Night was deepening, and under the darkened sky, a massive creature with fiery red feathers descended gracefully, stirring fierce winds that swept clouds of snowflakes into the air.
"Thank you, Senior Chi Peng, for your kind escort!" After landing, Cui Hong paid great respect to the brilliant bird and bowed as if addressing an elder.
The young man, dressed in splendid robes, was named Cui Chongyi, and he too greeted the great bird, watching it soar away into the distance.
"Uncle Hong, is this truly where Chong is meant to stay? It seems so desolate. That nearby town, Fire Spring, is quite low in level - it's difficult to find any spiritual items here. Why hasn't he been arranged a better place to stay?"
"My lord, please do not call me Uncle Hong. I cannot bear that title." Cui Hong hastily interjected, appearing to be in his thirties, his arms long from practicing a powerful martial art.
His face was sharp as if carved from stone, his gaze sharp as well. After a cautious glance around, he sighed, "I am merely following orders."
Hearing this, Cui Chongyi nodded, sensing it was not the right moment to push the matter further.
At barely twenty, with a beauty mark at the corner of his left eye, he did not give off a brooding aura but rather carried a lively disposition. "Uncle Hong, when we are out in the world, there is no need for such formalities. I plan to venture out and experience life for a while. You need to keep an eye on me, so let us act as if we are close family."
Cui Hong let the formalities slide and led him towards Silver Vine Town.
"Why is this residence empty?" Standing at the entrance of the town, Cui Hong's expression soured immediately upon seeing a sizeable estate deserted.
He inquired among the townsfolk and finally sighed in relief upon learning that the residents had not left Silver Vine Town entirely; rather, they had just moved to a larger house in the town center.
The two continued to gather information until they finally located the new residence.
"Suspicious target detected." In Silver Vine Town, a small bird flapped its wings and flew away.
Moments later, from within the grand residence at the town center, Cui Hong's thunderous roar echoed, "I gave you plenty of day gold back then. Is this how you do things? You can forget about your life now!"
Cui Chongyi also leapt to his feet, smashing the tea table with a single strike, his expression growing dark.
“It’s not my fault! When he woke up, he suddenly clutched his head and screamed like a madman, running out on his own. I couldn’t… approach him. When I went to look for him later, he had vanished.” A man in his forties replied, his face ashen.
Cui Hong's eyes sparkled menacingly, glowing like two golden lanterns as a powerful arm reached out to seize the man.
The middle-aged man went pale instantly, hastily explaining, "He should be fine! I saw him just a few days ago on the street, looking quite energetic."
"Is that so?" This surprised both Cui Hong and Cui Chongyi, who had already felt despair believing something terrible had happened, only to discover a flicker of hope.
The man continued, "I personally witnessed him visiting the Wu family with an old fellow. He seemed to be in good spirits, so he should be completely healed."
"What kind of family is the Wu family?" Cui Chongyi questioned.
“They are quite formidable. Their ancestors were known for being unmatched in both archery and marksmanship, having dominated this area in the past. However, they are now in decline. I suspect that lad may have gone to learn from the Wu family,” the man explained.
Cui Hong released his grip, his expression shifting as he muttered to himself, “Has he truly found new life in this remote area? Oh...”
He furrowed his brow, remembering a stern middle-aged man from the Cui family had instructed him to ensure Cui Chongyi lived a life like an ordinary person here.
“Let’s find Chong first,” Cui Chongyi suggested.
Cui Hong approached the Wu family to gather information.
Cui Chongyi remained outside, standing on the streets of Silver Vine Town, trying to soak in the local customs and atmosphere.
Not straying far, he stayed within less than a hundred meters of Wu's gate, asking about prices for the local specialties.
"Do birds of this remote place have such courage? One almost crashed into me!" Cui Chongyi quickly turned away as a small black bird zipped over his head.
Not far off, a tall locust tree held a white owl that squinted down, murmuring to itself, "This isn’t just about the dialect from the great families; judging their reactions, their strength could also match. I beg your pardon, young man. If I happen to grab the wrong person, it’s not my fault. First, I need you to help douse the flames, proving that I’m doing my best."
…
Outside Shuangshu Village, Old Liu felt little reluctance; at his age, he had seen it all. He had come simply to see Qin Ming off.
“If you can’t make it out there, come back early and enjoy retirement with me,” he advised.
“Why must you say such things? I haven’t even left, and you can’t give me some encouraging words?” Qin Ming replied, glancing back at Shuangshu Village. In the night, the black and white trees reflected brilliantly in the glow from Fire Spring.
Old Liu responded, “Do not underestimate the Black and White Mountain. Once, it was a dire place that pressured all sides until they struggled to breathe. One day, storms will rise again here!"
Qin Ming gazed at the mountains, feeling a tinge of sorrow after living there for two years.
“I’m leaving now. Do you have any parting advice?”
Old Liu replied, “In this world, good people are everywhere, but do not let your guard down. I think you are quite mature, no need for me to remind you of these. Just keep your eyes open for the people in the city. I’ll mention two types of people you should be cautious of outside the city.”
Qin Ming only casually inquired, not expecting him to actually have advice.
“One: elder traveling merchants; no matter their strength, don’t underestimate them. The boldness to wander in this land shrouded in eternal night shows they have some skills or lifeforce. Some of these merchants will surprise you with their true identities – they might not only be doing business, but also seeking something.”
Qin Ming nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of this advice. He was about to join a merchant caravan away.
“Each place has its own mountain patrollers. Anyone who has lived past one hundred and still roams frequently through the dark mountains should not be provoked easily. You’ll never know what they truly are.”
