Chapter 139: Dragon Back Mountain
The Dragon Back Mountain is a mountain range that spans the territories of three noble families of Forgeheart kingdom and the Buddhist sect. Its name comes from the shape of the mountain, resembling the back of a dragon with many scales. Due to its location between these four territories, it has also become a point of intersection between them.
Aldrian, Xin Haotian, and Duke Valiard land at the edge of the mountain region before proceeding on foot. Walking is preferable because the strong winds that sweep across the mountain range can make flying dangerous, even for those at the Emperor stage. If one isn’t careful, they could be swept away by the currents.
The group finds themselves on a road with a steep cliff to the right. This road serves as a functional route connecting the four territories, but it is largely devoid of travelers. Thanks to teleportation stations, most people prefer those faster methods of travel over a time-consuming journey on foot. As a result, the road is mostly used by merchants transporting large quantities of goods or heavy packages.
Aldrian narrows his eyes, sensing the blueprint’s location now much closer. He looks towards a higher point on the Dragon Back Mountain and points toward it.
"I can feel that the blueprint is in that direction."
Duke Valiard frowns, puzzled by the location Aldrian indicates.
"Are you sure, young master? To reach that place, we’d have to climb the mountain the old-fashioned way. It’s one of the forbidden zone because it’s so dangerous—even for an Emperor stage cultivator. The energy flow there is unusual, making it impossible to absorb the energy of heaven and earth. The wind currents are even more treacherous—not only strong enough to sweep away an Emperor stage cultivator, but they also form blade-like gusts that can slash through cultivators at that level. For my elder brother to have reached that point with his Middle Emperor stage, it would be a miracle if he survived."
Xin Haotian nodded in agreement with Duke Valiard’s statement. The central part of the Dragon Back Mountain is one of the forbidden zones of the continent. Although it’s not as famous as the Everlasting Silent Forest, due to its location in the southwestern part of the continent and the fact that it isn’t frequently visited by many, this place has its own notoriety.
"I’ve tried to visit that area, and like Duke Valiard said, it’s dangerous. The strong wind currents are enough to make even Peak Emperor stage cultivators hesitate to enter. Essentially it’s impenetrable, if somehow Mardred Valiard managed to get there, we still wouldn’t know if he’s alive or dead," Xin Haotian explained.