Chapter 1449: Heavenly Decree Descends

Wu Xian explained, "Nuba has been frantically trying to force the Emperor to show himself during this time. Unfortunately, the Emperor has not appeared, whether from a guilty conscience or regret. Furthermore, in her attempts to make him appear, Nuba's words may have been disrespectful. The ten Golden Crows, being young and hot-blooded, couldn't tolerate their father being insulted in such a way, so they came out together to settle the score with Nuba."

At that moment, another sorceress, whom they had previously identified as Wu Gu, spoke. "Nuba was once able to influence the outcome of the great war between the Yellow Emperor and Chiyou. Although her power was greatly diminished in that battle, her cultivation remained terrifyingly strong. If she hadn't encountered the Golden Crows and the Sun Goddess this time, but rather other opponents of comparable strength, Nuba might not have died."

Zu An had witnessed the entire battle and knew she spoke the truth. After all, Nuba's greatest ability was her scorching hot body, which could bring drought to the world.

Against anyone else, her extremely Yang and hot abilities would pose a tremendous threat to enemies. Unfortunately, she encountered the Golden Crows, who were embodiments of the sun. How could she possibly defeat the very essence of heat?

On the contrary, Nuba was scorched by the blazing sun, a combined effort of the ten Golden Crows and the Sun Goddess, which ultimately led to her internal heat spiraling out of control and causing her to explode.

Alas, one could only say Nuba was unlucky, and that this calamity was fated.

He suddenly thought of something and hastily asked, "Seniors, is your Spirit Mountain located in India, or rather, what was known as Tianzhu?"

He wasn't sure what India was called in this era. If their 'Spirit Mountain' was the same as the one where the Buddha resided, wouldn't they be taken to some incredibly distant place?

How would he complete his mission then?

"India? Tianzhu? We've never heard of such places," the sorcerers replied, looking puzzled. "By the way, we've arrived at Spirit Mountain."

As they spoke, the group quickly arrived at a vast range of mountains. The peaks here rolled like waves, covered in lush green trees. Steep cliffs were adorned with exotic flowers and rare herbs. The air was filled with a refreshing, soul-stirring fragrance.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue exchanged a look. The spiritual energy here was astonishingly rich, far surpassing the blessed lands and grotto-heavens of their own sects. It was an excellent treasure trove for cultivation. No wonder these sorcerers, occupying such a place, could cultivate to such a level.

Zu An, meanwhile, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least it wasn't India.

Then, the sorcerers introduced them to the surroundings one by one:

"This entire mountain range is collectively known as Spirit Mountain. We are called the Ten Sorcerers of Spirit Mountain because we have long resided here. This one is called Mount Daguan, that one is Mount Wanqing, and there are also Mount Xiedi, Mount Lanyingzhai, Mount Lindanya… These are our respective grotto-mansions."

"You are our guests, and you can freely move about these peaks on a daily basis. However, remember that two places are forbidden zones; you must not approach them."

Zu An asked curiously, "Which two forbidden zones?"

He felt an unbearable itch of curiosity; the more they spoke like this, the more intrigued he became.

The sorcerers pointed to a mountain shrouded in mist, vaguely visible deep within the range, and said, "That one is called Baoyuan Mountain. Approaching it means certain death."

Yu Yanluo asked in surprise, "Since it's called Baoyuan Mountain, it should be a treasure trove, shouldn't it? Why is it so dangerous?"

Wu Xian hesitated for a moment, then, sensing their inexplicable affinity again, said, "Well, the mountain spirit of this peak is Bao Jiang."

"Bao Jiang?" Zu An and the others were startled. Was it the Bao Jiang who was ambushed by Gu? Then, wouldn't that mean...

Seeing their expressions, Wu Xian nodded. "Indeed, the Elixir of Immortality, which Bao Jiang once guarded, was inside it."

