Chapter 439: 378 Zhangg Team Up! Envy! [Vote for Monthly Ticket!]
"Mr. Huang, I only have a rudimentary understanding of Alchemy. Why would Daoist seek my assistance?"
Although Chen Jichuan felt tempted, he continued to maintain his composure.
He had no acquaintance with the Seven-fingered Daoist. This sudden visit could very well be a trap. Chen Jichuan prided himself on his Insight Skill to discern hearts and distinguish truth from falsehood, but against someone like the Seven-fingered Daoist, an Eleventh Tribulation Independent Immortal, such figures were rarely naive or harmless.
Being cautious was always wise.
"Daoist is being too modest."
"Thirty years ago, Daoist once passed by Ganlan Ridge under the alias ’Xiao Feng.’ The top sect of Ganlan Ridge, the vile Cloud God Sect, acted despicably. Upholding righteousness, Daoist slaughtered all Cloud God Sect’s Third-order cultivators, and even the sect’s top Independent Immortal, ’Three Rivers Ancestor,’ couldn’t escape."
"That Three Rivers Ancestor was a Fourth Tribulation Independent Immortal. For Daoist to slay him effortlessly, your strength is certainly no less than Eighth or Ninth Tribulation."
Seven-fingered Daoist spoke without reservation, his intense gaze fixed on Chen Jichuan.
Xiao Feng.
Huang Quan.
These were aliases Chen Jichuan used while roaming the Tu Continent.
’Xiao Feng’ was the name he adopted while in eastern Ganlan Ridge. When Cloud God Sect schemed against him with malicious intent, Chen Jichuan countered, killing every Third-order cultivator within the sect.
He left behind a resounding reputation.
After ransacking the sect’s mountain gate, he departed Ganlan Ridge.
Later, he reached Flat Peak Mountain under the alias ’Huang Quan.’
He changed his name, appearance, aura, and even cultivation level.
Yet somehow, he was still recognized.
As Chen Jichuan glanced at him, Seven-fingered Daoist chuckled, "Apologies, Daoist. I admit my actions are abrupt. However, Seven Mysterious Mountain is exceedingly rare, an ancient opportunity nearly impossible to encounter. Moreover, they are exceptionally perceptive; any stimulus immediately sends them fleeing. I am left with no choice but to brazenly visit and seek Daoist’s aid."
His tone was remarkably earnest.
For an Eleventh Tribulation Independent Immortal, Seven-fingered Daoist was lowering his stance considerably.
Besides, Chen Jichuan was indeed intrigued by both Seven Mysterious Mountain and the Seven Mysterious Flying Ants. Such a tremendous opportunity, if lost due to excessive caution, would be a pity.
"I have a long life."
"If I fail in one lifetime, I can try again in the next."
"This current lifetime, from its start to now, has only spanned one hundred thirty years."
"Even if misfortune leads to death, starting over isn’t such a big price to pay. But if there’s a harvest, the gain would be extraordinary."
Chen Jichuan naturally weighed the pros and cons.
He deliberated, feigning deep thought.
After a long while.
Finally, Chen Jichuan raised his head and said to Seven-fingered Daoist, "Daoist is too gracious for Huang to decline!"
"Excellent!"
Seven-fingered Daoist’s expression brightened, and he couldn’t help but clap his hands in delight.
...
[Spiritual Insect: Seven Mysterious Flying Ant]
[Level: Fourth-order]
[Description: Seven Mysterious Flying Ants enjoy consuming Spirit Stones and Spiritual Medicine, and collecting Magic Treasures. They exhibit in seven evolutionary stages corresponding to red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. Red ants are immensely strong and adept at size transformation; orange ants have keen perception, detecting scenes and sounds thousands of miles away; yellow ants are impervious to blades and bullets; green ants excel in fire manipulation, capable of spewing and consuming flames; cyan ants command all waters, swallowing rivers and seas; blue ants specialize in Illusion Techniques and stealth; purple ants dominate the red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, and blue ants, producing Seven Mysterious Flying Ant eggs. These ants evolve sequentially, reaching Fourth-order after forty-nine transformations.]
...
"Other than Daoist Huang, five others will be accompanying us on this trip."
"All are formidable figures near Flat Peak Mountain."
