He glanced again at the Stone Plate and the curling white smoke above it, pondering, "I wonder if this object holds any use for that Ganoderma Ancestor. When the opportunity arises, it might be worth probing discreetly."
It was still early before the hour of Yin. Upon hearing Bao Dingheng’s words, everyone present dispersed, each finding a place to sit and meditate, shielded from the wind and rain.
Just as the hour of Chou approached, Master Shi suddenly noticed the white smoke tremble. His expression shifted; lifting the Stone Plate, he called out, "Daoist Bao, quickly follow me!"
Bao Dingheng was startled upon hearing this and hurriedly unleashed his tunneling light. The other cultivators were also alarmed, and without waiting for orders, they all soared into the air. Just as Master Shi activated his Magic Artifact and prepared to ascend, several streaks of tunneling light could be seen descending into the forest ahead, causing his face to tense.
Fang He exclaimed urgently, "This is bad—someone has beaten us to it!"
He turned sharply, voice filled with anger, "Master Shi, didn’t you say no one besides you knew how to search for the Medicine Mushroom?"
Master Shi’s expression darkened like water, and he merely let out a grunt in response.
Bao Dingheng, however, remained composed. With a wave of his sleeve, he remarked, "Junior Fang, don’t speak nonsense. Master Shi’s skill is unmatched in this world. Though Nine-Headed Peak is vast, surely many cultivators have come seeking here as well—it might simply be a coincidence."
Fang He shot back mockingly, "Indeed, Nine-Headed Peak is so expansive, and earlier we didn’t encounter anyone. Why, then, do we now happen to cross paths exactly now?"
Bao Dingheng furrowed his brow upon hearing this, while Master Shi stood without expression, choosing not to respond.
Zhang Yan glanced ahead for a moment, then chuckled softly, "I rather believe those travelers happened upon this place by chance. Fellow Daoists, look." He pointed forward, "Their tunneling light rises and falls erratically, moving without direction—pure blind wandering. If they truly discovered the Medicine Mushroom’s hiding spot, they wouldn’t even have time to hide their tracks, much less be so conspicuous."
Bao Dingheng’s eyes lit up, turning to Zhang Yan with approval, "Daoist Li, your words ring true."
The others, hearing this, also found Zhang Yan’s reasoning persuasive and nodded in agreement—relieving their tense nerves slightly.
Master Shi also glanced briefly at Zhang Yan, nodding faintly in acknowledgment.
Fang He sneered, "If that is so, we must act swiftly to drive them off, lest they startle the Medicine Mushroom."
Bao Dingheng cast a glance forward and coldly remarked, "We don’t have to go find them; they’ve already come to us."
Indeed, a streak of tunneling light soon descended from the sky, stopping before the group. It revealed a cultivator with broad shoulders and a trimmed beard, who immediately bellowed loud enough to startle the roosting birds, saying, "So it’s you, Brother Bao, and Junior Fang! What a coincidence. My companions and I arrived first and have already claimed this area; you should look elsewhere."
Before Bao Dingheng could respond, Fang He stepped forward angrily, pointing at the man and shouting, "Lan Yuchun! So it’s you, an abandoned disciple! Hmph! We’ve been here long before you arrived. If anyone needs to leave, it’s your group!"
Lan Yuchun burst out laughing, "Fang He, your flustered reaction—is it possible you’ve discovered the presence of the Medicine Mushroom here?"
Fang He faltered in his reply upon hearing this.
Lan Yuchun’s words were originally meant as a teasing remark. It was common knowledge that the Medicine Mushroom was exceptionally elusive, found only through sheer luck. However, upon perceiving Fang He’s shift in expression, he couldn’t help but grow suspicious, thinking to himself, "Could it be... there really is a Medicine Mushroom here?"
He quickly brushed aside the thought and scoffed internally, "Why bother overthinking? All that matters is driving them away."
He chuckled slyly, "Brother Bao, if you insist on claiming this spot, then you’ll need to face us first. I, Lan Yuchun, will be waiting for you ahead—come if you dare!"
After saying this, he didn’t linger, promptly activating his tunneling light and heading into the forest ahead, likely to regroup with his allies.
Fang He stomped his foot, exclaiming, "Brother, why didn’t we stop him?"
Bao Dingheng furrowed his brows and gazed at the moon above, speaking slowly, "Master Shi, if we engage here, would it frighten the Medicine Mushroom away?" Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt
Master Shi pondered briefly before sighing, "Daoist Bao, there’s no other option but to fight for it now. The way I see it, these individuals have no real method of locating the Medicine Mushroom—they’re blindly stumbling around based on hearsay. But if the One Qi Ganoderma is truly alarmed and burrows underground, it may take ten days or more before it resurfaces—if at all."
Bao Dingheng made up his mind upon hearing this. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he declared, "It seems the only solution is to eliminate these people entirely. Lan Yuchun was expelled from our sect—I, Bao Dingheng, will clear this house today. Fellow Daoists, may I ask for your assistance?"
Fang He responded immediately, "I’ll undoubtedly follow my brother." He then glanced around and asked, "What about the rest of you?"
Ke Xiu Jun promptly replied, "Whatever Junior Master Bao says, I’ll follow."
The remaining four hesitated, and the high-crown Daoist spoke up, "We’re not familiar with the internal affairs of your sect, but we’ve heard that Lan Yuchun, despite being an expelled disciple, has gained Master Wu Feng’s favor. Killing him—would it not..."
Bao Dingheng, naturally understanding the implications in his words, replied loudly, "Fellow Daoists, your concerns are well understood. Lan Yuchun will not trouble any of you—I’ll deal with him personally."
These words provided relief to the four cultivators, who exchanged glances before responding in unison, "We are willing to lend Daoist Bao a helping hand!"
Bao Dingheng nodded. He called Ke Xiu Jun over, instructing her to guard Master Shi diligently. Then, turning to Zhang Yan, he said, "Daoist Li, I’ll need you to guard the perimeter. If anyone attempts to flee, you must ensure no one escapes."
Zhang Yan knew Bao Dingheng had not seen him in action and lacked faith in him; thus, he was assigned this role.
Nevertheless, someone had to take on the task, so Zhang Yan smiled faintly and immediately agreed.
After giving his orders, Bao Dingheng let out a shout and led the group forward, their tunneling lights soaring fiercely toward the forest ahead, filled with killing intent.
Zhang Yan, however, rose with the wind and ascended into the clouds, gazing downward.
At first, the forest below remained tranquil, but before long, streaks of tunneling light began flashing chaotically. Sword light and treasure light clashed back and forth, and angry shouts filled the air—clearly, the battle had grown intense.
Suddenly, a thunderous explosion shook the scene. Beneath the night sky, countless beams of light scattered like silver serpents, while Bao Dingheng’s voice rang out, filled with fury and shock: "Lan Yuchun! How do you have this sword plate in your possession?"
Lan Yuchun’s arrogant voice followed, "Bao Dingheng! You never expected me to have this move, did you? For the sword strike you gave me years ago, today I’ll return the favor with interest! Prepare to die!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan’s eyes sharpened. He vanished abruptly, tunneling forward with winds gathering around him as he plunged into the forest below.
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation!)