"Also, right ahead is the Skywalk Pathway, the most perilous of Mount Hua's dangerous routes."

"Oh? Quickly, take us to see it."

Saying this, the group continued forward and soon, under Xia Liang's guidance, arrived in front of the Skywalk Pathway.

The Skywalk Pathway is located outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, and it was built by the first Grandmaster of the Mount Hua Sect, He Zhizhen, during the Yuan Dynasty. To escape the mundane world and cultivate quietly, he embedded stones and constructed wooden beams on this steep cliff, making it the most dangerous among the perilous paths of Mount Hua.

Even though it's now a tourist area and its danger has decreased significantly, it is still undeniably risky.

If ordinary people come here without enough courage, just one look could make them dizzy, let alone crossing the pathway.

Kawai Matsutake and the others were clearly very brave. When they saw the perilous pathway ahead, they all appeared eager to try without waiting for Xia Liang to speak, they already headed towards the pathway.

Surrounding the pathway are steep cliffs and overhanging iron chains, needing one to stick close to the cliff, edge forward while holding their breath; any slight relaxation could lead to a fall into a deep abyss. Though Kawai Matsutake and others were confident, even in such a dangerous place, they proceeded with utmost caution.

The pathway is divided into three sections; the upper section is twenty meters long and only two feet wide, carved along the cliff.

The middle section is even more dangerous, where iron bars are inserted into the cracks of the cliff, resembling a suspended ladder. To pass this section, one needs to grab on to the iron chains and descend step by step.

The lower section has stone holes chiseled in the cliff, with stakes embedded into these holes. On these stakes, three planks are placed, wide enough for just one foot, making it impossible for one person to walk straight; people must walk sideways along the wall. Although dangerous, for Kawai Matsutake and the others with skill, it wasn't a major obstacle, just slowed their pace a bit,

"Mr. Xia Liang, Mount Hua indeed lives up to being one of the Five Great Mountains of your Xia Country, having so many treacherous paths. I cannot imagine how such a path was built hundreds of years ago."

Having crossed the Skywalk Pathway, Kawai Matsutake approached Xia Liang and smiled,

"Though such a feat isn't difficult now, it was indeed highly challenging hundreds of years ago. I'm just as curious as you are about Mr. Kawai's question." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Xia Liang replied with a smile.

While speaking, everyone had already crossed the Skywalk Pathway, taking a short rest before continuing on their journey.

By this time, the sky had already darkened. The journey thus far took over a dozen hours.

Soon, the group arrived at the West Peak, where there was a cableway. Everyone sat on the cableway, gazed upon the sunset view of Mount Hua, and marveled at this rare beauty.

After getting off the cableway, there were dedicated cars that transported everyone down the mountain along the road. Afterward, Xia Liang drove a bus to check everyone into a nearby hotel.

"Mr. Xia Liang, thank you for your trouble; get some good rest tonight. We still have to go to Zhongnan Mountain tomorrow."

Kawai Matsutake said with a smile.

"Alright."

Nodding, Xia Liang returned to his room to rest. The next day, the group set out again, heading towards Zhongnan Mountain,

Zhongnan Mountain, also called Taiyi Mountain, is a famous Taoist mountain known for its unique peaks, strange caves, clear pools, and ancient temples.

Upon reaching Zhongnan Mountain with Kawai Matsutake and others, everyone was again amazed by the majestic and graceful mountain, resembling a gorgeous painted screen.

There were ample scenic spots here, with Taiyi Pool being the first, reportedly formed by an earthquake in the Tang Tianbao Era, surrounded by towering peaks. The pool was rippling with green waters, offering very picturesque views.

One could even row across it, traversing between the peaks, fully indulging in the natural fun.

.To the west of Taiyi Pool is a wind cave, formed by two blocky granites. When entering, a gentle breeze would flow, and a refreshing chill would rush in, creating quite an interesting experience.

North of the wind cave lies an ice cave, where even in the summer, thick ice accumulates, chilling the atmosphere.

Then, Xia Liang took everyone to visit Cuihua Temple as well, which remained bustling even without temple fairs.

Zhongnan Mountain boasts numerous scenic spots, such as the Southern Five Platforms, once praised by ancient people as the supreme beauty of Zhongnan. Atop stands five peaks: Guanyin Platform, Qingliang, Jinshen, Lingying, with Guanyin Platform being the most famous. Later, they also visited Guifeng Mountain and witnessed the majestic High Crown Waterfall, plunging over twenty meters, its torrent splashing with a thunderous roar.

As night approached, the group left Zhongnan Mountain, yet the people from Sakura Country showed no peculiar behaviors.

Over the following days, Xia Liang guided them through nearby attractions. These Sakura Country people were avid climbers, practically visiting all close mountains.

Continuously observing them, Xia Liang still noticed nothing out of the ordinary over these days, which was the strangest aspect.

He couldn't believe a group of people from Sakura Country, who had been involved in killings, came to Dragon Country's territory merely for tourism.

While contemplating, Xia nailed down the problem.

These guys were touring areas near Qinling; earlier, he had suggested other mountains far from Qinling, but they were all rejected.

"Is their goal to enter Qinling?"

Xia Liang narrowed his eyes.

"No wonder they want to climb high; perhaps they are using these days to observe and familiarize themselves with Qinling's terrain from above."

Xia Liang chuckled slightly, acknowledging the people from Sakura Country were deeply concealing their intentions.

"But what do they want to do in Qinling?"

Qinling is revered as the dragon vein of Xia Country's civilization, immensely significant without saying. It is rich in resources, where precious animals like pandas and golden monkeys, first-level protected animals in Xia Country, can be found.

Moreover, the mineral resources within Qinling are also abundant, with rich deposits of gold, molybdenum, and vast reserves of non-metallic minerals and building materials.

"Are they going to Qinling for the mines or rare animals?"

Xia Liang shook his head. Even if they caught pandas or golden monkeys, or discovered massive mineral veins, they couldn't possibly take them back to Sakura Country.

"They've almost toured all the mountains around Qinling. I guess those from Sakura Country will take action in the next couple of days."

Xia Liang wasn't preoccupied with calculations, understanding that with his presence, there's no rush to act until fully understanding their true purpose.

The next day, indeed, as Xia Liang had guessed, Kawai Matsutake approached him.

"Mr. Xia Liang, I heard there's a Dragon King's Pool near the city. Could you take us to see it?"

If ordinary tourists wished to visit the Dragon King's Pool, it would be nothing out of the ordinary, but these guys wanting to go suggested complexity.

This is because Dragon King's Pool is located in Jiu Valley, one of the seventy-two valleys of Qinling; these guys perhaps aim not just to see Dragon King's Pool, but rather enter Qinling.

Is it finally time to make a move?