The sky was lightening as the sun was about to rise.

  Han was practicing martial arts, while the others were busy with their tasks. Bai Ruoyue, He Feng, and Shen Yu were on guard duty.

  Even though they had entered Black Mountain, they didn't neglect their rest and training—though their training time was much shorter compared to usual.

  Combat was one way to grow stronger, but so was meditation and training.

  The two together made for even greater efficiency.

  This was already the third day since Han and his group entered the mountain.

  Bang!

  Suddenly, a sharp, cutting sound rang out, followed by a massive tree, thick enough for several people to hug, crashing to the ground, sending flocks of birds scattering into the air.

  The sound drew everyone’s attention. They all turned to look in the direction it came from.

  In the distance, they saw Zhang Yuantao, surrounded by swirling red energy, strike the ancient tree with an invisible force.

  True Qi breaking the body!

  “Third junior brother, you’ve broken through?” Bai Ruoyue exclaimed with joy.

  Zhang Yuantao slowly withdrew his energy, exhaled lightly, and smiled.

  “I’ve finally broken through after half a year of mastering the Meridian Realm.”

  “I must thank you, junior brother. Without the spiritual herbs you found for us, it would have taken me much longer to reach this step.”

  A few days earlier, while searching the mountain, they had found a rare spiritual herb that was highly beneficial to Zhang Yuantao’s current situation. They had taken it and shared it with him right then.

  Zhang Yuantao looked at Han with immense gratitude.

  Han waved his hand. “It’s your efforts that brought you here. I’ve only played a small supporting role.”

  Zhang Yuantao didn’t speak further. His eyes said it all—he would never forget this kindness.

  “Willing to walk through fire for you, junior brother!”

  “Good, good, good!” Bai Ruoyue said, pleased. “Now Taibai Martial Hall has three warriors in the Zangfu Realm!”

  The prosperity of Taibai Martial Hall brought her joy. Expanding its influence was her dream.

  “Fourth junior brother, fifth junior brother, you two must work hard too!”

  Su Chang’an and He Feng smiled. They certainly wouldn’t slack off. Both had been in the small stages of the Meridian Realm for quite some time. With the gains they’d made in Black Mountain, they were confident they could break through quickly.

  As for Shen Yu—unless they came across an extraordinary treasure—there was little hope for her immediate breakthrough.

  As for Han...

  Everyone tacitly avoided comparing themselves to him.

  Through their days together, they had all noticed Han’s strange abilities.

  Su and He were in the same realm as Han, each refining a Dragon Pulse Grass.

  After they finished refining, they compared their progress.

  If the herb boosted the latter two by one fraction, Han seemed to have gained three or even five times that amount. His growth speed was astonishingly fast.

  This was just from refining one herb. If they extended the time, the gap in their progress would only widen.

  Upon seeing these results, everyone was speechless. No wonder Han’s training speed was so fast.

  But the resources they had used were identical, so in the end, they could only attribute this to...

  Talent. It was all talent.

  Junior brother’s natural gifts were unparalleled, and with his secret techniques, he was just that strong. The facts were clear.

  Besides talent, there was no other explanation!

  There was no point in comparing themselves to such a freak. They should just focus on their own training.

  Over the last few days, Han had noticed his training speed increasing again, after initially slowing down due to the loss of the Great Celestial Tree.

  Celestial plants and the earthly spiritual herbs were no different; the latter could fill the gap left by the former. Moreover, since the changes in Black Mountain, Han was now gathering far more spiritual herbs than before.

  “Today marks the third day since the earthquake. The cultivators in Black Cloud Town must have noticed something unusual,” Han said. “We must push ourselves even harder.”

  “Besides the Yun family, everyone else will probably just eat our dust,” Shen Long laughed.

  “They don’t have a junior brother like ours.”

  The Yun family was unique, after all, being descendants of the Mountain God.

  “Still, we must not underestimate them,” Zhang Yuantao shook his head.

  “Taibai Martial Hall has only been established for a few years, and our foundation doesn’t compare to other forces. There are far more Zangfu Realm cultivators than we have.”

  “If they form a group of nothing but Zangfu cultivators, it’s possible they could catch up to us if they just focus on pressing forward, without worrying about treasure hunting.”

  “Let them come!” Bai Ruoyue said boldly, “They can’t possibly send all their top experts into Black Mountain.”

  As for the Zangfu Realm warriors of Black Cloud Town, Bai Ruoyue wasn’t afraid of any of them.

  “The nearby beasts are getting stronger,” Han, in his god’s-eye view, spoke calmly.

  “We still see Pimian Realm beasts at the edges, but Meridian Realm beasts have become rare. Deeper inside, the Zangfu beasts will be dominant. At that point, splitting into three groups might not work well.”

