Heavenly Mountain came into view.
Like a colossal sword piercing the vault of heaven, it stood magnificent and imposing.
Immortal clouds curled around the mountain, shrouding countless ancient palaces, while densely packed immortal restrictions shimmered with strange, wondrous light.
Qin Sang caught sight of an escape light shooting toward Heavenly Mountain like a meteor. It shattered a barrier of light and broke into an ancient hall. He realized inwardly that another Nascent Soul Patriarch had likely arrived.
As if fearful of having his movements detected, Dongyang Bo lowered his escape light well in advance. Concealing his aura, he picked his way cautiously through the mountain forests, drawing close to Heavenly Mountain.
Later, he swung around to the back of the mountain and advanced on foot under concealment, yet his speed remained astonishingly swift.
Carried along helplessly by Dongyang Bo, Qin Sang could only take in the passing scenery of Heavenly Mountain like a rider glancing at flowers on horseback, privately guessing at Dongyang Bo and Chenyan's true purpose in coming here.
He wondered why they were going to such lengths to avoid notice.
When they were nearly halfway up the mountain, Dongyang Bo's figure paused briefly. After glancing around in all directions for a moment, he veered off to the left.
To the left lay sheer cliffs and precipices, but only upon drawing near did one discover a sudden opening—a narrow stone path chiseled into the cliff face. It was clearly man-made, yet it did not look out of place in the slightest, blending seamlessly into nature.
At the other end of the stone path lay a flourishing valley bursting with blossoms!
The valley's terrain was gentle and carpeted in flowers and plants, forming a multicolored sea of blossoms. The scenery was breathtaking, and at the heart of this floral sea rested a small lake.
The small lake was like a pearl set into a bouquet. Its surface was extraordinarily placid, limpid and crystal clear, reflecting the sea of clouds and the soaring silhouette of Heavenly Mountain.
*Smack!*
Qin Sang suddenly felt his body tighten as Dongyang Bo casually tossed him onto a patch of flowering grass by the lakeshore.
Caught off guard, Qin Sang stumbled and barely steadied himself, only to be startled by the sudden presence of several figures beside him. A closer look revealed Qiu Mubai, Mu Yifeng, and the other two.
The four had appeared without warning.
Just moments ago, at such close range, Qin Sang hadn't sensed them at all; only upon being tossed here did he see them. What was more, looking outward from this spot, the surroundings looked no different from before.
The methods of a Nascent Soul Patriarch were truly marvelous.
Qiu Mubai and the others also stared at Qin Sang with surprise.
Connected by the mark, they had been located by Dongyang Bo and brought here shortly after entering the Inner Hall. Having waited for quite a while, they were curious about what had caused Qin Sang's delayed arrival and what he had encountered.
"Senior Brother Qiu, Senior Brother Mu..."
Qin Sang greeted each of them in turn.
Mu Yifeng stepped forward and punched Qin Sang playfully on the shoulder, a trace of worry on his face as he asked excitedly, "Where did you run off to, kid? Why are you only showing up now? I thought you..."
Qin Sang glanced back.
Dongyang Bo stood by the lake, gazing at the water one moment and looking toward the mountain outside the next. Qiu Mubai and the others were all present, yet Chenyan was nowhere to be seen—she had presumably gone out searching for him as well.
Qin Sang explained in a low voice, "The moment I entered the Inner Hall, I fell into an illusion formation. The illusions inside were terrifyingly vivid, just like the real world. At first, I thought it was completely real and couldn't spot any flaws. Later, I realized something was wrong and knew it was an illusion formation, but I was powerless to do anything. It was an ancient immortal formation, not something someone at my current cultivation could traverse. Fortunately, the Patriarch rescued me; otherwise, I would have definitely died trapped inside..."
"You really had the worst luck!"
Mu Yifeng felt lingering fear on Qin Sang's behalf. All four of them had landed on the outer fragments and encountered no real danger; only Qin Sang had run into such an improbable misfortune.
"Good thing it was only an illusion formation—a stroke of luck amidst misfortune!" Mu Yifeng remarked with feeling.
