590: Lu Xueqi (67)

While settling the bill at the inn, the innkeeper kindly reminded them, "Are you three travelers heading to the Southern Border? The roads haven't been safe lately; I've heard that Yao Beasts have been appearing and specifically attacking passersby."

Su Han thanked the innkeeper, but his resolve to leave was firm.

Leaving Lin'nan Town, the three traveled south along the trade route.

The further south they went, the more peculiar the surrounding scenery became.

The originally gentle hills were gradually replaced by steep mountain peaks, and the vegetation became dense and strange; many of the plants were varieties rarely seen in the Central Plains.

The air was filled with a hot and humid Aura, making one feel slightly uncomfortable.

Following Bi Yao's guidance, they chose a relatively secluded path; although difficult to traverse, it did indeed save quite a bit of time.

On the road, the degree of familiarity Miss Bi Yao showed regarding the customs of the Southern Border made Su Han even more convinced that her claim of having "been there a few times with her father" was by no means simple.

She could not only accurately identify various poisonous plants but also interpret markings that only the local people understood.

"These markings were left by hunters of the Black Witch Clan, indicating danger ahead," Miss Bi Yao explained, pointing to a strange symbol carved onto a tree.

Lu Xueqi suddenly asked, "Miss Bi Yao seems very knowledgeable about the Black Witch Clan?"

Miss Bi Yao's expression stiffened slightly, then she smiled and said, "Our Ghost King Sect has some dealings with the Black Witch Clan, so I know a little."

Su Han did not expose her cover-up; everyone had their own secrets, and as long as it didn't affect the overall situation, he didn't want to delve into it.

After traveling continuously for five days, they had penetrated deep into the hinterland of the Southern Border.

The mountain terrain here became increasingly treacherous, with ancient trees reaching for the sky and vines intertwined; one could often hear the howls of unknown beasts from afar.

That evening, the three set up camp to rest beside a mountain stream.

Su Han hunted some game and roasted it over the fire.

Lu Xueqi sat quietly to regulate her Qi, while Miss Bi Yao organized their gear nearby.

Suddenly, Lu Xueqi opened her eyes and whispered, "Someone is approaching."

Su Han and Miss Bi Yao immediately became alert.

A moment later, a series of chaotic footsteps came from the forest, mixed with anxious panting.

A young girl wearing the ethnic attire of the Southern Border stumbled out of the forest; her clothes were tattered, she was covered in wounds, and she looked extremely disheveled.

Upon seeing Su Han and the others, the girl was startled at first, then a look of pleading appeared in her eyes. She said in a dialect-heavy common tongue, "Help, help me! A monster is chasing me!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a terrifying roar came from the forest, causing leaves to rustle down.

Su Han's eyes narrowed, and he shielded the girl behind him, saying in a deep voice, "Don't be afraid, come behind us."

Lu Xueqi had already gripped her tianya divine sword, and Miss Bi Yao also took out her Magic Treasure, standing ready.

A massive Yao Beast dashed out of the forest; it resembled a leopard but was entirely scarlet red, its eyes like torches, and its fangs were exposed, dripping with foul-smelling saliva.

Most peculiarly, it had a single horn on its forehead that shimmered with an eerie purple light.

"It's a Unicorn Scarlet Leopard!" Miss Bi Yao exclaimed, "This kind of Yao Beast is extremely rare; it is said to possess the Bloodline of an ancient exotic beast."

The Unicorn Scarlet Leopard let out a low growl, its gaze locked firmly onto the Southern Border girl, as if it was determined to have her.

Su Han stepped forward, blocking the path between the Yao Beast and the girl.

Seeing this, the Unicorn Scarlet Leopard roared angrily and lunged at Su Han.

Its speed was astonishing; it turned into a red blur and reached Su Han in an instant.

Su Han was unhurried; he shifted his body slightly to dodge the lethal pounce and simultaneously struck the Yao Beast's flank with his palm.

With a "bang," the palm force hit its target, but the Unicorn Scarlet Leopard merely swayed, seemingly not having suffered any major injury.

