Chapter 520: Big Brother, Want Some Water?

He hadn't seen this phenomenon during the day, nor before he retired for the night. He had also repeatedly used his special right-eye ability to scan that direction countless times and was certain it had never appeared before.

He only saw it after the faint, elusive fragrance intensified. This suggested the phenomenon was very likely the cause of the scent's sudden strength.

He didn't know if this fragrance was connected to the Soul Reversal Tree. However, according to some legends, even if the Soul Reversal Tree hadn't been processed into the legendary "Corpse-Death Fragrance," the tree itself emitted a scent. It was precisely because he had detected that faint, elusive fragrance, whose origin was unknown, upon arriving at the mountain, and it aligned with the legends, that he became convinced the Soul Reversal Tree still existed on the Sacred Mountain, though he hadn't yet found it.

Wu Jinliang, observing beside him for a while, didn't find anything. However, assuming that Shi Chun had noticed something with his right eye, he cautiously asked, "What's wrong?"

Shi Chun's gaze flickered, but he didn't answer. He had spotted someone watching them from a dimly lit pavilion and responded with a soft "hush."

Shortly after, the figure materialized, gracefully descending in front of the two men. It was none other than Jiang You'er.

"What are you two looking at from the rooftop?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

Wu Jinliang, an old hand, could improvise a response to any difficult situation. "Mr. Jiang," he said casually, "didn't you notice? Doesn't the air feel a bit more fragrant?"

"Ah, that," Jiang You'er replied with a smile, "There's no need to be alarmed; this is quite normal. Every night at midnight, the mountain's fragrance becomes more potent, then slowly dissipates. It's not only harmless but highly beneficial, capable of delaying aging and assisting cultivation. It's no exaggeration to call this Sacred Mountain a blessed land."

Hearing this, Shi Chun couldn't help but ask, "Does this happen every midnight?"

It was the first time the main visitor had spoken. Jiang You'er immediately fixed his gaze on him. The suddenness of the inquiry made him pause, weighing the appropriate tone for his response. After a quick consideration, he uttered two words: "Precisely so."

Shi Chun then glanced again at the main peak, the highest point on the mountain range. Could it be that the golden streaks of light appeared every night at midnight? To verify this, he would have to wait until the following night.

Reading the situation, and seeing Shi Chun gaze towards the main peak once more, Wu Jinliang grew more certain of his companion's interest in that area. He then asked, "Mr. Jiang, when would it be convenient for us to visit the Central District?"

Jiang You'er replied, "I was just about to bring this up with Brother Gao. It's truly not feasible at the moment. That area isn't open for outsiders to explore freely. If you genuinely wish to go, we'll need to wait and find the right moment and a compelling reason."

Wu Jinliang feigned indifference, saying, "We can just explore the other districts for now. We'll see about the Central District later; if it works out, great, if not, no big deal."

Jiang You'er nodded with a smile. "I'll do my best. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will be difficult to report back to Lou Xiu."

These were all merely polite pleasantries. The golden streaks of light in the distant sky didn't last much longer. They finally vanished into the depths of the distant void, like divine dragons flicking their tails as they departed.

After the informal chat concluded, the host and guests returned to their respective quarters. After closing their doors and windows, Wu Jinliang leaned in close to Shi Chun again and whispered, "What did you see?"

"A shower of golden meteors..." Shi Chun broadly described what he had witnessed.

After picturing it, Wu Jinliang reached the same conclusion. "It seems the fragrance is linked to this golden phenomenon. It looks like we'll still need to find a way for them to take us to the main peak."

Shi Chun said, "First, let's confirm whether Jin Zhan's relics are useful before deciding if we should follow the pace of this demonic sect. I've observed that this place is protected by a powerful formation, making it difficult to enter or exit easily. However, the defenses aren't strictly guarded. As long as we can find a way in and out, with my right eye's observational ability, this Sacred Mountain has loopholes everywhere we can exploit, making it even more convenient than operating directly under their noses."

Wu Jinliang raised an eyebrow, stroking his chin. "You're right," he said. "Where's the map? Let's take a look at it first."

So Shi Chun produced the Sacred Mountain map, and they began to study it together.

The next day, breakfast done, Wu Jinliang eagerly called Jiang You'er to go sightseeing.

Shortly after they set out, outside the Sacred Mountain's main gate, Qiu Ben, the Hall Master of the Martial Hall of the Extreme Fire Sect, arrived with nearly twenty of his subordinates. He had not brought all his forces. Hearing that he carried a letter from the Extreme Fire Sect Leader for the Goddess, the gatekeepers dared not delay and swiftly sent a report.

