Chapter 6: Chenxiao Sect (Part 1)

Kumu said, “Don’t worry. They are outer sect disciples of Chenxiao Sect,Fuwushi in charge of guarding the mountains.”
Guo Shier said in surprise, “Fuwushi? They can fly?”
Kumu replied, “Why can’t they? They have flying talismans, so of course they can fly!” He suddenly understood Guo Shier’s surprise and asked, “Don’t you have flying talismans where you are?”
Guo Shier couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Not only had he never seen a flying talisman before, but he had even never heard of such things. He said, “No. Even the master-level talisman masters there don’t create flying talismans, and they don’t even know they exist.”
The twoFuwushi flew up. Upon seeing Kumu, their expressions changed instantly, filled with flattering smiles as they dared not ask anything. Kumu waved his hand and said, “Activate the mountain protection talisman array and let us in.” The twoFuwushi bowed respectfully and said, “Yes, sir,” before turning and flying downward.
Guo Shier asked, “Talisman array? What mountain protection talisman array?”
Kumu said, “You don’t even know what a talisman array is, do you?”
Guo Shier smiled sheepishly and said, “I really don’t know.”
Kumu shook his head and said, “This is the first time I’ve seen such a primitive Talisman Continent. It’s strange—why isn’t anyone controlling this continent?”
Guo Shier felt chilled. Just as he was about to ask, Kumu said, “Be careful. We’ve entered the talisman array. Don’t move around!”
As they flew on, Guo Shier noticed strangely that there was nothing special about this place—the mountains remained mountains, the water remained water, and the trees remained trees. The only thing puzzling was the absence of any life, neither birds nor beasts could be seen or sensed. It seemed like a no-go zone for life.
Kumu flew very fast, only slowing down slightly at the end. He said, “Alright, this is the mountain protection talisman array of the outer mountains. It’s not extremely powerful, but it can withstand the attacks of level-five mutated talisman beasts.”
Guo Shier knew very well how powerful level-five talisman beasts were. That huge mutated mammoth hadn’t even reached level five yet, yet it had forced Luo Jie’s team to flee desperately. If it were truly a level-five talisman beast, Guo Shier thought they wouldn’t even have a chance to escape. Before he could sigh, Kumu suddenly sped up again.
After flying over more than a dozen peaks, Kumu said, “We’re almost at the entrance of Chenxiao Sect.”
Guo Shier asked, “Is it that small town?” He stared at a small town not far away.

Witherwood flew them straight over the town and said, “That’s a talisman market… The mountain gate isn’t there.” As he spoke, Guo Shier saw many people using flying talismans, which dazzled him. He couldn’t help asking, “Aren’t flying talismans valuable?”
Witherwood replied, “Flying talismans vary in quality. High-grade ones are very rare, while low-grade ones are everywhere and not particularly precious. However, even ordinary sect disciples can’t use them.”
Eagle Demon had gradually gotten used to flying. He remained silent, observing quietly. He noticed that Witherwood was extremely patient with Guo Shier, answering almost every question without any sign of impatience, though his tone was flat and his expression unchanged.
Beyond the town, there were more and more people in the air. Most flew at low altitudes, with only a few flying high. Guo Shier asked, “Do those flying high use high-grade flying talismans?”
Witherwood said, “No. Those flying high don’t need flying talismans… Just like me, they can fly without them.”
Only then did Guo Shier realize that flying was a skill he could also master someday. It was clear that those who could fly were quite strong, at least at the master level. Yet he still didn’t know how strength levels were determined here.
The three landed on the ground. Witherwood said, “This is a no-fly zone. We must go up there.”
Hearing the term “no-fly zone” suddenly, Guo Shier was surprised. He asked, “Is this the mountain gate? But I don’t see any mountain gate.”
Witherwood replied, “The so-called mountain gate is just a symbolic term. It doesn’t mean there’s actually a gate standing there.”
A narrow path made of bluestone curved its way up the mountain, surrounded by dense trees that created a serene atmosphere. Guo Shier asked, “If this is the mountain gate, why aren’t there any people walking here?”
Witherwood answered as they walked, “This is a small path. There’s also a main road over there. Disciples usually take the main road and don’t come here.”
The three followed the small path up the mountain. The road was long, and Witherwood moved forward almost weightlessly, so he was extremely fast. Eagle Demon had no choice but to pick up Guo Shier and chase after them. Even though he was a great talisman martial artist, he still struggled to keep up.
After passing a mountain ridge, a huge platform appeared. This platform covered at least two or three square kilometers, resembling the cross-section of a mountain whose upper half had been cut off. There were many people on the platform.

Kumu said, “This is the sect square of the Chenxiao Sect. To enter or leave the sect, one must pass through this square. Pay attention to the ground—it has a huge talisman array. The incantations and symbols on the ground are part of the array, though it’s not activated yet. Once enemies invade, this array will activate instantly… It’s a very powerful killing array.”

As he spoke, Kumu stepped onto the square, his speed clearly slowing down.

Guo Shieru observed carefully. The people here were dressed like those in ancient times, wearing long-sleeved robes that gave them a timeless appearance. Comparing himself to them, he was clad in furs, looking like a wildman among them.

