Yun Ran immediately poked the Ginsengfruit on the head, "You’re the bumpkin here. This is what people call a local bigwig. Haven’t you heard the saying, ’a mighty dragon cannot crush a snake in its old haunts’?"
Fortunately, both of their voices were low, so Fang Yu and the others didn’t hear and continued enthusiastically leading the way for Yun Ran and her companions.
"Temple Master Yun, this restaurant is well-established, the food is excellent, and behind the restaurant, there’s a club specifically for resting..."
Once inside the restaurant, Yun Ran realized that Fang Yu and the others were indeed extravagant.
They had booked the entire place just to host them; it wasn’t merely a restaurant but a comprehensive leisure venue.
Such places usually have good business, but just to receive them, they shut the doors to other guests.
This was enough to prove Fang Yu’s complete sincerity in welcoming them.
After eating and drinking to their fill, Fang Yu glanced at Xin Fu, then at Yun Ran.
Only then did he cautiously inquire, "Temple Master Yun, Brother Xin, is there something important that brings you to Licheng this time?"
Xin Fu achieved a good ranking in the Xuanmen Competition, which, to the Mystical Sect families in Kyoto Sea City, was just a promising talent worth nurturing.
But in a somewhat remote place like Licheng, someone who ranks in the Xuanmen Competition is a ’Noble’ worthy to befriend.
Upon Xin Fu’s arrival, Fang Yu immediately reported to the elders of his Sect.
The elders were quite supportive, granting him the highest authority to receive Xin Fu and his group with top specifications.
If they weren’t afraid of being too eager and causing annoyance, the old folks in the Sihui Sect would love to personally come and make friends with Xin Fu.
Xin Fu looked at Yun Ran and nodded before he frankly said, "It’s , our temple master took on the task from Death Mountain, so we’re passing through here, hoping to learn about the situation there from you."
Death Mountain carries many legends; outsiders, after all, cannot be as familiar as these locals.
Fang Yu originally thought Xin Fu and his group were here for training or other matters.
To his surprise, they were tasked with Death Mountain, which changed his expression instantly.
Others might not know, but how could they, who live near Death Mountain, not know? It’s not just dangerous; it’s deadly.
Before, many of their elders from the Sihui Sect were killed there.
At that time, the Special Administration Bureau’s relevant regulations were not so well-established, and Sihui Sect bore most of the guarding duties, suffering significant casualties due to limited ability.
Nowadays, the dangers around Death Mountain have been temporarily settled by the bigwigs from the Special Administration Bureau, leaving Sihui Sect mainly responsible for monitoring and warning.
Yet, even so, just mentioning Death Mountain makes everyone fearful.
Fang Yu looked at Xin Fu with a slightly pained expression, "Brother Xin, I treat you as one of us. If possible, you guys should cancel this task." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelFirｅ.net
Others chimed in, "Yeah, Death Mountain is no good place. My uncle is one of the outer perimeter guards. That place is really sinister!"
"I’ve heard of this task before, some years ago; people went there but ended up not finding anyone."
Even the locals dare not venture too deep, let alone enter to find someone.
The outsiders, where do they get such courage?
Fang Yu then turned his gaze to Yun Ran, "Temple Master Yun, it’s really dangerous over there."
From Xin Fu’s earlier words and expressions, he already realized that Yun Ran was the one leading this task.
Although he wasn’t sure how powerful Yun Ran was or what noble status she held, Fang Yu still wished to persuade Yun Ran to turn back.
He didn’t want someone so young to lose their life in such a place, it wouldn’t be worthwhile.
Then, Yun Ran snapped her fingers lightly, and the scene before Fang Yu instantly changed. The large banquet hall turned into a vast expanse of whiteness, a bone-chilling cold overcame him.
Before he could discern what had happened, the scene changed again, transforming from icy white to a sea of flames...
With another snap, the previous ever-changing scene in front of Fang Yu returned to the original private room’s appearance.
But Fang Yu clearly saw the thin layer of ice on his left hand and the scorch mark on the sleeve of his right hand, seemingly burned by a Fire Tongue.
Yun Ran smiled faintly at him, "If I weren’t confident enough, how would I dare go to Death Mountain? I’m not tired of living, seeking death~"
At this moment, Fang Yu felt his throat tighten. Had Yun Ran harbored even the slightest malice towards him earlier, he wouldn’t have known how he died.
He had once seen those bigwigs from the Special Administration Bureau with the elders from his Sect.
But now, Fang Yu had a feeling those bigwigs would’ve had to be respectful in front of this Lady Yun.
Those among them with average talents in Mystical Sect, their entire life’s future can be seen at a glance.
Those slightly smarter, skilled in ways to ingratiate, might cling to a Noble’s leg.
But Nobles don’t come by easily, and even when they do, the opportunity isn’t necessarily theirs to seize.
"Temple Master Yun... I am willing to be your pathfinder!"
Previously intent on persuading Yun Ran to abandon the idea of going to Death Mountain, Fang Yu instantly changed his mind after witnessing Yun Ran’s small display of ability.
She had the Little Paperman. Why would she need a pathfinder?
The other few, being smart, quickly thought through after hearing Fang Yu’s words.
"Temple Master Yun, I’ve often patrolled around Death Mountain with my uncle. I’m familiar with the area; with us guiding, it would be twice the result with half the effort."
"That’s right. The weather there changes unpredictably, and reading weather is my specialty..."
Everyone was doing their best to highlight their advantages, even if such advantages were trivial to Yun Ran.
At this moment, Xin Fu had the most complex expression; he initially just wanted these local friends to provide a little help.
Now, these guys all seemed eager to take over his job.
Especially seeing them eagerly volunteering to go to Death Mountain, if outsiders knew, they wouldn’t believe their eyes.
Xin Fu quickly interjected, "Uh, everyone, let’s all quiet down for a moment. Death Mountain is extremely dangerous..."
Before he could finish, Fang Yu quickly interrupted, "Brother Xin, precisely because it’s dangerous, we should join. The more people, the more power!"
Those in the Mystical Sect, unless they’re completely unambitious, when isn’t there any danger?"