Exploring Perilous Terrain, Essence Treasure Digestion, Pure Yang Shows Its Might

A persistent drizzle hung in the air, murderous intent atmosphere hung in the air.

Li Xian knew his opponent would be formidable and would surely follow closely. But the sudden arrival of the enemy caught him off guard. He remained calm and hid in the alley. When a carriage passed by, Li Xian and Wen Caishang slipped inside and rode out of the city.

turn out to be...

Although Li Xian and Wen Caishang had the upper hand and were always one step ahead of them, the "Crimson List" was brewing, and clues would inevitably be left along the way.

Tracking is not difficult.

It's not easy to win her over.

During this time, Su Qiuwu was at his wits' end. His ruthless plan was still a step short. But he was very lucky; during the chase, he suddenly encountered a "divine constable".

His name is "Cold-Blooded Divine Constable Leng Shixing". He is a first-rate man who chases down criminals. Su Qiuwu to curry favor and explained his reasons. Leng Shixing accepted his request and, seeing his sincerity, agreed to help. He grew up in Flowerwater Prefecture and has been chasing criminals for many years, so he is very familiar with the terrain.

He said, "Blindly following clues will only leave you trailing behind the criminal. You need to anticipate and plan ahead."

He then deduced various routes: fleeing south, escaping north, hiding east, and so on, considering all possibilities. He was extremely familiar with the terrain of Flowerwater Prefecture, and based on the existing clues, he identified several locations, saying, "Weihu River, Blossom Valley, Spreading Forest Road... these are the easiest places to escape to. Judging from his movements, if he is smart enough, he should have fled to the Weihu River."

Su Qiuwu said, "Strange, as far as I know, the fugitive is not a local. How does he know about the Weihu River, Blossom Valley... and other places?"

He followed the route, purchased Terrain Map, set up a search party, and coordinated the disciples of various factions. However, the "Terrain Map" were limited in scope and varied in content. He had to personally travel the route to fully understand the many terrain features.

The Weihu River is located in a very remote area, and I have never heard of it before. Su Qiuwu's act of ferrying others across the river naturally aroused my suspicion.

Leng Shixing said, "So... if he's smart enough, he'll naturally know all these locations. If he's not smart enough, and he's just running aimlessly, you can eventually find him by your relentless pursuit. Then I won't need to get involved!"

Su Qiuwu thought to himself, "That brat is indeed formidable. If it were him... it's really possible!" He decided to give it a try. Ignoring the clues along the way, he headed straight for the Weihu River. He laid a trap, forming an encirclement.

There are three cities along the Weihu River: White Tiger City, Elephant Tiger City, and Dragon-Tiger City... Beyond the cities lie towering, complex mountains and powerful sects that dominate the region.

As soon as Su Qiuwu arrived in the city, he immediately distributed the "Crimson List." On the same day, he obtained clues and determined the approximate location of Li Xian. Following Leng Shixing's orders, he set up a trap. Quietly, nothing was missed.

That's why we're in this situation today.

Li Xian remained calm and spent the night in the countryside. He dared not light a fire, as the continuous drizzle made the air sticky and damp. Although Li Xian knew the route of the Weihu River, he was unfamiliar with the surrounding terrain. If he wanted to escape, figuring out the layout of the terrain was of utmost importance.

As night fell, Li Xian knew he had to steal the Terrain Map, even at great risk. He sneaked out and re-entered the city. He found that each bookstore was guarded by disciples.

Li Xian thought to himself, "The world is vast, but without Terrain Map, I'd be completely lost, like a blind man wandering aimlessly, relying entirely on luck." He realized that acquiring Terrain Map had become a difficult task.

So they devised another plan and used the same trick again. They followed the lone disciple, ambushed and killed him, and searched the Terrain Map. They actually found him, buried the disciple's body, and returned to the countryside to discuss the route with Wen Caishang.

The Terrain Map covers an area of about 100 li. The left bank of the Weihu River is depicted in detail, showing the distribution of mountains, vegetation, and secluded paths... but the right bank, Tiger-Cry Ridge, is completely blank.

It is rumored that only the Tiger Luo Sect and the Elephant Rakshasa Sect possess some Terrain Map of Tiger-Cry Ridge, and that these maps are held by their sect leaders.

