I am a full-level celestial master, you let me enter the strange talk of rules?

This delighted Xiao Xuan!
He was still pondering what suitable reason he could come up with, such as helping to show the way, lending a hand, or learning and observing, so that his senior brother Zhang would agree to take him along, and he could also take the opportunity to "skip work" and get some fresh air.

Who knew my senior would actually offer to accompany me! It's like a windfall!
"Great, Senior Brother! I'll go get ready right away!" Xiao Xuan agreed with a happy face, and ran back to pack his things with light steps, as if he could fly.

Changbai Mountain is one of the oldest, most mysterious, and most beautiful cultivation sites in the northeastern part of China, yet it is also a dangerous place.

Here, the mountains stretch endlessly, the forests are vast and boundless, and clouds and mist linger all year round. In the depths where people rarely go, countless ancient legends and secrets are hidden.

According to historical records and oral traditions passed down by some reclusive monks, the Changbai Mountains have been a favorite hiding place for all sorts of "demons and monsters" since ancient times.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is unusually active in certain areas, giving rise to countless spirits and monsters.

Some ancient demons who were fortunate enough to awaken their intelligence and achieve success in cultivation even established hidden caves here, developed their own power, and formed unknown demon clan forces.

In recent years, with the arrival of the supernatural world on Earth, a large number of bizarre creatures have appeared all over the world.

Although most of them were suppressed and wiped out by the joint efforts of official forces of various countries and human cultivators, some still managed to escape, or were particularly cunning and powerful monsters, and fled into the depths of vast, complex, and easy-to-hide primitive mountain ranges like Changbai Mountain.

The presence of local spirits and monsters makes the dangers of this area even more unpredictable.

Of course, for the vast majority of ordinary people, the dangers of Changbai Mountain do not necessarily come from those extraordinary beings.

The ferocious beasts, complex terrain, harsh weather, and the easy-to-get-lost primeval forests alone are enough to be deadly.

Given Zhang Yangqing's current fame in China and even globally, if he were recognized, he would likely be surrounded by enthusiastic fans, media outlets that had caught wind of the news, and all sorts of people with ulterior motives before he even entered the mountains, making it impossible for him to move an inch.

Therefore, he and Xiao Xuan made some changes before setting off, changing into ordinary casual sportswear, wearing large sunglasses, and concealing all their extraordinary aura. They looked like two ordinary young people who came to climb mountains and explore during their vacation, as low-key as could be.

They traveled by vehicle to a village near the mountains, where they began hiking into the mountains.

The mountain breeze carries the unique fresh scent of the forest, mixed with a faint, elusive chill of the primeval wilderness.

Walking along the familiar mountain path, Xiao Xuan seemed quite excited and became more talkative, constantly pointing to the surrounding scenery and recounting some old stories:
"Senior brother, look over there. That cliff face... I remember Master brought me here when I was little. Back then, there was a huge, fierce-looking tiger with piercing eyes and a white forehead that was almost a demon. Master struck it with a single lightning spell and charred it to a crisp. And that valley over there used to be a mass grave, which bred many vengeful spirits and evil creatures. Master used talismans to help me practice and he spent three days and three nights performing rituals to help them pass on."

As they were talking, Xiao Xuan suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Zhang Yangqing, who had been walking quietly beside him, and asked, "By the way, Senior Brother, you seem to be unfamiliar with this place? Hasn't Master brought you here before?"

In Xiao Xuan's memory, if Changbai Mountain were a dungeon, the old Celestial Master would have brought many promising fellow disciples here to gain experience and temper their character.

As Master's most valued disciple, Senior Brother Zhang is exceptionally talented. There's no reason why he wouldn't have come here before.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yangqing paused slightly, his gaze seemingly sweeping over the surrounding mountains and forests behind his sunglasses.

He pondered for a moment, then said in a serious tone, "The demonic energy here is very weak."

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts to make his statement more precise: "My master would never bring me to this place."

The implication was obvious: I am too talented and have too high a starting point. My master takes me to play 'high-end games' and 'hell difficulty dungeons'. Why would my master take me to 'newbie villages' or 'normal dungeons' where the demonic energy is thin and the monsters are not of high level?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan's lips twitched slightly. Good heavens! As expected of you, Senior Brother!
His voice was incredibly powerful from the moment he opened his mouth, soaring straight to the heavens!
He's definitely a guy who only plays high-level games, awesome!
Junior brother, I admire you!

However, upon further reflection, Xiao Xuan felt that what Zhang Yangqing said might actually be true!
He recalled carefully that whenever there was an extremely dangerous mission involving the birth of a great demon, the pollution of a demon cave, or the arrival of a strange source, the old celestial master always thought of Zhang Yangqing first and specifically asked him to accompany him.

Isn't this the greatest affirmation of Zhang Yangqing's strength and potential?

Bringing him to Changbai Mountain, a "newbie training area," is indeed a waste of his talents.

As the two chatted idly, with Xiao Xuan mainly talking and Zhang Yangqing listening, they walked deeper into the winding mountain path when a figure came running down the mountain in a panic not far ahead.

He was a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, dressed plainly, but at this moment his hair was disheveled, his face was pale, and his eyes were bloodshot.

With dark circles under his eyes, he looked like he had been suffering from chronic sleep deprivation, high stress, and even a bit of shock.

He staggered, his eyes darting around as if searching for something.

Neither Zhang Yangqing nor Xiao Xuan were the type of people who liked to meddle in other people's business or cause trouble.

They glanced at it briefly before stepping aside to continue on their way.

However, upon seeing the two of them, the young man actually ran over and asked urgently and hoarsely, "G-Gentlemen! Excuse me! When you were going up the mountain just now, did you see a woman walking this way? A very pretty one?"

His eyes were filled with anxiety and anticipation, as if this person was very important to him.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He carefully examined the young man for a few moments. With the keen senses of a cultivator, he could detect that the man was tainted with an extremely subtle, yet real, demonic aura!

The demonic aura wasn't strong, and it didn't seem to have any intention of actively eroding or harming him. It was more like a "mark" left after a long period of close contact.

If he was not actually harmed by the demonic energy, why did this man look so terrified and on the verge of a mental breakdown?

Xiao Xuan was puzzled, but he remained calm on the surface and casually replied, "I didn't see it. We just arrived at the foot of the mountain and were about to go up."

That's the truth; they really didn't encounter any women.

Upon hearing this, the hopeful light in the young man's eyes quickly dimmed, replaced by a deep sense of loss and even greater anxiety.

He sighed, his shoulders slumped, and he muttered under his breath, "How come it's gone again?"

Then he turned around, seemingly intending to continue his search in a different direction.

But just as he turned and took a step, he seemed to remember something, hesitated, turned back, looked at Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan, a conflicted expression on his face, and finally, out of some simple goodwill, asked, "Brothers, are you planning to go into the mountains?" (End of this chapter)