After convincing Chen Jichuan, Seven-fingered Daoist hurriedly gathered the other five individuals, introducing them to Chen Jichuan—
"This is the ’White Bone Venerable,’ who wields the ’White Bone Banner,’ best at concealing traces. With this banner, we can quietly approach Seven Mysterious Mountain."
"This is the ’Hundred Desires Wanderer,’ who possesses the ’Heartless Treasure Mirror,’ capable of breaking through countless Illusion Realms."
"This is the ’Sea Covering Demon Venerable,’ who holds the ’Sea Covering Pearl,’ capable of extinguishing all flames."
"This is the ’Great Strength Dharma King,’ who wields the ’Great Strength Divine Mallet,’ capable of shattering stars with tremendous might, moving mountains with ease."
"This is the ’Great Void Zen Master,’ who carries the ’Buddha Light Treasure Coin,’ capable of sealing all things."
Seven-fingered Daoist then introduced Chen Jichuan to the five: "This is Daoist Huang Quan, capable of splitting mountains with one step and freezing rivers with a single finger."
At Ganlan Ridge.
Chen Jichuan annihilated Cloud God Sect, slaying the Fourth Tribulation Independent Immortal Three Rivers Ancestor, utilizing both the ’Six Ding Mountain Opening Skill’ and ’Heavenly Yin True Qi.’
He cleaved open the entire mountain gate, drawing out underground currents that froze Cloud God Sect entirely.
The feat shook Ganlan Ridge.
Thus, Seven-fingered Daoist emphasized these abilities during the introduction.
"White Bone Venerable."
"Hundred Desires Wanderer."
"Sea Covering Demon Venerable."
"Great Strength Dharma King."
"Great Void Zen Master."
Chen Jichuan observed this group, his heart secretly astonished.
Among the five, he had heard of only two. The other three were unfamiliar, yet each was a Nine Tribulations Independent Immortal.
More importantly.
They each had unique traits and specific means to counter the Seven Mysterious Flying Ants.
To assemble such a team in a short time, Seven-fingered Daoist’s capability was no small feat.
"For seeking me out, it’s not just about my strength but also my Mountain Opening Skill and Ice Sealing Technique."
Seven Mysterious Mountain hosts cyan ants skilled in water manipulation.
Both the Mountain Opening Skill and Ice Sealing Technique could serve to counteract their powers.
Seven-fingered Daoist’s exact abilities remained uncertain. But his Eleventh Tribulation cultivation alone was enough.
"So it’s Daoist Huang Quan!"
"Wonderful! Now we have everyone! With the seven of us joining forces, how could that pesky Seven Mysterious Mountain resist?"
Sea Covering Demon Venerable said boisterously, his voice loud and rowdy.
"Seven-fingered Daoist."
"Since the team’s complete, shouldn’t we set off without delay?"
White Bone Venerable, donned in his skeletal Dharma Robe, nodded toward Chen Jichuan, then turned to Seven-fingered Daoist.
While traveling here, Chen Jichuan heard Seven-fingered Daoist mention that White Bone Daoist was the first ally he secured, and he had been waiting the longest.
"What do the others think?"
Seven-fingered Daoist asked, looking to Chen Jichuan and the other five.
"Agreed."
"Best not to waste time."
The group nodded in consensus.
They all understood, Seven Mysterious Mountain could flee at the slightest shock, making time of the essence.
"Excellent!"
"But before setting off, let me offer a word of caution—"
Seven-fingered Daoist swept his gaze across the group, his expression solemn: "The Seven Mysterious Flying Ants are highly sensitive. While White Bone Daoist’s ’White Bone Banner’ can hide our presence, others cannot. If anyone recklessly approaches Seven Mysterious Mountain, the ants will flee immediately. Should anyone ruin this endeavor, I hope no one begrudges me for taking merciless action!"
The value of Seven Mysterious Mountain couldn’t be overstated.
Seven-fingered Daoist was fortunate to discover it and painstakingly organize this team. If someone secretly tried to notify other allies, leading to the loss of Seven Mysterious Flying Ants’ treasures, Seven-fingered Daoist wouldn’t hesitate to take any measures.
"Understood."
"Rest assured, Daoist, we’re all aware."
Everyone responded in unison.
"Good."
"Let’s go."
