In the Cangmang Mountain range.
"This way." Li Qingxian pointed toward Wang Shoude's talisman. Everyone mustered their true qi and, aided by their talismans, scrambled up the nearly vertical mountain face on hands and feet.
The seventeen climbed like monkeys, soon reaching the summit. Then they leaped off, drifting forward under the effects of the talismans' Daoist magic.
The seventeen traveled in a straight line, scaling mountains, crossing rivers, and cutting through forests.
At noon, they found a shady spot beneath some trees to rest and eat. Everyone was astonished by the exquisite dishes laid out before them.
After lunch, everyone took a nap.
Li Qingxian was half asleep when the earth suddenly shook.
Everyone jolted awake and sprang onto the branches.
Among the distant mountains, a shaft of pale golden divine light shot straight into the sky, shattering the clouds and scattering the raging winds.
It seemed some treasure was being born amid the mountains.
One flying artifact after another streaked through the sky toward that pale golden divine light.
A moment later, the divine light faded.
"The Heavenly Profound Sacred Mountain?" Han Changshi asked.
Li Qingxian said, "I didn't expect our arrival to be so timely. You all saw those flying artifacts. Upper Rank experts from the major sects are stationed aboard them. Besides, the Heavenly Profound Sacred Land is exceptionally strict about choosing disciples. Going in would do us no good. As for excavating a Fate Mountain, that's even harder than receiving the Heavenly Profound Sacred Land's inheritance. There's no need for us to try our luck. Once we rescue Yue Xianghe, I'll perform the Investiture of Inner Gods, then return to the city when it's complete. I'm worried the Devil Sect and the Demon Race will threaten Far-Reaching City. I can't stay away for long."
"You're