Chapter 53: The Path Up the Mountain
Longhu Mountain — the restricted rear mountain area, closed to the public.
Within a small forest.
An old man and two youths walked deeper inside. The old man occasionally paused, gazing at the surroundings as if lost in memory or sorrow.
The two young men followed behind him, chatting in low voices.
"Longhu Mountain really lives up to its name as the most famous tourist site. I didn't expect it to be this crowded on a Saturday," Zhang Chulan said as he walked.
"Especially with the tickets being so expensive. Over two hundred yuan per person—what a rip-off. If we hadn't borrowed enough money, we might not have gotten in at all."
Wu Tong listened to Zhang Chulan's complaints with an ambiguous expression. "Sigh, even a hero can be brought down by a lack of money. In this modern world—no, in almost any world—you can be without anything, just not without money."
"Exactly. Without money, you can't do anything. If Grandpa hadn't bought the senior ticket, we wouldn't have had enough," Zhang Chulan agreed.
"You should've listened to me. Chulan, didn't Feng Zhenghao take a liking to you? If you're willing to marry in, you wouldn't need to worry about money ever again," Wu Tong teased as he looked at Zhang Chulan.
"Feng Shayan? No thanks. I can't handle a girl like that," Zhang Chulan shivered at the thought of her awkward personality and quickly shook his head. Then he glanced over at Wu Tong and added, "But I think you might be able to."
"Forget it. I introduced you so you could become the son-in-law of Tianxia Group and never worry about money again. I'm not short on cash—why would I marry into someone's family?" Wu Tong rejected the idea outright.
Truth be told, if he didn't need to avoid exposing their whereabouts, Wu Tong could easily get his hands on a large sum of money. Not just the mountain of gold soul coins in his soul device—those precious herbs he carried alone could fetch millions.
But to be safe, Zhang Chulan had convinced Wu Tong to give up on selling those valuable herbs.
Wu Tong had no choice. After all, he was just a guest, and if the host had spoken, what could he do? He had to go along with it.
And so, despite having ways to get money, because of Zhang Chulan's excessive caution, they ended up making a pitiful trip to Longhu Mountain.
As the two continued bantering, a cold voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.
"Esteemed guests, the rear mountain is not open to the public. If you've wandered in by mistake, please leave immediately. Do not force this humble Daoist to drive you out."
The group turned to see a young Daoist standing ahead of them, dressed in robes and staring at them. His mouth was still slightly open—it was clearly he who had spoken.
Wu Tong and Zhang Chulan exchanged a glance. It seemed they had been mistaken for ordinary tourists who had accidentally entered the rear mountain. Just as they were about to explain, they were cut off by Zhang Huaiyi.
"Little Daoist, we are also strangers with abilities. We've come here unannounced for an important matter—we wish to seek an audience with the old Celestial Master. I ask that you make an exception."
The old man's voice was hoarse yet resonant, sounding full of vitality.
Hearing Zhang Huaiyi's words, the young Daoist looked at them with suspicion. But upon closer inspection, he noticed the flow of qi circulating within their bodies along their meridians.
Realizing they were indeed of the same kind, the young Daoist spoke with a hint of embarrassment. "Apologies, fellow cultivators. I didn't look carefully just now and made a mistake. Please forgive me."
"In that case, allow me to lead you in." With that, he began walking ahead to guide them.
The young Daoist didn't suspect any ulterior motives in their visit—after all, this was Longhu Mountain, home of the Celestial Master's residence. Who in their right mind would cause trouble here? They'd be asking to taste the Celestial Master's thunder techniques.
It was only because they'd mentioned meeting the old Celestial Master that he had made an exception. Otherwise, even if he apologized, it was unlikely they would've been allowed inside.
Without hesitation, the group followed the young Daoist deeper into the mountain.
Before long, the young Daoist led the group to the edge of a cliff. There was no bridge across—only a few iron chains linking the two sides, and below them lay an endless abyss.
It wasn't hard to imagine how dangerous it would be to walk across. As the wind blew, the chains swayed gently, looking both treacherous and thrilling. The whistling wind echoed from within the cliffside, sounding like wailing ghosts and howling wolves.
After leading them there, the young Daoist spoke up, "Fellow cultivators, this is as far as I can guide you. Once you cross, you'll be able to see the Celestial Master's residence. I have other duties to attend to and won't be able to accompany you further—please forgive me."
Hearing this, the group realized the young Daoist intended to return to his responsibilities.
Zhang Chulan quickly waved his hand. "Don't worry, we can handle the rest of the way ourselves. No need to trouble you further, Daoist."
"Very well. I wish you all a smooth journey. I'll take my leave." With that, the young Daoist turned and walked away.
They watched his figure recede into the distance and, once it was completely out of sight, turned their attention back to the swaying chains ahead.
"Let's go. We're almost there." Zhang Huaiyi looked toward the faint outline of the Celestial Master's residence in the distance, suppressing the excitement in his heart as he stepped onto the chain.
Despite the age of the chains, their surface was remarkably smooth. The polished links gleamed as if brand new. As Zhang Huaiyi walked across, it was as if he were strolling on level ground—completely steady and unfazed.
Seeing this, Wu Tong also stepped forward.
Immortal Soaring Mist · Golden Light Across the Earth.
Activating the Soaring Mist footwork, Wu Tong's figure became ethereal. Crimson-golden true qi surged over his entire body, cloaking him in light.
With a flash of red, Wu Tong appeared on the opposite cliffside—as if he had been there all along.
Only the lingering waves of heat in the air and the fading sparks on the chains proved that he had just crossed from the other side.
"That speed—are you sure it wasn't teleportation?" Zhang Chulan stared in shock at Wu Tong's movement.
Wu Tong had crossed so fast, it looked like he had simply vanished and reappeared. Zhang Chulan felt like he had witnessed a teleportation technique.
He glanced at his grandfather steadily walking across the chain, then at Wu Tong's celestial, godlike figure.
After a moment of thought, Zhang Chulan approached the chains, looked down at the abyss beneath them, and made his decision—safety first.
He immediately lay flat, hugged the chain, and began inching his way across like a worm, slowly crawling toward the other side.
Standing on the opposite cliff, Wu Tong watched Zhang Chulan's performance with a look of helplessness.
There wasn't even a Luo Tian Dajiao happening now, no mass gathering of strangers, and no need to conceal one's strength.
Why was Zhang Chulan still acting like he had in the past?
[End of Chapter]
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