Chapter 305: Chapter 236: A Murderous Intent Has Arisen: Bow or Be Beheaded (Part 1)

An old fox like the Alchemist is bound to be extremely cautious. Since he knew they were coming, he most likely prepared for the worst. The fact that he turned and fled without hesitation when he was no match for Yi Beidou seems to prove this point.

"There’s another possibility: the item is hidden within some restriction on the island. However, I think this is less likely. You’d have to personally enter those restriction Arrays to be certain."

"And finally... there’s that ore in your hand."

Cheng Zhihong’s gaze fell upon the dark red ore in Yi Beidou’s hand.

This was what interested Yi Beidou the most.

"I once dived underwater along the Immortal Mountain’s coastline and confirmed that this island is indeed a floating island. Then, I approached the foundation of the Immortal Mountain below the sea’s surface and took this piece of ore. If I’m not mistaken, the key structural components of this entire Immortal Mountain are made from this type of ore."

"This ore is porous and relatively light, which allows it to float. Moreover, it seems to contain a unique magnetic field. The reason this Immortal Mountain can emit the so-called ’Penglai Power’ and has been floating on the sea for thousands of years without ever approaching land is closely related to this ore."

Cheng Zhihong said in a deep voice.

Yi Beidou’s eyes narrowed at his words. He considered himself well-read, but he had never heard of such an ore.

And as he carefully sensed it, he could indeed feel a faint magnetic field circulating within the ore, very similar to the Penglai magnetic field that permeated the Immortal Mountain.

’The entire main structure of an Immortal Mountain is made of this ore? How much would that take? Why has it never appeared in the outside world?’

’Could this entire Immortal Mountain be some kind of meteorite from beyond the heavens?’

This was a mystery that couldn’t be explained for now, perhaps involving even deeper secrets.

"Also, I suspect that the course of this Immortal Mountain can be ’controlled’ to some extent."

Cheng Zhihong then voiced another astonishing conjecture.

"Oh?"

Yi Beidou’s interest was piqued.

Cheng Zhihong gestured for Yi Beidou to follow him toward the Penglai Pavilion on the mountaintop, which was practically embedded in the rock.

Inside the Penglai Pavilion, they saw some things left behind by the Alchemist. Cheng Zhihong had even moved the altar, originally used to enshrine the Great Pill of This Life in the mountain cave behind the pavilion, and gathered everything here.

"These are all the things I found on the island. I’ve put them all here. But you should be able to sense that this isn’t the main point."

Cheng Zhihong’s gaze shifted to the surroundings, to the intricate, crystal-clear patterns on the walls and ceiling.

Without Cheng Zhihong needing to say more, Yi Beidou could already feel the extraordinary nature of the magnetic field permeating the quaint wooden house.

Like a ley line node, this place was the key node for the Immortal Mountain’s magnetic field.

"This Immortal Mountain is constructed entirely from a special magnetic ore. It forms a unique connection with the sea, the tides, and the magnetic fields of the sun, moon, and earth. Guided by these fields, it moves across the sea in an elusive manner, with no risk of colliding with land."

"Correspondingly, this place is a node for that magnetic field, like a meridian acupoint in a person. If one could use the right method to stimulate the Array here, it would be possible to slightly influence the operation of the entire Immortal Mountain’s magnetic field, thereby changing its connection with the world and altering its course."

"According to legend, the three ancient Immortal Mountains were supposed to be in the East Sea Region between Donghua and Japan. The fact that this one has now appeared in the middle of the ocean is very likely the result of the Alchemist manipulating its course."

"I can’t do it, though. It seems one must achieve a certain connection with the Penglai Power to do so. Why don’t you give it a try?"

Cheng Zhihong said, looking at Yi Beidou.

’It had to be said, the wisdom of the ancient Earth Immortals was truly transcendent. Their understanding of magnetic fields, True Qi, and the world had reached an unimaginable level.’

"Now is not the time to try. I’ve just come out of seclusion and have some matters to attend to. Once they’re resolved, I’ll return. I came here mainly to let you know."

Yi Beidou said.

