The mad beggar said that a thousand miles south, amidst the sea of clouds at the peak of the snow mountain, lies the ancient city of Xuan Yue. Yu Mi flew more than two thousand miles south along the mountain range at the top of the clouds, from dawn till dusk, without even a glimpse of Xuan Yue ancient city’s shadow. In this vast snowy mountain range, there were no signs of human habitation, only some demonic beasts and wild animals roaming the snow mountains.
She knew the words of the mad beggar couldn’t be fully trusted, but she didn’t expect them to be so unreliable. Bao Gu’s treasure garment was impervious to water and fire, but not to wind. Sitting on the flying sword, she shivered from the cold, continuously circulating her energy to resist the chill, yet still felt numb all over. She took out a Qi Refining Pill given by her master Feng and popped it into her mouth. The medicinal power of the pill spread through her meridians as she absorbed it, dispelling some of the coldness in her body.
Yu Mi did not stop Bao Gu from tossing Qi Refining Pills into her mouth like peanuts, focusing instead on searching for traces of Xuan Yue ancient city, hoping to encounter a cultivator or two to ask for directions. She kept ascending along the ridge of the snow mountain. This snow mountain range was too high, even the highest peak of the Yun Ling Mountain range was not as tall as its midsection.
Yu Mi felt she had flown high enough, but looking up, there were even higher peaks ahead. The higher she went, the colder the air became, with large snowflakes continuously falling. Bao Gu’s face turned purple from the cold, and she had difficulty breathing. Yu Mi, with her fire attribute spiritual root and practicing fire-based techniques, could remain calm even in volcanic magma. However, in this place suitable for cultivators with ice and water spiritual roots, she was somewhat struggling. She said to Duobao Spirit Monkey, “You cheeky monkey, your spiritual sense is powerful, help us find the way!”
Duobao Spirit Monkey chirped and raised its tiny paw, pointing towards the mountain range ahead. Yu Mi was overjoyed and asked, “Is it ahead?” Duobao Spirit Monkey nodded. Suddenly, it took out a fruit the size of a chicken egg from its embrace and flew it to Bao Gu, who was freezing and had a blurry consciousness, chirping several times and pushing the fruit towards her mouth.
Bao Gu, feeling suffocated and extremely drowsy, struggled to breathe. Seeing the fruit in front of her and smelling its fragrance, she reached out to grab the spiritual fruit and brought it to her mouth, but as soon as her hand touched the fruit, it disappeared. Bao Gu thought it was a hallucination. She blinked and took out another Qi Refining Pill to eat. Duobao Spirit Monkey screamed sharply, rushing to Yu Mi and baring its teeth.
Yu Mi said, “She’s only at the third level of Qi Refining, and you’re giving her a seventh-level Flame Fruit to eat. Aren’t you afraid of burning her to ashes?” She directly took the Flame Fruit Duobao Spirit Monkey gave to Bao Gu and stored it in her storage bag, saying, “Just lead the way properly. It’s better for us to reach Xuan Yue ancient city sooner. If Bao Gu really can’t hold on, I won’t ignore her.” She was secretly thrilled! This cheeky monkey truly lived up to its name, Duobao Spirit Monkey, casually producing a seventh-level spiritual fruit that had long been extinct.
Duobao Spirit Monkey chirped discontentedly at Yu Mi, waving its tiny paws continuously and scolding Yu Mi quite displeased. Yu Mi quickly took out two third-level spiritual fruits for replenishing and nourishing Qi and handed them to Bao Gu, saying, “Here, eat these.” Duobao Spirit Monkey seemed to think Yu Mi would take back the two third-level spiritual fruits, so it quickly took the fruits and helped Bao Gu catch them, bringing them to her mouth without caring about Yu Mi’s previous actions.
Yu Mi was inwardly delighted! What a bargain! Two third-level spiritual fruits for one seventh-level spiritual fruit! Bao Gu ate one of the fruits Duobao Spirit Monkey brought to her mouth. The fruit melted as soon as it entered her mouth, and strands of spiritual energy permeated her entire body, revitalizing her spirit and clearing her blurry consciousness. She saw Duobao Spirit Monkey still holding a fruit to her mouth, so she took the fruit and said to Duobao Spirit Monkey, “This is for you to eat!”
Yu Mi then handed a jug of spiritual wine to Bao Gu, saying, “Take a sip to warm up.” Bao Gu did as told and drank a sip, feeling a warm current spreading from her stomach throughout her body, dispelling the cold and warming her up. Duobao Spirit Monkey, seeing this, glanced at Bao Gu a few times to make sure she was alright, then directly brought the fruit it had brought to Bao Gu to its own mouth, slurping it up in one go. After finishing, it still felt unsatisfied and took out a green, oily fruit to sit on Bao Gu’s shoulder and nibble.
