Chapter 105: The Opening of the Newborn Gorge (Part 1)

“You say the Shen family has already sent people, do you think the other families will just let this opportunity slip by?”

A solitary illusionist nearby scoffed lightly.

No one had expected that the opening of the Nascent Gorge would attract the attention of the continent’s top powers.

Shen Duo fixed his gaze on the group of people ahead. Their leader was a tall, middle-aged man with short hair, wearing a gray illusionist’s robe adorned with a shining silver badge on his chest.

The emblem featured a radiant pentagram, above which were three crossed swords, and below it, a branch of olive leaves symbolizing the Goddess of Holy Radiance.

This badge marked the man as a three-star Sky Illusionist. Perched on his right shoulder was a spirit beast in the form of an eagle. Lou Jingbai quietly informed Shen Duo that this was a simulated form of a one-star divine beast called the Golden Roc.

Behind him stood about ten young individuals; even the weakest among them was an eight-star grand illusionist, and half had already stepped into the realm of spiritual illusionists. Truly, this was the Shen family’s elite training squad.

Upon their arrival, many lone illusionists parted to make way for them. The middle-aged Sky Illusionist led this group directly into the auction house without hesitation.

After a brief commotion, the square outside the auction returned to its lively bustle.

Shen Duo quickly packed up his stall, made a stop at the tavern, and then returned to the inn.

Night fell swiftly. Standing by the window, Shen Duo watched the ceaseless flow of people on the streets and the prosperous port city of Normans, but her heart was troubled.

When she left Luo City, Lina had already told her that Shen Aofan had reported Shen Qing’s sudden death to the Shen family’s main city. The investigation team from the Shen family’s main city was no joke—each member averaged the rank of a Sky Illusionist. Even two of them arriving would be more than enough trouble.

Since she had left Luo City, the investigation team surely found nothing, but it was uncertain whether someone in the Shen family’s main city had already set their sights on her. Though her current strength was not weak, it was not yet time for her to stand openly before others. Moreover, although the original owner of this body had spent years in the Shen family’s main city, they had lived at the bottom of society.

She knew nothing of the Shen family’s internal affairs, and as a sword cultivator, her path was completely at odds with the illusionist heritage of the four great families. If her true identity were exposed, the Shen family’s main city would only see her as a disgrace to the direct descendants of the family. Killing her would be considered just, with no one to lend a hand!

It seemed she had to be especially cautious with the opening of the Nascent Gorge.

With this mindset, Shen Duo became far more prudent, avoiding leaving her quarters before the gorge opened.

Early the next morning, a knock came at Shen Duo’s door. She had just awakened and was having breakfast with Lou Jingbai when she opened the door to find Feng Jun standing there.

His expression was still as impassive as ever, yet his narrow phoenix-shaped eyes shone with exceptional clarity.

Shen Duo raised a brow lightly. “Advancement?”

Feng Jun nodded solemnly. “Two-star Sky Illusionist.” Little Blue was perched on Feng Jun’s wrist. Upon seeing Shen Duo, it leapt toward her, its large, watery eyes gazing at her as it clicked its beak twice.

Shen Duo caught Little Blue in her palm and invited Feng Jun inside. She took a piece of dried meat from the table and handed it to Little Blue, who happily gnawed on it with contented sounds.

“Has Little Blue also advanced?”

Feng Jun nodded again. With Feng Jun’s advancement, both Little Blue and the Riverrun Crocodile had benefited, evolving from one-star divine beasts to second-tier divine beasts. Feng Jun sat at the table without ceremony, picking up a cup of nectar and drinking deeply.

Shen Duo paused mid-motion, looking at the now-empty glass. She felt embarrassed to admit that it was her who had drunk from that cup before…

Though Feng Jun’s spirit and complexion were excellent after days of seclusion, his untended appearance was hardly attractive.

After Feng Jun and Little Blue had devoured more than half the food on the table, Shen Duo retrieved a male illusionist’s robe she had bought at the clothing store from her storage ring and handed it to him. “The Nascent Gorge opens this afternoon. You can’t wear those clothes anymore. Change into this first. When you’re done freshening up, we’ll set off.”

Feng Jun accepted the exquisitely crafted deep blue robe without hesitation, glanced at Shen Duo, nodded, and retreated to his room to change.

As he held the well-fitting robe, Feng Jun could clearly feel the faint defensive power woven into the fabric. His usually cold expression softened.

No matter the time or place, having someone who always thought of you felt truly wonderful.

Just as Feng Jun left the room, Lou Jingbai rolled his eyes dramatically on the bed. His furry body tumbled around as he sulkily said, “Such a good defensive robe was given to that brat. Shen Duo, you really are generous. I don’t even have one!”

Shen Duo smiled at him. “Can you transform into a human form?”

Lou Jingbai was momentarily stumped and then sulked alone under the covers. “At this rate, someday that imp will spend all our money!”

Shen Duo was ashamed at Lou Jingbai’s words. When did this scoundrel fox become such a miser, just like Yusha?

Once they were ready, the two of them went to the inn’s reception to check out.

They rented two unicorn horses at the relay station and rode toward the edge of the Nascent Gorge.

The entrance to the gorge was only a quarter-hour’s ride from Normans City, and the road was crowded with lone illusionists heading to participate, so finding the place was not difficult.

Following the flow of people, Shen Duo and Feng Jun soon arrived at the edge of the Nascent Gorge.

Before them stretched a vast plain. Not far away was a deep fissure in the earth, thousands of feet deep and hundreds of feet wide, extending to the horizon.

A faint white light emanated from the enormous chasm, shooting skyward—it was the grand sealing formation of the Nascent Gorge, crafted by the continent’s four great families’ top experts.

Until the formation was activated, even Sky Illusionists could not enter the gorge.

Shen Duo stared in amazement at the wondrous sealing array before her, unable to help but admire the genius who created it.

By now, many tents had been set up along the gorge’s edge, scattered in clusters of various sizes.

Several camps stood out distinctly, their inhabitants wearing similar attire and possessing formidable strength. These camps belonged to the continent’s prominent and influential figures.

Other smaller camps appeared more chaotic and noisy, mostly occupied by lone illusionists.

Shen Duo pulled Feng Jun to find a vacant spot among the lone illusionists’ camps, pitching two tents. While chatting with the other illusionists, they awaited the opening of the Nascent Gorge.

At this moment, the Shen family training squad they had seen at the auction square the previous day arrived. Today, they did not ride Spirit Griffins but instead descended en masse from the main body of a Golden Roc.

As everyone gathered, the middle-aged Sky Illusionist leading them beckoned, and the enormous Golden Roc immediately transformed into a gray eagle simulated form, perching on his shoulder. This simple gesture drew gasps from the nearby onlookers.

The divine beast Golden Roc—such a grand display was rarely seen, and who wouldn’t envy it?

The middle-aged man scanned the camps surrounding the gorge, nodded at several leaders, and then fixed his gaze on Shen Duo’s side.

*――*――*

Apologies for the repeated chapter post yesterday; it has been corrected. Thank you for your understanding!