“After flying swiftly along this path for several hundred miles, you’ll see a canyon sealed off by restrictions. Though not wide, it stretches on endlessly. Inside and outside the canyon are two completely different worlds. There are two passages through it: the Mystic Crystal Path and the Lava Road. One is bone-chillingly cold, where a misstep could freeze you solid. The other is unbearably hot, likely to reduce you to ashes. Only by reaching the canyon’s end can you find the teleportation array to leave, thus passing the second trial, the Path of Ice and Fire. Before entering the canyon, as those two Star Palace fellows mentioned, everyone has one day to search for various natural spiritual medicines here. What you find depends entirely on your fortune.” Xuan Gu Shangren spoke indifferently.
Hearing this, Han Li’s lips moved slightly as if he wanted to ask more, but Xuan Gu Shangren suddenly grew alert and fell silent. Behind them, the teleportation array flashed with white light again as more people emerged one after another.
These newly arrived cultivators didn’t even glance at Han Li and Xuan Gu before transforming into several streaks of light and flying excitedly toward the distant mountains, clearly as eager for treasure as those before them.
Watching these figures recede into the distance, Xuan Gu frowned, hesitated for a moment, then said, “Let’s go too! Otherwise, if Ji Yin and the others teleport out, who knows what trouble might arise.” Without waiting for Han Li’s response, he transformed into a mass of dark clouds and soared into the sky.
Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, and without a word, he transformed into a cyan streak of light and followed.
Not long after Han Li and Xuan Gu departed, Ji Yin, Wan Tianming, and the other Nascent Soul cultivators teleported out one after another. As members of the righteous and demonic paths, they naturally split into two groups, led by Man Huzi and Wan Tianming respectively.
The moment Ji Yin appeared, he anxiously scanned his surroundings. Not finding Han Li, he felt slightly disappointed but showed no sign of it, even casually chatting and occasionally whispering a word or two to the scholarly-robed elder.
However, the beautiful Lady Wen cast a cold glance at the group and said icily, “I’m going to gather some spiritual herbs and will return to the pavilion afterward. You can fight among yourselves as you please, but don’t involve me.” With that, she cleanly transformed into a large silver light and shot into the sky, leaving the righteous and demonic factions staring at each other in bewilderment.
Wan Tianming glanced at the demonic cultivators, then spoke gravely with Tian Wuzi and the others. The three of them immediately rose into the air and, without a word, merged into a three-colored streak of light, speeding off in one direction.
The remaining demonic elders were left bewildered, unsure whether to give chase or go their separate ways, caught completely off guard.
Before they could react, the righteous cultivators had already vanished from sight.
Seeing this, Patriarch Ji Yin’s eyes flickered with a strange light. He coughed dryly and said with a smile, “Brother Qing, Brother Man! I must gather a few spiritual herbs for alchemy and will take my leave now. Let’s meet again at the canyon entrance.”
With that, Patriarch Ji Yin waved his sleeve, releasing a thick black mist that enveloped Wu Chou beside him. A sinister wind howled, and he vanished without a trace.
Man Huzi’s expression darkened slightly, his face growing grim. The blue-robed elder also frowned, lost in thought.
“Ji Yin sure runs fast! It seems his escape technique has grown even more mystical. Brother Qing, if you have no other matters, why not join me to gather some Longevity Fruits? With your help, I’d have a better chance against the mountain spirit guarding the spiritual tree. I’ll share a portion with you. You’re not getting any younger—this fruit could extend your lifespan significantly.” Man Huzi turned to the scholarly-robed elder, who was deep in thought.
The elder, Qing Yi Jushi, was taken aback but quickly regained his composure. After a moment’s hesitation, he replied awkwardly, “Brother Man, I apologize! I have urgent matters to attend to and cannot accompany you. Let’s meet again at the canyon entrance.” With an apologetic bow, he too flew away, leaving Man Huzi’s face livid with anger.
“Hmph! Do you really think I need your help to obtain the Longevity Fruits? Just wait until we reach the inner hall—I’ll make you both pay!” Man Huzi muttered under his breath. Then, with a stomp, he appeared high in the sky, and after a few flashes of yellow light, vanished.
Meanwhile, Han Li had been following Xuan Gu Shangren’s dark clouds for over two hours. The flat grasslands beneath them had long given way to vast, winding mountain ranges, with peaks rising and falling in a spectacular display.
“How much farther is this place? At this rate, I’m starting to wonder if we’ll fly straight to the edge of this space!” Han Li, enveloped in a mass of cyan sword light, couldn’t help but ask.
A cold laugh came from the dark clouds ahead, followed by Xuan Gu’s sharp retort: “Do you think a treasure like the Ninecurl Spirit Ginseng would be found in some easily accessible place? If it were, it wouldn’t be waiting for us. Boy, if you want such a great reward, you’ll need some patience!”
Though irritated by the condescending tone, Han Li held his tongue. After all, given the old monster’s age and experience, he had the right to speak this way. Still, flying for so long without reaching their destination made Han Li uneasy, and he grew even warier of the old demon, wary of a potential ambush.
Their alliance was far from reliable. Han Li doubted Xuan Gu had flown this far during his previous visits without good reason.
The mountains they passed were rich in spiritual energy, and many likely held rare herbs. Several peaks radiated such dense spiritual energy that even from high altitude, Han Li could sense it clearly. Such spiritually rich mountains would undoubtedly nurture precious spiritual plants. Han Li found it hard to believe Xuan Gu would have overlooked them and flown straight past.
Whether sensing Han Li’s suspicion or his silence, Xuan Gu Shangren spoke up again, his voice hesitant.
“I’ve been to this space twice. I stumbled upon the Ninecurl Spirit Ginseng during my first visit while chasing a spiritual bird, the Zihu. Otherwise, I’d never have flown this far. Given its value, something almost divine like this shouldn’t even be here. I suspect it was born from the immense spiritual energy of this semi-sealed space over time, a natural coincidence beyond the ancient cultivators’ plans. Heh, now it’s going to便宜 you, boy!” Xuan Gu’s tone carried a rare mix of envy and regret.
“Is that so?” Han Li replied, still half-skeptical but slightly reassured.
After flying for another long stretch, the dark clouds suddenly halted, hovering motionless in the air.
“We’re here. But don’t rush down. The Ninecurl Spirit Ginseng is highly sensitive; the slightest disturbance will make it burrow into the mountain and vanish. We need to plan carefully before making a move, or we’ll return empty-handed.” Xuan Gu Shangren gazed downward, his eyes flickering as he spoke calmly.
“Are you sure this is the place, Senior? This is where the spirit creature resides?” Han Li scanned the area below and couldn’t help showing a strange expression.
Beneath them was an unremarkable small stone mountain, barren and with pitifully weak spiritual energy—a stark contrast to the nearby peaks.
Han Li found it hard to believe this desolate little mountain was the habitat of the Ninecurl Spirit Ginseng.
“Heh, surprised, boy? I was just as shocked before I saw it, but it’s truly hiding somewhere on this mountain.” The dark clouds around Xuan Gu Shangren gradually dissipated, revealing his form as he looked at Han Li with a half-smile.
Since he insisted, Han Li said nothing more, simply watching coldly as Xuan Gu made his next move.
Xuan Gu Shangren ignored Han Li, focusing intently on the mountain below. Suddenly, his eyes emitted blood-red rays several inches long, startling Han Li.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage