Chapter 1104
Searching for the Immortal Mountain
Just as he was about to continue his journey, a gust of wind whipped up a cloud of sand. Shi Ji hurriedly covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve, his eyes darting around, searching for shelter from the wind. Suddenly, a deep voice rang in his ears: "Young man, are you here to find the Immortal Mountain?"
Shi Ji turned around and saw an old man in a cloak standing not far away, his eyes deep and thoughtful. He nodded and replied, "Indeed, sir. Do you know anything?"
The old man smiled slightly and pointed into the distance, saying, "The clue to the immortal mountain is hidden deep in this desert. But to find it, you must endure the desert's trials."
After hearing this, Shi Ji said firmly, "No matter what kind of test I face, I will face it."
During their arduous journey through the desert, Shiji frequently interacted with the old man. The old man often told her legends about the sacred mountain and strange tales of the desert. Shiji not only learned many survival skills from the old man, but also became even more determined in her belief in finding the sacred mountain.
One evening, as the last rays of the setting sun bathed the desert, Shi Ji finally discovered the ancient stone tablet amidst the ruins. He excitedly stroked the inscription on the tablet and softly read aloud: "After crossing the desert, on the night of the full moon, follow the guidance of the North Star..."
"This is the secret path to the immortal mountain," the old man's voice rang in Shi Ji's ears once more.
Shi Ji turned around and saw the old man standing not far away, smiling at him. He said with emotion, "Thanks to the old man's guidance, I was able to find this clue."
The old man shook his head and said, "All of this is the result of your fate and hard work. Go, young man, go and pursue your dreams."
On a night of full moon, Shi Ji stood high in the desert, gazing at the North Star. As time passed, a faint path of light appeared in the desert. He followed the light, his heart filled with anticipation and excitement.
Finally, deep in the desert, he discovered the ancient teleportation array. Shi Ji stood in the center of the array, took a deep breath, and activated it according to the instructions on the stone tablet.
After a dazzling flash of light, he arrived at an unfamiliar valley. Here, lush greenery abounded, birds sang, and flowers bloomed—a stark contrast to the desert he had just left. Shi Ji looked around, overwhelmed with emotion: "I have finally found the entrance to the immortal mountain. It was all worth it."
Shi Ji was immersed in the joy of finding the entrance to the fairy mountain. He walked slowly along the valley path, admiring the beautiful scenery around him. Suddenly, he noticed a strangely shaped stone by the roadside. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that it was not a stone at all, but an ancient jade pendant.
He bent down and picked up the jade pendant. It was semi-circular, entirely emerald green, and carved with exquisite cloud patterns. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, clearly an extraordinary object. Shi Ji turned the jade pendant over and over, his heart filled with curiosity about its origin.
“This jade pendant appears to be an antique,” a gentle voice said.
Shi Ji looked up and recognized the old man as the one she had met in the desert. She exclaimed with delight, "Sir, you've come here too?"
The old man smiled and nodded: "I have been following your journey. This jade pendant is your destined treasure. It has extraordinary power and can protect you in this sacred mountain."
Upon hearing this, Shi Ji felt a sense of awe and respectfully asked, "May I ask, sir, what is the origin of this jade pendant?"
The old man slowly said, "This jade pendant is a relic of an ancient immortal from the sacred mountain. It contains a portion of the immortal's magical power, which can ward off evil and guide you onto the right path. Since you were able to find it, it means you are destined to have this jade pendant."
Shi Ji gripped the jade pendant tightly, feeling the mysterious power it contained, and her heart was filled with gratitude. However, at that moment, a dark shadow suddenly darted out from the woods and rushed towards Shi Ji with lightning speed.
"Boy, hand over the jade pendant!" the dark figure shouted, striking Shi Ji with a palm.
Shi Ji reacted quickly, dodging the palm strike and simultaneously recognizing the dark figure—a man dressed in black with a ferocious expression. He immediately realized that the jade pendant was clearly more important than he had imagined, having attracted a robber.
"You won't get the jade pendant!" Shi Ji gripped the jade pendant tightly, nimbly dodging the attacks of the man in black.
Seeing that his attack had missed, the man in black sneered, "Kid, it seems you have some skill. But do you think you can keep the jade pendant with just this?"
