Chapter 1494: Calling Dad

Wu Xian explained, "Nü Ba has been relentlessly trying to force the Emperor out, but he has yet to appear, perhaps due to a guilty conscience or shame. During this time, Nü Ba might have also been disrespectful in her language to provoke him. The ten young Golden Crows, in their youthful vigor, couldn't tolerate their father being insulted in such a way, so they all came out to confront Nü Ba."

At this point, another witch, Wu Gu, who had been introduced earlier, said, "Nü Ba was capable of influencing the outcome of the great battle between the Yellow Emperor and Chi You. Although her powers were severely diminished after that war, her cultivation remained formidable. If she hadn't encountered the Golden Crows and the Solar Goddess this time, but rather other opponents of comparable strength, Nü Ba might not have died."

Zu An, having witnessed the entire battle, knew her words were true. After all, Nü Ba's most formidable ability was her scorching body, which could cause widespread drought.

Against other opponents, her extreme yang and heat would pose an immense threat. However, she unfortunately encountered the Golden Crows, who are incarnations of the sun. It's impossible to "heat" the sun to death.

On the contrary, Nü Ba was roasted by the intense sun from the ten Golden Crows and the Solar Goddess. This caused her internal heat to spiral out of control, ultimately leading to her explosion.

Alas, Nü Ba was simply unlucky; it seems this calamity was fated for her.

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

He wasn't sure what India was called in this era. If their Spirit Mountain was the same one where the Buddha resided, then they would be taken an unfathomable distance away.

How would he complete his mission then?

"India? Tianzhu? We've never heard of such places," the witches replied with puzzled expressions. "Oh, by the way, we've arrived at Spirit Mountain."

As they spoke, the group quickly arrived at a vast mountain range. The mountains undulated with lush greenery, and the steep peaks were adorned with all sorts of exotic flowers and rare herbs. The air was filled with a refreshing and invigorating fragrance.

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

Zu An secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glad that he wouldn't be forced to eat curry.

At this point, the witches began to introduce the area, one by one:

"This entire mountain range is collectively known as Spirit Mountain. We are called the Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain precisely because we have resided here for so long."

"This peak is called Mount Daguan, that one is Mount Wanqing, and there are also Mount Xiedi, Mount Lanying Zhai, Mount Lintanya, and so on... These are our respective cave dwellings."

"You are our guests, and you are free to explore these peaks on a daily basis. However, please remember that there are two forbidden areas you must not approach."

Zu An asked curiously, "Which two forbidden areas are those?"

His curiosity was piqued. The more they emphasized it, the more eager he was to know.

The witches pointed to a misty, indistinct mountain deep within the range. "That peak is called Baoyuan Mountain; approaching it means certain death."

Yu Yanluo asked in surprise, "Since it's called 'Treasure Source Mountain,' it should be a valuable place. Why is it so dangerous?"

Wu Xian hesitated for a moment, then, feeling the inexplicable affinity towards them once more, explained, "The mountain god of this peak is Bao Jiang."

"Bao Jiang?" Zu An and the others were startled. Was it the same Bao Jiang who was ambushed by Drum? Then wouldn't that imply...

Seeing their expressions, Wu Xian nodded. "Precisely. The Elixir of Immortality, which Bao Jiang guarded in the past, is located within that mountain."

Upon hearing about the Elixir of Immortality, Yun Jianyue's eyes lit up with a strange glint, and she seemed eager to try. She was inherently audacious, and although these individuals possessed terrifying power, the legendary Elixir of Immortality was certainly 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 no longer a secret. After Drum ambushed Bao Jiang, the story spread throughout our circles, and many people already know that the Elixir of Immortality was within Baoyuan Mountain. A few more of you knowing won't make a difference," Wu Xian said, gently toying with the twin snakes in her hand. "What's more, the Elixir of Immortality is no longer there now."

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

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

"Seniors, where is the other forbidden area you mentioned?" Zu An wasn't particularly fixated on the Elixir of Immortality. Firstly, he possessed the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture and shared the lifespan of Qiao Xueying's elven tribe. Secondly, he had personally witnessed the ghastly, neither-human-nor-ghost appearance of Ya Yu after consuming the elixir, which made him doubt if it was truly as wonderful as the legends claimed.

The witches simultaneously pointed to the same spot. Following their direction, Zu An saw a beautiful peak, its summit wreathed in clouds. On top of the mountain stood a slender stone, surprisingly giving off an impression of graceful elegance.

"What the hell, have I been without a woman for so long that even a rock looks graceful and elegant to me now?" Zu An's expression was peculiar, yet he felt a strange sense of familiarity with the mountain.

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

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

His daughter was not only a princess but also a celestial fairy, and her name suggested exceptional beauty.

Could this boy be so audacious as to harbor intentions toward Yao Ji?

To their surprise, Zu An showed no signs of being captivated. Instead, his face was filled with shock. He swallowed with difficulty, asking, "What is the relationship between your Spirit Mountain and Wushan?"

In his previous life, while traveling near the Lesser Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, there was a famous Goddess Peak in Wushan. No wonder this mountain seemed familiar earlier.

"Wushan?" Wu Xian paused, then smiled. "Because a few of us witches reside here, some people also refer to this place as Wushan."

Zu An thought to himself, 'I knew it.' The traditional Chinese character for 'Ling' (灵) in Spirit Mountain has the radical for 'rain' on top, three 'mouths' in the middle, and the character for 'witch' (巫) at the bottom. This implied that in ancient times, the terms 'Ling' and 'Wu' were often used interchangeably.

He had never imagined that the legendary Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain were, in fact, the ten witches of Mount Wu!

Wu Xian found his reaction peculiar and was about to speak when, suddenly, a golden light descended from the sky. Various immortal melodies filled the air, and a vast, unparalleled divine aura permeated the surroundings.

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

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue exchanged looks of utter shock. While they were accustomed to encountering powerful experts throughout the world, none of them, not even the combined might of the Demon Emperor and Zhao Hao, could rival the formidable aura they were sensing now.

At that moment, a majestic voice resounded: "Ten suns have emerged simultaneously, bringing calamity upon the human realm. I bestow upon you the Vermillion Bow and White Arrows, so that you may aid the lower lands."

Meanwhile, far away, the Demon Emperor and his son simultaneously froze. A red light suddenly flew out from the Golden Crow Crown Prince's embrace and instantly vanished into the sky.

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