The Journey of Flower - Chapter 39

The monster and demon realms threatened to attack four major sects in the immortal realm: Mount Tian, Mount Chang Bai, Mount Lao and Mount Tai Bai. Mount Tian was in the northwest, Mount Chang Bai was in the northeast and Mount Lao was in the south. These three sects formed an inverted triangle, and Mount Tai Bai was located in the center of the triangle.

Reinforcement was sent to the four major sects. However, the other sects in the immortal realm retained most of their forces so they could defend themselves. No one knew where the monster and demon realms would attack so all the sects were in danger. 

Chang Liu sent about 100 disciples, divided into four groups, spread out in four directions. Shang Shang Piao and two elders led the first group to Mount Tian. Hu Qing Qiu led the second group to Mount Chang Bai. Huo Xi and Wu Qing Luo led the third group to Mount Lao. Luo Shi Yi led the fourth group, which included Ni Man Tian, Shuo Feng, Qing Shui, Hua Qian Gu and 15 disciples, to Mount Tai Bai.

Luo Shi Yi’s group was made up of young disciples who lacked fighting experience. Instead of flying straight to Mount Tai Bai, Shi Zun Mo Yan told the group to leave early and travel by foot so the disciples could build up their experience through interacting with the outside world.

Before Hua Qian Gu left, Bai Zi Hua sealed the hook jade, rendering it ineffective. He wanted her to deal with demons and evil spirits on her own. Without the hook jade’s protection, the fragrance from her body gradually became distinctive. Along the way, Hua Qian Gu always felt mysterious things were following her. Flowers and plants she touched died immediately.

Demons and evil spirits usually avoided people, especially practitioners of Taoism, but they constantly attacked Luo Shi Yi’s group. Hua Qian Gu stayed quiet even though she knew it was her fault, that she was attracting them. The other disciples did not realize this except for Luo Shi Yi. He finally understood why Hua Qian Gu could go with them. By constantly having to destroy demons and evil spirits, this allowed the young disciples to gain invaluable fighting experience.

In the beginning, Luo Shi Yi’s group was excited to leave Chang Liu and see the outside world. After several days, the novelty wore off. Everyone was weary, but they were no longer afraid of demons and evil spirits. If they saw any, they automatically chopped at them like chopping vegetables.

The terrain worsened the further the group traveled. They had to sleep outside at night in the wilderness. Suddenly, Hua Qian Gu had a bad feeling. She asked Qing Shui what day was today. Qing Shui paled and said it was July 14th. Tomorrow would be the Ghost Festival so the gates of Hell would open.