Seven-fingered Daoist’s expression softened slightly as he led Chen Jichuan and the others away from Flat Peak Mountain.
...
Seven Mysterious Mountain was discovered by Seven-fingered Daoist.
Of the seven-person team, he alone knew its location; the others had no choice but to follow.
Just after departing Flat Peak Mountain, Seven-fingered Daoist requested White Bone Venerable to deploy the ’White Bone Banner.’
[Magic Treasure: White Bone Banner]
[Level: Fourth-order]
[Description: Also known as the ’White Bone Blinding Banner,’ it specializes in concealing traces, isolating all detection and sensing.]
...
"A Fourth-order Magical Treasure."
Chen Jichuan nodded inwardly.
In this life, Fourth-order Magical Treasures weren’t as rare as in his previous life.
Nine Tribulations Independent Immortals like White Bone Venerable possessing one Fourth-order treasure could be considered fortunate, but not surprising.
Moreover, this ’White Bone Banner’ was rather ordinary, ranking among the lowest within Fourth-order treasures.
Compared to the ’Inverted Eight Gates Immortal Suppression Banner’ and ’Five Thunders Hurricane Mother Car’ Chen Jichuan acquired in the Starry Sky World, it fell short.
However, wielded by a Nine Tribulations Independent Immortal, its power remained formidable.
Seven Mysterious Mountain housed orange ants with sensitive perception capable of detecting movement and intent miles away, especially malice or benevolence.
Without a treasure like the ’White Bone Banner’ masking their presence, the ants would sense their ill intent long before anyone reached the mountain, causing it to vanish entirely.
Concealing themselves and treading carefully.
Seven-fingered Daoist led the way, sometimes turning east, sometimes heading south.
Chen Jichuan and the others understood his motives. They were strangers brought together by circumstance, with little trust in each other—normal for figures of their status.
Their years of experience had made them exceptionally patient.
Following Seven-fingered Daoist’s erratic movements, they gradually distanced themselves from Flat Peak Mountain.
Forty-two days after setting out.
Seven-fingered Daoist’s expression shifted to seriousness as he lowered his voice, "We’ve arrived at Seven Mysterious Mountain."
...
"Arrived?"
Chen Jichuan’s curiosity surged but he restrained it, refraining from looking around or deploying the Insight Skill.
White Bone Venerable, Hundred Desires Wanderer, and the other five shared the same attitude.
Their curiosity was evident but equally suppressed.
Seven Mysterious Mountain was extremely sensitive; even a stray glance could startle the flying ants.
"Having come all this way, provoking them recklessly would be unwise."
Chen Jichuan kept his priorities straight.
In Seven-fingered Daoist’s hands, some time during the journey, he had taken out a copper mirror emitting seven-colored rays, pinpointing Seven Mysterious Mountain’s exact location.
[Magic Treasure: Insect Inquiry Mirror]
[Level: Fourth-order]
[Description: Can detect movements and positions of spiritual insects within a certain range.]
...
"Insect Inquiry Mirror."
Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but admire it.
Seven-fingered Daoist no doubt relied on this treasure to locate Seven Mysterious Mountain.
Moreover, it was evident the copper mirror could detect not only Seven Mysterious Flying Ants but other spiritual insects as well. If acquired, it would perfectly complement his own ’Purple Mansion Immortal Gourd,’ truly enhancing his abilities.
Yet regrettably—
"This treasure is not mine."
Chen Jichuan shook his head inwardly.
Meanwhile.
Unaware of Chen Jichuan’s envy, Seven-fingered Daoist displayed the mirror, pinpointed the mountain’s location for the group, then produced seven strands of silver silk, distributing six among the others while saying, "These are ’Nine Curves Soft Silk,’ adept in scaling sizes and proficient in sealing heaven and locking earth. Shortly, each of us will take a corner and cast the silk simultaneously. The collective cloud nets will form a single entity, briefly trapping Seven Mysterious Mountain, giving us the crucial window to shatter the mountain’s barriers and gain access. That will be the defining moment of success!"
The Seven Mysterious Flying Ants specialized in fleeing. Trapping them was paramount to secure enough time to breach the mountain.
"Nine Curves Soft Silk."
"Another Fourth-order treasure."
Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but marvel, "Seven-fingered Daoist has an astonishing collection of Fourth-order treasures."
...