Li Xian said, "I killed one of my disciples. They will soon notice, so... we need to quickly choose a route to escape." Wen Caishang smiled and said, "You decide."

Li Xian carefully examined the Terrain Map, simulating the enemy's layout. He outlined several routes and prepared to leave that very night. Suddenly, he pointed to a spot and said, "Something's not right... Madam, look, doesn't the mountain range here seem abrupt?"

Wen Caishang frowned in thought. Observing the undulating mountain range, she said, "This path on the Terrain Map should, by normal standards, be a dead end. But on the Terrain Map, it has become a hidden passage with unique advantages. The terrain is indeed wondrous and unpredictable, but at this moment... we need to be more careful, lest we fall into someone's trap."

The two men exchanged a glance. Both were exceptionally shrewd, and they both thought, "This Terrain Map has been altered. Someone is deliberately misleading us by spreading a false Terrain Map. If we actually try to escape according to this Terrain Map, we'll be walking right into a trap!"

Wen Caishang said solemnly, "It seems Su Qiuwu has other accomplices, and they are extremely skilled at tracking down criminals. They are precise in their pursuit and lure criminals invisibly... If I were not skilled in Feng Shui Geomancy and were surrounded like this, I would have rushed into this secret passage in a hurry." Li Xian laughed and said, "We are not criminals."

Wen Caishang said, "What do you intend to do? The plan to Qianjiang will likely be difficult. This person knows how to secretly alter Terrain Map and anticipates the enemy's moves, so he must be very cunning and intentionally guarding against Qianjiang. Moreover... the Weihu River are full of salvage boats, with iron nets cast out, which naturally form a barrier. If we get caught in the nets, it will be difficult!"

The river, once a haven of escape, has become a cage of confinement. The carcass of a drowned tiger floats on the water, with boats searching for it above and vicious fish devouring it below. The river water is murky and foul-smelling, making it impossible to stay submerged for long.

Li Xian carefully considered his options. The left bank was heavily fortified, the enemy was hidden, and there were countless iron nets in the river, making escape difficult. He thought, "Tiger-Cry Ridge is dangerous and mysterious. Ten thousand tigers charging into the river must hold a secret. Fate is against me; I have no choice but to take the risk!"

"There's only one way forward," he calmly said. "Then let's go into Tiger-Cry Ridge."

Tiger-Cry Ridge stretches for eight hundred miles, connecting to a mysterious mountain range. That mountain range connects three prefectures and one state: "Flowerwater Prefecture," "Qiongtian Prefecture," "Ridge Prefecture," and "Mountain-Gazing State Prefecture." It extends for tens of thousands of miles, where the sun never shines, and it is extremely dangerous and treacherous.

The Fuhua Trading House Company had been in business for decades. Once, a torrential rain Boat Guild. Fearing delays, they went into the mountains to find a way out. However, both the merchants and their men disappeared.

Crossing the river and entering the mountains, he saw lush trees and abundant foliage, but the stench was overwhelming... After a while, the smell made his stomach churn. Li Xian looked back at the path he had come from, but it had already been hidden by the dense forest.

Li Xian thought to himself, "Tiger-Cry Ridge is extremely ferocious. Entering this place is a last resort. We are outnumbered and have no other choice but to do this to survive. If we are to perish here, so be it, and there is no need to regret it." With a firm resolve, he drew his River-Sinking Sword and began to chop down the branches and leaves.

They went deeper, several miles into the territory.

The sky was dark and gloomy, like night. Ancient, gnarled trees reached straight to the sky, blocking out the sunlight. Today, it was raining incessantly, the ground was damp and muddy, and it was quite cold.

After walking for a while, Wen Caishang's face turned slightly pale. Her feet were cold, and coupled with her weak Qi and Blood and qi, her injuries had become entrenched. Li Xian carried her on his back and continued on their way. Wen Caishang felt very relieved and even more attached to him.

He focused his Qi on his feet to ward off the chill. The dim light gradually faded, and night had fallen... The place where Li Xian stood was covered with dense weeds, leaving no place to lie down and rest. Moreover, the water vapor was freezing cold; although it hadn't turned to frost, it seeped into every crevice, even more so than wind and snow!

Wen Caishang said, "This place seems very strange. Li Xian... we need to be careful." Li Xian replied, "Of course."

