Departure

In a side hall of the Li family residence, a guard, accompanied by several attendants, placed an assortment of items in front of Li Yi before respectfully bowing and quickly retreating. Li Yi nodded slightly, his gaze falling upon the items. He occasionally picked up a few seemingly useful items and tucked them into his Storage Ring. Li Nana sat on a chair behind him, swinging her slender legs gently. After a while, she said softly, "It looks like Brother Li Yi is going on a long journey."

Li Yi smiled faintly, "It's not exactly a long journey. If things go smoothly, I should be back in ten days. If not, it might take a month..."

"What if Brother Li Yi doesn't return even after a month?" Li Yi thought for a moment before replying, "That would mean I overestimated myself and faced the consequences of my actions."

Li Nana frowned, unable to hide her concern, "Brother Li Yi, what exactly are you planning to do? Do you need my help? You mustn't get yourself into trouble!"

"Little girl," Li Yi walked over and gently patted her head, "I know what I am doing. I have to do this now, or I might regret it for the rest of my life. As for what I am up to, you don't need to worry about that."

Li Nana nodded reluctantly, "Alright, but remember, Brother Li Yi, if you don't come back in a month, no matter where you are, I will definitely find you!"

Li Yi chuckled, shaking his head at her naivety. 'If only you were worried about me...' His gaze drifted off into the distance. After a long sigh, he said, "Nana, this journey of mine is quite secretive. Please ensure that our servants keep quiet about it. I don't want to cause a stir."

"I understand," Li Nana replied, lifting her face slightly.

"Well, I must go now," Li Yi sighed again, stowing a few sharp weapons into his Storage Ring. After patting Li Nana's head one more time, he quickly left the side hall. Li Nana watched him leave and sighed deeply, whispering, "Brother Li Yi, do you really think Nana knows nothing? Why is it always so hard for me to get what I want?"

Outside the side hall, another pair of eyes watched Li Yi's departing figure, hesitating to stop him but ultimately remaining still.

"From here to there, and then to here... Damn, why is Yunshui City located in such a troublesome place?" Under the night sky, a tent was casually set up under a large tree, with a fire burning and a pot boiling over it. Li Yi, holding a sheepskin map, was marking it and cursing. The map detailed the terrain between Wanchao City and Yunshui City. Although the two cities were not far apart, a vast mountain range separated them. Li Yi estimated that circumventing the mountains would take at least a month, by which time it would be too late.

"Damn it!" Li Yi threw the map to the ground, his expression struggling with frustration. "What now? Boy, you're off to do some 'big business,' and you're stumped by a little difficulty?" Elder Snake appeared from the Storage Ring, sitting beside Li Yi with a teasing look.

Li Yi pointed at the map, frowning, "Old Ghost, do you have a solution?"

Elder Snake casually replied, "There are ways, but none too practical."

"What do you mean?"

"If you could directly cross the Najia Mountain Range, reaching Yunshui City in a few days wouldn't be a problem. But the main issue is this mountain range. It's the biggest barrier between Wanchao City and Yunshui City," Elder Snake explained.

Li Yi bitterly smiled, "I know that. The Najia Mountain Range is the largest in the Tianfeng Empire, filled with danger and numerous magical beasts. If you could freely use your power, we might have a chance to get through alive, but with my current strength, it's just a death sentence. It's said that there are magical beasts of the fifth order in that range, equivalent to a human's Emperor-level fighter. Encountering one would mean certain death for me."

Elder Snake smirked, "If I could freely use my power, why bother with all this trouble? I'd just fly you there. But considering the current situation, you better forget it. Still, I suggest you try crossing the Najia Mountain Range."

"Why?" Li Yi asked, perplexed.

"The more dangerous the place, the better it is for honing one's will. You might even find some rare treasures to boost your cultivation. But most importantly, with your current strength, heading to Yunshui City is nearly suicidal. What difference does adding the Najia Mountain Range make?"

Li Yi frowned deeply, processing Elder Snake's words. "If Elder Snake could use his full power, flying over would be simple. But as things stand, I have to think of another way. Crossing the Najia Mountain Range is fraught with peril, but it might be the only viable option."

Li Yi pondered for a moment before sighing again, "Old Coot, as pleasing as your words are, I know my limits... Going into Najia Mountain Range alone? Isn't that akin to seeking death?"

"Who said you're going to die? And who said you're going alone?" Elder Snake replied lightly. "Never mind Yunshui City, the Shrine Sacrifice you'll attend later will be far more dangerous than Najia Mountain Range. Consider this a trial before heading to Yunshui City or a practice for the Shrine Sacrifice... Either way, you have to go through Najia Mountain Range. I believe if you can safely leave the mountain range, you'll pretty much be invincible in Yunshui City. Remember, the fighting techniques I taught you weren't meant to make you timid!"

Li Yi frowned for a moment before reluctantly smiling, "Old Coot, you've put it in such a way that I have no choice but to go through Najia Mountain Range. You're right. If I want to reach Yunshui City on time, this is the only way. Why bother taking the long way around..."

"Glad you see it that way," Elder Snake commented casually. He then pointed in a direction, "If I remember correctly, about twenty miles in this direction, there's a small town. It's a gathering place for mercenary groups or merchant caravans seeking escorts to cross Najia Mountain Range. Neither of us is familiar with the mountain range, so joining a good caravan could save you a lot of time."

Li Yi frowned, "To think that people would form groups to cross such a dangerous mountain range... That's sheer folly."

"It's a shortcut for most merchants, offering great profits. Hence, such ventures are common. Besides, isn't this good for you?" Elder Snake reasoned.

"You're right..." Li Yi chuckled, "Why should their reasons concern me? As long as I can safely cross Najia Mountain Range, that's all that matters."

"Safe? Don't even dream about it. Just pray you don't encounter beasts above the third order. You can handle third-order beasts with your strength, but fourth order... well..." Elder Snake's sinister smile made Li Yi sigh. He felt trapped in the Old Coot's scheme again. Shaking his head, Li Yi extinguished the campfire, deciding not to waste more time. He entered his tent to meditate.

Elder Snake, pleased with Li Yi's decision, enveloped the area with a thin layer of red fighting energy for protection. He then vanished back into the Storage Ring.

The next day, Li Yi set off following Elder Snake's directions towards a corner beneath Najia Mountain Range. Along the way, he encountered lone mercenaries and large cavalry troops. Dressed like a common mercenary, Li Yi attracted little attention – a welcome change from the constant scrutiny in Wanchao City. In a sense, he preferred the role of a hidden assassin rather than a conspicuous fighter.

After half a day's journey, a small town emerged in Li Yi's view. Close to Najia Mountain Range, the town named Najia Town was initially established by a retired mercenary who built an inn. Over time, it developed into a settlement. The town housed mostly mercenaries, with a few settled merchants, and was a popular spot for caravans recruiting escorts to cross the mountain range.

Li Yi casually observed the streets. Unlike the decadent prosperity of Blood Wolf Town, Najia Town exuded an air of desolation and hostility. The mercenaries occasionally exchanged fierce glances, especially those wearing different insignias, signaling deep enmities. A saying went around in Najia Town: "The danger in Najia Mountain Range comes not from beasts, but from human hearts."

As Li Yi walked through the town, Elder Snake's voice echoed with a hint of nostalgia, indicating his familiarity with the place. Li Yi took a closer look, noting the tense but non-violent atmosphere of the town. Even the common thugs, or 'golden fingers,' seemed absent here, presumably avoiding this deadly place.

Now aware of the town's true nature, Li Yi continued his journey to find a suitable caravan to join for his perilous crossing of Najia Mountain Range.