There was a relatively small open area in front of the entrance leading to the mountain path within the inner sect of Tianlang Sect, and now it was filled with many people.
Sima Luo, the head elder of the inner sect, stood slightly higher. His plain white robe clearly distinguished him from the surrounding disciples, making him easy to identify.
“Are you Elder Sima, the senior?” Li Tan asked.
Li Tan wore a simple black outfit, his long hair tied back, and walked slowly out of the inner sect. His appearance was vastly different from the uniformed inner sect disciples, making him stand out easily.
Therefore, Sima Luo immediately noticed him with a glance and let out a disdainful snort. “I’m not worthy of being called a senior. Mr. Li holds the position of Honorary Elder, equal to an old man like me.”
Understanding Sima Luo’s dissatisfaction, Li Tan knew the reason but couldn’t explain clearly, so he awkwardly replied with a smile, “I feel deeply honored.”
“Honorary Elder, you flatter me!”
Sima Luo emphasized the words, particularly elongating the term “honorary.”
This loud statement immediately confirmed Li Tan’s identity to everyone present, and their gazes turned unfriendly, as if Li Tan had turned their heads into fields of green grass.
Since continuing this topic would lead to endless arguments, and Li Tan had no intention of wasting time arguing, he softened his tone and changed the subject: “I’m afraid I’m a bit slow-witted. Please, Elder Sima, instruct me on what I should do next.”
Sima Luo wasn’t a petty person. After venting his frustration, his anger dissipated, and he no longer continued to challenge Li Tan. He slowly explained the relevant details of this training mission.
Generally speaking, it was exactly as Zhang Zhixin had described. Li Tan was the deputy team leader, responsible for vigilance to prevent powerful beasts from approaching and causing casualties. Meanwhile, the team leader, Sima Luo, aside from this duty, was also responsible for guiding the way forward.
This forward path was the training route itself, marked by a special map. This map had been annotated by the elders of the Tianlang Sect and was revised monthly by the Criminal Justice Department. It detailed the distribution of dangerous beasts within the nearby area of the Fallen Immortal Domain (Zhui Xian Zhi Yu) belonging to the Tianlang Sect.
Therefore, this training mission was essentially safe, with little actual danger involved.
Li Tan felt that a training mission of this level was a complete waste of time. These disciples were all protected by two elders, where was the sense of crisis? The beasts they needed to deal with were only threats that wouldn’t cause fatal harm. Take Li Jiaying as an example; without experiencing life-and-death situations, how could one achieve significant breakthroughs?
Considering that each of these inner sect disciples was a precious gem cultivated at great cost, which couldn’t be easily replaced, Li Tan could somewhat understand Zhang Zhi and the others.
However, as the ancient saying goes, “Who doesn’t venture into the tiger’s den won’t get the tiger’s cub.” It was an undeniable fact that such cautious behavior had limited effectiveness.
To the east of the Tianlang Sect lay a bottomless abyss, blocking the path. Therefore, the group first headed north towards the great desert and then turned westward towards the forest.
Viewed from a high vantage point, this breathtakingly beautiful forest was infamously known as the “Fallen Immortal Domain”—a place where countless humans and ferocious beasts had met their demise.
Upon entering the forest, these well-dressed young men and women were initially brimming with enthusiasm, boldly boasting without restraint. However, after walking for about an hour, they gradually fell silent. The path grew increasingly narrow, ancient towering trees blocked out the sunlight, the air turned damp and chilly, and the atmosphere became more and more oppressive. Grotesque insects crawling and flitting across the tree trunks and the ground startled the female disciples, while the male disciples forced smiles to comfort them. Yet, as the undergrowth and thorns thickened and physical exhaustion set in, the young men and women gradually lost their vigor. Clearly, this was their first time venturing into the Fallen Immortal Domain, and all their prior knowledge had been nothing more than theoretical discussions.
When they truly encountered fierce beasts, even if they were pre-screened ones, it would likely be enough to give this group of timid individuals quite a challenge. Only then would they learn what it meant to face the harsh realities of society.
Moved by the scene, Li Tan couldn’t help but recall the performance of Li Jiaying and Li Xiu when he last took them into the mountains for training. Comparing them to these people, he couldn’t help muttering, “Look at these spoiled brats; they can’t even match a child of twelve or thirteen.”
Unfortunately, Sima Luo overheard this.
Naturally, Sima Luo was unwilling to hear someone criticizing his disciples, especially since the person was Li Tan, whom he had always disliked, and the content sounded rather implausible. Therefore, he concluded that Li Tan was just bragging and responded with a sarcastic “Oh,” asking in a mocking tone, “I wonder which ‘child’ the Honorary Elder is referring to? I’d really like to meet such a prodigy.”
Li Tan replied, “She’s my younger sister.”
Upon hearing this, Sima Luo’s tone became even more disdainful, “Then why don’t you tell us about your sister’s achievements to inspire these useless fellows?”
Some disciples nearby who enjoyed the commotion caught the mocking tone in Sima Luo’s voice and joined in the teasing.
Li Tan knew that Sima Luo didn’t believe him, but he wasn’t particularly bothered. He slowly recounted the story of Li Jiayu.
After finishing, he looked up somewhat melancholically at the sky, obscured by the branches and leaves of the trees, and felt a wave of longing.
As for the disciples listening to the story, they all treated it as mere entertainment. However, perhaps the story was somewhat engaging, as they didn’t mock Li Tan this time.
“Hmph, pretending to be sentimental. What a good act,” Sima Luo sarcastically thought to himself. He waved his hand and ordered everyone to quicken their pace.
Resuming the normal journey, the atmosphere of the group became heavy again. Sima Luo instructed Li Tan to remain vigilant while he kept his head down, studying the leather map calibrated by the Criminal Justice Department, occasionally directing the group to change their direction.
Li Tan quietly asked, “Senior, why don’t you look at the path ahead?”
Sima Luo explained, “With the map passed down by our ancestors, there’s no need to look at the road.”
“Aren’t you afraid of unexpected situations?”
“The map is calibrated monthly by specialists, and there has never been an accident.”
“What if there is an unexpected situation?”
Sima Luo slightly frowned, seemingly somewhat displeased, “There is no ‘what if.'”
Feeling that his efforts were unappreciated, Li Tan didn’t bother to keep engaging in such futile conversation. He yawned, turned around, and walked back to his position.
If he were still the Human Emperor, Sima Luo would have certainly lost his position as an elder. Having deeply understood after seven expeditions into the wilderness, Li Tan knew well that no matter how detailed a map was, it could only serve as an aid. Once one lost their own judgment, sooner or later they would face a bloody lesson.
The group continued to advance, and around noon, Sima Luo found a relatively flat area marked as safe on the map, with no beasts of second tier or above around it, and announced that they would set up camp.
Thus began the three-day, two-night training mission.
Li Tan and Sima Luo were responsible for vigilance, while the other disciples were divided into groups of five to venture into the forest, kill fierce beasts, and bring back a part of their bodies as proof to qualify for the training. Their performance—whether excellent or merely adequate—would be determined by discussions between the two leading elders.
After resting for about an hour, the disciples who had prepared themselves set out one after another. Li Tan wanted to call Sima Luo to patrol, but the latter immediately began meditating on the spot.
Li Tan’s expression showed some displeasure, and he simply sat down nearby as well.
After all, their lives and deaths had nothing to do with him. If Sima Luo didn’t care, why should he bother?
So he closed his eyes too.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage