His complexion turned white from blue. He stood-up, and went over to Shi Mu with the black blade in both his hands. His face was flushed with embarrassment. He then respectfully handed over the black blade to Shi Mu.
His lips moved, but he couldn’t speak anything.
Shi Mu stretched out his right hand, and took the black blade. After that, he didn’t look towards Zuo Yan. He turned around and left. Bai Shi and the others had some doubts in their minds. But, they understood what was happening as they heard Shi Mu’s words. They coldly swept their visions towards Zuo Yan, and then followed after Shi Mu.
Zuo Yan looked towards Shi Mu’s departing figure with strange colors on his face. Everyone around him was looking at him and bantering. He left the plaza with a gloomy expression on his face.
*** ***
In the Dead Spirit World…
Yan Luo was fully armored. It was walking in a certain direction with a group of around a hundred skeletons following after him under the gloomy sky.
It had lost much of its manpower in the desert the last time. But, it had already regained it. In fact, the strength of this group seemed to be more powerful than its previous group.
Black sludge and puddles could be seen everywhere on the ground in the surroundings. Rotten trees of various heights stood in the area. They looked like pieces of black marshes.
The marshy ground was unsteady; so much so that one could easily sink into it. But, Yan Luo and the skeletons following after him were passing through it in a smooth manner.
Suddenly, Yan Luo stopped walking. Then, it turned its head, and looked in a certain direction.
It seemed to be looking at a quagmire; it was more than a hundred feet deep. A dark-green-colored plant could be seen growing there. There was a blooming flower on that plant. It was emitting a green smoke. It looked quite beautiful.
The blue lights flickered in Yan Luo’s eye-sockets. It turned around, and took a step forward. It then arrived in front of the green flower.
Suddenly, a white shadow flew out from the side of the green flower. It rapidly went towards Yan Luo.
It was a white bone-scorpion; it was as big as a human head. Soul-flames of dark-green color were flickering in its eyes. Its two sharp pincers looked like two large blades. It went chopping towards Yan Luo’s foot.
It seemed that Yan Luo hadn’t seen it. But then, the bone-spear in its hand moved. It then pounced towards the head of the bone-scorpion.
Several thin blue light awns were shot out from the bone-spear. It entered into the head of the bone-scorpion.
The dark-green soul flames flashed in the bone-scorpion’s eyes. After that, they dispersed and disappeared. They then transformed into a dark-green fluorescence.
Yan Luo opened its mouth, and sucked the green soul-flame-fluorescence into its mouth.
The soul-flames of the bone-scorpion dissipated. It died and turned into an empty shell. Its body fell down on the ground with a ‘pop’ sound, and became motionless.
Yan Luo collected its bone-spear. Then, it arrived before the green flower. It tilted its head, and looked at it carefully for a moment. It seemed to be thinking something.
It then extended its hand, and picked-up the green flower. It sized the flower up, and put it on its head.
Yan Luo seemed to be happy. It then hit its foot on the ground, and went back to its original place.
It seemed to be quite pleased with its present appearance. It nodded and lingered there for a while. Then, it continued with its journey. It stopped for a moment; as if it was waiting for its subordinates. It then walked towards a distant place.
*** ***
Several pieces of white snow could be seen as far as one could see on the first peak of the Black Demon Sect.
A black man’s shadow wearing the clothes of the first-grade disciples went flying across the mountain-road of the first peak. Then, it arrived at the foot of the mountain. After that, it went towards the direction of the fifth peak.
It was none other than Shi Mu.
The Sect Head had invited him to the fifth peak after the annual competition had ended. He was concerned about the status of Shi Mu’s practice. He first asked him about the matter of the diplomatic mission of the human race.
Shi Mu had already decided what he would say regarding his experiences in the barbarians’ wasteland and the road from which he had returned to the Sect. So, his answers didn’t reveal anything.
The Sect Head praised him. After that, he encouraged him to practice and strive hard so that he could step into the Xian Tian realm and soon become the backbone of the Sect. After that, he made him go down the mountain.
