Zhang Yan described the situation earlier, then continued, "Though the map can trap people, Daoist Xun shouldn’t take long to get out."

Luo Qingyu smiled mysteriously and said, "It’s even better that Xun Huaiying is absent."

He reached into his sleeve, took out an item, and offered it with both hands, saying, "Junior Brother Zhang, the item returns to its owner."

Zhang Yan glanced at it and discovered that it was the Moon Washing Mirror. His eyes flashed, he flicked his sleeve, and stored the treasure mirror in his pouch, saying, "Why is this treasure with you, Brother?"

Luo Qingyu chuckled and smoothed his sleeve, saying, "This was Brother Zhong’s plan. He mentioned that since Feng Haiyang is chasing us, let’s instead deceive him by having Junior Brother search for the pot, so that in his haste he won’t notice."

Zhong Muqing believed that Feng Haiyang pursued them solely because they held the treasure mirror, fearing they would get to the Junyang Pot first.

Thus, it was better to adjust the strategy and secretly return the treasure mirror to Zhang Yan, allowing him to search for the pot while they would restrain Feng Haiyang.

However, accomplishing this is not easy.

Zhong Muqing was bold. He proposed to first intercept Feng Haiyang himself, pretending to delay with great effort, so when Luo Qingyu came to block him, Feng Haiyang would likely ignore it.

Once Feng Haiyang left, Luo Qingyu would find Zhang Yan and return the treasure mirror to him.

This entire plan risked danger from start to finish, as any misstep would lead to failure, but in such unfavorable circumstances, it was indeed worth a try.

Luo Qingyu pointed underfoot, saying, "We, along with the two brothers, have already scouted the southern road and found no trace of the treasure pot. Feng Haiyang is chasing Brother Huo eastward, so you must head north. If you find the treasure pot, that would be ideal; if not, come back and join us."

Zhang Yan nodded. Though circumstances had reached that point, there was still some hope for success, but he needed to guard against Feng Haiyang noticing something amiss and turning to chase after him. With a quick shift of thought, he smiled, saying, "I’d like to ask my Brother for an item."

Luo Qingyu responded unreservedly, saying, "Junior Brother, whatever you fancy, speak up."

Zhang Yan asked, "Do you have the fake pot acquired from Lu Muqiu with you, Brother?"

Luo Qingyu started, then laughed, saying, "I wondered what you wanted; take it." He reached into his sleeve, rummaged, and produced the fake pot, handing it over.

Zhang Yan accepted it with a flick of his sleeve. With no time to spare, he took his leave and, conjuring the tunneling light, gave his all as he flew northward.

After Luo Qingyu watched him depart, he too took flight, transforming into a beam of light, tunneling through the sky to assist Huo Xuan.

Blending man and sword, Zhang Yan sped northward. Reaching mid-route, he halted his tunneling light and descended onto a Flying Peak, taking out the fake pot and a piece of talisman paper. Stimulating mana, he transformed it into Pure Spirit Qi, which drilled into the pot’s spout.

He tossed the pot on the ground, chanted a few spells, then pointed at it, as if granting it spiritual nature, causing it to leap and hop on the rocks.

With a slight smile, Zhang Yan whisked his sleeve, summoning a Gang Wind, sending the pot southward.

This move was for confusion; once Feng Haiyang discovered it, unless he could ascertain its authenticity, he would likely inspect it personally, buying more time.

After setting up, Zhang Yan resumed his path, this time without pause, reaching Star Stone North Road in less than three quarters.

The Star Stone was not spherical, being large on the east-west side, small north-south. Situated thousands of miles from the east road, Feng Haiyang couldn’t easily spot it, and even knowing Zhang Yan’s presence here, he couldn’t catch up. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Zhang Yan selected a Flying Peak to land on, picking up the Moon Washing Treasure Mirror, and began to examine the area. After a while, he changed locations, and after inspecting for a stick of incense’s time, he had scrutinized several hundred miles thoroughly, yet had found nothing.

Nevertheless, he wasn’t in a hurry; the pot, having spiritual nature, was unwilling to be captured. Previously caught once by Feng Haiyang, it would surely hide. It required careful search. If it truly couldn’t be found, he would find a way to reach the east road.

He held the mirror in hand, moving further inward. Traversing several hundred miles, he reached the end of Star Stone’s North Position, where he spotted an immense cliff, its top and bottom enshrouded in mist, unseen edges. The cliff was overgrown with ancient vines and branches, emitting crystalline light, akin to salt and snow, gathered in rock crevices—Outer Heaven Gang Ying. Several high cliff faces bore flowing waterfalls, roaring downward.

Observing for a while, Zhang Yan raised the treasure mirror, stimulated mana, casting Mirror Light forward. This light was peculiar, revealing anything not naturally hidden, even through mountain ridges and crevices.

After some time, he noticed in the mirror a tree root-like object, seemingly startled by the Mirror Light, shaking as if displeased, hopping on the rocks before suddenly plunging into the mountain stream.

His eyes lit up, he flicked his sleeve, darted over a hundred miles to reach that region. Circling in the air, he descended slowly, landing on a jagged strange stone, retrieving a token talisman, holding it gently between two fingers and shaking it. Shortly, a clear light drifted out, close to his hand. He grabbed it, raising it to his eye, wiped the grime from the pot’s body, carefully inspected, sighed deeply, and the ravine resonate with a clear, hearty laugh.

...

...(To Be Continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)