Great Black Mountain

Just as the villagers were panicking helplessly, Xie Jinghan, who had been quietly watching all along, slowly stepped forward.

He took a round, lustrous pill from his robes and handed it to the village chief.

"Village chief, this is a Foundation-Stabilizing Pill."

"It can strengthen the foundation and replenish vitality for the injured, speeding up their recovery."

"Quickly give this pill to the injured man."

Zhao Zongren hurriedly accepted the pill, delight appearing on his face.

"Thank you, Jinghan! Hua Liang might be saved now!"

He immediately pried open Zhao Hualiang's teeth and placed the Foundation-Stabilizing Pill into his mouth.

At the same time, Xie Jinghan stepped forward and bent down, pressing his palm against Zhao Hualiang's chest as a thread of gentle Innate True Qi slowly entered his body.

The Innate True Qi circulated, little by little nourishing Zhao Hualiang's damaged organs and clearing the stagnant blood and qi within him.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Hualiang, who had remained unconscious, let out a soft groan and slowly opened his heavy eyelids.

"Hua Liang! You're finally awake!"

Zhao Zongren hurriedly bent down and asked anxiously,

"How do you feel? Can you still move? Quickly, tell us what happened!"

The woman slumped on the ground beside them grabbed Zhao Hualiang's sleeve with reddened eyes and pressed him.

"My child's father! Where is Feng'er?"

"Tell us quickly—what exactly happened when you and Feng'er entered the mountain?"

Zhao Hualiang clutched his head and cried out in pain, "Feng'er?!"

After a long while, he forced down his grief and slowly said,

"Some time ago, I accidentally entered Great Black Mountain. In a daze, I came upon a hidden cave."

"An unusual fragrance drifted from within, making my entire body feel refreshed. I wanted to go in and investigate, but an invisible barrier blocked my path. I couldn't get close."

"I went back for several days in a row. When I returned yesterday, the barrier had already vanished."

"I didn't dare venture any deeper."

"Early this morning, after making preparations, I thought I would take Feng'er inside to try our luck and seek some fortuitous opportunity."

At this point, his voice trembled, filled with regret and self-reproach.

"Who could have known that the moment we stepped into the cave, white light suddenly blazed inside it, and an enormous white tiger with hanging eyes sprang out and snatched Feng'er away in a single bite!"

"I chased after it with my life on the line, but I simply couldn't keep up with that vicious beast's speed!"

"Before long, I lost track of it!"

"In my panic, I thought to go down the mountain and seek help. But halfway there, I ran into a wolf pack and was surrounded and bitten by the wolves. I fought desperately all the way until I escaped to the foot of the mountain."

"In the end, I lost too much blood and completely passed out..."

"Feng'er! Give me back my Feng'er!" The woman instantly broke down after hearing this. She collapsed to the ground, weeping bitterly until her sobs choked her voice.

"How could you be so muddleheaded?! Great Black Mountain is perilous beyond measure. Why did you take our child there to risk his life?!"

Zhao Zongren furrowed his brows tightly and continued questioning him.

"Do you still remember the exact location of that cave?"

"I-I remember... It's deep within the dense forest on the western side of Great Black Mountain!"

Zhao Zongren pondered for a moment, then rose and instructed the villagers.

"Get two sturdy young men to support your Uncle Hua Liang."

"The women stay behind."

"All other young, able-bodied men will enter the mountain with me!"

"Stay close! Before night falls, we must hurry to Great Black Mountain."

"Travel together, and whatever you do, don't get separated!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the villagers took up woodcutting knives, spears, longswords, and other weapons, following closely behind Zhao Zongren as they set out for Great Black Mountain.

After giving it some thought, Xie Jinghan silently followed as well.

Thirty li south of Zhao Village, mountain ranges rose one after another, their peaks layered upon peaks.

At the outermost edge stood a small Azure Mountain.

Azure Mountain was lush with grasses and trees, overflowing with verdant life.

It was where the villagers usually hunted and gathered medicinal herbs.

Beyond Azure Mountain and farther inward lay Great Black Mountain.

Great Black Mountain was enormous, vast and boundless.

This great mountain was surrounded by unbroken cliffs and towering peaks.

It was cut off from daylight all year round.

The trees within grew wild and rampant, their twisted branches interlacing to blot out the sky and sun, their entire forms dark and black.

Moisture lingered in the forest without dispersing, and miasma grew thick everywhere.

The mountains were dim and sinister, venomous insects lay concealed, and fierce beasts entrenched themselves there.

Jackals, wolves, tigers, leopards, strange beasts, and vicious creatures emerged one after another.

Its dangers were unfathomable.

It was a perilous place feared by every surrounding village.