Volume One – The Borderlands of the Chen Kingdom, The Rebellious Marquis’s Immortal Path Chapter 44 – Beyond Every Mountain, Another Mountain Awaits

The three, hearts pounding with excitement, made their way toward the Heavenly Severance Mountains.

Upon entering the range, they immediately sensed a difference—this was not like the times before. The oppressive force of heaven and earth had weakened.

"Is it because we've grown stronger?" Chen Yu wondered aloud.

"It must be due to our breakthrough into the Innate Realm, just as those two Innate Realm cultivators who entered with Daoist Jiang Qing before," Xue Han replied.

"The Great Dao is fifty, Heaven evolves forty-nine, leaving one hidden path. No matter how flawless, there is always a sliver of hope," Chen Yu said with a trace of longing. "Perhaps one day, we truly might return."

"Heh... what the future holds, let it come in its own time. For now, we've made a good beginning," Jing Zhe said with a smile.

"Indeed. This time, we'll surely reach the Nine Provinces," both Chen Yu and Xue Han nodded firmly.

The map left by Daoist Jiang Qing, the three had memorized perfectly. They ventured deeper into the forest, avoiding dangerous areas, pressing forward into the heart of the Heavenly Severance Mountains.

Yet even with a map, no matter how cautious, accidents were inevitable. Fortunately, each was resolved by the trio.

As they traveled deeper into the range, the beasts they encountered grew ever fiercer, making them even more vigilant.

At last, after ten days, they arrived at the final point marked on Jiang Qing's map—only to be struck by a wave of despair, their minds blank with confusion.

"What is this?" Jing Zhe cursed helplessly.

"We thought we'd finally leave the Heavenly Severance Mountains, but now it seems this is just the beginning," Xue Han said with resignation.

Chen Yu shook his head, equally dispirited.

What blocked their path was an endless wall of towering peaks—this was the true Heavenly Severance Mountains they had seen from afar. Compared to this, what they had traversed before was no more than a small patch of woodland.

"So, what do we do now?" Jing Zhe, out of ideas, turned to Chen Yu and Xue Han.

But neither had any solution.

"Ah, I can't take it anymore," Chen Yu smiled bitterly. "Let’s rest here tonight. We’ll think it over in the morning."

The three sighed. Things were far harder than they had imagined. No wonder Daoist Jiang Qing, after more than a hundred years, failed to cross these mountains and met his end at their hands.

Even so, Chen Yu and his companions would not give up lightly.

Though unfamiliar with the range, they knew one principle: the higher you stand, the farther you see.

After discussion, the three agreed: traveling around the sides of the Heavenly Severance Mountains was impossible. They could only climb upward, hoping to reach the summit and find a way out.

The next morning, with calm determination, they set out once more.

This time, they were even more cautious, afraid to make the slightest noise.

As they ascended, they gradually felt the familiar suppression of the Dao upon their bodies.

"The calamities have returned!" Jing Zhe grumbled. But now, all they could do was endure.

Though it was hard to bear, at least they understood they were on the right path.

Day by day, the pressure on them increased. The force of calamity nearly burned their bodies to ash. What they did not realize was that this very force further awakened their inner potential.

Each day brought suffering, but the Nine-Breath Qi Method kept them alive through repeated hardship. As they delved deeper into its practice, their strength soared. This was their greatest fortune—for only with greater power could they hope to cross the Heavenly Severance Mountains.

...

"Something’s odd ahead—be careful," Jing Zhe whispered, peering from behind a huge rock.

"Two giant snakes? They seem to be fighting over something," Chen Yu observed.

"Tsk tsk... I'd really like to see what’s happening," Jing Zhe said with a grin.

"Don't be foolish now," Xue Han urged anxiously. "With our meager strength, one swipe of their tails could end us."

"I’m just saying," Jing Zhe retorted. "Second Brother, you’re far too timid."

"Timid? I call it caution," Xue Han replied irritably.

"Enough. Let’s leave before we're noticed," Chen Yu said nervously.

But as they prepared to slip away, the two giant pythons suddenly erupted into fierce battle.

With a thunderous crash, rocks shattered, trees toppled, and fragments flew toward Chen Yu and his companions.

"This is bad—" the trio cried, fleeing at full speed, heedless of whether the pythons noticed them.

Just as they escaped, their hiding place was smashed by flying debris. Their faces paled; had they delayed a moment, they would have been riddled with stones.

"Hurry!" Jing Zhe shouted.

Fortunately, the two giant pythons were engrossed in their fight and did not pursue. The three fled a great distance before stopping, bent over, gasping for breath.

It was not only them—even the surrounding beasts were in full flight, desperately escaping.

"So... so terrifying..." Jing Zhe said, still shaken. "Is the land of the Nine Provinces just as deadly? How will we survive?"

"It’s hard to say! This might be child's play compared to what awaits in the Nine Provinces."

"So what do we do? Go back?" Jing Zhe asked.

Chen Yu and Xue Han answered without hesitation, "If you want to return, go alone."

"Haha... I was only joking, don’t take it so seriously," Jing Zhe said, embarrassed.

After about the time it takes for incense to burn, the sounds of battle faded, and peace returned.

"Is it over?"

"Seems so."

"I wonder which python won."

"Let’s not dwell on it—it’s none of our concern. I just want to leave this dangerous place as soon as possible."

At that moment, Jing Zhe disagreed. "I think we should go back and take a look."

"Don’t be crazy," Xue Han objected.

"What about you, Third Brother? What do you think?" Jing Zhe ignored Xue Han and turned to Chen Yu.

"Fortune favors the bold. I say we give it a try. If anything seems wrong, we run at once."

"Haha, exactly—just like when we got that leopard," Jing Zhe said, growing excited.

"You two are mad, utterly mad!" Xue Han shouted.