Peerless Immortal Emperor in City

Chapter 769 769: In Dragon Mist Mountain

When the Songs encountered a crisis, Qin Heng had already used the Spirit Realm's travel method to head towards Dragon Mist Mountain.

Yu State is mountainous; even the entire city is built on the mountains, earning it the beautiful moniker "Mountain City." The city is the mountain, and the mountain is the city. The two are almost fused, becoming an indivisible whole.

Dragon Mist Mountain, one of Yu State's many mountains, is steep and perilous, shrouded in fog year-round. Sometimes, one can witness the clouds and mist churning as if stirred by a Divine Dragon, which is how it earned the name "Dragon Mist Mountain."

According to ancient legends of the Mountain City, a dragon truly fell onto this mountain. It recuperated from its injuries here, gathering Heavenly Essence and turning the entire mountain into a blessed land.

Therefore, Dragon Mist Mountain is rich in medicinal herbs and is seen by many herb gatherers as a sacred place for collecting them. Its slopes teem with countless precious ingredients, some even considered treasures of heaven and earth. All medicinal herbs from Dragon Mist Mountain are highly valuable.

However, due to Dragon Mist Mountain's thick fog and extremely dangerous terrain, few herb gatherers venture there—only those who are truly desperate or in dire need of money. The mountain is simply too dangerous. Even the most experienced herb gatherers could fall into a ravine, leaving no trace of their bodies.

Yun Xianghong was well aware of this. Yet, she still came to Dragon Mist Mountain to gather a particular herb to treat her master's injuries. She possessed a certain confidence, for she was no ordinary person but a Martial Artist.

At only nineteen, she was already a Half-Step Transcendence expert from the Xianxia Sect, one of Yu State's five great factions. In this End of Dharma Age, she was undoubtedly considered a top-tier talent.

After all, while the Xianxia Sect had been formidable in ancient times, its scope was limited; it was merely a sect founded by a Semi-Saint. Its Cultivation Techniques had become incomplete over time. Two to three hundred years had passed since anyone had reached the Innate Realm, and the current Sect Leader was only at the Transcendence Realm. The sect was now in decline.

Of course, it still held power in the secular world, but in the hidden Martial Dao circles, it was losing significance. Even its prestigious title as one of Yu State's five major factions was at risk of being snatched away.

Her master had been severely injured due to this very issue and needed a specific herb from Dragon Mist Mountain to have any hope of recovery.

Heaven rewards the diligent. After searching for two full days, Yun Xianghong finally found the spiritual herb she needed: Gold Conversion Grass. It was the main ingredient for crafting the healing Spiritual Medicine, Gold Conversion Powder—precisely what her master required.

Now, she only needed to leave Dragon Mist Mountain, return to the Xianxia Sect, hand the Gold Conversion Grass to the sect's apothecary to be crafted into Gold Conversion Powder, and then give the medicine to her master. This would cure his injuries and help the Xianxia Sect overcome its current tribulation.

However, as she was leaving Dragon Mist Mountain, she encountered a crisis.

"What—what is this!?" Yun Xianghong stared in terror at the monster that had suddenly appeared before her. She retreated continuously, her beautiful face paling as her entire body began to tremble.

It was a white monster, three meters tall and about seven to eight meters long. Shaped like an enlarged horse, it had no fur; instead, its skin possessed a lustrous shine, like an amphibian's. Its limbs were not hooves but bird-like claws.

The most striking part was its head: a neck over a meter long, topped with a human face. Its features, fierce and frightening, were split into black and white—a true monstrosity!

Yun Xianghong's Half-Step Transcendence Martial Dao cultivation was utterly useless against this terrifying monster. She was immediately overwhelmed by its aura, unable to muster even the slightest thought of resistance.

As the monster moved, wind and clouds surged. It pulled the mists of Dragon Mist Mountain along with it, causing fluctuations in the Heavenly Essence. Clearly, it was at a level where it could merge internal and external forces and command the power of heaven and earth.

"An Innate-level monster! Is this an Innate-level monster!?" Yun Xianghong exclaimed, her eyes filled with horror.

Although she had never seen a true Innate powerhouse, she had read about the characteristics of Innate Grandmasters in the sect's archives. She quickly discerned the monster's level, and her heart grew even more fearful.

Innate! This is indeed Innate! An Innate Grandmaster, the likes of which the Xianxia Sect hasn't seen in three hundred years! One who has broken through the Heavenly Gate and begun the transcendent journey to sainthood—an Innate Grandmaster!

Such a being was simply incomparable to ordinary mortals.

Even a Grandmaster of Transcendence, or a Half-Step Innate expert, would be no match for a true Innate being—they would be as insignificant as ants. How could I, a mere Half-Step Transcendence cultivator, compare?

The 'number one talent of Yu State's five major sects in a hundred years,' 'Fairy Xianghong,' the 'one with potential to become the first Innate in three hundred years'—in front of a true powerhouse, none of these titles meant anything!

I'm doomed... Yun Xianghong closed her eyes, completely devoid of hope. Facing an Innate-level monster, death was certain; there was no chance of escape.

The Innate Realm! Commanding Heavenly Essence, riding the clouds into the clear sky—creatures at this level can undoubtedly fly. Escape is impossible!

I'm sorry, Master! I'm sorry, my fellow disciples, and the Xianxia Sect! Deep in her heart, Yun Xianghong felt fear, but even more so, remorse.

The fate of the entire Xianxia Sect had rested on her shoulders during this trip to Dragon Mist Mountain. Everyone hoped she would bring back the Spiritual Medicine to heal the Sect Leader, but now, she would not be returning.

ROAR! ROAR! ROAR! The grotesque monster bellowed.

Its roar stirred the clouds and fog, dispersing the thick surrounding mist. Its eyes fixated on Yun Xianghong, who lay collapsed on the ground, drool dripping from its mouth as if it were gazing upon a delectable feast.

ROAR!

The beast opened its massive jaws and lunged at Yun Xianghong, intending to swallow the beautiful young woman in one gulp. It was clearly an unthinking creature, devoid of intelligence.

I'm sorry, everyone! Yun Xianghong squeezed her eyes shut, tears flowing uncontrollably. She braced her hands on the ground, her delicate body tensing as she awaited death's arrival.

BOOM!

Suddenly, a loud noise erupted. It sounded as if something had been flung away, crashing through trees, followed by a series of thuds. Then, the ground trembled as if a heavy object had landed.

I—I'm not dead!? Yun Xianghong hadn't felt the anticipated pain. Combined with the sounds she had just heard, a glimmer of hope ignited in her heart, and she slowly opened her eyes.

When her eyes opened, she saw a ray of light slicing through the darkness. Then, she clearly saw the scene before her, leaving her dumbfounded, an expression of utter disbelief on her face.

That terrifying Innate-level monster now lay in the forest over a hundred meters away. In front of it were numerous broken trees; it looked as if it had been directly sent flying!

Heavens! Sent flying!? How could this be possible? That was an Innate-level monster!

Yun Xianghong was incredibly shocked. Her gaze slowly shifted to the figure in front of her. She saw a tall, upright silhouette with long legs, robes fluttering in the mountain breeze. The figure was retracting a raised arm.

It's him! Was it he who sent that Innate-level monster flying? So strong! Such awe-inspiring and overwhelming might!

In that moment, Yun Xianghong was nearly intoxicated by the sight of his back. Merely looking at it made her feel as if a Heavenly God had descended. She mustered her courage and asked, "Thank you. May I ask who you are...?"