Chapter 491: Wenyan Ridge

The spirit beast flew straight ahead, cutting across the sky.

Three full days had passed since leaving Honghai City.

The direction of the Witch Soul Tomb was different from that of Wanguo City, lying on the other side of the alliance.

Here, the mountain ranges twisted and coiled like giant dragons lying on the ground, as if ready to soar into the sky at any moment.

Inside the house on the beast's back, Zhang Xuan stood by the window, his eyes slightly closed.

Over the past three days, he had thoroughly consolidated his strength at the peak of the Mortal Transcendence First Layer. At this moment, he was not cultivating but organizing the records about witch soul masters in his mind.

To determine the Soul-less Golden Man, Guild Leader Sai had once collected many books on witch soul masters. When Zhang Xuan had browsed them at the Appraisal Treasure Pavilion, he had stored them all in his mind but never had time to examine them closely. Now, he finally had the chance.

Correct!

He mentally called out, and dozens of books converged to form information without flaws.

Regarding the description of witch soul masters, all the books shared the same content... eerie, chilling to the bone.

They had a thorough understanding of souls, making them formidable.

After quickly flipping through the books, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

This profession's inheritance had been severed, leaving almost no records. What remained in the books were only fragments, with little practical substance.

After reading for a while, not only did he fail to understand, but he also became more confused.

Forget it, I'll take it step by step.

Knowing he wouldn't get anything useful, he sighed, opened his eyes, turned his head, and looked at Sun Qiang and Zhao Ya: "Come here!"

"Teacher!"

"Young Master!"

Everyone came over.

"If Master Zhang has instructions, do we need to excuse ourselves?" Knowing his solemn expression, Zhao Feiwu looked over.

Master-disciple inheritance involved many secrets, and usually, outsiders were not convenient to listen.

"No need, it's nothing major. I just want to remind them of some things to pay attention to after entering the Witch Soul Tomb." Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Oh? Things to pay attention to? Can we listen?" Zhao Feiwu, Guild Leader Sai, and the others' eyes lit up as they all looked over.

Who was this?

He was a master teacher who could expel soul-possessing entities, a five-star appraiser, and a grand formation master. Such a solemn instruction must be extremely important.

Perhaps after hearing it, they would benefit greatly and greatly increase their chances of survival in the Witch Soul Tomb.

"Of course!"

Ignoring the excited crowd, Zhang Xuan looked at his students and servants with a serious expression.

"When we reach the Witch Soul Tomb, all of you pay attention: if anyone gets possessed... don't rush to devour the soul. I still have questions to ask!"

If the soul that had possessed Luo Zhu earlier were still alive, he could have asked for useful information, and perhaps he wouldn't have to risk going to the Witch Soul Tomb.

The more he thought about it, the more regretful he felt, so this time he had to give a solemn instruction.

Otherwise, if he said it too late, these little brats and Sun Qiang would rush to kill the soul, and even if he wanted to ask, it would be too late.

"Yes!"

Zhao Ya and the others quickly nodded.

To prevent accidents, before coming, the teacher had placed a strand of true energy on each of them, so even if a soul rushed at them, they could resist and not be possessed.

"Mm, that's more like it. That's all. Go cultivate!"

After finishing, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Zhao Ya and the others nodded and dispersed again, sitting down quietly.

"That's it..."

Expecting some important instructions, they had watched eagerly, full of anticipation. Hearing this... Zhao Feiwu, Guild Leader Sai, and the others twitched their mouths, almost fainting.

Others going to the Witch Soul Tomb were nervous to death, afraid of problems, cautious and careful... This guy, on the other hand, didn't seem to be going to a dangerous place but rather taking his students on a picnic?

Otherwise, why would he so solemnly tell everyone to eat less so he could have a few bites...

"Ahem!"

Luo Zhu coughed a few times, almost choked by his saliva.

He had prepared countless things for this trip to the Witch Soul Tomb, even written a will... This guy, on the other hand, felt like he was going shopping, his mood extremely leisurely.

There really was a gap between people...

Suppressing his frustration, he looked down at the terrain below, judged their position, and came to Zhang Xuan.

"Master Zhang, the Witch Soul Tomb is almost here!"

"Almost here? What place is this?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"It's the Nine-Bend Mountain of the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance."

"Ten thousand miles of Crimson Wave Sea, a thousand miles of Nine-Bend Mountain. This is the border with the Mingxia Empire?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

The Treasure Appraisal Pavilion had a map of the Nations Alliance, which he had glanced at before, giving him a general sense of direction. He had thought the so-called Witch Soul Tomb would be somewhere in the central part of the Alliance, but unexpectedly it was at the border.

The Mingxia Empire was a vast nation of equal power to the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance, and its name appeared among the twenty-seven forces in the Famous Masters Competition.

As the boundary between the two major powers, the Nine-Bend Mountain saw constant warfare each year, making it one of the extremely dangerous zones.

"It's not yet at the border; it's at the [Wenyan Ridge] of the third bend!" Luo Zhu said.

The Nine-Bend Mountain had nine bends, each with a more detailed place name, and Wenyan Ridge was located at the third bend.

