Chapter 541: Brought into Four-direction Mountain
By the time Ye Qianning reached Four Directions Town, it was already afternoon. The town was bustling with people, and the sunbirds perched on the town plaque, chirping noisily.
The carriage entered Four Directions Town, but the people had vanished.
Ye Qianning didn’t enter the town. Instead, she rode her horse around its perimeter. The group must have given her the slip along the way. ’They’re either hiding in town or have changed their attire and moved on.’
As she circled the outskirts, she continuously questioned the animals and birds hovering around Four Directions Town. When she reached the foot of a mountain, she stopped her horse and dismounted.
From the base, Four-direction Mountain looked immense. Fences blocked off many of the surrounding areas, leaving only a single small path leading up the mountain, but it didn’t seem to go far.
’Did they go into the mountain?’
Without hesitation, Ye Qianning started up the mountain. The sunbirds flew ahead of her, scouting the area.
The path up the mountain was narrow and short, beaten into the ground by Hunters. Few people dared to venture here, as Four-direction Mountain was known for its dense forests, high peaks, and treacherous cliffs.
Even Hunters only stayed in the lower regions. At most, they would go as far as the cliffs but dared not venture beyond.
The higher she climbed, the denser the undergrowth became, forcing her to travel through the treetops.
She moved in fits and starts, and by the time she paused again, the sky had grown dark. Seven or eight sunbirds landed on the branches above her.
Standing on a thick branch, Ye Qianning listened to the intelligence they had gathered. There were indeed people moving about up ahead, right on the cliff face before them.
With this confirmation, she wasted no time and raced toward the cliff.
The lingering light of the sunset bathed the dense forest, casting it in an aura of mystery and dread.
Animal roars echoed continuously from within the woods. Four-direction Mountain had a primeval feel to it; because of its treacherous cliffs and other dangers, people rarely dared to set foot on it.
Over time, the population of fierce beasts in the mountains had steadily grown.
After traveling for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Ye Qianning reached the first cliff. She then followed the sunbirds, heading left.
Just as she leaped past a large tree, a throwing knife shot toward her with a speed that startled even her.
’Incredible skill!’ She somersaulted to dodge the blade, landing on a higher vantage point. She raised her gaze, looking in the direction the knife had come from.
She had sensed a presence a moment ago, but it was so fleeting she hadn’t been certain. It was clear now that her hidden assailant was extremely skilled. If not for her small frame, she would have been cut even if she’d dodged it.
The dense forest was deep and dark. Ye Qianning decided to close her eyes, focusing entirely on her senses. Her unique ability expanded her perception, and all sorts of sounds flooded her ears. Suddenly, she pinpointed it.
Grasping several silver needles, she flung them with her small hand in one direction. Simultaneously, she shot forward.
The man in the shadows hadn’t expected to be found. The silver needles flew with incredible speed. He managed to bat a few away, but one still struck him in the left side of his abdomen. A piercing pain instantly shot through his body.
He had no time to dwell on the pain, sensing a powerful presence bearing down on him at extreme speed.
WHOOSH—
A gust of wind hit his face. The man tilted his head just as a long saber swept past, the hilt missing his cheek by a hair’s breadth.
The man backflipped away. As he steadied himself, he was shocked to see his opponent was a child. Before he could process his surprise, Ye Qianning was on him again, her gleaming saber slashing horizontally toward him.
The man no longer dared to underestimate her. He drew his sword to meet the blow.
Saber met sword, striking sparks into the air.
Ye Qianning put all her strength into the press, her eyes devoid of emotion.
The man marveled inwardly. ’So much power for someone so young.’ He channeled his Inner Strength into his palm, and with a flick of his sword, he threw off her saber.
Ye Qianning was flung backward, landing against a tree. Her small hands went numb, and the hilt of her saber hummed like a dragon’s roar. Killing intent flashed in her eyes, and without a moment’s pause, she launched herself forward again.
"Stop."
A voice rang out.