After travelling for about an hour, the two arrived at a relatively secluded valley.
There were clearly far fewer cultivators here, only a scattered few still searching.
“Young Master Chen, let us rest here for a while and gather some information at the same time,” Liu Xue suggested.
Chen Ping had exactly the same idea. He still needed to inquire about the God King’s whereabouts.
They found a concealed cave. Liu Xue set up a simple sound-insulation formation.
“Alliance Leader Liu, wait for me here. I will be back soon,” Chen Ping said.
“Where are you going, Young Master Chen?” Liu Xue asked with some concern.
“I am just going to gather some intelligence. I will return quickly.”
Chen Ping smiled, turned, and left the cave.
He did not go far. Nearby, he spotted a middle-aged cultivator who appeared to be an independent practitioner.
The man was sitting on a large rock resting, looking rather weary.
“Fellow Daoist, a moment please,” Chen Ping approached and said politely.
The middle-aged cultivator raised his head and regarded Chen Ping warily. “What do you want?”
“I am Chen Ping. I have only just arrived and would like to ask you a few questions.”
As he spoke, Chen Ping took out a piece of top-grade immortal stone and offered it.
When the middle-aged cultivator saw the top-grade immortal stone, greed flashed in his eyes, but he still pretended to be reserved. “Ask whatever you wish. As long as I know the answer, I will certainly tell you.”
“Many thanks, fellow Daoist.”
Chen Ping smiled. “I want to know whether you have heard anything recently about a God King from the Divine Hall coming here. He is from the Eighth Heaven.”
“God King?” The middle-aged cultivator was taken aback, then shook his head. “I have not heard of that. However, quite a few important figures have arrived lately. Several major sects from the Eighth Heaven have all sent people.”
Chen Ping felt a little disappointed but continued to ask, “Then has fellow Daoist heard of anything unusual? For example, someone being hunted, or any fights breaking out?”
The middle-aged cultivator thought for a moment and said, “Something unusual… there was one thing. About a month ago, over in that valley, I saw several disciples from the Divine Hall. They seemed to be escorting someone and looked extremely nervous.”
“Disciples from the Divine Hall?”
Chen Ping’s heart stirred. “Which direction did they go?”
“They appeared to be heading deeper into the mountain range.”
The middle-aged cultivator pointed in a direction. “But that area is very dangerous. Powerful demon beasts are said to appear there. Ordinary people dare not enter.”
“Thank you for the information, fellow Daoist.”
Chen Ping produced several more top-grade immortal stones and handed them over. “These are a token of my gratitude.”
The middle-aged cultivator was overjoyed and hurriedly accepted the stones. “Many thanks, fellow Daoist, many thanks!”
After leaving the middle-aged cultivator, Chen Ping already had some leads.
Divine Hall disciples escorting someone and heading deeper into the mountains. It was very likely the God King and his party.
Chen Ping did not return immediately. He asked a few more cultivators and received similar answers.
It seemed the God King had indeed been here and was probably still deep within the mountain range.
Just as Chen Ping was about to head back, he caught sight of a familiar figure.
It was the black-robed cultivator he had noticed earlier at the foot of the mountain, the one whose gaze towards him had been odd.
The black-robed cultivator also saw Chen Ping. A vicious glint flashed in his eyes, but he quickly turned and left.
Chen Ping sneered inwardly. It appeared someone was already keeping tabs on him.
He was not particularly concerned, however. As long as they were not experts above the Heavenly Immortal realm, he was confident he could handle them.
When Chen Ping returned to the cave, Liu Xue was meditating and cultivating.
Hearing footsteps, Liu Xue opened her eyes.
“Young Master Chen, did you manage to learn anything?” Liu Xue asked.
“I have some leads, but they still need further confirmation.”
“Alliance Leader Liu, when shall we go and look for the entrance to the ruins?” Chen Ping asked.