Su Han was slightly startled; although he hadn't used his full strength in that palm strike, it was still enough to split stone, and he hadn't expected the Yao Beast's defense to be so formidable.

The Unicorn Scarlet Leopard was enraged; the purple light on its horn flared, and a bolt of lightning struck directly at Su Han.

Seeing this, Lu Xueqi unsheathed her tianya divine sword, and a Sword Qi met the lightning.

The two forces collided in the air, erupting into a dazzling light.

Miss Bi Yao also seized the opportunity to strike, shooting several emerald green beams of light at the Yao Beast.

Under their combined attack, the Unicorn Scarlet Leopard gradually faltered, sustaining several wounds.

It seemed to realize that its opponents were not to be trifled with; it let out an unwilling growl, turned, and dashed into the forest, disappearing from sight.

Su Han did not pursue it, instead turning to check on the condition of the Southern Border girl.

"Miss, are you alright?"

The girl was still shaken and panted for a moment before saying, "Th-thank you for saving me. My name is A-Lan, and I am from the Black Witch Clan."

"Black Witch Clan?" Su Han's heart stirred, "Are you from the Black Witch Clan that lives on Black Witch Mountain?"

A-Lan looked at Su Han in surprise, "How do you know about Black Witch Mountain?"

Su Han did not answer directly but asked, "Why was that Unicorn Scarlet Leopard chasing you?"

A-Lan's expression dimmed, "Our village has recently suffered a great disaster. Half a month ago, after an omen appeared over Black Witch Mountain, the Yao Beasts in the mountains became unusually violent and frequently attacked nearby villages."

She continued, "Today, I went up the mountain with several companions to gather herbs, but unexpectedly we encountered this Unicorn Scarlet Leopard. The others, the others were all..."

At this point, A-Lan choked up and could not continue.

Miss Bi Yao stepped forward to comfort her, "Don't be sad, you are safe now."

Su Han handed A-Lan some water and food, and after her emotions calmed down, he asked, "Miss A-Lan, is the omen you mentioned the light that appears over Black Witch Mountain every night at the hour of the Rat?"

A-Lan nodded in surprise, "You know about it too? Ever since that light appeared, the Elders in our village have said that a major event is about to occur, and they are preparing for the Witch God Sacrifice."

Su Han exchanged a glance with Lu Xueqi and continued to ask, "Regarding this omen, are there any legends in your village?"

A-Lan thought for a moment and said, "The Elders say this might be a sign that the 'Bronze Divine Palace' is about to appear in the world."

Su Han was shocked and, suppressing his excitement, asked, "Bronze Divine Palace? What is that?"

"That is a legend passed down through generations in our Black Witch Clan," A-Lan explained, "It is said that every three hundred years, the Bronze Divine Palace will appear on Black Witch Mountain, and inside are countless treasures and the secret to immortality."

"But there is a powerful Restriction around the Divine Palace; only on the night of the full moon will the Restriction weaken, making it possible to enter."

Su Han could basically confirm that the "Bronze Divine Palace" A-Lan spoke of was the Ancient Bronze Palace they were looking for.

He continued to ask, "Will the Divine Palace appear on the next night of the full moon?"

A-Lan nodded, "The Elders calculated that it will be on the night of the full moon in ten or so days."

This was completely consistent with the information Su Han had obtained from the bronze mirror.

"Miss A-Lan, can we go and meet the Elders of your village?" Su Han asked.

A-Lan hesitated for a moment, "Outsiders are usually not allowed to enter the village, but you saved my life, so I can try to plead with the Elders for you."

Su Han expressed his gratitude, "Then I will have to trouble you."

Under A-Lan's guidance, the three continued to advance in the direction of Black Witch Mountain.

On the way, A-Lan told them that recently, not only had Yao Beast activity around the village become frequent, but many outsiders had also appeared near Black Witch Mountain, all of whom seemed interested in the Bronze Divine Palace.

"A few days ago, a group of people dressed in uniform white clothing came near the village; they had a menacing Aura, and the Elders wouldn't let us get close to them," A-Lan said.