Chapter 270: 269. A Third-Rate Opportunity, Ancient Records

Chapter 270: 269. A Third-Rate Opportunity, Ancient Records

The draw for Snow Dragon Mountain was neither purely safe nor completely dangerous, but a mix of opportunities and risks. Lei Jun read the fortune slip carefully, deep in thought.

Although it wasn't the kind of perilous situation where one was guaranteed death or barely had a chance of survival, the weight of the words "contains risks" was not light, given his current cultivation and strength.

It seemed that Chu Yu, Wei Qiyue, Yue Xiling, and Zhang Jingzhen's trip to the southwest would indeed be eventful.

The Nanzhao Stone Forest and Snow Dragon Mountain, both located in the southwest, were well-known.

For cultivators of medium to low cultivation, these places could even be considered extremely ominous, and one would dare not venture there lightly.

The Nanzhao Stone Forest was filled with illusions, requiring one to have an extremely resilient divine soul, or for a martial artist with profound cultivation to focus entirely and remain undisturbed by the illusions, in order to arduously find their way.

Even then, it was merely a difficult search, and there was still a possibility of getting lost for those at the Seventh Heaven Layer. One would have to expend quite a bit of effort to escape this natural illusion crafted by nature.

As for Snow Dragon Mountain, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth there was unstable, often erupting into chaotic spiritual energy currents.

Under the influence of these chaotic currents, the snow and ice on Snow Dragon Mountain would surge upwards, transforming into boundless snow and ice storms that posed a great threat to cultivators. One wrong step could result in being buried in the snowstorm.

Moreover, it was close to the Snowy Plateau, where snowfield demons often roamed, further adding to the danger.

However, as Lei Jun carefully read the text that appeared on the light ball, comparing it to the fortune slip, he guessed that the threat was more likely to come from man-made disasters rather than natural disasters.

On Zhang Jingzhen's side, she did not choose to go to Snow Dragon Mountain.

Instead, she would be going to the Nanzhao Stone Forest with Yue Xiling, Shangguan Sheng, and Shu Mountain disciple Liao Jie.

Liao Jie was a rising star among the younger generation of Shu Mountain, second only to Zhang Taogan.

Lei Jun had heard of him a few years ago, and he had also heard his name mentioned by Ji Chuan when chatting with the Shu Mountain sect.

In previous years, Liao Jie had kept a low profile, rarely leaving the Shu Mountain sect's mountain gate, and spent most of his time quietly cultivating.

It was only in the last two years that he had successfully taken the final step, overcoming the tribulation between the Sixth and Seventh Heaven Layers, and achieved the Upper Three Heavens realm. He was the second person among the younger generation of Shu Mountain disciples to do so, after Zhang Taogan.

In the eyes of Wei Qiyue and the others, the Nanzhao Stone Forest was indeed relatively safer compared to Snow Dragon Mountain.

Hence, Zhang Jingzhen, Liao Jie, and Shangguan Sheng, who were on this side, were all at the Seventh Heaven Layer.

The only one at the Eighth Heaven Layer was Yue Xiling, who had also recently broken through and was currently at the first level of the Infant Transformation stage of the Dan Ding sect.

The more experienced Shu Mountain Grand Elders, Wei Qiyue and Chu Yu, went to Snow Dragon Mountain together.

The environment there was complex and relatively more dangerous, with potentially more unknown variables.

With only two people, Wei Qiyue and Chu Yu had more flexibility in advancing and retreating should they encounter any unforeseen circumstances.

Chu Yu's departure from the Suzhou Chu clan to join the court had drawn a lot of attention, and she had been in the spotlight for many years.

However, her style of conducting herself tended towards caution, rarely giving others a handle to grasp, and she moved effortlessly without revealing her full capabilities.

Lei Jun was not worried about her safety; instead, he was more curious about the situation north of Snow Dragon Mountain.

