Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

The long line of travelers trudged through the dense mountain forest with difficulty.

Ahead, the mountains rose in perilous, craggy peaks, one range overlapping the next, with no end in sight.

Deep within the Jade Dragon Mountain Range, there were no ready-made trails to follow; the abundant spiritual energy in the mountains caused the vegetation to grow rapidly, and animal paths would disappear after a single rain.

Therefore, the Ferryman leading the way had to create a path through the dense forest with the aid of a magic artifact.

When his mana was exhausted, a companion would take over.

It was already the twenty-third day into the mountain, and the section of the journey that was supposed to be near completion according to the plan was only halfway done.

It was an unavoidable situation.

Not only had this team lost nearly forty members, but more than half of the Guardian Mountain Rhinoceroses that served as mounts had been lost as well.

Most importantly, the latter half of the journey was the most arduous and dangerous.

To ensure safety, the leading Ferryman could only slow down so as not to repeat the same mistakes.

As a result of this, the mood amongst the team had not improved over the past few days.

Many people wore expressions of fatigue and irritation.

To the powerful cultivators, the hardships of the journey were nothing; they could travel thousands of miles with ease. The main issue was the immense psychological pressure.

Ever since that battle, the team was on high alert at every rustle of grass and every call of a crane, ready to defend at a moment's notice.

Fearing the Great Monster might return with a vengeance.

Over time, even cultivators at the Purple Mansion stage could not maintain their composure.

The road ahead seemed to stretch on forever!

Everyone's mood was sour, making Wang Chen the scapegoat.

The reason was simple: while everyone else suffered, Wang Chen basked in good fortune; the most outstanding female cultivator in the team had become his Dao companion, and the two rode a Guardian Mountain Rhinoceros together as closely as a newlywed couple.

How could this not evoke envy, jealousy, and resentment!

Wang Chen had also grown accustomed to the occasional hostile glances cast his way.

When it got too bothersome, he would simply fall behind to the very end of the line.

After all, once they passed Jade Dragon Mountain Range, it would be time to go their separate ways. There was no need to establish good relations with these people.

They were, after all, a ragtag group only banding together for warmth. At a life-and-death juncture, true help from others couldn't be expected.

Wang Chen was already prepared to go it alone.

If they were attacked by the Great Monster again, he would have to ensure his own survival first!

At most, if he had spare strength, he would take Li Yian in his arms and run with her.

For a marriage of convenience, albeit a sudden one, as the first woman of Wang Chen's new life, it would be impossible to say there wasn't some affection.

Even though Li Yian had approached Wang Chen with the intention of breaking through her own bottleneck, he had gained substantial benefits from it as well.

Wang Chen had even considered the idea of making her his true Dao companion.

But it was clear that Li Yian had no such intentions.

She told Wang Chen that she was a lotus woman cultivated by a certain sect, having practiced the Yin and Yang Reunion Secret Technique from a young age, maintaining her pure yin constitution until her Breakthrough Mansion, after which she was to serve as a cultivation furnace for an Elder-level figure to break through their own bottlenecks, or alternatively, to be given as a gift to high-ranking members of other sects for their enjoyment.

However, Li Yian refused to be reduced to a mere furnace. After advancing to the Purple Mansion stage, she took the opportunity to flee from her sect and ran to Flying Immortal City, heading to the West Sea Spirit Domain, where she finally gained the freedom she had longed for.

Her sect, no matter how powerful, had no influence in the West Sea Spirit Domain.

She also knew very well that true freedom required formidable power.

So, she chose Wang Chen, who possessed a pure yang constitution, as her temporary Dao companion.

"You're getting a bargain!"

After a dual cultivation session, Li Yian, her face flushed with embarrassment, told Wang Chen, "You'll find out how much you've gained!"

Thinking of this, Wang Chen gently wrapped his arms around the svelte waist of the woman in his embrace.

Li Yian turned his head back, his eyes brimming with emotion.

"We've arrived at the Mountain Lord Temple!"

At this moment, the Ferryman's voice came from up ahead.

There was a sense of joyful relief in his tone.

Passing through the dense forest, an open valley appeared in front of the team.

Upon the valley stood a huge temple.

This temple had clearly been abandoned for a long time, with green vines covering the mottled walls, and most of the buildings obscured by tall trees, but one could still make out the intricate eaves and arches.

After traversing such a long distance through the endless Jade Dragon Mountain, where they had always camped in the wild, the sudden sight of a civilized creation was undoubtedly a pleasant surprise.

The Ferryman informed everyone that upon reaching the Mountain Lord Temple, they would only have five days' journey left to the West Sea Spirit Domain.

Everyone would rest here for a day, and then continue on their way to the West Sea Spirit Domain!

After the Ferryman made the announcement, the morale of the team visibly surged.

Many cultivators showed relieved smiles on their faces.

No matter how difficult the road ahead was, as long as they could walk out of Jade Dragon Mountain alive, it would be a success and a victory.

A team of over a hundred Guardian Mountain Rhinoceroses entered the wide-open gates of the Mountain Lord Temple in single file.

Three cultivators at the Breakthrough Mansion level had already begun searching inside.

To ensure there were no dangers present.

The temple spanned a large area and was divided into the front hall, main hall, rear hall, and numerous side halls and chambers.

Not to mention the mere two hundred or so cultivators; even ten times that many could be easily accommodated.

However, since no one had maintained or cleaned the temple, it was overgrown with weeds and covered with thick layers of fallen leaves, giving it an especially desolate appearance.

The three Ferrymen quickly completed their search.

Apart from some foxes, mice, and wild rabbits that had made their homes in the temple, there was no presence of the Monster Race.

Everyone used their Spirit Beast Pouches to store away the Guardian Mountain Rhinoceroses, then set up camp in the main hall of the Mountain Lord Temple.

This was also at the request of the Ferrymen.

Although there were plenty of places within the temple suitable for people to stay, as long as they had not left the Jade Dragon Mountain Range, danger was everywhere, thus they could not afford to separate for safety reasons.

The main hall was over ten zhang high and very spacious, featuring a stone statue of the Mountain Lord.

The Mountain Lord was a tiger, and only tigers at the Demon King level could bear this title.

In this world, Emperor Heaven and Empire Land were worshipped as the official deities, while all others were considered wild or licentious deities.

This Mountain Lord Temple was a typical wild deity's temple, and it was a mystery why it was built in Jade Dragon Mountain, especially on such a grand scale!

The three Ferrymen began setting up a temporary Defensive Array.

The thick dust on the ground was cleared first, and then eight Array Plates were placed around the perimeter of the hall.

Only when the Array's light evenly covered the entire main hall did the cultivators truly relax.

Some took out tents to set up, some gathered in small groups to chat, and others started cooking fires.

The atmosphere became lively.

Wang Chen also took out his own Wuge Tent, as well as a charcoal stove, hot pot, and other items.

It was getting dark soon, and preparing dinner now was just right.

Li Yian wasn't idle either, helping him prepare.

The two of them were in such sync that they almost resembled a married couple.

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Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, may you enjoy the full moon and a joyous reunion!