Ling Tian Sword God

”Ling Chen.”

At that moment, Xu Ruoyan’s somewhat weak voice came from the bed.

Hearing her, Ling Chen approached the bedside.

Liu Feiyue and the others from the Black Market exchanged glances, then exited the room.

”The Deer Reviving Grass is merely a legend. Even if you go to the Hundred Thousand Mountains, you might not find it.” Xu Ruoyan clutched Ling Chen’s sleeve. ”You don’t have to go. The fact that I survived this time and received your forgiveness in my lifetime is already a great fortune amid this misfortune. I ask for nothing more.”

”Don’t be foolish.” Ling Chen smiled faintly, his right hand reaching out to touch Xu Ruoyan’s cheek. ”If Gu Qingfeng could risk his life, venturing into the Hundred Thousand Mountains alone to find the Deer Reviving Grass for his wife, why can’t I, Ling Chen?”

”Don’t worry. The Hundred Thousand Mountains aren’t some inescapable deathtrap. At most, I’ll be gone for four months. If I really can’t find the Deer Reviving Grass, I’ll return then.”

Doctor Immortal had already said that Xu Ruoyan only had half a year. Once that time was up, even finding the Deer Reviving Grass would be useless. Therefore, he had to return early, allowing some time to devise other solutions.

Hearing Ling Chen’s words, Xu Ruoyan nodded, her heart filled with warmth. This was a long-lost feeling. Even though she had lost her father, two Great Elders, and her entire Sect, she still had Ling Chen. With him, it felt as if she had regained the whole world.

After settling Xu Ruoyan to sleep, Ling Chen quietly left the room.

I need to pack up a little; I should set out early tomorrow morning. With this thought, Ling Chen turned to leave. He still had many unfinished matters to attend to and instructions to give.

He also needed to send a message to Xia Yunxin at Magic Fog Mountain to inform her of his whereabouts, so she wouldn’t worry.

As soon as dawn broke the next day, Ling Chen set out. Riding the Qingfeng Jue, he embarked on the journey to the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

「Three days later.」

Ling Chen arrived at Mingyan City, a border city in the south of the Fire Country.

This was already the southernmost region of the Five Kingdoms. Further south lay the vast, boundless Hundred Thousand Mountains.

The Qingfeng Jue was much faster than ordinary Flying Monsters. Being high-rank and excelling in speed, it was naturally incomparable to common flying beasts.

Mingyan City primarily served as a hub for merchants. While the Hundred Thousand Mountains were perilous, the outer regions weren’t an inescapable deathtrap. Many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, rare in the outside world, grew there, attracting numerous warriors. These warriors often sold any rare items they found to the Black Market. Consequently, despite its remote location, Mingyan City possessed robust economic strength, with over half of it under the Black Market’s control.

Ling Chen hadn’t confirmed his route when he left, so even the people from the Black Market didn’t know he would pass through Mingyan City.

After arriving in Mingyan City, Ling Chen stopped to rest. He knew he couldn’t recklessly venture further without at least a general map of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Firstly, I won’t achieve anything without a purpose. Secondly, I need to save time; I don’t have much for this trip.

Ling Chen went to the Golden Jade Pavilion in Mingyan City and handed a gold ticket to a Deacon, saying, ”I need a map of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.”

The Deacon, an old man, looked at Ling Chen’s young and unfamiliar face and asked in surprise, ”You’re going to the Hundred Thousand Mountains?”

Generally, those who ventured into the Hundred Thousand Mountains were familiar faces. If not exceptionally powerful, they were at least renowned experts. Someone as young as Ling Chen was a rare sight. After all, the Hundred Thousand Mountains teemed with ferocious beasts and poison-plagued areas. Without sufficient strength, one wouldn’t dare enter casually. Entering the Hundred Thousand Mountains required not only strength but often also experience from frequent visits. First-timers usually needed a guide familiar with the routes; otherwise, the risk of perishing was substantial.

”Yes,” Ling Chen nodded.

Although he was now famous throughout the Martial World, not many people knew what he looked like, especially in a remote place like this near the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Even if the Black Market was well-informed, it was normal for a minor Deacon in Mingyan City not to recognize Ling Chen.

”Young man, the Hundred Thousand Mountains are not a place to enter casually. It’s better to find a team; otherwise, it’s easy to get in but hard to get out,” the elderly Deacon kindly reminded Ling Chen.

”Thank you for the reminder.” Ling Chen nodded. He’s right. I’m a newcomer and know nothing about the Hundred Thousand Mountains. It’s essential to find a team familiar with the area. ”Do you have any good teams to recommend, Deacon?”

A smile touched Ling Chen’s lips, and he offered another gold ticket. If I revealed my identity, the entire Black Market of Mingyan City would naturally serve me, but I don’t like doing things that way. There’s no need to make my presence known to everyone here. Ling Chen was now a martial overlord in his own right and was quite adept at handling interpersonal relationships.

”Certainly.” The elderly Deacon accepted the gold ticket, a bright smile spreading across his face. ”It just so happens that a team from the Blood Whale Gang is heading into the Hundred Thousand Mountains today. You can try to join them. However, I can’t guarantee they’ll accept you.”

”Look, they are over there.” The Deacon handed the map of the Hundred Thousand Mountains to Ling Chen and then gestured towards a direction in the hall.

Ling Chen followed the direction of the gesture. In his line of sight were several figures dressed in blood-red clothes: three men and one woman, all of whom were Grand Masters. This caught Ling Chen’s attention.

In a place like Mingyan City, Grand Master-level powerhouses were uncommon. For four to appear at once was somewhat surprising. However, entering the Hundred Thousand Mountains required strength. If one hadn’t reached the Grand Master Realm, the risk of perishing within was considerable.

”Thank you.” Ling Chen took the map and walked towards the group of four.

Seeing Ling Chen approach, the woman in red among the four gave a derisive smile. ”Look, there’s a kid heading our way. You don’t think he wants to team up with us too, do you?” Hmph, another one trying to team up? Before him, several others came looking to join us, but they were all sent packing dejectedly. Wanting to team up with us without enough strength is just daydreaming.

”Fourth, tell him to get lost,” the oldest, a one-eyed man, commanded coldly.

Hearing this, the youngest-looking of the four, a hawk-nosed young man, stood up and blocked Ling Chen’s path.

”I’d like to join your team,” Ling Chen said with a faint smile.

”Team up? Like hell! Scram,” the hawk-nosed young man sneered coldly, his face full of disdain.