I, a cultivator, have ended up in the world of tomb raiding.

Chen Yulou had already heard Hong Guniang recount the events of the Miao village in private.

Upon learning that Li Yue had subdued the unruly Angry Rooster with just two wild fruits, and then casually restored the senses of the mountain villager's son, who had been mentally impaired for many years, with a flick of his wrist, he was struck by lightning.

Their methods were so ingenious that I couldn't help but sigh inwardly: there are always people more capable than you, and mountains beyond mountains.

Importantly, even Hong Guniang, who was well-versed in ancient magic tricks, couldn't figure out what technique he was using, which shows how extraordinary his abilities were.

He was somewhat disappointed that he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, and immediately began to try to win him over.

If we can bring such an extraordinary person into Changsheng Mountain, why worry about the failure of the Xieling Mountain?

However, Li Yue's origins are unknown. He has no nickname in the underworld, but uses what seems to be his real name. He acts openly yet mysteriously, and is unfamiliar with all the rules of the underworld, making him truly unpredictable.

Li Yue deserves the most credit for subduing the Angry Rooster, but he is unwilling to participate in the oath-taking ceremony, which makes Chen Yulou suspicious.

When people work together in the underworld, swearing a blood oath is the most important rule.

The so-called "soldiers unite to fight one family."

Firstly, it symbolizes unity; secondly, it strengthens bonds of friendship; and thirdly, it provides a sense of obligation.

Li Yue, however, remained completely detached, disdaining to associate with us.

Or...did he harbor ulterior motives and have other plans all along?

He said he wasn't after wealth, but only wanted to help the people, speaking in a grand and respectable way, but who knew what he was really thinking?

Chen Yulou remained suspicious of Li Yue's explanation and secretly became wary of him.

Although Partridge Whistle is also aloof, he has a purpose and a bottom line, and can still be befriended and trusted.

But Li Yue seems to have no ties, no sect, no moral constraints, and no rules of the outlaw world, making him a real variable.

Therefore, when he listened to the other party's words, he did so with a degree of scrutiny and detachment.

If Partridge Whistle had said these words, he might have believed them, but since they came from Li Yue, he would have to think twice.

The thought flashed through Chen Yulou's mind, and he appropriately showed a hint of surprise on his face, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Yue and said:

"It turns out that Brother Li is also skilled in the art of divination and finding dragon veins."

After exchanging a few polite words, he turned to Partridge Whistle and asked seriously, "Brother Partridge Whistle, you have traveled far and wide and have seen the most. What are your thoughts on this mountain?"

Partridge Whistle gazed at the shady spot at the foot of the mountain and slowly spoke:

"Brother Chen, the mountaintop is too dangerous for men and horses to maneuver. Why not start from the bottom of the mountain?"

The base of this Ping Mountain has never seen sunlight for thousands of years, making it an extremely shady and shaded place. However, the dense vines and creepers indicate that the base of the mountain is not entirely composed of stubborn rocks.

In my opinion, digging upwards from this dead-end corner at the bottom of the mountain is far more reliable and less strenuous than climbing and blasting rocks.

Chen Yulou pondered for a moment, then asked, "Brother Partridge Whistle, are you confident?"

"It's just a deduction based on the terrain, I dare not make any rash judgments." Partridge Whistle was only guessing about this, unlike Li Yue who was so certain.

Just as Chen Yulou was about to agree, he suddenly remembered Li Yue beside him and stopped himself from speaking.

Turning to look at him, her tone remained polite, but with an added layer of subtle, distant formality:

"Brother Li, what do you think of this method?"

Li Yue looked up at Chen Yulou and immediately understood.

He lived two lives, spanning nearly 130 years, and had a deep understanding of human relationships and worldly affairs.

How could he not notice Chen Yulou's subtle coldness and the distance beneath his politeness?

It was simply that his refusal to participate in the blood oath alliance yesterday had made the leader of the Unloading Ridge sect wary and harbor some resentment towards him.

He nodded, unconcerned: "I'll just follow Brother Partridge Whistle."

As long as he can get into the ancient tomb, he will eventually achieve his goal.

As for how many of these Xieling brothers would be lost, that was none of his concern.

"Okay!" Chen Yulou was slightly surprised to see him agree so readily.

"...Then we'll split our forces into two groups. Commander Luo and I will lead the main force to drill blasting holes on the ridge and blow up the tomb passage."

Chen Yulou immediately decided, "Send another team of skilled fighters to accompany Brother Li and Brother Partridge Whistle to explore the entrance to the underground palace from the bottom of the mountain. With a two-pronged approach, one of them is bound to break the deadlock!"

