The First Mountain Elder's Whereabouts, a Premonition of a New Fortuitous One
The First Mountain Elder’s Whereabouts, a Premonition of a New Fortuitous One
Deep within the Great Wilderness, mountain ridges stretched in unbroken ranges, lakes gleamed like jade, and rivers wound through like ribbons of white jade. White mist and rosy clouds interwove, shrouding everything in a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere.
This tribe was not very large—fewer than a hundred households, even—enclosed by simple fences, giving off an air of peaceful seclusion from the world.
When Xiao Yang and the others arrived, quite a few children ran out, curiously sizing them up, seemingly unafraid of strangers.
They looked rather different from the people of ordinary tribes.
This made Xiao Yang even more convinced in his heart that the First Mountain Elder was now cultivating in seclusion right here.
The children of this place all carried a certain spirituality about them, bright and lively—clearly the result of being nourished by spiritual energy over a long period.
Moreover, this place suffered no attacks from ferocious beasts; very likely, some mysterious power was guarding it.
Afterward, they walked toward the several women pounding laundry by the gentle stream, intending to ask about news of the First Mountain Elder.
Although Xiao Yang and the others had no idea what identity the First Mountain Elder currently held within this tribe,
he believed that as long as they asked around, they should be able to find out.
The First Mountain Elder had no reason to refuse to see them, either.
“The person with the highest seniority in the tribe?”
The laundry-pounding women looked at each other, not understanding why Xiao Yang, Gu Wudi, and this group of outsiders had suddenly come asking about such a thing.
Wasn’t the person with the highest seniority in the tribe the old Chieftain?
Facing what was clearly a group of powerful Cultivators, they dared not offend them and hurriedly answered.
“The person with the highest seniority in the tribe is the old Chieftain.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yang and the others nodded, then showed delighted expressions, saying, “You don’t need to worry. We mean no harm. We’ve come here looking for someone.”
“Where is your old Chieftain now?” he asked urgently.
“The old Chieftain passed away a few days ago. If you’ve come looking for him, you’re too late.”
A rather sturdy middle-aged man nearby walked over, watching them warily as he spoke.
“Passed away?” Xiao Yang and the others were stunned, unable to believe it.
How could someone like the First Mountain Elder pass away so easily? Something must have gone wrong somewhere.
But wasn’t the Jade Pendant in his hand still glowing?
“The First Mountain Elder should be someone else, someone connected to this tribe.”
Gu Wudi swept his gaze over the tribe before him, a strange gleam in his eyes as he spoke in a deep voice.
Hearing these words, Xiao Yang was also taken aback, then came to his senses—the First Mountain Elder should indeed be connected to this tribe.
“If you’re looking for the most ancient person around, you should go to that mountain behind us. There’s an old xiansheng with an immortal bearing over there. Whenever someone in our tribe falls ill, we often go to him.”
At this moment, another elderly man walked over, leaning on a cane, trembling as he spoke.
But when he mentioned the mountain behind them, his expression was full of reverence.
“However, you should be careful. There are guardian beasts on that mountain. If you lack sincerity, they’ll tear you to shreds,” the old man reminded them further.
Hearing these words, Xiao Yang, Gu Wudi, and the others all grew solemn, their gazes involuntarily turning toward the great mountain in the distance, shrouded in clouds and mist.
That should be the First Mountain Elder’s true place of seclusion.
......
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Great Bone Domain.
Vast and boundless, its territory endless—as far as the eye could see, there was only withered, deathly still land, split open by terrifying great ravines.
Here, one could see even more of the surging Grey Fog, living up to the domain’s name.
Countless ghastly white bones lay hidden beneath the earth, and some of the great mountains were composed entirely of white bones.
White bones stretched everywhere, a deathly still, waveless expanse of greyish-white, as if countless lives had once perished here.
The living beings of this place were even more murderously fierce—any creature daring to set foot here would suffer their assault.
In the sky above, two figures rapidly descended toward this place, crossing hundreds of thousands of li in the blink of an eye.
“The Great Bone Domain truly is desolate and remote, markedly different from the other domains.”
Gu Changge and Ah Da landed upon a great mountain of white bones.
Sweeping his gaze around with keen interest, Gu Changge sensed that the aura of the rules here differed greatly from that of the other domains.
From this alone, one could tell that the Bone Clan’s old ancestor possessed unfathomable strength, already influencing the rules of this stretch of heaven and earth.
“Is Master seeking the strongest being of this place?” Ah Da asked respectfully.
