Chapter 14

Neither the Daoists nor the demons commented on the behavior of the "mole," for they were merely treasure hunters, not evil cultists who killed to obtain treasures. Gradually, being a mole became a somewhat dishonorable but tacitly accepted behavior. However, not everyone who wanted to be a mole could actually become one. After the owner's death, the treasures would enter a dormant state, and finding these treasures was a great challenge.

There were countless cultivators, but very few achieved the ultimate goal. Those who did, without exception, were adorned with pearls and treasures, always having a few items to withstand the heavenly tribulation.

Luoyang Mountain and Yunqing Sect had some interactions, so they would not fight over treasures, forming an implicit alliance. Of course, when it came to fate, if you insisted on yielding, there was nothing to be done. However, the people they encountered on the way were not part of this implicit alliance. Fire Dragon Cave, Yin Feng Mountain, Huangjia Sect, and Luo Yun Valley, among others, had traces of small sects and independent cultivators. As they approached Jiulang Mountain, people from Tianhai Sect, the second-largest cultivation sect in Central Continent, and even disciples from Leishan Sect in Southern Continent, appeared.

The Jiulang Mountain Range stretched for a hundred miles, mostly consisting of high peaks and steep cliffs. The four people from Yunqing Sect landed on the ground, and Bai Mu took out a copper plate to start calculating. After a long time, he said apologetically, "There is indeed a treasure appearing in the Jiulang Mountain Range recently, but I cannot determine the exact location or time."

Gu Yan replied, "How easy is it to fathom the will of heaven? I inquired earlier and found that many people are here to snatch the treasure, and all the peaks are already occupied. Where should we wait for the treasure to appear?" This was fate; everyone would guard a different area, and it would be seen who could get the treasure first. However, if the treasure appeared, those closest might die quickly. After investigating, Gu Yan found that most of the people here were second-generation disciples, with only Fire Dragon Cave being led by Fire Dragon Zhenren himself.

"Let me calculate again." Bai Mu continued to calculate for a long time, then smiled bitterly, "I am incompetent, and I apologize to everyone."

"Let me try." Lin Fan took out a copper plate and threw it onto the cloth map, then said, "Here it is." This was a casual, spontaneous, and natural choice.

Gu Yan looked at the map and said, "Hmm? No one is here. This mountain is called Lotus Mountain, and it is quite low, not the first choice, right?"

Lotus Mountain was the highest of the nearby mountains, but compared to the peaks, it was still quite low. Lin Fan said, "It's fate."

"Fate!" Gu Yan had no other objections. Looking at Ye Wushuang and Bai Mu, who had no objections, he led the way, flying ahead. Some peaks already had banners, like dogs marking their territory, indicating that the area was claimed. However, treasure hunting was generally like this: each person guarded a different area, relying on fate. But there were many bad people; cultivation did not necessarily improve one's character, which was influenced by both nature and nurture.

Landing on Lotus Mountain, they found a flat summit with a waterfall cascading down the mountain and forming a stream that flowed eastward. After landing, Gu Yan looked around and asked, "What should we do next?"

"I don't know." Bai Mu and Ye Wushuang were very innocent, so everyone looked at the less innocent Lin Fan.

Lin Fan didn't beat around the bush: "We must be cautious. Let's set up an array first."

Everyone looked at Bai Mu, who said, "In two hours, I can set up the Earth Three Absolute Array. Anyone who sneaks in or approaches, regardless of their cultivation level, can be detected."

Gu Yan nodded, "Thank you, Junior Brother."

...

Ye Wushuang circled Lotus Mountain and returned: "Lin Fan, do you have a calendar today? There are no caves or doors around Lotus Mountain, and it has no aura of immortality. Will the treasure just jump out of the ground?"

Lin Fan smiled, chewing on beef, and took out the cloth map: "Wushuang, you throw one."

"I'm not that bored." Ye Wushuang took the map and looked at it for a while: "Fanyun Peak should be the key." Fanyun Peak was the highest peak, with many natural caves and surrounded by lower peaks. It was the central peak of the Jiulang Mountain Range, while Lotus Mountain was almost outside the range.

Lin Fan said, "According to what you said, Fanyun Peak is definitely a good place, but who doesn't want to go to a good place? There is only one good place, but there are countless treasure hunters. Where do you think they will crowd?"

Ye Wushuang shook his head, "They are all cultivators, and they need to maintain appearances."

Lin Fan smiled without speaking. At this moment, Gu Yan landed, saying, "They are fighting at Fanyun Peak."

Lin Fan asked, "They are fighting, why did you come back?"

"It's not our concern."

Indeed, their lives were not our concern, but their treasures might be. If they had treasures, they could be ours. Lin Fan said, "Senior Brother, we are all cultivators, and harmony is the most important. How can we just mind our own business and watch from the sidelines? I'll go and see if I can persuade them to reason." Without waiting for Gu Yan's agreement, he threw a wind talisman and flew toward Fanyun Peak.

Approaching Fanyun Peak, the battle was already intense. After a moment, he recognized that it was the four disciples of Tianhai Sect from Central Continent fighting against ten disciples of Fire Dragon Cave. In terms of quality, the ten disciples of Fire Dragon Cave were no match for the Tianhai Sect disciples, but Fire Dragon Zhenren, the leader of Fire Dragon Cave, was fighting four of them, taking the upper hand. If he didn't want to kill the Tianhai Sect disciples, the battle would have ended long ago.

Many people were watching, and Lin Fan looked around, flying to a group of three people and asked, "Sisters, what's happening?"

These three were disciples of Baihua Garden in Central Continent, neither entirely good nor evil, and had no connection with Yunqing Sect. One of them, a woman with her hair wrapped in cloth, answered, "Fire Dragon Cave is too aggressive. They chased away several disciples of a new sect in Central Continent, which has ties with Tianhai Sect. The four Tianhai Sect disciples went to reason with Fire Dragon Zhenren, but they started fighting over a disagreement. Fire Dragon Zhenren is a local independent cultivator, yet he lacks the demeanor of a grandmaster."

It seemed that Fire Dragon Cave had angered many, but despite the anger, everyone was just watching. Everyone knew that they were all second-generation disciples, while the other side had a grandmaster. They were no match unless they could unite and attack together. But human nature was such that even if they could unite and drive away Fire Dragon Cave, who would get Fanyun Peak? Everyone was just watching, thinking it wouldn't belong to them anyway.

Fire Dragon Zhenren was experienced and knew the situation. He wisely controlled himself, not harming anyone, to avoid making everyone feel threatened, which could lead to a united attack.

Lin Fan sighed; this was not the scene he hoped for. No one would die, so he couldn't be a mole. But since he was here, he might as well watch the show.

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