Chapter 511: 421 Zhangg Mountain Climbing_2
Chihong Immortal Monarch was angry, but he knew his place.
Seeing four Immortal Venerables arrive together, accompanied by several Heavenly Venerables, it was clearly not for leisure. He dared not conceal anything and truthfully explained without embellishment.
"Fierce Bird Mountain."
"This mountain is overrun with fierce birds. While it allows entry and exit, unlike the Immortal Slaying Stage, the sheer number of fierce birds poses a significant threat even to Heavenly Venerables."
"Dongning actually hid in this mountain?"
Taiyin Immortal Venerable frowned, puzzled.
Being an ancient Immortal Venerable, he was well-versed in the hidden dangers and secrets of many perilous places in the Nine Heavens.
Fierce Bird Mountain was one such place.
However, to both him and the Taiyin Immortal Court, Fierce Bird Mountain was essentially worthless.
Take Chihong Immortal Monarch as an example.
To enter the Fire-element Origin within the mountain for cultivation, he spent a full six hundred Spirit Crystals in preparation. Even then, the six hundred Spirit Crystals only allowed short-term cultivation, totaling no more than sixty or seventy years.
With that much effort and resources, he could have chosen other treasured lands within the Taiyin Immortal Court.
Spending it on Fierce Bird Mountain?
Not worth it!
Which was why Taiyin Immortal Venerable found it strange: "Why would Dongning come here to cultivate? And who is that person by her side?"
Nearby,
Shanhua Venerable’s face remained neutral, though she felt strange inwardly.
She transmitted a message to Yu Ming Immortal Venerable, perplexed: "What kind of trick is this White Tiger Immortal playing? Judging by his closeness to Dongning Venerable, they are undoubtedly husband and wife. Why would he task our Yu Ming Immortal Court to deal with Dongning Venerable?"
Shanhua Venerable had been thoroughly confused ever since she saw the two of them in the Jade Mirror at Great Mo Ridge.
She couldn’t make sense of White Tiger Immortal’s actions.
A conspiracy?
A misunderstanding?
Drama?
Her mind spun with countless scenarios, weaving dozens, if not hundreds, of stories. The curiosity was insatiable.
Unlike her,
Yu Cheng Venerable, who had achieved enlightenment during the same era as Yu Ming Immortal Venerable, frowned and said, "With Qi Baihu entangled with Dongning Venerable, what should we do?"
Indeed, it was a troublesome situation.
This White Tiger Immortal had nurtured their "Windwalking Magic King" to ascend to Immortality, and in return, they were to help him seek revenge on Dongning Venerable.
This was supposed to be a straightforward transaction.
Moreover, Yu Ming Immortal Venerable, being resourceful, had leveraged this deal to forge good relations with the Three Immortal Courts while gaining significant benefits.
But now?
The "employer" and the "target" were conspiring together.
This left them in a rather awkward and precarious position.
"No rush."
"Let’s see what he intends."
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable wasn’t in a hurry.
He maintained clarity about his own goals and wasn’t at all lost.
Still, the bizarre actions of White Tiger Immortal piqued his curiosity. He hoped to uncover the truth when the opportunity arose.
At Yu Ming Immortal Court’s side, the three had their respective thoughts.
Over with Golden Light Immortal Venerable, his subordinate, Wanying Venerable, also recognized Chen Jichuan. When Taiyin Immortal Venerable inquired, Wanying revealed Chen Jichuan’s origins and background, then said with surprise, "These two are sworn enemies. How could they possibly end up together?"
"Who cares so much?"
"Just charge in, and we’ll find out!"
Golden Light Immortal Venerable had no patience for such speculation. With a slight shake of his body, he transformed into a giant over a hundred feet tall.
His golden body shimmered faintly, brimming with boundless might.
"The Titan Clan’s compatibility with the ’Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique’ is remarkable."
"Golden Light’s head-on combat strength is impressive."
Golden Light Immortal Venerable displayed his Titan True Body, his physical form as strong as a Fourth-order Magic Treasure, charging ahead into Fierce Bird Mountain.
Boom!
Boom!
Each step he took seemed to shake mountains and rivers.
"Let’s go!"
"Move in!"
Seeing this, Taiyin Immortal Venerable, Guangmu Immortal Venerable, and others did not hesitate and followed after him into the mountain.
"Roar, roar, roar!"
"Chirp, chirp, chirp!"
The moment they entered, they were surrounded by hordes of fierce birds, swarming towards them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Golden Light Immortal Venerable’s hundred-foot tall form was akin to cast iron. While the fierce birds attacked, they could barely scratch the surface, let alone pose a real threat.
"Begone!"
"Annoying pests!"
Each punch and kick of his was devastating, killing or injuring any fierce bird that crossed his path. They were no match for him.
But there were simply too many fierce birds.