Gu Changge narrowed his eyes, gazing toward the depths where mist billowed skyward.
“Perhaps I won’t need to go looking.”
The two of them headed straight toward the depths of the Great Bone Domain, both of their auras utterly terrifying.
So even though some creatures dwelled within this bone domain, none dared show themselves—their Physiques and divine souls trembling involuntarily.
This was the might of a true supreme powerhouse. Even doing nothing at all,
merely standing there, they could make the nearby living beings prostrate themselves and kneel through sheer physical presence alone.
“How long has it been since anyone set foot in our clan’s territory?”
“Could they be powerhouses from the other domains, come to request our clan’s Bone Ancestor to take action?”
Among peaks wreathed in grey mist and piled with white bones,
quite a few members of the Bone Clan appeared. Sensing that terrifying, receding fluctuation, their expressions grew grave.
Soon after, secret messages were sent back to the deepest reaches of the clan grounds through special means.
In a place where the aura was incomparably terrifying, yet heaven and earth were utterly grey and dim,
a pair of cold, merciless eyes opened, causing the pressure of this place to riot. The surrounding living beings could not help but prostrate themselves in that direction.
“Have they finally come?”
he murmured, his words carrying unimaginable vicissitudes of age and a trace of release.
Then, great fog surged across this place, accompanied by dreadful radiance like black lightning striking down, splitting chaos apart.
From within it, a stooped, ancient figure walked out, draped in a grey robe. Beneath his sunken eye sockets, ghostly blue flames burned.
From his appearance, the Bone Ancestor looked more like a skeleton, without a trace of flesh or blood on his entire body.
Yet this skeleton contained unimaginably terrifying power, gleaming like black jade, with certain supreme patterns emerging upon it.
With a wave of his sleeve, the void before him instantly collapsed, forming a passage. With a single step, he had already appeared before Gu Changge.
“This old one, the Bone Ancestor, pays respects to Gongzi.”
The old man spoke respectfully, a faint yet surging aura emanating from his body. Gu Changge lifted his eyes, looking at the grey-robed old man who had appeared out of thin air.
The moment the fluctuation had come from this place earlier, he had already guessed the other’s identity.
“The Ancestor of the Bone Clan?”
Gu Changge sized him up.
Judging from this aura, he was countless times stronger than an ordinary True Daoist, yet still fell considerably short of the Immortal Realm.
Still, he was worthy of being the supreme existence who had occupied the Bone Domain for so many years.
This left Gu Changge rather satisfied.
“It is indeed this old one.”
“This old one has been waiting here for Gongzi for a long time.”
The Bone Ancestor spoke, simultaneously sizing up Gu Changge in turn.
This was his first time meeting the legendary Young Master of the Gu Family, and he could only say the rumors did him justice—he even felt a faint sense of danger that made his heart palpitate.
“Oh? Waiting for me for a long time? Could it be you knew I would come looking for you?” Gu Changge’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled faintly.
The Bone Ancestor nodded. “Earlier, upon hearing of Gongzi’s deeds of battling numerous True Daoists outside the Aether Abyss, I guessed that in the near future, you would descend upon the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.”
“I just didn’t expect you to arrive so quickly. This old one was just preparing to offer up the heads of the entire Family of Protectors. The few fish that slipped through the net back then—we now have traces of them.”
He was not lying. When he had heard the news from outside the Aether Abyss, he had guessed that Gu Changge would certainly come to the Great Bone Domain in due time.
After all, the entire Bone Clan was a hidden piece planted in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains by the Longevity Gu Family.
There was no reason Gu Changge would not make use of it.
The Longevity Gu Family had once been the Bone Ancestor’s master clan, and he knew just how terrifying it was. The foundation it revealed in the Beyond was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Let alone the power hidden within that legendary realm.
That was precisely why he had never been willing to give up this opportunity to return to the Beyond.
“Very good. I can see you’re a smart man.” Hearing this, Gu Changge nodded with some satisfaction.
A smile also appeared on the Bone Ancestor’s face. “Gongzi flatters me. This old one is merely doing what ought to be done.”
“Rest assured. What was promised to your clan, my clan will naturally honor.”
A faint, light smile appeared on Gu Changge’s face.
“This old one has never doubted the word of the master clan,” the Bone Ancestor replied respectfully.
He knew of the Longevity Gu Family’s terrifying might. If not for the opportunity presented by the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, his clan likely would never have had any dealings with the Longevity Gu Family in this lifetime.
