Chapter 618: Heavenly Treasure Kingdom Grave Mound Mountain

Sung Lun had no objections to Ji Yuan's suggestion. His gaze was momentarily distant, but he quickly recovered and responded immediately.

"I accept your command, junior."

Ever since Ji Yuan entered Mount Wuliang (also known as Two Worlds Mountain) and met Zhong Pingxiu, Sung Lun had stopped referring to himself as "Sung Mou" or "this humble one" in front of Ji Yuan, consistently referring to himself as a junior.

Ji Yuan couldn't find Shi Jiu, but he knew Sung Lun, as his former master, should be able to locate his disciple — or rather, his former disciple. A quick inquiry confirmed this. Although Ji Yuan had sent Lu Shanjun and Niu Batian to infiltrate the Heaven's Revelation Alliance, he wouldn't mind gaining information sooner.

Ten days later, again utilizing the power of the Geng-wind, Sung Lun and Ji Yuan returned to Yunzhou. However, they didn't go to Zu Yue Kingdom but instead headed directly for Tianbao Kingdom. Even from high above in the wind, Ji Yuan could see the pervasive human vitality below.

"Tianbao Upper Kingdom,"

Ji Yuan murmured to himself. Sung Lun, hearing Ji Yuan, echoed his words.

"Mr. Ji is right," Sung Lun affirmed. "This is Tianbao Kingdom, which neighboring states all refer to as Tianbao Upper Kingdom, making it one of the major nations in eastern Yunzhou. However, speaking of destiny, Yunzhou's fortune lies with the southern region. The century-long conflict between Da Zhen and Zu Yue was actually a metaphor for this. Now, it seems clear that destiny favors Da Zhen."

Sung Lun's tone sounded to Ji Yuan as if he were implying that Da Zhen had triumphed because of Ji Yuan's presence there. However, Ji Yuan privately disagreed; the outcome between Zu Yue and Da Zhen had largely been determined long before his arrival, with Zu Yue Kingdom merely holding on.

"Sir, we'll arrive soon. You won't need to act later; I can handle it."

After all, he was his former disciple, and Sung Lun, as a master, had done enough in this regard. Ji Yuan could understand Sung Lun's feelings; even now, he harbored some affection, his words betraying a fear that Shi Jiu wouldn't withstand Ji Yuan's direct intervention. Ji Yuan didn't expose this, simply nodding in agreement.

"Please do as you see fit, Fellow Daoist Sung," Ji Yuan said. "I merely wish to learn more about the situation."

Zhong Pingxiu and Sung Lun's previous focus had been solely on seeking ancient immortals, finding suitable inheritors, guarding Two Worlds Mountain, and overseeing significant matters within the immortal realm. As for demonic forces like the "Heaven's Revelation Alliance," they didn't even register in their eyes. Even if they knew about them, they wouldn't care, considering the countless demonic factions in the world, this one being insignificant, almost negligible.

However, since Ji Yuan was so concerned about it, Sung Lun now had to re-evaluate the "Heaven's Revelation Alliance."

"Mr. Ji, that scoundrel is currently hiding in that burial mountain."

From their position on the cloud, Sung Lun pointed to a distant mountain of moderate size. From afar, the outer peaks appeared barren with little greenery. Ji Yuan couldn't see clearly, but according to Sung Lun, those peaks were clusters of tombs.

The sun was already low. By the look of the sky, darkness would fall within the hour. In the distance, a vast expanse of deathly aura surrounded a peak. It was already like this before the sun's power had completely faded; once the sun set, it would likely be filled with Yin energy and death qi.

Sung Lun and Ji Yuan had already descended some distance from the mountain, approaching it at a pace that was not fast but certainly not slow.

"Mr. Ji," Sung Lun explained, "that scoundrel hasn't been seen by me in two hundred years since he fell into evil ways. He's extremely vigilant now and possesses many methods to preserve his life. If we directly fly over, he's bound to escape. However, if we walk towards the mountain, he won't be able to detect us."

Sung Lun was quite confident in his ability to conceal his aura; as for Mr. Ji, that went without saying.

Ji Yuan nodded without speaking much. He had some experience with Shi Jiu's concealment abilities. Through Sung Lun, Ji Yuan could at least confirm that Shi Jiu was indeed there. It would be best if Sung Lun could contain him; if, due to their past master-disciple bond, he truly failed to capture Shi Jiu, Ji Yuan planned to use the Immortal Binding Rope or even the Green Vine Sword to finish the job.

As the two walked towards the burial mountain, they saw paper money and other offerings on the ground. Several carriages and horses were approaching them, some adorned with white flowers, and people in some carriages appeared to be sobbing, indicating a funeral procession.

Two such processions passed by. When the third wave approached, it was a long train of carriages and horses. Ji Yuan's blurred vision roughly estimated at least a dozen carriages of various sizes, accompanied by a considerable number of attendants and guards. It seemed to be either a prominent wealthy family or high-ranking officials.

