Chapter 1586: Request from the Mountains

"It's not that I intentionally concealed it from you; it's that I truly don't know," Peng Yukui shook his head. "Only Grandmaster Qianhuan himself knows; no one else in the mountains has a clue."

"So, Bai Ziqin entered the mountain to investigate this array?"

"We don't know how the information leaked, but the Celestial Palace sent Bai Ziqin here."

He Lingchuan couldn't help but chuckle, "Not to be wise after the event, but isn't your protection of this array a little... lax?"

"Has Lord He visited Baimao Mountain?"

At his sudden question, He Lingchuan didn't even blink. "Yes, I've been there."

And once in reality, once in the Panlong World.

"Then you'll know that Baimao Mountain is vast. Even if you put hundreds of thousands of people in there, it would be a drop in the ocean, and those thirty-odd array pillars are extremely scattered," Peng Yukui's face was grim. "Anyway, the array had been deactivated. Xiyao Sect was surprised at first and studied it for a while, but then didn't pay much attention to it. As a result, Bai Ziqin exploited this loophole to enter the mountain. He not only found the array's core but even activated the array!"

"What?" He Lingchuan stood up abruptly, his expression changing. "He could actually activate Grandmaster Qianhuan's array? How much power would that require!"

His surprise was not feigned.

"Dragon Head Mountain is where the Dragon God fell. Several high immortals have concluded that Grandmaster Qianhuan's array-laying technique is likely connected to this. If Bai Ziqin worked hard on this aspect, it might not be impossible for him to do it," Peng Yukui said. "But you're right, reactivating the array requires immense power!"

He Lingchuan murmured, "What exactly does he want to do by activating the grand array?"

"Do what the Sky Demons have always done: harm the immortals living in the blessed lands and grotto-heavens!" For thousands of years, spiritual energy has waned, and the immortals still alive reside in their immortal abodes. The Sky Demons catch them one by one.

"Are you saying he can track Grandmaster Qianhuan's immortal abode through the array?"

"It's not impossible," Peng Yukui paused before saying, "The Celestial Palace already has its own methods for tracking immortal abodes."

He Lingchuan nodded. "I see. So, Mr. Peng, you came to Tianshui City with the intention of...?"

"Bai Ziqin is tracking Grandmaster Qianhuan, so we're tracking him! But that fellow is very cunning; we've engaged him several times without being able to capture him. As a result, he fled south all the way into Yao Country."

He Lingchuan was moved. "Mr. Peng, you've been pursuing him all the way to...?"

"Qianxingling to the north."

He Lingchuan quickly calculated the location in his mind. "My heavens, that's far." He added, "Grandmaster Qianhuan's immortal abode shouldn't be there, but Bai Ziqin didn't track the general direction incorrectly. This person is indeed formidable."

To trace an immortal's whereabouts, something so ethereal, was actually solidified by Bai Ziqin.

This also offers a glimpse into how the Celestial Palace previously uncovered immortal abodes.

No wonder Mount Ling is so concerned about Bai Ziqin's actions, treating him like a formidable enemy.

He Lingchuan glanced at Maogong, the burly man behind Peng Yukui. "Mr. Peng, surely it's not just the two of you tracking Bai Ziqin?"

When Bai Ziqin arrived at Flash Gold Plains, he naturally had formidable generals by his side. For these two visitors from Mount Ling to be able to chase them all over the place, their combat prowess must be off the charts.

"We have nineteen more people, all outside the city," Peng Yukui said seriously. "If Bai Ziqin doesn't seek aid from Yao Country, we'll have more than enough power to take him down!"

This statement was packed with information. Seeing Peng Yukui's calm and confident demeanor, He Lingchuan probed:

"Bai Ziqin was originally a Lantern Master. His methods of commanding lamp spirits are ever-changing, and he himself cultivates several powerful lamp spirits."

He Lingchuan had personally experienced Bai Ziqin's lamp spirits.

Peng Yukui smiled slightly. "He has Sky Demon treasures; we also possess immortal techniques."

Before He Lingchuan could speak, Peng Yukui continued, "We've experienced the Celestial Palace's methods more than once or twice, so we know what we're up against."

The entanglement between the Sky Demons and Mount Ling has lasted over two millennia. They understand each other's methods better than any other faction, certainly better than He Lingchuan.

"You intend to deal with Bai Ziqin in Yao Country?"

Peng Yukui nodded. "This person cannot be allowed to live. Lord He, Mount Ling hopes you can assist us."

He Lingchuan pondered.

Yao Country is a powerful nation on the Flash Gold Plains with considerable primal energy. It won't be easy for Mount Ling to kill Bai Ziqin here. Furthermore, the entire Yao Country worships Mystical Splendor Heaven, so they will naturally offer sanctuary to Bai Ziqin.

Mount Ling wouldn't dare be so presumptuous as to pit dozens of people against a national machine, so they had no choice but to seek out He Lingchuan.

Forcibly killing Bai Ziqin is difficult, but it's different with an insider.

When it comes to understanding Tianshui City and the situation in Yao Country, Mount Ling currently cannot find a more suitable candidate than He Lingchuan.

"As compensation for your temporary assistance, Mount Ling is willing to offer a divine artifact."

He Lingchuan was startled. "A divine artifact? Can it still be used now?"

Not to mention the Floating Life Blade in his own hand or the Grand Square Pot in the Panlong Desert, just the Seven Fortunes Treasure Wheel that his ancestor Lu Xun of the Lu family brought out in the Panlong World made him quite envious.

However, few ancient divine artifacts have survived to this day, for obvious reasons.

