Chapter 452: Little Stone Mountain

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“After flying rapidly along this path for several hundred miles, you will see a canyon guarded by a restriction. This canyon is not wide, but it is very long. The world inside and outside the canyon are two completely different realms.”

“Inside, there are two passages to cross: the Profound Crystal Path and the Lava Road. One is bone-chillingly cold, capable of freezing one's body if not careful. The other is intolerably hot, capable of reducing one to ashes. Only by reaching the end of the canyon can you find the teleportation array to exit. This is how you pass the second trial, the Path of Ice and Fire. Before entering the canyon, as those two Star Palace fellows mentioned, everyone has one day to search for various heavenly and earthly spiritual medicines here. What you find depends on your individual fortune,” Revered Xuan Gu said indifferently.

Hearing this, Han Li's lips moved a few times. Just as he was about to ask something else, Revered Xuan Gu's expression shifted, and he fell silent.

This was because the teleportation array behind them flashed white light again, and more people emerged one after another.

These later cultivators didn't even glance at Han Li or Xuan Gu. With excited faces, they transformed into several long rainbows and flew towards the distant mountains, eager to find treasures, just like those who came before them.

Watching these figures fly away, Xuan Gu frowned. After a moment of hesitation, he said,

“Let's go too! Otherwise, if Ji and the others teleport out, they might cause trouble.” After saying this, without waiting for Han Li's response, he shifted his body, transformed into a cloud, and flew into the sky.

Han Li's expression remained unchanged, and he said nothing. He transformed into a streak of green light and followed.

Not long after Han Li and Xuan Gu flew away, Ji, Wan Tianming, and other Nascent Soul cultivators also teleported out one after another.

However, as members of the righteous and demonic factions, they naturally stood on separate sides, led by Barbarian Hu and Wan Tianming respectively.

The moment Ji appeared, he quickly scanned his surroundings. Slightly disappointed not to find Han Li's trace, he showed no hint of it on his face. He even joked as usual, occasionally whispering a few words to the scholar-robed old man.

However, the beautiful woman, Mrs. Wen, glanced at everyone and coldly stated,

“I'm going to gather spiritual medicine, and I'll return to the pavilion once I'm done. You few can fight however you wish. Just don't involve me.” Having said this, she cleanly transformed into a large silver light and shot into the sky.

Leaving both the righteous and demonic factions exchanging bewildered glances.

After Wan Tianming glanced at the demonic cultivators several times, he gravely whispered a few words to Tian Wu Zi and others. Then, the three of them simultaneously shot into the sky, merging into a single streak of three-colored light without a word, and swiftly flew off in one direction.

The remaining demonic old eccentrics exchanged baffled looks, unsure whether to pursue closely or simply go about their own business, appearing somewhat caught off guard.

But before they could react, the righteous cultivators had already vanished.

Grand Ancestor Ji, seeing this, had a strange glint in his eyes. After a dry cough, he said with a smile,

“Brother Qing, Brother Man! I need to gather a few spiritual medicines for alchemy, so I'll take my leave first. Later, we'll meet again before the canyon.”

After speaking, Grand Ancestor Ji flicked his sleeve, and a large surge of black mist erupted. He swept Wu Chou, who was beside him, into it. A strong wind blew, and he vanished without a trace.

Seeing this, Barbarian Hu's expression subtly changed, becoming somewhat stern.

The green-robed old man also frowned, revealing a pensive expression.

“Ji certainly ran fast! It seems his escape art has become even more mysterious. Fellow Daoist Qing! If you're not busy, how about joining me to gather some Longevity Fruits? With your help, I'll have a few more points of certainty in dealing with the mountain imp guarding the spiritual tree. I'll give you a share then. You're not young anymore. With this fruit, you can extend your lifespan considerably.” Barbarian Hu turned his head and spoke to the scholar-robed old man, who was currently pondering something.

The scholar-robed old man, Layman Qing Yi, was startled at first upon hearing this. But after his eyes subtly shifted a few times, he replied with a hint of awkwardness,

“Brother Man, I'm truly sorry! I also have important matters to attend to and no time to accompany you. Let's meet again at the canyon entrance!”

After speaking, the old man cupped his hands apologetically, and likewise flew away. Barbarian Hu's face turned a frightening shade of green.

“Hmph! Do you really think this island master needs your help to obtain the Longevity Fruit? Once we reach the inner hall, I'll teach you two a lesson!” Barbarian Hu muttered to himself in a low voice, then stomped his foot. He instantly appeared in the sky, and after several flashes of yellow light, he vanished.

