Chapter 153

"Five Elements Immortal Treasure, gathering the world source, reversing spell power." Mr. Mo Ji's words were concise yet pointed to the core: "After Geng Metal, one should follow water producing wood, or trace back fire overcoming metal. At the endpoint of those clouds, metal energy is excessive, not a place where earth and wood essence gather."

After saying that, he seemed to self-mock: "Even this Baihua Valley shouldn't exist at the endpoint of those clouds; what method was used? Those with intent probably already know!"

The latter part of what Mo Ji said seemed true yet false; Ling Xiao couldn't understand it at once, but what he said earlier actually guessed correctly the origin of the Immortal Treasure!

Ling Xiao's heart shook violently. This Mr. Mo Ji not only knew they were seeking the Five Elements Immortal Treasure, but also seemed clear about its sequence and purpose! Just how much does he know?

"Please, sir, give me guidance." Ling Xiao suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said in a deep voice.

Mr. Mo Ji fell silent for a moment, then said: "South of Baihua Valley, after crossing the Chenxing Sea, there is a small world called the Qingmu Ancestral Land, or there may be a slim chance. But this world is unpredictable, its entrance hard to find, and it is even more dangerous than the Burial Star Plains."

Qingmu Ancestral Land? Ling Xiao had never heard of this place.

"Why are you telling me this, sir?" Ling Xiao asked.

Mr. Mo Ji's gaze seemed to sweep toward Shi Ran's room: "Each takes what they need. You seek your Immortal Treasure, I take what I need. Baihua Valley… will soon undergo a great change; it is no place to linger. Once your disciple can use the teleportation array, leave as soon as possible."

After saying that, he didn't wait for Ling Xiao to ask further; his form flickered and vanished like green smoke, leaving only Ling Xiao standing alone in the courtyard, his face solemn, his heart tumultuous.

The appearance and words of Mr. Mo Ji conveyed a huge amount of information. He pointed out the next possible target—the Qingmu Ancestral Land, hinted that Baihua Valley would undergo a change, and urged them to leave.

What does he need by his phrase "each takes what they need"? What is the great change in Baihua Valley? All of this seems hidden behind a veil of mist.

Ling Xiao lifted his gaze toward the Valley Master's hall, recalling the worry hidden on the faces of the Valley Master and elders. It seems this seemingly harmonious Baihua Valley already harbors an impending storm beneath the surface.

They must quickly let Shi Ran regain mobility, then leave this place of right and wrong. At the same time, the name "Qingmu Ancestral Land" was deeply etched in his heart.

In the night, the Qinfang Garden's fragrance remained rich, yet it seemed to carry a hint of icy chill. Ling Xiao stood alone in the courtyard; Mr. Mo Ji's words were like a stone dropped into a deep pool—after the ripples, only deeper silence and unknown remained.

Mr. Mo Ji's appearance was certainly no coincidence, nor was his warning baseless. This mysterious figure seems to always appear at critical junctures, offering clues yet shrouded in mist, making his true purpose hard to fathom.

"Each takes what they need"—what does he need? And is it related to Baihua Valley's "great change"?

Ling Xiao drew a deep breath; the icy, fragrant air filled his lungs, slightly clearing his chaotic thoughts. No matter what, the urgent tasks are two: first, ensure Shi Ran recovers quickly enough to withstand the long-distance teleportation array; second, without drawing Baihua Valley's attention, learn as much as possible about the current situation, whether concerning the "Qingmu Ancestral Land" or the hidden dangers within Baihua Valley itself.

He turned and went back inside; Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu immediately shot him inquiring glances. Though they were in the room, they had been watching the courtyard's movements.

"Master, what about Mr. Mo Ji?" Luo Changfeng asked.

Ling Xiao briefly repeated Mr. Mo Ji's words, omitting the hard-to-explain parts like "each takes what they need," and emphasized the clue about the "Qingmu Ancestral Land" and the warning that "Baihua Valley is no place to linger."

"Qingmu Ancestral Land? I've never heard of it." Luo Changfeng mused, "But since Mr. Mo Ji pointed to it, there must be some reason. It just sounds more dangerous than the Burial Star Plains."

"We must go even if it's dangerous." Wei Yuzhu said firmly, "For Shi Ran's sake." She glanced at the inner room where Shi Ran slept peacefully, her eyes full of care.

"Naturally." Ling Xiao nodded, "But as Mr. Mo Ji said, we must wait for Ruan Ruan's condition to stabilize. Changfeng, Yuzhu, over the next few days, your primary task is to assist Ruan Ruan in her recovery—medicinal baths and taking medicine must not be mistaken. At the same time, you must also hasten to restore your own cultivation; the road ahead is perilous, so we must maintain peak condition."

"Yes, Master!" the two replied in unison.

