Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Source

Wei Yuning looked back. He had been so focused on following the scent that the team had inadvertently traveled nearly twenty li. Behind them, the other search teams had long disappeared from sight. As far as the eye could see, there was only knee-high dark blue wild grass and some low trees. The climate beneath the clouds and mist was peculiar, and the colors of the vegetation were vastly different from elsewhere.

"What do I do?" he couldn't help asking himself.

The scent was growing stronger. He was certain that whatever had abducted the Haiyan female cultivator was just ahead. How far ahead, he wasn't sure, but he knew that if he gave up now, he feared it would be difficult to catch this scent again.

This world was not Earth. On Earth, dangerous creatures had either gone extinct or been driven to wilderness far from human settlements, but in this world, danger was everywhere. Moreover, danger came not only from powerful beasts of all kinds, but also from unfamiliar cultivators who were fellow humans. For safety, one could never be too careful.

The servants' concerns were of course valid. Even Chang Fei and Man Niu looked at Wei Yuning with expectant eyes. But that was a human life, after all. As an ordinary person from Earth, he felt he should at least give it a try.

"Alright, you all head back. I'll take a look around by myself!" Wei Yuning finally made up his mind.

"How can that work? It's too dangerous alone. Let's go back and find help!" Chang Fei immediately objected.

"Danger? What danger? Having you along is what's dangerous! Alone, I can fight or flee and no one can stop me. With you deadweights, not only can you not help, I'd have to rescue you instead. Enough, I'm the team leader, it's decided. Get lost, all of you. Oh, and give me a warning talisman!" Wei Yuning extended his hand toward Chang Fei.

Respecting one's master and elders was a rule of the Cloud Concealment Sect, especially in special circumstances. The servants said no more and obeyed the order. Chang Fei handed all three warning talismans in his hand to Wei Yuning. Wei Yuning patted the back of Chang Fei's hand and handed one back.

"Senior Brother Yuning, I've also established my Foundation. Let me stay so we can watch each other's backs!" Man Niu stepped out of line.

Wei Yuning hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, Brother Niu stays. The rest of you, hurry back. Don't get in the way here!" Wei Yuning waved his hand broadly, as if driving away a flock of sheep.

The servants all had red eyes. Under Chang Fei's lead, they headed back the way they came.

The two walked for about another two‑hour period. By now, they had penetrated deep into the mountain range. Wei Yuning stopped again.

"What's wrong?" Man Niu carefully scanned the surroundings and asked with wide eyes.

"Brother Niu, what weapon do you use?" Wei Yuning only now noticed that Man Niu was empty-handed.

"I forgot to bring it. My weapons are all in the small cosmos pouch that Master Hongle gave me. I was afraid of losing it if I brought it along, so I left it in my quarters." Man Niu scratched his head.

At this moment Wei Yuning held the green short sword that Xu Ye had given him in his right hand, looking eagerly toward the dense forest ahead.

"We're probably here. Follow behind me and keep some distance. Act according to the situation!" Wei Yuning said.

"Alright!"

As the time approached noon, the cloud layer was somewhat brighter than before. Wei Yuning and Man Niu exchanged a glance, nodded simultaneously, and began walking toward the dense forest.

Passing through the dense forest, the space ahead opened up suddenly, revealing a large expanse of mountain composed entirely of bare rock.

"Shh!" Wei Yuning stopped, placed his index finger before his lips, and turned back to make a gesture for silence. As his roommate, Man Niu naturally understood the signal.

Here was a flat expanse of stone. Walking further ahead was a low cliff, roughly five or six zhang high.

Wei Yuning pointed at himself, then pointed upward, then pointed at Man Niu, then pointed downward. Neither of them had reached the Heartbeat Stage, so naturally they could not cultivate voice transmission techniques. Man Niu nodded to show he understood. When it came to bodily agility, he couldn't hold a candle to Wei Yuning even if he tried.

Just then, Wei Yuning's body suddenly stiffened. He thought of something. During yesterday's tournament, the Qiuhu female cultivator seemed to have transmitted her voice to him once. That meant Qiuhu had not only concealed her appearance but also hidden her cultivation. Could she have some purpose?

He shook his head. Now was not the time to think about this.

Wei Yuning used both hands and feet, silently climbing up the low cliff. After reaching the top, he found a small platform, only three meters square, with one stone table and two stone stools—clearly man-made.

Looking further ahead was yet another cliff, this one extremely high, fully dozens of zhang tall. Behind the platform was a stone door, half-closed. Wei Yuning couldn't see the situation inside, but the thick sulfur smell was coming from within.

Having come this far, Wei Yuning naturally had no reason to stop short. However, he also had no intention of going inside.

On Earth, he had been steeped in countless books, games, movies, and television dramas. Villains always died from talking too much, while the righteous mostly died from showing off. This was an irrefutable truth.

How could he not understand the risk of "entering the tiger's den."

"Listen, those inside. You have been surrounded by the Cloud Concealment Sect. Release the hostage, lay down your weapons, and surrender immediately. This is your only way out! Listen, those inside. You have been surrounded by the Cloud Concealment Sect. Release the hostage, lay down your weapons, and surrender immediately. This is your only way out..."

Along with Wei Yuning's call to surrender, he simultaneously activated two sect warning talismans. The warning talismans let out piercing shrieks and shot high into the sky.