An eighth-level spiritual fruit! Yu Mi’s eyes widened, wanting to rob the cheeky monkey again! Just as she thought about it, the fruit had already been cleanly eaten by Duobao Spirit Monkey. Yu Mi really wanted to raid the monkey’s stomach. The snow mountain range was extremely high, forcing Yu Mi to ascend again. She had already passed through several layers of cloud cities and doubted whether continuing upward would lead her into the layer of violent winds.
Yu Mi flew for another half hour, and by then, the sky had darkened. Finally, she saw a mountain peak shrouded in clouds ahead, with what seemed like city buildings on the peak and many cultivators flying back and forth with their magical treasures. Yu Mi’s spirits lifted, and after flying forward for another half hour, she finally encountered cultivators. She called out to a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, saying, “Fellow Daoist, please stop. May I ask if the city ahead is Xuan Yue ancient city?”
The cultivator stopped, puzzled, and looked at Yu Mi, who was flying on a flying sword, and said, “Is this your first time coming to Xuan Yue ancient city? You flew here?” This combination was too strange: a monkey whose cultivation level couldn’t be discerned, a little cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining adorned with Golden Core period magical treasures, and an early-stage Golden Core cultivator.
Yu Mi replied, “We got lost and flew thousands of miles to get here.” The cultivator laughed as if seeing a ghost and said, “You actually flew here?” Yu Mi asked, “Is there something wrong with that?” The cultivator laughed and said, “Haha, nothing wrong. It’s just that there are teleportation arrays around the snow region, and it’s rare to see cultivators risking flying here. Didn’t you encounter any demonic cultivators on the way?”
Yu Mi was taken aback and asked, “Demonic cultivators? What demonic cultivators?” The cultivator said, “You’re lucky! This snow region often has groups of demonic cultivators roaming around, attacking cultivators. They call themselves the Snow Clan and harbor extreme hatred towards human cultivators. Where are you from?” Yu Mi replied, “Yun City, Xuan Tian Sect!”
The cultivator said, “Forgive my ignorance, I don’t know where Yun City is.” Yu Mi shrugged helplessly and walked alongside the cultivator towards Xuan Yue ancient city, saying, “I don’t know the direction either. We were kicked into a teleportation array marked with coordinates by our elders. We encountered some errors in the teleportation array and fell out of the void, losing our way. Fortunately, we met a reclusive senior who pointed us here. That senior really tricked us, telling us to fly south for a thousand miles. I thought it would be a quick trip, but it ended up taking a whole day.”
The cultivator asked with a smile, “What kind of senior was it?” Yu Mi said, “I couldn’t discern his cultivation level, but I estimate his strength to be in the late Nascent Soul stage.” As they talked, they had already arrived outside Xuan Yue ancient city. The cultivator said, “I haven’t asked for the lady’s name yet. My name is Jin Yuan.”
Yu Mi said, “My name is Yu Mi.” She paused and added, “Oh, right, Fellow Daoist Jin, I vaguely heard someone talking about Nanshan. Do you know who Nanshan is?”
“Nanshan?” Jin Yuan exclaimed, “Could it be Nanshan Yijian, the unbeatable Nanshan with a single sword, sweeping through Xuan Yue?” Yu Mi said, “That Nanshan seems to have a Dao companion named Yun Xi, who has passed away.”
“Do you have news of Nanshan Yijian?” Yu Mi said, “I’ve heard people discussing him, and it sounded mysterious, so I became curious and wanted to inquire.” Jin Yuan pointed in the direction Yu Mi came from and said, “Four thousand miles from here is Nanshan, where Nanshan Yijian comes from. He is a late-stage Mahayana legend! A plain wooden sword in his hands is like a divine weapon, invincible, a role model for us sword users.”
Yu Mi thought to herself, “Isn’t the place where we met the mad beggar just four thousand miles back? Is that place Nanshan?” Jin Yuan said with longing, “A hundred years ago, when Fairy Yun Xi’s lifespan was nearing its end, Nanshan Yijian declared that anyone who could help Fairy Yun Xi break through the late Nascent Soul stage and extend her lifespan, he would impart all his life’s skills! Unfortunately, Fairy Yun Xi couldn’t overcome that tribulation and passed away ten years ago.
Nanshan Yijian was devastated, wailing in grief, and flew into this vast snow region, never to be seen again. Rumors say he committed suicide out of sorrow, but others believe he is still alive. I also think he is still alive. A legendary figure like him, with such profound skills, wouldn’t let his life’s skills disappear. Even if he was in despair, he would likely choose a disciple to pass on his skills before finding peace.”
