"You want to follow us back to the Five Elements Valley?" Protector Jun Mo was taken aback for a moment.
"Why? Is there a problem?" Wu Meng asked in return.
"No, no, of course not!" Protector Jun Mo hurriedly waved his hand. "Let's do that. Let's return to the Five Elements Valley immediately!"
While the Five Elements Valley was rather reclusive in nature, it did not prohibit its members from bringing guests back to the valley grounds as long as they adhered to certain given rules.
Rather than apprehension, Protector Jun Mo was simply surprised that Wu Meng was willing to follow them all the way back to the Five Elements Valley.
Golem City might be known as the nearest city to the valley, but that was only in relative terms. It was essentially still quite a distance away from the Five Elements Valley, with the full journey requiring days of travel. And that was not counting the return trip!
Of course, since Wu Meng was willing to take the journey, Protector Jun Mo certainly would not complain!
Now that they had come to an agreement, Wu Meng did not intend to wait any longer. He instructed Zhang Wanqing to load the treasure chest back onto the horse wagon in preparation for leaving Golem City.
Zhang Wanqing immediately did as she was told without complaints.
At the same time, she could not help but remember how Wu Meng had refused to secure accommodations when they arrived. That ended up being the right decision after all.
Perhaps she should hold back on immediately securing accommodations the next time she travelled as well. That might save her some precious money...
Protector Jun Mo and the group of young cultivators waited patiently for Zhang Wanqing to be done packing before leading the way out of the city. As they walked through the streets, the sea of people parted neatly as the masses cleared a way for them out of pure respect.
The members of the Five Elements Valley were already used to this kind of treatment, so they did not hesitate to walk down the open path.
Wu Meng did not care either. In their group, it was only Zhang Wanqing who could not help but feel uncomfortable while guiding the horse wagon along.
Some people might enjoy being the centre of attention, but she certainly was not one of them.
If not because she was worried that it might reflect badly on Wu Meng, she would have suggested that they split up first and regroup after leaving the city grounds!
Zhang Wanqing could not help but let out a sigh of relief when they finally passed through the city gates. There would be fewer people around from now on, so it would not feel half as stressful.
But unexpectedly, Wu Meng stopped the group right after they left the city gate.
"What's wrong?" Zhang Wanqing asked.
"What else can it be? I am boarding the horse wagon," Wu Meng answered matter-of-factly. "It is one thing to be considerate and not ride the horse wagon in the city where the streets are congested, but why should I continue doing that now that we have already left the city?"
"Eh?" Zhang Wanqing was surprised. "You are boarding the horse wagon...?"
"Is there a problem?" Wu Meng asked in return. However, he was not planning to wait for an answer as he decisively climbed into the driver's seat.
"This..." Zhang Wanqing was still hesitant, and looked over nervously at the group of cultivators.
Just as she had expected, the expressions on their faces were extremely ugly right now. At least, that was the case for the four young cultivators. As for Protector Jun Mo, a wry smile appeared on his face as well.
"Young Sir, this isn't too nice, is it?" Protector Jun Mo walked over and said. "What would others think of us if we were to walk in the company of your horse wagon?"
If Wu Meng were to sit in the horse wagon while the cultivators walked alongside it, wouldn't it appear as though they were his escorts, or worse still, his underlings?
"What's not nice about it?" Wu Meng shrugged before pointing at Zhang Wanqing. "Or are you expecting her to walk all the way to your Five Elements Valley?"
Protector Jun Mo looked over at Zhang Wanqing and was at a momentary loss for words. "She's not a cultivator?"
"I am not..." Zhang Wanqing scratched her cheek awkwardly after being singled out all of a sudden. "But I am okay with walking!"
"Keep quiet if you don't know anything," Wu Meng brushed off her comment before turning back to Protector Jun Mo. "So? Are you expecting her to walk?"
"This... I guess there's no other choice," Protector Jun Mo let out a helpless sigh.
It was quite the treacherous journey ahead for them to return to the Five Elements Valley. Not only was it far, but the terrain was rough as well.