Shi Mu arrived in the front of a black mountain after a quarter-of-an-hour.
The mountain looked fresh and green. Verdant and lush trees and mountain-canes could be seen everywhere. There were several waterfalls half-way up the hill; they seemed to be floating like white ribbons in the sky.
Two cave mansions and a broad waterfall could be clearly seen on the top of the mountain if one looked from near the foot of the mountain. Faint layers of white mist had shrouded most of the peak. The hilltop was densely covered with white clouds and mist.
There was a twenty feet wide mountain-road; it looked like a long python. The road passed through the mountain; it had several twists and turns. It led directly to the crest of the mountain. But, there were two caves halfway up the mountain; they were dividing the broad road into two ten feet wide roads.
This black peak had abundant of spiritual influence. It was one of the three peaks that were the dwelling places of the first-grade disciples – it was the fifth mountain peak.
Shi Mu took a gentle breath. A fresh and clean aura entered into his mind. It made his spirit resonate.
He looked happy. The Heavenly power at this place was twice as strong as that in the thirteenth peak.
His mood was very good. He went along the spacious mountain-roads to the hilltop. The dwelling caves for the disciples of the Black Demon Sect were situated on the hilltop that was covered with clouds and mist.
A short while later…
Shi Mu was about to reach the hilltop when he saw a woman in a distant place. Her figure was exceptionally alluring and beautiful. She was standing on the gate of the cave with a smile on her face.
She had impressive breasts. Her face was so beautiful and delicate that it could make a man feel dazzled and stunned.
Who else could she be other than Jin Xiao Chai?
Shi Mu felt tensed in his heart. He walked towards her with a little hesitation.
"Master Jin, which disciple are you looking for?" Shi Mu stepped forward and greeted her. He then said respectfully.
The corners of Jin Xiao Chai’s mouth corner curled upwards, but she didn’t reply. Instead, her eyes were filled with curious colors as she turned towards him. She then sized him up and down.
At first, Shi Mu felt nervous in his heart. But, Jin Xiao Chai stopped in front of Shi Mu. Then, she said with a smile, "I’ve come here to congratulate you for reaching to the top… and becoming a senior disciple in the Sect. Moreover, you’ve progressed with a very good speed; so much so that you’ve exceeded my expectations."
She took two steps forward towards Shi Mu as she spoke.
"I dare not to be called Senior in front of Master Jin." A vigilant color flashed through Shi Mu’s eyes. He took two steps backwards. He then replied neither in a humble… nor in an arrogant manner.
"Come, tell your Master Jin. Today you displayed such an energetic performance in the ring. Was it because you wanted to make your mark so that your beloved would notice you?" Jin Xiao Chai chuckled, and took a step forward.
Shi Mu took a step backwards. He felt cold in his back due to presence of a stone-wall behind him. He was obviously unable to withdraw his steps any further.
A faint alluring fragrance revolved around him.
"Tell… what?" Jin Xiao Chai was already within his reach. Shi Mu tightened the muscles of his body. He then said.
"He… he. Don’t you have an infatuation towards the Demon Witch of Tian Yin, eh?" Jin Xiao Chai said with a delicate smile.
She came near Shi Mu while smiling. She hurriedly stretched out her right hand, and was about to put it on the stone-wall beside his face.
Suddenly, a radiance flashed through Shi Mu’s eyes. He then extended his left hand quickly, and firmly grabbed Jin Xiao Chai’s wrist. It made her hand stop in a flash.
An unexpected look flashed in Jin Xiao Chai’s eyes. She moved her left hand in order to stop his movement. But then, a tyrannical force broke out on her wrist. It made her fingers stop. She felt surprised in her heart.
She couldn’t free her hand from a consummate-level Hou Tian Warrior with her Xian Tian middle-level cultivation.
