Fan Yun Mou continued southwestward for another two days before entering a region of rugged, towering stone formations.

The so-called Dragon Gate of Julong Mountain lay within Xiping Province, close to the coast. It was now precisely within his jurisdiction, and around this area, approximately seventy thousand infantry and cavalry under Chai Yuan were garrisoned.

Thus, even traveling alone without his personal guard, Zong Shou did not fear for his safety. However, before heading to that location, Zong Shou intended to visit another place first. And this entire region, even with the stability of the Fan Yun Vehicle, was unavoidably subjected to constant undulations following the terrain.

Zong Shou could not continue his cultivation inside the carriage, so he resorted to keeping Shi Ruolan entertained. He dangled a crystalline piece of hard candy in front of Shi Ruolan. “Want some candy?”

Shi Ruolan’s eyes immediately lit up, and she nodded without hesitation. Just as she reached out to take it, she heard Zong Shou give a wicked chuckle, pointing to his own cheek: “Kiss me here, and this candy is yours.”

Shi Ruolan hesitated for a moment. Over these few days, she had grown much less afraid of Zong Shou. However, this ‘brother’ was truly strange sometimes. According to Sister Yiren, he was quite depraved. And Sister Chuxue also told her to keep her distance from this brother, lest she be contaminated.

Just as she was debating whether to agree, Xuanyuan Yiren returned from gathering herbs, stepping back into the carriage compartment. Seeing the scene, she was instantly furious. She scooped Ruolan up into her arms, then stepped back several paces from Zong Shou: “Lanlan, don't eat his candy. Sister has lots right here! Zong Shou, can you please have some decency? To harbor wicked thoughts toward such a small child—it’s truly shameful—”

Zong Shou appeared quite innocent; wasn't he just cultivating a bond with Ruolan? This little girl, seemingly unremarkable, was destined to become an unparalleled, peerless general who could subdue the world in the not-too-distant future. And the Mad Lion Snow Seal was likely something extraordinary as well. No matter how foolish he was, he understood the wisdom of winning them over early. Later, with Zong Yuan on his left and Ruolan on his right—two peerless generals—even if he did nothing, the Qiantian Mountain could rest easy.

Heaven knew that he truly harbored not even a sliver of that kind of intention. Did these girls really see him as that lustful? With a soft sigh, Zong Shou put away the crystal candy in his hand. Then, deep in thought, he said, “Yiren, what do you think if I became her master?”

Xuanyuan Yiren paused slightly upon hearing this, then nodded: “For you to teach her is naturally good. But if you are to be her master, you must be even more proper in daily life, and absolutely forbidden from bullying Lanlan anymore—” She could see through this fiancé of hers the least. Her mastery of the Sword Dao was so profound it was terrifying. Based on what she knew, Zong Shou had already grasped as many as five types of Sword Intent! Zong Yuan’s strength had advanced by leaps and bounds in just a few months under her tutelage, mastering the Raging Thunder Spear Intent, making him strong enough to contend with any expert below the Seventh Rank on the East Lin Cloud Continent!

Zong Shou, however, was somewhat hesitant. He was confident that if this treasure were sculpted by his own hands, she would undoubtedly surpass her previous life's achievements, and her accomplishments would not be limited to just being a peerless general. His only concern was whether he would have enough time. But finding another renowned master for her seemed exceedingly difficult.

As he frowned in deep thought, Zong Shou heard Zong Yuan’s voice from outside the Fan Yun Vehicle: “My Lord, the Ghost Profound Mountain you mentioned has arrived!”

Zong Shou’s brow twitched, and he temporarily set aside the matter. His figure flashed, and he appeared outside the carriage. The vehicle was currently scaling the extremely steep terrain upwards. It was fortunate that the horses pulling the vehicle now were all Fourth-Rank Wind-Taming Steeds. Although there were only eight, their pulling and lifting power surpassed that of the previous horses by a hundredfold. Less than half an hour later, the Fan Yun Vehicle finally ascended over two thousand zhang to reach the very peak. The scene he had witnessed several times in his past life finally appeared before his eyes.

Zong Shou stepped down from the carriage and, with just a few leaps, reached the cliff edge ahead. He then carefully surveyed the surroundings, and within moments, his eyes showed doubt and uncertainty. Although this place differed slightly from the Shen Huang game, it held no essential difference.

Moments later, Xuanyuan Yiren, still holding Shi Ruolan, joined him, asking doubtfully, “Is this the place you said could greatly increase our strength? There’s clearly nothing here—”

The others present were also stunned. They had followed Zong Shou’s command to come here but were unaware of this matter. Indeed, the area was filled with strange rocks. Aside from a few solitary plants, there was nothing else. Below the cliff edge was a stretch of white mist, its depth unknown, and what lay beneath was a complete mystery. Could their Lord have received some intelligence indicating the presence of heavenly materials and earthly treasures here?

While pondering this, they saw Zong Shou’s figure subtly move as he located some small grasses near the cliff edge. He plucked a few and began to press them repeatedly. Soon, several drops of green sap appeared in his palm. He then beckoned, and a Snow Fierce Bird, nearly half the size of a person, passing overhead, was unfortunately snatched down by Zong Shou.