At this moment, Han Li, following the cloud transformed by Revered Xuan Gu, had already flown for over two hours. Below them, the boundless flat grasslands had given way entirely to mountain ranges stretching for thousands of miles.

Large and small peaks rose and fell, presenting an exceptionally magnificent sight.

“How much further is this place you mentioned! I doubt we'll keep flying until we reach the edge of this space!” Han Li, enveloped in a large mass of green sword light, couldn't help but ask.

From the cloud ahead, a cold laugh echoed. Then, Revered Xuan Gu unceremoniously said,

“Do you think a spiritual item like the Nine-Bends Spirit Ginseng would be found in an easily accessible place? If so, it wouldn't be for the likes of you or me. Young man, if you want to gain such a great benefit, you ought to have some patience!”

Hearing the other party's somewhat lecturing tone, a cold glint flashed in Han Li's eyes, but he said nothing.

After all, given the old eccentric's true age and experience, he indeed had the right to speak to him in such a tone.

Although he was somewhat displeased, he wouldn't waste words by voicing it.

However, after flying in a straight line for such a long time without appearing to reach their destination, though Han Li said nothing, he grew restless.

He couldn't help but become more cautious of the old devil, lest he be unexpectedly ambushed by him.

Their alliance wasn't exactly reliable!

Han Li didn't believe that the other party would have flown this far for no reason during previous visits to this space.

After all, if they were looking for spiritual medicine, all the mountains they flew over were teeming with spiritual energy, and some should have been found there. In particular, a few of them, even from high altitude, Han Li could clearly sense the extremely dense spiritual energy fluctuations.

Spiritual herbs nurtured by such spiritual mountains would certainly be extremely rare.

Would the other party have simply ignored them and flown past in the first place? Han Li was very suspicious.

Perhaps sensing Han Li's suspicion, or perhaps because his silence made Revered Xuan Gu feel something was amiss,

Revered Xuan Gu's hesitant voice came from ahead once more.

“I've been to this space twice. I was lucky enough to discover the Nine-Bends Spirit Ginseng during my first visit. However, at that time, I was chasing a Cihou spirit bird, which is why I flew this far in one go. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the chance to encounter this Nine-Bends Spirit Ginseng. After all, in terms of preciousness, this item is almost like something from the immortal realms; there's no way it should appear here. I estimate that this spirit ginseng probably spontaneously appeared due to a fortunate coincidence of heaven and earth creation, nourished by the vast spiritual energy in this semi-sealed space for so many years. It was completely beyond the ancient cultivators' expectations at the time. Heh heh, it's really a bargain for you, young man, this time!” As Xuan Gu finished speaking, a rare hint of envy and regret appeared in his voice.

“Is that so!”

Han Li listened, still half-skeptical and not lowering his guard, but he felt slightly more at ease.

After flying for a considerable time, one following the other, the cloud suddenly halted, and they stopped moving, hovering in the air.

“We're here, this is the place. However, don't rush down. The Nine-Bends Spirit Ginseng has extremely strong senses; if anything is slightly off, it will burrow into the rocks and not reappear. It's best to deliberate carefully before making a move. Don't end up returning empty-handed.” Revered Xuan Gu gazed downwards, his eyes flickering non-stop, yet he spoke unhurriedly.

“Senior, you haven't mistaken the place, have you? This is where that spiritual item is supposed to be?” Han Li scanned the situation below, and couldn't help but show a strange expression.

Below the two of them was an unremarkable small stone mountain. Not only was it barren of vegetation, but its spiritual energy was also pitifully sparse. Compared to the nearby large mountains, it was truly a world apart!

Han Li found it hard to believe that such a small, barren mountain was the habitat of the “Nine-Bends Spirit Ginseng.”

“Heh heh, young man! Quite surprised, aren't you? Before I saw the Nine-Bends Spirit Ginseng, I was also quite astonished. But it is indeed lurking somewhere on this mountain.” Revered Xuan Gu's cloud gradually dispersed, revealing his figure, and he looked at Han Li with a faint smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Since the other party had said so, Han Li naturally said nothing more. He simply watched the other party's next move with cold eyes.

Revered Xuan Gu likewise ignored Han Li. Instead, he gazed intently downwards, and suddenly, his eyes shot out blood-red rays about an inch long. This sight startled Han Li.

(There will be another chapter tonight. Please cast more recommendation votes to support this book! Wang Yu thanks everyone in advance!)