  Shen Long glanced around, remembering the paths they’d taken over the past few days.

  “Further inside, we would have mostly encountered Meridian Realm beasts before, with a few Zangfu beasts. The changes in Black Mountain are truly vast.”

  Black Mountain, in the past, had Pimian beasts mainly at the outer edges, with a few Meridian beasts. The middle area had Zangfu beasts in abundance.

  Deeper within, Bone Refining beasts would dominate, and only the leaders of various factions or sects would venture there with some safety.

  But those at such high ranks rarely came to Black Mountain, as the risks were too great.

  However, the situation had shifted. The high-level beasts were now pushing out the weaker ones, and the overall strength of Black Mountain had increased dramatically.

  Pimian beasts had been driven to the outermost regions and were now barely surviving in the cracks.

  The beasts Han and his group had fought were far fewer than the ones slain by the beasts themselves in internal battles.

  Han’s group wasn’t traveling fast; after all, this trip to Black Mountain wasn’t a race to see who could reach the finish line first, but rather a search for opportunities.

  With the influence of the "Ascension of the Celestial," there were indeed valuable things on the outskirts as well.

  And considering the current state of Black Mountain, their group wouldn’t be able to venture too deep. So, they made sure to gather as many resources as they could along the way.

  “I was hoping to take this opportunity to find the Bone Grinding Flower, but with the current situation, it seems unlikely,” Shen Long shook his head.

  “Where is that Bone Grinding Flower?”

  “Further into the middle section. There were a few Bone Refining beasts in that area before, but now…”

  There were probably Bone Refining beasts everywhere.

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  Han considered this for a moment. The Bone Grinding Flower wasn’t completely out of reach, but they would have to go deeper to know for sure.

  The group continued forward, with Zhang Yuantao’s breakthrough allowing Han to plan their route with greater freedom.

  One by one, spiritual herbs and treasures were being stored in their bags.

  In Shen Long’s words, he had found more spiritual herbs in these few days than he had in several years of roaming Black Mountain.

  In Black Cloud Town, after yesterday’s news spread, many cultivators rushed into Black Mountain, bringing back even more information.

  More active and ferocious beasts, a forest in chaos...

  Many cultivators were forced to turn back. Their strength wasn’t enough to deal with the current dangers. They could barely survive near the outer edge, let alone venture deeper.

  The world had changed.

  For the cultivators, the earlier disadvantages meant they could only watch from the sidelines unless a martial team agreed to protect them into Black Mountain.

  But even then, there were still lucky martial artists who had brought back treasures from within.

  Black Mountain was vast. Han’s god’s-eye view couldn’t cover all of it, and to avoid wasting time, he focused on grabbing the best treasures first.

  There would always be those with extraordinary luck, and Han never doubted that.

  The powerful factions moved in, their entire teams of Zangfu Realm cultivators directly slaughtering their way in, gauging their limits by the strength of the nearby beasts.

  The teams made up of Pimian and Meridian cultivators stuck to the edges, looking for scraps.

  This made Black Mountain even more chaotic.

  Ah!

  The screams rang out. A Meridian Realm team was torn apart by two Zangfu Realm tigers, their flesh and organs flying everywhere.

  Elsewhere, two Zangfu Realm cultivators eagerly entered Black Mountain, pushing deeper, only to be surrounded by a pack of wolves.

  The wolves tore at them relentlessly. By the time the pack moved on, only bloodstains and tattered clothing remained.

  A mixed Zangfu and Meridian team was harvesting a precious flower when suddenly, a rustling sound came from nearby bushes.

  A massive swarm of colorful poisonous snakes surged out, engulfing them like a tide.

  When the snakes retreated, only blackened, swollen corpses remained, their eyes wide open in death.

  This was just a small part of the chaos in Black Mountain.

  As large numbers of martial artists poured in, death became an ordinary occurrence.

  Unexpected encounters with beasts, spiritual herbs guarded by ferocious beasts, or other martial artists lying in wait…

  No one could predict whether surprise or terror would come first.

  The treasure hunt?

  It felt more like a battlefield of slaughter!

  After so many lives were lost in Black Mountain, Black Cloud Town finally began to wake up.

  The Black Mountain was now a land teeming with ferocious, free-roaming beasts. A moment of carelessness, a stroke of bad luck, and death could come in an instant.

  The head of the Lin family had made a public appearance, advising all martial artists who had entered the mountain.

  “In Black Mountain, everything is uncertain, and everything is dangerous,” he warned.

  “This is not our backyard. It is a forbidden zone where death lurks at every corner. If you enter Black Mountain with thoughts of easy treasure and wealth, death will be your only reward.”