“Uncle Eagle Demon, let me down.”

Eagle Demon crouched down and whispered, “Shieru, be careful. We’re very unfamiliar with this place.”

Kumu said, “Don’t worry. No one here dares to mess with you.”

Guo Shieru smiled and said, “It’s okay, Uncle Eagle Demon. I’ll be careful…” Before he could finish, he heard someone laughing, “Haha, look… where did that little wildman come from… so funny…”

Another voice said, “They must be captured slaves.”

Kumu flew swiftly toward the ground like lightning, arriving in front of the two who were chatting in an instant. With two loud thuds, the two were flung backward, spewing blood mist into the air. Guo Shieru took a closer look and saw that they were two young men in sapphire-blue robes, sent flying by Kumu’s slaps. They lay on the ground, vomiting blood repeatedly, their faces pale.

The two had a few companions, and one of them screamed, “It’s Uncle Kumu, the sect ancestor…”

Instantly, the others also turned pale with fear. Kumu was known in the Chenxiao Sect as cold and merciless, killing without hesitation. No one dared to offend him, and it was unclear how those two had angered such a terrifying figure.

Kumu said coldly, “Go to the Law Hall by yourselves… each of you will receive ten whips! If you dare talk nonsense again, cut off your own head and hang it on that flagpole! Do you hear me? Get lost!”

The crowd, as if granted amnesty, scurried away in panic.

Guo Shieru was sweating profusely. He understood that originally, there was nothing wrong with what those two said. But just after Kumu promised they wouldn’t be disturbed, they were mocked. They had brought trouble upon themselves—Kumu would have no choice but to act.

Ku Mu led Guo Shier while explaining, “Look, everyone wearing gray-blue robes are servants. Well, men wear gray robes, while women wear blue skirts. Outer sect disciples wear dark green robes, and inner sect disciples wear sapphire blue robes.” Guo Shier turned to look and saw that the two people who had been knocked away earlier were inner sect disciples.

Ku Mu continued, “Those at the level of senior uncles mostly wear silver-white silk robes, while the senior ancestors wear specially made purplish-red talisman robes.”

Guo Shier realized that hierarchies were clearly defined here, unlike the chaotic and loose structure of the Northern Talisman Sect. The organizational structure here seemed much more stringent. He asked, “What did that person say about slaves… what does that mean?”

Ku Mu replied, “You don’t need to worry about it. Slaves do exist here. Most of them are people captured from lower-level continents. In fact… people here are also often captured by people from other continents and sold as slaves. But if one has great strength, even as a slave, they won’t suffer. However, slaves have no freedom, and their lives and deaths are controlled by their masters.”

Hearing this, Guo Shier felt somewhat depressed. He asked, “You went to the Wild Beast Secret Realm… well, do the people here know about it?”

Ku Mu asked, “Is it the secret realm you’re talking about?”

Guo Shier nodded. “Yes.”

Ku Mu said, “I happened to get the location of that secret realm. Probably no one here knows it. Moreover, the locations of secret realms are kept secret and are not easily shared with others, because it’s like a treasure trove from which one can gain many benefits. No one would be foolish enough to share it.”

Guo Shier relaxed a little. Ku Mu added, “Is it because they’re afraid we’ll rush to your continent? Don’t worry. Maybe only a dozen of us can go; any more and it won’t work… It’s an invisible restriction. Just like a secret realm, it has its own rules, and human strength can’t overcome them.”

However, what Ku Mu didn’t mention was that with the power of the sect, there are still large talisman sects that can enter lower-level continents, but the cost is extremely high. Without absolute benefits, the sects won’t use such large talisman sects.

“There seems to be no restrictions for moving from lower-level continents to higher-level ones, but going the other way poses huge problems. We’ve long discovered this rule. Why can lower-level continents exist… If it weren’t for this rule, they would have been conquered countless times already.”

Crossing the square platform, they reached the edge. Kuumu pointed to the left path and said, “Throughout the Chenxiao Sect, only the west side of this square lacks defensive formations. From here, one can fly to their respective residences or walk along those paths.”
Guo Shier said, “So, it means that one can only enter the Chenxiao Sect through this square? There’s no other way in?”
Kuumu nodded. “That’s right. This is the only entrance to the Chenxiao Sect. Once the talisman array on the square is activated, the mountain gate is completely sealed off—no one can leave, and no one can enter.”
Guo Shier was deeply alarmed. This level of defense was far more stringent than that of the Northern Talisman Gate, which also meant it was far more dangerous here. He asked, “Is it very dangerous outside?”
Kuumu sensed that this kid was extraordinary, not expecting him to think of so much. He nodded. “It is indeed very dangerous outside—hundreds of times more so than where you are. For those without strength, wandering outside is almost the same as committing suicide… But once you enter the Chenxiao Sect, you won’t have to worry. It’s relatively safe inside.”
Guo Shier asked, “Where are we going?”
Kuumu said, “I’m taking you to register with the sect. I’ll take you as my disciple. Are you willing?”