I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Chapter 1109 410: Peach Blossom Tribulation! The Daoist Venerable and Disciple Are About to Collide! (Part 2)

The entire mountain peak presents a deep indigo color, with rock layers as steep as if cut by knives and axes, standing tall as if they lead directly to the heavens.

Over a hundred pavilions are built against the mountain, layered and endless, with upturned eaves piercing through the flowing clouds. The concealed 螭吻 lurking in the mist adds a touch of grandeur!

Right in the center is a massive mountain gate built from white stone, with a character "武" carved on the ten-zhang-high lintel.

The strokes are as if drawn by silver hooks and iron paint, penetrating three inches into the stone.

Even with Chen Mo's current cultivation, staring at it for a long time made his eyes feel slightly painful.

Swoosh—

A sound of something breaking through the air was heard, and a man in a green martial robe leaped over.

He landed in front of Chen Mo, looked him up and down, clasped his hands, and said, "I am Chai Haochuan, an inner sect steward of Martial Saint Mountain. May I ask the purpose of your visit?"

Being able to open the mountain gate was enough to indicate that the other party had an extraordinary identity.

Moreover, although the person in front of him looked young, his aura was restrained, so much so that it was impossible to discern his background, making it difficult to underestimate him.

"I am Chen Mo, here to find someone..." Chen Mo clasped his hands in return.

"Find someone?"

Seeing the bronze compass in his hand, Chai Haochuan's pupils slightly contracted.

This was a token only imparted by the sect leader!

Could it be that the sect leader, having taken a liking to a talent again, took in another student outside?

"So it's Brother Chen." Chai Haochuan's expression became even more respectful, extending his hand, "Please follow me."

"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Mo slightly nodded.

Inwardly thinking, this person keeps calling me brother, quite politely, it seems not everyone in Martial Saint Mountain is like Zi Lianji who likes to show off.

The two of them entered the mountain gate, and as the mist spread out, it obscured the scene inside, returning the whole mountain peak to its ordinary appearance.

About half an incense stick of time later.

Above the clouds, the void trembled, and two figures suddenly appeared.

One wore a bright red daoist robe with golden cloud patterns embroidered at the hem, and her black hair was casually tied with a silk ribbon. Her face was fair and translucent, with slightly upturned willow-leaf eyes carrying a mix of coldness, allure, and charm.

Beside her was a woman in a moon-white daoist robe, cross-collared and neatly arranged, fastened with a sheep jade hairpin. Her gestures exuded an ephemeral and transcendent aura, resembling a fairy untouched by the mortal world.

"Master, why did you bring me all the way from the Capital City to here?" Ling Ningzhi asked with a face full of confusion.

"Recently, there have been frequent anomalies in Qing Province, likely due to a secret realm about to open, and its scale is expected to be significant." Ji Hongxiu said lazily, "I've calculated that the opportunity to extend Ling Yishan's life might also lie within it..."

"Really?!" Ling Ningzhi's eyes lit up.

Before going to the Southern Border, Chen Mo also told her that in a few days, a Taoist Collection would emerge in Qing Province, urging her to prepare in advance...

It seems like it's quite likely now!

"However, opportunities are often accompanied by risks, and there are too many forces concerned this time. What the situation inside will be is hard to say, so it's best to find an ally in advance."

"Coincidentally, Huo Wuya sent a message yesterday wanting to discuss this matter with me, so I brought you along."

At this point, Ji Hongxiu paused slightly, her eyes flickering, and asked, "Are you sure Chen Mo will come to find you then?"

"Yes, we've already arranged it." Ling Ningzhi nodded, "Once Mr. Chen finishes his official duties, he'll send a message to me, and we will meet in Qing Province."

"Hmm, I thought about it, and I just can't feel at ease, so I'll accompany you to Qing Province then." Ji Hongxiu said earnestly.

"Thank you, Master, you're really good to me~" Ling Ningzhi smiled brilliantly as she wrapped her arms around her.

"It's merely a small effort, something a master should do..."

Ji Hongxiu's eyes flickered, and she laughed with guilt.

Ever since Chen Mo entered the Dao, she hasn't dared to face her beloved disciple.

It's because the Dao Pattern is about to take effect, and after waiting and waiting without seeing Chen Mo coming to her, she couldn't hold back any longer and secretly slipped into the Capital City.

But she found out that Chen Mo went to the Southern Border on a case, not knowing when he'd return.

