Chapter 231

As night gradually grows wild, the annual Lantern Festival in Luan City begins.

Since it’s a lantern festival, brightness is key.

At first, when twilight fades, Luan City is like a baby waking from a deep sleep—everything is murky, dark, and blurry.

Once it opens its eyes, long-burning lamps, lanterns, and candles ignite in clusters, illuminated every street and alley. The entire city glows as if it were daylight.

The dry night air envelops the whole city. The intermittent, flickering lights resemble stars and fires. When Ning Ning steps into the street, the dazzling, brilliant lanterns make her squint.

“Here are the lanterns, and over there are small lamps shaped like animals.”

Zheng Weiqi, sipping a bowl of osmanthus porridge, says, “At times like this, I should be brushing past a handsome man. The delicate and pitiful me would be knocked back, and just in the nick of time—”

“He grabs your wrist and pulls you up. By inertia, you’re drawn into his arms, the two of you gazing deeply into each other’s eyes, sparks of love flying.”

Ning Ning plays along, taking a bite of the candied hawthorn she holds.

Having said that, judging from Senior Sister Zheng’s actual situation, the strength of a Nascent Soul cultivator should not be underestimated. If an ordinary person collides with her sword energy…

Then it becomes a full-blown horror movie, like “Final Destination.”

“But seriously, what were the elders thinking?”

Zheng Weiqi says, “They want us to train in the Demon Refining Tower—is that a place for normal people?”

Just hearing the words “Demon Refining Tower” makes Lin Xun shudder.

Not long ago, the elders announced the location for the second round of the Ten Methods Assembly’s trials. For most disciples, it was a bolt from the blue.

The Demon Refining Tower was built before the great war between the immortals and demons. During intense battles, it naturally became a primary target for the demon clan, nearly being breached several times.

Fortunately, many elders from various immortal sects joined forces to defend the tower, preventing the demons from wreaking havoc in the human world.

Few have entered the Demon Refining Tower. Most, including Ning Ning, have only heard of it in stories and legends.

The giant tower was built by Kunshan. Inside the tower, numerous monsters and demons were imprisoned. All of them were cruel, violent, crazy and bloodthirsty. They killed countless innocent humans and were called “the most dangerous place” by the world.

“This time, just surviving would be good enough, yet we still have to compete among ourselves.”

He Zhizhou bought a rabbit-shaped lantern, fiddling with its ears. “Although the specifics of the competition haven’t been revealed, what else can we do in the Demon Refining Tower? See who kills more demons, I guess.”

It’s a straightforward method, devoid of any trickery or scheming, relying purely on personal strength. Any sect can showcase its talents in areas they excel in. Apart from safety concerns, there’s no other issue.

—However, the elders have been preparing meticulously for a long time, likely ensuring the protective measures are in place to prevent the Ten Methods Assembly from turning into a demon massacre.

“Let’s not talk about that! Today is the lantern festival. If we miss it, we might not have another chance to witness such a grand event.”

Zheng Weiqi chuckles, “I’ve heard that in Luan City, there’s a Yuxia Mountain, offering the best view of the entire city. Let’s go; Senior Sister will take you to see it!”

So, a group of young disciples under Tian Xianzi’s tutelage, along with Jiang Si, who tagged along with nothing better to do, followed her to Yuxia Mountain.

The forested mountain at night is particularly eerie and strange. Besides a temple at the foot of the mountain, there are no other buildings or signs of human presence.

When Ning Ning looks up, she sees only the dark shadows of trees swaying in the wind, like giant waves undulating and sobbing in the night.

She came full of excitement, but before the group could even explore the mountain, they were stopped at the foot by a burly monk.

“Amitabha, Yuxia Mountain belongs to Luming Temple. The abbot has specifically instructed that during the lantern festival, outsiders are not allowed to enter.”

The monk, nearly two meters tall, stands motionless like a cylindrical wooden pestle.

“In recent years, city dwellers have flocked here, startling the birds and beasts in the mountain. All living things have spirits; it’s better not to disturb them.”