CHAPTER 461: CHAPTER 96 WU CLAN ENCIRCLES THE MOUNTAIN_2

Zhang Yan, however, was unconcerned and gestured with his hand, saying, "Master Shi, there’s no need to dwell on success or failure. I hadn’t expected to meet you upon coming to this mountain in the first place. As the saying goes, ’Do your best and leave the rest to fate.’ Even if it doesn’t work out, I’ll surely not lay blame on you for it."

Master Shi glanced at Zhang Yan, his lips moving slightly, as if he wished to speak but held back.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "If Master Shi is uneasy, I can make an oath that, regardless of success or failure, you may go freely once this is over."

Master Shi shook his head and said, "That’s not what troubles me. I’ve reached a hundred and fifty years of age, and my time is running short. If no accidents occur, this Qingcun Mountain... ha, it will likely be my burial ground."

Zhang Yan was somewhat surprised, knowing that the lifespan of an ordinary Ming Qi Cultivator was no more than a hundred and fifty years. It seemed that Master Shi was nearing his end, which explained why he treated Bao Dingheng and the others neither humbly nor arrogantly. Clearly, there was a reason for this.

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Yan spoke, "If there’s something on your mind, please feel free to say it. If it’s within my power, I will not shirk from aiding you."

Master Shi cupped his hands toward Zhang Yan and said, "If the item were to be found, I would only ask Fellow Daoist to fulfill one request of mine."

Zhang Yan replied solemnly, "Please state your wish, Master Shi."

Master Shi gazed beyond the cave mansion and sighed, "Among my descendants is a grandnephew with remarkable talent. However, I lack the ability to guide him. Initially, Bao Dingheng had agreed to take him into a sect for cultivation, but now..."

Zhang Yan understood what he meant and, after a brief moment of thought, smiled, "This matter isn’t difficult. I have connections with a few sects and am willing to introduce your grandnephew to them."

Master Shi looked deeply at Zhang Yan and said, "Fellow Daoist Li is truly no ordinary Loose Cultivator."

Zhang Yan merely smiled without responding.

Master Shi stared at the vaguely visible peaks outside, his eyes revealing a trace of brightness. He sighed, "So be it. I’ve spent my entire life seeking Ganoderma. Now, in these twilight years, if I could find the Ganoderma Ancestor, I’d stake everything on this, and my life would be without regrets."

Zhang Yan nodded and smiled, just about to inquire about the name of Master Shi’s grandnephew when his expression shifted slightly. Standing up, he said, "Master Shi, please remain seated. I’ll be right back."

He stepped out of the cave mansion and looked toward the southeast, where he saw a flying boat approaching. Behind it, a tunneling light was in hot pursuit. The pursuer was shouting loudly, demanding the person ahead to stop, clearly about to catch up soon.

On the flying boat stood two people, their faces filled with panic. One of them inadvertently caught sight of Zhang Yan and shouted, "Fellow Daoist, could you help my brother and me stop this person? We’re willing to offer a generous reward!"

The pursuing cultivator behind them had a ferocious appearance. He scanned Zhang Yan with a bold glare, seeing that Zhang Yan was alone, and presumed he posed no threat. Without a word, he raised his hand and cast forth a red beam of essence straight at him.

Zhang Yan’s gaze abruptly hardened. This kind of person, who indiscriminately resorted to killing, provoked his anger. With a shout, he raised his hand and forcibly scattered the incoming beam. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, a flash of gold appeared, and a golden hammer ascended into the air, roaring as it descended toward the cultivator’s head.

Yet, the man, still oblivious to his situation, continued to shout defiantly, "I am a disciple of the Honglang Wu Clan! How dare you—"

Zhang Yan had no patience for his bluster. The golden hammer struck his head with a crisp sound, bursting forth in a shower of blood. Without uttering another word, the cultivator was killed instantly, his corpse tumbling into the abyss below.

The two fleeing individuals had been at their wit’s end. Seeing Zhang Yan, they clung to him as their last hope, begging on impulse without expecting him to truly save them. But to their shock, Zhang Yan had killed their pursuer with a mere gesture, leaving them in a daze.

A good while passed before they snapped out of it, hesitantly steering the flying boat closer. The one who had spoken earlier cupped his hands toward Zhang Yan and said, "I am Xu Yan Kuang. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

He then pointed to the other man beside him, who bore a resemblance to him, and said, "This is my younger brother, Xu Yanfu. Thank you for your kindness in saving us."

Zhang Yan glanced over the two, noting their ordinary attire and cultivation at only the Xuan Guang First Realm. Moreover, being mere Loose Cultivators, they surely held little worth to the Honglang Wu Clan. So why had someone been sent to pursue them? Feeling puzzled, he asked, "Why was that man chasing the two of you?"

Xu Yan Kuang smiled bitterly, replying, "Perhaps Fellow Daoist isn’t aware. The Nine-Headed Peak has been appropriated by the Wu Clan, who’ve decreed that no one may harvest the medicine mushrooms growing there. They’re actively driving out other cultivators. My brother and I were simply too slow to leave, and as luck would have it..."

Before he could finish, Xu Yanfu tugged on his sleeve, signaling him with a glance to stop speaking. Xu Yanfu interjected, "We were merely caught off guard, thereby offending the Wu Clan and inciting their pursuit."

Xu Yan Kuang sighed, "The Wu Clan holds great power and acts recklessly in Qingcun Mountain. Even if we were killed, there’d be no recourse. What can be done? We’ll try our luck at the other peaks and hope other families aren’t so domineering."

Though Qingcun Mountain spans tens of thousands of miles, the medicine mushrooms grow primarily in the Five Peaks region. Compared to other areas, the mushrooms here aren’t just superior in grade but also easier to locate, attracting most cultivators to these five mountain peaks.

Xu Yan Kuang cupped his hands, asking, "May I have the honor of learning Fellow Daoist’s esteemed name?"

Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "I am Li Yuanba."

"Ah, so it’s Li Daoist." Xu Yan Kuang cupped his hands in greeting again, saying, "The man Li Daoist just killed was a guest of the Wu Clan. If he doesn’t return for long, I fear the Wu Clan may send others to investigate. Would Li Daoist consider accompanying my brother and me elsewhere for safety?"

Xu Yanfu hurriedly added, "Indeed, Li Daoist might join us for mutual aid and protection."

Being observant, he had noticed Zhang Yan’s profound cultivation and luxurious attire. The Wu Clan’s guest was dispatched so decisively—it was clear Zhang Yan was far from an ordinary Loose Cultivator. Thus, he eagerly sought his companionship.

Zhang Yan did not respond. Instead, he raised his gaze to look behind them.

The Xu brothers seemed to sense something too and turned around. Their expressions changed drastically, for in the distant sky, a dozen tunneling lights were rushing toward their location.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian.com to cast recommendation votes or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)