C4 Fragrance Light Mountain

The car sped on, surpassing even the speed of a low-level warrior's Lightness Skill. Jie Mu sat quietly inside, his gaze constantly sweeping over the diverse buildings and the bustling pedestrians outside. He had heard tales of Silent Sea City before his arrival—a world-renowned metropolis with its streets lined with towering skyscrapers reaching into the clouds.

The gleaming glass facades and the urban jungle of steel and concrete were both impressive and alienating, evoking a sense of coldness that beckoned yet intimidated onlookers. The city's inhabitants hurried along, rarely interacting, each seemingly preoccupied with urgent matters.

As the vehicle advanced, Jie Mu's attention was drawn to the most imposing structure in sight. It was a pair of twin towers, identical in form and soaring into the sky, connected by a skyway that lent them an air of unspeakable grandeur.

Stunned by the sight, Jie Mu tapped the young girl next to him, "Excuse me, Miss Yu, what is that?"

Without looking up, Yu Wen replied, "That's the landmark of Silent Sea, the East Prosperity Headquarters."

Her brief explanation was enough for Jie Mu to grasp the significance of the towering edifice. Its majesty was now clear to him.

After half an hour, the group left the urban sprawl behind and ventured into the suburbs. The high-rise landscape gave way to distant mountains stretching across the horizon. Jie Mu harbored questions, yet he remained silent, aware that many reclusive sages preferred the solitude of the mountains.

The car wound its way into the mountains and eventually came to a halt at the base of one. Chenmu, seated in the front passenger seat, stretched and addressed the two in the back, "Alright, youngsters, time to get out. We've arrived at our destination."

Yu Wen glanced outside, opened the door, and hopped out. Jie Mu, however, was confused. "Here? But there's nothing here..."

Chenmu offered a knowing smile. With Yu Wen paying no heed to Jie Mu's confusion, he had no choice but to exit the car as well.

Once they were out, Chenmu gave the driver a nod, and the car disappeared into the deeper woods. He then firmly grasped the shoulders of Jie Mu and Yu Wen, announcing, "Get ready, we're heading home!"

As he finished speaking, he didn't touch the ground but soared into the air like an arrow released from a bow. In a mere moment, he ascended hundreds of feet into the sky.

Jie Mu listened to the wind whistling past his ears and realized that Chenmu had activated the Protective Air Barrier to shield them; otherwise, they would surely have been injured.

Now, Chenmu had removed the Air Barrier, allowing the two youngsters to better appreciate the stunning scenery around them.

Looking down from high above, Jie Mu experienced a fleeting sense of fear and tension, which was quickly drowned out by a surge of excitement and thrill.

He had never before experienced the sensation of gazing down upon the earth from thousands of meters in the air, nor had he ever witnessed someone ascend to such heights in the blink of an eye.

In just a few days of acquaintance, Jie Mu's admiration for Donglin Chenmu had grown immensely. Chenmu had demonstrated the formidable power of Machine Arts in a recent battle against pirates on a ship. Now, he was showcasing his deep Martial Arts Cultivation Level.

Suddenly, the scene shifted before them. Before Jie Mu could even process what was happening, they had reached the mountain's summit.

Jie Mu felt a wave of dizziness – not an illusion, but the natural result of their swift ascent.

Standing atop the mountain, he looked down and felt as though he could see every landscape for miles around. He could hardly believe that he had reached such an elevation in an instant.

Yu Wen, standing beside him, showed no sign of discomfort, having grown accustomed to such experiences.

She informed Jie Mu, "This place is known as Fragrance Light Mountain, part of the South Jade Mountain Range. The valley below is where our Master and Mistress reside, in Fragrance Light Valley!"

Curious, Jie Mu peered downward, only to find his view obscured by a thick mist, rendering him unable to discern anything below.

"Fragrance Light Valley? Where is it? I can't see anything down there!"

Without giving the two youngsters a chance to speak further, Chenmu grasped their shoulders and leaped down the mountain. His ascent had been swift, but his descent was even swifter!

Once again, Jie Mu could barely make out his surroundings, let alone utter a word. In an instant, they had landed on the flat terrain at the base of the mountain.

Jie Mu was taken aback once more as he gazed at the towering mountain, hundreds of meters tall, at a loss for words.

A few steps ahead, Chenmu came upon a stone tablet that caught his eye.

"Fragrance Light Valley, entry forbidden! Violators will meet their death!"

The characters were carved with strength and the flair of a master calligrapher.

Chenmu's box had vanished, and from seemingly nowhere, he produced a Mechinery Cube.

This Mechinery Cube, unlike the previous one, was as large as a soccer ball. Regrettably, Jie Mu couldn't discern its level, despite its proximity.

As the Mechinery Cube was tossed into the air, beams of intense light shot from every direction, striking it.

The cube emitted specks of blue light that merged with the strong beams, creating a dazzling display that left Jie Mu momentarily disoriented.

Yu Wen explained, "This is the identity verification required to enter the valley. This unique technique of spinning the Mechinery Cube is a privilege known only to us disciples."