As for himself, he naturally chose to go to the Nanzhao Stone Forest.

..............................

In the skies above Snow Dragon Mountain, the wind and snow raged.

Two figures approached from the distance.

One wore plain clothes and linen shoes, dressed as a female crown, with a simple appearance, but a subtle air of dominance, indicating that she was middle-aged.

She was none other than Wei Qiyue, one of the few core high-level members of Shu Mountain from the previous generation.

The other was a tall, young woman dressed in hunting attire, exuding a heroic aura—Chu Yu.

The two women traversed the wind and snow, defending against the elements while also staying vigilant and observing their surroundings.

One was at the Eighth Heaven Layer of the Daoist Refinement sect, and the other was at the Eighth Heaven Layer of the Confucian Divine Archer sect, both with agile divine souls and keen observations.

However, the environment on Snow Dragon Mountain was extremely harsh, and for now, Chu Yu and her companion's perception and exploration of the outside world were limited to a small area, making it difficult to see everything inside and outside the snowy mountain.

"I've long heard that Elder Chen Donglou likes to temper his cultivation in dangerous places, but hearing about it is not as good as seeing it for myself. Now that I've experienced it firsthand, I truly understand this," Chu Yu said, parting the wind and snow as she spoke to Wei Qiyue beside her.

Wei Qiyue nodded slightly. "Donglou believes that a sharp blade is forged through grinding, so he has always sought out strange and dangerous places in the world. In the past, he often used the Great River to temper his flying sword."

Her gaze swept across the snowy peaks of Snow Dragon Mountain, where the wind and snow were swirling. "In terms of cultivation talent and personal strength, Donglou is indeed a rare genius. But unfortunately, his temperament has always been..."

Chu Yu asked, "Since Elder Chen's temperament has remained unchanged over the years, could there be some other reason for the current situation?"

There might be some unknown grudges or disputes between Chen Donglou and the Celestial Master's Mansion, or even the Pure Yang Palace.

But it was hard to imagine that the straightforward and arrogant person from the past would now be conspiring with outcasts from various sects and holy lands like Feng Yi, Zhou Peng, Qi Shuo, and Liu Dongzhuo.

"The sect leader and I also don't understand," Wei Qiyue said. "The only certain thing is that he must have some connection with these people."

"We can only find out the truth after we find him," she added.

As the two women spoke, they arrived at the northern foot of Snow Dragon Mountain.

Chu Yu was about to speak when her expression changed suddenly.

Below, in the mountain range, a sword light suddenly flashed.

Like a white rainbow piercing the sun, the sword light flew up into the sky, almost ignoring time and space, and appeared before Chu Yu in an instant.

With the chaotic spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the obstruction of the wind and snow, she couldn't predict the other party's attack in advance, and once a Daoist flying sword was unleashed, it would arrive in the blink of an eye.

A glimmer of light shone on Chu Yu, and a jade pendant around her neck glowed with colorful light, transforming into a city of jade.

The city was translucent, appearing as fragile as a work of art, yet its defensive capabilities were astonishing.

Although it was pierced by the sword light, the moment the jade shattered, the momentum of the sword light slowed.

With this brief respite, Chu Yu was able to dodge the earth-shattering, heaven-splitting Daoist flying sword.

"Be careful, it's Chen Donglou's Seven Star Sword!" Wei Qiuyue warned from beside her.

True to her words, Chu Yu flipped her palm, and a massive longbow appeared in her hand. However, before she could nock an arrow, a second and third sword light flew out from Snow Dragon Mountain, temporarily clearing the wind and snow in the sky.

When given time to gather their strength, the Daoist flying sword and Confucian divine archer would only become more formidable, their attack range and power increasing to terrifying levels.

Caught off guard, Chu Yu was at a disadvantage as her opponents launched a relentless and fierce first strike, leaving her barely any opportunity to counter.

Wei Qiuyue waved her sleeve, and a magic sword flew out.

