49: Ancient Seal

The atmosphere in the valley camp was heavy.

"The Black Wolf Tribe's southern invasion happened at too coincidental a time." Chen Feng's brows were tightly knit. "Could it be related to the schemes of the Third Prince and Li Chongshan?"

"Using external enemies to create a crisis, elevate one's own status, and eliminate dissent... there have been plenty of precedents throughout history," Liu Qingli said coldly.

Lei Meng scratched his head. "Then what do we do now? The bandits have been suppressed, and the evidence has been handed over. Are we just going to wait here?"

Lin Mo stood on the hillside, gazing toward the northwest.

The vibration of the rusted sword in his arms had become almost a background noise, constantly reminding him of the anomalies in the Crimson Flame Mountain Range.

"Our mission was to wipe out the Black Wind Gorge Horse Bandits, and it is now complete," Lin Mo spoke slowly. "The Academy contribution points won't be lacking. However, the matter is not over."

He turned to look at everyone. "The plots of Li Chongshan and the Third Prince will be dealt with by the imperial laws and their political rivals. What we can do now is prevent an even greater disaster from occurring."

"You mean... the Crimson Flame Mountain Range?" Liu Qingli reacted very quickly.

"Exactly." Lin Mo nodded. "Wild Wolf Valley, which Black Wind Fiend confessed to, is located at the eastern foothills of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, near Earth Fire Valley."

"That place is not only the destination for their arms trade, but it might also be related to the recent anomalies in the Crimson Flame Mountain Range."

"I suspect someone is using the smuggling network and the chaotic situation to carry out some dangerous business in the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, possibly even related to... an ancient seal."

"ancient seal?" Both Chen Feng and Lei Meng were taken aback. Liu Qingli looked thoughtful; coming from a prestigious family, she seemed to have heard some rumors.

"It's a long story and involves a lot."

Lin Mo didn't explain in detail. "I want to head to the Crimson Flame Mountain Range to investigate. This trip is far more dangerous than Black Wind Gorge; we might even face existences beyond the Marrow Cleansing Realm. You don't have to come with me."

"What kind of nonsense is that!" Lei Meng was the first to jump up. "I'm with you! So what if they're in the Marrow Cleansing Realm? Is that so amazing? If we can't win, can't we just run?"

Chen Feng was silent for a moment before saying, "My sword needs its edge honed. A dangerous place is the perfect whetstone."

Liu Qingli simply uttered two words: "Going too."

Although Fang Han didn't speak, his firm gaze said everything.

Lin Mo looked at the four people before him, a trace of warmth rising in his heart. In a chaotic world, it was a blessing to have companions one could trust with their life.

"Good." He said no more. "Then we shall go to the Crimson Flame Mountain Range and see exactly what kind of monsters are hiding there!"

"However, before we go, we need to be fully prepared."

The five of them stayed in the valley for three more days.

Lin Mo remotely mobilized resources through the Death Warriors network.

Hundred Herbs Hall secretly delivered a large batch of special-effect Medicinal Pills.

Detoxification Pills, Miasma-Avoiding Pellets, Golden Sore Ointment, and Qi Recovery Powder, as well as a "Blood-Strengthening Pill" improved by Lu based on an ancient recipe. It could greatly stimulate blood and qi to boost combat power for a short time, but the side effects were significant and it was not to be used unless it was a life-or-death situation.

Zhenyuan Escort Agency, under the pretext of expanding the northwest trade route, mobilized a group of mules and pack animals skilled in mountain trekking, along with some supplies.

As for the Hidden Dragon Academy, Lin Mo applied through Instructor Zhao Zhenshan to exchange for a copy of the 'Crimson Flame Mountain Range Records' and several relatively accurate ancient maps.

Although Zhao Zhenshan didn't ask much, he had clearly guessed something and gave him three extra 'Heart-Protecting Pills' for life-saving.

On the morning of the fourth day, everything was ready.

The five-man team set out again, their goal this time being the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, a thousand miles to the northwest.

Not long after they left the valley, a fast horse galloped from the direction of Qinglan City, bringing an urgent secret letter from the Academy.