How could the Longevity Gu Family possibly go back on its word?
Afterward, the Bone Ancestor revealed himself and summoned all the high-ranking members of the Bone Clan, preparing to announce a momentous matter.
The White Bone Castle was where the Bone Clan’s Patriarch ordinarily discussed important affairs.
But now, with the Bone Ancestor awakened and numerous high-ranking members summoned,
even the Bone Clan’s Patriarch stood respectfully at the back. In terms of seniority, there were far too many existences within the great hall more ancient than him.
Within the hall, chaotic mist shrouded everything, with great stars rising and sinking, like a vast universe.
The many Bone Clan members wore solemn expressions, believing some great event was about to occur, for the number of times the Bone Ancestor had awakened over countless years was extremely limited.
The last awakening had been fifty million years ago.
Even when the Beyond had invaded back then, the Bone Ancestor had not awakened.
“It seems this invasion from the Beyond has caused the Bone Ancestor to awaken, to make preparations in advance...”
“The situation looks grim. The other clans of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains—the Cultivators and living beings of the Great Cloud Domain, the Crimson Shack Domain—are all looking for chances to evacuate elsewhere.”
“Could it be that the Bone Ancestor has awakened to address this very matter?”
Many people stood within the great hall, men and women alike, of ancient age, their auras surging and vast.
At this moment, they could not help but speculate in their hearts.
“Where is Ni Shang? Why don’t I see her?”
A Bone Clan existence of extremely ancient seniority swept his gaze over the crowd in the hall, asking with some puzzlement.
“Ni Shang reportedly went to pay respects to the Bone Ancestor some time ago and was assigned to handle a matter.”
Another ancient existence answered, strange phenomena flickering in his eyes.
From their outward appearance, they were not much different from Humans, but what they displayed were not their true forms.
Ni Shang was a peerless genius of the Bone Clan who had achieved the Dao eighty million years ago.
The clan had entrusted her with heavy responsibilities many times; even the current Patriarch had once received her guidance.
“I see.” The many Bone Clan members nodded, understanding dawning in their hearts.
And just as they were speculating and discussing, the sound of footsteps came from outside the White Bone Castle.
Sensing the Bone Ancestor’s aura, everyone within the White Bone Castle turned to bow respectfully, but upon seeing the figure walking in, their expressions froze stiffly on their faces, pupils contracting.
Some clan members even widened their eyes, finding it unbelievable, nearly doubting their own sight.
“It’s... it’s him!”
“Gu Changge!!”
“Why would he come here... Has the Beyond already fought its way over?”
Someone’s voice trembled slightly as he recognized the young man walking in.
Clearly, he had been to Sky Deer City and had personally witnessed Gu Changge’s true face during that great war between the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains and the Beyond.
He held a deep impression of Gu Changge, which was why he recognized him at first glance.
They could not fathom even more why the Bone Ancestor would follow at Gu Changge’s side, even lagging half a step behind...
At this moment, every Bone Clan member’s body was taut, terrifying auras interweaving and spreading through the hall, deeply wary and on guard.
“Gongzi, please!”
However, neither Gu Changge nor the Bone Ancestor paid any mind to the expressions of those in the hall.
The Bone Ancestor’s gaze carried an air of authority as it swept over all the clan members, signaling them not to act rashly. Only then did he lead the way in front, bringing Gu Changge up to the seat of honor.
This scene left the Bone Clan members’ minds buzzing, utterly unable to process what was happening for a moment.
Why would the Bone Ancestor treat Gu Changge with such reverence?
As the leading figure of the Beyond, Gu Changge stood on the opposing side of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. The living beings of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains who had died at his hands, directly or indirectly, were simply beyond count.
Gu Changge nodded slightly, sitting down in the seat of honor quite naturally, sweeping his gaze with keen interest over everyone below.
The Bone Ancestor stood beside him. He knew what those in the hall were thinking at this moment, but he did not blame them.
For regarding the Bone Clan’s origins, he had only told a mere handful of people. It was normal that they did not know.
“Bone Ancestor, what on earth is going on?”
Some existences of extremely ancient seniority asked with slight trembling, unable to comprehend what was happening today.
Could it be that the Bone Clan also intended to surrender to the Beyond?
“Actually, the reason I summoned you all here today is precisely to explain this matter. It concerns the origins of our clan.”
