The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]

Chapter 191: Nightshade Valley

The next day, Li Lang headed out of Emberglow City with Tai Xilun, leaving Long Yi and the kids behind.

Traveling with the stoic head disciple of Bloodwave Conclave, Li Lang passed the time with Ruby instead.

“I wonder if there are any artifacts that can take photos or something,” Li Lang muttered. “I wanted to take a picture of Long Yi’s face when I told him I would be leaving the next day. He’s now a high and mighty Foundation Establishment cultivator, but he’s still the same. I had almost expected he would mature a little.”

“Why would you think that, Master?”

“Hmm, all those experts usually act all stoic and serious. In the back of my mind, I suspected it was the influence of cultivation. Just like how demonic cultivators are influenced, but in a more subtle manner.”

“Wouldn’t you be able to tell yourself, Master?”

“Hmm, that’s hard to say. Haven’t you read my memories? A few studies say people are bad at noticing the influence power can have over their own behavior and perception. They have reduced empathy and interpersonal sensitivity but don’t even notice it. I wouldn’t say observation of one’s own behavior is the most accurate.”

“I only skimmed the relevant part of your memories, Master. I wouldn’t dare go through everything without your permission.”

The conversation between the cultivator and artifact spirit broached many subjects. They discussed many random things in between reading the results from the auto-analyzer. It was something Li Lang rarely did unless he was traveling.

While on a journey, he needed to stay alert and exit the space at any time. This was especially so when traveling with others. After all, they had no idea about the existence of Ruby.

That deterred him from getting into any serious sessions of crafts and experiments.

Like that, half a day went by without exchanging a word with Tai Xilun. He only broke his silence to declare their arrival.

“We’re here.”

It prompted Li Lang to stick his head out of the window to glance down at the scene.

Nightshade Valley was the home of Nightmoon Valley. Their similar names were easily confused, but upon looking down at the place in person, Li Lang could only say it was a fitting name.

The wide valley could almost be said to be a basin. With the sun still up, it should be brightly illuminated, but for some reason, none of the natural light reached its depths. It was as if there was an invisible barrier, blocking the light from reaching everything between the two mountains.

It looked as if there was a shadow monster engulfing the area up to the peaks.

Li Lang couldn’t help but do a double-take at the crudely drawn map included in the missive. They were just east of Emberglow, which meant they were still somewhat close to the border with the righteous sects.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“Nightshade Valley really lives up to its name. Is Nightmoon Valley’s headquarters somewhere down there?”

“No, that’s just the city. Nightmoon Valley is at the peaks of the two mountains that form the valley. However, we’ll have to land first. The only safe way into the Valley is through the entrances at ground level.”

“What would happen if we tried approaching from the skies?” Li Lang couldn’t help but ask.

“Let’s just say, a fate worse than death.”

His words only made Li Lang more curious. A strange phenomenon was only begging for him to investigate. The urge was only averted when Li Lang channeled his desire to finish the artifact projects.

Now that Long Yi had broken through, his need for an artifact had only risen. While he could only craft Mortal-grade artifacts for now, it was still better than being bare-handed. At the strength of Foundation Establishment cultivators, mundane weapons were no different from being unarmed. They simply can't support the full strength they can exert.

I also have to see how their defenses differ from mortals. They say they can’t get caught off-guard anymore. They don’t need to consciously direct their Qi for defense, so my all-out attacks wouldn’t be effective at that level.

Before Li Lang could deliberate what type of tests would be effective and how to convince Long Yi to participate, his vehicle pulled down and came up to a colossal stone wall. It was spherical, aligning itself with the darkness of the valley behind it. It was impossible to tell how high it reached as the darkness hid it.

The wide-open gates had a healthy amount of traffic, but Tai Xilun disregarded it and flew right over the line. He only landed once they were at the base of the gate.

One of the guards immediately came up to greet him.

“Which esteemed master from Bloodwave Conclave has graciously come to visit us?”

“I am Tai Xilun. Head Disciple of the conclave. Here to fulfill a request from your valley.”

The man materialized some paper and scribbled down a few things before waving us forward.

“Enjoy your stay, Head Disciple.”

