Chapter 315: Ghost Gate
“Alright, we’re here! This is the Ghost Gate…”
Arriving at a gorge, Ling Mo stopped and said.
“Brother Mo, where is the Ghost Gate? I can’t see it…”
Ma Hongjun looked around curiously, checking everywhere, but couldn’t find where the Ghost Gate was!
This gorge was shrouded in a layer of mist, appearing very eerie. A rugged mountain path led upward, with many dense nodes appearing, very peculiar.
“It’s right in front of you!”
Ling Mo said amusingly. Everyone looked over curiously upon hearing him.
They discovered that the mountaintop was completely enveloped in mist, nothing visible.
He immediately said speechlessly: “I feel like you’re fooling us. Where’s the building? Where is the house?”
“Don’t be impatient! Watch…”
Seeing their anxious appearance, Ling Mo found it amusing.
As he spoke, he slowly raised his right hand. A beam of light flickered, gently parting the clouds and mist, revealing illusory scenery emerging from the clouds.
“Holy crap, is it that magical?”
As the clouds and mist parted, they saw… atop the gorge, in a posture as if standing at the pinnacle, overlooking the beauty of the firmament, grand luxurious palaces were revealed.
This unique palace construction was completely different from the modern-style buildings of other sects. On the continent, this style of architecture was extremely rare.
It was like an immortal palace floating above the clouds, full of immortal qi.
Sensing carefully, they faintly heard a sound echoing in the gorge, like the sound of the Great Dao flowing slowly.
That was the chanting of Ghost Gate disciples, from the pavilions and waterside verandas, reciting scriptures.
This was a required lesson for Ghost Gate disciples. They had to recite homework every morning, which had become a cultural custom within the sect.
A long staircase led straight to the mountaintop, giving a feeling of the Heavenly Road, especially in this mist, appearing even more mysterious and sacred.
“Let’s go! Follow me up the mountain…”
Saying this, Ling Mo led everyone up the mountain. No one could hold back their amazement at the scenery before them.
“This place is truly too beautiful! Holy crap, there’s even a flower rain over there…”
At the mountainside, the sly-eyed Fatty Ma Hongjun spotted the sea of falling peach blossom petals on the cliff edge by North Mountain, his eyes going wide.
The petals drifted down slowly, forming a beautiful scenic line.
“Xiao Mo, your Ghost Gate is really impressive, even more grand than my home…”
Even Dai Mubai praised it. He had seen all kinds of scenes and luxurious palaces.
But… the Ghost Gate before him gave him a stunning feeling, with scenery changing at every step, as beautiful as being in an immortal realm.
“Hehe, that flower sea over there, can we stay there?”
Oscar suggested excitedly.
“No!”
Unexpectedly, before Ling Mo could speak, Zhu Zhuqing refused first.
“Uh…” This made Oscar a bit awkward. He just thought the scenery there was nice and wanted to stay there.
Who knew Zhu Zhuqing would react so strongly. Could there be some secret there?
“Haha, what are you thinking, kid! That side is the residence of the female disciples. How could we let you guys go in casually?
Those female disciples are like hungry wolves. If a man sneaks in, he’d probably have to lean on the wall to walk out.
Moreover, Ghost Gate has regulations: men are not allowed to enter North Mountain casually. Even I wouldn’t dare…”
Ling Mo said amusedly.
He wasn’t unable to go, but he didn’t dare. The beauties inside were all like starving wolves; going in, he’d probably need to lean on the wall to walk out.
Moreover, if Zhu Zhuqing found out he sneaked in, he’d probably lose his life.
“Holy crap, the beauties all live there? You’ve got me itching.
Brother Mo, you promised to take us to visit. You can’t go back on your word…”
Hearing that the beauties were there, Fatty immediately got excited.
“Visiting is fine! When have I ever not kept my word? If you have the skills to hook up with a few beauties, go ahead. I can pretend not to see…”
Ling Mo said amusedly.
Just as he finished speaking, he felt a pain at his waist. No need to think, it was definitely Zhu Zhuqing.
“Fatty, stop your crooked thoughts. The girls on North Mountain are all innocent girls untouched by the world.
If you’re sincere toward them, I won’t object, but… if you treat them as toys, watch out for me, hmph…”
It seemed Zhu Zhuqing was very protective of the girls on North Mountain. After all… half the people there were bought back by Ling Mo at her request, and she knew their situations well.
“What are you saying? When have I ever not taken responsibility! It’s always them dumping me; when have I ever dumped anyone?
Back when you just entered the academy, that Cuihua from the village next to our academy—Fatty here still thinks of her fondly.
Too bad she wouldn’t have me. What could I do…”
Speaking of this, Fatty looked speechless.
Men, is it wrong to have strong abilities? Two or three times a day isn’t excessive, right?
Ahem…
“Haha, you dead fatty! So full of lustful fire, huh? Want me to help you vent it…”
Ling Mo said with feigned menace, somehow pulling out a pair of scissors, scaring Fatty into retreating quickly.
“Hehe, no need! I like beauties, not men…”
“Scram…”
“Alrighty!”
After walking for a good while, they finally reached the top.
“Greetings, Sect Master, Sect Master’s Wife…”
Just arriving at the great gate, the two guarding disciples shouted respectfully.
“Mm, good work! Has Elder Dugu returned?”
“Not yet! Some have returned early, but another group is delayed on the road due to escorting the participating team over a longer distance…”
“Mm, got it!”
After getting the information he wanted, Ling Mo led everyone inside.
Earlier, Ling Mo had ordered Dugu Bo to escort this time’s participating team back, and also… to find opportunities to win them over.
Some had returned early, others were still on the way. By the timing, they should be one or two days behind, returning soon.
“Greetings, Sect Master, Sect Master’s Wife!”
Entering Yanluo Hall, everyone on the training ground called out respectfully.
Most Ghost Gate disciples recognized Zhu Zhuqing because Dugu Bo was efficient—he had portraits drawn of them and shown to all Ghost Gate disciples to avoid issues.
Therefore… whether Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Qian Renxue, Xue Wu, Shui Bing’er, or Dugu Yan, they could enter Ghost Gate freely without anyone stopping them.
Faced with such a grand scene, Zhu Zhuqing was clearly a bit timid but still responded, “Mm, hello everyone!”
In terms of aura, there was some pressure, so she didn’t give off the presence of a Sect Master’s Wife, coming across as very approachable.
“Let’s go! I’ll show you around and then arrange your residences…”
Ling Mo greeted everyone and led the group further up the mountain.
Yanluo Hall was the front hall. The true core areas were Star Picking Tower and above, like the back mountain—that was Ghost Gate’s real core.
Heavenly Machine Pavilion and Hidden Blade Valley were in the back mountain, as was the training ground.
Yanluo Hall was just a stepping stone. New disciples had to pass its assessment before entering the deeper back mountain to access the secrets.
