The route from Chuanyu to Southern Xinjiang was mostly mountainous, which was fortunate as the terrain meant fewer pedestrians, thereby reducing the number of people they disturbed. Given that it was the dead of night, their flight had gone largely unnoticed. Upon entering Southern Xinjiang, Hu Yanfeng’s brow twitched unnaturally. Zhang Yang’s initial flight had been without a clear purpose, but now there was a distinct target, or rather, a destination. They had been running relentlessly in one direction. This feeling intensified upon entering Southern Xinjiang, prompting Hu Yanfeng to harbor further suspicions. The only figure in the Zhang family capable of matching his power was that old dog Zhang Pinglu, but unlike them, the old man was perpetually elusive; even his own family rarely knew his whereabouts. This freedom had always inspired a touch of envy in him and the other elders. They were tethered by vast family enterprises, unable to stray far for too long for fear of creating instability. The Zhang clan was sparsely populated, their residences often shifting; they might live here for several generations only to relocate their entire ancestral home, perhaps even moving twice within a single generation. This rootlessness, combined with their unique method of inheritance, allowed Zhang Pinglu the liberty to depart without concern. As long as he was present, no one dared push the Zhang family too far.

After a moment's thought, Hu Yanfeng shook his head again. Having lived long enough to become cunning, he perceived many subtleties. Zhang Yang did not know where Zhang Pinglu was located; if he had, he would have fled in that direction from the start—much like a child being chased instinctively runs toward home for protection and refuge. The fact that Zhang Yang did not head home suggested this location was absolutely not where Zhang Pinglu was residing; this must be another location they had devised. However, he couldn't quite grasp the specifics yet.

Once in Southern Xinjiang, Zhui Feng ran even faster. It had already consumed eight Essence Blood Pills on this journey, constantly draining their power through forced exertion. Despite this, a significant medicinal residue had accumulated within its body, and it was nearing its physical limit. If Zhang Yang hadn't continuously employed the Heaven-Shattering Sword Technique to channel external energy to heal its wounds, it likely would have collapsed already. This ordeal made Zhui Feng acutely aware of the formidable strength of those at the Great Perfection stage of the Fourth Layer. It seemed that in the future, upon encountering such individuals, it would flee from a distance rather than even contemplating a fight.

"Jee-jee-jee!"

Wuying suddenly cried out. With their entry into Southern Xinjiang, they were drawing closer to Silver Dragon Mountain, and the little creature was becoming palpably excited. Zhui Feng understood the destination was imminent and significantly increased its pace.

Hu Yanfeng, trailing behind, tightened his brow once more. The closer they drew to Yinlong Mountain, the more a sense of unease washed over him. He had considered Yinlong Mountain before, but dismissed the thought almost instantly. Zhang Yang was not weak, so he wouldn't be foolish enough to head to such a place. Yinlong Mountain was a place even those at the Great Perfection of the Fourth Layer dared not enter; stepping inside meant certain death, with no possibility of emerging alive. If Zhang Yang harbored the naive hope of luring him in, that plan was certainly flawed. If Zhang Yang entered Yinlong Mountain, Hu Yanfeng would simply watch from the perimeter, content as long as he was certain Zhang Yang couldn't get out. If that were the case, it would save him the trouble. At least he wouldn't have to personally kill Zhang Yang, leaving him with a mitigating defense when facing the Zhang family later. Though enmity was set in stone, gaining even a slight moral advantage was preferable. It was precisely because of this calculation that he had initially excluded Yinlong Mountain as a destination.

The full moon in the sky had vanished, leaving behind only a brilliant, brightening tapestry of stars; dawn was approaching. Zhang Yang never imagined that just one day after riding high atop Overlord Peak with such confidence, he would be fleeing for his life, hunted for a thousand li, forced to seek sanctuary in this perilous location.

"Jee-jee-jee!" Wuying chirped again, signaling that Yinlong Mountain was now less than a hundred li away. At that distance, Zhui Feng could cover the ground in mere minutes. Lightning and Zhui Feng both tensed, and even Zhang Yang sat up straighter on Zhui Feng's back. They had finally arrived. Thinking of that terrifyingly powerful Phantom Rat, Zhang Yang couldn't help but feel a surge of anxiety. Once inside Yinlong Mountain, his life would no longer be his own; survival would depend entirely on the Phantom Rat's whim. His greatest reliance was, after all, only Wuying. In the distance, the peaks of Yinlong Mountain were clearly visible. Zhui Feng no longer needed Wuying’s guidance; it navigated toward the mountain on its own.

Hu Yanfeng, still pursuing, noticed the distant peaks. The cold sneer vanished from his face, replaced by grave seriousness. He hadn't expected Zhang Yang and his companions to be heading straight for Yinlong Mountain. This gave him pause, causing him to hesitate whether he should risk damaging his body to stop them from entering. However, the hesitation was brief, and he quickly made his decision. He couldn't be certain that Zhang Yang was actually going into Yinlong Mountain; if they were merely passing by, he would have wasted a critical opportunity. He could see that the Spirit Beast Celestial Steed couldn't sustain this pace much longer. Its endurance up to this point relied on external force, but its own physical capacity was the limiting factor; the Celestial Steed was nearing its breaking point from such over-extended running. If he just held on a little longer, he could easily capture the fastest Spirit Beast and its master, Zhang Yang.

The sky brightened further as the rising sun shyly exposed a tiny sliver of its edge, as if covering its mouth and secretly chuckling. As the sun crested the horizon, Zhang Yang and his group finally reached the base of Yinlong Mountain. Hu Yanfeng watched in astonishment as Zhui Feng plunged into the mountain without hesitation, rapidly ascending toward the summit.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, Hu Yanfeng wavered again. The taboos of Yinlong Mountain had been heavily emphasized by the elders of his lineage; he knew this was a place where even Great Perfection Fourth Layer cultivators dared not wander recklessly. While others might not know, he was acutely aware that Fourth Layer Great Perfection experts had perished here in the past. This was a secret known only to those at the Fourth Layer Great Perfection. Since those events, it had become a forbidden zone for all practitioners below the Fifth Layer.

Reaching the mountainside, Zhui Feng naturally slowed its pace considerably upon realizing Hu Yanfeng was not following closely. Having run nearly day and night, constantly pushing beyond its limits, it was utterly exhausted.

"Jee-jee-jee!" Wuying suddenly leaped down and darted forward, calling out loudly. Its cries, amplified by internal energy, carried a considerable distance. Wuying had only run a few paces before a large rat, about the size of Lightning, appeared before it. The terrifying Phantom Rat had shown itself. Little Wuying immediately jumped onto the Phantom Rat, incessantly squeaking and gesturing wildly with its tiny paws, its head bobbing vigorously. Soon, the Phantom Rat, apparently understanding Wuying’s words, let out an enraged roar. A majestic, colossal dragon slowly manifested, its noble head casting a glance down toward the base of the mountain before soaring into the clouds and mists, plunging toward the valley floor. The instant the dragon appeared, Zhang Yang froze mid-stride.

(Visiting relatives; only two chapters today, this one is a bit short. I will make up the word count later.) (To be continued.)