"To enter the sacred land, we not only have to cross the Shelong Mountain, but also go through a forest."
"Once we leave the cave, it will be inconvenient for us to proceed. We don't know the route beyond that point."
Ahead, Ada spoke softly to Zhang Tian. His expression seemed genuinely sincere.
Zhang Tian looked at Ada, his eyebrows slightly raised. He knew Shelong Mountain was the mountain range behind the village. And there was a large forest, likely the primeval forest they had encountered before. It could be said that the danger level within was very high. However, for Zhang Tian and his companions, it wasn't too perilous.
"Then why did Grandpa call you to lead the way? You don't even know the route yourself?" Fatty blurted out, agitated.
Ada took a deep breath. "We have been guarding this place, so naturally, we are not allowed to enter, but we know the route. You only need to cross Shelong Mountain." Ada said calmly. As long as Zhang Tian and his group entered Shelong Mountain, things would become simple. He wouldn't even need to act; Zhang Tian and his companions would be killed by the creatures within Shelong Mountain. Legend had it that Shelong Mountain was inhabited not only by wild beasts but also by ghosts. Therefore, people from the surrounding villages rarely ventured up the mountain.
"That's easily said. Grandpa suggests you obediently lead the way," Fatty snorted, his tone quite serious.
"Fatty," Zhang Tian pulled Fatty aside and then spoke. "Since you don't wish to enter, that's fine. I have a request." Zhang Tian said.
Ada looked at Zhang Tian. "What request?"
"Give us the route." Zhang Tian said. After all, even if these people went in, they probably wouldn't be of much help. They might even cause trouble. Rather than that, Zhang Tian felt it was better for him to go in.
"Alright!" Ada agreed almost instantly.
Just as Ada finished speaking, hurried footsteps echoed from behind.
"Stop!" A hoarse, aged voice called out. In the next moment, an old man with white hair and an old woman with white hair appeared behind the crowd.
"Look quickly, it's the village chief!"
"It's over, the chief is here. What will happen if he discovers we're entering the sacred land?"
"That's Grandma Gu Shi. These people will surely be gnawed to the bone by the gu worms."
"Chief!" A group of people shouted at the elder.
Zhang Tian looked behind him. Upon seeing the old woman, a smile flickered across Zhang Tian's lips. He had just been wondering why he hadn't seen the old woman, and now, she had come to him.
Because it was dark inside the cave, and it was already night, visibility was poor. When the old woman approached Zhang Tian and saw his face clearly, she shivered all over.
"How could it be you!" She was like a mouse encountering a cat, her face showing a mixture of excitement and fear. Zhang Tian's strength was too great; she simply couldn't withstand him.
"Why wouldn't it be me? It's a pleasure to see you again." Zhang Tian said with a faint smile.
Everyone was stunned. The most mysterious Grandma Gu Shi in the entire village actually knew this outsider? Even the village chief was taken aback. He looked at Zhang Tian with confusion.
"Grandma, you know him?" The village chief frowned slightly.
Grandma nodded, then shook her head. "He is the person I told you about." Grandma's words fell. The village chief's brow furrowed. He really hadn't expected that the formidable person Grandma spoke of had come to their village. How had they found the location, and why had they come here?
"Kid, why have you come to our village?" The village chief said coldly. He knew that even Grandma, whom he couldn't defeat, would be difficult for him to handle. However, this year was the election year for the village chief, and he wanted to secure the position for his son. That was why he had rushed here.
"Your village just happens to be blocking our path. Do you think we wanted to come!" Fatty grumbled from the side.
"You!" The village chief looked at the defiant Fatty, pointing a finger but not knowing what to say.
"We need to go to the forbidden land. Old Grandma, I'm sure you don't want your tribesmen to be in danger, do you?" Zhang Tian said calmly, with a hint of threat.
Grandma looked at Zhang Tian, unsure what to say. She opened her mouth, then swallowed her words. Zhang Tian's words were undoubtedly a slap in the face to the young men of the village. They hadn't expected that even Grandma couldn't handle Zhang Tian and his group.
"Kid, don't be so arrogant. Not just anyone can enter the forbidden land. I have no objection to you entering, but whether you can get out alive is not up to you," the village chief said calmly.
"Chief!" The other young men of the village exclaimed in surprise. They didn't understand why the chief would say such a thing. Had the chief also betrayed them? But seeing Grandma's expression and the changes in the chief's demeanor, they knew in their hearts that these people were probably too formidable for even the chief and Grandma to deal with.
Zhang Tian spoke. "The wise man knows when to adapt. Since that's the case, give me the map." As Zhang Tian spoke, Grandma waved her hand.
"There is no map for this place. To enter, you must first cross Shelong Mountain. There is a river at the foot of the mountain. Follow the river downstream, and you will be able to cross the mountain." Grandma said. It was clear she no longer harbored any ill intentions towards Zhang Tian. She knew in her heart that even if they joined forces, they probably couldn't win.
Zhang Tian nodded and glanced at Ada. "Let's go." With that, Zhang Tian and his companions bypassed Ada and the others and headed towards the cave entrance. Ada looked at the village chief, lowering his head.
"Chief, why did you tell them the location? That is a place we have guarded for many years."
"Yes, Chief, this goes against the ancestral teachings."
"Grandma, do you know these people? Why did you tell them the route?" The others asked, bewildered.
Grandma shook her head. "They are very powerful. We are also protecting the village." "If that person makes a move, all our tribesmen will disappear," Grandma said, a hint of helplessness in her expression.
"What? That powerful!" Everyone was shocked. Ada was also startled. If that was the case, could the sacred land's poisonous mist really kill them? Ada was uncertain.
"Ada, you privately led people into the sacred land. You will await punishment upon returning to the tribe," the chief said coldly. He was using this opportunity to deal with Ada. Then, the position of village chief would still remain in his family.
Soon, Zhang Tian and his companions exited the cave. Upon emerging, a mountain as black as ink loomed before Zhang Tian's eyes. The mountain was so tall it obscured the clouds and the sun, and coupled with the swirling clouds around its summit, it truly possessed the aura of "Shelong" (sheltering dragons).
"High mountains hidden in mist, bright moon hidden in mountains, true dragons hidden in the sea, kings and lords within!" Hu Bayi gazed at the magnificent mountain and couldn't help but recite a verse.
"As expected of Shelong Mountain. This scene is truly breathtaking." Looking at the towering mountain that pierced the clouds, Zhang Tian also sighed.
And as Zhang Tian's gaze fell upon the mountain, on the other side, over a dozen experts stood before a pile of bull's head stones, their faces filled with astonishment.