"The law of Fragrance Light Valley is clear: uninvited entry is prohibited, and trespassers will face death!"

Jie Mu nodded in understanding. The lights seemed formidable, and he surmised that an average warrior would be reduced to shreds upon contact.

A second later, the brilliance faded away.

With a gesture, Chenmu recalled the Mechinery Cube to his hand and stowed it once more.

He picked up his leather suitcase and addressed the two youngsters behind him, "All set, let's move."

Chenmu led the way with confident strides, Yu Wen keeping pace closely behind. Jie Mu scrambled to follow suit.

The pair in front moved swiftly, and even at a run, Jie Mu could barely keep up.

Chenmu's speed was to be expected; he was a teacher who had previously demonstrated formidable strength. But Yu Wen, who appeared to be about his age, how could she be so quick?

Feeling a surge of competitiveness, Jie Mu gathered his Inner Qi, determined to catch up with Yu Wen.

For over five minutes, the trio traversed the narrow, winding mountain path. Jie Mu was gasping for breath, exhausted, yet the other two seemed unfazed.

It was clear that Chenmu and Yu Wen were intentionally slowing their pace to wait for him. Just then, he caught a whiff of a faint scent and noticed an unusually bright light ahead, signaling the end of the path. Shielding his eyes from the intense light, Jie Mu emerged from the mountain trail. Suddenly, a vast and extraordinarily beautiful valley unfolded before him!

The valley was a tapestry of stunning flowers, boasting blooms that never faded and grasses that remained evergreen. The array of flowerbeds, countless medicinal herbs, grasses, and exotic plants all enhanced one another's beauty. Upon entering the valley, Jie Mu felt an overwhelming sense of ease wash over him, as if with each breath, streams of cosmic energy were purifying his internal organs.

The rich aroma of flowers, the scent of medicinal herbs, and the abundance of cosmic energy were so potent that even a mortal might live to see a century pass in this place. In the periphery of Jie Mu's vision, a small waterfall cascaded down, adding a vibrant charm to the tranquil valley. Channels carved from the waterfall's base snaked through the flower gardens, breathing life into them. These waterways were the secret to the vitality that thrived throughout Fragrance Light Valley.

Perhaps due to the waterfall and the unique flora, the valley was spared from the heat outside, maintaining a perpetual spring-like climate. Deeper within the valley stood several attractive two-story wooden houses. Their deep brown timber blended seamlessly with the serene surroundings, with climbing plants enveloping the structures and lending an extra touch of pastoral charm.

Upon witnessing such splendor, Jie Mu was utterly astonished and murmured in awe, "This is truly deserving of the name Fragrance Light Valley, with its fragrant beauty and unparalleled elegance!"

Chenmu offered a knowing smile in response to Jie Mu's admiration. He then guided the two youngsters to the wooden houses and informed them, "Jie Mu, you'll be staying in room 15. Your master's wife has recently gone to visit friends and won't return for a few days."

Jie Mu followed Chenmu's pointed direction and spotted a small cabin marked with the number 15. It looked no different from the others.

Chenmu added, "You two have had a long day. Get some rest. We'll begin your training tomorrow."

"We start at 4:30 in the morning. Now, go rest."

Jie Mu nodded in agreement and made his way to his cabin.

Yu Wen didn't go to sleep right away; instead, she wandered off towards the waterfall, her purpose unknown.

Once inside his cabin, Jie Mu didn't bother with anything else. He took a quick glance at the room's modest decor before collapsing into a deep sleep.

He didn't wake up until the next morning, not because of Chenmu's call, but due to a series of loud bangs.

Jie Mu faintly recalled hearing the noise before falling asleep the previous night, but he had been too exhausted to care.

Stepping out of the cabin, he headed towards the source of the commotion.

Rubbing his bleary eyes and feeling the rumble of hunger in his belly—he hadn't eaten in two meals—Jie Mu was definitely feeling the pangs of hunger.

Following the noise, he continued forward until he reached the waterfall.

Approaching the area, a piece of stone chip flew at him. Having learned a few martial skills from Mr. Guan back at the tavern, he dodged with a quick turn of his head. Yet, he was startled by the sight before him.

Rows of towering boulders, each about two meters tall and varying in size, stood by the waterfall. Each one appeared incredibly hard, unlike ordinary rocks.

A slender figure was before one of the boulders, delivering punch after punch in a relentless barrage, striking the stone from every angle and sending chips flying.

Jie Mu couldn't help but marvel, "Such a powerful Fist Technique!"

No sooner had he spoken than the figure flashed before him, launching a punch!

The fist halted mere inches from Jie Mu's face, the force of the blow stinging his skin.

Jie Mu gulped, his heart racing with relief that she had stopped in time; otherwise, that punch could have been fatal.

The figure drew back her fist to reveal a stunning face—it was Yu Wen.

She snorted, "Jie Mu? It's you. What brings you here? Trying to sneak a peek at my Fist Technique?"

Jie Mu's face soured. Who would have guessed that such a frail-looking girl could punch a small crater into a boulder? Her strength wasn't just slightly superior to his—it was in a whole different league.