Shi Ji remained silent, secretly plotting his escape. He glanced at the jade pendant in his hand, feeling a warm power emanating from it. Just as the man in black lunged again, Shi Ji suddenly pressed the jade pendant to his chest, and it emitted a dazzling light that enveloped his entire body.
The man in black was blinded by the sudden bright light and roared, "What trick are you playing!"
Taking advantage of the moment, Shi Ji used the power of the jade pendant to swiftly retreat, increasing the distance between herself and the man in black. She felt the power emanating from the jade pendant not only protecting her but also enhancing her speed and reaction time. Shi Ji was overjoyed, knowing that the jade pendant was helping her.
But the man in black quickly adapted to the light and pounced again, faster than before. Shi Ji knew she could no longer run away; she had to face him head-on. She concentrated all her strength, her eyes flashing with unwavering resolve.
"Drink!" Shi Ji shouted, leaping up and using the power of the jade pendant to strike the man in black with a palm. The palm wind howled, carrying a strong spiritual force, heading straight for the man in black's chest.
The man in black was taken aback, never expecting Shi Ji to unleash such power. He hurriedly dodged to the side, but was still struck by Shi Ji's palm strike, losing his balance and staggering backward.
Pressing her advantage, Shi Ji launched another fierce attack. The man in black knew he had underestimated his opponent. Gritting his teeth, he suddenly produced a black dagger, its blade flashing coldly, and thrust it straight at Shi Ji.
Shi Ji's eyes narrowed, and she swiftly dodged, but the blade still grazed her arm, drawing blood. She dared not be careless, keeping a close watch on the black-clad man's every move.
The two exchanged blows, their battle growing increasingly fierce. Trees around them fell under the influence of their spiritual energy fluctuations, and the ground was riddled with craters. Although injured, Shi Ji's fighting prowess, aided by the power of the jade pendant, far surpassed his usual strength, and he gradually gained the upper hand.
Seeing that his attack was unsuccessful, the man in black decided to retreat. He snorted coldly, swung his sword, used the force to back away, and turned to flee. Shi Ji dared not give chase, knowing that protecting the jade pendant was the most important thing at this moment. "Consider yourself lucky today, but we'll meet again!" The man in black's voice drifted back from afar, filled with resentment and hatred.
Shi Ji continued onward, the scenery in the valley becoming increasingly mysterious. The surrounding vegetation grew more lush, a faint floral fragrance filled the air, and the chirping of unknown birds filled the air, making it feel like a paradise on earth. Shi Ji walked cautiously along the valley path, her eyes scanning her surroundings warily, in case she encountered another sudden attack.
Suddenly, he saw an ancient stone bridge not far ahead, with a clear stream flowing beneath it. The bridge was covered with ancient runes, shimmering with a faint golden light, as if it contained some kind of mysterious power. Intrigued, Shi Ji slowly stepped onto the bridge, feeling it tremble slightly beneath his feet, as if welcoming his arrival.
As he reached the center of the bridge, the runes suddenly shone brightly, and a dazzling beam of light shot straight into the sky. Shi Ji felt a powerful spiritual force emanating from the bridge, and his own spiritual energy surged accordingly. He felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that this stone bridge was no ordinary object and was likely the key to the immortal mountain.
Suddenly, an aged voice rang in his ears: "Young cultivator, welcome to the Guardian Bridge of the Immortal Mountain. Only those with sincere hearts and unwavering resolve can cross this bridge and enter the core area of the Immortal Mountain. Are you ready?"
Shi Ji nodded firmly and replied, "Senior, I am ready. No matter how great the challenge, I am willing to face it."
The voice chuckled slightly: "Very well, then accept my test."
Before he finished speaking, the runes on the stone bridge began to rotate, forming a huge halo that enveloped Shi Ji. He felt an immense pressure coming from all directions, almost suffocating him. But he did not back down. He stood firmly on the bridge, silently reciting his cultivation techniques, trying his best to resist the pressure.
Within the halo, Shi Ji saw a series of illusions. He saw his journey on the path of cultivation, from his initial ignorance upon entering the cultivation world to his courage and fearlessness in the face of powerful enemies time and time again. Every bit of perseverance and effort transformed into boundless power at this moment, supporting him through the trials.
"Only with sincerity and unwavering resolve can one achieve success." The aged voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of relief.
