Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 257 - 247: Probing Deadly Terrain, Essence Treasure Assimilation, Pure Yang Power Unleashed
The rain was continuous, filled with murderous intent.
Li Xian knew the opponent was difficult to deal with and would inevitably follow closely. However, their sudden arrival was unexpected. Remaining calm, he hid in the alley. As a carriage passed by, Li Xian and Wen Caishang took advantage of the moment to hide in the carriage and left the city with it.
It turns out...
Although Li Xian and Wen Caishang had taken the early advantage, they always moved ahead of the others. But the "Red List" was brewing, leaving clues along the way.
Tracking was not difficult.
But catching up was not easy.
During this time, Su Qiuyu was at a loss. Although his vicious plan was brutal, it was still slightly lacking. However, he was in luck and encountered a "Divine Hunter" during the chase.
His name was "Cold-blooded God-catcher·Leng Shixing." This person was first-rate in chasing criminals and evildoers. Su Qiuyu presented gifts to win favor, explained the situation, and Leng Shixing, moved by his sincerity, agreed to help. He grew up in Huashui Prefecture and was very familiar with the terrain due to years of pursuing criminals.
He said, "Simply following clues will always keep you trailing behind the criminal. You must predict in advance and plan ahead."
Then he proposed various routes—fleeing south, evading north, hiding east, and concealing west—considering every possibility. He was extremely familiar with the terrain of Huashui Prefecture, and from the current clues, deduced several locations, saying: "Wei Hu River, Qunhua Valley, Manlin Road... these places are the easiest for the criminal to escape. Observing his movements, if he’s smart enough, he should have fled to Wei Hu River."
Su Qiuyu said, "Strange, as far as I know, that criminal is not a local. How would he know about places like Wei Hu River, Qunhua Valley...?"
While pursuing, he bought maps and arranged the chase, coordinating disciples from various sects. But the "maps" had limited coverage, and the charts were mixed. To understand these many terrain features, he had to see them personally.
Wei Hu River was located far away, and he had never heard of it. Su Qiuyu, perplexed, pondered it.
Leng Shixing said, "So, if he’s smart enough, he’ll naturally have the means to know about these places. If not smart enough, he’ll be aimlessly escaping, and with your persistent chasing, you’ll eventually find him. But then I wouldn’t need to get involved!"
Su Qiuyu thought, "That brat is indeed formidable. If it’s him, it’s indeed possible!" Deciding to give it a try and, ignoring the clues along the way, headed straight for Wei Hu River. Setting up an ironclad trap, enclosing it completely.
Wei Hu River had three city fortresses beside it—White Tiger City, Xianghu City, Dragon Tiger City... Outside these cities, towering, complex mountains dominated, with impressive sects ruling the land.
As soon as Su Qiuyu arrived at the city, he immediately spread the "Red List." That very day, there was already a clue, determining the approximate location of Li Xian. Following Leng Shixing’s instructions, he set up a trap. Everything went seamlessly unnoticed.
Thus arrived today’s scene.
Li Xian remained calm, camping in the outskirts. He dared not light a fire, as the continuous rain was sticky and damp. Although Li Xian knew the direction of Wei Hu River, he was unfamiliar with the surrounding terrain. If he were to escape stealthily, understanding the terrain would be of utmost importance.
Seeing the night fall, though risky, he needed to steal a map. Li Xian stealthily slipped out and entered the city again nearby. But he noticed that the entrances to the bookshop were guarded by disciples.
Li Xian thought, "The world is vast, but without a map, it would be like plunging into darkness, like a blind man, aimlessly rushing around, relying entirely on luck for every move." Realizing it was challenging to acquire a map.
He came up with another plan, repeating an old trick. He followed a lone disciple, unexpectedly ambushing and killing him, searching for a map. He did find one, immediately hiding the disciple’s body, and returned to the outskirts to discuss the route with Wen Caishang.
The map covered a hundred miles in radius. The left bank of Wei Hu River was detailed, showing mountain distributions, vegetation growth, secret paths... but the right bank was Tiger Cry Ridge, an unknown area, completely blank.
