Chapter 489: Not Allowed to Approach

In Bianrong Prefecture of the Great Xiu Dynasty, the unusual events on Pozi Mountain had already caused a great commotion. This was not only because the more than two hundred elite soldiers who narrowly escaped death had returned to the prefectural city to report the situation, but also because many local residents within the prefecture had become aware of it.

Pozi Mountain, in fact, not only housed a village within its depths but also had a significant population living along its slopes. The changes occurring in the mountain were first reported by villagers when they came out to buy supplies, and the news then spread outwards to the surrounding areas. Stories that were both bizarre and imbued with a mystical aura were exceptionally easy to disseminate. What's more, this particular event was real, so the news traveled as quickly as a horse-drawn carriage or an ox cart.

By the fourth day, residents within the marketplace of Bianrong Prefectural City had already begun circulating rumors about Pozi Mountain. A cultivator from the Bureau of Celestial Masters, dressed in plain clothes but wearing a golden silk crown, returned from navigating the market's winding streets and alleys. As he passed a stall selling pheasants, he overheard the vendor conversing with an elderly vegetable seller nearby, and their topic of discussion was Pozi Mountain.

"Hey, have you heard about that incident on Pozi Mountain?"

"What incident?"

Hearing that the elderly man next to him was unaware, the pheasant vendor immediately brightened.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you haven't heard about this? Something major happened on Pozi Mountain!"

"What kind of major event? Did a man-eating beast appear?"

The vegetable seller shook his head, making a disapproving sound.

"Oh, that's nothing! What happened on Pozi Mountain is far more serious. You know I collect wild game from the mountain folk over there. Look at these pheasants; I only got them yesterday. Hunters around Pozi Mountain have been quite successful these past two days, catching many good things!"

The elderly vegetable seller nodded.

"Oh, so that's the big news?"

"No, no, no, not at all!" the pheasant vendor said mysteriously.

"Do you know why there's so much wild game? Because they all fled from deep within the mountains, frightened! Pozi Mountain, you see, was plagued by monsters!"

"Ah!?"

The elderly vegetable seller was startled. While stories of monsters were still mostly confined to rumors and legends among the common folk of Great Xiu, they had a greater understanding of such matters compared to regions like Dazhen. Beyond the ancient tales passed down through generations, this knowledge also stemmed from certain special edicts previously issued by the authorities. For instance, during the Spring Festival two years prior, minor officials, such as village heads, posted notices throughout their administrative areas and even went door-to-door, advising people about specific matters. They instructed residents to report any recent arrivals who appeared sinister and habitually hid during the day, emerging only at night. Another example was a period when everyone was ordered that if they heard someone call their name from behind them at night, regardless of whether the voice was familiar, they must quicken their pace and immediately report to the authorities. Such occurrences were infrequent, perhaps not even happening once every year or two, but each instance left a profound impression. Privately, villagers rumored that the government was investigating malevolent spirits.

Although the existence of the Bureau of Celestial Masters in Great Xiu was not openly declared to the world, over time, "walls have ears." The common people of Great Xiu had privately heard about the Bureau of Celestial Masters, and the rumors were quite extraordinary and mystical. Therefore, upon hearing that it might be a monster infestation, the elderly vegetable seller's initial reaction was not one of disbelief but rather fear.

Seeing the old man's reaction was precisely as he had anticipated, the wild game vendor smiled. "Heh heh, you needn't be afraid. I heard from people on Pozi Mountain that a few nights ago, just before dusk, there was a tremendous commotion in the mountains, as if a great dragon had stirred beneath the earth. You probably recall that, don't you? Even I felt the ground tremble for a while when I was eating at home."

"Yes, yes, yes! I remember that, but it came and went so quickly."

"Exactly! At that very moment, in a short span, several colossal peaks appeared deep within Pozi Mountain! These were genuinely towering mountains, far larger than any of the original peaks in the area. They materialized in the sky in an instant, then descended heavily into the mountain!"

"What? Such a thing happened? How is that possible?"

The vendor nodded, instinctively glancing in the direction of Pozi Mountain. "They say the mountain god subdued a monster, directly moving an entire mountain to pin the creature beneath it!"

"Truly?"

"How could it be false? People from the mountain village have already gone to see it. That mountain is truly magnificent, and around that entire area, numerous thorny vines have sprouted over the past two days, preventing people from getting close!"

Although the mountain dwellers hadn't personally witnessed the monster being pinned beneath the mountain, through a combination of eyewitness accounts and imagination, they had surprisingly guessed correctly.

The cultivator from the Bureau of Celestial Masters simply slowed his pace as he passed, not stopping to inquire further. On his way back, he overheard people discussing the same matter at two or three other locations. 'I hadn't expected to hear news from the mountain from the common folk first. I wonder what the situation is with those guarding Pozi Mountain?' With a hint of worry, the cultivator returned to the Bureau of Celestial Masters, hoping that the higher authorities would dispatch skilled experts.

When those soldiers returned to report the situation, the Bianrong Prefecture Bureau of Celestial Masters reacted immediately. They avoided grand announcements, instead sending people covertly to Pozi Mountain for investigation while simultaneously requesting assistance from the higher echelons of the Bureau. The cultivation of the few cultivators in Bianrong Prefecture was simply insufficient to handle what had transpired. It took the exhausted soldiers two full days to escape back to Bianrong Prefecture and report to the Bureau of Celestial Masters, even with commandeering mules, horses, and carts they found along the way. The Bureau of Celestial Masters then spent a good part of a day discussing and researching before immediately dispatching personnel.

While from Ji Yuan's current perspective, he was amazed by the various mystical arts of immortal cultivators, some of the divine abilities and spells he considered commonplace were still viewed as incredibly profound and unattainable by mid-to-lower-level cultivators. For example, the art of flight. Appearing and disappearing at high altitudes, moving through clouds and mist, riding the wind, walking on water—these were what Ji Yuan considered "basic skills for immortals." However, in the various Bureaus of Celestial Masters across Great Xiu, they were considered divine abilities possessed by only a select few highly skilled individuals. Consequently, the personnel from the Bianrong Prefecture Bureau of Celestial Masters still traveled on horseback when heading to Pozi Mountain for investigation.

Pozi Mountain could not truly be considered a small mountain; at least within Bianrong Prefecture, it was the largest mountain in the region, boasting dozens of peaks of varying sizes, classifying it as a dense, ancient forest. At this very moment, over a dozen martial artists and three Celestial Masters, clad in gray robes, were trekking through the mountain forest. Each of them was agile and nimble, and although the mountain paths were challenging, their lightness skills allowed them to navigate the terrain. Many Celestial Masters from the Bureau were, in fact, practitioners of both magic and martial arts. At the very least, beyond their spells, they also possessed some lightness skills, which they acquired quickly due to the nourishment of spiritual energy.

However, as they drew closer to their destination, the mountain paths became increasingly treacherous. Just as the common people had rumored, the terrain was heavily overgrown with thorny bushes and dense vines, often requiring the martial artists to hack a path through with their swords.

"Hoo... hoo... hoo... Esteemed Celestial Masters, look, that mountain ahead must be it, right?" panted one martial artist. Slightly breathless, he pointed with his hundred-refined steel saber towards the magnificent peak obscured by a thin veil of mist in the distance. Both Celestial Masters and the other martial artists in the group gazed at the distant mountain with a touch of astonishment.

"Pozi Mountain didn't have these peaks before, did it?"

"To answer the Celestial Master, I have been to Pozi Mountain before, and there were certainly no such majestic and perilous peaks here previously."

"Indeed."

Two of the Celestial Masters gazed at the mountain, pondering for a moment. From a yellow cloth pouch at their side, they produced a tortoise shell, dropped copper coins into it, and began shaking it with a 'gudong gudong' sound. After a long pause, they tilted the shell, and several peculiar copper coins floated in the air.

"What do you see?" the others asked with concern, but the Celestial Master performing the tortoise shell divination shook his head.

"I can't divine anything. We'll have to go further in and see! We must be careful on the remaining path!"

"Alright! No more resting, let's proceed!"

After another half-hour of arduous travel, the group finally approached the peaks. They had previously inquired with local mountain dwellers, who mentioned that the mountain path in this direction was usually manageable, but in recent days, even seasoned mountaineers found it challenging. Now, the group finally understood the true meaning of difficult terrain.

"This... this mountain was truly conjured and pressed down by magic?"

"It's like moving mountains and filling seas!"

