Su Luo explained everything she could, but the outcome was unpredictable; they could only try.
Shang Ye Zhuo gazed at the rudimentary route map, as if trying to memorize it, yet he found nothing special after a long look. Su Luo had drawn it casually, like a child’s doodle, and he truly doubted that such a map could lead them to the secret of godhood.
The next day, the group continued their journey, with the people from Penglai Island taking the lead.
With the experience of the previous day, everyone no longer dared to be careless. No matter how calm the surroundings were or how beautiful the scenery, all of them remained cautious and vigilant.
The journey was fraught with peril, but they overcame it. The terrain became increasingly rugged and dangerous, but nothing else posed a significant challenge.
By late afternoon, they finally saw the majestic mountains ahead, rising and falling, each over a thousand zhang high. Faint mists floated among the peaks. There was little vegetation, but an indescribable aura, carrying ancient, weathered power, swept towards them, sparking endless imagination.
"These mountains look a bit dangerous," a celestial maiden from the Six Desires Sect whispered.
"Not only are the mountain slopes treacherous, but they also seem to harbor fierce demonic beasts. It's best not to proceed further and find another route." Many sensed the mysterious aura and began to waver, fearing they might encounter insurmountable dangers.
Suddenly, someone pointed to a patch of red in the mountains, exclaiming in surprise, "Look quickly, what is that, a patch of red?"
Duan Shu, the young island master of Penglai Island, focused his vision and observed for a moment before excitedly saying, "Father, that patch of red is fruit, fist-sized, densely packed together. They look like Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits."
Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits! Everyone’s hearts immediately grew hot with desire.
This was a rare heavenly treasure that matured only once every ten thousand years. Consuming one greatly increased cultivation, made one immune to all poisons, and was absolutely a treasure to be found by chance. To find so many on these mountains was unexpected, and now, no one wanted to miss out.
Duan Jinghong chuckled and addressed the crowd, "We have to cross these mountains anyway. Since there are Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits, we absolutely cannot miss them. Let's continue on, just be mindful of our surroundings."
No one objected further; everyone was captivated by the prospect of these Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits.
On the second day of entering the Life-Death Chasm, they finally began to see some rewards.
The disciples of Penglai Island walked at the forefront, scrambling up the mountains. Despite the treacherous terrain, it did not deter these elite disciples. The disciples of the Longevity Hall, lagging behind, worried that they would take all the Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits. Someone urged Shang Ye Zhuo, "Sect Leader, let's hurry too, or else the Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits will be snatched by others."
Shang Ye Zhuo, however, remembered Su Luo's words from yesterday. He looked at her and asked, "Miss Su, are there truly… on this mountain…"
He didn't finish, fearing it would cause panic, but his meaning was clear.
Su Luo gazed at the misty, perilous peaks before her, sensing the ancient and profound aura, even detecting a trace of hidden danger. She said calmly, "I have said all I can. Sect Leader Shang Ye, though Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits are precious, they are not our objective. If you wish for them, please help yourself."
Her meaning was that Qing Xu Heaven would forgo these heavenly treasures and not compete with other factions.
The celestial maidens of the Six Desires Sect remained silent, standing quietly behind Lady Yao Guang.
Shang Ye Zhuo hesitated, but after careful consideration, he decided to proceed cautiously, as safety was paramount. He did not order the disciples of the Longevity Hall to rush forward either, but followed behind Qing Xu Heaven at a slow pace, maintaining formation and proceeding with utmost care.
"It seems everyone is indifferent. Then I thank you."
Seeing that others had no intention of making a move, Duan Jinghong chuckled and, with his disciples, picked up speed and moved forward. His delighted voice drifted from afar, "Rest assured, everyone, once I collect the Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits, I will share them with you, hahahaha…"
Chu Tianshu and others followed behind Li Tianjue, watching them depart from a distance.
No one spoke.
Since their senior brother and junior sister had made the same decision, they would not object.
Two hours later…
The disciples of Penglai Island finally entered the Four Directions Mountain Range. Surrounding peaks embraced them, and clear springs gurgled, creating a serene landscape. They were getting closer to the area where the Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits grew.
"Look quickly, just ahead, by that cliff edge, a patch of vibrant red, all the Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits are ripe!"
"That patch alone must have forty to fifty Vermilion Fruits!"
The disciples of Penglai Island were thrilled, quickening their pace, eager to pluck all these fruits immediately.
Suddenly, a chilling scream echoed, startling everyone.
All movement stopped as they warily scanned their surroundings. The cry was strange and eerie, like a roar from another realm, making it impossible to discern its source.
"Look quickly, what is that?" someone's eyes sharpened as they pointed towards the cliff edge and shouted.
The area had been bare before, with only the crimson Vermilion Fruits. Now, a massive black figure was clinging to the cliff edge, seemingly picking and eating the fruits.
What was shocking was that the figure resembled a human, but its face was ghastly pale, and its eyes bulged as if about to pop out. Although they were far apart, it still appeared enormous, indicative of its immense size.
With a gaping maw, it devoured seven or eight fruits in one go, its eating extremely crude.
"What kind of monster is this!"
Everyone was shocked. Such precious fruits were being devoured so wantonly, it was a true waste.
Duan Shu abruptly stopped, gazing at the white-faced monster about ten zhang away, and became alert. He sensed an indescribable danger, as if this type of human monster was formidable. He dared not advance further.
However, seeing the Ten Thousand Year Vermilion Fruits being swallowed by the white-faced monster, he felt a pang of heartache and instinctively drew his sword.
Suddenly, the white-faced monster turned its head, spotting Duan Shu.
"Roar…"
With a furious roar, the white-faced monster leaped forward seven to eight zhang, charging towards Duan Shu.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The ground shook violently, and from a distance, intense tremors continued. Countless trees collapsed, and several giant white-faced monsters emerged. There was more than one!
Duan Shu and the disciples of Penglai Island were utterly horrified. They wanted to turn and flee, but as these white-faced monsters pursued them, they trembled, unable to muster any strength. Their faces were grotesque, their skin stretched taut over their bones, their limbs extraordinarily long, like apes. They exuded a terrifying aura, and with a few leaps, they were upon them.
The white-faced monster brandished its sharp claws and ferociously swiped, piercing directly through a disciple's skull.
It grabbed the bloody, white mush of brain matter and fed it into its mouth, eating greedily. The sight caused the expressions of those watching from afar to change drastically, and they cried out in alarm.
Duan Jinghong, seeing Duan Shu frozen, shouted anxiously, "Shu'er! Run quickly, what's wrong with you?!"
His son was exceptionally skilled in cultivation; why was he so terrified of a single monster?
Only Duan Shu and the other Penglai Island disciples facing the white-faced monster knew what was happening. They also didn't understand why, upon seeing these monsters, their legs turned to jelly, and they were completely unable to move, as if offering themselves up to be eaten.
"It's Tapir demons, there really are Tapir demons!"
Shang Ye Zhuo realized that these white-faced monsters were precisely what Su Luo had mentioned yesterday!
They had truly appeared.