"Furthermore," Ling Xiao lowered his voice, "Mr. Mo Ji mentioned that Hundred Flowers Valley may have some changes; although we are guests, we must also be wary. When you interact with the valley's disciples, you may pay a little attention, listen for any unusual sounds, but remember, do not actively inquire, lest you invite unnecessary misunderstanding."

Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu's expressions tightened; they immediately understood their master's meaning and solemnly nodded.

In the following days, the four focused more on rest and recovery. Shi Ruan, under the continual nourishment of Hundred Flowers Spiritual Dew and Hundred Herbs Condensing Essence Soup, recovered slightly faster than Old Lady Suwen had expected. Her pallid cheeks gradually gained color; although still weak and unable to use spiritual power, she could now sit up on her own, engage in simple activity, and occasionally, with Wei Yuzhu's support, go to the courtyard to sit briefly, feeling the valley's sunshine and floral fragrance.

Ling Xiao still went out briefly each day, either strolling through the valley's common areas or visiting the Hundred Herbs Hall to thank and greet the on-duty elders, his demeanor relaxed, as if merely expressing gratitude for the valley's hospitality and appreciating its scenery. Yet his keen spiritual sense constantly caught the slightest changes in his surroundings.

He noticed that the number of patrolling disciples in the valley seemed to have increased, especially near the area behind the mountain leading to the forbidden zone. Although these disciples moved covertly and their shift changes appeared normal, that intangible sense of tension could not escape Ling Xiao's perception. The worry on several elders' faces seemed deeper as well; whenever they happened to meet, their conversation appeared distracted.

He also noticed that the flow of spiritual energy in the valley seemed to have a faint sluggishness, as if beneath a calm lake's surface, an undercurrent was subtly shifting direction. This change was extremely subtle; had it not been for his high cultivation and deliberate perception, it would hardly be detectable.

That day, Old Lady Suwen came to follow up on Shi Ruan's condition. After taking her pulse, she showed a relieved expression: "This child's recovery is better than I had anticipated. Although her fundamental source is still deficient, it has initially stabilized and is no longer deteriorating. It seems the Hundred Flowers Spiritual Dew suits her constitution quite well."

"Thank you for your skillful hands, Old Lady." Ling Xiao sincerely thanked her, then seemingly offhandedly asked, "Old Lady, the valley has seemed unusually busy lately; is there some important matter? If we are disturbing you by staying here, I would truly feel uneasy."

Old Lady Suwen's smile paused slightly, then she covered up: "Daoist Ling, you are overthinking. Everything in the valley is as usual; it's merely routine patrols and spiritual plant care. Please rest easy staying here." But the fleeting unnaturalness in her gaze did not escape Ling Xiao's eyes.

Ling Xiao asked no further, but inwardly he understood. Something was indeed happening in Hundred Flowers Valley, and it seemed not minor, to the extent that the higher-ups were deliberately concealing it.

After another two days, Shi Ruan could already walk short distances on her own; although she still could not use magical power, her physical endurance had greatly increased. Ling Xiao judged that she should now be able to withstand the pressure of a long-distance teleportation array.

It was time to leave.

Just as Ling Xiao was preparing to formally bid farewell to the Master of Hundred Flowers Valley, the valley's atmosphere suddenly changed after nightfall.

At night, the originally tranquil valley suddenly experienced an intangible commotion. It was not clamor, but a tension permeating the air. Patrol disciples' silhouettes darted swiftly through the darkness, and some key passages were even temporarily laid with stronger restrictive glimmers—though fleeting, Ling Xiao perceived them clearly.

He silently stood by the window, extending his divine sense like mercury spilling forth, probing carefully. He sensed several powerful auras rapidly converging toward the direction of the valley's rear forbidden zone; one of them was precisely the aura of the Master of Hundred Flowers Valley, bearing an unprecedented gravity.

"Indeed, something has happened." Ling Xiao thought to himself. Mr. Mo Ji's warning had come true.

At that moment, a transmission talisman turned into a stream of light, pierced the guest room's weak defensive restriction, and landed in Ling Xiao's hand. It was a transmission from the Master of Hundred Flowers Valley; the tone remained calm but could not conceal urgency:

"Daoist Ling, the valley has suddenly encountered an important matter, or perhaps some ripples; to be safe, please you and your disciples temporarily remain in the Qinfang Pavilion, do not venture out casually. The valley's formations have been fully activated, sufficient to protect all; please rest assured."

This seemed like protection, but was actually a soft confinement. Evidently, the Master of Hundred Flowers Valley did not want these outsiders moving about at this time, lest they see what they shouldn't or become involved in unnecessary trouble.

Ling Xiao replied, indicating his understanding and gratitude, and said he would restrain his disciples to stay in the pavilion.

He immediately informed Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu of the situation. Both also realized the gravity and instantly heightened their vigilance.

"Master, what should we do?" Wei Yuzhu asked somewhat nervously.

"Watch and wait." Ling Xiao said solemnly, "The affairs of Hundred Flowers Valley are none of our concern; we need not intervene. But we must be ready to leave at any moment. Should the disturbance reach this place, or should the master lift the restriction, we will immediately proceed to the teleportation array."