Not only the martial artists but even the Celestial Masters were utterly astounded. Previously, through the mist, they had assumed it was similar to other peaks, but only upon closer inspection did they realize that the surrounding mountains were practically dwarfed by it.

As this group slowly approached the peak, Shi Youdao, the mountain spirit dwelling within, had long since detected their presence. He recognized these individuals, or more specifically, the attire of the three cultivators, knowing them to be Celestial Masters from Great Xiu's mysterious Bureau of Celestial Masters. The mountain spirit had not yet received the Great Xiu Dynasty's recognition, making him somewhat hesitant to reveal himself. However, since some of these individuals were cultivators and not ordinary mortals, there was no telling what variables might arise. This matter concerned the High Immortal's trust, so it would be inappropriate to let them approach freely. Gritting his teeth, Shi Youdao decided to reveal himself.

As the group from the Bureau of Celestial Masters reached a certain distance, smoke suddenly rose from the mountain path ahead, and Shi Youdao, clearly still in his spirit form, appeared before them.

"Monster!" "Protect the Celestial Masters!"

*Clang!* *Clang!* *Clang!*

The martial artists immediately drew their swords, and even the Celestial Masters instantly became vigilant.

"Fear not, everyone, fear not! I am not a demonic creature, but a mountain spirit born of heaven and earth. I have appeared to warn you that the path ahead is extremely dangerous. Please stop!" Shi Youdao bowed while swiftly urging them to remain calm.

"A mountain spirit? Do you know what lies ahead?" A Celestial Master inquired, and Shi Youdao nodded.

"Several days ago, two High Immortals graced this place with their presence and battled a formidable great demon. One of the immortals wielded a spell, transforming his palm into a mountain, and suppressed that great demon beneath it. Yes, that very mountain." Shi Youdao pointed to the massive mountain behind him, and observing the astonished expressions on the faces before him, he continued, "The demon beneath this mountain is exceedingly powerful. Should it escape, it will undoubtedly bring devastation upon all living beings. The two High Immortals, recognizing me as a natural spirit of this mountain, instructed me to warn those entering the area not to approach the sealed mountain too closely."

The Celestial Masters observed Shi Youdao, who appeared in his spirit form. One of them leaned closer to the leading Celestial Master, Zhao, and whispered, "The words of a spirit cannot be fully trusted."

"Indeed." Celestial Master Zhao nodded and addressed Shi Youdao, "In that case, lead us over to take a look. We need to investigate around this mountain and also ascend it to survey the area. Rest assured, we will absolutely not disturb the mountain's core!"

Honestly, Shi Youdao didn't actually believe these individuals possessed the ability to break the mountain's seal. His true fear was that the Golden-Armored Divine General would deem his guardianship ineffective. "Uh, please don't make things difficult for me, sirs. The High Immortal ordered me to turn away visitors, not to lead them..."

"Stop talking nonsense! You, a mere spirit, claiming to guard this mountain is already empty talk. If you continue to beat around the bush, we will apprehend you and send you to the Bureau of Celestial Masters! Lead the way!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Shi Youdao was genuinely afraid and had no choice but to lead them forward, though he deliberately avoided the area with the crack.

Upon reaching a certain distance, one of the Celestial Masters looked up at the mountain and instructed the martial artists behind him, "Follow me up the mountain to assess the changes in its structure. Let's go!" Several individuals circulated their qi and exerted force, leaping four or five zhang into the air with their lightness skills, bounding towards the mountain, intending to ascend directly.

At that very instant, a sudden howling of fierce wind erupted in their ears. *Whoosh!* *Thump! Thump! Thump!* As if having collided head-on with a carriage, several figures were sent tumbling backward through the air. Simultaneously, after a ripple appeared in front of the mountain, a golden light materialized, revealing a red-faced giant clad in golden armor before them.

The golden-armored warrior now stood ten zhang tall, his body like a small mountain. He stood before the peak, casting a sidelong glance at the newcomers. "By the decree of the Esteemed One, I guard this mountain and the demon within! Those who possess spiritual energy are forbidden from approaching."

The golden-armored giant's voice resonated like a struck ancient bell, its booming roar echoing throughout the mountains and fields, causing people's eardrums to ache and the surrounding flora and trees to tremble incessantly.