Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 571 - 269. Third-grade Opportunity, Ancient Chapter Table
Snow Dragon Mountain drew a perfectly neutral lot, but it was not a pure even lot with neither gain nor loss, instead it came with opportunity and risk coexisting... Lei Jun read the lot carefully, deep in thought.
Although it was not one of those dead-end situations, like certain death or survival against all odds, given his current cultivation strength, the weight of the words "contains risk" was heavy enough.
It seemed that Chu Yu, Wei Qiyue, Yue Xiling, and Zhang Jingzhen’s journey to the southwest was anything but peaceful.
Stone Forest of Nanzhao and Snow Dragon Mountain, both located in the southwest, were famous in their own right.
For cultivators of moderate or lesser cultivation, they were better described as two extremely ominous places, places best avoided unless necessary.
Stone Forest of Nanzhao, saturated with illusions, required people with exceptionally tough Spiritual Souls, or martial artists with high-level cultivation able to focus and resist hallucinations. Only then could someone barely manage to find a way through.
And even calling it "barely manage" was generous. Cultivators at the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm could still get lost inside, and would need to expend significant effort before escaping from the naturally crafted illusionary world.
As for Snow Dragon Mountain, it was dangerous because the Global Spiritual Qi there was unstable, with frequent eruptions of spiritual energy turbulence.
Under the influence of these turbulent currents, ice and snow would shoot up into the sky, unleashing boundless blizzards. Even those who cultivated the Tao could find themselves in serious danger, as one misstep could lead to death beneath snow and wind.
Plus, it was close to the Snowy Plateau, where Snowy Plains Great Demons could appear at any time, making things even riskier.
However, Lei Jun’s careful study of the text flickering on the sphere, in comparison with his lot, led him to guess that the greater threat might actually come from human sources rather than acts of nature.
Zhang Jingzhen, for her part, did not choose to go to Snow Dragon Mountain. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
She joined Yue Xiling, Shangguan Sheng, and Mount Shu Sect disciple Liao Jie to head to Stone Forest of Nanzhao together.
Liao Jie was a rising star among the younger generation of Mount Shu Sect, second only to Zhang Taigang.
Lei Jun had heard his name years ago already. While chatting with Ji Chuan from Mount Shu Sect, he had also heard mention of Liao Jie.
The man had spent the last few years almost always holed up at the sect summit, rarely leaving Mount Shu Sect, devoted nearly all his time to cultivation.
Yet in the past two years, he had finally made that last leap, crossing through the Heavenly Moat Tribulation between the Sixth and Seventh Heavenly Layer, successfully reaching Upper Three Heavens Level. He was the second among the younger disciples of Mount Shu, after Zhang Taigang.
In the eyes of Wei Qiyue and the rest, obviously, the Stone Forest of Nanzhao was a bit safer than Snow Dragon Mountain.
Thus, Zhang Jingzhen, Liao Jie, and Shangguan Sheng who came here, were all at the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm.
Only Yue Xiling, the sole cultivator at the Eightfold Heaven Cultivation, had recently broken through, reaching the first layer of Nascent Soul Transformation in Alchemy Cauldron Sect.
Meanwhile, the more experienced Mount Shu Supreme Elder Wei Qiyue and Chu Yu went to Snow Dragon Mountain together.
The environment there was more complicated, comparably dangerous, with greater unknown variables lurking.
Wei Qiyue and Chu Yu were only two people, but if they encountered unexpected events, they’d be able to adapt and respond with greater ease.
Chu Yu had left the Suzhou Chu Clan to join the Imperial Court, drawing a lot of attention her way, always at the center of storms.
But her style leaned toward caution, rarely giving others anything to latch onto, quietly shining while keeping a low profile.
*Lei Jun did not worry about her safety; on the contrary, he was even more intrigued about what might happen on the north side of Snow Dragon Mountain.*
As for himself, naturally he would pick Stone Forest of Nanzhao.
............
Above Snow Dragon Mountain, wind and snow swept across the sky.
In the distance, two figures approached.
One wore plain clothes and straw shoes, adorned as a female crown, her dress simple but her presence hinted at an edge of sharpness, her appearance showing the signs of middle age.
This was none other than Wei Qiyue, one of Mount Shu Sect’s core high leadership, an elder from the previous generation.
The other was a tall young woman dressed for hunting, carrying herself with bold energy. She was Chu Yu.
The two cut through the snow, enduring the blizzard as they remained vigilant and observant of their surroundings.
One stood at the Eightfold Heaven Immortal Travel Realm in the Daoist Artifact Refining Sect, the other at the Eightfold Heaven Expansion Realm of the Confucian Divine Archery Lineage. Both possessed agile Spiritual Souls and sharp perception.
Yet the environment of Snow Dragon Mountain was so severe, that Chu Yu and Wei Qiyue’s scans and explorations could only cover a limited area, making it impossible to see and sense everything inside and out.
"I’d heard Taoist Priest Chen Donglou liked to temper his cultivation in perilous places, but seeing is believing. Now that I’m experiencing it for myself, I finally understand it." Chu Yu parted the snowstorm, saying to Wei Qiyue beside her.
Wei Qiyue gave a slight nod, "Donglou believes a treasured sword is forged in adversity, so he is known for searching out the strangest and most dangerous places in the world. He used to hone his flying swords along the Grand River."
She gazed over the snow swirling atop Snow Dragon Mountain, "Speaking of talent and personal strength in cultivation, Donglou is truly an extraordinary genius rare in any era, but sadly, his temperament remains..."
"Given Taoist Priest Chen’s personality hasn’t changed over the years, is it possible that the current situation has some hidden reasons?"
Chen Donglou might bear resentment toward the Celestial Master Mansion, perhaps even Mount Shu Sect today, or there might be confidential grievances with Pure Yang Palace as well.
*Yet it was hard to imagine a man once so straightforward and wild, now bringing together the likes of Feng Yi, Zhou Peng, Qi Shuo, Liu Dongzhuo, and other outcasts from the Taoist Holy Lands, plotting something in the shadows.*
"The Sect Leader and I both don’t understand it. The only thing we’re sure of is, he’s entangled with those people."
Wei Qiyue said, "Only once we find him will we know the truth."
As the pair talked, they arrived at the northern foot of Snow Dragon Mountain.
Chu Yu was just about to speak when her expression suddenly shifted.
Down in the mountains, a flash of sword light appeared without warning.
Like a white rainbow piercing the sun, the sword light shot up into the sky, nearly ignoring time and space, arriving at Chu Yu’s side in an instant.
