Chapter 26 Gourd Mountain

The night sky at eight or nine o'clock seemed exceptionally clear, perhaps due to the decline of human technological civilization. The number of stars visible to the naked eye in the night sky was significantly higher and brighter than before.

However, at this moment, the brilliant stars in the sky appeared particularly dim.

The night sky was occupied by an orange glow, resembling a sunrise spreading across the heavens, or twilight setting the horizon ablaze.

The source of that orange glow seemed unreal, difficult to describe exactly what it was.

It felt like it existed, yet didn't, seen and yet not fully seen.

The orange light was like the outline in a painting, while the main part was hollow and twisted. To say there's nothing there, but through the void, the starlit sky appeared distorted; to say there's something, yet nothing was visible.

Only the orange outline emitted an eerie light, recoloring the starry sky; the blank spaces looked like a twisted bird of prey, soaring with wings spread wide.

The hollow distortion slowly flew over Lin Shen and others' heads, knowingly or unknowingly heading straight toward the other end of the canyon. The orange light illuminated the long dark canyon from near to far, gradually reaching the extreme distance.

Under that light, everyone could vaguely see, at the far end of the canyon, a peculiar peak standing amidst clouds and mist.

That peak stood arrogantly among the mountains, making the surrounding peaks look like mere mounds, stripped of their majestic presence.

What's even stranger was the bizarre shape of the mountain.

Lin Shen, who hadn't seen much of the world, had already seen more mountains today than he had in the past twenty years combined.

However, among the others, there were many who were well-traveled and knowledgeable.

Yet none of them had seen such a mountain; its shape resembled a giant gourd lying slanted among the mountains.

It's hard to imagine how a mountain could grow into the shape of a gourd. What kind of geological changes and natural erosion did it undergo to become what it is now?

"Gourd Mountain...that must be Gourd Mountain..." a trembling voice arose, not trembling with fear, but rather with joy and excitement.

Lin Shen also thought that the mountain must be Gourd Mountain. It was too vivid; his brother must have named it Gourd Mountain casually for this very reason.

What Lin Shen found puzzling was that such a gigantic Gourd Mountain was not too far from the Dark Bird Base, and it should have been easy to find. Why, then, did only a few brothers from the Lin Family know its location?

Such a magnificent and strange mountain, glancing at it from afar would etch it into memory for a lifetime; many people must have seen it and should easily associate it with the term Gourd Mountain. Has no one ever thought of this?

"No, something's wrong!" Lin Shen suddenly woke up.

When they arrived at the canyon, it wasn't dark yet, and the view was good. If there was such a strangely shaped mountain in the distance, they couldn't have missed it.

Why had no one seen it during the day, but now they suddenly saw that mountain?

*Could it be the legendary hidden immortal mountain?* Lin Shen pondered internally.

The orange light gradually receded, slowly fading behind the giant Gourd Mountain, until the last trace of light disappeared. The majestic, strange Gourd Mountain was no longer visible.

Amid the vast darkness, who knew if it still stood there?

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit subtle, as people from the Qi and Wang families looked towards Bai Shenfei.

Just as Ye had analyzed, their need for Bai Shenfei was rooted in their ignorance of Gourd Mountain's location.

The unexpected appearance of the orange light guided them to Gourd Mountain, and since they possessed the Dark Bird, they could enter Gourd Mountain, no longer needing Bai Shenfei.

Lin Shen couldn't see Bai Shenfei's expression then, but he guessed it wouldn't be good.

"Miss Bai, it seems we need to renegotiate our cooperation." Qi Shuheng said with a smile.

"Quite right, fairness is key to cooperation. If there's no contribution, even if we're willing to give, someone like Miss Bai wouldn't care to accept, right?" Wang Tian'er smiled broadly.

"How do you propose to renegotiate?" Bai Shenfei asked coldly.

"To play at the table, you need chips. Miss Bai, you've lost your chips, but it's fine. Come and play with us, and I'll see to it that you get a share. Brother Tian'er, you have no objections, right?" Qi Shuheng continued.

"Miss Bai's prowess deserves no less than a tenth share," Wang Tian'er added.

"What if I refuse?" Bai Shenfei replied icily.

"Refusal is fine; there's no need for enmity in business. We wouldn't make things difficult for Miss Bai. However, different paths can't lead to the same goal. If Miss Bai has the ability, feel free to go to Gourd Mountain by yourself. We'll not stand in your way. With your skill, you'll surely return laden with riches, and we won't envy however much you take," Wang Tian'er stated confidently.

He was certain that Bai Shenfei had no choice but to cooperate with them. Without the Dark Bird, reaching Gourd Mountain, let alone entering it, was an issue.

"In that case, let's go our separate ways." Bai Shenfei finished speaking and turned to Lin Shen: "Do you want to come with me?"

Before Lin Shen could answer, Wang Tian'er already spoke, "Miss Bai, please yourself; there's no need for you to concern yourself with our trio's matters."

"Would you be willing?" Bai Shenfei ignored Wang Tian'er, not even sparing a glance, and continued to ask Lin Shen.

