Lin Taichu led the team onward through the night. To save time and avoid unnecessary trouble, they did not take the main road, instead racing along narrow paths through the mountains and forests.
Everyone was an expert in internal martial arts, with endurance far beyond that of ordinary people. Even after traveling through the night, they showed no sign of fatigue. Instead, the urgency of their mission made them even more focused.
At dawn the next day, just as the sky began to brighten, the team arrived at the foot of Qingming Mountain.
Qingming Mountain was not especially tall, but it stretched in rolling ridges, its slopes steep and surrounded by dense forest. From afar, the entire mountain exuded a tranquil air. Yet beneath that tranquility seemed to lurk dangers unknown to others.
Lin Taichu raised a hand, signaling the team to stop. "Everyone, halt for now. Rest for a moment and familiarize yourselves with the surroundings."
"Qingming Mountain's terrain is complicated, and people from that mysterious force may well be lying in ambush here. We must proceed carefully. Elder Tang, please examine the surrounding aura first and see whether there are any traces of medicine or strangers."
Tang Du Zi nodded. He took out a specially made silver needle and thrust it into the ground. At the same time, he circulated his inner force and sensed the energy fluctuations around them. After a moment, he pulled out the needle, his brows knitting together.
"There are faint traces of medicinal residue nearby. They are similar to the medicine aura inside Tang Song's body, but much weaker. Someone must have stayed here, and not long ago."
"Also, I can sense several unfamiliar inner force fluctuations on the mountain. They are hidden deep in the woods and should belong to the ambushers."