Chapter 42

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Chapter 42: Black-Aura Giant Ape

Zhou Lanting initially couldn’t comprehend why Yi Qianmo was so intent on heading to Green Dragon Mountain, especially when it was bound to spell trouble. The mountain was already rife with strange occurrences, and having killed a disciple of the Xuanyuan Sect, Yi Qianmo was essentially walking into a death trap.

However, after spending a few days with the Yi family, Zhou Lanting began to understand. The weight of Yi Qianmo’s past thirteen years, coupled with the precarious state of the Yi family, painted a clearer picture.

“If I were you, I’d leave Green Cloud City immediately,” Zhou Lanting suggested. “Take Su Muyu to Tianyuan Academy. It’s the safest option.”

Three days later, after settling his family affairs, Yi Qianmo departed Green Cloud City. Zhou Lanting was the only one by his side, while Su Muyu had already gone ahead with others to Green Dragon Mountain.

Meanwhile, the strange happenings at the mountain grew more intense. By night, eerie lights could be seen from the city walls, glowing ominously from within the mountain’s depths.

“As long as you enter Tianyuan Academy, neither the Xuanyuan Sect nor your ex-wife will dare to harm the Yi family,” Zhou Lanting remarked as they traveled. “Dead men hold no value, Yi Qianmo.”

Yi Qianmo nodded thoughtfully, aware of the truth in those words. Having killed a disciple of the Xuanyuan Sect, he had made powerful enemies. His only hope of protection lay in Tianyuan Academy, where his potential and abilities would make him a valuable asset.

But he also knew the consequences of his death. The academy would never risk provoking the Xuanyuan Sect to avenge a fallen recruit.

“If I enter Green Dragon Mountain now, the Xuanyuan Sect will stop at nothing to kill me,” Yi Qianmo replied. “But if I survive and make them fear me, they’ll think twice before touching my family.”

Zhou Lanting was taken aback by Yi Qianmo’s foresight. “So, what’s your plan?”

“Simple,” Yi Qianmo said, his voice firm. “Anyone who stands in the way of my revenge will die, whether they’re from the Xuanyuan Sect or elsewhere. I’ll make them fear me, and that fear will protect my family.”

Zhou Lanting said nothing more, though a flicker of admiration for Yi Qianmo’s audacity shone in his eyes.

By midday, they had reached the heart of Green Dragon Mountain. Surprisingly, the area was eerily deserted, contrary to Zhou Lanting’s earlier warnings about crowds of immortal sect members.

“You’ve been here for a while,” Yi Qianmo said. “What do you make of the rumors about a legendary treasure?”

Zhou Lanting halted, her expression indifferent. “I don’t believe there’s any treasure. Even if there is, it’s not meant for us.”

“Then how do you explain the strange phenomena?” Yi Qianmo pressed, his curiosity piqued.

“It’s just a natural occurrence,” Zhou Lanting replied with a shrug. “Such phenomena aren’t unique to Green Dragon Mountain. They appear in many places, like rainbows after a storm.”

Yi Qianmo stroked his chin, pondering her words. “That cave of yours—did you create it yourself?”

“No,” Zhou Lanting admitted. “It was left by someone long ago. I found a fragment of an ancient Pill Skills scroll there, but it’s incomplete and not particularly useful. The Pill Furnace you saw is merely a medium-grade spirit tool, far from anything legendary.”

Yi Qianmo raised an eyebrow. “And that Maze Formation outside the cave?”

Zhou Lanting’s eyes narrowed as she studied him. “It wasn’t ordinary. How did you break it? Was it a technique passed down through your family?”

Yi Qianmo smirked but said nothing.

Before Zhou Lanting could press further, a distant sound of fierce combat broke the silence. Both of them tensed, their expressions growing wary.

“Let’s take another route,” Zhou Lanting suggested instinctively.

Yi Qianmo’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Why avoid them? Let’s see what’s happening!”

Ignoring Zhou Lanting’s warning, Yi Qianmo sprinted toward the commotion, leaving her no choice but to follow.

As they approached, they saw five monks in tattered robes locked in a fierce battle with a massive beast. The creature was a towering, black-furred giant ape radiating a sinister red aura. Standing over ten feet tall, it loomed like a living mountain.

The monks, despite their combined efforts, were struggling. The Black-Aura Giant Ape had the upper hand, and it was only a matter of time before the monks were overwhelmed.

“That’s a Black-Aura Giant Ape!” Zhou Lanting exclaimed, her voice filled with shock. “How is there a spirit beast in Green Dragon Mountain?”

Yi Qianmo narrowed his eyes, observing the scene carefully. Spirit beasts were exceedingly rare, typically found only in vast, uncharted wilderness. Unlike ordinary beasts, they possessed intelligence comparable to humans and thrived on heavenly treasures.

“You’ve never encountered this spirit beast before?” Yi Qianmo asked.

“No,” Zhou Lanting replied, shaking her head. “This ape must be at least a first-grade, third-level spirit beast, equivalent to the fifth level of the Qi Refining Stage. If I’d known about it, I’d have tried to kill it for its medicinal value.”

Yi Qianmo raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t the Tianlong Sect one of the four great sects? Shouldn’t their disciples be more capable?”

Zhou Lanting sneered. “They’re nothing but thieves. Let them suffer. We shouldn’t interfere.”

Even as she spoke, Yi Qianmo darted forward toward the battle, his excitement evident.

“Why can’t you just stay out of trouble?” Zhou Lanting muttered, reluctantly following him.