The gargantuan dragon dived down ruthlessly, causing the entire valley to shudder in fear. Countless trees and gra.s.ses were crushed under the force of this boundless pressure. Large expanses of soil overturned and flew into the air. Instantly, more than half of the woods were ruined. The Fiend Duo of the Northern Underworld was the most gravely injured of them all. They supported each other while repeatedly coughing up blood. Their clothing was mostly ruined and every inch of their skin was covered with blood and soil. The duo looked battered and exhausted.

Within seconds, the dark clouds that hung close to the ground dissipated and a clear sky that stretched for thousands of miles once again showed itself. Ji Wulang pointed to Xiao Chen and said resentfully, "Kid, you're an heir of the Ancient Immortal Clan! What's your name?"

Xiao Chen replied indifferently, "I am who I am and I'm not ashamed. I'm Xiao Chen."

The Fiend Duo of the Northern Underworld, who was already pale from blood loss, turned even whiter after hearing his name. Ji Wulang slapped his forehead. "How did we end up meeting this malefic creature?!" He swiftly turned into a sword radiance and fled southeast with Ji Wuhuan.

The group of more than a dozen girls also turned deathly pale after hearing Xiao Chen's name. When Xiao Chen reported his name at the entrance of the valley, they thought he was one of the perverted Fiend Duo of the Northern Underworld. They never imagined that he would be the real thing, the one who used a single punch to wipe out a peak-level Core Forming Realm cultivator and a single saber attack to severely injure an expectant Nascent Soul Realm devil.

Xiao Chen shook his head at the bad reputation he was gaining. He saluted the girls. "Don't worry, senior sisters. I didn't come here with malicious intentions."

Considering he had been nothing but refined and courteous from start to finish, coupled with his words now, the girls finally felt more at ease. One of them stepped forward and returned his greetings. "We're truly sorry for mistaking you for those two s.e.xual deviants earlier, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Chen chuckled. "It's fine. Where are those two from? Why are they troubling you?" He knew that Huashang, being one of the Jade Qing Seven, ought to be at least a peak-level Core Forming Realm cultivator. Huashang could easily exterminate those two with a single attack, so why did she allow them to barge into the valley? Could she be away?

The girl looked rather displeased. "It's best not to mention it," she said, "Why are you here today, Young Master Xiao?"

Xiao Chen replied, "To be honest, I'm here to discuss an important matter with Predecessor Huashang. Is she here?"

The girl instantly looked uncomfortable, prompting another girl to step forward and say, "Young Master Xiao, it's better that you leave immediately. If..."

Hearing how hesitant she sounded, Xiao Chen frowned. "What's wrong? Is Predecessor Huashang not here?"

The girl looked terribly uneasy and only answered his question after hesitating for a long time. "That's not it. It's just that three months ago, our master suddenly ruled that any man who barges into our valley will have his eyes gouged out, tendons broken, and imprisoned for 49 days..."

Xiao Chen was startled. This punishment was even crueler than an execution. Yu Yifeng told him that Huashang was strange and difficult to understand. Even so, she was one of the Jade Qing Seven. How could she be so vicious?

Li Muxue frowned and asked, "What happened?" If that was Huashang's character, it would be quite the challenge to ask her to return to the Jade Qing Sect.

The girl hemmed and hawed before answering, "It began three months ago when our master came across a girl on her way home. Finding her to be adorable, our master took her in. Afterward, she learned that the girl was suffering from a heartbreak and it reminded her of her own..."

Another girl walked up to them and interrupted the one speaking. She saluted Xiao Chen. "Forgive us, Young Master Xiao. We're thankful that you chased those two men away but please go home."

Xiao Chen knew they were being considerate but he had an urgent need to meet Huashang. He returned the salutation. "I'll wait outside the valley while you report to your master that her old friend's disciples are here to pay a visit. Will this do, Senior Sisters?"

"Well..." The girls looked uncomfortable. One of them said, "I'll be honest, Young Master Xiao. Our master has been meditating behind closed doors all this while. We don't know when she'll be done."

Xiao Chen and Li Muxue exchanged glances, both thinking, "If this is the case, never mind asking her to return, it'll be difficult to even meet Huashang."

Xiao Chen turned around and walked to the entrance of the valley. He knew that it was impossible to barge in. The only thing he could do was leaving this place and coming up with another plan. They couldn't return just like this or they risk jeopardizing the matter at hand.

He recalled the sarcastic remarks that Mu Shaoai and the rest made when they left this morning. What should they do now? Was Huashang really mediating behind closed doors or did something major happened in the valley?

Suddenly, a cool female voice drifted from a faraway place. "How could we turn you away when you're the disciples of my master's old friend?" Xiao Chen turned around and saw a beautiful woman dressed in plain white clothing hovering in the air. The other girls respectfully greeted her. "Senior Sister Chu."

Xiao Chen stared fixedly at the figure and saw that it was Chu Lingjiao. Even though they had gotten into a disagreement over the zither's string in Zhou State, it was nevertheless easier to speak to an acquaintance. Moreover, her words implied that he should stay. He saluted her with a smile. "So it's you, Senior Sister Chu. It's been a while. I trust you've been well."

Chu Lingjiao swiftly came close and landed in front of him. She glanced at Li Muxue, who stood beside him, before fixing her gaze on him. With a faint smile, she said, "Junior Brother Xiao, how have you been?"

Many of the girls were taken aback to learn that their Senior Sister Chu knew this man. Senior Sister Chu chuckled, emanating her lovely charm. With a soft and sonorous voice, she said, "This way, Junior Brother Xiao."

Seeing as Chu Lingjiao intended to bring him into the valley, one of the girls hastily said, "Senior Sister Chu, this..." Chu Lingjiao gestured for her to keep quiet and then smiled at Xiao Chen. "Junior Brother Xiao, this way please."

It was almost dusk. The delicate fragrance that enveloped the valley penetrated deeply into their hearts. After walking for seven or eight miles, the scenery became even more beautiful. The meandering river stretched on as far as the eye could see. Flowers of every kind bloomed beautifully as b.u.t.terflies fluttered without leaving any trace behind. This place was like a paradise from the distant past.

Subconsciously, the sorrowful feeling in Xiao Chen's heart slowly manifested. "Senior Sister Chu, has this place always been named the Falling Flowers Valley?"

Chu Lingjiao chuckled. "I don't know its previous name but it gained its current name after my master came. She came up with the name 'Falling Flowers Valley' after noticing how the flowers bloom here without wilting and rain petals all year round."

He nodded. So that was why. After walking for a little longer, he saw several palaces and pavilions in the distance. This must be the Heartless Palace. Under the setting sun, he could vaguely see many ladies practicing their swordsmans.h.i.+p, their skirts fluttering elegantly as they moved.

When they got closer, the ladies stopped practicing. All of them looked at the man in astonishment. Chu Lingjiao said loudly, "Continue your swordsmans.h.i.+p practice." She turned around and told Xiao Chen, "We have many rules here and bar the entry of men. I hope you wouldn't pay them any mind, Junior Brother Xiao."

Xiao Chen nodded. After following her another five to six miles westward, Chu Lingjiao said, "We don't have guestrooms for men but there's a small courtyard located on the cliff up ahead. We don't know who built it and it has seen better days after weathering the years. We hope you two don't mind staying there."

Xiao Chen naturally took no issue. He was fine with living anywhere. However, when he saw the small courtyard, another pang of sorrow inexplicably hit him. It was as if this courtyard was the source of all his sadness.