Rumor had it that only Tiger Luo Sect and Xiangluo Sect possessed parts of the Tiger Cry Ridge map, held by the Sect Master.
Li Xian said, "I’ve just killed a disciple. They’ll soon realize, we must swiftly choose a route to escape." Wen Caishang smiled, "You decide."
Li Xian scrutinized the map, hypothesizing the opponent’s setup, figuring out several routes, intending to leave overnight. Suddenly pointing to a spot, he said, "Something’s wrong... Madam, look, doesn’t the mountain range here seem a bit abrupt?"
Wen Caishang frowned in thought, observing the rolling mountains, she said, "On the map, this path should logically be a dead end. But on the map, it becomes a uniquely advantageous hidden route. The mountain and river terrain indeed offers incredible variations, unpredictable. Yet at this moment... we must be extra cautious, fearing falling into traps."
They exchanged a glance, both strategists beyond ordinary, thinking: "This map has been altered, someone deliberately misleading, spreading fake maps. If we escape by this map, we’ll end up throwing ourselves into a trap!"
Wen Caishang solemnly said, "It seems Su Qiuyu has other helpers, highly skilled in pursuing criminals. Their chase is precise, their lures invisible... If I didn’t specialize in geomancy, caught in such an ambush, I might have charged into this hidden path in haste." Li Xian smiled, "But we are not criminals."
Wen Caishang asked, "What’s your plan? The plan to submerge in the river is likely difficult as well. This person knows how to alter maps, and predicts enemies in advance, must be very scheming. Intending to prevent submersion. And... Wei Hu River is full of fishing boats, casting iron nets, becoming a natural barrier. If caught by the iron nets, it would be troublesome!"
The river meant for escape turned into a cage of difficulty, with drowning tiger corpses hanging, scavenged by riverboats above, devoured by vicious fish below. The turbid, foul river water was insufferable for long-term submersion.
Li Xian contemplated seriously. The left bank was tightly laid out, the enemy hidden, iron nets countless in the river, making escape difficult. He thought, "Tiger Cry Ridge is dangerous and mysterious, tigers charging into the river must conceal secrets. Fate opposes me, I’ll have to take a risk!"
Only one path was feasible, he calmly said, "Then we’ll head to Tiger Cry Ridge."
...
...
Tiger Cry Ridge stretches across eight hundred miles, connecting the Mysterious Mountain Range. This range links "Huashui Prefecture," "Qiong Heavenly Mansion," "Chongling Prefecture," and "Wangyue State," encompassing three prefectures and one state. It extends for tens of thousands of miles, never seeing the light of day, extremely fierce and dangerous.
Fuhua Trading Company has traded for decades. Encountering heavy rain, the ship industry was stalled. Fearing delays, they entered the mountain to seek a path. People and goods all disappeared without a trace.
Crossing the river into the ridge. The trees were dense with thick leaves, the stench was overwhelming... Lingering nausea persisted. Li Xian gazed back at the path, already hidden by the dense forest.
Li Xian contemplated: "Tiger Cry Ridge is extremely ferocious; entering here is truly out of necessity. With enemies numerous and us few, only by doing this can we seek vitality. If I truly meet my demise here, it would be fate and time; no need for regrets." He firmed his resolve, unsheathed the Sinking River Sword, and slashed through the tangled branches and leaves.
Ventured over ten miles.
The sky was dark, as if it were night. Ancient trees, strong and mighty, pierced the sky, blocking the sunlight. Today, drizzling rain continued, the ground was muddy, cold, and freezing.
Walking for a while longer. Wen Caishang’s face turned pale. Her feet were chilled, coupled with inherently weak Qi-Blood, the injuries hardened. Li Xian carried her on his back and continued walking. Wen Caishang felt greatly comforted, growing more attached.
Sinking Qi into his feet, resisted the damp cold. The dim halo gradually faded, and it was already night. Where Li Xian stood, there was dense underbrush, with no place to lie down and rest. Moreover, the cold mist penetrated everywhere, though not frosty, it was more penetrating than wind and snow!
Wen Caishang said, "This place seems very eerie. Li Xian... we must be careful." Li Xian replied, "Of course."
