Outskirts of the Purple Bamboo Hollow.
A breeze blew in from the east, rustling the vast forest of violet bamboo for over twenty li. The gentle rustling sounded like a natural melody, gradually calming one's heart.
"I heard a rumor that all the purple bamboo in this hollow are degenerated forms of Violet Thunder Bamboo. Not sure if that's true," Du Yi casually remarked, recalling an old rumor once spread on the Medicine King Peak.
"Even if it is, the spiritual energy within the bamboo is so faint it might as well be nonexistent. It's not worth much," Chen Jinshu replied. She'd heard the same rumor but found it unlikely upon further investigation.
For one, the area covered by the purple bamboo was immense. Though cultivators could fly out in a moment, it would take a mortal at least half an hour to walk across. She had already scanned the area. The spiritual energy in the bamboo was so low that it wasn't even suitable for refining spiritual tools—completely incomparable to the legendary Violet Thunder Bamboo.
Of course, it was also possible that the bamboo had degraded over tens of thousands of years. The three of them continued walking leisurely through the bamboo forest, the calls of spirit birds and beasts echoing in their ears.
Most of the creatures living in this area were small spirit birds, similar in size to the Yin Mountain Sparrow from before. As for spirit beasts, the majority were bamboo rats.
"Senior Brother, what spiritual item are we searching for next?" Chen Jinshu asked.
"Violet Thunder Bamboo!" Du Yi and Jiang Daoyu answered in unison.
"There really is Violet Thunder Bamboo?" Chen Jinshu had assumed it was just a myth. But hearing both of her senior brothers speak so confidently, she began to believe it.
"Hundreds of years ago, a disciple from the sect reportedly came across a rare stalk of Violet Thunder Bamboo in this very forest. Other than its color, it shares nothing in common with the surrounding bamboo," Jiang Daoyu explained.
"Rather than claiming this forest is transformed from Violet Thunder Bamboo, it's more accurate to say that faint traces of Violet Thunder Bamboo bloodline exist among the purple bamboo. But it takes centuries to produce even one stalk. Even a single stalk is enough for the three of us to craft a powerful thunder-element spiritual weapon."
"I see! Thank you for enlightening me, Senior Brother."
"However, Violet Thunder Bamboo is extremely rare and hard to find. The sect has only encountered it that one time. It's entirely possible it was a false rumor."
"Maybe someone harvested it, and that's why we can't find it again."
"That's possible too. But so much time has passed—new ones might've grown again."
Chen Jinshu thought of Xiao Yin's ability to locate spiritual items, but she refrained from using it. That ability required some kind of reference object, but even without one, it was better than most spirit beasts.
It wasn't that she distrusted her senior brothers—she simply preferred to keep some trump cards to herself in case disputes arose later.
And so the three continued from the outer edge of Purple Bamboo Hollow into its inner depths. They covered ten or so li, taking just over fifteen minutes.
Of course, it wasn't without harvest. They dug up some purple bamboo shoots—excellent for eating—and collected a few spiritual herbs.
Clang! Clang!
"Senior Brother, there's a battle ahead!"
Chen Jinshu halted, hearing the clash of weapons.
"I hear it too!"
"It seems to be disciples from the Xuanming Sect!" Du Yi used a pupil technique to peer ahead, recognizing the distinctive dark-cyan robes of the Xuanming Sect.
"And the other side looks like demonic cultivators!"
"So many demonic cultivators?" Chen Jinshu's brows knit slightly, a bad feeling creeping into her chest.
This round's casualties among Xuanming disciples were likely the highest in their history.
"Let's keep hidden and only strike when the time is right," Jiang Daoyu said, pulling out a concealing spiritual tool to mask their presence and aura. The three began flying slowly toward the battle.
If they had approached on foot, their footsteps would've given them away. But flying tools required too much spiritual energy to keep all three hidden. Thus, they flew low and slow, skimming just above the ground.
Moments later, they spotted the source of the battle: six figures—three in black robes, clearly demonic cultivators, and three Xuanming Sect disciples.
The battle was fierce. Anyone qualified to enter this secret realm was among the top hundred, so their strength was considerable. That previous team had only been wiped out due to facing cultivators from the powerful Feng Clan.
Even so, the Xuanming disciples here were clearly struggling.
"Junior Sister, you may act now," Jiang Daoyu instructed.
Chen Jinshu nodded, placing her hands on her zither strings and plucking rapidly. Melodic yet forceful notes rippled out in visible white waves, like splashing surf. Even the surrounding bamboo forest trembled slightly. Within just a few breaths, all six combatants were locked in place—bodies frozen, consciousness seemingly yanked out of their minds. One by one, they plummeted from the sky.
Thud, thud, thud!
Six heavy landings rang out as the three revealed themselves.
"Junior Sister's sound technique is terrifying," Du Yi said with a tinge of unease.
If he had faced her during the outer-sect competition, he might've suffered the same fate—entranced and defeated helplessly.
"Senior Brother flatters me. I only improved after patching flaws from that competition."
"I see."
Moments later, the three Xuanming Sect disciples were roused. Seeing the familiar sect robes, they let out sighs of relief.
"Thank you for saving us, Senior Brother, Senior Sister!" they said, bowing.
"When did you encounter these demonic cultivators?" Jiang Daoyu asked.
"We've been searching for the rumored Violet Thunder Bamboo for the past seven or eight days. Just now, we suddenly spotted three black-robed cultivators destroying the bamboo. The demonic energy on them was unmistakable, so we attacked immediately."
"How reckless! Upon encountering demonic cultivators, your first thought should've been to retreat, not engage! Are you tired of living?" Jiang Daoyu scolded.
He wasn't upset they fought demons—but rushing into battle without regard for their own safety was a death wish. Those demonic cultivators were all in the late stages of Qi Refining, enhanced by demonic energy. The odds were against them.
"You're right, Senior Brother! We acknowledge our mistake!"
"Hurry and continue your search. Here—take my transmission talisman. If you encounter demons again, hide and alert me," Jiang Daoyu said, handing them a jade slip. Since they were from the Medicine King Peak like him, he was willing to look after them.
Once the three disciples left, Chen Jinshu and her companions approached the restrained demonic cultivators. Chen Jinshu lifted the hood of one, frowning as she saw the robe underneath.
"This is a disciple of the Feng Clan?"
"This one's from Yan Yun Sect!"
"And this one's from the Chiyan Sect!"
"If they're from other sects, what should we do? If we attack, their sects might notice," Chen Jinshu said, brows furrowed.
"Perfect. The sect can use this as justification to demand more compensation from theirs. Let's take them alive," Du Yi said after a moment's thought.
"But we don't have room to hold them. My spirit beast bag is full!" Chen Jinshu handed over her bag. Xiao Yin could hide in her sleeve, but there was no more space for captives.