Chapter 118: Expedition

Meng Chuan and his five senior brothers and sisters were getting acquainted with their fellow disciples. Meanwhile, in a corner of the garden, Qian Yu, Fu Chang, Bai Yi, and eight other demon-slayer disciples were gathered.

A handsome young man, fanning himself, exclaimed, "Our junior brother Meng is truly amazing. In just over a year since joining the mountain, he's mastered the Ninth Refinement Thunder Extermination Demonic Body and achieved the Black Iron Heavenly Book. He's absolutely on par with the fifth young master of the Anhai Wang family!"

"Indeed, among the disciples of the last two decades, Meng Chuan and Xue Feng are the most remarkable," another said. "Both of them have the potential to become Marquis Demon-Slayers."

Everyone spoke with admiration. Having tried the top-tier demon-slayer cultivation methods and the Black Iron Heavenly Book without an artistic conception legacy, they all understood how difficult these two paths were.

Without an artistic conception legacy, it meant a long period of slow, self-guided exploration ahead, and the cultivation path would be arduous. According to Mount Yuanchu, one could receive the complete Black Iron Heavenly Book legacy only after becoming a Great Sun realm demon-slayer and condensing their primordial spirit. However, in reality, most Mount Yuanchu disciples only managed to reach the Great Sun realm throughout their lives and could not condense a primordial spirit. The vast majority of disciples could never receive the Black Iron Heavenly Book legacy, living their entire lives without an artistic conception to guide them. How slow would their progress be?

After briefly attempting these two paths and realizing they weren't suitable, most would immediately give up.

"Everyone," Qian Yu finally spoke, listening to the others praise Meng Chuan, "I once did something embarrassing."

"Embarrassing?" The others were surprised.

"Yes." Qian Yu didn't hide it, stating directly, "At that time, Meng Chuan had only been on the mountain for half a year and wasn't well-known. When I visited Junior Sister Liu Qiyue, I happened to run into Meng Chuan. As a senior brother, I lectured him a bit, telling him how difficult it was to cultivate a top-tier demon-slayer body and that wasting too much time on it without achieving anything wasn't worth it. I advised him to give up when the time was right."

"You advised Junior Brother Meng Chuan to give up?""Qian Yu, you actually told him to quit?" The others immediately burst into laughter.

"How was I supposed to know?" Qian Yu said helplessly. "When I said that, he hadn't achieved much. But just two months later, his Thunder Extermination Demonic Body began its eighth refinement, and he had also mastered the Black Iron Heavenly Book. Thinking back to what I said then, I feel so embarrassed that I usually hide from him."

"Junior Brother Meng Chuan will probably be here soon; are you going to hide again?""When he arrives, just go to the latrine.""We'll just say Senior Brother Qian Yu is too ashamed to see you and has hidden in the latrine," the others teased.

Qian Yu looked at his fellow disciples helplessly.

"Oh, I've made up my mind," Qian Yu said. "I'm going to pass through the Nine Mystical Cavern this month and descend the mountain on September 15th."

"That fast?" Fu Chang couldn't help but say, "Senior Brother Qian Yu, didn't we agree to descend the mountain together? I tried the Nine Mystical Cavern, and my strength is still a bit lacking. I estimate I'll need another three or four months."

"Yeah, didn't we say this group would leave together?"

There were eleven demon-slayer disciples present. Some had already proven capable of passing the Nine Mystical Cavern, while others were just shy. They had all agreed to descend the mountain together before the end of this year. This was quite normal at Mount Yuanchu. If multiple demon-slayer disciples descended the mountain simultaneously, two or three fellow disciples would typically be assigned to the same city pass battlefield.

Mount Yuanchu also had a good grasp of its disciples' progress. The trials for those with more ordinary talent were less difficult, while the difficulty increased with higher talent. Although weaker disciples could pass the Nine Mystical Cavern, if they felt their strength was insufficient and wanted to cultivate for a few more months on the mountain, Mount Yuanchu didn't mind. Only if they delayed too long would Mount Yuanchu actively urge them.

"I've been on Mount Yuanchu long enough; it's been over ten years," Qian Yu said. "Now I just want to descend the mountain as soon as possible and achieve great meritorious deeds!"

The other disciples also fell silent.

"Alright, I'll pass the Nine Mystical Cavern this month too, and we can descend together next month.""I'll join you.""For those whose strength is a bit lacking, cultivate for a few more months. I'll join as well. I've been on the mountain for over thirty years; it's time for me to descend."

Those who had the strength to pass the Nine Mystical Cavern couldn't resist after Qian Yu took the lead. After so many years on the mountain, who wouldn't want to achieve great accomplishments? Even those from ancient demon-slayer families wanted to show their capabilities to their family elders!

"Excellent, brothers and sisters, let's go together," Qian Yu declared with great spirit. "We may not compare to Xue Feng or Meng Chuan, but even if we can't become Marquises, we should at least aim to be Earls."

"Yes, Earls!""First, become an Earl, and perhaps in the future, we can become Marquises or Kings."

Each of the young demon-slayers was filled with anticipation. To become an Earl, one needed to accumulate 'five million great merits.' While the Earl rank was lower than Marquis, it was still very rare. Typically, only one out of ten Great Sun realm demon-slayers could become an Earl, having achieved extremely high merits. This was also a great honor.

"We initially agreed to descend the mountain together, but now five of you are going first.""Whose fault is it that you cultivated slowly?" They laughed, teasing each other.

Soon, Meng Chuan and his group also arrived.

"Junior Brother Meng Chuan, these eleven are the senior brothers and sisters who intend to descend the mountain soon," Qiao Yong introduced with a smile. "They are all confident they can pass the Nine Mystical Cavern this year."

