Chapter 31: Zhaoyang Mountain

As the sun set in the west and the sky grew dim, Mu Yuan and Yuan Longtai each rode a mount, heading straight for Zhaoyang Mountain in the Hundred Thousand Mountains!

Zhaoyang Mountain was over two hundred miles away from Feilong Village. They traveled east, crossing mountain ranges, hills, swamps, and dense forests. It was said to be the highest point in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, where the rising sun first shone. It was also the place Yuan Longtai had found in his ancestors’ texts as the site of remaining curse techniques!

The two each rode a Brocade Deer, carrying fresh water and food, then set off on their journey. Fortunately, the Brocade Deer were extremely fast, and as the village chief, Yuan Longtai’s family raised top-quality Brocade Deer that climbed mountains and crossed rivers as if on flat ground. Though two hundred miles was not a short distance, it did not take much time. They arrived at the foot of Zhaoyang Mountain overnight.

At that moment, the morning light was faint, but Zhaoyang Mountain was shrouded in clouds and mist, with half the peak hidden in a sea of clouds. The mountain range stretched for dozens of miles in all directions, centered on its peak, vast and majestic, connected to other mountain ranges, making it appear even more grand.

After traveling all night, the Brocade Deer showed no signs of fatigue, but Yuan Longtai was panting from the bumpy ride. The two washed their faces by a spring at the mountain’s base, shook off their weariness, left the Brocade Deer behind, and began climbing on foot.

“Brother Mu, this is Zhaoyang Mountain. According to records, our ancestor once hid here and lived out his life. The curse techniques he studied are likely hidden here as well. I’ve been here a few times, but each time I was stopped by the mountain’s poisonous miasma and fierce beasts, forcing me to turn back. This time, I’ll have to rely on you!”

Mu Yuan smiled faintly, not overly concerned. After climbing for nearly half an hour, they saw the mist ahead turn bluish-purple, clearly indicating poison. Immediately, they held their breath, circulated Zhenqi internally, and Mu Yuan transferred a stream to Yuan Longtai, forming a half-meter light shield around them to block the miasma as they passed through.

Seeing Mu Yuan’s Divine Ability, Yuan Longtai felt much more at ease. Though tired, he was excited, his steps hurried as he thought of the power and severity of the curse techniques described in the texts.

The poisonous miasma stretched for about two miles. Fortunately, Mu Yuan’s cultivation was profound, and Yuan Longtai, having long lived in the mountains, passed through without difficulty. Soon, they crossed the miasma area, and the mist before them returned to a faint, colorless haze. Both let out a long sigh of relief. Passing through the poisonous fog, even with Zhenqi protection, was still unsettling.

After walking a few more miles along the mountain path, the quiet sound of a mountain spring reached their ears. Mu Yuan’s heart lifted, and he followed the sound. Sure enough, a mountain spring about seven to eight feet wide flowed by, its water clear to the bottom, with fish swimming through and lush aquatic plants. Having not eaten all night and traveling in haste, both were somewhat hungry. They immediately started a fire, caught fish, and roasted them, finding the fish tender, fragrant, and delicious as they sat down to rest.

“Village Chief Yuan, Zhaoyang Mountain is so vast. Do you have an exact destination?” Mu Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked softly.

Yuan Longtai nodded. “According to records, it should be at the highest point of Zhaoyang Mountain’s main peak, a thousand feet above the ground. Once we’re there, we should sense it.”

Mu Yuan inwardly scoffed, finding Yuan Longtai rather hopeless. He sat down to regulate his Zhenqi. By the spring, the plants were lush, and the wood-attribute spiritual energy was rich. The water-attribute spiritual energy in the spring was also abundant. As the two techniques cycled, he soon felt his meridians full of energy and his spirit refreshed. When he opened his eyes, the scenery around him seemed clearer.

Yuan Longtai, however, had already fallen asleep. Mu Yuan shook his head and smiled. After traveling all night, even he felt somewhat tired, let alone Yuan Longtai, who was just an ordinary person. Though he practiced some martial arts, he knew nothing of Qi Refinement, so it was no wonder.

As he looked around, Mu Yuan noticed many exotic flowers and unusual trees on Zhaoyang Mountain, with spiritual energy much denser than elsewhere, especially suitable for plant growth. Seeing the unique flora, he transplanted a few unfamiliar species into his Black Water Gourd. The gourd’s space was vast, and Mu Yuan, fond of plants, animals, and birds, always wanted to raise anything strange he encountered.

Yuan Longtai, meanwhile, fiddled with a pair of toothpick-like objects on the ground, arranging them left and right, now happy, now laughing, now frowning. Mu Yuan recognized it as a form of divination for guidance, which he had also learned at Longevity Palace. However, he found this method not particularly ingenious, preferring instead the art of character divination, in which he had some minor success. Seeing Yuan Longtai’s efforts, he paid no mind.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook. Ahead, swirling clouds and mist obscured their view, and a low, deep roar echoed from the haze. Mu Yuan’s heart tightened as he stood up. A pungent, foul smell carried by the mountain wind reached them, followed by a faint rustling sound rapidly approaching. Even Yuan Longtai was now gripping something tightly, a faint golden light flickering in his palms.

