132: Looking for monsters in the mountains

Green Edge's serpentine body moved silently through the shadows of the forest.

His crimson snake eyes sharply scanned the surroundings, and his Divine Sense, like a delicate spiderweb, perceived every fluctuation of Demonic Qi in the air.

As a Third-Tier Demon General and a Single-Horned Green Python with an excellent Bloodline, he was powerful enough to roam unchecked in the outer regions of this mountain forest.

Soon, he locked onto a stream of Demonic Qi that was relatively strong and carried distinct fluctuations of intelligence.

It was an Iron-Winged Mountain Owl residing in the canopy of a huge ancient tree, its strength roughly at Second-Tier Peak. It had already gained intelligence and was one of the overlords of this area.

Green Edge did not conceal himself; he directly released the oppressive aura belonging to a Third-Tier Demon General, enveloping the tree canopy like an invisible mountain.

"Screeech—!"

A frightened shriek came from the canopy, and a gigantic owl, with a wingspan exceeding ten meters and feathers like cast iron, scrambled out, attempting to flee.

But Green Edge was faster. A green shadow flashed, already blocking its path, his cold snake eyes locking onto it.

"Your Excellency... spare me!" The Iron-Winged Mountain Owl felt the oppression of Demonic Power far exceeding its own, immediately suppressed its ferocity, hovering mid-air, trembling, and spoke human words in a sharp voice.

"Answer a few questions honestly, and you may live." Green Edge's voice was hoarse and cold, devoid of any emotion.

"Yes, yes, yes, please ask, Your Excellency! This Little Yao will definitely tell you everything I know!" The Iron-Winged Mountain Owl nodded repeatedly.

"A thousand years ago, did you witness a large-scale evacuation of a group of Human Cultivators from this vicinity?" Green Edge asked the core question directly.

Hearing this, a trace of confusion flashed in the owl's eyes. It tried hard to recall: "A thou—a thousand years? Your Excellency, this Little Yao has only cultivated for a little over three hundred years. I truly do not know about events a thousand years ago."

Fearing Green Edge's displeasure, it hastily added, "However, this Little Yao once heard an Old Ancestor of my clan, who passed away long ago, mention that a very, very long time ago, there was indeed a lot of Human Race activity in these mountains and waters. Later, for some unknown reason, they suddenly vanished. It's said they left in a great hurry and even destroyed some things..."

Green Edge's snake eyes narrowed slightly: "What else did that Old Ancestor say? About those members of the Human Race, or any anomalies in this water and mountain region?"

The Iron-Winged Mountain Owl racked its brains: "The Old Ancestor seemed to mention... after those members of the Human Race disappeared, the mountains and the waters were quiet for a long time. Later, intelligent Fellow Daoists gradually appeared in the mountains, but those in the water... seemed to remain muddled and rarely spoke like us. The Old Ancestor said that underwater... it seems something is pressing down, preventing the fellows beneath from 'waking up'."

This statement coincided perfectly with Gao De's own discoveries.

"Do you know which old fellows in this mountain forest have lived for over a thousand years? Where are their nests?" Green Edge pressed further.

Fear flashed in the Iron-Winged Mountain Owl's eyes: "Yes... yes! Three hundred *li* to the west, there is a Mountain-Moving Ape, possessing boundless strength, said to have lived for a very long time! And in the deep pool to the north, there is an Old Black Serpent, which rarely shows itself, but its aura is terrifying... This Little Yao dares not approach their territories."

Having obtained the desired information, Green Edge withdrew his oppressive aura: "Scram. Do not speak of today's events to anyone."

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for sparing my life!" The Iron-Winged Mountain Owl felt as if it had received a great pardon, hastily flapped its wings, and disappeared into the depths of the dense forest without looking back.

Green Edge returned underwater and reported the intelligence he had gathered to Gao De.

"Mountain-Moving Ape, Old Black Serpent..." Gao De pondered for a moment. "It seems that if we want to know the details of a thousand years ago, we inevitably have to deal with these old fellows."

He looked at Green Edge and Iron Pincer, who had been maintaining vigilance underwater: "Prepare yourselves. We will first go meet that Mountain-Moving Ape. Remember, courtesy before force. If we can get the information through trade or deterrence, that would be best. If not..."

Purple Lightning flashed in Gao De's eyes, and the icy aura seemed to lower the surrounding water temperature by several degrees.

"...then we will let it know who calls the shots in this water and mountain region now."

Since the waters were masterless, and the intelligent Yao Beasts in the mountains were ruling independently, he, a Flood Dragon King possessing dragon blood and greatly increased strength, now had the qualifications to integrate resources and explore secrets.

He wanted the clues regarding the Yunhe Sect, and he was equally interested in controlling this region.

The group no longer hesitated, leaving the water valley and heading toward the western mountain forest in the direction indicated by the Iron-Winged Mountain Owl.

Three hundred *li* west, Ape Howling Mountain.

Following the direction indicated by the Iron-Winged Mountain Owl, Gao De led Green Edge westward.

The deeper they went, the more rugged the mountains became. Ancient trees towered into the sky, vines resembled Dragons, and the air was filled with a primal and savage aura.

The Spiritual Qi here was more active than in the outer regions, signaling the potential residence of even stronger beings.