“In truth, our clan was once a subsidiary clan of the Longevity Gu Family of the Beyond. For committing a grave error, we were exiled to the Barren Realm. Now, the master clan has given our clan an opportunity, allowing us to return to the Beyond, to return to our ancestral homeland.”
The Bone Ancestor’s face carried authority, his words quite cold. His voice was not loud, yet the moment it spread, it was like a thunderclap, booming and exploding in everyone’s ears.
For a moment, everyone was dumbstruck, unable to imagine it.
“What?”
“So this is our clan’s origin...”
This was too inconceivable. Before this, they would never have dared imagine it.
The Bone Clan actually had such an origin. They did not doubt the Bone Ancestor’s words.
For the Bone Ancestor was the lord of the Bone Clan—one could say the Founding Ancestor of them all. His words naturally carried indescribable credibility.
In that case, it also explained why the Bone Ancestor treated Gu Changge with such reverence.
Soon, the hall quieted down. Once they accepted this fact, the crowd’s attitude toward Gu Changge also changed noticeably.
Faintly, they even felt that this invasion of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains by the Beyond no longer had much to do with them.
As long as they clung tightly to the Longevity Gu Family, clung tightly to Gu Changge’s thigh, what was there to care about regarding the so-called invasion from the Beyond?
What’s more, they had originally come from the Beyond; their ancestral homeland was in the Beyond.
On the contrary, all these years of lying low and enduring in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, serving as a hidden chess piece, carried quite the feeling of bearing humiliation for a greater cause.
“Now that Gongzi has descended upon our clan, this is an excellent opportunity for our clan to prove itself. You must seize this chance firmly.”
“If you can earn Gongzi’s favor, when the time comes to return to the Beyond, wouldn’t rising to prominence be as easy as lifting a finger?”
The Bone Ancestor was quite satisfied with his clan members’ reactions.
After speaking these words, he began issuing a series of orders targeting the Family of Protectors’ lineage.
Beyond that, over the years in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, the Bone Ancestor had done far more than merely occupy the Great Bone Domain.
Some informants and arrangements could now play no small role.
With this factor in play, the Longevity Gu Family’s conquest of the other great domains would be considerably easier.
However, after Gu Changge extricated himself and departed, he had already handed the conquest of the other great domains over to the rest of his clan.
“According to the message sent back by my clan’s Ni Shang, the fish that slipped through the net of the Family of Protectors’ lineage back then are currently within the Westwin Domain.”
“Over twenty years ago, this old one sent Ni Shang to annihilate the Family of Protectors’ lineage, but quite a few of them still managed to escape.”
“Some time ago, this old one had a feeling in my heart and performed a divination. I sensed that the Family of Protectors’ lineage seems to be affected by some kind of power, and I nearly suffered a backlash.”
Then, after dismissing the crowd of clan members, the Bone Ancestor’s expression grew somewhat grave as he told Gu Changge of another matter.
During this period, he had performed further divinations, yet just as before, they yielded nothing—he had even nearly suffered a backlash.
So he surmised that beside the surviving members of the Family of Protectors’ lineage, there might exist another powerful force.
Only, what exactly this power was, he still could not figure out.
“Some kind of power?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow.
As far as he knew, apart from Xiao Yang, no one else from the Family of Protectors’ lineage had surfaced yet.
And the backing behind Xiao Yang—namely the Second Mountain Elder of the Nine Great Mountains—was currently imprisoned by him.
According to the news sent back from Gu Wudi’s side, Xiao Yang and the others had yet to find the First Mountain Elder’s whereabouts.
That meant the power the Bone Ancestor had divined very likely came from other members of the Family of Protectors’ lineage.
“Yes. That power is very obscure, but at its peak, in its full glory, it should be considerably stronger than this old one,” the Bone Ancestor nodded, his gaze somewhat solemn.
“Could it be Xiao Yang’s clansmen? In the Westwin Domain?”
Gu Changge grew somewhat interested. If his premonition was correct, this was likely related to yet another Fortuitous One.
So far, two Fortuitous Ones had appeared in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains—one Lin Wu, one Xiao Yang.
As for Zhao Yunze, whom he had crushed earlier, he was at most a person of great Fortuity, utterly unable to be mentioned in the same breath as a Fortuitous One.
“Regarding the Westwin Domain, Ni Shang is already investigating. She has quite a few leads by now.”
“Would Gongzi like to go take a look?” the Bone Ancestor asked respectfully.
Among the great domains, the Westwin Domain ranked among the upper-tier ones, its territory truly boundless, home to numerous ancient clans.