Entering Qingniu Prefecture, it took another week to arrive at the Shuangji Sect’s mountain gate.
From a distance, two colossal peaks towered in the horizon.
One of these peaks was covered in ice and snow, while the other radiated a terrifying heatwave, its very body a fiery red.
An ice mountain and a volcano standing together?
Such a strange sight amazed everyone.
And between these two peaks lay a valley.
The valley was filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers, further astonishing them.
Upon seeing this place, Qin Hanchu’s previous hesitations vanished.
He had decided to join the Shuangji Sect.
The reason was precisely this place’s uniqueness.
This was a convergence point of Yin and Yang. If he could unravel the mysteries of Yin and Yang balance, Qin Hanchu’s Hunyuan Wuji would surely progress.
The flying boat landed in the valley. Several powerful figures departed immediately.
Following this, disciples of the Shuangji Sect stepped forward to receive Qin Hanchu and the others.
Led by these disciples, Qin Hanchu and the others completed their assessment applications.
Afterward, these disciples arranged new accommodations for Qin Hanchu and the others.
"You are only permitted to travel within the valley. Remember not to venture to the peaks on either side."
"Only upon truly entering the sect will you be assigned to those peaks."
The leading disciple finished speaking and turned to leave.
After the disciple departed, Qin Hanchu walked out of his temporary residence.
The valley was neither hot nor cold, and the wood element was extremely concentrated.
Water nourishes wood, and wood nourishes fire; this was the connection between them.
This meant wood had the effect of regulating water and fire.
This was a shallow concept; even junior high students on Blue Star understood the principles of the Five Elements’ generation and overcoming.
Therefore, the true profundity surely lay elsewhere.
Walking through the valley, Qin Hanchu admired the surrounding scenery.
"Newcomers, there are many spiritual herbs in this valley. Do not pluck them casually."
Just then, a man shouted at Qin Hanchu.
The man’s tone was quite amiable, so Qin Hanchu nodded to show he understood.
Unknowingly, Qin Hanchu arrived by a stream in the valley.
Sitting on a rock by the bank, Qin Hanchu closed his eyes, sensing the elemental forces around him.
At that moment, a peerlessly beautiful woman in a fiery red long dress ambled downstream.
Seeing Qin Hanchu cultivating by the stream, a smile curved the woman’s lips.
"Little brother, are you a newcomer?"
Hearing the woman’s voice, Qin Hanchu opened his eyes.
When he saw the woman, he was immediately struck by her beauty.
In the woman’s eyes, Qin Hanchu saw a magnificence comparable to Wu Mei.
After a brief moment of daze, Qin Hanchu cupped his fists slightly. "Fairy, your demeanor is captivating. I was momentarily distracted, please forgive me."
Seeing Qin Hanchu recover so quickly, and with no unusual expression in his eyes, the woman’s gaze brightened.
"You are quite forthright."
"Not like most people, pretending to be something they are not."
"Come to our Flame Peak, sister will take care of you."
The woman chuckled.
Qin Hanchu smiled. "I cultivate Xuanbing power. Going to Flame Peak would be like bringing a fish out of water."
"Xuanbing Peak is cold and bleak. If you go there, I won’t come to play with you."
Qin Hanchu smiled and said no more.
Just then, a man in a light red robe walked over.
"Junior sister, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. So you were here." The man appeared to be in his thirties, and his strength was only at the Battle Saint level.
Although the red-clothed woman was his junior sister, her strength was something Qin Hanchu could not discern.
This meant the red-clothed woman was likely at the Battle God level.
"Senior brother, what do you need me for?"
"If it’s still about talking sweet nothings, then forget it."
"Talking sweet nothings will only affect my cultivation speed."
The red-clothed woman said.
"You two chat, I won’t disturb you."
Qin Hanchu did not wish to interfere with their conversation here. He said this and prepared to leave.
"Hmm."
The young man heard this and felt quite pleased.
He felt Qin Hanchu was very sensible.
"Wait, you haven’t told me your name yet?"
Hearing this, Qin Hanchu smiled. "Qin Hanchu."
"My name is Hong Luan. Good luck passing the assessment, and I’ll show you the beautiful scenery of Flame Peak then."
Hong Luan said.
Qin Hanchu smiled and turned to leave.
Their conversation caused a shadow to flash across the young man’s eyes.
Hong Luan’s personality seemed fiery and lively, but she rarely asked others their names proactively.
Today, Hong Luan not only inquired about Qin Hanchu’s name but also said she would show him the scenery of Flame Peak. This was truly unusual.
Could it be that Hong Luan was smitten?
What charm did this newcomer possess?
Or was Hong Luan simply toying with Qin Hanchu?
Whatever the case, Chen Longhe would not allow Qin Hanchu to get too close to Hong Luan.
"Junior sister, you seem to have a good impression of him." Chen Longhe asked with a smile.
Hong Luan chuckled. "I just find this boy interesting and want him to chat with me."
"If you want someone to chat with, I can do it." Chen Longhe replied.
"I regard you as a senior brother, but you always want to turn me into your Dao companion."
"I don’t feel comfortable chatting with you."
After speaking, Hong Luan walked away.
Chen Longhe hurried after her. "Who told you to be so charming? I just like you."
"Many people like me. If you weren't the Master’s son, you wouldn't even be in line."
"By the way, don't think about doing anything to that boy."
"If anyone deliberately targets him during the assessment, I will settle the score with you."
Hong Luan’s words were blunt, but Chen Longhe did not get angry.
They had grown up together and understood each other’s temperaments well.
Returning to the resting courtyard, Qin Hanchu continued his cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
On this day, a disciple from the sect arrived with a message, informing everyone to gather at the valley entrance.
Besides Qin Hanchu and the others, many unfamiliar faces also appeared.
These newcomers seemed to have been recruited from somewhere.
"Battle God level on Flying Boat One, Battle Saint level on Flying Boat Two..."
Upon hearing this, Qin Hanchu boarded Flying Boat One.
There were about thirty-odd people with the same cultivation level as Qin Hanchu.
It was unclear how many of this group would pass the assessment.
After everyone boarded the flying boat, it departed immediately.
"The assessment is simple. You only need to survive for one month in the designated area."
"I must remind you that this area contains many spirit beasts at the Battle God level."
"Also, some bandits at the Battle God level will hunt you. In short, try your best to survive."
The Spirit Venerable realm martial artist on the flying boat said.
Qin Hanchu’s eyes narrowed. He hadn’t expected the assessment to be like this.
This meant that once they followed the Shuangji Sect here, there was no other choice.
Either they passed the assessment and joined the Shuangji Sect, or they died during the assessment.
This world was indeed cruel!
Qin Hanchu now realized that all his previous thoughts were unnecessary.
The other party gave Qin Hanchu no other path.
Since that was the case, Qin Hanchu could only go all out to survive.