.
To farm more Humiliation Points, he needed someone to cheer Ye Feng on and give her hope while he humiliated her.
Only then could he maximize his gains.
Once Ye Feng had no value left, he would kill her outright, wipe out that spirit body along the way, and pocket the treasure.
"I... I got up early today. There's no need to trouble yourself, Elder!" Ye Feng was somewhat angry, but dared not show it.
Thank fuck she had gotten up early, or she would have been in for a hefty slap.
Hearing this, Jiang Yantian slowly rose, walked over, and faced Ye Feng.
Ye Feng swallowed, inexplicably uneasy.
Whoosh!
Smack!
Jiang Yantian struck extremely fast, knocking Ye Feng straight to the floor with a hefty slap.
Ye Feng's head buzzed, and she was stunned all over again.
Ding! Humiliation Points +3,000
"You... what right do you have to hit me?!" Coming to her senses, Ye Feng burned with rage, truly on the verge of angry tears.
She had fucking gotten up early, and he still hit her!
"What right do I have to hit you? You knew full well we were leaving for the Spirit-Imprisoning Forbidden Land today. Every disciple is conserving their strength to be in peak condition."
"But you? Instead of resting properly, you got up this early to eat shit? What cultivation do you think you have, that you don't need rest? Are you trying to drag everyone down?"
For a moment, Ye Feng actually had no answer!
Fuck, that sounded somewhat reasonable!
Pah, reasonable my ass! He clearly just wanted to slap her and had made up any old excuse.
Still, at least he found a reason to hit her. The day he stopped bothering with reasons and simply hit her would really be something to cry about.
Utterly helpless, Ye Feng slowly stood, cupped her fists, and said through gritted teeth, "This disciple was careless. Please forgive me, Elder!"
Ye Feng's dignity had been smashed to pieces.
Her hatred for Jiang Yantian grew ever stronger.
Jiang Yantian nodded. "There is no greater virtue than recognizing and correcting your mistakes. This pup can still be taught!"
"All right, there's still plenty of time before departure. You can catch up on some sleep. I'll leave once I see you settle down to rest. I won't disturb you!"
Ye Feng cursed inwardly.
But from the look of things, Jiang Yantian would not leave unless she lay down to rest.
With that thought, Ye Feng went straight back to the bed, lay down, and closed her eyes.
But suddenly, a fierce gust from a palm strike rushed toward her face.
Ye Feng inwardly cried out in alarm.
Smack!
Another crisp slap rang out.
Ye Feng was slapped onto the floor again.
Jiang Yantian's face was filled with anger. "You're actually going to sleep?!"
"Do you fucking want the hundred-odd people leaving to wait for you alone?"
Ding! Consecutive critical hits! Humiliation Points +5,000
"I... I..." Ye Feng's breathing quickened. She truly wanted to fight him to the death.
"Hurry up, get yourself ready, and assemble at the sect square for departure!"
Jiang Yantian's words were sharp and his expression stern, his tone entirely that of someone lecturing a junior.
Ye Feng broke down.
Tears filled her eyes.
But she still had to respond.
"This disciple admits her mistake. I'll get ready right away!"
With that, Ye Feng scrambled up again and continued hastily getting ready.
Jiang Yantian nodded. "Now that's a heaven's chosen. Keep working hard."
Jiang Yantian vanished from the room in an instant.
By the time the sky turned fish-belly white, a dense crowd already stood in the sect square.
They were divided into twelve rows in total, each with ten disciples and one deacon.
Everyone's face held determination and anticipation.
The Spirit-Imprisoning Forbidden Land was a place of great opportunities.
Though this journey held danger, when had the path of cultivation ever been free of danger?
They all waited for the sect master to speak before setting off.
Jiang Yantian and Luo Xingcai stood at the very front, one on either side.
One wore black robes patterned with dragons, his silver hair stirring gently.
The other wore a rippling blue-green dress, her beautiful hair fluttering.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven!
By comparison, that old bastard of a sect master looked rather low-class.
But as sect master, he still had plenty of presence.
His gaze was sharp, commanding respect without anger as he surveyed the gathering.
"The Spirit-Imprisoning Forbidden Land opens once every hundred years. You are fortunate. As the outstanding disciples of the sect's various branches, you are qualified to go!"
"Alongside opportunities come risks."
"On this journey, some may obtain great opportunities, while others may perish because of it. But this is the fate of cultivators!"
"As you all know, this journey will involve not only our Mysterious Spirit Sect, but other sects and factions as well."
"The major sects have quotas and agreements. No expert above the Nascent Soul realm will intervene to compete for opportunities, but the forbidden land itself is fraught with danger."
"Still, I must tell you this: do everything you can to return. I will be waiting for you."
Listening to Lu Ming yap on and on, Jiang Yantian felt rather like laughing.
Fuck, he made it sound as though any opportunities they obtained would belong to them.
Wouldn't they still have to hand over a portion?
Fucking capitalists!
After rambling on a while longer, Lu Ming finally said, "On this journey, Elder Jiang and Elder Luo of our sect will serve as your Dao protectors."
"Remember, the two elders will only intervene to protect you when experts from other sects violate the agreement, or when unforeseen incidents arise."
"At all other times, the elders will not interfere."
"You need not only opportunities, but growth!"
"..."
"Elder Luo, Elder Jiang, you may say a few words!" Lu Ming said to the pair.
Luo Xingcai was aloof by nature and certainly would not waste words now. "Good luck!"
Cheers rose from below!
When Jiang Yantian's turn came, he could not initially be bothered to speak.
Still, he offered a token remark. "Life and death are decreed by fate; wealth and honor lie with Heaven!"
The moment he said this, the gathering fell silent.
Then waves of cheers erupted.
"What fitting words! Life and death are decreed by fate; wealth and honor lie with Heaven!"
Lu Ming raised a hand to quiet them, then his voice rose, resounding throughout the sect. "Set off!"
"We obey the sect master's command!" Everyone cupped their hands and bowed in unison.
The next moment, an enormous flying ship slowly approached high overhead.
The disciples in the square turned into streaks of light, all riding their swords up to the flying ship.
After paying her respects to Lu Ming, Luo Xingcai also appeared aboard the flying ship in an instant.
Jiang Yantian did not bother paying his respects at all and simply went aboard.
The flying ship was controlled by spiritual power.
As it changed direction, rumbling booms rang out!
Jiang Yantian and Luo Xingcai stood at the bow, swept their gazes over everyone, then turned to face forward.
Northward all the way!
The flying ship was not slow, but reaching their destination would still take half a day.
The timing had been calculated before departure. After reaching the Spirit-Imprisoning Forbidden Land, they would have exactly half a day to rest.
Only when the restrictions lifted at midnight could they enter!