If an ordinary mortal girl like Zhang Wanqing was forced to make such a journey on foot, who knew when they would make it to their destination, if ever at all?
Even if she was willing to do so and had the determination to follow through, she would probably end up in a state of severe exhaustion by the time they arrived.
That was not something that Protector Jun Mo wanted to see, either.
"It seems you understand now," Wu Meng was satisfied by Protector Jun Mo's answer. "Qing'er, get up here."
In fact, even if Protector Jun Mo had refused, Wu Meng would have insisted.
After all, he could simply threaten to not follow them back anymore. With the transaction on the line, Protector Jun Mo would have been forced to agree anyway.
"Is this really okay?" Zhang Wanqing carefully observed the cultivators' expressions.
The young cultivators had a corner of their lips twitching in disbelief, while Protector Jun Mo simply sighed and nodded.
"It is one thing for her to ride the horse wagon, but what about you?" Ting Yi snapped from the side.
"Is there any difference between one person riding the horse wagon and two people doing so?" Wu Meng shrugged. "Why don't you stop getting all worked up over such trivial matters and get going? We still have a long journey ahead of us."
"Forget it, Ting Yi. Let's go," Protector Jun Mo shook his head and led the way.
Still, despite having agreed to all of Wu Meng's demands so far, Protector Jun Mo could not help but feel apprehensive of Wu Meng in his heart.
He did not know about Zhang Wanqing, but from how Wu Meng was able to bring out items like the Yin Heart Stone and Ironflame Plant, coupled with how easily he identified the Skyfrost Jade and Violet Earth Incense, Protector Jun Mo had no doubt that Wu Meng was a cultivator.
In addition, even though their Five Elements Valley had been keeping a low profile in recent years, not many cultivators would dare to take them lightly. Even fewer would be like Wu Meng, acting in such an unbridled manner when dealing with them.
Considering all that, it was very likely that Wu Meng either had an extremely deep background, or had sufficient strength to back it up!
Protector Jun Mo might have thought of this, but the younger cultivators certainly did not. After all, they were still lacking in experience. In their world, they were only keenly aware of how strong their Five Elements Valley was!
"Tch! Speaking as though he is the one in charge here!" Ting Yi clicked her tongue in irritation while staring at Wu Meng. She simply could not stand his attitude when talking to them.
"Forget it, there's nothing we can do since even Protector Jun Mo has agreed. Let's just treat them as invisible," Wen Xian quickly tried to calm her down by pulling her away.
Guo Fei, on the other hand, could not be bothered with anything now. He was too preoccupied with thinking about what he would do with the Ironflame Plant once they got back to the valley.
"What are you waiting for? Come on up," Wu Meng called out to Zhang Wanqing once more.
Zhang Wanqing let out a helpless sigh before climbing onto the horse wagon, sitting in the driver's seat beside Wu Meng. She then turned towards Wu Meng and asked softly, "You are provoking them on purpose, aren't you?"
"I don't know what you are talking about," Wu Meng shrugged before passing her the reins. "Do your job."
"If you say so," Zhang Wanqing took over the reins as told.
Zhang Wanqing might have taken over the reins, but she had actually never learnt how to drive a horse wagon.
Thankfully, it did not seem to be a difficult task.
After all, the horse seemed to be intelligent enough to always know where to go. This time as well, it obediently followed Protector Jun Mo's lead.
Just like that, the group continued on their journey that lasted for the next few days.
They travelled at a comfortable pace by day and rested by night. Not many words were exchanged, not even within each of the two groups.
There was not much scenery to be admired when travelling between Golem City and the Five Elements Valley. After traversing a wide grassland, the group climbed a long and winding mountainous path to finally reach the border of a dense forest.
"We are entering now. Keep your guard up," Protector Jun Mo cautioned.
"Yes, Protector Jun Mo!" the group of young cultivators answered in unison as they drew their swords.
This alerted Zhang Wanqing, who in turn looked at Wu Meng. "Are we entering a dangerous area?"
