117: Braving wind and snow, we finally saw Heavenly Lake.

Morning came late to Xitou Village. Lead-gray clouds hung low over the snowy ridges, filtering the daylight into a dim, murky glow. The cold wind swept across the eaves, swirling up fine snow that pitter-pattered against the window frames.

Li Muchen rose early and stood in the courtyard. A night of quiet cultivation had not only failed to drain his energy but had instead made his Golden Core increasingly rounded and full. His Divine Sense was clear, and his perception of the surrounding Heaven And Earth Spiritual Essence had become even more acute.

He could clearly sense that with Xitou Village as the center, there were no obvious anomalous Auras or tracking marks within a radius of dozens of miles. The several warning Talismans he had set up last night were also intact. The Five Immortals Alliance's reaction seemed slower than expected.

Perhaps the news of the Snow Nest being destroyed, the sacrifices being rescued, and the secret key being lost had not yet fully reached the core leadership. Or perhaps the enemy was secretly mobilizing their forces, preparing for a thunderous strike. Or maybe they were focused on the upcoming Full Moon Grand Sacrifice and had no time for anything else.

Regardless of the situation, Li Muchen did not have much time left to act. The night of the full moon was only four days away. Before then, he had to determine the exact location of the Secret Realm where the covenant stone was located as much as possible to seize the initiative.

Daoist Master Xuangu had also risen and was inside the house checking the physical condition of the five young men. He used his own limited True Qi to nourish their damaged heart meridians while carefully drawing a rubbing of the patterns on the five immortals secret key.

Chen Feng, meanwhile, was helping Old Man Han's family prepare breakfast. Though his movements were unfamiliar, he was quite serious, seemingly wanting to use the busyness to dispel the tension and unease in his heart.

After breakfast, Daoist Master Xuangu carefully put away the drawn secret key patterns and said to Li Muchen, "Daoist Master Li, I will set off today to contact old friends and arrange for the transfer of these children. I have also spoken with Old Brother Han."

Li Muchen nodded and took out a Protective Jade Talisman he had drawn last night, handing it to Daoist Master Xuangu. "This Talisman contains a wisp of my Core Essence and dao rhyme. It can protect the mind and resist common evil intrusions. Be careful on the road, Daoist Master. If you encounter an emergency, crush this Talisman, and I may sense it."

Daoist Master Xuangu took it solemnly, tucked it away close to his body, and gave a deep bow. "Daoist Master Li's great kindness is something I and these children will never forget. I will be cautious on this journey. Please take care of yourself, Abbot, and little friend Chen Feng as well!"

After seeing off Daoist Master Xuangu and his group, only Li Muchen, Chen Feng, and Old Man Han's family remained in the courtyard.

"Daoist Master Li, are you going into the mountains next?" Old Man Han asked, his eyes filled with concern. "The weather looks like it's going to snow again, and the mountain paths will be even harder to traverse."

"Indeed." Li Muchen did not hide his intentions. "Old Brother Han, we need to head toward the main peak of Changbai Mountain. Since you are familiar with the paths here, do you have any suggestions?"

Hearing this, Old Man Han's expression became even more serious. "Toward the Heavenly Lake on the main peak? That place... is even more sinister. The older generations all say that the Heavenly Lake is the 'Dragon's Eye' and that the Dragon King lives inside; it's not to be offended lightly. Over the years, occasionally some daring youngsters or outside tourists have tried to get close, but they often lose their way or meet with accidents for no reason, returning only to fall gravely ill. There are also rumors that there are monsters beneath the waters of the Heavenly Lake, and green lights can be seen in the water at midnight... Are you really going?"

"We must go." Li Muchen's tone was calm but carried an unquestionable determination.

Old Man Han sighed, knowing he couldn't talk them out of it. He turned back into the house and soon came out with a small bundle wrapped in oilcloth. After opening it, inside was a yellowed, hand-drawn simple map and a dark, bone fragment shaped like a canine tooth.

"This map has been passed down from our ancestors. It doesn't show common mountain roads, but hidden paths and danger marks known only to the old hunters and ginseng diggers in the mountains. Though it's not precise, it's more useful than those sold outside."