The sword trembled in the air, its light flickering as it gradually transformed into a net of silk threads that filled the sky without dissipating amidst the wind and snow.

The sword net spun, aiding Chu Yu in blocking the successive awe-inspiring sword lights.

The sword lights were exceedingly sharp, and in the blink of an eye, they tore through the sword net, creating several massive holes.

However, as the silk threads fluttered, the net quickly mended itself, returning to its original state.

Chu Yu and Wei Qiuyue joined forces to withstand the swift and fierce ambush, finally giving Chu Yu a chance to counterattack with her arrows.

But the flying swords that had been unleashed earlier suddenly changed their aggressive demeanor, becoming agile and versatile. They continued their assault on Chu Yu while also intercepting her arrows.

Chu Yu focused her gaze and noticed that indeed, seven sword lights were arranged in a seven-star pattern above Snow Dragon Mountain, constantly shifting positions. They exuded a sharp aura while also embodying the mysteries of the stars' movement.

It was none other than Chen Donglou's famous Seven Star Sword from years past.

The moniker "Madman of Shu" referred to Chen Donglou's temperament, but as the most remarkable genius heir of the Shu Mountain sect in the past few hundred years, his sword techniques were a true reflection of the sect's legacy. He excelled in both grandiose and intricate maneuvers.

"Junior Chen, it's been a long time. Is this how you greet your poor daoist uncle?" Wei Qiuyue's face was as calm as still water, but her tone carried a hint of anger.

A man's voice echoed from within Snow Dragon Mountain:

"You know why we're here, and we know why you're here, Wei Qiuyue. At this point, is there anything left to say?

You managed to find me here, and I commend you for that. But..."

Wei Qiuyue's sword net suddenly trembled, falling towards the rear.

Where the sword net covered, a large amount of mist surged, attempting to pass through the net. However, the silk threads that formed the mesh of the net contracted and expanded, relentlessly obliterating the mist.

At the same time, Chu Yu fired an arrow, sending it flying towards the mist.

Where the arrow struck, the mist quickly dissipated.

It seemed as if everything had vanished, but Chu Yu and Wei Qiuyue spoke in unison:

"Gu Han!"

Both of them sensed a master quietly approaching from the wind and snow behind them. At this moment, it seemed as if no one else was there, but their eyes gleamed with a fierce light as they spotted a figure that seemed to be there and yet not there.

This person's appearance was none other than Gu Han, the former Xuanwu Elder of the Pure Yang Palace.

However, Gu Han was currently using the Yuan Ying Flying Escape technique, having arrived in the Snow Dragon Mountain area. He had just attempted to attack Chu Yu and Wei Qiuyue using a secret soul technique.

Wei Qiuyue's Dust Silk Sword, refined into a sword net, contained not only various heavenly treasures and earthly treasures but also a large amount of mortal world energy. The sword net, with its combination of solid and void, could counter both the Seven Star Sword and Gu Han's formless and traceless soul technique.

However, after Gu Han's sneak attack with the most covert soul technique of the Qinglong Mengzhang lineage failed, he immediately switched to a more aggressive soul technique of the Baihu Jianbing lineage.

On the other side, the seven flying swords hung in the sky like the Big Dipper, their lights refined and destructive, while also embodying the mysteries of the stars' movement. They crisscrossed in the air, launching a pincer attack.

Four Eighth Heaven realm experts were engaged in a fierce battle above Snow Dragon Mountain, turning this already infamous dangerous place into an even more deadly and desolate land.

Having lost the initiative and facing a surprise attack, Chu Yu and Wei Qiuyue were at a disadvantage, and as time passed, the situation grew increasingly unfavorable for them.

………………

Nanzhao Stone Forest.

Lei Jun traversed the forest, his eyes taking in the towering stone pillars that seemed to reach for the heavens. As he did so, insights and inspirations continuously flashed through his mind.