"You can say that," Wu Meng nodded. "The Five Elements Valley is not only home to the faction with the same name, but also to many powerful beasts that roam freely within. This forest marks the boundary of the valley grounds, so entering the forest would also mean that we could start encountering these beasts. If ordinary mortals were to enter its depths, it would be considered lucky for just one out of ten to escape with their life. The danger level is a little lower for cultivators, but that would also have to depend on their strength."
"Powerful beasts?" Zhang Wanqing felt a slight shiver as she recalled the terror that was the Ravenous Dark Spitters. "But why would a faction set up their base in such a dangerous area? Even if the beasts can keep out intruders, is that really worth jeopardising the safety of their own members?"
"That depends on the faction's goals," Wu Meng explained. "There are many factions that do as you said, establishing their base in safe and prosperous areas. However, the Five Elements Valley has always been reclusive in nature, which means that they have little need to leave their faction grounds. As long as their members remain within their faction grounds, they will be safe with the faction's defensive arrays keeping out the beasts. So, the beasts are not really a problem."
"Young Sir seems to know a little about our Five Elements Valley," Protector Jun Mo commented after overhearing their conversation.
"These are just some tidbits of information that I have picked up from others while travelling," Wu Meng replied indifferently.
Protector Jun Mo merely smiled and did not probe any further.
With a flick of his wrist, a small wooden ball appeared in his hand, causing Zhang Wanqing to gasp in awe. She felt like she could never get tired of watching cultivators pull items out of thin air.
Oblivious to her thoughts, Protector Jun Mo fiddled with the ball slightly, releasing a strong and pungent scent into the air.
The next moment, Zhang Wanqing's awe vanished entirely.
"What's that?!" Zhang Wanqing immediately pinched her nose in disgust. She did not want to say it, but the smell was truly unbearable!
"It prevents wild beasts from targeting us," Ting Yi said unhappily when she saw Zhang Wanqing's reaction. "If it is too much for you to bear, you can go ahead alone. We will catch up to you later."
"On second thought, it is still bearable," Zhang Wanqing answered with a forced smile.
Go ahead alone?
Wouldn't that be tantamount to suicide?
Only one in ten would survive!
Zhang Wanqing did not know if it was because the pungent smell really worked, or because they were lucky. But their journey through the forest path went rather smoothly indeed, with a grand total of zero encounters with any powerful beasts.
It did not take long before they finally exited the dense forest.
As the warm rays of the sun finally shone upon their skin, no longer hindered by the thick canopy of trees, Zhang Wanqing was greeted with a sight that caused her to gape in astonishment.
A long river stretched across her entire view, its water clean and clear, sparkling under the illumination of the sun. The entire region was vibrant with life. Plenty of fishes swam within the river, and the song of nature welcomed the group's arrival with bird chirpings that were a treat to the ears.
The air was fresh and carried a slight floral fragrance. Just by breathing in the air here, one would feel revitalised, and any exhaustion would be clean forgotten.
Beyond the river was a clearing so wide that its ends stretched beyond the limits of what the eyes could see. There were countless buildings erected upon the clearing grounds, all of them designed in a simple yet exquisite manner.
There were pagodas and towers, mansions and small houses. There were open areas as well as corners that were fenced up with high walls. Yet despite the mass of buildings, the layout was not messy by any measure, and everything seemed to fall right in place as though they were simply following the natural order of things.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this was a city that had blended in perfectly with nature, a gem hidden from the outside world by the dense forests.
Even the grandeur of Golem City could not compare. If there was a paradise in this world, it would only be as good as this!
A stone bridge was the only way across the river, with a stone arch built at their end. On this arch that towered over their heads, three simple words were carved in a not so simple manner.
Even a layman could tell that the carvings were the work of a master, or at least someone with an exceptional level of proficiency in calligraphy. These three words were proudly presented at the highest point of the arch, acting as a sign that welcomed all visitors to this place.
Five Elements Valley.
Zhang Wanqing could not help but take in a deep breath, dazzled by the magnificent view before her.
So, this was what a cultivator's faction looked like!