"What does an ancient immortal formation look like? Junior Brother Qin, can you tell us about it?" Ji Qing asked with keen curiosity.
Qiu Mubai and Yu Wansen were also intrigued.
They had long admired the legends of Ziwei Palace, and each harbored ambitions of obtaining ancient cultivators' treasures.
They were fortunate enough to enter while at the False Core stage, yet before they could see anything, they had been brought straight here. Not daring to wander anywhere, they were naturally burning with curiosity about the outside.
Qin Sang shook his head repeatedly, his expression solemn. "Immortal formations are terrifying beyond measure—don't let your curiosity get the better of you! The one I fell into was merely a remnant formation. Places like that must be countless within Ziwei Palace, and any one of them could easily wipe us out. Whatever you do, don't run around recklessly. Just stay put and wait obediently..."
Before he could finish, Qin Sang felt a light breeze blow past, and he promptly shut his mouth.
Turning to look, he saw Chenyan standing by the lakeshore, having appeared without a sound.
Dongyang Bo pointed at Qin Sang and said to Chenyan, "This wretched disciple fell onto Sword Mark Mountain over there and was trapped by an illusion formation. By sheer stroke of luck, he managed to stumble upon a weak spot, which allowed this old man to sense the fluctuations of the mark. Fortunately, he hasn't delayed your important matter, or this old man would take his worthless life right now!"
Chenyan cast a glance at Qin Sang and said indifferently, "It is enough that we found him. There is no need for needless complications. All Five Elements Beast Seals are accounted for. Fellow Daoist Dongyang, isn't it time to depart?"
Dongyang Bo turned around and looked up toward the summit of Heavenly Mountain.
Qin Sang and the others followed Dongyang Bo's gaze, but saw nothing except sea upon sea of white clouds.
Dongyang Bo seemed to discern something through the mist. In a low voice, he said, "Not many have arrived yet, especially since Daoist Zhenyi isn't here. That old bull-nose is likely fretting over the war and has no heart for treasure hunting. We still have plenty of time. Follow me..."
With that, Dongyang Bo gave his sleeve a wave. The waters of the small lake suddenly parted to both sides, revealing a flight of white jade stone stairs submerged below. At the end of the stairs, right in the center of the lakebed, sat a circular stone altar.
Dongyang Bo took the lead, and Qin Sang and the others were swept along down the stairs, while Miss Chenyan brought up the rear.
Stepping onto the stone altar, Dongyang Bo produced a square white jade seal and pressed it into the exact center of the altar.
Only then did Qin Sang and the others notice a groove there; the jade seal fitted into it perfectly, without the slightest gap.
In an instant, the stone altar flared with brilliance as restrictions surfaced.
"Miss Chenyan, please."
Dongyang Bo retrieved the stone seal and gestured for them to step up.
Chenyan furrowed her brows as she looked at the stone altar. "Can this really lead to the place where my master disappeared?"
Dongyang Bo chuckled. "We've already come this far; I wouldn't deceive you now, would I? Has Miss Chenyan forgotten the first time I encountered you two all those years ago? Back then, my cultivation was far inferior to your master's, yet I was no slower than you two. It was all thanks to this shortcut."
Chenyan nodded noncommittally, stepped onto the altar, and asked, "Is there no need to set up a formation here for concealment?"
"No need."
Dongyang Bo shook his head. "I know you are anxious to save your master, and being cautious is a good thing. Rest assured, this place allows exit but no entry. To activate the restrictions on the stone altar, one must have this jade seal in my hand. Those old foxes are all cunning and sly; setting up a formation would only draw their notice."
The six of them stood in the center of the stone altar.
Dongyang Bo raised the stone seal. Driven by his true essence, the seal activated the restrictions on the altar. White light welled up from the ground like a funnel, pulling Qin Sang and the others straight down into the earth.
The six vanished on the spot, and the stone altar and the small lake reverted to their original state.
Qin Sang's vision flashed between light and dark; when he came to his senses, he found himself standing inside a gloomy underground tunnel.
Chapter 603