Not long after, a figure flew to the mountain gate. It was none other than Lord Poyuan, one of the mountain patrols from the Central District. The mountain gate opened, and Poyuan met Qiu Ben. After verifying their identities, he asked, "Do you need to bring so many people just to deliver a letter?"

Qiu Ben retorted unceremoniously, "Even if I told you, you wouldn't be able to make any decisions. The Goddess will understand the situation once she reads the letter." He was indeed justified in looking down on Poyuan. Setting aside their cultivation differences, the Extreme Fire Sect was one of the foremost sects in the demon realm; its Sect Master was on equal footing with the Phoenix Clan's Patriarch. This place was merely a branch location of the Phoenix Clan. As the Hall Master of the Extreme Fire Sect's Martial Hall, he could stand before the Sacred Mountain Goddess with unwavering dignity. Was a mere mountain patrol qualified to interrogate him?

Feeling somewhat insulted, Poyuan's jaw tightened. However, he said nothing more and motioned for the guests to enter. After passing through the mountain gate, the group flew directly towards the main peak.

In a pavilion not far from the mountain gate, Huang Ye, the Lord of the Northern District, observed the entire interaction.

About an hour later, several more figures flew from the main peak and landed before the mountain gate. The burly man leading them wore a purple-gold crown adorned with phoenix feathers, golden chainmail armor, and golden boots. His face was stern, his expression arrogant, and his presence commanding. He was Feng Jue, Lord of the Central District and the chief among the Sacred Mountain's five Lords.

Seeing him appear, Huang Ye instantly vanished, reappearing directly beside Feng Jue, and asked, "Isn't Grandma Qi's arrival still some time away?"

Feng Jue replied, "What if she arrives early? It would be disrespectful not to greet her."

Huang Ye nodded. "That's true. By the way, I think I saw a group of people heading to the Divine Palace earlier. Who were they?"

Feng Jue explained, "They're from the Extreme Fire Sect. They're refining a magical artifact and need to gather spiritual energy from the Sacred Mountain's blessed grounds. They might be roaming around the mountain quite a bit recently. You'll inevitably have to deal with them."

Huang Ye frowned. "Roaming around? Did the Goddess agree to that?"

Feng Jue said, "After all, they are the foremost artifact-refining sect in the demon realm. The Phoenix Clan occasionally has need of their services; even my 'God-Slaying Spear' was forged by them. Now that they're asking for a small favor, how can we possibly refuse? Furthermore, they brought a handwritten letter from Su Qiao, the Sect Leader of the Extreme Fire Sect. The Goddess couldn't refuse either. It's perfectly fine to cooperate with them on this matter."

Huang Ye acknowledged with a hum, "That's true."

Less than half an hour later, as the group began to grow restless, Feng Jue, whose gaze was fixed on the horizon, suddenly had his eyes flash. He shouted loudly, "The guests are here! Open the middle gate!" The young attendant standing by the gong immediately swung his mallet, sending out a ripple of ethereal vibrations. He struck three times consecutively, and a wide expanse of shimmering ethereal waves appeared in the central archway of the gate.

Feng Jue led his retinue out of the mountain gate to await their arrival respectfully.

The streaks of light, traveling from afar, faded in mid-air, and more than a dozen men and women descended before the mountain gate. Leading them was an elderly, silver-haired woman dressed in plain white. Despite her simple attire, her face was kind and benevolent, exuding an air of nobility. She leaned on a staff topped with a wind-vane, her back slightly hunched. Her advanced age was evident.

The old woman was none other than Grandma Qi, renowned throughout the Phoenix Clan.

"Oh, how could I possibly trouble Young Master Jue to greet me in person?" Grandma Qi exclaimed, feigning surprise and flattery.

Feng Jue stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Greetings, Grandma. Your words are too kind for this young Jue. Grandma, this is not the place for conversation. Auntie is waiting for you in the Divine Palace. Please come in!"

"Yes, yes, yes," the humble Grandma Qi replied, mimicking his gesture, "I wouldn't dare keep the Goddess waiting. Please, please, please." The group entered the mountain gate and flew directly towards the distant highest peak.

Huang Ye, who had also appeared to greet the guests, cupped his hands in farewell and watched them depart. He did not follow them to the Divine Palace. After the guests had gone, he glanced around and then left himself.