  “No one can predict the future within Black Mountain, no one!”

  Both Lu Qingmo and Bai Tianxin were deeply concerned, fearing that Han and the others might fall into danger as well.

  They agreed with the Lin family head’s words.

  “No one can foresee what will happen there, no one!”

  It didn’t matter whether they found treasure or not; the most important thing was for them to return safely.

  Ruoyue and the others… they wouldn’t act recklessly, would they?

  They needed to be cautious, always staying hidden and avoiding unnecessary confrontations.

  …

  While some met their end, others were fortunate enough to come across treasure.

  “Zhenyuan Fruit, this is a rare find. It can enhance true Qi and is also beneficial for those in the Zangfu realm,” Gao Yuan said, holding up a purple fruit with great joy. He carefully placed it into an ornate box to preserve it.

  His companions, seeing his happiness, laughed and cheered.

  “Though Black Mountain is dangerous, it's still rich in treasures,” one of them said with a grin.

  “The Zhenyuan Fruit is an incredibly rare treasure. We’re so lucky to have found it. Despite a few minor injuries, we’ve gained something so valuable.”

  “Fate is on our side,” Gao Yuan laughed, his chest swelling with pride.

  “Just a few hours after entering, and we already find a Zhenyuan Fruit. There’s no denying it—my luck is unmatched!”

  "This treasure is truly invaluable!"

  So what if the people from the Taibai Martial Hall came in a few days earlier?

  If their luck had been any worse, they wouldn’t have found any treasure at all— they'd probably be nursing severe injuries or even worse, lying dead somewhere.

  Given their strength, I bet the Taibai Martial Hall people are probably hiding somewhere, trembling in fear right now.

  "Another Zhenyuan Fruit?" Shen Yu’s voice was tinged with disappointment. She casually plucked the fruit and tossed it into her spatial pouch.

  "What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying Zhenyuan Fruits aren't good things?" Bai Ruoyue gave Shen Yu a light smack on the head.

  Shen Yu rubbed her head. "We just picked one when we entered the Black Mountain, and now we already have ten. I’m getting sick of seeing them."

  "The Senior Sister's standards are getting higher and higher," Han chuckled.

  "Heh heh," Shen Yu laughed awkwardly.

  "It's all because my little junior brother is so amazing."

  Any treasures that exist along the route he planned naturally aren't low-grade.

  Zhenyuan Fruits had already become among the more common items they’d found, the kind they just picked up because it was along the way.

  The trio walked leisurely through the Black Mountain, chatting and laughing with ease, like they were strolling in a garden— completely unfazed by any danger.

  Occasionally, when they saw a butterfly, Shen Yu would chase after it with a smile, only after Han’s approval.

  It was as if they were on an outing, sightseeing, and enjoying the mountains.

  Danger?

  Don’t talk nonsense. Black Mountain has no danger. It’s perfectly safe, alright? If you keep spreading rumors about it, I’ll get mad!

  Picking up treasure like this isn’t dangerous at all. Are you worried about straining your back or something?

  Ahead, Shen Long and Zhang Yuantao had already gathered with their group, waiting for Han and the others.

  Their target this time was a rare treasure guarded by four beasts at the Zangfu stage—the Vitality Tree and its associated treasures.

  The Vitality Tree itself could be used to craft magic weapons, and its fruits could benefit those at the Skin and Flesh stage all the way to Bone Refinement. If ten fruits were collected, they could even help those at the Washing Marrow stage greatly.

  The tree's leaves, when brewed as tea, could enhance vitality and even extend one's lifespan— though the effects weren’t very strong.

  A genuine treasure, one that would trigger fierce competition in the county city, with various factions ready to fight for it, as it could serve as a foundation for power.

  Comparing the Zhenyuan Fruit to the Vitality Tree...

  What’s a Zhenyuan Fruit worth?

  Even facing the Vitality Tree, Han remained calm.

  Sorry, but treasures of this level? They've already collected more than one.

  Once you’ve seen enough, it’s nothing special.

  At Tianyue County City,

  Ye Zhong turned to Yuan Fang and said, "You must have received the news from Heiyun Town, right?"

  Yuan Fang nodded. "The family has already sent experts to Heiyun Town. Other factions have done the same."

  Sigh Ye Zhong sighed. "It’s a troublesome time. Who knows how many of our fellow cultivators will get trapped in Black Mountain."

  "Master, life and death are fated. It’s no one’s fault," Yuan Fang shook his head. "All the forces in the county and even higher-ups have coveted Black Mountain for years. Now that the opportunity is here, no one is going to miss it."

