Cat Ear Mountain was already the westernmost border of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Beyond it to the west stretched endless mountain ranges spanning thousands of miles, known as the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
In truth, Cat Ear Mountain was just one of the most peripheral peaks within the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
There were countless legends surrounding the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Some said that immortals who attained enlightenment five hundred years ago still lived in seclusion within these mountains. Others claimed that the mountains were home to countless demons and monsters who, taking advantage of the constant turmoil in the world, would occasionally slip out to wreak havoc on humanity. ‘
There were even those who believed that inside the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains lay a celestial realm, where anyone who entered could achieve eternal life.
All sorts of wild tales circulated widely in the Western Territories, but everyone agreed on one point:
The Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were incredibly perilous.
Anyone who dared to step inside had only a one in a hundred chance of survival. Those few who did manage to leave the mountains came back either insane or gravely injured, their lives hanging by a thread. All of them were tight-lipped about what had happened inside.
This only added to the mystery and dread surrounding the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Because the mountains were considered a forbidden zone for life, they remained untouched by outsiders; the flora and fauna were exactly as they had been centuries ago.
“Alright! I’ll go find it right away!”
Ling Xiaodong was the first to step forward.
As long as he could save Xiao Yan, no matter how dangerous the task, he dared to face it. Besides, with the mysterious divine skill he had somehow acquired, he felt confident enough.
Yue Yingying said, “I’m coming too!”
“No, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains are too dangerous. Master, you stay here and take care of Xiao Yan.”
Ling Xiaodong frowned.
No matter how strong the enemy, he was confident he could come back unscathed. But if Yue Yingying went along, he feared he wouldn’t be able to protect his master properly.
Moreover, Xiao Yan was still bedridden. If anything happened to their master, Ling Xiaodong couldn’t bear to imagine the consequences.
“Hmm? You’re the only one who can find it?”
Yue Yingying rolled her eyes, arms crossed, and let out a disdainful snort.
“The mountain ranges inside the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains are endless. Where would you go to find the Xuanyang Herb? Besides, there are countless strange creatures inside, many of which can’t be dealt with by martial strength alone. You’re only a mere Sanqing Realm cultivator—how could you possibly handle that?”
“Then Master, do you know where the Xuanyang Herb is?” Ling Xiaodong asked.
“No,” Yue Yingying shook her head gently but then held up three fingers.
“However, I can calculate it. The Xuanyang Herb is the most yang of all things under heaven, and within the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, I’ve identified three locations with the densest yang energy. Those places are highly likely where the herb grows.”
Ling Xiaodong lowered his head, thinking deeply for a long time before reluctantly agreeing.
He then looked toward Ye Yiyun, who was eager to join.
“Aunt Yun, you stay here and take care of Xiao Yan. Master and I will enter the mountain to find the Xuanyang Herb.”
Although Ye Yiyun wanted to help save Xiao Yan, she understood clearly that her Daoist cultivation was far below that of her junior sister, and her martial skills were weak, unable to contribute meaningfully. Going along would only slow the others down, so she agreed.
Without further delay, Yue Yingying and Ling Xiaodong, both able to see clearly even in darkness, prepared to set out. For them, day and night were no different.
After packing their belongings, the two stood before the gates of Qingfeng Temple, ready to depart.
“Be careful. Remember to come back safely!”
Ye Yiyun grasped Ling Xiaodong’s hands tightly, her face full of worry that she could not hide.
Although she worried about Xiao Yan’s illness, she was well aware of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains’ fearsome reputation.
“Yes! I’ll come back!”
Ling Xiaodong squeezed Ye Yiyun’s delicate hands in return. The two exchanged a meaningful gaze, their bond between master and disciple clear.
Yue Yingying couldn’t bear the sentimental scene and interrupted:
“Hey, are you two going or not?”
Ling Xiaodong finally let go, reluctantly bidding farewell to Ye Yiyun.
Night had deepened, but the forest was far from quiet.
