The Cyan Spirit Flying Shuttle silently glided above the cloud layer. Inside the somewhat cramped shuttle, six people and one rabbit were adequately accommodated. Mu Qingfeng focused intently on controlling the shuttle, ensuring it followed the planned route while suppressing its spiritual energy fluctuations to the lowest. Liu Yun sat still, aura restrained, like a sword returned to its sheath. Second Senior Brother Luo Feng fiddled with his gadgets, muttering "this part can still be optimized, and such." Zhao Tiezhu held his heavy shield, expression focused. The rabbit spirit curled at Xiao Qi's feet, seemingly asleep, yet its long ears occasionally twitched alertly.
Xiao Qi did not rest. He spread out a detailed regional map, his gaze landing on the southwest direction's region marked, shaped like a crouching beast's vast area — Black Wind Mountains. According to intelligence decoded from that important jade slip, among several alternative sites Shadow Snake Pavilion planned to deploy the Myriad Soul Devouring Spirit Formation, the Black Wind Mountains was a key one. The jade slip's description was vague, only emphasizing the area's "yin veins converge, lifeforms scarce, self-generates black wind." To more accurately understand the target, before departure Xiao Qi specially visited the sect's library to research records about the Black Wind Mountains.
The Black Wind Mountains, located about fifteen hundred li southwest of Clear Void Temple, was an enormous mountain range stretching thousands of li. Its core region was constantly shrouded in grayish-black, slightly corrosive miasma, thus named "Black Wind." Within the mountains, terrain was treacherous, gorges vertical, dotted with dangerous poison bogs, bizarre magnetic field regions, and many forbidden areas even cultivators avoided. Due to harsh environment, spiritual energy mixed with excessive yin evil aura, extremely unsuitable for ordinary cultivators; therefore, human habitation was rare. Only some wandering cultivators practicing special yin-attribute techniques, or some righteous-society wanted, desperate evil cultivators would choose to hide in the Black Wind Mountains' outer regions. As for the deep mountains, they contained more unknown dangers, perhaps even some ancient period legacy ruins.
"Yin vein convergence... lifeforms scarce..." Xiao Qi's finger lightly traced the Black Wind Mountains location on the map, brow furrowed. This indeed matched the Myriad Soul Devouring Spirit Formation deployment needs. Yin veins could provide endless yin evil aura as formation energy source, while scarce lifeforms meant initial large-scale soul collection would not easily attract outside attention. By the time the formation was initially complete and power manifested, it would be difficult to stop.
"Three more days of travel." Mu Qingfeng's voice came from ahead, breaking Xiao Qi's contemplation, "We will land at a place called Luo Xia Slope, three hundred li from Black Wind Mountains' outer edge, then proceed on foot stealthily. The shuttle's target is too large, easily exposed." Everyone nodded, understanding this necessary caution.
The next two-plus days of travel passed without incident yet with growing tension. Closer to Black Wind Mountains direction, the air's spiritual energy seemed to become thinner and impure; occasionally below they saw colorful, obviously toxic marshes, or barren lands with sparse vegetation and exposed rocks. Xiao Qi's jade pendant, during this period, maintained a constant warm state, a premonition of the inauspicious ahead.
On the third evening, the setting sun dyed the clouds at the horizon a tragically beautiful orange-red; the Cyan Spirit Flying Shuttle slowly landed at a desolate slope called Luo Xia Slope. This place was nearly barren, with only some drought-resistant shrubs stubbornly growing. In the distance, the Black Wind Mountains' outline, like a crouching giant beast, shrouded in grayish-black fog, was faintly visible. A faint, chilling wind blew, carrying an extremely uncomfortable aura.
After putting away the flying shuttle, everyone immediately donned Second Senior Brother's Qi Concealing Cloaks. The cloaks indeed worked well; wearing them, not only was their aura concealed, but even their silhouettes became somewhat blurred in dim light. "From now on, we are a wandering cultivator team heading to the Black Wind Mountains' outer region to collect herbs and hunt demons." Liu Yun emphasized the disguise identity once more, "I am team leader Cold Plum, Mu Qingfeng is Stone Mountain, Xiao Qi is Solitary Smoke, Luo Feng is Dexterous Hand, Zhao Tiezhu is Iron Mountain. Remember your code names and backgrounds; unless necessary, avoid contact with outsiders." Everyone nodded in understanding.
"Rabbit spirit," Xiao Qi looked at the white ball perched on his shoulder, counting on you, "pay attention to spiritual energy abnormalities and treasures... or, demonic energy traces." The rabbit spirit squeaked twice, ruby eyes shining in the darkening dusk, as if to say "leave it to His Majesty."
"Let's go." On Liu Yun's command, six figures in gray cloaks, silent as ghosts, like shadows entering the night, silently headed toward that Black Wind Mountains. Destination: Black Wind Mountains. Awaiting them would be unknown demonic traces far more complex and dangerous than Kaoshan Village's rear mountain cave.