Yu Mi thought, “If Nanshan Yijian wasn’t mad, I would turn back right now.” The reality was that Nanshan Yijian had gone mad! Approaching a late-stage Mahayana cultivator who had lost his mind, who knows if it was seeking an opportunity or courting death! Late-stage Mahayana! For these cultivators who find it difficult to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, late-stage Mahayana is simply a myth! Bao Gu, sitting on the flying sword and being ignored, was stunned. She never imagined that the mad beggar outside the inn was a legendary figure! A late-stage Mahayana legend reduced to such a state…
Jin Yuan landed at the gate of Xuan Yue ancient city, slowing down his flying sword to fly towards the city. He asked, “I wonder if the lady has a place to stay?” Yu Mi slowed down as well and said, “Any inn will do.” She was just casually asking for directions, and Jin Yuan’s excessive enthusiasm made her wary. Jin Yuan, sensing the implication in Yu Mi’s words, cupped his fists and said, “In that case, I’ll take my leave first.”
After saying that, he also gave his address, saying, “I was born and raised in Xuan Yue ancient city and make a living by selling information. If the lady needs my help in the future, feel free to find me.”
He looked at Bao Gu and added, “In half a year, it will be time to enter the ancient ruins. If the lady is interested in obtaining an ancient token, I can also lend a hand.” A Golden Core cultivator definitely wouldn’t need it. Seeing the extraordinary attire of the two, he guessed they must be favored and influential members of a cultivator sect! To have a Golden Core cultivator accompany a third-level Qi Refining cultivator all the way here, it was clear they were aiming for the ancient ruins.
Yu Mi noted Jin Yuan’s address and said, “Thank you!” Unaffiliated cultivators, if they want to cultivate, must have a side business to earn money. Jin Yuan’s words were somewhat credible. She bid farewell to Jin Yuan and turned to leave.
Not far away, she saw Jin Yuan sitting cross-legged at the city gate, loudly shouting, “Selling information, the latest news of Nanshan Yijian, the unbeatable Nanshan with a single sword, sweeping through Xuan Yue! The authenticity is unverified, but those interested in seeking Nanshan Yijian’s whereabouts might want to try. The price is cheap, five medium-grade spirit stones!”
She stumbled and almost fell off her flying sword. She quickly turned back to Jin Yuan. Jin Yuan saw her and smiled brightly, whispering, “Earning a bit of money, Immortal Yu Mi, please don’t expose me!”
Yu Mi thought, “Can this really make money?” Soon, people gathered around, discussing fervently. Some, with a try-and-see attitude, threw a few medium-grade spirit stones. Jin Yuan took out a jade tablet, engraved the information on it, and handed it over.
After inspecting the jade tablet, the person looked at Jin Yuan skeptically and said, “Just a rough area?” Jin Yuan smiled and said, “It’s only a thousand miles in radius. With your cultivation level, you can search it in half a day. If I had precise and detailed information, why would I sell it cheaply here! Five medium-grade spirit stones for a chance to encounter a great opportunity, it’s worth it!”
The person thought about it and quickly stepped onto a nearby teleportation array to leave. Some thought Jin Yuan and that person were scamming together, while others, still skeptical, threw out five medium-grade spirit stones to try.
But after inspecting the jade tablet Jin Yuan gave, they all rushed to the teleportation array. Jin Yuan’s location was where Nanshan Yijian was born and where he met his beloved—Nanshan! If Nanshan Yijian was still alive, the most likely places he would appear were Xuan Yue ancient city and Nanshan!
In the early years, some even continuously staked out Nanshan, but never found him, and gradually everyone dispersed. Now that news has emerged again, whether true or false, it’s worth checking out.
Those who spent five medium-grade spirit stones to buy the information, of course, wouldn’t freely share it with others, increasing the competition for potential benefits. They also wouldn’t stop Jin Yuan from selling the unverified information. If it was false, there was no benefit in stopping him, and there was also a mentality of not being the only one duped if it turned out to be false. For a time, people buying the information were endless, and those who bought it all rushed to the teleportation array!
In a short while, Jin Yuan collected nearly a thousand medium-grade spirit stones, leaving Bao Gu and Yu Mi dumbfounded. Bao Gu and Yu Mi exchanged a silent glance, and Yu Mi turned her flying sword to leave. They had precise information about Nanshan Yijian, albeit not detailed. But thinking about Nanshan Yijian’s current pitiful state and the heartbreaking commotion last night that kept them awake, they couldn’t bring themselves to sell information about Nanshan Yijian.
After flying far away, Bao Gu asked softly, “Senior Sister, won’t they disturb him if they search?” Yu Mi confidently whispered, “No.” With Nanshan Yijian’s cultivation level and his ability to conceal his aura, those cultivators wouldn’t find him even if they scanned with their divine sense from afar.
Even if they walked right up to Nanshan Yijian, those cultivators wouldn’t imagine such a legendary figure would be an old beggar sleeping by the roadside! She believed that over the years, many cultivators must have gone to Nanshan to try their luck. If they couldn’t find him in the past ten years, they probably won’t find him now! The greatest concealment lies in the public eye, a profound truth indeed.
Yu Mi was impressed by that cultivator named Jin Yuan! She was also impressed by the generosity of the cultivators in Xuan Yue ancient city, spending five medium-grade spirit stones to buy potentially false information without blinking an eye.