At the peak of the Sacred Mountain stood a palace complex, predominantly crafted from green jade. Under the sunlight, it appeared neither dull nor overly dazzling, possessing an ancient grandeur. It harmonized with the surrounding landscape, exuding an air of singular majesty.

Below the palace steps stood a woman in a flowing green robe. Her features were picturesque, and she carried a slight plumpness. Her cascading hair swayed in the wind, yet she retained an air of noble grace. Every gesture she made exuded a natural elegance and clarity. This was the so-called Goddess who guarded the Sacred Mountain, named Feng Qingping.

After Feng Jue led the group to land, Feng Qingping actively approached Grandma Qi, who was about to bow in greeting. She gently held Grandma Qi's arms and smiled, "Grandma, it's been far too long since we last met."

Grandma Qi, unable to complete her bow, sighed with deep emotion. "Greetings, Goddess. This old one has also longed to see you again after such a long time."

Feng Qingping took her arm, personally assisting her up the steps, chatting casually the entire way.

Inside the palace, the decor was ancient and elegant. There were no tables or chairs, only felt mats, clearly a place where people were accustomed to sitting on the floor. Feng Qingping did not seek to assert superiority over Grandma Qi. Seeing that Grandma Qi declined to sit in a more elevated position, she instead sat with her on a felt mat below. Servants promptly brought low tables laden with tea and snacks, placing them before them.

Feng Jue sat cross-legged to the side, observing and listening. At this moment, his face bore no trace of arrogance; he was simply a junior who occasionally grinned.

After a period of idle chatter, a subtle glint appeared in Feng Qingping's eyes. She then tentatively said, "There's something I ought to tell you, Grandma. Xiao Ru's husband became entangled in some affairs and was brought back to the Sacred Mountain. Would you like to call him over and see him?"

This was indeed a probing question. Grandma Qi's sudden visit to the mountain at this time made her suspect she might be here because of the golden-furred rat.

To her surprise, Grandma Qi's expression immediately changed upon hearing this. "Goddess, it's one thing for that girl to try and anger me to death, but are you trying to provoke me too? No, I won't see him, not unless I'm dead!"

Seeing her sudden emotional outburst, Feng Qingping realized she might have misunderstood. She quickly leaned forward, took Grandma Qi's hand, and patted it soothingly. "Alright, alright, if you don't want to see him, then you don't. Grandma, please don't get agitated."

Grandma Qi also patted her hand. "Goddess, forgive this old one's impudence for calling you 'Xiao Ping'," she said. "Xiao Ping, this Grandma is truly old now. My lifespan might genuinely not be long. Lately, old faces and past events keep resurfacing in my mind. The day before yesterday, my dreams were filled with scenes of your childhood. This Grandma truly misses you, so I just thought of coming to the Sacred Mountain to stay for a while, to see you more, for fear that I might not be able to see you again in the future..."

"Nonsense, Grandma will live for a myriad of years!"

"How many in this world truly live for a myriad of years? Those who become immortal often grow tiresome. When one has lived enough, it's time to depart..."

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Mountain Area, with a clear objective, Wu Jinliang, who had subtly led Jiang You'er to the edge of the Sacred Mountain, stopped and gazed out at the seemingly endless green grassland. Looking at the prominent part of the mountain where they stood, Shi Chun knew they had reached another point on the map, a location second only to the main gate and closest to the grand defensive formation.

He used his right eye's special ability to scan their surroundings, detecting no observers. He suddenly spoke, "Brother, would you like some water? I noticed a nice mountain spring on the other side of the ridge. Shall I fetch some for you?"

The words immediately piqued Jiang You'er's suspicion. For the principal guest to suddenly be so eager to serve his subordinate, there had to be an ulterior motive. The "other side of the ridge" meant out of his sight.

Wu Jinliang understood instantly that it was time to act. He chuckled, "I'm just thirsty from all the walking. Get plenty, and some for Mr. Jiang too."

"Alright," Shi Chun replied, and then vanished in a flash.

Jiang You'er's lips tightened, and he casually folded his fan. "Brother Gao," he said, "since you're thirsty, I know where some good fruits are. I'll go gather some for you to taste."

Wu Jinliang uttered an "Oh," then said, "Alright, I'll try some."

Jiang You'er immediately flashed away in the opposite direction, seemingly not heading towards Shi Chun. In reality, he intended to circle around and observe. Seeing no one nearby, Wu Jinliang quickly scanned his surroundings, then crouched down and leaped off the slope, disappearing instantly using an earth-escape technique.