socalfunplaces 377. Arrival at Yin Valley
377. Arrival at Yin Valley
"What's wrong?"
"Senior brother..." Mu Qingluan's voice trembled slightly, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, filled with unease and self-reproach. She gently bit her lower lip, clearly indicating that she was extremely unstable at this moment: "I was wrong..."
Xiao Yan smiled gently, his gaze softening as he looked at Mu Qingluan: "Then tell me, what did you do wrong?"
Mu Qingluan lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling slightly, as if she was trying hard to hold back her tears: "I shouldn't have made the decision for you..."
Xiao Yan also put away the Spirit-Nourishing Powder and stood in front of Mu Qingluan, patiently saying like a true teacher, "I know you are simple-minded and didn't think that much, but I already said at the time that I wouldn't stand idly by."
"I know you felt the situation was very urgent at the time, and you disapproved of Ling Zhuo's actions, wanting to help Valley Master Tang. But you also need to consider the consequences. If I didn't have the strength of an eighth-grade alchemist, what if Valley Master Tang ultimately had no choice but to ask Ling Zhuo for help?"
"Then your good intentions might just add to his burden. It will be even more troublesome for him to ask Ling Zhuo for help, and he will face an even more difficult situation."
Venerable Feng's decision to have Mu Qingluan accompany him likely stemmed from his intention to have her mentor. After all, Mu Qingluan grew up in the Heavenly Phoenix Clan and later became a disciple of the Starfall Pavilion. Her strength and vision were exceptionally well-developed, but she lacked experience venturing out on her own, and due to her background, she was destined to avoid major trouble. Given today's situation, neither Qinglin nor Little Fairy Doctor would act rashly, which was the source of Mu Qingluan's guilt.
Hearing Xiao Yan's earnest analysis, Mu Qingluan felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, and tears blurred her vision.
Seeing Mu Qingluan weeping, Xiao Yan didn't stop her. Once Mu Qingluan had vented her emotions, Xiao Yan patted her head and said, "But you can remember, your senior brother will never be unhappy with you because of this."
"Really?" Mu Qingluan's eyes were also unusually red as she looked at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. He knew that such experience couldn't be gained overnight, and that he, too, had moments of youthful irrationality. As long as Mu Qingluan could learn something from this experience, that would be enough.
Not far away, Little Fairy Doctor seemed to be carefully gazing at the scenery ahead, but at this moment she gave a rather meaningful smile.
……
Sound Valley, one of the top powers on the continent, is renowned throughout the Central Plains for its unique sonic combat techniques. Outside the valley, the Chaotic Sound Array acts as an invisible barrier, protecting the tranquility of Sound Valley. However, today, several guests have arrived outside the Chaotic Sound Array—Xiao Yan and his group of four.
"Senior brother, this Chaotic Sound Array is said to gather the sonic energy emitted by all the disciples of Sound Valley during their daily training. Driven by a peculiar array, even a Dou Zong expert with normal self-defense wouldn't be able to pass through it!" Mu Qingluan explained.
Looking at the scene before him, Xiao Yan's eyes revealed a hint of interest. It was common knowledge throughout the continent that Yin Gu was skilled in sonic combat techniques, and Xiao Yan himself rarely fought against opponents who were proficient in sonic combat techniques. In Xiao Yan's memory, only his nephew Xu Yingwu was proficient in sonic combat techniques.
As for what Mu Qingluan said, that ordinary Dou Zong cultivators couldn't enter this Chaotic Sound Array, then he must be an extraordinary type. Xiao Yan also said, "We've searched all this way and confirmed that Sound Valley is indeed isolated from the outside world. Now, our only option is to break in through this Chaotic Sound Array."
Before arriving at Sound Valley, Xiao Yan and his companions had already inquired about the situation: Sound Valley had indeed been completely cut off from the outside world for half a month. The Chaotic Sound Array could isolate most people, including those sent by Lin Xiuya. The three women nodded in agreement; with Xiao Yan and Qing Lin's strength, entering the valley wouldn't be too difficult.
"Qinglin, you're in charge of protecting Qingluan."
Qing Lin nodded seriously, a flash of azure light in her eyes, and a chilling aura surged forth. Qing Lin had explained to Xiao Yan that the Jade Serpent Three-Flower Pupil and the Nine Netherworld Python complemented each other. Even without directly summoning the magical beast, Qing Lin could still utilize some of the Nine Netherworld Python's abilities. And when the time truly came, she could also summon Xiao Han to fight alongside her; the combination of the two would achieve a result greater than the sum of its parts.
That night at the Starfall Pavilion, Qing Lin, through the combined efforts of the human and the python, managed to control several Dou Zun-level experts of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix in a short period of time. Now, breaking through this Chaotic Sound Array naturally doesn't require the Nine Netherworld Python to appear.
Qinglin led Mu Qingluan straight into the formation, while Xiao Yan grabbed Xiao Yixian's slender waist and also rushed into the formation.
The moment they entered the great formation, sonic energy surged in from all directions. The ear-piercing sound waves gathered and erupted like a storm, crashing towards Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor like a tidal wave. The strain on their ears was secondary; Xiao Yan sensed that the sonic waves within the formation were like sharp blades constantly slicing across them.
Meanwhile, within this sonic array, the sonic energy is also extremely chaotic, constantly changing in strength, density, and sparseness. Those with insufficient strength, even if they prepare defensive measures in advance, will be mercilessly destroyed by the ever-changing sonic waves within this array.
Feeling the feedback from his body, Xiao Yan understood the limit of the array's power. He then smiled faintly, and a black vortex swirled around him and Little Fairy Doctor, mercilessly swallowing the sonic waves. The next instant, Xiao Yan, carrying Little Fairy Doctor, sped forward. As they ventured deeper, the sonic waves grew increasingly powerful, with several even launching cunning attacks. However, all of this was meaningless before Xiao Yan's ability to absorb sound; he effortlessly broke through the chaotic sonic array.
Xiao Yan knew that this formation was definitely uncontrolled; otherwise, it would have been much more troublesome. After all, it was the protective formation of the Sound Valley, so it was normal for him to pass through, but the ease with which he did so was unusual. This indicated that something had indeed happened within the Sound Valley!
After Xiao Yan emerged from the chaotic sound array, Qing Lin and Mu Qingluan were already waiting there. Looking around, Xiao Yan saw rows of ancient and elegant buildings constructed from strange stones, nestled among lush flowers, trees, and shrubs. These buildings seemed like sculptures of sound waves; every brick and tile contained a wave-like power, trembling gently in the wind and emitting melodious harmonies. The central building soared into the clouds, its roof carved with ancient runes that shimmered with golden light in the sunlight.
"Yin Gu, we've arrived."