Ji Yuan and Sung Lun naturally moved to the side of the road to allow the carriages to pass. People approaching them, whether mounted on tall horses or on foot, were all looking at Ji Yuan and Sung Lun. Even a few people in the carriages, who had pulled back their curtains to view the scenery, noticed them, as the timing seemed quite unusual.

A short-bearded man, dressed in embroidered riding attire with a tall hat and a stern face, nodded in response to something from a nearby carriage. He then rode his horse away from the carriage and, before the procession drew close, approached Ji Yuan and Sung Lun's position, asking loudly:

"Seeing your refined attire and dignified bearing, sirs, and with the hour already late, are you two heading alone to the mountain for offerings?"

As his voice carried, others who hadn't noticed Ji Yuan and Sung Lun now turned their attention to them. Many people in the carriages also pulled back their side curtains to peer out.

Ji Yuan had not yet spoken when Sung Lun offered a smile and a bow.

"My companion and I walk slowly," Sung Lun replied. "It was still early when we set out, but by the time we reached here, the sun was already about to set. However, since we're already here, we naturally must visit the tombs."

Several other men, all mounted on tall horses and armed with weapons, rode up beside the first man. They narrowed their eyes, carefully scrutinizing Sung Lun and Ji Yuan.

"That doesn't sound right, sir," one of them challenged. "If you go up the mountain now, it will be dark by the time you descend. Are you planning to sleep on a grave? Few people dare to come here after dark, let alone two gentlemen like yourselves. Furthermore, if you're here for offerings, why haven't you brought any tributes?"

Seeing that these men did not return his bow, Sung Lun straightened up and dropped his smile.

"We came in a hurry and forgot to prepare," Sung Lun said. "Although the mountain path isn't as wide as a main road, it's not too narrow either. We can simply walk on our respective sides."

"Heh heh heh, Burial Mound Mountain isn't close to town. It's rare to come all this way and forget to bring offerings, isn't it?"

Ji Yuan, standing beside Sung Lun, smiled. He glanced at the men on horseback beside him, then at the approaching procession of carriages and horses.

"Officers," Ji Yuan said, "my companion and I are merely going to look around the mountain. Whether we have offerings or not is irrelevant."

After saying this, Ji Yuan and Sung Lun resumed walking, but the man who had spoken shouted loudly.

"Stop!"

"How did you know we were officers?"

Ji Yuan and Sung Lun paused, glancing at him. How did they know? Of course, it was obvious from observing their aura, but he couldn't say it so directly. Ji Yuan patiently replied,

"Your procession is large, your attendants are well-ordered, all your mounts are fine steeds, and your attire is quite uniform. Even wealthy families, with all their resources, wouldn't have such formality and imposing presence. Furthermore, I've encountered many officers, and they are all as overbearing as you. Did I misunderstand by calling you 'officers'?"

After a slight shake of his head, Ji Yuan, still smiling, resumed walking with Sung Lun. The man on horseback, stung by Ji Yuan's words, was momentarily stunned. Such an unhurried demeanor was truly remarkable. As he saw the two leaving and was about to speak again, a voice came from an approaching carriage.

"Zhi Qiong, that's enough."

"Yes, sir."

The man said no more, gesturing subtly behind him. The guards understood instantly, but apart from heightening their vigilance, no one else stopped Ji Yuan and Sung Lun. They were allowed to pass by the carriages approaching from the opposite direction.

In one of the carriages, an older man watched Ji Yuan and Sung Lun through the beaded curtain of his window. Neither Ji Yuan nor Sung Lun, however, looked directly at that carriage, or at any other carriage or person, simply continuing slowly down the road.

Soon after Ji Yuan and Sung Lun had passed the entire procession, the guards gradually relaxed their hostility towards the two. The man in the embroidered riding attire and tall hat rode closer to the carriage he had spoken to earlier, conversing softly with someone inside.

"Yes, um, I'll just..."

The mounted man suddenly paused mid-sentence. He looked up towards the rear of the carriage procession and found that the two figures he had just seen were already so far away they were barely discernible.

"What's wrong?"

"Uh, those two have already..."

The man instinctively looked up again as he spoke, only to find that the figures were now just two tiny specks in the distance, and then they vanished from sight altogether.

"They're gone! Those two were indeed hiding their skills; their Qinggong must be exceptionally advanced!"

"Is that so?"

The man in the carriage frowned.

"Indeed. Their skills are truly impressive, walking a mountain path in such loose clothing – I should have realized earlier. Fortunately, it seems they genuinely bear no ill will towards us."

The man in the carriage smiled upon hearing this.

"Therefore, when encountering individuals who remain unperturbed by praise or criticism, they are certainly masters of extraordinary skills. There's no harm in being a little more polite."

"Yes, sir, I have learned my lesson."

"Let's go. It's getting dark."

The mounted man bowed again, then waved his hand, signaling the carriage procession to increase its pace. This was not solely to guard against Ji Yuan and Sung Lun, but because Burial Mound Mountain was indeed not a place to linger after nightfall.