Tianduan Mountain

Yu Daiyue frowned slightly, but said nothing. The Liu brothers conferred in low voices with Baiyun Shanren for a few moments, then addressed Qingting and Yu Daiyue. "Thank you both for your understanding. We are all willing to go. Rest assured, since we have come this far, there is no reason to return from a mountain of treasure empty-handed. Unless the place proves unimaginably dangerous, we will certainly see this through to the end with you." Wu Yuesheng chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Liu is quite right. Still, if it truly were a lethal trap, Senior Sister Qingting and Senior Brother Yu wouldn't throw away their lives for nothing, would they? Wouldn't you say so, Junior Brother Qin?" Qin Sang had been sitting quietly to the side all along. Hearing his name, he looked up, caught Wu Yuesheng's friendly smile, and nodded. "Indeed. Once we break the array, everything will become clear." With everyone now consenting to join forces and crack the formation, Yu Daiyue's expression brightened with delight, and he clapped his hands firmly. "Good! Since everyone has agreed, I will not need to invite anyone else. I shall hand over the Fire Crow Tokens to you now. Refining a token takes ten days, so we will reconvene on this island ten days from now. Please do not break your word, fellow daoists." Knowing so little about the ancient ruins, they had nothing else to discuss and would simply have to adapt once the array was breached. Each person took a Fire Crow Token, then bid farewell and departed. While flying back to his cave abode, Qin Sang took out the Fire Crow Token he had received. This token differed somewhat from the one Yu Daiyue had displayed; its flame was not dark green, but pink, and the fire crow soul within was distinct as well. "Perhaps different spirit bird remains were used, resulting in this variation," Qin Sang murmured. He had not hesitated long before agreeing to explore the ancient ruins, primarily because, unlike a year ago, he now had means to rely upon. For one, having witnessed the true power of the Profound Yin Thunder gave him far greater confidence, and Senior Sister Qingting's terms were generous; if it proved truly perilous, everyone could simply turn back. Secondly, he had successfully broken through to the second layer and mastered the divine ability that came with his cultivation method. *Unity of man and sword, escaping shadows into formlessness.* Qin Sang had originally assumed it was an art of concealment during sword flight, but only after truly mastering it did he realize the phrase referred not to the sword-wielder, but to the spirit sword itself. Through the sword talisman upon the ebony sword, directing the sword purely with spiritual sense could not only render the weapon utterly silent, but because the ebony sword's material was exceptionally pure, it could also transform the sword into a pure wood-spirit sword embryo, concealing its form from an opponent's notice. The instant it closed in, it would unleash a burst of formidable sword qi and killing intent, delivering a lethal strike in a single blow—turning the spirit sword into a weapon of slaughter that killed without a trace, full of boundless utility. With his damaged foundation, the last thing Qin Sang wanted was a direct, head-on clash with an adversary. Turning his spirit sword invisible meant that as long as he seized the initiative, he could take an enemy's head before they even noticed. Nothing could be more suited to him. After returning to his cave abode, Qin Sang immediately sealed the entrance and raced against time to refine the Fire Crow Token. The fire crow soul inside was no simple matter, and fully subduing it would take considerable effort; ten days was a rather tight window. *** Ten days later. Streaks of light descended upon the small island one after another. By the time Qin Sang arrived, almost everyone was already present. After a brief wait, a fairly young man arrived riding a flying sword. He possessed sharp, cool features and an aloof demeanor, giving Qin Sang an impression reminiscent of Chu Wenjian, like that of a pure sword cultivator. "This is Junior Brother Li Zai," Qingting introduced him to everyone. With that, all eight members of the expedition were assembled. Even the Liu brothers, who had caused the most concern, had successfully subdued their fire crow soul. With a flick of his finger, Yu Daiyue conjured a mass of clouds that floated overhead. Looking around at the group, he said, "This cloud is my flying magic tool. Since everyone has agreed to follow the arrangements set by Senior Sister Qingting and me, I will activate the tool's restrictions during flight. You will not be able to see outside, nor should you probe with your spiritual sense. Once we reach the ancient ruins, I will set you down." A trace of hesitation crossed everyone's faces at his words, but having given their word beforehand, it was awkward to back out now. Furthermore, understanding this was merely a precaution taken by Qingting and Yu Daiyue, they agreed one by one. Guided by Qingting, they stepped onto the white cloud magic tool and took their seats. The cloud magic tool trembled faintly, and the cloud vapor vanished into thin air, rising into the sky before speeding away. The white cloud's speed was not particularly fast, with Qingting and Yu Daiyue taking turns steering it. Qin Sang glanced left and right. Dense cloud vapor surrounded them, blocking all outside scenery, and it was inappropriate to probe with his spiritual sense. Since he was already here, he decided to take things as they came and used the opportunity to cultivate. This flight lasted for two whole months. The magic tool, which had been flying smoothly, suddenly shuddered, and its speed plummeted. Sensing the shift, the cultivators inside emerged from their meditative states and looked forward at the pair. Qingting turned around and nodded. "We will soon reach the ancient ruins. This area is far from peaceful, so please remain on guard." Before her voice had fully faded, the magic tool dove downward. Moments later, the clouds dispersed, and Yu Daiyue stowed the tool away, restoring everyone's vision. Stepping onto solid ground, Qin Sang looked around and found that they had not landed on an island, but on the summit of a mountain. All around, as far as the eye could see, loomed towering peaks piercing the clouds, while to the east lay countless even more colossal mountain silhouettes, resembling an iron curtain. Between the mountains stretched vast, dense primeval forests, filled with the ceaseless cries of beasts and birds. There was not the slightest trace of human presence, nor could any mortal possibly survive in such perilous wilderness. Though it was high noon, the sunlight was blocked by the mountain's thick miasma. The mountain wind howled, chilling to the bone, lending the place an eerie, sinister air. *Just how enormous an island would it take to hold such majestic mountains?* Just as Qin Sang was silently marveling, he noticed that Baiyun Shanren's expression had turned exceedingly grim. Staring at Yu Daiyue, the old man demanded sharply, "Did the two of you not say the ancient ruins were in Yuncang Great Marsh? Why have we come to Tianduan Mountain? Do you take us for senile old fools who cannot tell Tianduan Mountain from Yuncang Great Marsh?!" *Tianduan Mountain!* Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. No wonder the place was so desolate. Tianduan Mountain and Yuncang Great Marsh lay to the east and south respectively—one a range that reached into the heavens, the other a boundless expanse of water. These two natural barriers formed the borders of the Lesser Cold Domain. Naturally, such natural barriers could not stop cultivators, particularly high-stage cultivators at or above the Core Formation stage, who could come and go at will. However, these two places were the agreed-upon borders between the cultivation sects of the Lesser Cold Domain and the cultivation realms of other domains. Both sides used them as boundaries; disciples could travel back and forth without hindrance, but large-scale incursions were forbidden. It was said that major wars had erupted here many times in the past. The moment forces from another domain invaded the Lesser Cold Domain, the cultivators of both the righteous and demonic paths would immediately cast aside their old grudges. Even the Heavenly Demon Mound in the far west would not remain aloof; the entire cultivation world would unite to resist foreign aggression and drive out the invaders. At the most critical junctures, the righteous and demonic factions had even merged, and demon beasts had willingly submitted to human command, uniting the Lesser Cold Domain to an unprecedented degree.