Upon hearing "Elixir of Immortality," Yun Jianyue's eyes sparkled with an unusual light, and she became eager to try. She was naturally bold and reckless, and although these sorcerers were terrifyingly powerful, the legendary elixir was worth the risk.

Yu Yanluo, feeling a bit awkward, said, "It's all my fault for making you reveal such an important secret."

"Actually, it's not much of a secret anymore. After Gu ambushed Bao Jiang, the related events spread throughout our circle. Many people already know the Elixir of Immortality was in Baoyuan Mountain, so a few more knowing won't hurt," Wu Xian said, gently stroking the two snakes in her hand. "Besides, the Elixir of Immortality is no longer there."

Hearing this, Yun Jianyue immediately looked disappointed. "Then where did it go?"

Wu Xian noticed her mood but didn't mind. "With the deaths of Gu and Bao Jiang, the Elixir of Immortality disappeared. No one knows its whereabouts now."

"Where is the other forbidden zone you mentioned, Senior?" Zu An didn't have such a strong obsession with the Elixir of Immortality. For one, he possessed the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture and had shared the lifespan of Qiao Xueying's elven race. Secondly, he had personally witnessed the grotesque transformation of Yayu after consuming the elixir, making him doubt if it was as wonderful as the legends claimed.

The sorcerers simultaneously pointed to the same place. Following their fingers, Zu An saw a beautiful peak, its summit wreathed in mist. On top of the mountain stood a slender stone, which surprisingly gave off a sense of graceful femininity.

"What the hell, has it been so long since I've been with a woman that even a stone looks beautiful to me now?" Zu An's expression was odd, but he felt a sense of puzzlement. Why did this mountain feel so familiar?

At this point, the sorcerers began to explain: "This peak is called Goddess Peak. It was once the residence of Yao Ji, the third daughter of Emperor Yan. She preferred solitude and disliked being disturbed by outsiders; even we cannot approach her casually."

As soon as they finished speaking, Yu Yanluo, Yan Xuehen, and Yun Jianyue all looked at Zu An. Was Emperor Yan also one of the Heavenly Emperors?

His daughter was not only a princess but also a celestial fairy, and judging by her name, she must have been exceptionally beautiful.

This boy wouldn't be so audacious as to harbor designs on Yao Ji, would he?

However, Zu An didn't appear smitten at all; instead, he looked surprised. He swallowed hard and asked, "What is the connection between your Spirit Mountain and Mount Wu?"

In his previous life, when he traveled to Mount Wu near the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, wasn't there a famous Goddess Peak there? No wonder this mountain looked a bit familiar to him earlier.

"Mount Wu?" Wu Xian was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. "Because we sorcerers live here, some people do refer to this place as Mount Wu."

Zu An thought to himself, 'I knew it.' The traditional Chinese character for 'Spirit' (靈) has 'rain' (雨) on top, three 'mouths' (口) in the middle, and 'sorcerer' (巫) at the bottom. Therefore, in ancient times, 'spirit' and 'sorcerer' were often used interchangeably.

He had never imagined that the legendary Ten Sorcerers of Spirit Mountain were actually the ten sorcerers of Mount Wu!

Wu Xian found his reaction peculiar and was about to speak when suddenly, a golden light descended from the heavens. Ethereal music filled the air, and an immeasurably vast divine power descended.

Everyone felt a tremble in their souls, instinctively wanting to prostrate themselves in worship.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue looked at each other in shock. They had seen many masters throughout the land, but none of them could compare to the aura present now. Even the Demon Emperor and Zhao Hao combined would likely be no match for this power!

Then, a majestic voice resonated: "Ten suns have emerged, bringing calamity upon the mortal realm. I bestow upon you this vermilion bow and white arrow, to aid the lower lands."

At this very moment, far away, the Demon Emperor and his son were suddenly startled simultaneously. A red light suddenly flew out from the Golden Crow Crown Prince's embrace, then instantly vanished into the sky.

"My Sun-Shooting Bow!" the Golden Crow Crown Prince exclaimed in alarm.