In the minds of Fatty and Zhang Tian, the chieftain should at least not be an elder who can't even walk.
According to the customs of many villages, elders usually hand over their positions to capable successors.
But it's quite rare for someone with one foot in the grave to still hold the position of chieftain.
"Naive, this chieftain is truly a strong and healthy person."
Wang Banyue said, looking at the elder before him.
"Indeed, I admire him."
Wu Tianzhen nodded.
Mo Erhan, along with the chieftain, then approached Zhang Tian.
"Chieftain, this is the young man I told you about. He wishes to inquire about Motuo from you."
Mo Erhan stood beside the elder, a hint of respect on his face.
The elder's gaze slowly moved up, looking at Zhang Tian.
Initially, his expression was neutral, but upon seeing Zhang Tian, his brow twitched subtly.
"I see. Follow me."
The elder spoke calmly and walked ahead.
As he passed Zhang Tian, Zhang Tian distinctly felt the aura emanating from the elder.
"So that's how it is."
Zhang Tian suddenly understood.
He followed in the elder's footsteps.
"Boss, why did Fatty feel a chill down his spine just now?"
Fatty whispered next to Zhang Tian.
"This should be an expert at the Inner Core stage."
Zhang Tian said slowly, his voice not loud.
Experts at the Inner Core stage have a strong grasp of aura and sound, capable of capturing even the slightest whisper.
Since Fatty had already spoken, Zhang Tian didn't feel the need to conceal it.
"What! Inner Core realm? Is that above Grandmaster?"
Wu Tianzhen's face also changed.
Who would have thought that such a frail old man would be a hidden master at the Inner Core stage?
If an ordinary person were here, they might have already been suppressed.
Similarly, Zhang Tian was also a little shocked. Zhang Tian knew that there were always people better than him, but he never expected that such a seemingly ordinary mountain village would harbor such a master.
Wouldn't going to Motuo be even more dangerous then?
What kind of experts would be there? Or rather, what kind of dangers would lie ahead?
Zhang Qilin's gaze swept over the elder.
Zhang Qilin didn't know his own cultivation level, but he could clearly sense the dangerous aura emanating from the elder.
"My goodness, boss, I should keep a low profile then."
Fatty said, quickly closing his mouth.
The elder naturally heard the conversation between Zhang Tian and the others.
Although he had already guessed that Zhang Tian might have known his identity.
However, the elder did not expect Zhang Tian to be so perceptive.
It was only after a brief glance.
The elder remained silent and walked ahead without a change in demeanor.
His steps were still faltering, appearing no different from an ordinary old man.
Soon, he led Zhang Tian and the others to the summit of a small mountain.
On the snowy peak, a small wooden hut appeared before them.
A faint red glow could be seen from inside the hut, indicating a fire.
The hut was relatively large, at least much larger than the huts in other villages.
"Chieftain, I'll take my leave now."
Mo Erhan said, bowing respectfully, and then descended the mountain.
Now, only Zhang Tian and his companions were left with the old chieftain.
"Since you are here, you are guests. Please come in."
A hoarse voice came from the elder's mouth.
His steps seemed to quicken, and in three strides, he reached the front of the hut.
"Boss, what's going on? When did he get there?"
Fatty rubbed his eyes.
Just a moment ago, the old man was in front of them, but in the blink of an eye, he was already at the hut.
What was happening!
"He has movement techniques. He must have used them just now. Three steps, only three steps."
Zhang Tian said slowly.
The others around were also shocked.
"Young Master Zhang, are you saying he crossed dozens of meters in just three steps?"
Wu Tianzhen's voice was filled with a slight shock.
Zhang Tian nodded.
"It should be a top-tier technique."
Zhang Tian's voice was not loud, but his expression was slightly serious.
After all, someone with such a technique was generally superior to those at the Inner Core stage.
"Let's go in."
Seeing the elder waiting at the entrance, Zhang Tian said and slowly walked over.
There was no animosity between them, so the old man shouldn't make things difficult for him.
Moreover, Zhang Tian had more than just one person at the Inner Core stage; he also had Zhang Qilin, a formidable weapon.
The elder could likely sense this, so the probability of a fight was low.
"Hu, this elder doesn't seem to have any intention of attacking."
Shirley Yang whispered from the side.
Hu Bayi nodded as well.
He had also seen something.
"If he wanted to fight, he would have done so just now. Don't worry."
Hu Bayi patted Shirley Yang's shoulder, his hoarse voice echoing.
Soon, inside the hut.
Zhang Tian and his companions entered the hut.
Fortunately, the hut was large enough; otherwise, it would not have accommodated all seven of them.
"Sit down. This hut is simple, please excuse us."
The elder said, and then sat down on a wooden chair.
There were only four chairs in the entire room.
This meant that only three of Zhang Tian's group could sit.
Seeing this, Zhang Tian glanced at his companions and slowly sat on a chair.
The others did not move, remaining standing.
"Elder, I never expected your health to be so robust. You truly impress me."
Zhang Tian said with a smile.
"Alas, I'm not as spry as you young people anymore."
The old chieftain sighed, his meaning clear.
He was implying that Zhang Tian was more capable than him.
"Elder, judging by your appearance, you must be over a hundred years old?"
Zhang Tian asked, looking at the elder.
"A hundred years? You could say that. Two to three hundred years, perhaps."
The elder replied after some thought.
After he spoke, the expressions of those behind him changed slightly.
While it was understandable that cultivation could extend one's lifespan, witnessing it firsthand was still quite shocking.
Zhang Tian understood.
"I see. Judging by your physique, Elder, you should have no problem living for another century."
"By the way, Elder, we've come to ask you a few questions."
Zhang Tian said with a smile.
He gave off an impression of being harmless.
The old chieftain knew that the more people appeared this way, the more they should be guarded against, and the more terrifying they were.
"What's the point of living so long?"
"It only adds to sorrow. One by one, those around you grow old, and you are powerless to do anything."
"Your questions are probably about Motuo, aren't they? Ask away, and I will tell you anything I know."
The elder said slowly.
Zhang Tian looked at him.
In the elder's eyes, Zhang Tian saw a hint of helplessness and disappointment.
Indeed, what was the use of living for so long if all one's loved ones were gone?
"I want to know the location of Motuo, and the legends surrounding Motuo."
Zhang Tian said.
The elder raised his head and glanced at the people around him.
"Youth is a good thing."
"Motuo is a beautiful place. However, I haven't been there in decades. I heard that there have been abnormalities forming there."
"The only path into Motuo has been blocked by an avalanche."
The elder said, and Zhang Tian's expression changed.
The road to Motuo was blocked? Does that mean they might have to take a detour?!