Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 28

[Vol. 6] Chapter 28: Storm Clouds on the Horizon

The next day, the carefully prepared, yet diverse, exploration team finally set out, heading toward the Tidal Deep Valley, located several dozen miles outside of Yangyuan City.

As one of the ten most dangerous places in the [Ancient Spirit Realm], the risks of the [Tidal Deep Valley] were naturally well known. Although the city’s guard had already sealed off the surrounding area under the Prefect’s orders, this was still just the military, and with the incredible methods of many practitioners and martial artists, it wasn’t impossible for some to sneak in.

There were two reasons for recruiting people from all over the Western Kingdom. One, to gather enough strength for the exploration, and two, likely to keep the more uncontrollable individuals under the watchful eye of the government.

For those with ulterior motives, joining the official exploration team made it far easier to gain access to the [Tidal Deep Valley], and such an opportunity was too tempting to pass up.

As for the subsequent power struggles after everyone achieved their goals, that would depend on the preparation and methods of each side.

At around 8 a.m., the exploration team, which included the priestess and her companions, along with over a hundred others, arrived at the vicinity of the [Tidal Deep Valley], where it was surrounded by military guards and official personnel.

Prefect Wen Fu, along with [Yin-Yang Division] captain Qin Xuan and other officials from the Western Kingdom, were present. But aside from them, Violet also saw another group, one that was unexpected yet entirely logical.

This group stood at the innermost part of the Tidal Deep Valley’s blockade. Although there were only about a hundred of them, they wore grey embroidered robes that were distinctly different from the military’s standard chainmail armor.

Behind them, they wore short cloaks that were both stylish and practical, with phoenix belts around their waists, long boots on their feet, and curved swords adorned with sun symbols. Their demeanor was composed, and their discipline was immediately apparent.

“Just as I thought, the [Spirit Guard]…”

Not only did Miss Ling Feng mutter thoughtfully to herself, but many of the other members of the exploration team also displayed visible signs of disturbance upon noticing this group of people. Some were nervous, some excited, and some seemed a little guilty…

Violet, who had blended in with the crowd, observed all of this with a lazy eye, though she couldn’t be bothered to point it out. It wasn’t her job, as the priestess, to expose those with ill intentions.

Wen Fu, the leader of the team, stepped forward and exchanged a few words with the man in the embroidered robe, who seemed to be the leader of the [Spirit Guard]. The man nodded, casting a gaze that was both scrutinizing and almost warning over the entire exploration team. He then raised his hand, signaling for his subordinates to move the barricades and clear the path.

Finally, the full view of the entrance to the [Tidal Deep Valley] was revealed to everyone.

It was a low basin, filled with over a hundred irregularly shaped depressions, both large and small. Some were only two or three feet wide, while others extended several yards outward. Prominent rippling water patterns could be seen gently swaying within these depressions. Despite the jagged stone walls towering a foot above, the depths were still invisible.

Clearly, this drop in water level indicated the “receding tide” period that Murong Yun had spoken of. Once the underground river completely subsided and exposed the accessible space, the exploration could officially begin.

Violet observed carefully. The city defense forces and the Spirit Guard had set up their blockade along the outer slope surrounding the basin but had not ventured into the actual basin, which was the true extent of the [Tidal Deep Valley].

Though she didn’t fully understand the reasoning behind this, it was probably due to some taboo or danger. It was evident that the valley was not a place one could casually enter and leave.

Standing alone on the slope outside the basin, and with the surrounding preparations beginning to intensify as they waited for the water level to fall, Violet briefly took advantage of the lull and attempted to extend her senses downward.

“……”

Such a dense yin energy.

The water in the various holes, both large and small, seemed to contain a very thick, sinister energy. Not only would it be harmful to drink, but even ordinary people who came into physical contact with it or stayed nearby for extended periods of time would likely experience severe effects on their bodies.

No wonder these troops have only set up defenses on the outer perimeter.

“Violet? Did you see something?”

Noticing that the black-haired girl appeared to be intently gazing downward, Ling Feng, along with Bai’er, had approached her without her realizing it, and curiously inquired.

The moment Violet sensed something, she quickly withdrew her focus, letting her spiritual presence fade away as she shook her head.

“Nothing. By the way, how long is this receding tide supposed to last? The depth down there is quite staggering, at this rate…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the underground water in the hundreds of holes in the basin suddenly began to swirl violently.

“Plop… Plop…”

The whirlpools started to form in the underground rivers, and the water level, which had been gradually dropping, was now being rapidly drained, continuing to fall and revealing the deeper, unseen parts of the basin.

“Eh…”

Violet suddenly felt a bit amused.

To be honest, although the sight of the hundreds of holes swirling with retreating water was quite magnificent, the circular shapes of the edges and the cascading sound inevitably reminded her of a familiar piece of convenient furniture from her world.

“The receding tide has begun! Everyone, please gather according to the prearranged groups and prepare to enter the [Tidal Deep Valley]!”

Prefect Wen Fu’s loud shout echoed not far away, and the exploration team, totaling over a hundred people, quickly began to disperse into smaller groups of about ten people each.

Of course, there wasn’t really any strict division of groups. This was simply a way to gather people who had either joined the recruitment on the same day or had similar recruitment times, and then the ten strong examiners from before would take charge of the groups.

According to Murong Yun’s description, the [Tidal Deep Valley] was filled with dense yin energy and full with evil spirits. Many elusive, bizarre, and sinister creatures would be attracted to the concentrated yang energy, actively launching attacks on the living.

The stronger the yang energy gathered, the more powerful the demons and evil spirits attracted. Therefore, more people was not necessarily better. Maintaining a group of around ten, entering from different directions, and then gathering together later was considered the best strategy.

Additionally, from a more pessimistic perspective, with this kind of division, even if a few of the groups encountered overly powerful monsters or evil spirits, it wouldn’t lead to a complete wipeout of the entire team. It seemed the idea was to “not put all the eggs in one basket.”

In the group Violet was in, aside from her, Ling Feng, and Bai’er, there was also a young couple who had coincidentally joined the recruitment at the same time, three young people who appeared to be from the same sect, and Murong Yun as the team leader.

Having Murong Yun accompany Violet, the so-called “Immortal of the [Eternal Life] Realm,” was likely a result of careful planning by the government.

When the black-haired girl quickly approached, the white-robed man immediately bowed respectfully and greeted her with a junior’s gesture.

“Senior Violet, the [Tidal Deep Valley] is fraught with danger. Although your cultivation is profound, please be extra cautious… Our enemies may not only be the demons and evil spirits.”

Following his subtle gesture, Violet discreetly glanced at the people around her, each with their own distinct appearances, and she immediately understood.

After this trip, the number of people who would make it back to the surface might not exceed half of those present now.

“Thank you for your reminder. I will be careful.”

Murong Yun nodded and then turned his gaze back to the deepening holes below as the water level continued to recede. Taking a deep breath, he addressed everyone.

“Everyone, prepare to enter the valley.”