Chapter 410: Cloud Walk

Dawn broke. A faint frost crept up from the edge of the night, scaling the pristine snow-capped mountains, and in moments, diffused across most of the sky.

A figure in red descended from the peak of the snowy mountain, as if stepping on invisible stairs, returning gradually to the dew-kissed surface of the grassland.

"Hoo..." A thin wisp of white vapor drifted from Chen Ling's lips. He looked at the cheongsam-clad figure still standing before the snow-capped mountain, bowed deeply, his crimson opera robe gently fluttering in the dawn light. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister."

"Don't thank me, you simply grasped it remarkably fast," Luan Mei said, her expression complex as she looked at Chen Ling. Although she had a premonition two days prior when Chen Ling seemed to be vaguely discovering the rudimentary form of the Cloud Step, witnessing him master it completely overnight still left her utterly shocked. He was truly worthy of being the junior disciple for whom their master made an exception... truly a born master of the Way of Theatrical Arts.

Luan Mei looked at a metal cart slowly approaching in the distance, covered by a black cloth, a small hill-like shape beneath it. She calmly stated, "It's time for you to depart."

Chen Ling looked back to see Third Senior Brother Wen Renyou pulling the cart, which now stood before him. Perhaps due to the heavy load, the cart's wheels had left deep ruts in the grassland. Fortunately, the cart itself was sturdy enough, showing no signs of collapsing.

Chen Ling walked to the cart, gazing at the black mound rising before him, and spoke in disbelief, "Are all of these...?"

Wen Renyou, standing beside him, gently pulled aside the black cloth. As it fell away, a mountain of countless golden treasures was revealed beneath the dawn light, glaring as dazzlingly as a lightbulb. Golden crowns, golden scepters, golden carvings, golden goblets, golden necklaces, golden armor...

Chen Ling stared at the dazzling golden mountain before him, his mouth agape in shock. In both his lives, he had never witnessed such a magnificent sight. Any single golden treasure here, before the Cataclysm, would have been an artifact completely beyond the reach of someone like him, a "corporate drone," throughout his entire life. Yet now, they were piled before him like mere refuse. Even watching through a screen in a movie, he had never felt such a tangible impact. For a moment, he was too stunned to speak.

"We've made a rough estimate; there's probably about four hundred kilograms here," Mo Jiao said, patting the cart full of gold artifacts. "Take it to the main city of Hongchen. If you convert it to copper coins, selling it for over ten million shouldn't be a problem..."

"Four hundred kilograms??" Chen Ling looked at the golden mountain before him, his expression suddenly strange. Based on the pre-Cataclysm gold prices, four hundred kilograms of gold would certainly be worth far more than ten million. Moreover, these weren't just ordinary gold; they were supreme golden treasures. Any single piece among them could have been buried with Cleopatra...

"Junior Brother, the amount you sell it for doesn't matter; returning safely is the most important thing," Mo Jiao added. "If necessary, you can even discard all of it. After all, to the Ancient Repository of Theatrical Arts, these things are nothing."

Chen Ling nodded, then as if remembering something, he asked in confusion, "By the way, Senior Brother, how do I enter the Hongchen Domain?" Last time, Chen Ling had gotten lost in the white flower fields because he didn't know the method to enter the Hongchen Domain. This time, he needed to re-enter from the Gray Realm, so he couldn't afford another mistake.

"That's simple," Mo Jiao explained. "You walk east from here until you encounter a patch of white flowers. Find the most inconspicuous little flower among them and stay beside it... When noon arrives, circle it three times clockwise and three times counter-clockwise, then clap your hands together, and you'll be able to enter."

"...Huh?" Chen Ling's eyes were wide with surprise. The last time he heard of such an absurd entry method was probably in "Journey to the West"... but that involved an illusionary maze. Could the Hongchen Domain also be protected by such a maze? If that were the case, how did he manage to get in last time?

"The Hongchen Domain is quite unique; to enter it from the Gray Realm, you can only use this back door," Ning Ruyu added. "If your rank were high enough, Junior Brother, you could enter directly via the Veil like us, saving you the trouble... but it's still a bit early for that."

"...Alright, I understand." After the others had given Chen Ling many instructions, the sky gradually brightened. Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Ling replaced the black cloth over the cart and slowly began pulling it out of the Ancient Repository of Theatrical Arts.

The cart was a simple four-wheeled trailer with no propulsion system, relying solely on Chen Ling's strength to move. Fortunately, with his current power, pulling four hundred kilograms of gold was not an issue.

"Junior Brother, a week should certainly be enough to go to the main city of Hongchen and return from here.""Don't be too nervous; just consider it a training experience down the mountain. Earn as much money as you can, but safety first.""Junior Brother, we await your triumphant return."

The senior brothers and sisters stood at the entrance of the Ancient Repository of Theatrical Arts, watching Chen Ling pull the cart of gold away. Even after his figure completely disappeared into the ancient grounds, they did not return, instead remaining where they were, distantly observing something.

"Want to make a bet?""On what?""On Fifth Junior Brother.""Fifth Junior Brother... he's practically never left Mount Chou, has he?""But I bet he'll definitely follow.""I bet he will too.""Me too.""Forget it then, what's there to bet on? Let's go back to sleep."

An invisible veil parted. Chen Ling, in his red robe, emerged from the peak of Mount Chou, pulling a small black mountain. He passed the small stone house and glanced inside, but saw no one.

"What exactly does this guy want?" Chen Ling couldn't fathom the Clown's intentions. This inexplicable individual had first relentlessly pursued him, then sent flowers night after night, only to flee as if seeing a ghost when discovered, and then disappeared for several days straight. Chen Ling was now largely familiar with the Ancient Repository of Theatrical Arts, but he still knew nothing about this Clown.

He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it, and continued pulling the cart down the mountain.

Once he had left Mount Chou and was slowly moving across the black land towards the Hongchen Domain, a small figure furtively peeked out from halfway up Mount Chou, blinking as he watched Chen Ling's retreating form.

He scratched his head, his small face, smeared with white ash, contorted in a dilemma. He began anxiously pacing in circles.

"...If he gets killed or crippled, we'll avenge him." As their master's words echoed in his ears again, the Clown's body suddenly stiffened.

As if having made up his mind, he clenched a fist and made a pumping gesture to his chest, as if cheering himself on. "Yi-ya!!" He darted forward, leaping from halfway up the mountain, his limbs spread wide in mid-air. Like a bird, he glided into the distance, transforming into a black speck that vanished at the edge of the horizon.