"Of course it can, but its energy consumption is immense, and it has time limitations," Peng Yukui said. "However, in a few days, the Emperor's Dew will erupt again, this time on an unprecedented scale. As long as the spiritual energy between heaven and earth gradually becomes abundant, the threshold for using divine artifacts will also become lower and lower."

In simple terms, spirit artifacts and divine artifacts that were previously unusable might become usable once spiritual energy is abundant—provided they haven't broken down by then.

Otherwise, no matter how grand the allure of a divine artifact, if it can't be used, it's just an ornament. Why would He Lingchuan go through fire and water for an ornament?

Peng Yukui added, "Coincidentally, Bai Ziqin has just left Tianshui City with only a few dozen cavalry with him. Now should be a good time to ambush and kill him."

In Tianshui City, Bai Ziqin's defenses were tight, making it difficult for anyone to act.

But once he's out of the city and on a mountain road, it's a different story.

He Lingchuan waved his hand. "Mr. Peng, you previously mentioned you've engaged Bai Ziqin several times?"

"Three times. We killed five of his men."

"Then he most likely knows you've entered the country with him, so why would he lower his guard?" He Lingchuan had some understanding of Bai Ziqin. "That man is incredibly cunning. This might well be a trap. Once you go to ambush him, those few dozen cavalry guards could turn into hundreds, not only possessing primal energy but surely including masters among them."

Peng Yukui and Maogong exchanged glances, the latter frowning. "'Might well be'?"

For just three words, "might well be," they should abandon the chance to intercept and kill Bai Ziqin?

"If you want to try, I won't stop you, but be prepared for failure," He Lingchuan analyzed. "You've chased him all the way into Yao Country, yet he dares to leave Tianshui City now. Who do you think gave him the courage?"

There was another reason he didn't mention: Bai Ziqin inspected the Tianshui East Expansion Project yesterday and even told him he was going to Mang Continent to investigate a case.

He Lingchuan hadn't even asked, so why did Bai Ziqin voluntarily reveal his itinerary?

Was he trying to lure He Lingchuan into acting?

If He Lingchuan were the Great Emperor of the Nine Underworlds, he would certainly want to kill him en route. Otherwise, if Bai Ziqin found useful clues at Xiaotao Villa and returned to Tianshui City, He Lingchuan would be in deep trouble.

If Peng Yukui and Maogong pursued him now, they would very likely walk right into a trap.

Just as Maogong was about to speak, Peng Yukui raised a hand to stop him, then said, "Lord He makes a good point. So, when would be the best time to act?"

He Lingchuan's face was serious. "Hmm, Mr. Peng, please allow me to think it over carefully."

"Very well, but please do so quickly." In Peng Yukui's view, He Lingchuan would naturally carefully assess the risks of this matter.

Assassinating a Celestial Palace Envoy is a monumental event anywhere, let alone in Yao Country, which is within the sphere of influence of the Spirit Void Gods. He Lingchuan would, of course, prioritize his own interests.

The fact that he didn't outright refuse showed he was being considerate.

He Lingchuan then asked, "By the way, does Bai Ziqin recognize the two of you?"

"It wasn't us who acted earlier," Peng Yukui replied. "Neither of us has met him face-to-face, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to openly come and find you."

So He Lingchuan said, "Tianshui City is a bit chaotic right now. Mr. Peng, why don't you stay at Yongquan Mountain Villa? I can consult you if anything comes up."

Peng Yukui gladly agreed.

An inn is just an inn. Even staying in the most luxurious room wouldn't be as comfortable and relaxing as this grand villa. Moreover, staying at Yongquan Mountain Villa would make it more convenient to exchange information and plan actions with He Lingchuan.

"Let's go, let's go, first to breakfast!" He Lingchuan stood up first. "I heard there's Manjian Gao this morning, and the peanuts inside are from my own estate. By the way, the new chef we hired is excellent, especially with desserts."

His smile was very infectious, making the guests opposite him subconsciously relax. Peng Yukui also wore a slight smile. "Very well, it would be rude to refuse."

The two walked towards Qingxin Hall, He Lingchuan's private living quarters, followed by Wanqifeng and Maogong.

Peng Yukui noticed faint bloodshot in He Lingchuan's eyes. "I heard that Lord He plays a crucial role in the Tianshui East Expansion project."

He Lingchuan rubbed his eyes. "Not at all. I have no official title or salary; I just offer advice. The real work is done by others."

Peng Yukui was curious and asked for more details about Tianshui City's east expansion, to which He Lingchuan replied one by one, with enthusiasm and candor.

As soon as they sat down at the table, breakfast dishes were brought out one by one. Tianshui City was already very cold in late autumn; one could even see their breath in the morning. So the kitchen kept beef broth warm, and before He Lingchuan and his guests sat down, noodles would be cooked and then generously ladled with the hot broth, filling the air with rich aroma.

Of course, this bowl of beef noodle soup was just to line their stomachs; there were also six kinds of pastries and sweets on the table.

Considering the skyrocketing prices outside and the refugees struggling to feed themselves, being able to sit here and eat a bowl of delicious, flavorful beef soup was truly a luxury.

Peng Yukui and his companion had traveled day and night to Tianshui City, without proper rest along the way. Now, with half a bowl of hot noodle soup in their stomachs, they felt completely refreshed and comfortable.

Seeing the two men's expressions relax, He Lingchuan then asked:

"By the way, where did you start tracking Bai Ziqin?"

"It was the small town at the foot of Baimao Mountain," Peng Yukui stated truthfully. "They were killing people and observing the array on the mountain. Xiyao Sect didn't even get a glimpse of them, but I was lucky enough to spot Bai Ziqin just before they left the town."

"It seems Mr. Peng is skilled at tracking."