Much like the Wankong Clan, the other four clans had also separated into smaller groups before they
headed for different areas. As Alex and Finnegan's team moved towards their intended training area,
teams from other clans seemed to be going in the same direction.
In the Ethereal Valley, the terrain was constantly changing. Trials were also prompted randomly, so
everything in this place was pretty unpredictable. The only thing they could count on was that they
would surely encounter some unanticipated trials before they could arrive at their training area.
Not even an hour since they started their journey, Rocky's group ran into their first trial.
They stumbled upon a broad cave with a myriad of several-meter-wide burrows neatly arranged on the
ground. On both sides of the cave were extended craggy cliffs, which would make detours a long way
back. If their aim was to reach their destination as fast as possible, their best option was to traverse the
cave.
Since the only two Spiritual Emperors in Rocky's group both had just come here for the first time, no
one in their group had any clue about what kind of danger was awaiting them in the cave.
"Cool! It's like a game of whack-a-mole," Rocky jokingly remarked as he gazed at the burrows.
"Whack... a mole?" Alex thought for a moment before she hesitantly asked, "Do you mean that some
kind of creature might emerge from these burrows to attack us?"
"Yeah, something like that." Rocky nodded. His past experiences had taught him that it was always a
possibility.
"I see. If that's the case, should we take a detour? Or is it better to just take a chance here?" Alex
asked as she glanced at both Rocky and Finnegan. Her inexperience in this place made her
apprehensive about making a wrong decision that might put their group in danger.
"It will probably take us around two more days to reach our destination if we take a detour now. This
might make things worse for us since we're not as strong as the other groups," Finnegan replied,
frowning.
Thanks to Finnegan's feedback, Alex had come up with a decision. "Then, let's go straight ahead!
Watch out for any danger."
Before they could even take a step forward, they noticed two groups from other clans approaching.
Apparently, the groups from the Lingji Clan and the Xiayu Clan happened to take the same route as
them.
The members of the Lingji Clan were all good-looking females, which was truly a sight for sore eyes.
Their group was led by a premium-stage Spiritual Emperor and a medium-stage Spiritual Emperor.
Their overall strength was incredibly intimidating, since the weakest among them was already a
premium-stage Spiritual King.
Although the group of the Xiayu Clan was a bit weaker than the Lingji Clan's, they were still way more
powerful than the Wankong Clan's group. Their leader was a premium-stage Spiritual Emperor. One of
their members, clad in a gorgeous robe and carrying a long sword, was a primary-stage Spiritual
Emperor. He looked so imposing, yet so elegant.
"Alex? It's really you! What a coincidence! I didn't expect I'd bump into you here. I would've greeted you
back at the entrance but I was too occupied!" As soon as he spotted Alex in Rocky's group, the
elegantly-dressed Spiritual Emperor walked up to them as he exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh, it's you, Abdullah," Alex returned flatly.
It was the Spiritual Emperor named Abdullah, the third son of the Xiayu Clan's patriarch.
He was quite famous in the spiritual race for his talent and the fact that he was the youngest among all
the primary-stage Spiritual Emperors of the spiritual race. Most people saw a promising future awaiting
him.
Before, the Wankong Clan and the Xiayu Clan used to have a very close relationship. Because of this,
Alex and Abdullah had known each other since they were little. Even after growing up, Abdullah had
always been fond of Alex.
In fact, a few years earlier, Abdullah made a proposal to marry Alex. However, since Alex was way too
young at that time, Richard deliberately rejected it. This was actually the main reason why the
relationship between the two clans started to drift apart. Since then, the two had only seen each other
on rare occasions.
Nonetheless, it was not enough reason for Abdullah to give up on Alex. He still made sure to visit her
from time to time.
Truth be told, Abdullah was not a bad man. He could just be a bit too arrogant because he already had
a reputation. However, because of that, Alex couldn't help but find him quite unpleasant.
"This is so disappointing. Not only do you have a small team, but your members also don't seem that
strong," Abdullah blatantly commented as his glance swept on Rocky and the other members of their
group. His voice was undoubtedly showing hints of contempt.
"Why do you care? It's not like it has anything to do with you," Alex retorted, raising an eyebrow. Of
course, she was slightly offended by Abdullah's irksome remark.
"Of course, it does! What if these people failed to protect you and you got hurt? It will be better if you
go with me and my team. I can protect you better than them!" Abdullah offered with a straight face.
"I appreciate your kindness, but you don't have to do that. My team will do just fine," Alex replied firmly,
clearly trying to restrain her irritation.
Hearing this, Abdullah could just click his tongue and frown in disappointment.
"Young master, the Lingji Clan's team is heading inside the cave. We can't fall behind!" the premium-
stage Spiritual Emperor, who was leading the Xiayu Clan's team, called to Abdullah and reminded him.
Abdullah immediately turned around and saw that the Lingji Clan's team had already jumped into the
cave.
Without much of a choice, Abdullah glanced at Alex one last time before he ordered his men to move.
The quest inside the Ethereal Valley was of utmost importance, so he couldn't be derailed by his selfish
intentions.
Eventually, the team of the Xiayu Clan also went into the cave.
"We should also move out and follow them. Let's take this opportunity. They'll be paving the way for
us," Rocky suggested with a cunning smile.
Before giving the order, Alex glanced at Finnegan first so as to ask his opinion. Finnegan thought that
Rocky's idea made sense, so he immediately agreed.
Therefore, they also set out and followed the two teams into the cave.
Then, as soon as Rocky and his team entered the cave, they happened to hear the premium-stage
Spiritual Emperor of the Lingji Clan warn her companions, "Be alert! All sorts of danger can happen
inside the valley. Be extra careful and never lower your guard!"
"That's right, ladies!" A voice suddenly echoed from behind them and continued, "Watch your step
while crossing this cave. You don't want to fall into the burrows." Apparently, it was Abdullah who butted
in. There was a glint of mockery in his eyes while addressing the warriors of the Lingji Clan.
"Young master, this will be our first trial here. Please give me this chance to show them the real
strength of our clan." A premium-stage Spiritual King in Abdullah's team stepped forward without
hesitation and volunteered.
"All right. Go on and prove yourself!" Abdullah agreed without a second thought. Of course, he
reckoned that this could be a good opportunity to display their power in front of all the members of the
other teams.
Then, with the agility of a wild eagle, the premium-stage Spiritual King leapt into the air and started
floating towards the other end of the cave. In just the blink of an eye, he had covered most of the
burrows without encountering any problem.
"I have already heard about the Xiayu Clan's Floating Skill before, but I never thought it would be this
amazing!" Alex almost gasped as she saw how the Spiritual King effortlessly crossed the dangerous
cave.
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