Chapter Twenty-Three: Skyforge Valley

The fat man realized he had met his match and simply sat down. "Senior, please go ahead, return to your seat. Even if I didn't bring you the dish, we'll accept what you've given us." Dao Sansheng watched the exchange between the old man and the fat man and understood immediately—this old man was a master, a hermit outside the world.

"Youths, I see you're here for the sect disciple selection. Are you interested in joining our Forge Heaven Valley? If you are, hand me your recommendation token. Consider it my thanks for your hospitality." After speaking, the old man took the dish away. Forge Heaven Valley? In the sect rankings he had, there was no such sect.

The fat man took out the sect ranking list. He and Dao Sansheng had spent the past days seeking out sects listed there.

Forge Heaven Valley—I've heard my father mention it. It was once a renowned sect for forging magical tools, but for the past century, it seems to have vanished from the continent. Xue’er recalled her father's stories.

"I feel a certain affinity with this old man," Dao Sansheng said, placing his recommendation token on the table. The old man slipped it into his robe and began drinking.

Dao Sansheng, Xue’er, the fat man, and Tiantian finished their meal and parted ways. The next time they would meet would likely be after they had reached the Foundation Establishment stage and begun traveling the continent. "When that time comes, let’s journey together," Xue’er said.

Afterwards, Dao Sansheng sat nearby, waiting for four drunken men who were still at the table. They had consumed several jars and continued drinking. Their faces were flushed deep red, clearly intoxicated.

"Listen, kid, we’ve recruited plenty of disciples; they're all waiting at the square. Once we’re sufficiently drunk, help me over there and I’ll show you the way. Tomorrow morning, we return to the sect. Just wait here; don’t leave," one of them said.

"Uncle Guo, this kid looks familiar. Isn't he that so-called useless Dao Sansheng causing a stir in town—the one with the dual supreme conflicting spiritual roots? Hahaha, I remember now, it's funny! But how did he end up joining our Forge Heaven Valley?"

"I have my reasons for bringing him. Mind your own business," Guo replied, hiccuping and laughing with his companions.

In less than half an hour, all four men were sprawled out, snoring at the table. Dao Sansheng had to call a server, who brought others to help carry the four drunks.

Four sober people escorting four drunks down the street in broad daylight, the stench of alcohol making passersby avoid them from afar. "These people... Drinking without using spiritual energy to dispel the effects, staggering in the streets in the middle of the day," grumbled the pedestrians.

Eventually, they dragged the group to the square and asked around for the address of Forge Heaven Valley. No one knew, until finally, they found it tucked away in a corner.

It was a shabby wooden house, crowded with people leaning, sitting, and lying on the floor. Judging by their attire, they were children from impoverished families, listless and weary.

Dao Sansheng dragged the four men inside. No one helped; everyone was lost in their own thoughts or cultivating. It appeared the disciples Forge Heaven Valley was recruiting this time weren't promising. Had he chosen the wrong sect? Still, since he was here, he'd stay and observe.

The four men slept soundly, snoring until night fell. It wasn't until midday the next day that they finally woke. Old Guo stretched, glanced at the sun, and kicked the other three awake.

"Everyone stand up; I have an announcement. Quiet, please." Once everyone was ready, the old man began.

"Our Forge Heaven Valley lives by forging spiritual artifacts. The disciples’ equipment is the most complete and finest in the continent. In a moment, we’ll all board a flying artifact and return to the sect."

He lifted a black sailboat, "This is it," Guo declared. "It’s called the Great Turtle." He infused it with spiritual energy, and the sailboat swelled, growing larger until it could accommodate over a hundred people.

"Alright, Big Mouth, gather the new disciples and get them aboard," Old Guo said, soaring into the air and landing inside.

Wang Big Mouth and two companions walked to the new disciples, picking them up one by one and tossing them aboard. When Dao Sansheng tried to dodge, he was still thrown up, tracing an arc through the air. As he landed, a protective membrane appeared on the sailboat, gently catching him onto the deck.

By now, sixty or so people stood on the deck. Once all were aboard, Wang Big Mouth and his companions jumped up as well. Old Guo turned the ship’s bow.

"We’re leaving. If anyone regrets their decision, speak now. Once we reach the sect and swear the oath, there’s no turning back—you know this."

After the time of one incense stick, seeing no objections, Old Guo ordered the sailboat to fly southwest. Its speed surpassed any spirit beast. This was Dao Sansheng’s first time so high in the sky, with panoramic windows—his curiosity was immense.

The children stood on the deck, watching East Lin County shrink below. Dao Sansheng gazed at the familiar Dao Town, still unchanged.

Soon, East Lin County vanished from view. The novelty faded, and the children began searching for places to rest, competing for the cabins. Dao Sansheng simply sat cross-legged on the deck and cultivated.

The four men, barely sober, saw Old Guo pull out another gourd and drink anew, forgetting his drunken antics the previous day.

Thus, the spirit vessel flew for seven days. On the seventh day, it descended before a majestic mountain. From above, the mountain was vast and impressive; halfway down, clouds shrouded it, and five towering peaks rose into the sky. The spirit vessel landed at the base.

Once everyone disembarked, Old Guo put away the vessel. The five peaks, uneven in height, encircled a natural valley. At the valley entrance, two young Daoists guarded the gate. As Old Guo approached, they hurried forward.

"Elder Guo, thank you for your arduous journey. By order of the Sect Master, we welcome you at the valley gate. Please, the Sect Master awaits your report on the new disciples in the main hall!"

After their words, Old Guo frowned, but adjusted his demeanor and flew into the valley, leaving everyone else outside.

He flew through the valley, which was spacious. At its center stood a grand palace, with a hammer floating above its roof. The plaque above the entrance read "Forge Heaven Valley."

Descending to the ground, he saw the palace had only one floor, but was extraordinarily tall—five stories high. Carvings of rare beasts adorned the lofty hall. The doors themselves were three stories high, imposing and awe-inspiring.

At the entrance stood two disciples, dignified, holding spiritual swords behind their backs. With the massive doors open, they seemed diminutive.

Seeing Old Guo arrive, the two bowed in unison, "Greetings, Elder Guo."

He nodded, tossed his wine gourd into his storage pouch, and swaggered inside, loudly announcing,

"Sect Master Zhang, I’ve returned! Guo Mengtian is back!"

His voice echoed through the hall even before he arrived, drawing grumbling from within.

"Sect Master, this Guo Mengtian is truly unruly—he thinks his seniority lets him shout like this all day. What a disgrace, such a lack of decorum, truly an affront to propriety," someone complained, shaking their head repeatedly.