Chapter 410: Teaming Up

"Let's head down."

Grand Elder Wang Guyuan waved his sleeve. With his hands clasped behind his back, he spoke calmly, then led the group in a slow descent to the edge of Pengze Immortal Island.

Ancient trees towered into the sky and lush shrubs grew in abundance. A sea of green filled their vision, a scene brimming with vitality.

And at that same moment.

SCREEE!

A loud, clear crane's cry rang out.

Just off the island, one immortal crane after another slowly flew over, beating their enormous wings. The Four Vein Disciples had arrived. However, they did not land where Shen Daoxing and the others were, but instead descended upon the four cardinal directions of Pengze Immortal Island.

At this time, Grand Elder Wang Guyuan, his hands still clasped behind him, turned to face the group and began to speak slowly. "This Immortal Island assessment is divided into three stages. You need only travel from here to the summit of Pengze Immortal Mountain, located in the very center of the island. Do so, and you will have passed the Immortal Island's trial and become Immortal Island disciples of the Pengze Lineage."

As he spoke, Grand Elder Wang Guyuan smiled, his eyes holding a profound meaning as he looked at the crowd:

"And if you manage to seize the Celestial Mirror Order in the battle that follows, you will become the new master of this Immortal Island—the next Island Master of Pengze Immortal Island."

"To become the new master of the Immortal Island, one needs disposition, talent, fortune, and wisdom. Not one can be missing. High strength alone does not guarantee you will become the Island Master. Remember, any one of you could be the one! Don't assume you are definitely worse than those Four Vein Disciples."

"Yes, Grand Elder!"

The disciples shouted in unison, their passions stirred. They couldn't help but feel excited, their eyes burning with what seemed to be newfound confidence.

However, the Steward Elder at their side promptly threw a bucket of cold water on their excitement. "But this Pengze Immortal Island is not as simple as it appears on the surface. It hides many dangers, so you must not be careless. Furthermore, it is home to many demonic beasts once raised by Ancestor Dan Chen. The weakest among them are at the Earth Profound Realm, and some are even equivalent to the Refining Dust Realm."

"Demonic beasts at the Refining Dust Realm!"

Hearing this, the disciples all gasped, instantly cooling down.

The Steward Elder paused for a moment before continuing, "For this trial, you must form teams of three and work together to cross the Immortal Island on foot to reach Pengze Immortal Mountain in the center. Sword Control is forbidden."

"Only the first six teams to reach the foot of Pengze Immortal Mountain will pass this first stage."

As he spoke, the Steward Elder's eyes swept over the group. "Alright, begin now. You may find suitable teammates. In one hour, the Immortal Island trial will commence."

Hearing this, the Inner Sect Disciples immediately sprang into action.

It was obvious that Pengze Immortal Island was no simple place. It was fraught with danger and even held demonic beasts of the Refining Dust Realm. To be among the first to reach Pengze Immortal Mountain, one naturally needed the strongest teammates possible.

And just as naturally, none of these Inner Sect Disciples were willing to team up with a Servant Disciple from the outer sect.

In just a short while, all the other disciples had formed their teams, leaving only Shen Daoxing standing alone in the middle.

Shen Daoxing wasn't too bothered by this and couldn't be bothered to find anyone. 'If no one wants to team up with me, then I'll just go alone.'

With that, Shen Daoxing leaned against an ancient tree by himself to rest.

Just then, however, a deep, low voice sounded in Shen Daoxing's ear. "Little Junior Brother! Little Junior Brother!"

Shen Daoxing turned his head to see Wan Hai walking over with a gentle-looking woman. They stopped in front of him.

The woman was graceful and refined, with a very kind appearance. Her affectionate eyes never left Wan Hai, making it obvious their relationship was anything but ordinary.

"Little Junior Brother, you don't have a team yet, do you? As it happens, I'm still short one person. Why don't you join me?"

Wan Hai said with genuine kindness.

Shen Daoxing opened his eyes, a little surprised, and looked at Wan Hai.

As if sensing Shen Daoxing's confusion, Wan Hai smiled faintly. "Back when I was an outer sect disciple, I was just like you—unwelcome and always isolated."

Wan Hai only offered that one line of explanation, saying no more. Instead, he turned to the gentle woman beside him. "Thankfully, I met Yi later on. Otherwise, I might still be an outer sect disciple even now."

Hearing this, the gentle woman beside Wan Hai suddenly shook her head, looking at him with eyes full of affection. "No, Wan! Even without me, you would have achieved what you have today. Gold will always shine. They just didn't know how to appreciate you, that's all. They're all just mediocre."

Wan Hai was deeply moved, his eyes growing moist. "Yi, you're so good to me!"

With that, the two embraced passionately, completely ignoring the fact that an outsider, Shen Daoxing, was standing right in front of them.

Shen Daoxing was speechless.

Shen Daoxing coughed awkwardly a few times. "Well then, I'll be in your care, Senior Brother!"

Shen Daoxing didn't refuse Wan Hai's kind invitation. In fact, ever since joining the Cyan Nether Sword Sect, he had received a fair bit of help from Wan Hai. It was about time he repaid the kindness.

Hearing Shen Daoxing's voice, the two finally separated. Realizing the situation, Wan Hai just laughed without a hint of embarrassment, while the woman beside him shyly buried her head in his shoulder.

Afterward, Wan Hai introduced the woman by his side to Shen Daoxing. Her name was Tang Yi, and she was Senior Brother Wan Hai's dao companion. Back when he was still an outer sect disciple, it was thanks to her support that he was able to persevere step by step and eventually become an Inner Sect Disciple.

With the team formed, the three of them began walking toward the designated area.

But just then, a sharp, sarcastic voice suddenly rang out:

"Hehehehe, Wan Hai, oh, Wan Hai. I really can't tell if you're stupid or just an idiot. For a trial on the Immortal Island, you actually brought along a useless outer sect disciple. Hehehehe, with a team like yours, I'm afraid you'll fall into the mouths of those demonic beasts the moment you step foot on the island."

Shen Daoxing turned to look and saw a thin, shady-looking man walking out from nearby, appearing before them.

The shady man seemed to know Wan Hai and Tang Yi, but he looked at Wan Hai with an expression of utter disdain.

Then he turned to Tang Yi. "Hehehehe, Junior Sister Tang Yi, following these two wastes, forget about passing the trial. I'm afraid you might accidentally lose your life on this Immortal Island. Hehehe, Junior Sister Tang Yi, why don't you leave them and join us instead?"

The shady man added meaningfully, "You should know, our Senior Brother Pan Cheng has had his eye on you for a very long time."

As the shady man's words fell, a tall man with a cold expression appeared before the group.

After this cold man appeared, without any perceptible movement, he took a single step and was suddenly standing in front of Tang Yi.