Meng Chuan also became acquainted with these senior brothers and sisters, and he saw Senior Brother Qian Yu. Qian Yu proactively said, "Junior Brother Meng Chuan, I was somewhat disrespectful before, and I apologize for that."

"Senior Brother Qian Yu was merely offering some kind advice; it wasn't rude," Meng Chuan said with a smile. He truly hadn't cared about the incident back then. Furthermore, he held great goodwill towards every human demon-slayer, because they all dedicated their lives to humanity, including Senior Brother Qian Yu and the others who would go to war. Very, very few of them could grow old in peace. Holding goodwill towards human demon-slayers and murderous intent towards demon kings—that was Meng Chuan's attitude. Therefore, as long as it wasn't a major issue, he wouldn't mind.

"Haha, Junior Brother, you have a much greater magnanimity than I do. Your senior brother admires you," Qian Yu said, raising his cup with a laugh. "I'll be descending the mountain next month. You must come to see me off then."

"Of course, I'll be there," Meng Chuan nodded.

Over half a month later, on September 15th, it was the day for this month's demon-slayer disciples to uniformly descend the mountain.

"Senior Brother Bai and Senior Brother Qian are descending the mountain to the battlefield today. I should go see them off," Liu Qiyue also said. Ordinary disciples typically didn't participate in such events. However, Bai Yi, Qian Yu, and Liu Qiyue were all disciples of Marquis Tianxing, making their relationship considerably closer, so it was appropriate for her to see them off.

"Let's go together," Meng Chuan said with a slight smile. The two of them descended Jingming Peak together, heading towards Chixue Cliff on Chonghuang Peak. Chixue Cliff was also the place where disciples departed for battle. This time, a full six demon-slayer disciples descended the mountain together.

"Senior Brother Qu, that great axe of yours is extraordinary.""Haha, this is an Earth-grade divine weapon! Among those descending this time, only my divine weapon from the Divine Weapon Cavern is the best," a brawny man, clad in armor and wielding a thousand-pound dark red great axe with one hand, boasted, waving it proudly.

As soon as Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue arrived at Chixue Cliff, they witnessed this scene.

"Earth-grade divine weapon?" Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue's eyes burned with eagerness. Demon-slayer disciples could only choose their armor, robes, and divine weapons after passing the Nine Mystical Cavern! The divine weapons in the 'Divine Weapon Cavern' were entirely a matter of fate. First, there was 'divine weapon selection,' where weapons would actively fly up to demon-slayer disciples, while weaker ones would proactively land. Powerful divine weapons wouldn't retreat from each other, and at this point, the demon-slayer disciple would make their choice.

Disciples who had just descended the mountain were weaker and almost always obtained Human-grade divine weapons, with a very low chance of acquiring an Earth-grade one. Although it was said to depend on fate, the likelihood of a powerful divine weapon choosing a weaker demon-slayer disciple as its master was quite low. Only one in ten demon-slayer disciples descending the mountain would acquire an Earth-grade divine weapon. An Earth-grade divine weapon was sufficient for a Marquis Demon-Slayer to use in life-or-death battles, while a Heaven-grade divine weapon was enough for a King Demon-Slayer to fight with. Unlike ultimate cultivation methods, which anyone could pick, divine weapons were far more precious! Most divine weapons were passed down through generations, becoming increasingly extraordinary and wondrous only after long-term use by powerful masters.

"The Mountain Lord is here," the demon-slayer disciples quieted down. The Mount Yuanchu Lord and Elder Yi walked over together, smiling as they looked at the six demon-slayer disciples about to descend the mountain.

"Haha, let's capture your image first," the Mount Yuanchu Lord said with a laugh. The other demon-slayer disciples stepped back, leaving only the six standing there.

Qian Yu, Bai Yi, Qu Kui, and the other six demon-slayer disciples stood properly, adjusting their armor and robes. Each had their own bearing, some carrying great axes, others with long swords strapped to their backs, and all had excitement and anticipation in their eyes. This image was meant to be passed down for thousands of years! Even if they grew old and died in the future, the image preserved on the memorial wall would still be their youthful appearance from when they departed for battle. Thus, each of them was very serious.

"Good, it's recorded," the Mount Yuanchu Lord nodded. "You have time for a cup of tea. Go down the mountain as quickly as possible and rendezvous with Marquis Tianxing. Marquis Tianxing will be escorting you to the city pass this time."

"Understood," the six demon-slayer disciples replied respectfully.

"Junior brothers and sisters, we're descending the mountain now.""Haha, you all take your time cultivating; we'll go slay demon kings first," they said with chuckles, chatting briefly and giving a few words of advice to some familiar fellow disciples.

"Senior Brother Bai, Senior Brother Qian, be careful when you descend the mountain," Liu Qiyue also advised.

"Don't worry, Junior Sister," Bai Yi and Qian Yu both smiled.

Soon, the six demon-slayers swiftly descended the mountain. The Mount Yuanchu Lord and Elder Yi silently watched from a distance.

"Another six disciples have descended the mountain," Elder Yi said softly.

"They will slay demon kings and protect countless lives," the Mount Yuanchu Lord added.

At this moment, Meng Chuan also watched from afar, his blood boiling with excitement. He looked forward to the day he would descend the mountain and truly slay demons to protect a region.

During their time on the mountain, every disciple cultivated diligently. Mount Yuanchu also paid close attention to each disciple's progress, selecting the most suitable cultivation path for them and cultivating them with all their might. Meng Chuan likewise seized every moment to cultivate. He knew very well that many demon-slayers were already fighting on the battlefields, holding up the heavens so that he and others could cultivate without any disturbances.

Spring came and went. Year after year, groups of demon-slayers descended the mountain, and new disciples were admitted annually. In the blink of an eye, nine years had passed, and Meng Chuan had been cultivating on the mountain for nearly eleven years.