’This Immortal Mountain still held many secrets, and the Penglai Power was immensely beneficial to him. He would definitely stay here for a considerable time, but only after settling matters with Japan.’

"What could be more important than these Earth Immortal Ruins?"

Cheng Zhihong was slightly taken aback.

"Before I left Japan, I said they were to send someone of sufficient standing to apologize. The three-day deadline has long since passed. I wonder if they’ve met my demand."

Yi Beidou said calmly.

Cheng Zhihong’s mouth fell open.

’The Alchemist had clearly been prepared; he might have even been deliberately waiting for them to arrive. He refused to believe that the highest echelons of Japan’s leadership weren’t involved.’

’It was easy to imagine that with Yi Beidou’s disappearance, Japan would be highly unlikely to apologize.’

"What are you planning to do?"

Cheng Zhihong asked, looking at Yi Beidou and taking a deep breath.

Although the other man was perfectly calm, he could already sense a sharp, murderous intent that made the blood in his veins quicken.

The feeling was remarkably similar to when Yi Beidou had looked at him after killing the Alchemist.

’This guy... That abnormal state he was in before hasn’t completely disappeared, has it?’

"If they apologize as agreed, I will naturally let it go. But if they haven’t..."

"Then I’ll just have a new Emperor of Japan or Prime Minister apologize to me instead."

Yi Beidou said calmly, as if it were a matter of course.

But hearing this, Cheng Zhihong couldn’t help but shudder, his scalp tingling with dread.

’A new Emperor or Prime Minister?’

’How would he ’have a new one’?’

’For a figure like Yi Beidou, it obviously wouldn’t be some political drama forcing them to step down. There was only one possibility.’

’When the current one dies, a new one naturally takes their place.’

He couldn’t even imagine the shockwaves it would send through Japan, and even the world.

"Interfering in worldly affairs with force is not a good thing."

Cheng Zhihong finally managed to choke out after a long pause.

"Your organization seems to be the one that manages this sort of thing. Are you going to stop me?"

Yi Beidou looked at Cheng Zhihong, making the hair on his entire body stand on end.

’He felt as if the other man was looking at him like prey.’

"Don’t... don’t misunderstand. We only take action against people of the past who meddle in the affairs of the present. You are a part of the present world. We have no right to interfere with what you do."

Cheng Zhihong hurriedly waved his hands and shook his head.

’People of the current era doing the deeds of the current era—this was the great trend, a change of the times. It was just like the Industrial Revolution, when powerful weapons capable of threatening the Ancient Ones were born. They hadn’t interfered then, either.’

’Replacing Japan’s Prime Minister or Emperor was something certain deeply hidden Ancient Ones could probably also do. But they wouldn’t be so blatant about it. They had to consider their next life, consider karma, and consider the existence of organizations like his that secretly opposed them.’

’Only a modern-day anomaly like Yi Beidou would dare to make such a move.’

’The world really is about to change again.’

"That’s for the best. In that case, I’ll be on my way. Whether you stay or go is up to you."

After speaking, Yi Beidou gave a slight nod, then turned and with a light step, left the Penglai Pavilion. He ran swiftly down the mountain, and his figure quickly vanished from Cheng Zhihong’s sight.

He wasn’t worried about Cheng Zhihong causing any trouble on the Immortal Mountain.

For one, within the Immortal Mountain Realm, he could borrow the Penglai Power to use his Perfect State, confident he could face any opponent. For another, since the man had the courage to ascend the island with him, whatever he managed to gain would be what he deserved. It all depended on his own ability.

To Yi Beidou, the only thing that truly mattered on this Immortal Mountain was the Penglai Power. Everything else was merely an external object.

And that Penglai Power was something no one could take away.

Cheng Zhihong took a deep breath and also decided to leave the Immortal Mountain and return to Japan.

He needed to contact Yuna and inform her of everything that had happened on the Immortal Mountain. At the same time, it was a way to avoid suspicion.

Yi Beidou was a being capable of killing even an Ancient One who had used the Immortal Forbidden Technique; he was becoming increasingly important to them.

Besides, he was also quite curious to see just how the situation in Japan would unfold.