The medicinal soup tasted bitter, yet a warm current flowed from the throat down to the stomach, then gradually spread throughout the body.
Soon, Gu Sheng felt his strength slowly returning, and that feeling of weakness and powerlessness was gradually disappearing.
Master Zhang saw Gu Sheng’s complexion gradually recover its redness, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He sat by the bedside and spoke earnestly, "Xiao Sheng, the secrets of Pingtou Mountain are not so easily uncovered; don’t act rashly again in the future."
"Hmm."
Gu Sheng responded, then looked at Master Zhang and said, "But... I want to find that Heavenly Book."
"Why?"
Master Zhang asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Actually, it’s for no particular reason; I just want to find more Source Crystal Stones through that Heavenly Book to enhance my cultivation."
Gu Sheng replied.
"Hehe..."
After hearing Gu Sheng’s words, Master Zhang couldn’t help but laugh, "Xiao Sheng, Xiao Sheng, pursuing higher cultivation is understandable, but you’re being too reckless to venture into the Divine Mountain."
Gu Sheng remained silent.
After all, the Divine Mountain is the faith of Stone Village, and what he did was indeed a bit excessive.
After a long while, Gu Sheng suddenly asked, "Haven’t you ever thought of entering the Divine Mountain?"
"We have, but..."
Master Zhang said as he slowly stood up.
"But what?"
Gu Sheng asked.
"It’s just that the Divine Mountain is a forbidden zone for our clan, and my ancestors have explicitly warned against entering it. Yet... the ancestral legacy disappeared in the Divine Mountain, so we are endlessly fascinated by it."
Master Zhang looked in the direction of the Divine Mountain and spoke.
"That’s perfect then. I’m not from your Stone Village, and I’m also very curious about the Heavenly Book. How about this: I’ll enter the Divine Mountain, and you help me resist the backlash, okay?"
Gu Sheng asked, his eyes shining.
"Aren’t you really afraid?"
Master Zhang could hardly believe his ears.
He couldn’t comprehend why this young man in front of him wasn’t afraid of death.
"Not afraid."
Gu Sheng smiled and nodded.
"Alright then, I’ll help you!"
Master Zhang nodded solemnly.
After saying that, Master Zhang turned and left the room.
Not long after, when Master Zhang returned, he was holding a few talismans drawn on yellow paper.
These talismans were drawn with winding runes, seemingly exuding a faint Spiritual Energy.
"Xiao Sheng, these talismans have been passed down through our family, and they can protect you from toxic threats in the Divine Mountain."
Master Zhang handed the talismans to Gu Sheng.
Gu Sheng took the talismans and seemed to sense their power, feeling a rush of joy in his heart.
"Thank you, Old Zhang. These talismans are crucial for me."
Gu Sheng nodded and said.
"Remember, although these talismans can protect you, you must still be very careful."
Master Zhang cautioned.
"I will, don’t worry."
Gu Sheng nodded in agreement.
"Also, the effect of these talismans is limited. You must leave the Divine Mountain before they lose their efficacy."
Master Zhang added.
"Lose efficacy? How long?"
Gu Sheng asked anxiously.
"Three days! After three days, these talismans will be of no use."
Master Zhang replied.
"I understand."
Gu Sheng carefully stored the talismans, knowing they were crucial for his survival.
"So when do you plan to set out?"
Master Zhang asked.
"Early tomorrow morning. I want to set out at dawn to better avoid some dangers."
Gu Sheng answered.
"Alright, rest well tonight."
Master Zhang nodded in agreement.
The next morning, Gu Sheng traveled lightly, with only the talismans given by Master Zhang in his hand.
He stood at the door and glanced back at Master Zhang.
"Old Zhang, I’m off."
Gu Sheng said with a faint smile.
"Go ahead, Xiao Sheng, remember my words, be cautious."
Master Zhang stood at the door, watching Gu Sheng.
Gu Sheng nodded and turned to set on the path toward the Divine Mountain.
The sunshine poured down on him, adding a touch of warmth to his journey.
But now, with the talismans given by Master Zhang, he didn’t have to worry about that anymore.
"There must be a supernatural treasure inside!"
Gu Sheng said, taking two steps back.
"Whoosh!"
He abruptly summoned Divine Power, and the Fire Spirit Dagger flew out again.
"Clang clang clang!"
Gu Sheng, as a controller of the Fire Spirit Dagger, charged toward the crack once more.
The flat mountain body again erupted in rumbling sounds when struck by the Fire Spirit Dagger.
A cloud of dust billowed, taking a full tea’s worth of time to disperse.
Gu Sheng cautiously approached the northern cracked area, and after glancing downward, he was suddenly stunned.
There appeared a winding path!
"Is there... is there another world below?"
Gu Sheng pondered.
If there truly was another world, it must be a place enriched with treasures and refined ore.
"Let’s go in and take a look!"
Gu Sheng said and directly leaped onto the little path below the crack.
As his body descended, Gu Sheng felt a strange force pulling at him.
That feeling was as if space itself resisted his entry.
Immediately, Gu Sheng summoned Divine Power to adapt to this force.
Finally, he landed steadily on the path.
Once standing, Gu Sheng looked around.
He found himself in a space he’d never been to before.
The air here seemed fresher, and the light softer.
On either side of the path was dense vegetation, with some bizarre flora Gu Sheng had never seen swaying in the breeze, emitting a faint fragrance.
He proceeded cautiously along the path, alert for any potential danger.
The vegetation along the path grew denser, with some vines even entwining the path, which Gu Sheng had to cut through with his Fire Spirit Dagger to clear the way.
As he ventured deeper, Gu Sheng softly sensed a strong fluctuation of Spiritual Energy.
"Buzz..."
This fluctuation caused the small tripod within him to tremble.
"Could there be a supernatural treasure ahead?"
Gu Sheng quickened his pace.

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