Chapter 242: Courtyard

Ancient halls were scattered amidst the forests on the endless mountain range. Though completely dilapidated, they still exuded a mysterious aura from ancient times.

These ancient halls were severely damaged, with no plaques or similar items remaining.

However, Qin Sang noticed the presence of what appeared to be medicinal gardens scattered throughout this mountain.

This place was very likely used for refining elixirs!

What made Qin Sang subtly frown was that the Fire Jade Centipede, which had remained active in his palm, still hadn't sensed the presence of any spiritual treasures, even after reaching this location.

Just as Qin Sang decided to enter and search, a person suddenly emerged from the ruins.

Those who entered the ancient dwelling knew each other's names.

Qin Sang remembered this person was a disciple of the Taiyi Dan Sect, who called Yun Youzi "senior brother," yet his cultivation was a level higher than Yun Youzi's.

He was one of the first nine people, entering the ancient immortal's dwelling earlier than Qin Sang.

This person, with a disgruntled expression, flew out of the ancient hall, muttering curses. He then flew directly out of the mountain range on his sword, seemingly no longer intending to search further.

Seeing Qin Sang, the person merely nodded dismissively. As Qin Sang passed him, he hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Fellow Daoist Qin, for Senior Brother Yun's sake, let me give you a heads-up: don't waste your time going in. There's nothing left in this wretched place. I've searched from one end to the other, and I haven't found a single spiritual herb, let alone magical artifacts or elixirs. Dammit, even a rat would leave this place in tears!"

Qin Sang was startled, and quickly clasped his hands in thanks.

The person didn't care, didn't look back, and continued cursing as he flew. Even after his figure vanished at the edge of Qin Sang's sight, his expletives could still be heard.

Qin Sang smiled faintly but did not leave immediately. He suppressed his escape light, entered the mountain, and swiftly searched several ancient halls and medicinal gardens that appeared impressive.

Indeed, as the person had said, apart from crumbling walls and withered leaves, nothing was left.

Even the Fire Jade Centipede showed no reaction.

Returning to the mountaintop, Qin Sang gazed ahead. The landscape beyond this mountain range was becoming increasingly desolate.

Then he looked around and suddenly changed direction, no longer heading north, but turning west instead.

Investigating so many ruins along the way, he had found nothing.

Qin Sang had already suspected, and now it was confirmed, that the outer regions of the ancient cultivator's dwelling—these less dangerous areas—had already been plundered by demonic cultivators more than once, perhaps even dug three feet deep.

Searching for ancient cultivator treasures in these places was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Finding any overlooked treasures was impossible.

If there were still treasures uncollected in the dwelling, they would only be found in one type of place.

Along the way, Qin Sang occasionally spotted flashes of escape light or sword light in the distance, appearing and disappearing quickly. Like him, they were heading directly west.

In this direction, figures appeared much more frequently. It seemed everyone had now realized the situation and were converging on the four Heavenly Peaks.

As the distance shortened, the outlines of the four Heavenly Peaks gradually became clearer, but the details on the mountains remained indiscernible. It was as if an unknown restriction prevented those below from peering into them.

In the high sky, clouds and mist enshrouded the peaks, making their exact height unknown. This kind of cloud and mist didn't resemble natural clouds, but rather had some resemblance to the miasma in the trial space.

Approaching the base of the Heavenly Peaks, the first thing that caught the eye was a mysterious flame-shaped rune, suspended in mid-air. It resembled an inverted red jade bowl, sealing off a vast area.

The rune was crimson like fire, immensely massive, covering the sky and blotting out the sun, boundless.

Looking up from the ground, one had the illusion of being enveloped by a sea of fire.

Qin Sang squinted, staring at the flame rune, his heart filled with awe.

Even from such a distance, he could still clearly feel the extreme violent power contained within the flame rune, as if a terrifying storm capable of destroying the world was brewing there.

In front of the flame rune, he was so insignificant; if the storm swept through, even a touch of its edge would mean instant death!

This should be the protective grand formation.

However, at this moment, the flame rune was covered with cracks. Through the fissures, one could glimpse a corner of the iceberg below.

Beneath the flame rune, countless strange peaks jutted out, each with a unique form, scattered like stars on a chessboard.

One could imagine how magnificent the scenery must have been when the ancient immortal's dwelling was in its prime, with countless cultivators moving among the mountains!

Among these peaks, more than half were completely exposed. On them were ancient halls, altars, and similar structures, all of which, like other places, had become ruins, severely damaged.

But there were also some peaks where parts were sealed by thick mist or light barriers, impenetrable to the naked eye.

This thick mist was not ordinary fog, but rather a manifestation of powerful restrictions. The persistence of the mist indicated that the restrictions were still intact, and it was very likely that the contents within had not yet been taken!

However, for them to have endured until now, the uncracked restrictions were certainly not simple.

Qin Sang shifted his gaze, and through a slender fissure, he saw a mountain. On that mountain, several clusters of mist remained condensed, dispersed across various parts of the peak.

At this moment, in front of one of these mist clusters, three people had gathered.

All three were experts at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage, attempting to break the restriction together. Their progress seemed difficult. Several times they tried to enter the thick mist, but without exception, they were repelled by it.

Each time they failed to break the restriction, several streaks of silvery-white lightning would surge out of the mist in pursuit. Their power was extraordinary, and it took the combined efforts of the three to barely block them.

In the end, they were unable to break this restriction and reluctantly left to find another location.

Seeing this scene, Qin Sang's heart sank slightly. To gain anything, it seemed he would have to cooperate with others.

Qin Sang pondered for a while, then finally moved, carefully passing through a fissure in the flame rune and landing on a peak at the edge.

The moment Qin Sang entered the rune, the Fire Jade Centipede in his palm suddenly became exceptionally active.

There truly were treasures here!

Not seeing any senior brothers from his own sect for now, Qin Sang looked around and decided to search alone with the Fire Jade Centipede.

Unexpectedly, the Fire Jade Centipede's first target was precisely the place where the three people had failed to achieve anything.

Qin Sang felt helpless and had no choice but to grasp the Fire Jade Centipede, leave this mountain, and wait until they were out of its sensing range before releasing it again.

In this manner, Qin Sang aimlessly moved among the mountains. He searched for fellow disciples while also searching through the Fire Jade Centipede. If he noticed the presence of others, he would avoid them in advance.

The Fire Jade Centipede could only sense spiritual treasures rich in fire elemental energy, which was quite restrictive. Several times it reacted, but without exception, powerful restrictions sealed those areas.

Qin Sang repeatedly returned empty-handed, but was not discouraged.

Once again, he found the Fire Jade Centipede becoming active again, and quickly followed.

When he arrived there, a look of profound surprise suddenly appeared on Qin Sang's face.

This time, the Fire Jade Centipede had actually entered an abandoned courtyard!