  "True," Ye Zhong nodded. "The mountain god is in trouble. I’m surprised that the factions have restrained themselves and not sent overly powerful experts in, as a final respect for the mountain god."

  When news spread that Black Mountain was allowing outsiders to enter, many guessed that the mountain god had probably compromised.

  A dying mountain god was worth fearing, but it would soon perish. The affairs of the afterlife had to be considered.

  News of Black Mountain reached Heiyun Town just the day before, and within a night, the forces from Tianyue County had already sent their people.

  This wasn’t the end, and it wasn’t even the limit.

  As Yuan Fang said, these factions had coveted Black Mountain for too long.

  There were many places in the world that could be considered blessed lands, and some were even better than Black Mountain— but most of them already had masters.

  Who would dare covet a blessed land with an owner?

  But Black Mountain was about to become unclaimed.

  And with it, a chance for the immortal realm to be discovered, even if it wasn’t the full path to immortality— that was still incredibly enticing.

  That morning, the forces from the county city started arriving in Heiyun Town.

  The two major families, the Court’s Dao and Martial Divisions, four major martial halls, and various rogue cultivators all made their appearances.

  The majority of them were at the Muscle Meridian or Zangfu stages, with a few Bone Refinement cultivators mixed in.

  As for those at the Flesh and Bone stages, they might as well not have come.

  Everyone’s gaze was burning with anticipation as they stared at Black Mountain.

  One Bone Refinement cultivator from the county city went as far as to ignore the rules and entered Black Mountain to plunder treasures.

  But without a fight, he was swallowed by the cracks in the earth.

  This sight left everyone stunned.

  The mountain god had shown its power.

  After that, no one above the Zangfu stage dared to act recklessly, even the Bone Refinement cultivators from outside kept a very low profile in Heiyun Town, not daring to make trouble.

  The mountain god was dying, but it wasn’t worried about them.

  They were only able to enter Black Mountain because of the god's tolerance.

  Before the god’s downfall, outsiders— let alone Bone Refinement cultivators— couldn’t even enter Heiyun Town.

  The mountain god even further restricted access to outsiders, limiting the size of the groups allowed in after a certain number had already entered.

  If not for this, the factions from the county city could have joined forces and overwhelmed Heiyun Town.

  This was the mountain god’s protection of its homeland.

  As for those who were truly capable of communicating with the mountain god directly? They didn’t care about such trivial details— let the mountain god handle it.

  Born in Heiyun and ascending to godhood at Black Mountain, the mountain god had protected the land for centuries. Even as it approached its death, it still considered its home— something truly deserving of respect.

  That day, word spread that a warrior close to the peak of the Zangfu stage from the Guanding Martial Division had obtained a rare herb that could help him reach Bone Refinement.

  Other factions also had positive news to report, though none of their finds were as precious as the Guanding Martial Division’s.

  This news greatly encouraged everyone.

  As for the dangers? They had already mentally prepared themselves.

  By evening, there were occasional reports of good finds, but they weren’t particularly rare treasures.

  Some with lofty backgrounds began to grow suspicious.

  The people who went into Heiyun Town yesterday had collected more treasure than those who entered today, yet the truly valuable items were so few— it didn’t match the rumors of “treasures everywhere” and “picking up money in bags.”

  Where had things gone wrong?

  Some pondered, and others had their suspicions confirmed.

  It must be Taibai and the Yun family’s doing!

  However, after looking at the Yun family and Taibai Martial Hall’s directions, they soon gave up.

  Neither of them was a faction they could afford to provoke.

  The Yun family was the mountain god’s descendant. Who would dare make a move before the god’s true death?

  As for Taibai Martial Hall, they only had one top-tier expert during the day, but even in the county city, this expert was considered elite, and there was no way to deal with him.

  Heh, let’s just hope we don’t run into any of their people in Black Mountain. Otherwise, we’ll teach them a lesson!

  The talents of the county city were not to be underestimated.

  As for Han, the so-called "Heiyun’s first genius" who reached the Muscle Meridian stage in a month?

  And Bai Ruoyue, who supposedly reached the Zangfu stage at sixteen?

  Hah, they talk big. If they have the guts, let them show themselves. I’ll even say my disciple is the reincarnation of an immortal!

  Anyone can boast!

  But upon further investigation, the people from the county city began to feel something was off.

  Of the seven from Taibai Martial Hall, only two were at the Zangfu stage. The rest were all at the Muscle Meridian stage.

  This...

  What kind of rubbish lineup is this? They’d probably have to hide and be extra cautious. They wouldn’t even be able to get into the core parts of Black Mountain, let alone find treasures.

  If they could find anything valuable, then the waters of Yunjiang would dry up!