They came wave after wave, in countless numbers.
Moreover, their movements were erratic and unpredictable. At times, hundreds would swarm; at others, thousands. With deliberate or unintentional coordination, they even began to form formations, gradually showing faint signs of being able to shake him.
The endless waves of fierce birds were maddeningly relentless.
As they focused on dealing with the fierce birds, they let down their guard and were inadvertently separated from each other.
"An Array?"
The first to notice was Yu Ming Immortal Venerable.
Well-versed in arrays, his mastery of Formation Dao was top-tier. He observed how the formation created separations and wasn’t in a rush. Slowly dealing with the fierce birds, he examined the formation with interest, savoring its intricacies.
Before he could fully grasp its profundities, the path ahead suddenly opened, revealing a mountain peak.
Upon seeing it, Yu Ming Immortal Venerable chuckled.
...
"Immortal Venerable, we meet again."
On Tuota Peak, in front of a thatched hut, Chen Jichuan and Wang Yan rose to greet Yu Ming Immortal Venerable.
"White Tiger Daoist."
"Dongning Daoist."
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable slightly nodded and said with a helpless smile, "White Tiger Daoist, you’ve really made Yu Ming Immortal Court play the villain this time."
"Please forgive me, Immortal Venerable,"
Chen Jichuan replied with a wry smile, explaining, "This Daoist and Dongning have known each other since long ago, but were separated for some reason. We failed to recognize each other in two prior encounters. It wasn’t until two centuries ago that we reunited—an utter misunderstanding. I ask for Immortal Venerable’s understanding."
Chen Jichuan’s explanation was casual and rather crude.
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable didn’t fully believe it but chose not to pry further. He turned to Chen Jichuan and laughed heartily: "Then I must congratulate the two Daoists."
He continued, "Since this was a misunderstanding, I hope Dongning Daoist will hold no grudge. We were simply fulfilling a favor owed."
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable realized that Chen Jichuan had likely informed Dongning Venerable about his dealings with Yu Ming Immortal Court. Thus, while apologizing to Wang Yan, he also teased Chen Jichuan to foster camaraderie.
"How could I dare?"
"Dongning must thank the Immortal Venerable for treating my husband so generously."
Wang Yan found the situation quite amusing and harbored no resentment toward Yu Ming Immortal Court.
"Husband..."
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable’s heart stirred, though his expression remained composed.
The misunderstanding was cleared up.
The husband and wife invited Yu Ming Immortal Venerable to sit, and as he surveyed his surroundings, he remarked in admiration, "What a celestial paradise. What a wondrous formation."
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable asked curiously, "May I ask where this formation originates and what it is called?"
"Immortal Venerable, you jest."
"This formation is called the ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation.’ It was obtained by sheer chance and remains only partially comprehended. It’s hardly worthy of much acclaim."
The "Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation" contained the mysteries of Sumeru. With a single thought, three thousand worlds could manifest. Boundless and infinite, without beginning or end, it operated in an endless cycle of Creation, Abiding, Decay, and Emptiness—a perpetual cycle of the Four Tribulations. Mysterious and constantly shifting, anyone unfamiliar with its intricacies would find themselves utterly trapped, their fate entirely at the mercy of its master.
However, Chen Jichuan’s mastery was incomplete, and his time governing Fierce Bird Mountain had been short. Thus, the formation’s power was limited. With the assistance of countless fierce birds, it could barely trap Taiyin Immortal Venerable and the others for a time, but that was all—it posed no significant threat.
"Being able to trap Golden Light, Taiyin, and Guangmu—this formation is already exceptional."
"I didn’t expect Daoist to have such expertise in formations. In the future, you absolutely must visit Yu Ming Immortal Court and teach us a thing or two."
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable was impressed.
His own understanding of arrays was profound, and it thrilled him to meet a kindred spirit. Of course, beyond genuine interest, there was also an intentional attempt to foster goodwill and forge a connection with Chen Jichuan and his wife.
After all, these two—one a Heavenly Venerate who roamed the Nine Heavens, the other a fearsome tyrant of the Immortal Gate Realm—together could shake Chongming Realm to its core.
Building a positive relationship with them was unquestionably wise.
Chen Jichuan sensed Yu Ming Immortal Venerable’s goodwill and smiled, "Teaching would be presumptuous. When I have time, I’ll definitely seek advice from the Immortal Venerable."
The three exchanged pleasantries and laughter.
"Immortal Venerable."
"Daoists."
With a thought, Shanhua Venerable and Yu Cheng Venerable also emerged from the array and arrived at Tuota Peak.
When the two saw Chen Jichuan and Wang Yan chatting jovially with their Immortal Venerable, they inquired and learned it was all a misunderstanding.
For a time, the atmosphere atop Tuota Peak was filled with joyous laughter.
...