He first asked Xuanyuan Yiren for several detoxifying pills and administered them to the bird. Then, he dripped the green sap into its mouth. Afterward, he waited quietly. About half an hour later, the mere First-Rank Snow Fierce Bird’s aura faintly began to change. Its body seemed tougher, and a few of its mottled feathers were starting to change color.

The people nearby were instantly awestruck. Excluding Ruolan, everyone present had acutely sensitive spiritual perception. This Snow Fierce Bird was indeed strengthening. It wasn't very obvious; one might not even notice without careful observation. However, the effect of the green sap was clearly not over; it was permeating the bird's limbs, muscles, and meridians at an extremely slow rate, working subtly to enhance its vigor and even its bloodline. “This is just the most common Green Solid Grass. How is this possible?”

Xuanyuan Yiren was slightly taken aback, then stared more closely at the cliff edge. After a long pause, she confirmed she had seen correctly. She became even more perplexed. The Green Solid Grass was merely the most common, most ordinary weed, not even ranked. How could it possess such efficacy? Yet, she felt a faint stir of excitement; as an Alchemist, how could she not be intrigued by such a discovery?

“It’s not the grass; it’s the mist here—” Zong Shou’s gaze drifted toward the area below the cliff. The Green Solid Grass growing here, steeped in the mist and absorbing moisture, had continuously absorbed and internalized this special water vapor. A hint of pleasant surprise appeared in his eyes. The optimal time here would be right after a spiritual tide had just begun. But judging by the current situation, the accumulation over ten thousand years should still yield decent results.

Then, in the next instant, the Snow Fierce Bird suddenly convulsed, and faint red lines appeared in its eyes. “It’s poisonous?” Ruoshui frowned slightly. Poisons and toxins were what she disliked the most. Zong Shou let out an “En,” and inserted several golden needles in succession into the Snow Fierce Bird’s body, forcing out the toxins along with all the green fluid. Although the sap contained astonishing innate power, it was entwined with toxins, making separation difficult.

In an instant, the Snow Fierce Bird returned to normal. Zong Shou administered a Vital Essence Pill to it before letting go, allowing the bird to spread its wings and fly away. It seemed to have lost some vitality, its flight unsteady.

Meanwhile, Hu Zhongyuan and Li Luo exchanged glances, somewhat bewildered. The sap squeezed from the Green Solid Grass genuinely seemed capable of enhancing strength. But the poison was clearly extraordinarily potent, belonging to the category of strange toxins. Had the Snow Fierce Bird not taken the anti-toxin pill beforehand as a buffer, and had Zong Shou not expelled the poison promptly, it would likely have rotted entirely into blood within half an hour.

“Do you mean I should neutralize the toxins in this mist?” Xuanyuan Yiren’s eyes showed concentration: “I am not very skilled with poisons; I rarely studied them before, and I’ve never seen this type of toxin. Judging by the Snow Fierce Bird’s reaction just now, Yiren has only a thirty percent chance of success, and it would require over a year to accomplish.”

Zong Shou raised an eyebrow, musing that this girl actually had a chance to solve it? This place was an anomaly unintentionally discovered by a friend of his in his previous life, who hailed from the Demon Race. After discovering that the water vapor below had a miraculous effect on enhancing True Essence physique, he ran everywhere attempting to decipher the toxins in the mist. But he had tried every means possible and failed. As a last resort, he spread the news among a few close friends seeking help. Zong Shou happened to be free at the time and was eager to boost his own strength, so he participated. Although he didn't contribute much and gained no benefit himself, in the end, he did learn the method for utilizing the power within the water mist.

“No need for that! Just jump down from here. Once we are below, I have my own methods.”

Hu Zhongyuan’s thick brows knitted, and he subtly took a step back. He thought, isn't this trying to trick people? Climbing up just now took over two thousand zhang. The bottom of this deep cliff was likely far deeper. They were Martial Cultivators, not Spirit Masters; they couldn't soar through the air until they reached the Celestial Rank. Two thousand zhang down a sheer cliff face—that was enough to smash them into meat patties. Moreover, the mist below was clearly poisonous, wasn't it? In any case, he decided to observe the situation first, waiting for someone next to him to test the depths.

As he was thinking this, Zong Shou had, at some unknown point, arrived behind him and quietly thrust a foot out. Hu Zhongyuan immediately let out a sharp cry and tumbled off the cliff edge, falling into the dense mist, vanishing from sight within moments. Only his fading voice drifted back: “Lingxuan Chai Yuan, if you two manage to return, please inform my old father. Do not seek revenge for me. Alas, Hu Zhongyuan, my achievements overshadow my lord, and my lord is jealous of talent…”

The rest of his voice was lost. Zong Shou’s lips twitched, and then he offered a very genial smile to the surrounding group. “Will you jump yourselves, or shall I kick you down?”

Chai Zhou hesitated slightly, carefully reviewing the situation. He was certain that Zong Shou gaining nothing by forcing them to their deaths here. Thus, he could only brace himself and leap down.