Chapter 108: Subduing Tiger Mountain

If Li Mu wasn't mistaken, the great majority of the people present were just a bunch of wandering cultivators.

Or perhaps they were some obscure minor sect disciples.

While Li Mu was sizing up these jianghu folk, they all simultaneously fixed their gaze on him.

They examined him from head to toe.

However, the scrutiny didn't last long; they merely glanced at Li Mu briefly and quickly averted their eyes.

Li Mu showed indifference, feeling instead a sense of roaming the jianghu.

This matched the carefree, unrestrained feeling of dealing with jianghu folk, and his actions were equally bold and generous.

After Li Mu briefly bowed his fist in greeting to the nearby jianghu heroes, he went to a spot near the rail and sat down.

"Now that I think about it, my journey so far has been truly baffling."

"Since I arrived in this town, I've seen several waves of jianghu folk and those wandering cultivators from minor sect disciples."

"Each of them wore anxiety and unease on their faces, and many just had a quick bite and then hurried away."

"Could it be that there are some secrets within Qingfeng Tower and the jianghu?"

"Something like the Heaven and Earth Society?"

"This place is merely a rendezvous point for them."

"Or perhaps this town itself hides some indescribable mystery."

"Attracting these jianghu folk and sect disciples to gather here."

Li Mu's right index and middle fingers tapped rapidly on the table, his expression flickering, clearly showing contemplation.

However, just as Li Mu was sizing up these jianghu folk,

each of these jianghu heroes, through the brims of their conical hats, subtly glanced toward Li Mu.

Even as Li Mu pricked his ears to listen carefully, he could hear them chattering around him

Obviously, they were all extremely vigilant about their own arrival as well.

Obviously, they were all extremely wary of his arrival.

"If I'm not mistaken, from the waist badge hanging on this youngster's waist, he is most likely a disciple of the Ziyang Sect."

"If I'm not mistaken, from the waist badge this youth wears, he's most likely a disciple of the Ziyang Sect."

"Yeah, I've had a few dealings with the Ziyang Sect before."

"That's certain!"

"This youth is definitely from the Ziyang Sect."

"But with disciples of such a major sect, we still follow the rule of more matters, fewer matters."

"If we can avoid provoking them, we should try not to."

"Don't just stare at that Ziyang Sect disciple's face."

"Don't just stare at that Ziyang Sect disciple's face."

"Otherwise, if we anger that important figure, a single slap will kill you."

"Then you'd truly be left wanting to cry but with no tears."

"From the major sect disciples I've encountered, each of them is extremely arrogant and overbearing."

"From the major sect disciples I've dealt with, each one is extremely arrogant."

"Each may not have much skill, but their temper is truly fierce."

"The key, for these sect disciples,"

"You can't hit them, you can't scold them."

"One slip could be disastrous!"

"If they're displeased, they'll directly shake you off and call their own fellow disciple."

"Then the ones who suffer will still be us jianghu grass‑roots."

"In short, it's better to keep our distance from these people."

"Do these major sect disciples also intend to wade into this murky pool?"

"Do these major sect disciples also want to stir this murky water?"

"If that's really the case, the development of this matter is becoming increasingly interesting."

"I just don't know whether these major sect disciples come here for meat or for soup."

"He must not think that once we arrive at the place, after revealing that he is a Ziyang Sect disciple,..."

"He must not think that once we reach the place and reveal his identity as a Ziyang Sect disciple,"

"we jianghu grass‑roots will have to give him a three‑point courtesy."

"But they say a frantic rabbit will bite."

"Not to mention, if we truly push ourselves to the limit,"

"Then who cares what person he is!"

"First strike him down, then discuss anything else later."

"In a venue that can gather so many jianghu ruffians and sect disciples, there are indeed many secrets present."

"A place that can gather so many jianghu grass‑roots and sect disciples must hold many secrets."

Li Mu, after hearing the group's talk, stopped the fingers that had been constantly tapping on the desk, the corner of his mouth rose, showing a meaningfully profound smile.

Li Mu, after hearing their conversation, stopped his tapping fingers, his mouth curled into a subtly meaningful smile.

But he wasn't in a hurry to make a statement.

Instead, he kept listening attentively, wanting to see what these jianghu guests were discussing.

What kind of opportunity and destiny could attract so many people to gather here in Qingfeng Tower?

【61】 Although, while they were sizing Li Mu up, each displayed cautious behavior and dared not speak loudly.

But when the discussion turned to the plans for this trip, these people clearly let loose, each one speaking without any reservation.

Some even deliberately raised their voices a full octave, as if fearing that Li Mu, sitting nearby, might not hear them.

Soon, one who wanted to strike met one who wanted to be hit.

Li Mu sipped the tea on the table while leisurely listening to the tales of these wandering folk.

Before long, Li Mu had figured out the whole background of the matter.

After much fuss, behind this town there stood a mountain called Fuhu Mountain.

At the foot of Fuhu Mountain, the terrain was high and forested, and beneath the mountain base lay a strange Freshwater Lake.

No one knows when this Freshwater Lake actually appeared.

All that is known is that after countless years, a beast has taken the mountain as its domain.

Beside the Freshwater Lake, it has lingered for decades, unwilling to move.

At first, the townsfolk were trembling with fear because of the beast's appearance.

They dreaded that on some night the beast might unleash its ferocity, leave Fuhu Mountain, and charge toward the town.