Old Man Han pointed to a dashed line on the map marked with cinnabar that wound toward the main peak. "Follow this 'Old Ginseng Path.' It can avoid many dangerous slopes and areas prone to avalanches. Once you reach the outskirts of the Heavenly Lake, here and here, there are a few wind-sheltered rock crevices where you can take a temporary rest."

He then picked up the bone fragment. "This is a canine tooth from an old wolf king killed years ago. We mountain folk believe in this; carrying it can ward off evil and keep wolf packs away. Take it; it might be useful."

Li Muchen took the map and the wolf tooth. He could feel a faint trace of fierce Aura lingering on the wolf tooth, which indeed had a certain deterrent effect on ordinary mountain spirits and monsters. He thanked Old Man Han and put the items away.

"Old Brother Han, after we leave, the village also needs to be extra careful. If any uninvited guests come looking, do not resist them head-on; prioritizing your safety is paramount." Li Muchen cautioned again and left several protective and warning Talismans, teaching Old Man Han and his family the simplest way to activate them.

By the time everything was arranged, it was nearly noon. The sky remained gloomy, and fine grains of snow began to fall.

Li Muchen and Chen Feng bid farewell to Old Man Han's family and set out on the treacherous mountain path toward the main peak of Changbai Mountain.

Following the guidance of Old Man Han's map, the "Old Ginseng Path" they took was indeed hidden and difficult to traverse. Many sections were almost completely covered by snow and fallen trees. Had it not been for Li Muchen's powerful Divine Sense constantly scouting the way, Chen Feng wouldn't have been able to move a single step.

As they drew closer to the main peak, the mountains became more majestic, and the Spiritual Qi became more active and chaotic. There was the piercingly pure Gengjin Sharp Qi, the heavy and dense Wutu Qi, the bone-chilling Guishui Cold Qi, and even wisps of ancient, savage, and eerie Auras seeping from deep within the earth's veins. It was as if countless invisible force fields and meridians existed between heaven and earth. If an ordinary Cultivator came here, they would surely feel their internal energy flow obstructed and find it difficult to cast spells.

As a Mortal, Chen Feng found the journey exceptionally difficult. His face was pale, and his breathing was ragged. If Li Muchen hadn't occasionally transferred a wisp of gentle True Qi to protect him, he would likely have been unable to hold on long ago.

"Hold on. Circulate the basic Breathing Technique I taught you and try to sense and adapt to the Aura of this place," Li Muchen's voice rang in his ear. "In this environment, your Tongyou Constitution might experience a hint of early Awakening."

Chen Feng gritted his teeth and nodded. He worked hard to adjust his breathing according to the simple method Li Muchen had taught him over the past few days, trying to capture and distinguish the chaotic and complex Auras in the air.

At first, he only felt dizzy and nauseous with a tight chest. But gradually, under the guidance of that wisp of protective True Qi, he seemed to truly be able to vaguely sense which Auras were colder and more sinister and which were relatively peaceful. He could even... faintly perceive an extremely subtle yet exceptionally powerful attraction coming from a certain direction, as if it were summoning him.

"Muchen... I think I feel... over there..." Chen Feng pointed toward the northwest, which was the general direction of the Heavenly Lake, his voice somewhat uncertain.

A hint of approval flashed in Li Muchen's eyes. "Good. Your spiritual perception is being stimulated. Remember this feeling; it might help us find our target."

The two of them trekked all the way, only taking brief rests in a few wind-sheltered rock crevices. Li Muchen took out the dry rations he carried and snow water mixed with Medicinal Pills to share with Chen Feng. In this environment, ordinary food was far less effective than Medicinal Pills containing Spiritual Qi.

By the time dusk fell, they finally reached a high ground on the outskirts of the Heavenly Lake.

Standing here, even though the sky was dark, they could still feel the majestic Aura brought by the vast body of water ahead. The Heavenly Lake was surrounded by peaks, and most of the water's surface was frozen and covered with thick white snow, blending with the surrounding mountain peaks and snowy ridges like a giant piece of white jade embedded among the mountains.

Only in some areas near the shore was the deep, ink-black lake water exposed, rippling in the cold wind and sending up wisps of white steam.