The Qingcun Mountain stretches vast over tens of thousands of miles. Despite the thousands of cultivators entering the mountain, it was like a pebble tossed into the sea, barely stirring the faintest ripple.
As Zhang Yan’s group made their way toward Nine-Headed Peak, they at first spotted a few tunneling lights here and there. But after half a day’s journey, not a single shadow could be seen.
The Nine-Headed Peak was formed by nine towering and imposing cliffs, easily visible from afar. A high crown daoist chuckled as he remarked, "The Nine-Headed Mountain is counted by nines, and we happen to number nine ourselves. Is this not a sign that the fortune of the day rests with us?"
Upon hearing this, Bao Dingheng burst into hearty laughter and replied, "Daoist Gao, what an excellent observation."
The group flew at a swift pace and arrived at the mountain ridge by noon, finally alighting upon a high rock ledge.
At this moment, within their group, a hunchbacked elder with a weathered face walked a few paces atop the rocky outcrop. He glanced around, noting the green vines and wild grasses pushing through the gaps in the stone, and the occasional playful monkeys swinging leisurely on the dried mountain vines. He nodded with satisfaction and said, "This place will do nicely."
He removed the bundle from his back, pulled out a stone plate, and inserted a stick of incense onto it. With his gnarled hands, he cupped the incense once and released it; instantly, the incense was lit, giving off a straight plume of white smoke rising into the air.
The smoke appeared nearly tangible, unmoved even by gusts of mountain wind that swept by.
Since Zhang Yan had joined this group, he had been quietly observing this man.
From prior conversations with Bao Dingheng, Zhang Yan learned that the group referred to the elder as "Master Shi." Observing the elder’s use of a magic artifact for flying, Zhang Yan surmised that he was merely at the Ming Qi Cultivation level. Furthermore, his aura was murky and impure, indicating that he was not from one of the Great Xuanmen Sects. Yet, despite all this, the elder displayed no trace of timidity before the others.
What was even more peculiar was that, given his cultivation, the elder could not compare to a Xuan Guang Practitioner. Thus, he frequently had to pause during the journey to adjust his Qi Veins. Strangely, none of his companions objected to these delays. On the contrary, they seemed to subtly position themselves to shield him, as though he were someone of great importance.
Although Bao Dingheng led the group onward with purpose, he would immediately show a probing look of inquiry whenever the elder made any gesture or movement.
Now, seeing the elder’s current actions, Zhang Yan was certain: this elder must possess a secret technique to locate the One Qi Ganoderma!
No wonder Bao Dingheng had appeared so confident earlier. Even with the addition of two more companions to the group, he remained unfazed. Clearly, it was due to this elder’s presence.
Master Shi squinted at the stream of white smoke, occasionally nudging the stone plate beneath it and glancing at the sky from time to time.
An hour passed, yet no one in the group showed a trace of impatience or annoyance. Fang He, in particular, stared unblinkingly at the smoke, his fingers tapping incessantly on the back of his hand, a faint trace of anticipation in his expression.
Ke Xiu Jun, though uncertain of the smoke’s purpose, was a newcomer and junior among the group. As Bao Dingheng said nothing, she dared not ask but had a vague sense of the elder’s significance. She, too, fixed her gaze intently on the smoke.
Another hour went by when a sudden glint flashed in Shi Xiangong’s cloudy eyes. The white smoke began to exhibit subtle changes, as though being drawn by some unseen force, drifting slowly southward.
Fang He grew excited and rushed forward, asking, "Master Shi, is it..."
Master Shi cast him a calm glance and responded in a deep voice, "Do not rush. Wait a little longer."
Fang He hurriedly complied, "Yes, yes."
After another half-hour, the white smoke seemed to be abruptly tugged away, shifting rapidly toward the west. Master Shi’s expression lit up as he exclaimed excitedly, "We’ve found it! Such a massive concentration of Wood Spirit Qi—there must be no fewer than fifteen of these Medicine Mushrooms!"
At these words, everyone present displayed expressions of elation. Among them, Bao Dingheng remained the most composed. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the elder, asking, "May I ask Master Shi what our next course of action should be?" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt
Master Shi stroked his sparse white beard, pondering for a moment. He glanced again at the stream of white smoke and said, "Wait a little longer!"
The group exchanged uncertain looks. Fang He, in particular, seemed ready to speak but was cut short when Master Shi cast him another glance. Leisurely, Master Shi explained, "The Medicine Mushroom avoids sunlight, shrinks in the shade, and hides beneath the roots of trees. It only surfaces to absorb spiritual energy at the instant of dawn, when night and day exchange places. During this fleeting moment, it cannot retreat. Therefore, capturing it at this time is the most reliable. Otherwise—heh—do not think me underestimating you, fellow Daoists, but you may not even manage to catch a single one."
Bao Dingheng nodded approvingly and said, "We will follow Master Shi’s arrangements."
Hearing this, Zhang Yan silently committed it to memory. He was curious to see how effective the elder’s method would truly be.