A distance of three hundred *li* was nothing to two Third-Tier Demon Kings. Soon, a stretch of rugged, strangely shaped mountains, interspersed with a few twisted ancient trees, appeared before them.

This mountain region gave off a heavy sense of oppression, as if the entire mountain range had come alive, silently watching the outsiders.

"Master, this should be the place. That earthy smell and the faint oppressive feeling cannot be wrong." Green Edge flicked his tongue, vigilantly sensing the surroundings.

Just as he finished speaking—

"Awooo Roar—!!"

A deafening roar exploded from the depths of the mountains. The sound wave was like a physical shockwave, causing surrounding rocks to tumble down and trees to shake violently.

Accompanying the roar, a barbaric, violent Demonic Qi, carrying a heavy aura of earth and stone, shot up like smoke. Its intensity had clearly reached Third-Tier Peak, even slightly thicker and more consolidated than the aura of the Three-Headed Python!

"This Old Ape... its strength cannot be underestimated." Green Edge's snake eyes narrowed into slits, feeling immense pressure.

Gao De's expression grew slightly solemn.

Although he was confident, he was never reckless.

This Mountain-Moving Ape had occupied this place for over a thousand years, possessing deep cultivation. Moreover, it was naturally gifted with formidable strength. In a direct confrontation, even with the aid of his new Divine Ability, the Heaven-Confusing Illusionary Miasma, his chances of victory were at best fifty-fifty, and it would likely be a Pyrrhic victory—something he absolutely wished to avoid.

He spoke loudly, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable majesty:

"Fellow Daoist Mountain-Moving Ape, this King harbors no ill will. I merely wish to inquire about some old events. If Fellow Daoist is willing to offer assistance, there will naturally be a reward."

The mountain fell silent for a moment. Then, a dull, thunderous voice came, carrying undisguised irritability and contempt:

"A mere little Flood Dragon dares to call itself King? Disturbing this Old Man's slumber and wanting to ask questions? Scram! Otherwise, I'll dismantle your Flood Dragon bones and stew them for soup!"

Before the voice faded, a stone mountain ahead shook violently. As massive rocks tumbled down, the colossal ape, over thirty meters tall and appearing carved from granite, revealed its form. Its copper-bell-sized eyes locked onto Gao De, full of aggression.

It had no intention of conversing; or rather, it simply did not believe Gao De was qualified to speak with it as an equal.

"Master, this Old Ape is savage and immensely powerful. It is not advisable to clash head-on," Green Edge quickly transmitted telepathically.

Purple Lightning flashed and vanished in Gao De's eyes; he had already made his decision.

He let out a cold snort, and the Dragon Might around him surged, directly confronting the mountain-shaking Demonic Qi. Although slightly disadvantaged, he did not retreat an inch:

"Since Fellow Daoist is unwilling to communicate, so be it. However, these mountains and waters are connected. Since this King has arrived here, I may visit again another day. Farewell!"

Having said that, he showed no desire to fight. Lightning flashed around him, and the Lightning Evasion technique was executed. Carrying Green Edge, he transformed into a swift streak of Purple Lightning and retreated without hesitation, moving extremely fast.

Seeing Gao De retreat so decisively, the Mountain-Moving Ape was momentarily stunned. It then let out an even more ferocious roar, smashing a small hill beside it to smithereens with its massive fist, but it did not pursue deeply.

Although it was irritable, it was not entirely without reason. That little Flood Dragon had an extraordinary aura and strange evasion techniques. If they fought to the death, it would also have to pay a price.

Since the opponent wisely retreated, it was too lazy to waste energy pursuing.

Having moved far away from the Mountain-Moving Ape's territory, Gao De and his company stopped.

"Master, this Old Ape is immensely powerful and unreasonable. It will likely be difficult to obtain information from it," Green Edge said in a deep voice.

Gao De's gaze was profound as he looked toward the Mountain-Moving Ape's territory: "No matter. This trip was not without gain. At least we've ascertained the Old Ape's background and attitude. A direct assault is not advisable, so we must change our approach, or look for a Breakthrough elsewhere."

He recalled the other target mentioned by the Iron-Winged Mountain Owl—the "Old Black Serpent in the deep pool to the north."

Creatures of the Black Serpent lineage are often gloomy. Would it necessarily be easier to communicate with than this irritable Mountain-Moving Ape? Or perhaps, they could try to piece together fragmented information by indirectly questioning the weaker, intelligent Yao Beasts?

"Let's return to Qianjiao Cliff first." Gao De made his decision. "We need to consolidate the information gathered recently. The matter of the Old Black Serpent requires careful long-term planning. Furthermore, the Jade Slips and Beast Hide Scrolls left behind by the Yunhe Sect might contain details I haven't noticed yet."

He knew well that when facing these old monsters who had lived for countless years, strength was the foundation of dialogue.

He had just achieved a Breakthrough and still needed time to stabilize his Realm and further enhance his strength. At the same time, intelligence gathering was crucial. Reckless head-on conflict was not the action of a wise man.

This brief confrontation with the Mountain-Moving Ape made Gao De realize even more clearly the hidden power residing deep within the Yunmeng Marsh; his strength was still far from allowing him to act as he pleased.