Shi Mu took advantage of this opportunity. His stature flashed and got away from the mountain-wall. He moved away from Jin Xiao Chai and said, "Master Jin, if you don’t have anything else to say… then please let me go and practice."
Jin Xiao Chai shook her numb arm. Her smiling expression transformed into a groan. Then, she said something unexpected, "I think it’s too boring. I came here because I wanted to give you this Primary Strengthening Pill. Take this pill. It’ll not only help you to strengthen your real Qi… but also to promote the coagulation of your Qi. It’s extremely valuable. I don’t need to say anything else."
Jin Xiao Chai then took out a white jade porcelain bottle from her bosom. After that, she tossed it towards Shi Mu.
"This Qian Yuan pill is so precious… why Master Jin is giving this to me? I can’t take it since I don’t deserve it. What’s your purpose, Master Jin? Please… tell me clearly." Shi Mu caught the white jade porcelain bottle instinctively. Then, he said without looking at it.
"It’s nothing. I just want you to promise me one thing," Jin Xiao Chai raised the corner of her mouth and said.
"What is it?" Shi Mu wrinkled his brows and asked.
"I can’t tell you right now. But, don’t worry. It would be good for you too. You can choose not to do it if you find that it isn’t good for you," Jin Xiao Chai gave a meaningful look towards Shi Mu and said slowly.
She didn’t wait for Shi Mu’s reply. Her figure swayed, and transformed into remnant shadows; they was several meters tall. Then, her figure disappeared near the end of the downhill road after a few flashes.
Shi Mu was still holding the white jade porcelain bottle in his hand. He stared blankly at Jin Xiao Chai going down the hill. He couldn’t help but feel confused.
He opened the white jade porcelain bottle out of curiosity. A pure spiritual-influenced essence hit his face.
He looked closely into the bottle, and found a thumb-sized white pill inside it. He smelt it gently. The smell of the pill penetrated deeply into his mind. It made his meridians feel smooth.
He didn’t know if it was as effective as Jin Xiao Chai had said. But, this pill was certainly precious owing to its spiritual influence and smell.
Shi Mu didn’t want to think about the unfathomable mystery of Jin Xiao Chai at this moment. He closed the lid of the bottle with hesitation. He then put the white jade porcelain bottle into the Vast Earth Ring.
After that, he sized-up the cave-mansion in front of him. He saw that it had a ten feet wide green stone-gate. A black prohibition charm character was flashing on its surface.
He took out a black prohibition token from his bosom, and infused his physical strength and spirit power into it. Then, a black light flashed from it, and went past the stone gate.
‘Bang!’ A loud sound echoed.
Both sides of the stone-gate got separated. Then, the entrance of the cave opened with a loud rumble.
Shi Mu put the prohibition token back into his bosom, and strolled into the entrance. Then, the stone-gate closed behind him with a loud rumble.
After that, he strolled through the entire cave; he walked neither fast nor slowly.
The cave occupied several acres of area. There were two wide drawing rooms and seven or eight bedrooms inside the cave. Moreover, there were other rooms for practice and hoarding where everything needed was available. In addition, one could open a private room only with a prohibition token.
Shi Mu was extremely satisfied; especially with the Heavenly aura on the hilltop. It seemed to be far stronger than that in the center of the hill. It was the best and the most precious place to practice in the entire Black Demon Sect.
Shi Mu went into his bedroom. He then went to his bed, and fell asleep. He then started to snore loudly.
After all, this day had been too tiring for him.
*** ***
Meanwhile, Jin Xiao Chai had come down the fifth peak. After that, she turned towards the direction of the first peak, and started to advance towards it with high speed.
A quarter-of-an-hour later…
Jin Xiao Chai stood on the gate outside a tiny courtyard on the first peak. She wrinkled her elegant eyebrows. She seemed to be engaged in her thoughts. She pushed the door open with a little hesitation, and walked-in.
The door opened in a flash. A small altar peak could be seen in the center of the courtyard. Several round black flames were churning-up from it in an incessant manner.