A place of great peril?
Hearing Elder Longbrow’s words, Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow, realising that more trouble might lie ahead.
Shuisheng, somewhat confused, asked, “Uncle Master, didn’t you say this was a land of true dragons? How did it become a place of great peril?”
Elder Longbrow’s expression grew solemn as he replied, “A land of true dragons is an extraordinary configuration. Under normal circumstances, this place should be rich in qi and teeming with vitality—a rare and supreme feng shui treasure.”
“The only reason it’s turned out like this is one thing.”
“Someone has already claimed this land of true dragons.”
“Claimed it?” Shuisheng grew even more puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Elder Longbrow explained, “To put it simply, someone has already been buried here.”
Shuisheng’s face twisted into a grimace as he muttered, “I was planning to bury you here, Uncle Master. Looks like Dragon Tiger Mountain won’t be producing a true dragon emperor now.”
Thwack!
Elder Longbrow smacked Shuisheng on the forehead, snapping irritably, “I’m not dead yet, and you’re already planning my burial?”
Shuisheng mumbled aggrievedly, “You’re not dead, but it’s not far off.”
“Say one more word, and I’ll rip your mouth apart.”
Elder Longbrow glared fiercely at Shuisheng, then sighed, “Since ancient times, the blessed reside in blessed lands, and blessed lands await the blessed.”
“A place like Dalong Mountain, a land of true dragons, can only be claimed by someone with profound fortune.”
“If someone with shallow fortune is buried here, the land of true dragons turns into a place of great peril, and problems arise.”
Shuisheng asked, “Uncle Master, what kind of problems?”
Elder Longbrow ignored him and continued, “When I was seventeen, I followed my master down the mountain. We passed through a village where something strange happened.”
“In that village, a wealthy family had an elder pass away. They hired a feng shui master to find a treasure spot and buried the elder there. From then on, strange things started happening.”
“Villagers would occasionally hear someone calling their names in the dead of night. If anyone answered, they’d die inexplicably within days.”
“By the time my master and I arrived, four people had already died, and the village was in a panic.”
“The village head learned my master was the leader of Dragon Tiger Mountain and begged him to intervene.”
“My master took me around the village, and we ended up at that grave.”
“That night, my master had the village head gather everyone at the graveyard. At midnight, strange noises came from the tomb—groaning and whimpering, like someone enduring extreme torment.”
“A little later, the grave started calling out villagers’ names.”
“I was there and heard it clear as day.”
“A few timid villagers fainted from fright on the spot.”
“Under my master’s direction, we dug up the wealthy family’s elder’s grave. Guess what we found?”
Elder Longbrow paused deliberately, building suspense.
“Was the person inside still alive?” Shuisheng asked.
“Nonsense,” Elder Longbrow said, “Buried for half a month—even a living person would be long dead.”
Ye Qiu asked, “A corpse transformation?”
“Sharp as ever,” Elder Longbrow nodded. “Exactly, it was a corpse transformation.”
“When we opened the grave and the coffin, the elder from that wealthy family had a rosy complexion, not at all like a dead person.”
“Not only that, his hair had turned red, like fire. If he weren’t lying in a coffin, anyone would’ve thought he was alive.”
“Even I was stunned, let alone the villagers.”
“What happened next?” Shuisheng asked eagerly.
“Later, my master burned the corpse with tung oil,” Elder Longbrow said. “As it burned, the corpse let out agonised cries that sent chills down your spine.”
“Good thing my master was there, or in a few more days, that corpse would’ve turned into a real zombie.”
“After it was burned, the village settled down.”
“It wasn’t until we left that my master explained the strange events were due to the feng shui treasure spot.”
“Whether it’s a living residence or a burial site, a feng shui treasure spot can only be occupied by someone with deep fortune. Otherwise, it becomes a perilous place.”
“For those with insufficient fortune, even if they claim a treasure spot, their descendants won’t enjoy the blessings. At best, they’ll live in poverty; at worst, their family will collapse.”
Elder Longbrow glanced up at Dalong Mountain and said, “Dalong Mountain is a land of true dragons. Burial here should produce a true dragon emperor among descendants. But if the fortune isn’t enough, it becomes a perilous place—not just any peril, but an absolute one.”
Shuisheng asked again, “Uncle Master, will it be dangerous here?”
“Of course!” Elder Longbrow shot Shuisheng a glare, then added, “But no need to worry too much. Since the Patriarch came here, he must’ve made arrangements.”
“Such a shame about these hundred-year-old herbs—all ruined.”
“Especially this three-hundred-year lingzhi—what a damn pity.”
Elder Longbrow’s heart ached.
“Uncle Master, let’s not waste time—hurry and find the Heavenly Master’s Sword!” Shuisheng urged.
Ye Qiu also asked, “Old man, you said the sword’s here. Can you pinpoint its location?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got a trick up my sleeve.”
Elder Longbrow pulled an ancient golden compass from his sleeve.
“Uncle Master, you’re using the Secret Art of Heaven’s Will again?” Shuisheng said hurriedly. “That’ll drain your vitality.”
“No matter. If it means finding the Heavenly Master’s Sword, any price is worth it. Besides, I don’t have much time left.”
Elder Longbrow sat cross-legged and began chanting:
“When chaos first split, five directions stood, heaven and earth, sun and moon wove the three bonds. The myriad stars aligned the cosmos, heaven clear, earth murky, balancing yin and yang. Wind, rain, thunder, and lightning all need qi; mountains rise, waters stretch, guided by good means. Qian heaven, Kun earth, high and low divided, set in order or against the norm. Four seasons, eight festivals split day and night, nine palaces, eight trigrams link the celestial gang. Five elements twist through a thousand turns, true dragon, enter my compass of fate!”
Elder Longbrow bit his finger, squeezing out a drop of blood onto the compass.
“Buzz!”
The golden compass suddenly glowed with brilliant light, its needle trembling rapidly before pointing southeast.
“Found it.”
No sooner had Elder Longbrow spoken than his face paled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Old man, you alright?” Ye Qiu asked urgently.
“I’m fine, let’s go.” Elder Longbrow picked up the compass and led Ye Qiu and Shuisheng to the southeast side of Dalong Mountain.
Looking up, they faced a smooth stone wall.
Elder Longbrow pointed at it and said, “Little brat, find a way to break this wall open.”
Ye Qiu stepped forward, channelled the Nine Revolutions Dragon Technique, and smashed his fist into the wall.
“Boom!”
The stone wall shattered, revealing a dark cave.