He placed Shi Ruan in the middle, with Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu on left and right; the four focused their minds, on guard, sensing the outside movements.

From the direction of the valley's rear forbidden zone came faint, strange undulations—not a fierce battle, but more like a violent clash and suppression of energy, at times scorching, at times yin-cold, interspersed with several strong yet chaotic wood-spirit energies. Occasionally, a couple of muffled, inhuman howls could be heard, causing palpitations.

"What is that?" Luo Changfeng wondered, uncertain.

Ling Xiao shook his head, his face grave: "I don't know. But it is certainly not ordinary. This power… is extremely strange, seeming to possess strong corrosiveness."

Suddenly, a blinding burst of green light exploded from the forbidden zone's direction, followed by a suffocating pressure that spread out; even from far away, one could feel a heaviness in the chest. All the formations throughout Hundred Flowers Valley lit up simultaneously, light flowing, striving to counteract this impact.

The protective light curtain of the Qinfang Pavilion also flickered violently.

"Be careful!" Ling Xiao shouted low, his protective spiritual light slightly unfurled, shielding the three disciples within.

The shockwave lasted several breaths before gradually subsiding. The valley temporarily returned to silence, but that tense atmosphere had reached its peak.

After about half an hour, a hurried footsteps rushed toward the Qinfang Pavilion. The comer was Qinghui; her face was pallid, even the hem of her clothing somewhat torn, evidently she had just experienced a disturbance.

"Senior Ling!" she said urgently, "The Master summons you! The situation is urgent!"

Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed: "What is it?"

"It… it concerns Mr. Mo Ji!" Qinghui's voice trembled slightly, "He… he has rushed into the deepest part of the forbidden zone's 'Withered Glory Cave,' triggering… triggering the 'Soul-devouring Demon Vine' sealed within. The situation is now critical; the Master and the elders cannot fully control it. Knowing your profound cultivation, the Master earnestly begs you to render assistance."

Mo Ji, Mister? Soul-devouring demonic vine? Withering-Prosperity Cave?

The information volume is enormous; could it be that what Mister Mo Ji meant by 'each taking what they need' is precisely the soul-devouring demonic vine? I'm afraid the goal is something even deeper related to it! And the hidden concern of Hundred Flowers Valley also originates from this!

"Master, this..." Luo Changfeng looked toward Ling Xiao; this matter is obviously extremely dangerous.

Ling Xiao merely pondered for a moment, then made his decision: "Lead the way."

If that soul-devouring demonic vine loses control and affects the entire Hundred Flowers Valley, they also cannot safely use the teleportation array to leave. Both emotionally and logically, at this moment they cannot remain uninvolved.

"Master, we will go with you!" Luo Changfeng immediately said.

"No!" Ling Xiao firmly refused, "You stay here and protect Rang Rang. I'll go and come back quickly!" A conflict of that level is absolutely not something Luo Changfeng and Wei Yuzhu can participate in.

After giving the orders, Ling Xiao instantly followed Qinghui, turning into a stream of light, and rushed straight to the Back Mountain Forbidden Ground.

At the entrance of the forbidden ground, the formation had already been torn open a gap; the closer one got to the interior, the more intense the violent, chaotic wood spirit aura filled with devouring desire became. Only seen deep in the valley, a huge mouth constantly spewed out dark-green demonic light, and thick vines covered in spikes, their illusory shadows, danced wildly at the mouth; each strike made the earth tremble, and the Hundred Flowers Valley elders maintaining the formation around it turned deathly pale, obviously struggling to hold on.

The Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley was presiding over the situation at the formation's eye, even a trickle of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Seeing Ling Xiao arrive, she hurriedly said: "Ling Dao-friend! Mister Mo Ji forcibly seized the 'Withering-Prosperity Crystal Core' that suppressed the demonic vine's source, causing the vine to go completely berserk! This vine lives by devouring spirituality, extremely hard to destroy; once it breaks free, all living beings in Hundred Flowers Valley and the surrounding regions will suffer devastation! Please, Dao-friend, help me stabilize the valley's grand formation, temporarily bind this fiend, then we can plan further."

Ling Xiao's gaze swept into the cave, only to see Mo Ji grappling with a terrifying vine enormous beyond compare, dark-purple in color, with a cluster of broken light at its center. His movement remained mysterious, but his blue-gray robe was already torn in several places, stained with specks of strange liquid, and his actions seemed sluggish—clearly the soul-devouring demonic vine is extremely difficult to deal with.

Without hesitation, Ling Xiao replied in a deep voice: "Good!"

He leapt to a formation node, replacing an elder nearly exhausted, and poured pure, vast spiritual power into the grand formation. With his reinforcement as a strong fresh force, the originally wavering blockade of light immediately stabilized considerably, temporarily binding most of the ravaging vines inside the cave within a certain range.