Chapter 099: The Ten Thousand Mountains

  Endless mountain ranges stretched as far as the eye could see, a boundless sea of green. Towering ancient trees stood like sentinels, their canopies swaying in the cold, biting wind. The air was thick with the scent of blood, and the occasional roar of beasts echoed through the skies. Massive winged creatures soared above, their wings stirring up violent gusts.

  In a secluded mountain stream, a sudden gust of cold wind swept through, causing the air to ripple. Over a small river, space began to distort, the ripples growing more intense until a tear opened in the void. A bloodied figure tumbled out, crashing into the water with a splash.

  Thud! The figure, drenched in blood, collapsed onto the riverbank. A faint purple light flickered nearby, revealing a small, intricate bell made of violet gold. As the light faded, the bell fell onto the bloodied figure—it was Xiao Bai, but his once fluffy body was now torn and battered, barely recognizable.

  "Whimper..." Xiao Bai gently bit onto Yang Tian's clothes, dragging him to the riverbank. He licked Yang Tian's face, his large eyes glistening with unshed tears as he let out soft whimpers.

  Suddenly, Xiao Bai's ears perked up. His eyes turned alert as he glanced into the distance. Without hesitation, he burrowed into Yang Tian's tattered robes.

  "Clop... clop..." The sound of horse-drawn carriages approached. A group of about a dozen people, their auras strong, set up camp nearby. Laughter and chatter filled the air as they prepared to settle in.

  Xiao Bai peeked out from Yang Tian's robes, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint as he watched the newcomers. But soon, his head began to droop, and his vision blurred. As a young girl in green approached, Xiao Bai's world spun, and he collapsed into Yang Tian's arms, falling into a deep sleep.

  When Yang Tian had entered the spatial tunnel, he had been ambushed. Though the tunnel had protected him, the relentless pursuit by the woman from the Ancient Holy Land had left him severely injured. His body had been nearly torn apart, his bones shattered. If not for Elder Zhou's intervention, Yang Tian would have perished.

  Time passed in a haze. In the endless darkness, a faint light began to appear. Yang Tian's consciousness stirred, and he became aware of the searing pain coursing through his body, occasionally soothed by a cool, healing sensation.

  This semi-conscious state lasted for two days before Yang Tian's heavy eyelids finally fluttered open. Through a narrow slit, he saw that he was inside a carriage.

  Relief washed over him as he realized he was safe—for now. He tried to move a finger, but a wave of excruciating pain shot through him, causing him to grimace.

  "The Ancient Holy Land... that woman is ruthless," Yang Tian thought, a surge of anger rising within him. He suspected her motives went beyond just his cultivation technique. If she had merely wanted his technique, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths. She wanted him dead—but why?

  After lying still for a while, Yang Tian's consciousness entered the Ancestral Dragon Ring. The dense energy within brought him some comfort. Without delay, he consumed a handful of healing pills before his consciousness returned to his body.

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  After some time, the medicinal energy spread through his body, and his shattered bones began to mend slightly. Summoning what little strength he had, Yang Tian opened his eyes fully.

  "I hope I've fallen into good hands," Yang Tian thought bitterly, his gaze falling on his broken body. His bones were nearly all fractured, and his energy reserves were completely depleted.

  The river of blood and qi within him was like a dead sea, devoid of any energy. Yang Tian glanced at the seed of fire within the Golden Crow Divine Furnace and took a deep breath. His dantian was intact, but it would take time to fully recover.

  Next, Yang Tian's consciousness entered his sea of consciousness. His soul body was on the verge of collapse, its energy nearly exhausted. A surge of rage welled up within him.

  "Thankfully, I have the Soul Nurturing Lotus Seed," Yang Tian thought, calming himself. His soul body was slowly recovering, bathed in the seed's healing energy.

  Suddenly, Yang Tian remembered something. His hand shot to his chest, and when he felt the small, warm body of Xiao Bai, he relaxed. "Whimper..." Xiao Bai stirred, leaping out and landing on Yang Tian's shoulder, his eyes filled with joy at seeing Yang Tian awake.

  "That woman... even if you're from the Ancient Holy Land, I swear I'll kill you one day," Yang Tian muttered, forcing a smile as he patted Xiao Bai's head. His expression darkened as he noticed the numerous scars covering Xiao Bai's body.

  Yang Tian fed Xiao Bai a handful of pills before the carriage door creaked open. Xiao Bai quickly hid back in Yang Tian's tattered robes.

  "Smart little guy," Yang Tian thought with a faint smile, his gaze shifting to the girl entering the carriage.

  She was around fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a green robe. Her slender figure and delicate features gave her a gentle appearance. Two braids framed her face, and her bright, curious eyes darted around the carriage. When she noticed Yang Tian awake, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked down.

  "At least she's not a bad person," Yang Tian thought, relieved. He could handle shyness over hostility any day.

  "You're awake..." the girl said after a moment, her voice soft as she glanced at Yang Tian.

  "Yes," Yang Tian nodded, trying to shift his position. A sharp pain shot through him, and he winced.

  "Don't move! Your injuries are severe. You need to rest for a long time," the girl said, rushing to his side. "My sister said it would take a month for you to wake up. I didn't expect you to recover so quickly."

  "Ah..." Yang Tian nodded, lying back down. He looked at the girl and smiled faintly. "I'm Yang Tian. Thank you for saving me. I'll repay your kindness someday."

  "No need for thanks," the girl said, waving her hand shyly. "I'm Hong Ying. My family is from the Hong clan. We came to the mountains to gather herbs and found you by the river."

  Yang Tian's eyes flickered with surprise. She had just revealed her family's background so easily.

  "Miss Hong Ying, where exactly are we?" Yang Tian asked after a pause.

  "We're on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Mountains. Didn't you know?" Hong Ying gave him a curious look. "I found you by a small river. My sister said it's a miracle you survived."

  "The Ten Thousand Mountains..." Yang Tian muttered. They were millions of miles away from Martial City. The spatial jade slip had transported him much farther than he had anticipated.

  A chill ran down his spine. The Ten Thousand Mountains were teeming with ferocious beasts, and deeper within, even spirit beasts roamed. If Hong Ying hadn't found him, he would have been devoured long ago.

  "By the way, my sister said it will take years for your injuries to heal, and your martial foundation might never fully recover," Hong Ying said, her voice tinged with pity. At his age, losing years of cultivation time was a heavy blow.

  "It's fine. As long as I recover, that's what matters," Yang Tian said, touched by her concern. His thoughts drifted to a certain green-robed girl...

  "I wonder how Yun'er is doing. The Array Sect's legacy isn't something easily brought back..." Yang Tian murmured, feeling a pang of worry for her.

  "Yang Tian, who hurt you so badly?" Hong Ying asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. She began firing off questions, her voice lively and full of energy.