Qin Ming nodded seriously and bid farewell to Old Liu.
“You set me up with that merchant crew departing from Emei Town. Should I swing by and help you deal with those troublesome monkeys while I’m passing through the mountains? Clear your grievances from youth?” he foolishly brought it up.
“Go on and leave quickly!”
“Ha ha…” Qin Ming laughed heartily, disappearing into the vast expanse of snow.
…
Qin Ming joined the traveling merchant team at Emei Town, unexpectedly spotting a familiar face. This boy had served him tea when he visited the Wu family to read hidden books.
“You are… Qin Ming?” Wu Zheng exclaimed in surprise, then smiled broadly, feeling fortunate to travel alongside an acquaintance.
“Are you off to Chi Xia City?” Qin Ming asked.
Seventeen-year-old Wu Zheng nodded. “Yes, I wish to broaden my horizons. Everyone from the Wu family who has achieved anything also visited Chi Xia City for experience.”
Qin Ming wanted to mention that Old Wu had gone there as well, spending two golden days unwisely in one evening, leading to a complete decline of the Wu family after a short stay.
“Stay true to yourself, understand your purpose in going there.”
“I want to become the next generation’s master of archery and marksmanship!” The bright-eyed youth at seventeen was already filled with dreams, ready to venture forth.
The team leader, a merchant in his thirties, was not the elder kind Old Liu had mentioned, putting Qin Ming a bit at ease.
This merchant, named Xu Sheng, had a solid reputation locally, frequently journeying between Chi Xia City and this remote area. Besides trading goods, he led teams back and forth for a fee.
“I’ll warn you, up ahead lies a desert that stretches across the land. It is absolute darkness there, with no light to be found. Anyone who missteps within will surely perish and never return. Everyone must stick close to me, following the path along the mountain’s base. Remember, do not speak carelessly at the edge of the desert, or trouble will surely follow!”
On the second day after their departure, Xu Sheng was quite strict, reiterating warnings as they approached the desert.
Within the desert, there was no source of lifeforce – suffocating and silence prevailed. Even powerful masters trapped inside could find themselves in peril, seeing nothing and quickly losing their way.
At that moment, they were traversing a wide plain, where only darkness of night and white snow remained, as vegetation became scarce, closer to the barren desert.
Though still early night, this plain already felt like deep night, as if a massive abyss lay ahead, swallowing all.
“What dangers lie in the desert that we cannot speak freely?”
Xu Sheng scowled. “Even high-level strange birds dare not cross the desert, lest they perish. Do you not grasp the level of danger? Furthermore, any newcomer who lacks respect for the desert is destined to face disaster; this is no joke. Such is the case in many regions' deserts.”
"What is it exactly?" A curious member pressed for answers.
“Do you really want to delve into such matters? There are numerous theories, any one of which could chill your heart. According to some secret teachings, deserts are linked to critical rituals of certain deities. Anyone acting recklessly nearby will naturally face consequences."
Instantly, the team fell silent; even a light punishment could lead to death. What about a severe one?
“Didn’t they say that deities are merely powerful beings?”
“To you, those are deities. Now hush, or I’ll toss you out of the team!”
…
At that moment, Cui Hong found himself in a confrontation with an enormous white elephant in the forest, listening to its incessant rants.
Yesterday, Cui Chongyi had been snatched away by a great bird, leaving Cui Hong frantic. He chased deep into the mountains and finally gathered information, learning he was taken by a powerful Thunder Beast as a suspected target, and that he was safe for the moment.
Cui Hong arrived at this place, only to encounter the mysterious old elephant, which sat cross-legged in the forest, resembling a sage, especially with its four snow-white tusks.
Caught off guard, Cui Hong felt overwhelmed.
Only when an enormous tusk slipped from the old elephant’s mouth did Cui Hong realize that two of them were fakes, hastily put on.
He became enraged, lamenting the waste of time, believing he had encountered a descendant of the six-tusked white elephant.
Boom!
A fierce battle erupted in the forest.
…
On the third day of their journey, Qin Ming experienced the darkness of the desert, realizing how easy it was for ordinary newcomers to become lost within; there, one could see nothing at all.
Even with his keen senses, the sheer blackness sent chills down his spine.
Fortunately, they were keeping to the edge of the desert, utilizing the mountain as a reference, so as long as they didn’t stray, passage was relatively smooth.
Moving through the mountain would be extraordinarily difficult, littered with various creatures’ territories and immensely tall, hard to traverse.
Boom!
Suddenly, a tremendous sound erupted ahead; from the mountain, rocks tumbled down violently, nearly crushing several members at the front of the caravan.
“Back off!” Xu Sheng shouted.
Then the team saw a snow-white elephant, glowing brilliantly, standing on its hind legs engaged in battle with a human. Its trunk swung wildly, slashing with dazzling flashes.
Additionally, aside from the tusks in its mouth, its front limbs exhibited a surprising flexibility, appearing much like human arms; with two glimmering tusks, it seemed to wield dual blades, continuously striking toward its opponent.
Qin Ming's pupils contracted; even in that ink-black territory, he clearly saw the figure fighting the old elephant.
The elephant was radiating light, illuminating the person striking against it.
“A tall man with long arms, in his early thirties, his features sharp, resembling one of the two figures I’ve slowly been recalling!”
He felt astonished to encounter one of the two who had saved him all those years ago in this predicament.
Cui Hong, a cultivator of great prowess, sensed a gaze lingering on him. Feeling the scrutiny, he turned to the merchant caravan and, in that very instant, his heart raced; he had unexpectedly found the person he had been searching for.