Moving by night vision, Li Xian was unsure of the mountain’s conditions, opting to pause for caution. The ground was sticky with damp cold, so he leaped onto the large tree trunk.
Li Xian chuckled bitterly, "Cai Shang, tonight we’re in a sorry state. There’s not even a place to sleep on the ground." Wen Caishang said, "During our time at Luofang Mountain, we always had caves to rely on, to shield from wind and rain, but now... there’s nothing. Barely half a place to lean on."
Li Xian said, "You are injured; close your eyes and rest. I will keep watch tonight." Wen Caishang felt quietly comforted: "Li Lang, though young, is very responsible."
The wet chill of the rain drew on one’s spirit. Li Xian’s Pure Yang Body, with vigorous Qi-Blood, suffered through the night, still feeling fatigued. The next day... the mountain remained dark, but the path ahead was visible.
By this time, they had ventured far. The mountain’s shape subtly changed, and from time to time, a "wailing cry" echoed by their ears, with a muffled force, carrying endless sorrow. It tugged at the heart, causing tears to flow.
Wen Caishang called out, "Use Ethereal Immortal Sound." Li Xian resonated bone sounds, a crisp jingling... the mournful aura lessened.
Wen Caishang said, "A Martial Artist’s body is like Heaven and Earth, their bones emit unique sound. Conversely, unique terrains in the heavens and earth can emit unique sounds, much like a body’s Ethereal Immortal Sound!"
"Just now, that sound was like a tiger’s mournful cry, inciting sorrow. Those with weaker spirits would definitely take their own lives! It’s no wonder this place... is a forbidden zone!"
The sound of wailing cries echoed intermittently, raising goosebumps. The deeper they went, the more the perilous mountain revealed its fierce nature.
Suddenly, a large red flower appeared. The bloom was extremely bright, three yards high, and three yards wide... vibrant and fresh. Upon breaking open the blossom... inside was a great tiger. Its skin and flesh both corroded.
The perils of the world, the vegetation is also part of it!
[You observe the heavens and earth, explore the perilous terrain, the Essence of Heaven and Earth digests faster.]
Li Xian thought to himself: "It seems the dangers here surpass those I’ve faced before by the thousands! I truly am unsure of surviving this. With death lurking on every side... I might as well see what wonders Tiger Cry Ridge holds!"
Wen Caishang feared no strong foe, but witnessing the ominous landscape, she couldn’t help but feel a slight dread. A day of travel passed, and her heart grew heavier. Li Xian drew his bow and shot arrows, breaking through the dense canopy.
A sliver of sunlight slanted in, illuminating the two of them momentarily. Until the sun disappeared, reaching out, they couldn’t see their hands. Li Xian carried Wen Caishang, performed Lightweight Skill, and climbed up the high tree branches.
Taking off his clothes, he wrung them forcefully. "Splash," water flowed out. Li Xian said, "The rain isn’t heavy, but it’s extremely damp, specifically seeping into clothes." Wen Caishang removed her clothing, her skin fair, wrung out, and water dripped.
Wen Caishang removed her boots, mixed with sweat and mist, they could pour out water. Though usually impeccable, being heavily injured, and with external evils infiltrating, she appeared similar to other women, her delicate face slightly flushed. Li Xian said, "My Pure Yang Body is exceptionally warm. It’s much drier than yours."
Wen Caishang said teasingly, "Are you trying to make me envy you?" Despite sharing hardships, she was still a woman. The two undressed, squeezing out the water. Hanging the clothes on branches to dry.
Wen Caishang’s clothes were somewhat light, yet quite dry. The embroidery was exquisite, with phoenixes soaring. Light gold and bright red, woven from silk. Though unmarried, with extensive experience, her private attire had charm, appearing quite bold and charming.
The mist shrouded, and the rain did not stop. Clothes, boots, and socks grew damper the longer they dried, so they had to put them back on.
The tree trunk was quite thick, covered with moss and wild fungi... They slept fitfully that night. Leaning close to each other, resisting the cold in the forest. Wen Caishang thought of the Pure Yang Body, truly warming, and snuggled closer.
