Chapter 428, In Jade Cloud Mountain

Translator: Silavin

 

Jade Cloud Mountain was located on the east side of Jade Cloud City, situated among a rather unremarkable range of mountain peaks.

 

The forests outside Jade Cloud City were not quiet, as people frequently came and went searching for medicinal herbs. However, perhaps because of the reputation of the Green-Robed Hermit, the Jade Cloud Mountain typically had few visitors.

 

Upon arriving at the foot of Jade Cloud Mountain, Qin Yichen’s gaze swept around, noting a quiet gravel path with a clear lake beside it. The Jade Cloud Mountain appeared extremely elegant.

 

“Strange…” Qin Yichen muttered softly. After observing for a while and finding nothing unusual, he redirected his attention and began walking up the gravel path.

 

This walk continued for over a quarter hour.

 

Although Qin Yichen was not in a rush, at a normal pace, this amount of time should have been enough to climb a tall mountain. However, he was shocked to discover that the gravel path under his feet seemed endless – no matter how far he walked, he couldn’t reach the mountaintop.

 

“What’s happening?” Qin Yichen’s eyes narrowed slightly as his footsteps halted. His gaze swept the surroundings once more, and suddenly his brows furrowed.

 

*Whoosh!* With a wave of his arm, streams of Yuan Energy shot forth, blasting toward the surroundings.

 

However, these attacks, powerful enough to destroy a Spirit Realm expert, did not damage a single flower or blade of grass. Instead, they dissipated into the air before traveling even ten meters.

 

“So, there really is something strange here!” Seeing how easily his Yuan Energy dissipated, Qin Yichen was not frightened. Instead, he was delighted!

 

After pondering briefly, Qin Yichen suddenly took a step backward.

 

As he retreated, the scenery around him subtly changed, and he found himself back at the entrance of the path where he had first entered Jade Cloud Mountain. One more step back would take him outside the mountain’s boundaries.

 

It seemed to be warning him that there was no way forward, only retreat.

 

“An Illusion Array?” Qin Yichen narrowed his eyes. This Array was beyond his expectations. Even with his high Spiritual Energy cultivation, he could not detect any trace of an Array.

 

Yet, judging from the evidence, this Jade Cloud Mountain was undoubtedly one massive Array! A Grand Array! His failure to detect it only meant it was beyond his current ability to perceive.

 

“Green-Robed Hermit, I am Qin Yichen. I’ve long admired your reputation and have come to pay my respects. I hope you will grant me an audience!” Qin Yichen frowned slightly and called out loudly toward the mountain. Wrapped in Yuan Energy and Spiritual Energy, his voice thundered like a bolt of lightning throughout Jade Cloud Mountain, causing the trees to rustle.

 

However, after the brief echo, Jade Cloud Mountain returned to a deathly silence. No one responded to Qin Yichen’s call.

 

This left Qin Yichen feeling quite helpless.

 

After observing for a long time and using both Yuan Energy and Spiritual Energy without making any discoveries, Qin Yichen could not help feeling irritated. He frowned and called out again. “Green-Robed Hermit, if you refuse to meet me, then don’t blame me for being rude.”

 

After his words fell, there was still no response. Qin Yichen frowned as his Yuan Energy surged, and powerful streams of energy howled forth, continuously bombarding Jade Cloud Mountain.

 

*Boom!*

*Boom!*

 

One blast after another, seemingly without end, this violent bombardment continued for nearly a quarter hour before Qin Yichen finally stopped, panting.

 

After ceasing his attack, Qin Yichen’s expression became very gloomy. Such a fierce assault would have been enough to reduce a thousand-metre-tall mountain to rubble, yet this Jade Cloud Mountain had not even sustained the slightest damage.

 

Even the gravel path in front of him did not have a single crack!

 

“This damn Array…” Qin Yichen shook his head helplessly. Having strength but being unable to use it was truly frustrating.

 

Since brute force would not work, Qin Yichen could only suppress his irritation and calmly observe his surroundings. But as before, he made no discoveries.

 

After an hour, Qin Yichen considered retreating and found another method.

 

“Hmm?” Just as Qin Yichen was preparing to leave, his vision suddenly fell on the clear lake beside the gravel path. His eyes flickered, and then he stepped forward, dropping toward the lake.

 

*Step!* As his foot landed, there was no splash of water. Qin Yichen secretly sighed with relief, and his tense body relaxed somewhat. It seemed he had guessed correctly this time.

 

Then, without hesitation, Qin Yichen walked directly into the lake. As he advanced, his body was gradually submerged by the water.

 

Just as Qin Yichen was about to be completely submerged, the water before his eyes seemed to ripple in circles, and space began to fluctuate slightly. Then, he felt the scenery around him change. The lake and gravel path had disappeared.

 

What appeared before him now was an elegant bamboo building.

 

Seeing this bamboo building, Qin Yichen was overjoyed. It seemed he had escaped that strange Array.

 

Qin Yichen swept the area with his Spiritual Energy, but his heart suddenly tightened. He discovered that the space where he now stood seemed to have some obscure fluctuations.

 

“It seems this is not yet where the Gongshu Clan is hiding.” Qin Yichen murmured to himself. Nevertheless, this must be a necessary passage leading to the Gongshu Clan.

 

Qin Yichen’s gaze fell on the area in front of the bamboo building. There, a middle-aged man dressed in green robes sat quietly on the ground.

 

The man seemed unaware of Qin Yichen’s arrival, not even raising his head. Around him were many bamboo fragments, and his arms moved slightly as if he were carving something.

 

When Qin Yichen saw him, he was momentarily stunned, then Qin Yichen cupped his hands and said. “I am Qin Yichen, paying my respects to the Green-Robed Hermit…”

 

The Green-Robed Hermit did not even raise his head at Qin Yichen’s greeting. At this point, Qin Yichen directed his gaze toward the object in the man’s hands.

 

When he saw what the man was carving, his eyes narrowed.

 

The Green-Robed Hermit held an exquisite small knife in his hand. In front of him, an instrument resembling an ancient zither was placed on the ground. As his hands worked, this zither became increasingly refined, appearing flawless to the eye.

 

About half an hour later, as the Green-Robed Hermit made his final cut, a perfect zither appeared before him.

 

This zither was made entirely of bamboo, yet when viewed as a whole, it was a masterpiece – a true work of art!

 

“Excellent craftsmanship!” Qin Yichen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he softly spoke.

 

At this point, the Green-Robed Hermit finally looked at Qin Yichen. However, his eyes showed no surprise. Instead, they revealed a trace of displeasure at the intrusion.

 

“What a pity, what a pity…” Ignoring the latter’s gaze, Qin Yichen walked forward, his fingers running over the zither before shaking his head and sighing.

 

“What’s there to pity?” Hearing these words, the Green-Robed Hermit frowned.