33: Chapter 33 Chen Xuanyang

Wu Li squatted on the highest withered branch, his bean-sized black pupils scanning the Crow Flock below. He remained silent for a moment, then spoke, his hoarse voice calm and unhurried.

"I am going to move, I won't be staying in Desolate Ridge anymore."

"Are you coming with me, or staying here?"

Heiyu did not hesitate in the slightest; he raised his head, his voice firm: "Wherever the Old Ancestor goes, I go. I will follow the Old Ancestor to the death!"

Bai Chi also nodded in agreement: "Follow the Old Ancestor!"

Heida, Heier, and Heisan chimed in together.

Although the dozens of ordinary crows behind them didn't understand what "moving" meant, seeing their five companions in the Qi Ling Realm express their stance, they also followed suit, cawing noisily and flapping their wings, scrambling to express their desire to follow.

Wu Li tilted his head, looking at this group of crows, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his bean-sized black pupils.

"Good, then prepare yourselves. We leave in five days."

There were uncertain factors in the new location, so he planned to first digest that remaining spirit mushroom thing...

Wu Li squatted by the nest.

He took the silvery-white spirit mushroom out of his bundle.

The spirit mushroom was the size of a palm, with thick leaves emitting a faint fluorescent glow, and the fluctuations of Soul Power were rich and gentle.

Wu Li examined it for a long time, but because he didn't recognize the species, nor did he know the specific effects of this thing, he hesitated.

Eat it directly?

What if it's poisonous?

Thinking of this... Wu Li's gaze fell on Heiyu. That largest Qi Ling crow was squatting on the withered branch below, respectfully lowering his head.

Wu Li used his claw to tear off a small piece from the edge of the spirit mushroom, the size of a fingernail. When the leaf broke, a few drops of silvery-white juice seeped out, overflowing with Spiritual Qi.

"Heiyu, come here."

Heiyu hurriedly flapped his wings and flew up, landing beside Wu Li, his eyes full of confusion.

Wu Li tossed that piece of spirit mushroom in front of Heiyu and said with feigned generosity: "It's a reward for you. Eat it."

Heiyu's eyes lit up instantly. He lowered his head, picked up the piece of spirit mushroom, and swallowed it in one gulp.

A moment later.

Heiyu's body trembled violently, his feathers flared, and a layer of faint silvery-white light emanated from around his body.

Demon Power began to fluctuate, surging from within his body, becoming stronger and stronger, more and more concentrated.

Heiyu opened his beak and let out a low caw, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement.

Qi Ling Early Stage, Qi Ling Middle Stage, Qi Ling Peak!

Just one step away from stepping into the threshold of a Tier 1 Demonic Beast.

Heiyu squatted on the withered branch, gasping for air, his eyes full of disbelief.

He raised his head, looked at Wu Li, and his voice trembled: "Old... Old Ancestor, I..."

Wu Li ignored him. The Blood Pupil on his forehead slowly opened, and a crimson light enveloped Heiyu's entire body.

Under the Blood Pupil, everything inside Heiyu was clearly visible: the circulation of Demon Power, the path of the Meridians, his bones and flesh, and that faint Soul Fire floating in his Sea of Consciousness.

The Soul Fire was a sliver stronger than before. Although not much, it had indeed strengthened.

Wu Li retracted his Blood Pupil and nodded.

He didn't know what species the spirit mushroom was, but there was no problem with it itself; it could strengthen the Divine Soul and also improve cultivation.

He looked down at the remaining spirit mushroom in his hand, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, and then waved his wing, signaling Heiyu to withdraw.

"You all work hard too, there will be rewards in the future."

"Alright."

"Dismissed. We leave in five days."

Heiyu nodded hurriedly, leaped from the withered branch, and flew back into the Crow Flock.

The other crows saw Heiyu's cultivation surge after eating the spirit mushroom, and their eyes were full of envy and desire, but Wu Li hadn't spoken, so no one dared to move.

