At dawn, the sun rose, and the sky was cloudless for thousands of miles.
In a deep mountain gorge somewhere, a shallow stream five meters wide ran through sparse woodland.
A fallen dead tree lay across the riverbank, while gray-black stones of varying sizes covered both shores.
Thin remnants of partially melted ice clung to the edges of the rocks. Clear water flowed with a rush, occasionally splashing droplets that wet the stones' surfaces.
On a millstone-sized boulder by the riverbank, Black Light flashed, and Chen Mu appeared.
He stretched lazily toward the rising sun. A dry, chilly breeze unique to winter brushed across his face, making Chen Mu shudder sharply. He instantly felt refreshed.
This was the sixth day since he had left Black Wind Gully.
Over the past few days, he had traveled cautiously during the day and hidden in Thousand Lantern City to sleep at night, covering only five or six hundred li each day.
Along the way, he had used only the Five Elements Evasion Technique, blending into the breeze to conceal himself. He had proceeded carefully all the way, and the journey had been remarkably peaceful.
"The Nine Cups Calculation Scripture is finally proving useful."
"Calculating with the goal of safely returning to Feng'an City, the route it gave really is exceptionally safe."
After enjoying the scenery for a while, Chen Mu casually plucked a handful of dry thatch from beside the stream and skillfully began working the Nine Cups Calculation Scripture.
Practicing the Calculation Scripture first thing after waking had become a mandatory addition to his journey. He did it to increase the total number of calculations and make more precise adjustments to his route back to Feng'an City.
After quite some time, the calculation was complete, and Chen Mu could not help smiling.