Indeed, this place was fraught with great danger, but it also contained countless heavenly principles.

The arrangement of the stone forest seemed like a grand maze set up by nature itself, leaving Lei Jun with a profound impression.

He first calmed his thoughts, intending to explore it further at a later time.

For now, he focused his attention elsewhere.

Yue Xiling, Zhang Jingzhen, and the others had also arrived in this area.

Due to the maze-like nature of the stone forest, the others waited outside, forming a loose perimeter around it while checking the surrounding area.

Yue Xiling, Zhang Jingzhen, Shangguan Sheng, and Liao Jie, all cultivators at the Upper Three Heavens realm, ventured deeper into the stone forest.

They spread out to search, but after a while, they had no findings.

Aside from Yue Xiling, the others had little chance of discovering Lei Jun, who remained hidden in the shadows, acting alone.

After searching the area, Lei Jun also found no valuable clues.

It seemed that everyone had come up empty-handed...

Or so they thought.

Lei Jun stood atop a stone pillar, overlooking the stone forest before him as his eyes sparkled with a keen light.

Within the depths of his pupils, the radiance of the Heaven-Earth Insightful Method flickered rhythmically, alternating between brightness and darkness.

Indeed, Lei Jun had not discovered any clues about Chen Donglou's whereabouts.

However, he was certain that someone had been here in recent years, causing quite a stir. Afterward, they had tried to cover their tracks and conceal their presence to prevent others from finding out.

With Lei Jun's keen insight, it was challenging to discover any traces in a short time. It was only with the help of the dark side of the heavenly book that he sensed something amiss.

The evolution of creation is a constant cycle between chaos and order.

The dark side of the heavenly book exuded a mysterious aura that caused chaos and disorder.

And this, in turn, was what had previously happened in the Nanzhao Stone Forest.

Someone had come here and scoured the area, only to erase their traces afterward.

To some extent, it was similar to how Lei Jun had used the dark side of the heavenly book to cover his tracks after carrying out numerous tasks.

Chen Donglou, he shouldn't have had to do this, should he? Regardless of whether it was according to the Shu Mountain sect's claims or Chen Donglou's past temperament, he wasn't the type to hide his tracks and sneak around.

Chen Donglou may have indeed come to the Nanzhao Stone Forest and left some traces.

But later, someone else came and searched the area, taking away all the clues.

Either at that time or afterward, they returned for a second trip, thoroughly cleaning up the place so that Lei Jun and the others who came later found nothing.

Since they went through the trouble of cleaning up, it couldn't have been some junior who accidentally stumbled upon Chen Donglou's traces.

It wasn't easy for just anyone to carry out a "spring cleaning" in the Nanzhao Stone Forest, a place already notorious for its confusing and misleading nature.

"It seems I'm not just a step too late." Lei Jun hopped down from the stone pillar and continued walking through the stone forest.

He didn't seem discouraged; instead, he calmly contemplated.

"Roar!"

As Lei Jun walked, a distant sound resembling both a flame explosion and a tiger's roar suddenly rang out.

He paused in his tracks, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

Who was Zhang Jingzhen fighting?

Lei Jun flicked his finger lightly.

A dim and blurry light rose into the sky, manifesting the shape of the Mysterious Mirage Mirror. The mirror's light flickered faintly, quickly shining in the direction of Zhang Jingzhen's location.

..............................

The usually dignified and elegant Zhang Jingzhen, the newly appointed high-ranking elder of the Heavenly Masters Mansion, looked uncharacteristically disheveled. Her crown was broken, and her long, dark hair tumbled down.

Following the response from her half of the ancient tablet, she chose to head toward the Nanzhao Stone Forest.

After searching for a long time without any results, Zhang Jingzhen sighed inwardly but didn't feel anxious.

Perhaps it was a case of heaven helping those who help themselves.

