An Alchemist's Path to Eternity-Chapter 632: The Great Snowy Mountains (II)

The flying boat continued its course, bypassing populated regions and flying only through quiet, unseen stretches of sky. In less than half a month, five figures gathered deep within a dense forest. Fu Jiusheng looked over everyone, his gaze lingering especially on Luo Chen as he put away the flying boat.

"Up ahead are the Great Snowy Mountains!" he said.

The name of Great Snowy Mountains was rather apt—the mountain range stretched over a hundred thousand li, and the countless peaks were blanketed in perpetual snow. They were also teeming with low-tier demonic beasts, most aligned with ice, snow, water, or earth. Among them were also many second- and third-tier ones, and it was said that even a fourth-tier demon emperor known as the Whitebone Dark Serpent dwelled within.

Such knowledge was common among cultivators living near the Great Million Mountains of the Eastern Wilderness.

Fu Jiusheng continued, "Our destination is a spirit land I've named the Myriad Pythons Grotto."

"The Myriad Pythons Grotto?"

Everyone frowned slightly. From the name of it alone, they could tell the place was swarming with python-type demonic beasts.

"As you might imagine, the Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit is a spirit medicine born from the saliva of snake-type demonic beasts, and so it only appears in places where such beings gather in great numbers. But among the many species of snake, only the saliva of snow pythons, specifically a Seven-Ring Snow Python, can nurture a Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit."

When the name of the Seven-Ring Snow Python was spoken, everyone including Luo Chen, showed a change in expression. Everyone knew that the Seven-Ring Snow Python was an offshoot from the bloodline of the Whitebone Dark Serpent. Fu Jiusheng had actually chosen to make such a beast his target!

As for how a python could be a descendant of a serpent[1], that was not a question worth debating; such questions were beyond the understanding of a few Initiates. The more immediate problem was that they had to face a powerful third-tier demonic beast!

Fu Jiusheng looked around at them and snickered. "Frightened?"

"What, are you not? If it were just an ordinary third-tier beast, that would be one thing, but a gregarious species like this would surely have a true-blue beast king." Hermit Xiao's face showed fear; even he would have to keep his distance from a beast king.

He Lianyun gave a bitter smile. "Fellow Daoist Fu, why didn't you tell us earlier? You should have at least given us a chance to prepare some countermeasures."

A cold sneer crossed Fu Jiusheng's face. He had mentioned snow pythons before, and he did not believe in the slightest that these people had come without preparation. His gaze swept over them as he said coolly, "If anyone is afraid, they can withdraw now."

The group exchanged glances, but no one spoke of leaving. What a joke. After years of planning, who would turn back now?

Just then, a young voice broke the silence. It was Luo Chen. "I want to know one thing. With a beast king present and a herd of Seven-Ring Snow Pythons surrounding it, how do you intend to provide me with a quiet environment for pill refinement?"

The question struck at the heart of the matter, but Fu Jiusheng's expression actually softened slightly. "Good. Since none of you have chosen to withdraw, at least our intentions remain aligned. As for Dan Chenzi's concern, I can offer some explanation."

As he spoke, everyone finally understood why he dared to lead them into danger despite knowing that a beast king resided there. The truth was that the Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit did not grow in the core area of the Myriad Pythons Grotto. The third-tier Seven-Ring Snow Python, as the king of its herd, could not possibly guard a single spirit plant at all times. Thus, it had merely stationed a few second-tier snow pythons to watch over it.

"I have a relatively safe route into the Myriad Pythons Grotto," Fu Jiusheng said. "Once we arrive, we'll eliminate the snow pythons guarding the area, and I'll set up an illusion formation to secure enough time and a stable environment for Dan Chenzi's pill refinement."

For demonic beasts of low intelligence, illusion formations were often more effective than ordinary offensive or defensive formations. Even so, surprise appeared in the others' eyes. None of them had expected Fu Jiusheng to be a formation master.

"Enough," Fu Jiusheng said curtly. "There's no need for further discussion. Rest for a while, and once we recover our strength, we'll move quietly into the Great Snowy Mountains. The journey ahead is long, and accidents may arise at any moment. Everyone should maintain the best condition."

