CHAPTER 466: CHAPTER 99: THE WHEREABOUTS ARE CLEAR

Within Qingcun Mountain are five peaks, each divided into Thousand Ridges Peak, Pear Blossom Peak, Nine-Headed Peak, Ape Nest Peak, and Broken Saddle Peak.

Because the Great Void Defense Array envelops the area, there are no natural disasters or human calamities here. Each peak boasts marvelous scenic beauty, with lush forests sprawling everywhere, cascading waterfalls, and countless deep ravines. Who can say where the One Qi Medicine Mushroom might be hidden?

It has been more than half a month since several thousand cultivators entered Qingcun Mountain.

Just as Zhang Yan had previously predicted, after the Wu Clan claimed one mountain, the disciples of the Shi and Yan Clans occupied Pear Blossom Peak and Thousand Ridges Peak respectively. The remaining two peaks were seized by over a dozen smaller clans working together, driving all the Loose Cultivators out.

Though most Loose Cultivators fear the power of major clans like Wu, Shi, and Yan, many are unwilling to yield to the smaller clan disciples. Thus, conflicts over the Medicine Mushroom frequently erupt between the two sides, and over the past few days, more than a hundred have died.

Zhang Yan sat in meditation on a green boulder, his eyes closed in tranquility. His robe sleeves hung down from his knees, and ten paces ahead lay a rocky cavity exuding a faint orchid fragrance. At that moment, the sound of light footsteps echoed from within, prompting him to open his eyes and look over.

Master Shi emerged from the cave, leaning on his staff. Though days of travel had whitened his hair even more, his spirit remained robust, his demeanor full of vitality. Perched on the elderly man’s shoulder, Zhi Tong glanced at Zhang Yan nervously.

Master Shi shook his head at Zhang Yan and said, "It seems Li Daoist will be disappointed again—this is another empty nest."

Zhang Yan rose to his feet and responded with a cheerful smile, "No matter. If there’s nothing here, we’ll simply search the next place."

According to Zhi Tong’s words, when the Ganoderma Ancestor practiced cultivation, he wandered among the five peaks, leaving behind cave mansions in each. The husks he shed in his cultivation might very well be hidden within one of these caves.

However, the five cave mansions were opened in concealed portions of the mountain terrain, making them difficult for outsiders to locate. Without Zhi Tong’s guidance, they wouldn’t have been able to search them one by one.

Zhang Yan remained patient; if one site yielded nothing, he’d simply move on to the next. Even if a complete search of the Five Peaks resulted in no findings, it wouldn’t deviate from his original plans nor cost him anything.

Master Shi glanced around and noted that the surrounding vegetation showed no signs of disturbance. Puzzled, he remarked, "In the ten days I’ve been exploring this rocky cavity, has the Shi Clan truly made no moves at all?"

This Thousand Ridges Peak was claimed by the Shi Clan, and Master Shi had expected some sort of confrontation with Zhang Yan, who was guarding the cave entrance. However, everything seemed unusually calm.

Zhang Yan chuckled lightly and said, "Master Shi, you’ve overthought it. Thousand Ridges Peak spans a thousand miles—where would the Shi Clan find enough people to oversee it all? The so-called sealing of the mountain was just bluster. For those Loose Cultivators out there who are bold enough to enter, they might still manage to reap some gains."

He had already perceived the situation clearly. The Shi Clan had sent no more than a few dozen people this time, and with their attention focused on searching for the Medicine Mushroom across miles of mountain terrain, how could they possibly apprehend every cultivator who entered the area?

The only reason Loose Cultivators hesitated was their fear of the Shi Clan’s reputation, which kept them from approaching.

With only two people in Zhang Yan’s party, their presence amid these mountains was like a drop in the vast ocean, making any collisions with others highly unlikely. In his ten-day vigil here, not a single disturbance had arisen.

Master Shi laughed heartily and said, "Fewer troubles are a blessing in themselves. Let’s not delay and move to the next site."

Zhang Yan replied, "As you wish." With a flick of his sleeves, a gentle wind rose beneath his feet, enveloping Master Shi and Zhi Tong as they ascended into the air. On reaching cloud level, Zhang Yan fixed his gaze on a towering peak split as though by an immense blade and said, "The nearest site is Duan’an Mountain. Let’s proceed there first."

Traveling by wind and cloud, Zhang Yan’s tunneling speed was not particularly fast, and it took several hours before they arrived at Duan’an Mountain.

Pointing toward a peach blossom-covered valley, Zhi Tong exclaimed, "Masters, do you see that large rock? The Ancestor’s cave mansion is beneath it."

Following Zhi Tong’s direction, Zhang Yan spotted a majestic, towering boulder standing in the deep valley. Even the thick canopy of intertwined branches and leaves couldn’t obscure its sky-piercing presence. However, sword light flashed and tunneling light flitted about, accompanied by the shouts of combatants—clearly, the area was currently embroiled in conflict.

Sweeping his gaze over the valley, Zhang Yan turned to Zhi Tong and said, "There are quite a few people here. Hide yourself for now."

Zhi Tong was clever and obedient; upon hearing this, he responded with a quick "Okay" before flipping backward and burrowing into Master Shi’s sleeve, vanishing from sight.