Thus, the residents and the beast kept wary of each other for over a decade.

During that long period, the beast never harmed the town at all.

It simply stayed content within its small patch of land, showing no intention to explore beyond.

At first, the villagers of the small town were faced with this completely illogical matter.

They felt like some bewildered monks couldn't make sense of it.

Although they clearly sensed that the beast's behavior must hide some secret.

But knowing that is one thing; actually doing it yourself is entirely another.

The townspeople dared not provoke the beast without proper preparation.

And the beast itself did not choose to strike first.

Thus, both sides maintained an extremely delicate and special peace.

They kept a mutual friendly stance with the villagers: you don't trouble me, I don't trouble you.

Until about half a month ago, when a wandering swordsman passed through the town and learned of this.

He was immensely curious about this harmonious coexistence of humans and beast.

After making brief preparations in town, the swordsman boldly set out for the foot of Fuhu Mountain.

He wanted to see what secret the Freshwater Lake concealed.

It had attracted the beast, making it willingly guard the place for ten or even twenty‑plus years.

In the end, the investigation itself was no trouble.

After investigating, the swordsman instantly realized the cause of the matter.

It turned out that beside the Freshwater Lake grew a Heavenly Treasure!

About twenty years ago, the beast was drawn by the celestial aura emanating from the Scorpion Beauty.

It chose to claim the mountain, doing nothing else, merely staying beside the Scorpion Beauty, waiting for it to bloom and bear fruit.

Generally, the area beside the Freshwater Lake is itself a convergence of spiritual energy.

Under certain fortuitous circumstances, many Heavenly Treasures can also be born there.

These Heavenly Treasures and the beast seem to form a strange symbiotic relationship.

Where there is a Heavenly Treasure, it is highly likely a beast will guard it nearby.

When the Heavenly Treasure finally blooms and bears fruit, the beast will eat the fruit to enlarge its power and advance its cultivation.

Thus they protect this symbiotic relationship, and the Heavenly Treasure that grew beside the Freshwater Lake is called Scorpion Beauty!

Although the name Scorpion Beauty sounds bizarre, those in the know understand.

It is a rare Heavenly Treasure that one may encounter but cannot obtain, requiring ordinary people to wait decades, even centuries, for it to bloom.

And upon realizing the treasure has appeared in the world.

The swordsman was also self‑aware, knowing that with his own meager strength he could never match the beast guarding the Scorpion Beauty.

If he forced his way forward, he would be a lone predator.

First, let's not even discuss whether the Scorpion Beauty could be obtained.

He might even become a snack for the beast, swallowed whole.

He might die without even knowing.

Thus, the first swordsman who discovered the Scorpion Beauty deliberately spread the news.

It spread like wings: one to ten, ten to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand.

That was that.

More and more swordsmen chose to come here to investigate.

Several swordsmen with deep insight into these Heavenly Treasures prepared to wait until around midnight.

When this Heavenly Treasure, the Scorpion Beauty, fully blooms and bears fruit, it will emit its greatest spiritual energy and power!

If one can swallow its fruit at the full moon, the benefit to oneself would be unparalleled.

Because of this, today many wandering swordsmen from all corners, as well as lone cultivators from minor sects, have arrived at this ancient city.

All for the same purpose.

They plan to strike around midnight, snatching the prize from the beast's jaws.

Seizing the Scorpion Beauty that all cultivators covet!

But is this Scorpion Beauty truly a treasure?

He says he cherishes it, and indeed he does so intensely.

You could say it's not uncommon; this Scorpion Beauty is just that kind of thing.

That may not be so; it can make those cultivators who have truly entered Foundation Establishment glance at it again.

However, for those true persons and great adept cultivators, the Scorpion Beauty is something they disdain.

For their warriors who are at the Qi Refining Realm or Concentration Realm, it still offers great benefit.

Take a cultivator of the Concentration Realm, and it truly is a once‑in‑a‑million treasure—encounterable but unattainable.

Especially, what they now face is one that has grown for more than a hundred years!

A Scorpion Beauty that has reached the peak spiritual energy value!

Moreover, for a Concentration Realm cultivator, it can alter a cultivator's fate!

It reshapes a cultivator's foundation, granting a transformative healing effect.

Just on this point, from a Concentration Realm cultivator's view.

It even surpasses many sects' Second Grade Pill and even Third Grade Pill, truly a significant encounter.

"Hey, what's this?"

"Is this that when someone feels drowsy, someone else actively brings a pillow?"

"I just entered the Concentration Realm and was fretting over how to steady my slightly restless cultivation."

"In the end, the heavens gave me such a massive gift."

"I'm truly lucky!"

After hearing the back‑and‑forth remarks of this group.

Li Mu instantly felt his interest flare.

His eyes also shot out beams of light.

It should be noted that a few days earlier, Li Mu was locked in a three‑day‑three‑night fierce battle with that flood dragon.

Just considering the gains and advancements the battle gave Li Mu, as well as the pills he obtained.

That alone already brought Li Mu to the Concentration Realm!

And over the past few days, Li Mu has been continuously absorbing and refining that dragon's energy, granting him benefits as tantalizing as savoring marrow, making his mouth water.

Now, after hearing such a serendipitous encounter!

Li Mu could not possibly miss this prime Scorpion Beauty, a supreme Heavenly Treasure!