Shi Ji felt the pressure gradually lessen, and the runic aura slowly dissipated. He gasped for breath, but his heart was filled with immense sense of accomplishment. He knew that this trial was not only a test of his body, but also a tempering of his soul.
Shi Ji walked step by step toward the immortal mountain, his heart filled with anticipation and hope. However, he did not notice the faint, exotic fragrance that permeated the surrounding air. As he ventured deeper into the immortal mountain, the fragrance grew stronger and stronger.
Suddenly, Shi Ji felt dizzy and his body began to feel heavy. He struggled to support himself, leaning against a large tree, trying to use his spiritual power to dispel the strange sensations within him. However, the strange fragrance seemed to possess some peculiar power, rapidly eroding his mind and spiritual energy.
"What's going on?" Shi Ji was startled. He suppressed his discomfort and looked around, trying to find the source of the fragrance. Just then, he heard light footsteps coming from not far away.
Shi Ji turned his head alertly and saw a woman in a magnificent robe slowly walking towards him. She had exquisite features and an elegant demeanor, and was holding a delicate jade fan in her hand, smiling at him.
"Who are you?" Shi Ji asked, fighting off her dizziness, looking at the woman warily.
The woman smiled slightly, her voice as melodious as a clear spring: "Young brother, there's no need to be so nervous. My name is Qingyao, and I am one of the guardians of this immortal mountain. You have been poisoned by 'Bewitching Incense,' and if you don't get an antidote in time, it may seriously affect your cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Shi Ji's heart skipped a beat: "Why would you poison me?"
Qingyao gently shook her head, her smile still on her face, but a hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes: "It's not specifically targeting you. This bewitching incense is a defense mechanism I set up to prevent unauthorized people from entering the immortal mountain. You went deep into this place without notification, so it was naturally triggered."
Shi Ji's heart sank. He hadn't informed anyone or sought permission beforehand; his actions stemmed solely from curiosity and a desire for adventure regarding the sacred mountain. He tried to remain calm, his voice slightly hoarse as he asked, "Then... how can I detoxify?"
Qingyao slowly approached, gently waving her jade fan, and a faint fragrance wafted out: "The method to detoxify is very simple, but it requires your complete trust in me."
When the old village chief heard about Shiji's ordeal, he sighed and said, "This sacred mountain has been the subject of many legends since ancient times, but few have ever returned alive. It is truly remarkable that you were able to emerge from the mountain unharmed."
Shi Ji nodded, resonating with the old village chief's words. He vaguely sensed that there were many more unknown secrets waiting for him to explore deep within the sacred mountain.
"Old village chief, have you ever heard of the ancient secrets of the sacred mountain?" Shi Ji asked tentatively.
The old village chief pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "It is said that there is an ancient ruin hidden in the immortal mountain, a treasure left behind by cultivators from ancient times. The ruin contains powerful magical artifacts and endless spiritual herbs, but it is also guarded by extremely dangerous guardians. Many years ago, a powerful cultivator entered that ruin, but he never came out again."
Upon hearing this, Shi Ji became even more determined to uncover the secrets of the immortal mountain. He knew he needed to become stronger to face the dangers that lay ahead. He decided to stay in the village to recuperate and gather more information about the immortal mountain.
In the village, Shiji met a girl named Linglong. Linglong was intelligent and quick-witted, and quite knowledgeable about the legends of the fairy mountain. She told Shiji that the bewitching incense in the fairy mountain was not naturally formed, but rather a trap deliberately set by someone.
"Linglong, do you know who laid the bewitching incense?" Shiji asked curiously.
Linglong shook her head: "I don't know either. I only know that the bewitching incense is deadly to ordinary people, but you are able to resist it, which means that you have some kind of special power in your body."
Shi Ji's heart stirred. He recalled the special cultivation technique he practiced and the secret Qing Yao had mentioned. He vaguely sensed that all of this seemed to be connected in some way.
To uncover the truth, Shiji decides to venture deep into the Immortal Mountain with Linglong to re-examine the ancient ruins. They prepare ample supplies and weapons and embark on their journey back to the Immortal Mountain.
Along the way, Shiji and Linglong encountered various obstacles, but with their wisdom and courage, they overcame each crisis. When they finally arrived at the location of the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum again, Shiji sensed a powerful aura approaching them. (End of Chapter)