If she continued to stay in the Capital City waiting for him, she might get caught by Yu Youhan, but she didn't want to miss the opportunity to meet Chen Mo, so she found an excuse to bring Ling Ningzhi out...

"The last meeting was the previous one, and the World Gate's cooldown period is long over. Is the Southern Border so busy that he doesn't even have time to send a message? He couldn't have forgotten about me, could he?"

"When I see that guy, I must give him a good interrogation!"

Ji Hongxiu muttered to herself.

"Master, Master?"

Ling Ningzhi called out twice, puzzled, "What are you thinking about, so absorbed?"

"Nothing, nothing." Ji Hongxiu snapped out of it, clearing her throat, "Ahem, let's go."

"Alright." Ling Ningzhi responded.

The two of them leapt downwards.

...

...

Chen Mo and Chai Haochuan climbed up the stone steps together, with sect disciples carrying swords occasionally passing by.

On either side of the mountain path were various exotic flowers and herbs, each one a rare spiritual material outside.

Not far away was an open space fenced in, inside were various alien beasts, including a unicorned stallion and a winged monkey... all appearing quite mystical.

Noticing Chen Mo's curious gaze, Chai Haochuan explained, "The Qingyan Mountain Range is abundant in spiritual energy, especially near Lingxiao Peak. These wild beasts, infused with Daoist Charm, breathe and absorb night and day, making them prone to mutation."

"I see."

Chen Mo understood, "So locking them in cages is to prevent them from harming people?"

"Not at all." Chai Haochuan shook his head, "It's to prevent people from harming them."

"Hmm?" Chen Mo was puzzled.

Chai Haochuan elaborated, "Brother Chen might not know, our Martial Saint Sect has a direct disciple of the sect leader, with an appetite like a bottomless pit, eats so much that the sect's meals couldn't suffice, so she began catching in the forest. Over time, she nearly drove the mountain's alien beasts to extinction."

"The sect leader had no choice but to send her down the mountain to train and take a break at home."

"She's returned recently, so the sect leader had a fence built overnight with an array to protect these alien beasts from further harm... Look, there's even a sign saying 'Do Not Eat'."

"..."

Martial Fool, Do Not Eat...

So that's how her nickname 'Martial Fool' came to be?

Chen Mo's lips twitched, "Wouldn't this person happen to be surnamed Shen?"

Chai Haochuan was taken aback, "Brother Chen knows Senior Sister Shen too?"

"Yes, I came specifically to see her," Chen Mo nodded.

"I see." Chai Haochuan realized, "No wonder Senior Sister Shen has often lingered at the mountain gate lately, always asking me if someone came looking for her."

Chen Mo was momentarily speechless.

He had once promised Zhixia that he would visit her whenever he had time.

But so many things happened during this period, and a few months had passed in a blink...

The stone steps seemed to be fortified with an array, making the climb effortless without activating True Yuan, each step seemed to glide several meters. It didn't take long for the two to reach the mountain peak.

Amidst the vast ocean of clouds, three peaks loomed faintly, connected by bridges spanning the skies.

"Martial Saint Mountain has four main peaks: Lingxiao, Qiyun, Lieqiong, and Luoxing," Chai Haochuan said, "At this hour, Senior Sister Shen should be at Qiyun Peak listening to a lecture, let's go see."

The two stepped onto the bridge.

The Rainbow Bridge seemed like jade, diffusing a brilliant glow under the sunlight.

The moment his feet touched it, Chen Mo felt the compass in his hand heating up, radiating light that resonated with the Rainbow Bridge.

Suddenly, his vision blurred, and when he opened his eyes again, he was already on another peak.

Before him was a wide square paved with white stone. Looking around, a crowd of young men and women in martial robes filled the space, with mats on the ground fully occupied, and others simply sitting on the ground, attentively listening to an older man on the high platform.

The elder, with silver hair and a gaunt appearance, spoke with a soft voice that reached every ear clearly.

"Shock at three inches, Earthly Fiend rushes in, Central Chest Point resonates with thunder, Soldier Spirit reveals the aperture..."

Chai Haochuan whispered, "Every month, the four peaks' Peak Masters take turns teaching. Any sect disciple can attend, but how much they grasp is up to their own fortune..."

Chen Mo's gaze roved over the crowd, and sure enough, he found a familiar figure.

While others listened intently, Shen Zhixia was hiding at the back, biting into a piece of Osmanthus Sweet Cake, writing something.

Seeing this, he quietly moved closer...