"You're my sister apprentice; of course, I have to look after you." Lin Shen said as he walked toward Bai Shenfei.

Lin Shen had thought it through; even if Bai Shenfei had ulterior motives for coming, he needed her more than the Qi and Wang families did.

Of course, Lin Shen most wanted to see a fight between Bai Shenfei and the Qi and Wang families. That was the most advantageous outcome for him.

"You're going with an outsider? Won't your Lin family care about the old bonds with our three families?" Qi Shuheng asked with a cold face.

People from both the Qi and Wang families blocked the way between Lin Shen and Bai Shenfei, determined not to let Bai Shenfei take Lin Shen. If the Lin family had another Dark Bird, it would be troublesome.

"Wang Er, you'd better think it through. Do you really believe you have a chance against me and my sister apprentice if we join forces?" Lin Shen said calmly.

Wang Tian'er retorted dismissively, "If you were really that dog Lin Xiangdong, I wouldn't dare stop you, but you're just that Lin family's Lin Shen, known for nothing but eating, drinking, and playing...Capture him now..."

Lin Shen knew something was off at the front of the line and turned to look at Ye beside him.

Only Ye could be one hundred percent certain that it was Lin Shen standing here and not Lin Xiangdong. Wang Tian'er's certainty that he was Lin Shen made Lin Shen suspect Ye.

Of course, it could also have been Wei Wufu, who had probably guessed that Lin Xiangdong was Lin Shen in disguise, but Lin Shen still felt Ye was more likely the issue.

In the moment Lin Shen turned to look at Ye, Ye suddenly drew a knife and placed it at Lin Shen's neck, sighing, "Little Brother Lin... I'm sorry... I have no choice..."

Before he could finish, a flash of cold light appeared before Ye's eyes, causing him to retreat in alarm.

Ye's retreat was surprisingly swift, even to Lin Shen; his aged body moved faster than even the top-notch alloy creatures.

Despite his speed, a diagonal scar crossed Ye's face, not deep, but horribly gruesome.

Standing protectively in front of Lin Shen was Wei Wufu, holding a chilling jade Tang sword, its blade dripping with blood.

"Go now, I'll hold them here." As Wei Wufu spoke, mysterious material surged within him, instantly transforming into a suit of purple armor, enveloping his robust, towering frame like a god of war in purple armor.

Lin Shen hadn't expected Wei Wufu actually to step in to help him, leaving no time for thought. He mounted the White Gold Beast and charged out of the canyon.

A Mutator from the Qi family, closest to Lin Shen, attempted to stop him, but the next moment, a cold flash severed the Mutator's head, which flew into the air as the body fell, blood spewing forth.

Wei Wufu's jade-like Tang sword pointed diagonally to the ground, blood running down its blade.

*Talk little, act fierce, a man quick to draw his sword—Wei Wufu was indeed a ruthless person,* even Lin Shen felt a cold dread watching him.

"Brother Tian'er, it seems our Dark Bird Base has been underestimated. Everyone seems to dare defy us; I can't stand it, can you?" Qi Shuheng's eyes flickered with cold light.

"I can't stand it either," Wang Tian'er said coldly.

"Then let's finish him." Qi Shuheng said sinisterly, tossing out a Pet Capsule.

Almost simultaneously, Wang Tian'er tossed out another Pet Capsule.

But before their Pet Capsules could morph into creatures, a thin, sapphire-like sword pierced through both capsules like threading pearls.

"Haven't your teachers taught you? Pet Capsules aren't used like this." Bai Shenfei held a long sword, flickering her wrist as the two impaled alloy Pet Capsules shattered into pieces.

Qi Shuheng and Wang Tian'er exchanged glances, said nothing, and retrieved more Pet Capsules, but this time they didn't dare toss them out carelessly, instead holding them aloft carefully.

Others from the Qi and Wang families also surrounded them, trapping Wei Wufu and Bai Shenfei.

"Leave Bai Shenfei to us, scrape that bastard Wei Wufu for me," Wang Tian'er said coldly, staring at Bai Shenfei.

Two phoenix cries resonated as two Dark Birds launched forth from the palms held high by Qi Shuheng and Wang Tian'er, slicing toward Bai Shenfei like two sharp, dark blades.

With Bai Shenfei in mind, they unleashed their strongest Dark Birds from the outset.

Meanwhile, Wei Wufu found himself surrounded by Mutators from both families, the sounds of battle ringing without cease.

Lin Shen originally planned to escape a bit further and assess the situation, but when he turned his head, he was startled to see someone pursuing him.

He rode a White Gold Beast with a speed of 18.4, yet the figure was faster on foot, rapidly closing the distance between them.

Lin Shen saw that the figure was covered in black, scale-like metal carapace, frighteningly grotesque and serpentine, like a monster forged from human and snake.

"Little Brother Lin, don't run. You can't escape. Let's talk this through; as long as you cooperate, I'll wager against Qi Shuheng and Wang Tian'er to ensure your safety out of here." Ye's figure flashed, overtaking Lin Shen and blocking the path of the White Gold Beast.