Hearing the three words "dismissed," the crows finally flapped their wings one after another and scattered, flying back to their respective withered branches.

Desolate Ridge returned to silence.

Wu Li squatted by the nest, looking down at the silvery-white spirit mushroom in his claws, a trace of anticipation flashing in his bean-sized black pupils.

Meanwhile.

Yunshan Sect.

The Sect Master's main hall.

The main hall was brightly lit.

On the long table in the center of the hall, a palm-sized cyan jade compass lay quietly, with twelve small ancient seal characters carved on its edge.

The needle had originally pointed steadily toward the direction of Chen Yuanshan and his group's Luck, but at this moment, it was like a kite with a broken string, spinning crazily and unable to stop.

The pavilion-guarding Disciple knelt to the side, his face pale, his forehead pressed against the floor, trembling all over.

"Elder Chen's Twelve Longevity Compass... suddenly lost connection half an hour ago. The needle is spinning crazily, unable to lock onto a position. This Disciple has tried to activate it several times, but there has been no response."

The news spread throughout the entire sect faster than the wind.

Inside the Sect Master's main hall.

Four figures sat on both sides, and no one spoke.

Sect Master Chen Xuanyang sat upright in the main seat. He had a square face, thick eyebrows like blades, and the aura of a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, as steady as a mountain. His deep cyan dharma robe was embroidered with the mountain emblem of the Yunshan Sect.

His gaze was heavy as he stared at the crazily spinning compass on the long table, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, each tap sounding like it was striking everyone's heart.

"The compass has lost connection. Thirty-seven people, and not a single one can be contacted."

"Something has happened over at Wanhui Mountain."

Chen Xuanyang spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying a pressure that made people afraid to look directly at him.

The first Elder on the left stood up and bowed with folded fists. This man was named Zhou Yuande, about fifty years old, with Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. He had a thin face, and his pair of triangular eyes contained restrained brilliance. He was the Outer Sect Manager of the Yunshan Sect, and most of the Disciples Chen Yuanshan had taken away were under his command.

"Sect Master, before Yuanshan left, he reported to me that the Earth Lizard Ancestor was already at the end of his rope. This trip should have been a sure thing. Now that the compass has lost connection, there must have been an accident. I request to lead men to investigate."

Chen Xuanyang raised his hand, signaling him to calm down.

"Yuande, you said it yourself, an Earth Lizard whose Lifespan is coming to an end is nothing to worry about."

"But now, thirty-seven people, and not even a single message has been sent back, and the compass has cut off. Don't you think this is wrong?"

Zhou Yuande opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

The second Elder on the right stood up. This man was named Sun Boyuan, about sixty years old, Early Stage Foundation Establishment, with graying hair and a refined face. He was the Inner Sect Manager of the Yunshan Sect.

He stroked his beard and said in a deep voice: "Does the Sect Master mean that someone is plotting behind the scenes?"

"I'm not sure." Chen Xuanyang shook his head. "But we cannot move on Wanhui Mountain for now."

"Sect Master!" Zhou Yuande was anxious. "Yuanshan and the others' lives are uncertain, we can't just..."

"Can't what?" Chen Xuanyang interrupted him, his tone still steady. "If you lead men there and happen to perish inside as well? Then send more men? How many more are you going to lose?"

Zhou Yuande's face looked ugly, but in the end, he sat back down.

Chen Xuanyang stood up, walked to the long table, and looked down at the crazily spinning compass. He remained silent for a moment, then spoke, his voice deep and firm.

"Pass down the order: set up sentries on the periphery of Wanhui Mountain. Observe only, do not enter. First, see what movements are happening over there. If there is no abnormality, Yuande, you will lead men to go there in seven days."

"Understood."

The several Elders responded in unison, but in their hearts, they were dissatisfied with Chen Xuanyang's decision.

If there's a problem now and they don't go, by the time they go in seven days, everyone will be long dead, but since he is the Sect Master, once the order was given, they dared not openly comply while secretly acting against it.