Translator: CinderTL
Gazing at the mist-shrouded ravine, Song Wen frowned slightly.
The mist not only obscured vision but also interfered with divine sense probing.
According to the azure foxes he had captured earlier, the forbidden territory was shrouded in mist to prevent other demon beasts from spying on it.
"What is this mist? Could it be a formation?"
But upon further reflection, Song Wen dismissed the idea. He had never encountered a demon race capable of using formations.
Without dwelling further on the matter, Song Wen parted his lips slightly and released the only Gu he carried.
The Shadow Gu landed on a withered leaf, burrowed into it, and crawled forward, emerging from the underbrush to continue its journey through the green grass.
Soon, it reached the ravine and vanished into the mist.
Song Wen's divine sense immediately lost contact with the Gu.
He lowered his head, burying it beneath the withered grass, suppressed his aura, and waited quietly.
Although this area was deep within the Azure Jade Fox Clan's territory, the forbidden territory's presence meant that no azure foxes roamed nearby, so Song Wen wasn't worried about being discovered.
Fifteen minutes later, the Shadow Gu returned, crawling back across the grass to Song Wen's body.
From the Shadow Gu, Song Wen learned that the mist only prevented observation, not entry.
The Shadow Gu successfully entered the mountain valley beyond the Mist, but two immensely powerful auras within deterred it from venturing deeper. After a brief reconnaissance, it retreated.
So the Mist isn't a formation after all, Song Wen mused inwardly, pondering his next move. It's some kind of substance that interferes with divine sense.
Two eighth-tier demon beasts guarded the forbidden territory, making a direct assault impossible.
Should I just return and report?
But where exactly were Yuanrong and Daoist Monarch Yongcheng hiding?
In the sky? Underground? Or deep within the dense forest?
If I could lure them out and provoke a battle between them and the two eighth-tier demon beasts, the commotion might attract the Azure Fox Clan's four other eighth-tier powerhouses. Perhaps I could trap and kill them all here?
Song Wen's mind raced with possibilities.
With those two dead, even obtaining the teleportation array disk would become trivial.
After all, the demon race would only be interested in spirit stones, Spirit Herbs, and similar treasures from the storage rings. Human cultivators' crafted artifacts would be useless to them, likely discarded or left to rot in some corner.
But how could he force Yuanrong and Daoist Monarch Yongcheng to reveal themselves, and how could he provoke them into battling the two eighth-tier azure foxes?
Song Wen immediately devised a plan: to forcefully breach the forbidden territory using the Nine Calamity Heaven-Measuring Sword.
This would not only enrage the two eighth-tier azure foxes but also reveal to Yuanrong that Ji Yin was Gou Jun. Based on their previous encounters, Yuanrong was a man of deep loyalty. Even at the risk of being surrounded by two eighth-tier demon beasts, he would likely intervene to avenge Jian Xiao.
However, this plan carried significant risks.
First, Song Wen himself could be caught in a crossfire, making escape difficult.
Second, Daoist Monarch Yongcheng might choose to remain hidden, waiting for Yuanrong and the demon beasts to exhaust each other before seizing the opportunity to claim the spoils.
Having rejected this strategy, Song Wen was left with only one viable option.
Within the forbidden territory lay treasures that would compel both Yuanrong and Daoist Monarch Yongcheng to act.
With this in mind, Song Wen began to recall intelligence about Yuanrong and Daoist Monarch Yongcheng.
Both were mid-Great Ascension Stage cultivators, having reached this level many years ago.
Their most coveted treasures would undoubtedly be Spirit Herbs to break through cultivation bottlenecks or items that extended lifespan.
Song Wen immediately recalled the Shadow Void Gu's report: near the entrance to the forbidden territory stood a three-zhang-tall Spirit Tree bearing three Seven-Colored Spirit Fruits.
The Shadow Void Gu's information was too sparse for Song Wen to identify the fruits. They might not even be any known heavenly material or earthly treasure within his understanding.
However, these fruits bore a striking resemblance to a legendary spiritual object in the Immortal Cultivation World: the Life-Replenishing Fruit.
The Life-Replenishing Fruit was said to "revive the dead, restore flesh to bone, and grant an additional three thousand six hundred years of lifespan upon consumption."
Even for Great Ascension Stage cultivators with lifespans exceeding twenty-five thousand years, this fruit remained an invaluable treasure.
Having made his decision, Song Wen retrieved an Earth Evasion Talisman. Activating it, he burrowed back in the direction he had come from.
Even if this plan failed to kill Yuanrong and Daoist Monarch Yongcheng, it would still suffice for reporting back. Whether the two ultimately lived or died was beyond Song Wen's control.
He had burrowed out less than ten thousand li when Daoist Monarch Yongcheng's voice suddenly echoed in his mind:
"Young one, no need to return. We are here."
Hearing this, Song Wen abruptly halted.
After careful sensing, he detected a faint trace of divine sense. Following its guidance, he burrowed upward toward the surface.
After a few breaths, he emerged from the ground at the mountainside of a towering peak.
Looking up, he saw four figures faintly discernible amidst the dense foliage of a colossal tree overhead.
Besides the expected Yuanrong and Daoist Monarch Yongcheng, Shangguan Ren and Tian Ming were also present, having brought their most capable subordinates.
Song Wen leaped upward, landing gracefully on the treetop.
"Greetings, Senior Yuanrong, greetings, Daoist Monarch Yongcheng. What brings you both here?" Song Wen asked, his expression a mixture of surprise and respect as he bowed.
Daoist Monarch Yongcheng fixed Song Wen with a cold, piercing gaze. Instead of answering his question, he demanded, "Your hasty return suggests you've uncovered some crucial information. What have you learned?"
Song Wen replied, "Reporting to the Daoist Monarch, this junior sent Gu insects into the forbidden territory and detected two powerful auras. It seems the azure foxes we captured earlier were telling the truthโtwo eighth-tier azure foxes are indeed guarding the territory."
Daoist Monarch Yongcheng's eyes turned icy, and a cold smile curled his lips.
"If several azure foxes corroborate this information, it must be true! Besides this, you surely obtained other useful intelligence, didn't you?"
Sensing Daoist Monarch Yongcheng's displeasure and icy tone, Song Wen grew flustered, his body trembling slightly as he hastily replied.
"This junior's Gu also observed a spirit fruit growing within the forbidden territory. It was seven-colored and bore a striking resemblance to the legendary Life-Replenishing Fruit..."
Upon hearing this, Yuanrong remained composed, but a flicker of surprise flashed in Daoist Monarch Yongcheng's eyes.
"Is this true?"
"This junior's Gu lacks the intelligence to confirm whether it was indeed the Life-Replenishing Fruit. However... it seems... it should be..."
Seeing Song Wen's hesitant demeanor, Daoist Monarch Yongcheng immediately lost interest in further questioning and shifted his gaze to Yuanrong.
"Fellow Daoist Yuanrong, it seems there are some valuable treasures within that forbidden territory. What are your plans?"
(End of the Chapter)
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