The darkness was prime hunting time for nocturnal animals. They lurked in every shadowy corner of the woods, waiting to strike their prey at any moment.
Ling Xiaodong and Yue Yingying hurried along beneath the dense canopy.
The paths within the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were difficult to traverse. Because few humans ventured there, low shrubs grew thick everywhere, with no clear trails.
Ling Xiaodong had no choice but to swing his sharp sword repeatedly, cutting through bushes to carve out a barely passable path.
Yue Yingying followed behind, holding a golden compass, constantly calculating the exact locations of the three areas with the strongest yang energy.
They walked until dawn. Ling Xiaodong, tired of hacking through the woods, complained:
“There’s nothing dangerous in these Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. We’ve been walking so long and nothing has happened.”
“That’s because this is just the outskirts. The farther west we go, the more dangerous it gets. Be careful,” Yue Yingying warned.
“Alright,” Ling Xiaodong replied casually.
The two silently pushed forward, both alert for any potential threats around them.
Amid the quiet atmosphere, Yue Yingying suddenly asked:
“How did you know Xiao Yan was in trouble before?”
Ling Xiaodong was caught off guard, not expecting his master to be so attentive.
He dared not tell her that he went to Qingfeng Temple every night, so he hastily made an excuse:
“Someone from Qingfeng Temple came to tell me.”
“Is that so?”
Yue Yingying lowered her head, seemingly pondering something. Then she asked:
“If that’s true, why didn’t I see that person when you dragged me out?”
Ling Xiaodong broke into a cold sweat, feeling guilty.
“Maybe they had already left then.”
Yue Yingying said nothing but furrowed her brows in suspicion, looking at him from behind.
Before Ling Xiaodong could think up an explanation, something cold and strip-like fell from a high tree branch onto his neck.
The object was even wriggling. Startled, Ling Xiaodong quickly shook it off onto the ground.
“What the—!”
He focused his eyes and felt chills down his spine.
It was a vividly multicolored long snake.
Though ordinary venomous snakes couldn’t pierce his skin, humans’ fear of snakes was innate. Besides, no one knew what strange qualities this snake might have in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
“What is it?”
Yue Yingying caught up and covered her mouth, laughing.
“I thought it was something else. Turns out it’s a ‘Shuai Ran.’ You scared yourself silly.”
“Shuai Ran?”
Ling Xiaodong was puzzled. What was that? Aren’t brightly colored snakes usually venomous?
Yue Yingying explained:
“In the western mountains, there’s a snake whose head and tail differ greatly. It’s multicolored and harmless. When someone touches it, if you touch the head, the tail moves toward you; if you touch the tail, the head moves; if you touch the middle, both head and tail come to you. It’s called ‘Shuai Ran.’ If you didn’t know that, you should be ashamed! Don’t ever say you’re my disciple again.”
She punctuated her rebuke by lightly poking Ling Xiaodong’s forehead with her slender, fair finger, looking disdainful.
You haven’t taught me anything either, Ling Xiaodong thought silently.
He squatted down to look at the colorful Shuai Ran again. It lay quietly on the ground, showing no intention to attack.
Following Yue Yingying’s instructions, he stroked its head. The snake’s tail immediately came close. When he stroked the tail, the head moved toward him. Stroking the middle caused both head and tail to approach simultaneously.
“Wow! That’s really amazing!”
Yue Yingying put her hands on her hips proudly.
“Of course. There are so many strange things in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Besides the unknown dangers, there are quite a few harmless exotic beasts. According to legend, there’s a beast called the ‘Indestructible Beast,’ resembling a deer but with a dog’s head and sharp teeth. It’s good at following humans and seeking crops. People can cut its meat without harm; the meat grows back.”
“So incredible! The meat regenerates after being cut, so it’s inexhaustible. If we had one of those, there’d never be famine!”
Ling Xiaodong was amazed. No wonder the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains harbored such exotic beasts!
Just as Yue Yingying proudly showcased her knowledge to her ignorant disciple, a figure slowly emerged from the woods.
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