Make sure you shout loudly when you call for help

Everything was ready. At Luo Tian's command, everyone raised their arms and cheered. Countless figures stepped into the air and flew away on their swords.

From afar, streaks of rainbow light swept across the city, like countless sword immortals descending into the mortal world.

The sight shook all of Cangyun City.

Countless gazes turned toward them, filled with envy and reverence.

Some of the older generation had witnessed such a sight as children, when Cangyun Sect had marched out of the mountains to repel a beast tide and secure decades of peace.

Now nearing death, some witnessed it again, their hearts heavy with wistfulness. They remembered how their blood had once burned in their youth, too. Sadly, they had never had the fortune to enter an immortal sect. So many could only watch and go no further, living out their remaining years with regret.

Lu Changsheng followed behind. He could not even be bothered to fly on his own sword, simply riding along with Ye Tianyi and letting him do the flying.

Zhou Qingyu had originally invited him along, but his eldest senior brother was far too dazzling. Following him would draw far too much attention; staying with Ye Tianyi was more low-key.

Everyone traveled three thousand li and stopped before a mountain range.

As far as the eye could see, the Hundred Thousand Mountains stretched before them, vast and magnificent.

The mountain pass lay ahead. In the distance, towering waves of ferocity had already emerged. The beast tide had gathered and was charging toward them.

A middle-aged man came from the mountains and looked at Luo Tian.

"Sect Master, the beast tide has arrived. It will reach this place in another hour!"

Luo Tian nodded and looked around.

"Where are my Cangyun Sect disciples?"

"Here!"

"Repel the beast tide! Make this your trial, and keep the people safe!"

"Yes!"

Amid cries that shook the mountains and roared like the sea, countless youths stood high-spirited, ready to slay Demon Beasts and keep mortals from harm.

Yet when the beast tide drew near, they still felt its gravity.

Countless Demon Beasts appeared, hideous in all manner of forms, roaring and bellowing. Their eyes were either scarlet and savage or chillingly cold as they advanced before the pass.

"Disciples of every peak, heed my command! Follow your elders, divide into seven forces, and kill!"

The instant the words fell, everyone moved.

Zhou Qingyu stood with his hands behind his back and looked ahead, his gaze lofty and dismissive. He seemed to think nothing of them, maintaining an indescribable calm and composure throughout.

Lu Changsheng could not help glancing aside. The three from the Profound Heaven Sect were watching the beast tide.

At the same time, an elder said, "Fellow Daoists of the Profound Heaven Sect!"

"Fellow Daoist!"

The old man from the Profound Heaven Sect responded.

The elder said, "Our Pill Cloud Peak specializes in the Dao of Alchemy and is ill-suited to combat. Please lend us your aid, fellow Daoists!"

Lu Changsheng looked over, understanding what he meant.

The sect master was guarding against these people, too. He had probably guessed they had come for Zhou Qingyu and wanted to separate them.

Unexpectedly, the people from the Profound Heaven Sect accepted gladly without any hesitation. They followed the others away, heading in another direction.

Lu Changsheng was surprised. He had thought they would find an excuse to remain here, yet they had left so readily!

"Are they holding back some big move?"

Zhou Qingyu was peerless and above worldly dust, and had always disdained underhanded methods. Lu Changsheng could only keep watch for him.

Just then, he saw Luo Xianling rushing over in a hurry.

"Senior Brother Changsheng!"

"What's up?"

Everyone was puzzled to see her hurrying back. She had only just left.

Luo Xianling wasted no words, speaking in an extremely serious tone. "I forgot to tell you something!"

"What?"

"If you run into danger, make sure you shout loudly when you call for help. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't hear you and won't be able to get Father to save you in time!"

Pfft...

Caught off guard, who knew how many people burst out laughing.

Lu Changsheng raised a brow. Had she run all the way over just for that?

But with so many people watching, even someone of his temperament could not help blushing.

Did he need to be taught how to call for help?

Still, he knew Luo Xianling meant well and nodded solemnly.

"Thank you, Junior Sister. I'll be sure to shout loudly!"

"Good!"

Luo Xianling breathed a sigh of relief and turned to hurry back to the sect master.

She had originally wanted to remain here, but Luo Tian was worried. He also feared that having Lu Changsheng follow her would hurt his pride. After much thought, this was the only solution.

Lu Changsheng called out to stop her as well.

"Wait, Junior Sister!"

"What is it?"

A cloth pouch appeared in Lu Changsheng's hand.

"Take this. Keep it on you at all times!"

"What is it?" Luo Xianling asked in confusion.

Lu Changsheng said, "A paper talisman to keep you safe!"

At his words, the girl's cheeks flushed. She took it and solemnly tucked it against her chest, then covered her face and ran off.

Everyone was still stifling their laughter.

Even Ye Tianyi, who was usually so serious, had an almost imperceptible curve at the corner of his lips.

Only Zhou Qingyu seemed uninterested in anything besides cultivation and the Sword Dao.

In that brief moment, a streak of Sword Qi swept forth. Zhou Qingyu raised his hand and slashed down, slaying a wild bull several zhang long.

The beast tide had begun.

Zhou Qingyu took the brunt of it. As he lowered his hand, a longsword appeared. Sword Qi swept in every direction as he swung it, piercing through the mountains as he charged ahead alone.

Battle erupted on every front, stirring up countless surges of Law Power and roars.

The Qingyun Peak elder led the many inner disciples forward, while Zhou Qingyu charged into battle.

His gentle, jade-like bearing turned razor-sharp. Even facing several Demon Beasts at the eighth or even ninth level of Essence Condensation, he showed no fear.

Sword light poured forth beneath countless watching eyes. Demon Beasts fell one after another, blood splashing and scattering through the sky. Their massive bodies crashed down, shaking the earth and mountains.

Yet Zhou Qingyu stood at the front without a speck staining him.

At that moment, he resembled a sword immortal descending into the mortal world, arriving sword in hand and cutting down foes on all sides. His valor astonished even the elders.

And he was close to Core Formation. Once he achieved it, just how astounding would he be?

Lu Changsheng remained calm as he watched it all. He had been stationed behind everyone, joining a few others to stop any Demon Beasts that slipped through from attacking the rear.

While the others fought up ahead, he did not deliberately observe them. With a stir of his Divine Sense, everything fell within his perception, so there was no need to look closely.

Instead, he held his spatial Law Artifact and kept collecting the fallen Demon Beast corpses.

The corpse of an Essence Condensation Realm Demon Beast could sell for over a hundred Spirit Stones, and even one at the Spirit Gathering Realm could fetch thirty to fifty. As for those at the Core Formation Realm, they had already formed demon cores and were worth a considerable sum. Someone from the sect would collect them for refining medicine.

Just picking these up was a windfall.

He even thought they were killing a little too slowly. If he had not feared exposing himself, he would have wanted to join in himself.

He was also watching quietly, so that if anyone fell into danger, he could secretly intervene and keep them from losing their lives.

Some people noticed what he was doing and felt helpless.

Still, no one said anything. With his strength, he really could not be much help. He could do whatever he liked, as long as he did not go out and cause trouble.

No one would count on him. They could repel the beast tide without any of these disciples; bringing them here was merely to give them some experience.

Yet even Lu Changsheng had not expected to earn Spirit Stones on this trip. It was pure profit.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. Five days passed in a flash, without any mishaps.

Lu Changsheng immersed himself in the joy of collecting Demon Beasts, though doubts also arose.

"Could I really have misjudged the people from the Profound Heaven Sect?"

Yet just as he spoke, amid the thick, lingering stench of blood that filled the air, he faintly caught a sweet fragrance.