Legend had it that a peerless expert passed through this place and was ambushed by a tide of spirit beasts. Unhurried, he gently persuaded them with words, and finally the beast tide retreated, becoming a celebrated tale. Hence the name Wenyan Ridge.

This place was rich in spiritual energy, with numerous spirit beasts and savage beasts. Though not yet at the border between the two nations, it was still one of the extremely dangerous locations. Many people, upon hearing the name, were unwilling to go.

"Wenyan Ridge has many spirit beasts; we can't fly directly over, or we'll easily be ambushed by airborne spirit beasts, extremely dangerous!"

Hearing the place name, Jin Conghai frowned.

A cultivator at the Mortal Transformation stage couldn't fly, and if attacked by other spirit beasts in the air, it would be very dangerous. Once falling from the sky, they might very well be killed on impact.

Therefore, few people flew over mountains with numerous flying spirit beasts.

"Senior Jin is right, but there's no need to worry. This young master's spirit beast has reached the peak of Mortal Transformation third level, extremely powerful. Ordinary spirit beasts wouldn't dare offend it; it should be enough to take us there."

Luo Zhu said: "Of course, we can't fly directly to the spot. There is indeed a powerful flying spirit beast living near the Witch Soul Tomb. I'm afraid that if we get too close, it might become agitated, causing trouble!"

"Are you talking about that [Yaochen Beast]?" Jin Conghai said.

"Senior knows about this beast?" Luo Zhu was startled.

"Of course I know. That creature has reached the peak of Mortal Transformation fourth level, and with its ability to fly, it has repeatedly killed people. The Alliance has sent many experts to hunt it, but all failed!"

Jin Conghai's expression turned grave: "Moreover, it's not only powerful and fast, but it's also said to have dragon bloodline, making its defense invincible and very hard to deal with. Even the Beast Hall can't handle it. How far is the Witch Soul Tomb you mentioned from where it lives?"

"Not far, only a few hundred meters. Last time I came, I studied its patterns and waited for it to go out foraging before finding an opportunity to enter. This time, with more of us and a larger target, I think it's better to be cautious and prepare in advance, walking there."

Luo Zhu said.

"A few hundred meters? That's too close..."

Jin Conghai frowned.

At the Mortal Transformation fourth level, the Turbid-Clear stage, clear and turbid were distinct, soul and flesh separated. Even without looking, just by sensing, one could detect things hundreds of meters away. At such a distance, they were essentially at the core of the beast's lair.

At that distance, not to mention flying over, even walking on foot might disturb it.

Although he was at Mortal Transformation fourth level, he was only at the early stage. Facing such a flying savage beast with dragon bloodline, he had no power to contend.

Even as a poison master, he could only use poison if the opponent was off guard. With its ability to fly and its dragon bloodline's high resistance to poison, if he failed to strike and angered it, it might slaughter everyone.

He had thought the Witch Soul Tomb was dangerous enough, but he hadn't expected such a fierce creature nearby.

"It is very close, but I hid here for three months before and found the pattern. As long as we are careful and follow the pattern, we shouldn't be discovered." Luo Zhu hesitated for a moment and said.

"Since you've found the pattern, I think we should do this!" After a moment's hesitation, Jin Conghai looked over: "Master Zhang, can we land about two kilometers away and then walk over?"

Now everyone looked to Zhang Xuan for guidance.

The decision naturally rested with him.

"Alright." Zhang Xuan nodded.

He had never been there and didn't know how strong the Yaochen Beast was. Since the two had discussed it, this decision was fine.

Two kilometers was nothing for people of their strength.

"Then it's settled. When we arrive, let me know, and I'll instruct the spirit beast to land." Jin Conghai said.

"Mm!" Luo Zhu nodded.

"Have you heard of this [Yaochen Beast] too?"

As they discussed, Sun Qiang, seeing that Pavilion Master Sai's face had turned pale upon hearing about the Yaochen Beast, couldn't help asking.

"Of course I've heard!" Pavilion Master Sai smiled bitterly: "This big fellow is incredibly powerful. It's said that the Beast Hall Master led twelve elders in a joint hunt and still failed!"

"Twelve elders?"

"Yes. The elders of the Beast Hall are all about as strong as me. With so many people failing, you can see how formidable it is!"

Pavilion Master Sai shook his head: "Not only can it fly, but with its dragon bloodline, its defense is extremely strong, impervious to blades and spears. Even a spirit-grade mid-grade weapon thrust with full force has little effect."

"Fast, strong defense, irritable temperament, strong territorial awareness... If it's really guarding there, it won't be easy for us to get through..."

"Are you scared?"

Interrupting him, Sun Qiang said with contempt: "If you're really scared, don't go. And you call yourself the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion..."

"I... scared?" Seeing the other's expression, Pavilion Master Sai nearly fainted.

He, a dignified Mortal Transformation fourth level expert, was being looked down upon by a mere steward, with mockery in his tone...

The master was arrogant, but the steward was even more so. Fuming, he was about to speak when he heard Luo Zhu's voice.

"We've arrived..."

As the voice ended, everyone felt the flying savage beast beneath them shake and dive straight down toward the sprawling mountain range.