Partridge Whistle glanced at Li Yue. With his extensive experience in the martial world, he could see Chen Yulou's subtle wariness towards Li Yue, but he didn't point it out. He simply nodded and said, "Very well."

Luo Laowai, standing to the side, had his one eye gleaming. He waved his hand and spoke in a loud, rough voice:

"Chief Chen's plan is spot on! We have plenty of manpower, and we can advance from both directions. Whichever side succeeds first, all the treasures in Ping Mountain will be ours!"

Chen Yulou then selected a dozen or so elite members of the Unloading Ridge bandits to go with Li Yue and the others.

Just as she was about to give some instructions, Miss Red suddenly stepped forward, clasped her hands in a fist and said loudly:

"Chief, I am willing to lead a team of brothers to join the Mountain Moving Team and Brother Li in exploring the path from the bottom of the mountain."

Her tone was crisp, but her eyes unconsciously drifted toward Li Yue, carrying a hint of concern and curiosity that she herself was unaware of.

Chen Yulou was taken aback and looked at the girl in red with surprise.

This girl has always been strong-willed, dislikes getting entangled with others, and rarely volunteers to cooperate with collateral relatives.

His gaze swept between Hong Guniang and Li Yue, and seeing her slightly unnatural expression, he immediately understood.

This girl, who was always so arrogant, seemed to have taken a liking to this mysterious young man.

Chen Yulou felt a mix of emotions, but he nodded with a forced smile.

"Very well, with Miss Hong's assistance, things will be much more secure. Then I wish everyone good luck in your joint efforts and swift success."

Having said that, he said no more, waved his hand, and led the large group of people to turn around and go up the mountain.

Li Yue felt that his back view carried a hint of repression, and couldn't help but glance at the girl in red.

The girl's eyes shifted slightly, looking unnaturally.

Seeing this, Li Yue's eyes flickered slightly, as if he were deep in thought.

……

All the roosters confiscated this time were left to Chen Yulou's team.

The crowing of roosters echoed across the mountains, stirring up the yang energy. The poisonous mist and miasma in the crevices of Ping Mountain all hid away, and centipedes of all sizes shrank deep into the rock crevices, not daring to show their faces.

The bandits of the Unloading Ridge immediately got busy, locating the location, digging the hole, and burying the medicine. They were working in a great hurry, but we won't go into details for now.

The only angry-eyed rooster was still carried by Li Yue in a bamboo basket.

They didn't have many people with them on this trip:

Partridge Whistle, Old Foreigner, and Flower Spirit, three Mountain Moving Taoists, along with Red Girl leading more than a dozen elite Unloading Ridge warriors, plus Li Yue, a group of more than ten people, turned and circled around to the back of Bottle Mountain.

The path at the bottom of the mountain is by no means smooth.

From the mountain pass to the bottom, it is all steep cliffs, almost vertical, with few places to stand, let alone walk.

The only way down was by taking advantage of the steep and dangerous paths on the mountaintop.

Partridge Whistle and his companions were highly skilled and daring, and the Red Girl's group were all expert climbers of Changsheng Mountain. They set up the Centipede-shaped Mountain Ladder, placed it between the cliffs, and climbed down as if walking on flat ground.

Li Yue held onto the bamboo ladder, his steps light and steady.

He had used the centipede-shaped mountain ladder twice before, and although he wasn't exactly an expert, he was no longer rusty.

His movements were light and graceful, even more unrestrained than many of the bandits who spent years roaming the mountains.

Of course, there are ways for him to regain his footing after falling, so he won't die.

When an ordinary person falls, they will inevitably land hard and break into pieces, naturally unable to fully unleash their potential.

The group of people, like monkeys climbing vines, slowly fell from a great height.

When we finally reached the bottom of Bottle Mountain and looked up,

The bottle's shoulder and mouth hung high overhead, a deep, dark green.

From afar, the mountain appears only strangely precipitous; only upon closer inspection can one feel the terrifying pressure of the massive, towering rocks pressing down upon it.

It looked as if it might crash down at any moment, crushing everyone into a bloody pulp.

Even these seasoned bandits, who had lived on the edge of death, couldn't help but breathe heavily and became more cautious as they walked.

Further on, water seeped from the rock crevices and dripped continuously, its chilling cold penetrating to the bone.

The group put on straw hats and raincoats, carried lanterns, and pushed aside the vines blocking their way, slowly making their way forward.

The rocks underfoot are covered with moss because of the constant dripping of water.

Li Yue sniffed twice and detected a faint stench in the air.