The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 262 Looking for Valley
After walking into the mountains for about fifteen minutes, the group began to use their lightness skills, speeding forward at breakneck speed.

The road had already been trodden out by soldiers, and there were few thorns or obstacles. The only problem was that the mountain path was rugged and winding, but these were not serious obstacles.

If it were just Zhao Ti alone, even without using the fastest speed, he could reach 200 li before noon. Tong Guan and Chu Wanli could also barely arrive after noon. However, Zhong Ling's internal strength was not that strong, and he would need to recover his strength after running for a while. Thus, there were still dozens of li to go by nightfall.

Left with no other choice, they rested in the woods. Zhong Ling knew she had slowed down the journey and felt guilty, saying, "Your Highness, I... I think I'd better not come along..."

Zhao Ti looked at her and said, "It's no use regretting it now. I can't ask you to go back. But it's fine to rest. We can ask about the situation and see where to look for Wanqing when we arrive tomorrow morning."

Zhong Ling lowered her head and hummed in response, but she was still somewhat sad. The Lightning Sable bared its teeth and claws at Zhao Ti in her arms. It couldn't understand human speech, but it thought that its master's sadness was related to Zhao Ti. However, it didn't dare to attack, so it could only bluff and pretend to show its unwavering loyalty.

Nothing was said that night. As dawn broke the next morning, the group continued their journey. By the time it was fully light, they could see the soldiers' camp.

Just then, someone on guard in the tree jumped down to greet them and led the way to the tent.

Huo Linglong bowed with a look of shame, while Wu Xiong hung his head and dared not raise it.

Zhao Ti couldn't help but sneer: "What happened to the boast you made back then?"

Huo Linglong whispered, "This subordinate is useless and is willing to accept the sect leader's punishment."

Zhao Ti glanced at her: "It's rare to see King Huo back down like this. Tell me what you've been doing all this time."

Huo Linglong and Wu Xiong exchanged a glance and began to speak. It took them a full half hour to finish their story. Huo Linglong said, "I think it is highly likely that Miss Mu entered the Valley of Immortality. Now, the people of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands are searching for this valley everywhere, and the Dali army is advancing forward to search the mountains."

"The Valley of Immortality?" Zhao Ti narrowed his eyes.

"It is this valley, Master. This valley must exist, and once you enter... especially after drinking the water from the Everlasting Spring, you can never leave. I estimate that this is why Miss Mu is unable to leave," Huo Linglong said.

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment. The Valley of Immortality and Longevity certainly existed. The Immortality and Longevity Technique was related to the divine book in the valley. Xiaoyaozi's appearance did not change after he stole the book from the valley.

If Mu Wanqing really ran into the deep mountains, then she most likely entered this valley; otherwise, she must have run to the other side of the mountain, and it's unknown where she went.

"Have you found any clues about Changchun Valley?" Zhao Ti asked calmly.

"This... we haven't found the leader yet," Huo Linglong said in a low voice.

Zhao Ti snorted: "If they were just ordinary soldiers, that would be one thing, but all the soldiers in the thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands are skilled in martial arts, and many of them live in the mountains. How come they haven't been able to find even a single clue after all this time?"

Sweat poured down Wu Xiong's forehead: "Your Majesty, your subordinates deserve to die. Please punish us."

Zhao Ti said, "What's the use of punishment? Would killing them all solve the problem?"

The bear dared not move, beads of sweat dripping to the ground: "Your Majesty, no, you cannot..."

Zhao Ti said, "Since it's impossible, why don't you gather your men and come with me to find it?"

Black Bear hurriedly agreed and went outside to release a whistling arrow that shot into the sky. Before long, some cave lords and island lords returned.

Zhao Ti frowned and asked, "Where are the others?"

Wu Xiong said, "Some have gone too far to hear the whistle, and will have to return on their own in two days." Zhao Ti pondered for a few moments and said, "Come with me, all of you."

He had scattered clues about the location of the Valley of Immortality in his mind, not because he didn't remember much, but because the description of this place was originally very limited.

In my memory, the Everlasting Spring Valley was said to be hundreds of miles deep in the mountains, with deep ravines, dense forests, and towering peaks blocking the way, making it extremely difficult for outsiders to enter.

There are also steep and dangerous paths that require climbing vines and using ropes to move forward. Only after finding a high plateau can one determine the direction and location for the rest of the journey.

He described these features as he walked, then moved away from the tent, and the group of thirty or forty people headed directly into the depths of the mountains.

Having found some distinguishing features, they ventured into treacherous places, climbing over vines and crossing peaks, until they finally found a high plateau just as the sun was setting in the south.

Zhao Ti stood there and looked around. He said to the crowd, "There should be a deep ravine ahead of us. If we get there, we will be on the right track."

They continued to use their lightness skill to move forward, and sure enough, after about half an hour, the terrain ahead suddenly stopped, revealing a large ravine. If they went any further, they would have to descend into the deep valley and then climb to the other side.

Just then, two people emerged from the dense forest beside them. Both were dressed in the short clothing of mountain dwellers. One carried a long pole with a net, and the other carried a bamboo ladder.

Huo Linglong said, "It seems to be a swallow's nest in the mountains. I will go and inquire about it."

She went over to talk, and Zhao Ti could hear her clearly from behind. The two of them indeed knew about the Valley of Immortality and Longevity. They said that according to legend, this valley was about one or two hundred miles away after crossing the stream, or going around the stream, but that would take a longer route.

They also said that the people in the mountains dared not go to the other side, as the mountain stream seemed to be a forbidden area. It was said that there was a monster in that valley that could live forever in youth, but would turn white-haired, old, terrifying, and die within a few days of leaving the valley. There were some words carved on the trees and rocks by the mountain stream ahead, which should be related to this valley, but they did not recognize them.

After listening, Huo Linglong turned to look at Zhao Ti, who nodded. Huo Linglong took out some silver to thank the two of them, and the two left happily.

Zhao Ti said, "Go and look for the writing on that tree and rock."

The group stepped forward and soon found many characters on the cliff edge. They were strangely shaped and crooked, and judging from their weathered appearance, they must have been left over for many years.

Chu Wanli said, "This is the local Tu language, which few people can read. However, I learned some when I was young and can barely translate it."

Zhao Ti asked him to translate, and after looking at it for a long time, he said, "Your Highness, this kind of writing is quite detailed and complicated. It looks like there are many words, but the content is actually very simple."

Zhong Ling asked, "Uncle Chu, what exactly did you write?"

Chu Wanli slowly said, "It is roughly the same as what Caiyanke said. There is a divine spring in that valley. Drinking from it can keep you young forever, but once you leave the valley, you will start to age, your back will be hunched and your face will be full of wrinkles. You will seem to age a hundred years quickly and die within a few days."

Huo Linglong said, "It is exactly as the swallow-gathering guest said. The swallow-gathering guests I met elsewhere also said the same thing, saying that the place is full of strange and eerie things, and no one dares to go near it, let alone search for it."

Chu Wanli nodded: "There are two more sentences after these words, which read: 'The divine book has gone with Xiaoyao, and only the Everlasting Spring remains in this valley.'"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti looked towards the other side of the mountain stream, where he saw distant clouds and mist rising and falling, their light and shadow shifting.

He said calmly, "Let's continue searching for the valley after crossing the ravine."

(End of this chapter)