After speaking, Fu Jiusheng found a huge tree and sat cross-legged beneath it to meditate. The others followed his lead. Yousha and Hermit Xiao, who had been responsible for piloting the flying boat and keeping watch along the journey, were in especially poor condition and settled quickly into recovery.

Luo Chen, on the other hand, was in excellent shape. He flew alone to the top of a nearby hill and gazed toward the endless stretch of snow-covered mountains in the distance, his eyes reflecting quiet contemplation. From time to time, he turned to glance in the opposite direction. That was where Heavenly Mountain stood, the very region where the Ice Fortress reigned supreme.

The two regions were separated by less than a thousand li. For high-tier cultivators, that distance could be crossed in the blink of an eye. During his time at Ice Fortress, especially in the final six months, he had often heard of disciples venturing into the mountains to hunt demonic beasts and collect resources. Occasionally, beast tides from the Great Snowy Mountains would even attack the fortress itself.

Yet that raised a question. With the two regions so close, was Ice Fortress not afraid that the fourth-tier beast emperor Whitebone Dark Serpent might emerge from the mountains and annihilate them with ease?

The higher a cultivator's realm, the greater the difference in power became. A fourth-tier beast emperor was equivalent to a Nascent Soul Sage. If the Whitebone Dark Serpent decided to strike, the Ice Fortress would not withstand even one hit. So what had given them the courage to establish their sect so close to this cataclysmic danger?

While his thoughts drifted, the four in the forest finished recovering.

"Dan Chenzi, it's time to move out," Fu Jiusheng called.

"Coming!" Luo Chen replied.

With a flicker of light, he flew toward the group. He glanced around and saw that everyone's spiritual state had recovered, and their qi was steady and full. Satisfied, he lifted his hand in a commanding sweep.

"Let's go!" he commanded.

Five figures restrained their auras and used only Wind Riding as they flew silently into the vast stretch of the Great Snowy Mountains.

***

Contrary to rumors that the Great Snowy Mountains were barren and lifeless, covered only in endless ice and snow, the deeper the five ventured, the more extraordinary the place seemed. Though it wasn't lush with greenery, many spirit trees and hardy plants thrived amid the frost. The closer they drew to certain snow peaks, the more vigorous and abundant the spirit energy became.

"Tsk, tsk! This mountain looks ordinary, yet it's actually a natural third-tier spirit land!" Hermit Xiao exclaimed in amazement. "If an Adept occupies it, they could establish a sect right here. And even if they don't, it'd be a great cultivation site for personal use!"

He stared at a small, snow-covered mountain several dozen li away, his eyes glinting faintly with greed. However, Fu Jiusheng quickly shattered his fantasy.

"Don't even think about it!" he said flatly. "Within the Great Million Mountains of the Eastern Wilderness, natural third-tier and fourth-tier spirit lands are countless. Do you think they're so easily claimed? All of them already have owners!"

Hermit Xiao curled his lip but had no response. Such was the way of the cultivation world. Whether in the wild mountains, across the sea, or throughout the five continents, every high-tier spirit land was already occupied. If not by powerful demonic beasts, then by the upper sects. There was no place for rogue cultivators like them.

He Lianyun gazed at the same mountain with longing. "For people like us, it's impossible to seize such a spirit land by strength alone. Only when human cultivators launch a Frontier War, conquering a great mountain range and turning it into a cultivation domain, can we truly settle down to cultivate."

His words earned nods of agreement from the others. After all, most of the human cultivation world had largely been carved out through wars like these. Even the Jade Cauldron Domain, where they now resided, had been nothing more than a wilderness overrun by demonic beasts four centuries ago. Yet, within the vast Great Million Mountains of the Eastern Wilderness, the former Lianxia Mountain Range had been insignificant, and its resources only average at best. It was far inferior to the Great Snowy Mountains before them.

"I wonder which mountain range the Falling Cloud Sect plans to target in their upcoming frontier war?" someone mused.

"Probably the Ancient Plains Mountain Range," another replied. "That area is the most familiar to the cultivators of the Jade Cauldron Domain."

"Not necessarily," another countered. "The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect has long complained that the domain is too small and crowded. Over the years, they've frequently sent disciples into the Ancient Plains Mountain Range and even established markets nearby, like Dahe and Taishan. Would they really hand that territory over to the Falling Cloud Sect after investing so much?"