The letter was handwritten by Academy Master Sun Changqing and contained only one sentence:

"Change has come to Crimson Flame; Sikong Xuan of the Heavenly Supervision Department has already set out. If you encounter him, you may seek help with this letter. Act with caution."

Lin Mo tucked the letter away and looked toward the northwestern horizon.

Even the Vice Director of the Heavenly Supervision Department has personally stepped out... It seems the stirrings in the Crimson Flame Mountain Range have alerted the top levels of the imperial court.

He tightened his grip on the rusted sword.

"Accelerate our advance."

Iron hooves broke the silence of the wilderness, kicking up dry dust.

The further north they went, the more undulating the terrain became. The vegetation gradually changed from sparse shrubs to drought-tolerant thorns and strange rocks protruding from the ground.

After days of continuous travel, both people and horses were exhausted.

Lin Mo and the other four set up camp to rest under a leeward rock wall.

"According to the map and Black Wind Fiend's confession, it will take another two days' journey to reach the eastern edge of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range."

Liu Qingli spread out a slightly old map, her fingertip pointing near the area marked "Wild Wolf Valley."

"Wild Wolf Valley is about thirty li northeast of Earth Fire Valley; it's a group of abandoned mine shafts. Earth Fire Valley is the core area of the recent abnormal fluctuations."

Chen Feng wiped his long sword and said in a heavy voice,

"Along the way, I've already discovered traces of three recently abandoned temporary camps. They weren't left by merchants and were heavily guarded. At least two different groups of people entered this area before us."

"One group should be Sikong Xuan's people from the Heavenly Supervision Department," Lin Mo added, taking out Sun Changqing's secret letter.

"The Academy Master mentioned in his letter that Senior Sikong has already set out. The other group is likely the force Gray Harrier belongs to, who met with Advisor Hu according to Black Wind Fiend's confession. They might be related to the grasslands, or they could be others coveting the secrets of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range."

Lei Meng chewed on dried meat and said indistinctly, "I don't care how many groups there are, I'll cut down whoever comes! I want to see what kind of treasure can be hidden in this godforsaken place!"

Fang Han silently added wood to the campfire, but his ears were pricked, taking every word to heart.

He had the lowest cultivation, but his Heart-Nature was steady. He had been responsible for logistical chores along the way without a word of complaint, absorbing everything he saw and heard.

Lin Mo's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on the rusted sword wrapped in cloth in his arms.

Since entering the range of influence of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, the vibration of the rusted sword had never ceased.

What caught his attention even more was that as they approached, his own perception of the thin Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth seemed to have become slightly sharper.

The rotation of his Qi Sea Acupoint actually showed a nearly imperceptible trend of acceleration in this environment.

"Is the Aperture Condensation Method a fragmented immortal Cultivation Technique?" Lin Mo wondered in his heart.

"I'll take the first half of the night watch, and Senior Brother Chen will take the second half. Everyone else, get some rest."

Lin Mo arranged, "Tomorrow we will avoid the main road and approach the Wild Wolf Valley area from the flank. We'll observe from the periphery first; don't enter rashly."

Everyone had no objections and went to rest.

In the dead of night, all was silent except for the sound of the wind and the faint, low rumbling coming from the distance.

Lin Mo sat cross-legged on a high rock, eyes closed and mind focused, spreading his perception a hundred meters around. He tried to communicate with the rusted sword using his Aperture Condensation Method internal qi, catching the fluctuations from deep within the mountains.

As the internal qi seeped into the rusted sword, the silver patterns on the newly unsealed part of the blade glowed with a faint, almost imperceptible light in the darkness.

In a trance, Lin Mo's consciousness seemed to be pulled across space.

He saw a vast underground space that was scorching and chaotic, filled with dark red magma and rolling black gas.

In the center of the space, seven incredibly thick dark-gold pillars, inscribed with complex ancient runes, stood according to a mysterious alignment, together suppressing a terrifying 'wellhead' that seemed to lead to the depths of the Nine Netherworld.