Just as she was about to give up and head toward Yue Xiling, Shangguan Sheng, and Liao Jie, the half tablet in her possession suddenly reacted, sensing something.

Zhang Jingzhen immediately set off in that direction.

She didn't find anything related to Chen Donglou.

But she found the person and thing she was looking for.

Chen Yi.

The former true disciple of the Heavenly Masters Mansion was surprisingly still wearing a Daoist robe, but it was no longer the usual apricot-yellow robe of a Heavenly Masters Mansion disciple. Instead, he wore a self-made white Daoist robe.

He was hiding quietly in a corner of the stone forest.

With him were several other Daoists, their robes black on the outside and white on the inside, indicating they were true disciples of the Pure Yang Palace.

With a quick glance, Zhang Jingzhen recognized the leader, a middle-aged Daoist at the Sixth Heaven Layer. It was Mo Chen, one of the traitors publicly wanted by the Pure Yang Palace, along with Zhou Peng and Wang Jingfang.

Facing each other, Zhang Jingzhen, now at the Upper Three Heavens realm, didn't need to ask many questions to know that the other half of the tablet she sought was with Chen Yi.

However, Zhang Jingzhen remained vigilant.

The fact that Chen Yi and the others dared to hide here seemed unusual.

The stone forest posed the risk of illusions for those at the Middle Three Heavens realm, and now they also faced a group of Upper Three Heavens cultivators searching the area.

Wanting to remain hidden and undetected likely meant...

Among the Upper Three Heavens cultivators who had entered the stone forest with her, someone was shielding Chen Yi and Mo Chen! If not for the connection and response between her incomplete tablet and its other half, Zhang Jingzhen would have found it difficult to discover Chen Yi.

While remaining vigilant of the possible Upper Three Heavens enemy, Zhang Jingzhen still made her move.

The emerald Yin Fire Tiger roared, and the Nine Abyss True Fire instantly turned the surrounding area into a sea of flames.

Once again, Chen Yi's progress in cultivation surprised Zhang Jingzhen.

The former disciple of the Heavenly Masters Mansion, whom they had discarded, had not only increased his cultivation level but was also progressing at an extraordinary rate, far surpassing ordinary people.

His progress even exceeded the predictions of the senior members of the Heavenly Masters Mansion from back then.

Although they knew Chen Yi possessed half of the tablet, his rate of progress still astonished Zhang Jingzhen.

However, with his current Middle Three Heavens cultivation, even with Mo Chen and the others' assistance, he couldn't rival Zhang Jingzhen's Upper Three Heavens might.

And Zhang Jingzhen's primary target was the other half of the tablet in Chen Yi's possession.

But the eventual outcome surprised her even more.

She did succeed in drawing out the half tablet from Chen Yi.

The two incomplete tablets seemed to be on the verge of merging in mid-air.

When Mo Chen and the others witnessed this, their eyes sparkled with a brilliant light.

However, the most astonishing thing happened when Chen Yi was pushed to his limit. A strange light suddenly flashed in his eyes.

Zhang Jingzhen's eyes widened, and her mind shook.

In her mind, a strange scene suddenly appeared.

A golden hall!

The hall was majestic but somewhat dull, seemingly empty except for a few items arranged haphazardly within.

However, when the golden hall trembled, the two tablets, which were about to merge, separated once again! With one focusing on cultivation realm and strength and the other possessing the mysterious golden hall that could influence the ancient tablet, Zhang Jingzhen and Chen Yi faced off against each other.

In the end, there was a loud "boom"! A golden ripple seemed to spread from the stone forest, reaching far and wide.

The two halves of the tablet separated once more, flying off in opposite directions.

Both Chen Yi and Zhang Jingzhen were shaken by the impact.

Zhang Jingzhen's crown broke, her hair tumbling down as her body froze in place, an unusual sight of disarray.

Chen Yi was even more severely affected, his body flung through the air as blood splattered in the sky.

PS: 5k chapter

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end