"It can't be the Howling Moon Range, can it? That place is far more dangerous, and it's dominated by wolf-type demonic beasts. It would be a tough bone for the Falling Cloud Sect to chew, hehe."

"So funny you are. Those dogs are brutish and lack wit. No matter how fierce they are, if the Falling Cloud Sect unites several sects and relies on the Nether Origin Sect as their backer, they'll surely take it if they're determined enough!"

"If we all manage to form our cores, perhaps we could establish a Golden Core sect together, and during the Frontier War, we could claim a third-tier spirit land for our cultivation."

"Fellow Daoist, you're thinking a bit far ahead, but it's not a bad idea."

The monotonous journey continued. The five remained alert, occasionally chatting to break the silence and lift their spirits. In the endless expanse of white, flying cautiously for too long could strain even a high-level cultivator's divine soul.

The small snow-capped mountain with its third-tier spirit vein had been left far behind two days earlier. Along the way, they encountered many scattered spirit lands—some first-tier, some second-tier, some vast, and others small and secluded.

They had even passed several third-tier spirit lands along the way. One of them radiated spirit energy so dense that it seemed to shake the heavens themselves. Even from a thousand li away, everyone could feel the immense pressure radiating from that towering, cloud-piercing mountain. It was a large-scale third-tier spirit land! Within it lay a third-tier spirit vein stretching for hundreds, perhaps thousands of li.

Such a majestic presence was rarely felt in the human cultivation world. After all, human sects typically employed secret arts, spells, and grand formations to seal off their spirit lands, ensuring that not a trace of spirit energy leaked beyond their borders. Only in these untouched wilderness ranges could one feel the raw, unrestrained vitality of heaven and earth surging freely into the air.

Of course, this unsealed environment also meant that the region teemed with wild demonic beasts. Even though Fu Jiusheng had described this as the safest route through the mountains, they were still encountering plenty of low-tier demonic beasts.

That day, Hermit Xiao, who was leading at the front, suddenly came to a halt.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, what is it?" Fu Jiusheng asked.

Hermit Xiao's face darkened. "Are you sure this is the safe route?"

Fu Jiusheng frowned, puzzled, and flew ahead to look. When he saw what lay before them, his face darkened as well. "Strange! Why is there a flock of Spotted Snow Owls here? Three years ago, when I passed through this place, there weren't any!"

Hermit Xiao instinctively stepped back. "That's not what matters. The question is, how do we proceed?"

Fu Jiusheng hesitated, clearly troubled.

He Lianyun suggested, "Should we take a detour?"

"Absolutely not!" Fu Jiusheng said gravely. "There's a pack of Frozen Plain Wolves nearby, and one of them is a third-tier wolf king. Taking a detour would be courting death. Besides, it would waste too much time. If we miss the moment when the Nine-Pattern Snakespit Fruit ripens, this entire journey will have been in vain."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" He Lianyun asked.

Fu Jiusheng looked around at the four of them, gritted his teeth, and made his decision. "We'll force our way through! They're only first-tier Spotted Snow Owls. If we move fast, we won't stir up any major trouble."

Before entering the mountains, they had already agreed on one rule: All decisions regarding the journey itself would be left to Fu Jiusheng, the most experienced among them in traversing wilderness and gathering rare herbs. The others could question or offer suggestions, but the final say was his. Now that he had chosen to push through by force, there was no further room for debate.

Luo Chen stood at the center of their formation, the safest position of all. Watching the other four draw their weapons in preparation, he lifted his brow slightly.

After taking Spirit Passage Pills for so long, his divine soul foundation had already surpassed the limits of the Perfected Mastery Foundation Establishment, allowing him to perceive far more than the others. The enemies ahead were not merely Spotted Snow Owls. Still, he kept silent. After all, it was a good opportunity to observe what these people had in reserve.

1. In traditional Chinese folklore, 蛇 (snake), 蟒 (python), 蚺 (boa), 蛟 (flood-dragon), 螭 (hornless dragon), 虬 (horned dragon), and 龙 (true dragon) all belong to a mythical evolutionary hierarchy rather than a scientific taxonomy. Thus, each stage is a different class of demonic beast, so they are treated as different “species” within the cultivation world. ☜