61: A chance encounter with a cultivator

The voice initially sounded extremely distant, but in the blink of an eye, it was right overhead!

Lin Mo suddenly looked up!

High in the sky, a brilliant streak of green light tore through the lead-gray clouds!

Within the light, a majestic giant green-feathered crane with a wingspan of over thirty feet was faintly visible!

On the crane's back, two figures seemed to be standing!

The giant crane did not stop, nor did it even lower its altitude; its sharp crane eyes merely swept across the desolate small island below and the tiny figures on the beach by chance.

The moment its gaze swept over—

Boom!

An indescribably grand pressure, like an invisible mountain range, descended from the sky!

It wasn't targeted at anyone; it was simply the oppressive feeling brought about by the absolute difference in life levels naturally emitted by the beings on the crane!

Lin Mo let out a muffled groan. His Qi, which had just recovered slightly, surged in response, forming a faint golden glimmer on his body's surface to stubbornly resist this pressure.

The three Death Warriors behind him shook violently, their faces instantly turning pale. Yet, they still gritted their teeth to steady themselves, their eyes fixed on the sky as they shielded Lin Mo behind them.

From the back of the giant crane came a young man's voice, as light as the wind yet clearly entering everyone's ears, carrying a hint of faint surprise:

“Eh? In this remote place, there are actually martial arts juniors with quite solid Foundations. That flash of aura just now... interesting.”

Another slightly aged and gentle voice spoke: “Green Feather, do not meddle in unnecessary matters.

The Sect Master instructed that investigating the source of the Seal's abnormal movement is paramount. The aura of the key remaining in the Crimson Flame Mountain Range points toward the eastern sea region; we must search carefully.

A few mundane Martial Artists are not worth our attention.”

“Yes, Elder Zhou,” the young man replied.

That indifferent gaze finally moved away, and the terrifying pressure receded like a tide.

The green streak of light did not linger, streaking across the sky and heading straight toward the Far East Sea Eye, vanishing at the edge of sight in an instant.

On the beach, Death Warrior One Three Four's legs gave way, and he knelt on one knee, gasping for air. One Three Five also had sweat on his forehead.

Only Lin Mo remained standing, but his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

His gaze was as sharp as a sword, staring fixedly in the direction the green crane had disappeared.

Green Feather... Elder Zhou... Sect Master... investigating the Seal's movement... key aura... every word hammered heavily against his heart.

Sects!

As expected, they are powers that transcend the Dynasty! And they came so quickly!

Their goal was clear—the Crimson Flame Mountain Range Seal and the key's aura! And they had already tracked it to the Sea Eye!

The two people on that green crane made him feel as if he were facing a great enemy just from their naturally emitted pressure. Their strength was definitely at the Golden Core Stage! Perhaps even higher!

When he used the rusted sword to break into the core of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range that day, he had indeed left traces! These Sect Cultivators' emphasis on the 'key' exceeded imagination!

“Depart immediately!”

Lin Mo's voice was low and urgent. “We must return to Qing Lan City before they might double back or make other arrangements!”

The wooden raft was quickly pushed into the sea.

The four leapt on. One Three Four and One Three Five rowed with all their might, while Lin Mo, ignoring his unhealed injuries, urged his Qi once more to assist in acceleration while remaining vigilant of the sky.

When they came, they had drifted unconsciously without a path, but for the return, they had the guidance of One Three Four's navigational knowledge.

Two days later, in the deep of night, the wooden raft quietly approached a remote rocky beach on the continent's eastern coast.

This was one of the secret landing points established by Death Warrior Two.

Just as they stepped onto the shore, four figures silently emerged from the darkness, led by Death Warrior Two.

His entire body was shrouded in black, revealing only a pair of calm eyes.

“Young Master, you have finally returned,” Two said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of relief. “The situation in Qing Lan City has changed.”

“Speak.”

“Yesterday, the City Lord's Manor's Shadow Guards suddenly moved in large numbers, raiding two of our hidden posts in the west of the city. Although no core losses were sustained, their attitude was extremely forceful.

At the same time, rumors began to spread in the city about an exotic treasure appearing in the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, attracting the attention of mysterious experts. There are many versions, but they all vaguely point toward you, Young Master.”

Two paused, his voice turning even deeper. “Additionally, half an hour ago, Three sent an urgent report that a completely unfamiliar and powerful aura suddenly descended upon the Hundred Treasures Pavilion!

Steward Wu personally went out to welcome them with an extremely respectful attitude.

That aura is of the same origin as the pressure from the suspected Sect experts that swept across the sky days ago!”

Lin Mo's eyes narrowed.

Li Chongshan is cornered and has begun his purge.

Spreading rumors is an attempt to put him on the spot.

And the Sect people actually went directly to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion? The owner of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion indeed has connections with the Sect! Did his previous desire to see me have to do with the Sect's arrival?

The wind heralds the coming storm.

As the holder of the 'key' with unrecovered cultivation, he was simultaneously targeted by the Dynasty's City Lord, a mysterious Sect, and even the unknown horrors behind the void rift.

However, clutching the warm Grey-white Spiral Stone and the dark gold foil in his robe, feeling the steady pulse of the demon suppressing sword on his back, and the will of over a hundred Death Warriors closely connected to him through the invisible network... Lin Mo took a deep breath of the chilly night wind, his gaze becoming cold and determined once more.

“Return to the city. Go to the Nest first. Notify Four to initiate the second step of the Hibernating Dragon Plan. Meanwhile, have Three find out the specific identities and goals of the Sect visitors at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion at all costs!”

“Yes!”

The figures merged into the night and vanished without a trace.

Above the night sky of Qing Lan City, dark clouds gathered, and the faint roll of thunder could be heard.

Qing Lan City, the “Nest.”

This was an absolute secret room located underground in the slums, converted from several abandoned waterways.

Only a few core Death Warriors like Four, Two, and Three knew of it.

Lin Mo sat cross-legged on the only stone bed. His face was still pale, but his aura had begun to stabilize.

He had just taken a Medicinal Pill for consolidating his Foundation, which One Three Six had urgently prepared using herbs collected from the island and stock.

Four stood respectfully in front, quickly reporting:

“Li Chongshan purged four peripheral hidden posts. We lost seven people, all newly recruited peripheral personnel; the core remains unexposed.

He has also intensified searches within the city, appearing to look for specific items rather than simply arresting people.”

“Three sources of the rumors have been identified, related respectively to the City Lord's Manor, the Governor's Manor, and a suddenly active foreign merchant house. It is speculated that someone is fishing in troubled waters or intentionally creating chaos.”

“Regarding the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, the arrivals are indeed Sect Cultivators.

One is called Elder Zhou, at the Golden Core Early Stage. The other young man is his Disciple, at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

They have stayed on the top floor of the pavilion for two hours and have not yet left. Steward Wu is personally guarding the door, forbidding anyone from approaching.”

“Additionally, Three learned through special channels that a secret envoy from the Heavenly Supervision Department headquarters arrived at the Qing Lan City branch yesterday and has been in a closed-door meeting with Sikong Xuan until now. The content is unknown.”

“How many of our people have been withdrawn?” Lin Mo asked.

“Hidden Scale has been activated. For public businesses, only necessary personnel remain; core members and valuable assets have been transferred to three backup bases.

Combat Group Two's twelve members and Group Five's eight members have broken into small units and infiltrated various parts of the city, ready to move at any time.

Newly summoned Death Warriors One Three Seven (Basic Tracking and Counter-Tracking) to One Three Nine (Basic Mechanical Traps) have joined their respective groups.”

Lin Mo nodded slightly.