Chapter 513: New Clues

Cai Cai Yongchang's face darkened; this was precisely his greatest torment.

That token was like a death warrant—though lost, its connection still could not be severed.

Chen Mu continued: "I want to know places the token might point to, or similar objects. For example, are there other ancient artifacts bearing characters like 'Spring,' 'Autumn,' or 'Winter'?"

"Spring, Autumn, Winter?"

Cai Cai Yongchang froze, thought deeply, then slowly shook his head. "Our ancestors only passed down instructions tied to the 'Summer' token; they never mentioned artifacts with other characters. But…"

He hesitated. "The ancestral precept states that the token is but one part of a 'key,' not the sole one. The true gate requires a corresponding 'opportunity' and 'season' to manifest. 'Summer' is merely one of them."

One part of a key? Corresponding seasons?

Chen Mu's mind raced.

His fragmentary map projected "Autumn's Kill"; Ning Zhixi obtained the "Summer" token; Cai family's ancestral precept mentioned "seasons" and "key."

This could not be coincidence.

It was likely an ancient inheritance or treasure tied to the "Four Seasons," with scattered "keys" or maps.

"Regarding 'Summer Elder' and the origin of this token, how much more does the Cai family head know?" Chen Mu pressed.

Cai Cai Yongchang sighed, as if making a final decision: "This is no place to speak. At midnight tonight, thirty li west of the city, at the ruined site of the old Xia family manor. I shall reveal all I know. But I ask you to keep your promise—do not drag the Cai family into this."

"Agreed." Chen Mu nodded.

Cai Cai Yongchang gave Chen Mu a long look, then turned and walked away swiftly, as if he had merely taken a casual stroll.

Chen Mu also resumed his dull guard's demeanor and followed silently.

At the same time, he quietly retrieved the Twin Bamboo Sliver and transmitted the information—"midnight, thirty li west of the city, ruined Xia family manor"—to "Mr. Ning," who was verifying accounts.

Ning Zhixi's fingers paused slightly on the abacus, then resumed as if nothing had happened.

…

Midnight, moon dim, stars sparse.

Thirty li west of the city, before a wasteland overgrown with wild grass, Cai Cai Yongchang stood alone, his expression solemn.

He had arrived early to inspect and confirm no one had followed.

Two figures descended soundlessly from opposite directions at nearly the same moment—it was Chen Mu and Ning Zhixi, restored to their true appearances.

Cai Cai Yongchang stared at Ning Zhixi in surprise, especially upon sensing her Earth Altar realm aura; his estimation of the two rose further.

"Cai family head, speak." Chen Mu got straight to the point.

Cai Cai Yongchang no longer hesitated, whispering: "My ancestors once served the Xia family of this region. The Xia family was an ancient and mysterious clan—not an ordinary martial sect. Legends say they produced unimaginably powerful ancestors."

"They secluded themselves deep in the western mountains, rarely interacting with the outside world. About two hundred years ago, for reasons unknown, the Xia family suddenly faced a great enemy and vanished overnight."

"My ancestors were away on business at the time and barely escaped. When they returned, they brought only a few relics entrusted to them by the Xia family and vague instructions."

"Among them was the 'Summer' token. The ancestral precept states this token is the 'Xia Yao' of the 'Four Seasons Key,' tied to an ancient secret site."

"To activate the gate, one must hold this token, at a specific season, in a specific location, combined with other clues."

"The Xia family's destruction seems linked to the leakage of the 'Four Seasons Key' secret. Our ancestors strictly forbade revealing this object—any breach would invite great disaster."

"Twenty years ago, my father secretly sent the token away, entrusting it to a distant relative. Even I do not know its exact whereabouts—only that it was connected to an antique shop. The token Ning Miss obtained must be that one."

So that was it.

The antique shop owner's ancestors once served the "Cai Elder"; the token was entrusted by the Cai family, then slipped out after the shop's downfall.

"Are the specific season and location tied to 'Summer'? Is it here, at this Xia family manor ruin?" Ning Zhixi asked.

Cai Cai Yongchang shook his head. "The ancestral precept is vague—it only says 'follow the season, obey the token's indication.' This manor was merely an outer villa of the Xia family, not their ancestral seat."

"The Xia family's true ancestral seat lies far to the southwest, deep in the Shenshan mountains—Yanzhuo Mountain. But that place has long become a dead zone, filled with strange fields and dangers; no one has penetrated it for years."

"The token may point to Yanzhuo Mountain, but how exactly, I truly do not know."

Yanzhuo Mountain…

Chen Mu memorized the name.

It did not seem to match the direction indicated by his fragmentary map.

It appeared the locations tied to the "Four Seasons Key" might differ.

"One final question."

Chen Mu looked at Cai Cai Yongchang. "How did the Blood Refining Sect learn the token might be connected to the Cai family?"

Cai Cai Yongchang's face flickered with hatred and regret. "One of our collateral descendants betrayed us! A gambling addict, drowning in debts, manipulated and controlled by the Blood Refining Sect's outer-circle personnel. He was coerced into revealing scattered rumors about our ancestors' connection to the Xia family treasure."

"I personally killed that scoundrel—but the information had already leaked. Afterward, I sensed covert watchers probing the Cai family, until the news reached me that Ning Miss had obtained the token…"

The trail was now clear.

The token was the "Xia Yao," part of the ancient inheritance known as the "Four Seasons Key."

The Xia family's ancestral seat, Yanzhuo Mountain, was likely the location tied to "Summer."

And the Blood Refining Sect had already set its sights on this secret.

"We will keep your words today secret, Cai family head."

Chen Mu said, "If the Blood Refining Sect returns, you may seek refuge in Huazhou City."

Cai Cai Yongchang bowed. "Thank you. Gentlemen, the path ahead is uncertain—be careful."

Chen Mu and Ning Zhixi exchanged a glance, said nothing more, and vanished into the endless night.

…

Night, ink-black, heading southwest.

Beyond the borders of Tieshan City, Chen Mu and Ning Zhixi did not fly swiftly but chose a more concealed land route.

Under the great war between cultivation sects, the skies were not entirely safe—occasional divine sense probes or the watchful eyes of flying beasts could bring unwanted trouble.

Moreover, the terrain toward Yanzhuo Mountain was complex; walking allowed better observation.

"The Four Seasons Key…"

Ning Zhixi processed the information she had received from Cai Cai Yongchang, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. "If 'Summer' is one of them, where are 'Spring,' 'Autumn,' and 'Winter'?"

"Do all four keys need to be gathered to open the true secret place? Or does each key correspond to a different secret place, yet they are interconnected?"

"Both are possible."

Chen Mu's voice was calm; though his steps appeared slow, he effortlessly crossed the rugged mountain path. "The Cai family's knowledge is limited. The key point is that the 'Xia Yao' is in your hands, and its guidance may lie within Yan Zhuo Mountain."

"Let's go there first—perhaps we'll find more clues. Since the Blood Refining Sect is after this item, they won't give up easily. We must get there before them!"