Traveling at night, Li Xian was unaware of the mountain's conditions. To be on the safe side, he decided to pause his exploration. The ground was damp, cold, and sticky, so he jumped onto a large tree trunk.

Li Xian said with a wry smile, "Cai Shang, we're in a real mess tonight. We don't even have Sleeping." Wen Caishang said, "When Fragrant Chaos Mountain, we always had caves to take shelter from the wind and rain, but now... we have nothing at all. We barely have half a place to stay."

Li Xian said, "You're injured, close your eyes and go to sleep. I'll be on duty tonight." Wen Caishang thought to herself with satisfaction, "Although Li Lang is young, he's very responsible."

The damp, overcast sky was exhausting. Li Xian, with his Pure Yang Body and vigorous Blood Qi, felt weary after staying up all night. The next day... the mountains were still dark, but the path ahead was still clearly visible.

By this time, they had ventured far into the mountains. The terrain changed, and the sound of "wailing" echoed in their ears from time to time, its deep, muffled tone carrying boundless sorrow. It tugged at their hearts and brought tears to their eyes.

Wen Caishang shouted, "Use the Double Wafting Immortal Tone!" Li Xian rang out a bone-piercing sound, clear and crisp... the sorrow instantly lessened.

Wen Caishang said, "The human body is like heaven and earth; when bones collide, they produce unique sounds. Conversely... unique terrain within heaven and earth can also produce unique sounds, just like the Double Wafting Immortal Tone of the human body!"

"That sound just now was like the howl of a tiger, stirring up sorrow in all who heard it. Those with weaker spirits would surely commit suicide! No wonder this place... is a taboo!"

The cries of agony echoed intermittently, sending chills down one's spine. The deeper one ventured, the more the treacherous mountain terrain revealed its fangs.

Suddenly, a large red flower appeared. The bud was extremely vibrant, three zhang tall and three zhang wide... It was incredibly bright. When the bud was broken open... Inside was a large tiger. The tiger's skin and flesh were both corroded.

The natural barriers of the world include, among other things, vegetation!

[You Observing Heaven and Earth, explore its potential, and your absorption of its Heaven and Earth Essence accelerates.]

Li Xian thought to himself, "It seems the danger here surpasses all that I've encountered before! I have no chance of survival. Since I'm going to die anyway... I'll just have to see what's so special about Tiger-Cry Ridge!"

Wen Caishang was not afraid of powerful enemies, but seeing the treacherous terrain, she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. As she traveled, her heart sank deeper and deeper. Li Xian drew his bow and shot an arrow, piercing through the dense canopy of trees.

A ray of sunlight slanted in, illuminating the two figures. Until the sun disappeared, and it was pitch black, Li Xian, carrying Wen Caishang on his back, used his lightness skill to step onto a high tree branch.

She unbuttoned her clothes and wrung them out forcefully. "Splash!" Water gushed out. Li Xian said, "This rain isn't heavy, but it's very damp, and it seems to seep into the clothes..." Wen Caishang took off her clothes, revealing fair skin. She wrung them out forcefully, and water dripped out.

Wen Caishang took off her boots, revealing a mixture of sweat and moisture that could be poured out. She was originally flawless, but due to her severe injuries and external pathogens, she resembled an ordinary woman, her pretty face constantly flushing slightly. Li Xian said, "My Pure Yang Body, exceptionally warm. I am much drier than you."

Wen Caishang retorted, "Are you trying to make me envious of you?" Although they had shared hardships, they were still women. The two of them took off their clothes, rinsed them off, and hung them on branches to cool off.

Wen Caishang's pockets were empty, and they were quite dry. The embroidery was exquisite, with phoenixes flying in the sky. The fabric was a pale gold with a hint of red, made of Silkworm Silk. Although she was unmarried, she was very experienced, and her personal clothes had their own charm, which was quite unrestrained and alluring.

A misty fog enveloped the area, and the rain continued incessantly. Clothes, boots, and socks grew wetter the longer they were hung out to dry, so everyone had no choice but to put them on.

The tree trunk was very thick, covered with moss and wild fungi... She didn't sleep well that night. They huddled together to ward off the cold and heat of the forest. Wen Caishang thought that her Pure Yang Body was indeed warm, so she moved even closer.