Going through the gates, they found themselves crossing a tunnel. Following the line ahead, it took the Skyrunner a full minute before they exited out on the other side.

Despite the view from outside, the city behind the wall wasn’t consumed by total darkness. Instead, it appeared as if it was dusk. The muted lights made Li Lang look up to search for the sun.

The sky looked as if it was completely covered in clouds, with the soft orange glow of dusk being spread out across the horizon.

“There isn’t much to see from down here. Try again when we arrive at the peaks,” Tai Xilun commented.

With nothing holding them down, their vehicle took to the skies once more. Once they were past the gates, it appeared it was safe to gain some elevation. It made Li Lang feel as if they had entered a dome of some sort.

Very soon, they climbed up the mountain and found a large resplendent building stretching across half the mountain, while the other half was blocked off by the hazy cloud wall that marked the border of the dome.

They landed at the entrance of this colossal building where two guards were standing guard. One of them naturally approached as the two visitors disembarked.

“You are Tai Xilun and Li Lang, correct?”

The two nodded and were guided into the building. It only stood two stories tall, but the area it spanned was enormous. After many twists and turns, they were eventually led into a large circular chamber. They walked straight into the middle, entering the center stage of the empty room. Elevated seats surrounded them, reminding Li Lang of ancient amphitheaters, except it wasn’t constructed of marble but wood.

Li Lang thought he would be meeting someone important in such a grand room, but was quickly corrected. Their guide just paused momentarily before continuing to guide them into a small tunnel beside one of the elevated seats. They were soon led to a light brown door that was wide enough to fit four Skyrunners side by side easily.

As they approached, it automatically opened, but nothing could be seen behind it except a wall of dark clouds. The guard appeared calm, as if this was normal, and turned to Tai Xilun.

“This is as far as we can go. Only Li Lang can continue onward.”

The head disciple of the Bloodwave Conclave didn’t complain and just nodded.

“I’ll go visit Brother Jian in the meantime. Come find me when you’re ready to leave.”

“Thank you. Please give Senior Jian my regards.”

Li Lang was soon forced to part ways with his two guides and ventured into the wall of clouds. The moment he stepped through, he found himself in a small cozy office, reminiscent of the one room belonging to The Orchid Covenant’s headmaster.

It had a decorated wooden desk with bookshelves flanking the room. Behind the desk was a fireplace.

There was only one person in the study, a middle-aged man with a clean-shaven face. He had his head down, focused on some paperwork before him.

“Feel free to sit down. I’ll be done in just a minute,” his voice loudly proclaimed.

Li Lang knew the figure before him was someone of considerable authority. He didn’t ask any questions and complied. He approached the finely carved desk and sat in one of the two open seats on the other side of the man.

He spent his time surveying the room, particularly curious about the huge collection of books in the room. He wondered if they contained the advanced cultivation knowledge he had been missing. Those that contained techniques of the Violet Core Realm, Spirit Divide Realm, or even the Heaven Link Realm.

“Curious about my collection here? You can go take a look if you want.”

Looking at the speaker, Li Lang found the man’s full attention was on him now. He awkwardly cleared his throat and greeted him.

“This junior wouldn’t dare. I am already honored to be personally invited to the famed Nightmoon Valley.”

The man chuckled at his reply.

“Li Lang was it? I am serious. All the books here are part of my proud collection of stories and folktales I collected over my lifetime. The joy of having such a collection is naturally to share them with others.”

Li Lang was stunned for a moment, searching for how to decline. He couldn’t exactly say he was too busy to be wasting time here, straight to the man’s face. He quickly settled on pushing the blame onto Tai Xilun.

“Maybe next time when time allows. For today, I have the senior who brought me here waiting for me. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of their kindness.”

“Hmm, very well. I’m sure we’ll have more opportunities in the future. Anyway, I believe I have yet to introduce myself. I am Sima Yueling, the current head of Nightmoon Valley. I believe you are on good terms with my daughter, Sima Xue?”

Being questioned so directly, Li Lang could only nervously nod. He had heard Sima Xue being hailed as a princess for years, but he thought it just meant she was one of the rising stars among their disciples.

Sima Xue only said her master is someone of importance. She never said her dad was the head!