A swift wind blew the mist away, revealing a giant scaled python before them. Its front half was as thick as a bucket, while its rear half vanished into the clouds. Its body was covered with palm-sized scales, shining like mithril, with smooth skin beneath, glossy as brocade. Its narrow, elongated snake eyes squinted slightly, flickering with what seemed like thought. Its mouth opened wide enough to fit a basin, fangs bared, tongue flickering, carrying a thick, bloody stench that made one nauseous and dizzy.

Even Mu Yuan was startled, never expecting the Hundred Thousand Mountains to be so full of marvels, repeatedly encountering divine creatures. First, Feng Luan and Mountain Elf, and now such a massive serpent. But then he thought, the Hundred Thousand Mountains were rarely visited, and over time, some powerful beings had survived disasters and grown to such sizes, which was not so strange after all!

However, Mu Yuan saw that the python’s scales were sturdy and its skin smooth, clearly a rare creature. Not daring to be careless, he stood alert. The python, upon seeing them, seemed delighted. Its massive body coiled back slightly, then shot forward like an arrow from a bow, straight at the two!

Mu Yuan took a step back, avoiding the python’s attack. Just as he was about to strike, a burst of golden light erupted beside him. A silver spear, like a Flood Dragon emerging from the sea, twisted and coiled within the golden light, unleashing a powerful force that struck the python’s head, actually sparking upon impact.

“What a hard head!” Mu Yuan didn’t need to look back to know it was Yuan Longtai’s Golden Corpse. Only this Golden Corpse could unleash such fierce power.

This python was about ten zhang long. The force of its full lunge was immense; Mu Yuan reckoned he would have to avoid its initial assault and strike when its energy waned. In terms of raw strength, he was no match for such a giant serpent. But this Golden Corpse was remarkable, blocking the enemy with a single spear thrust without even faltering, which Mu Yuan greatly admired.

Yet, even with such a violent collision, the silver spear in the Golden Corpse’s hands bent slightly to dissipate the force, while the python only shook its large head, seeming hesitant.

Mu Yuan glanced sideways and finally got a clear look at the Golden Corpse. It wore dark cyan iron armor, resembling a battle-hardened general. It stood eight feet tall, imposing and majestic, with facial features as if carved by knives and axes, appearing resolute and strikingly handsome. Only its eyes were hollow, flickering with a bright yellow flame that was unsettling to behold.

The Golden Corpse’s hand gripping the spear had prominent knuckles, yet the palm was broad and thick. Though it had blocked the python, it hadn’t injured it. The flames in the Golden Corpse’s eyes suddenly flared, leaping intensely. It let out a low, thunderous roar, thrusting the spear even faster at the python!

The python seemed somewhat afraid, coiling its body and spitting out a large cloud of black smoke mixed with sparks, enveloping the Golden Corpse. Within the black smoke, a sizzling sound persisted, like burning fur, emitting a foul, charred stench.

“This snake is unusual!” Mu Yuan was surprised to see the python spewing smoke. Recognizing the black smoke’s danger and knowing the Golden Corpse was strong in combat but weak in spells, he raised his right arm. Waves of energy swirled around it, forming a spinning Qi blade. A swirling vortex of light danced, creating a powerful cyclone that drew in all the black smoke, then absorbed and dissipated it on the spot!

Ever since the Longevity Sword and Longevity True Qi merged and settled in his Dantian, Mu Yuan could manifest Qi weapons, and the Canglang Water Sword contained the force of the Qi Vortex Slash. The technique of absorbing and expelling Primordial Qi was the ultimate way of breaking spells with martial prowess. Though Mu Yuan hadn’t fully grasped its subtleties, it was more than enough to handle this python.

Seeing its spell broken, the python rustled as it retracted its body, retreating into the swirling clouds and mist. Then came a sound like rushing water—the friction of the python’s scales against the mountain rocks—fading into the distance.

Before Mu Yuan could move, the Golden Corpse leaped forward, bounding far ahead. Meanwhile, Yuan Longtai exerted force with both hands, sending dozens of Gu Insects chirping into the mist.

“Brother Mu, this python must be about two hundred years old, full of vitality. If we feed it to the Golden Silkworm, it would surely bring great benefits!”

Mu Yuan saw Yuan Longtai’s excited expression but felt something was amiss. This python could spew smoke and fire, suggesting it might be someone’s pet. And anyone living on Zhaoyang Mountain would surely not be an easy opponent. He intended to avoid trouble, but before he could speak, a series of chaotic cracking sounds erupted ahead, accompanied by loud chirping and metallic clangs. Yuan Longtai’s expression changed, and Mu Yuan swiftly rushed forward!