Chapter 512: Terrible News

This speed of cultivation was something Lin Qiyun had never even dreamed of!

She was overjoyed and treasured this time all the more. Every day, she would actively seek Ye Chen's guidance on cultivation, constantly striving for breakthroughs.

Then, one morning, terrible news suddenly arrived in the tribe.

A group of tribe members was trapped on Jade Crane Mountain, south of the tribe. They hadn't returned all night!

Zhao Tiankuo and Zhao An were among them.

Although Lin Qiyun had experienced many hardships lately, she was still deeply concerned for the safety of her people.

So much so that she lost all interest in cultivating.

Seeing this, Ye Chen immediately found someone and asked what had happened.

It all started when the Celestial Mountain Sect discovered an ore vein on Jade Crane Mountain. They ordered their subordinate powers, the Vermilion Bird Tribe and Cyan Cloud Pavilion, to send men to guard it and prevent others from claiming it first.

That was right. The Celestial Mountain Sect was the major power the Vermilion Bird Tribe answered to.

Beneath the Celestial Mountain Sect were about ten smaller powers, such as the Vermilion Bird Tribe and Cyan Cloud Pavilion.

These smaller powers received protection from the Celestial Mountain Sect and, in return, had to periodically offer tribute and obey their commands.

The name "Celestial Mountain Sect" felt strangely familiar to Ye Chen.

He suddenly recalled that when he reached the peak of Kunlun Mountain, a Cultivator from the Celestial Mountain Sect named Mo Qing had tried to stop him, fearing he would trigger the Restriction around the stone gate.

Back then, it was Huo Susu, the young lady of the Huo family, who had spoken up and stopped Mo Qing.

Clearly, the Celestial Mountain Sect was a significant power in the Black Triangle Region, but there was still a considerable gap between them and the nine great powers, such as the Huo family.

As for why the Celestial Mountain Sect couldn't immediately send their own people to act on the discovery of the ore vein on Jade Crane Mountain, it was apparently because a dangerous individual had arrived at their sect, preventing them from making any rash moves.

Therefore, they could only dispatch their subordinate powers to guard the ore vein on Jade Crane Mountain.

The Vermilion Bird Tribe and Cyan Cloud Pavilion were the two powers chosen for the task.

No wonder Ye Chen had noticed the entire tribe seemed much emptier yesterday.

It turned out they had left to carry out the mission assigned by the Celestial Mountain Sect.

But it seemed some danger had arisen on Jade Crane Mountain.

Zhao Tiankuo and the others had lost contact, and not a single person had returned to the tribe all night.

This left the remaining elderly, women, and children in the tribe worried sick.

After all, besides the old Priest, there were no other powerful Cultivators left in the tribe.

As for Lin Ruowei, Han Luo, and the others, they still hadn't returned.

After thinking it over for a long while, Ye Chen decided to take on this task himself and go to Jade Crane Mountain to investigate.

He had originally only been thinking of building his prestige within the tribe to help Lin Qiyun successfully become the Clan Leader.

Once Lin Qiyun successfully became Clan Leader, his debt to her would be repaid, and he could leave the Vermilion Bird Tribe with a clear conscience.

Besides, Ye Chen also planned to use this as an opportunity to get out and scout the area.

With his current strength, he was more than capable of protecting himself; he no longer needed to hide in the Vermilion Bird Tribe.

Just then, the old Priest suddenly paid him a visit.

"I want to ask you to make a trip to Jade Crane Mountain."

The old Priest got straight to the point as soon as he saw Ye Chen.

"Is there a particular reason?" Ye Chen realized this visit from the old Priest was likely not so simple.

Sure enough, the old Priest said, "I have already contacted the Priest of the White Tiger Tribe."

"And the White Tiger Tribe... is located right next to Jade Crane Mountain!"

At these words, Ye Chen's eyes instantly lit up!

"Old Priest, are you planning to have me try and awaken the White Tiger Totem?" Ye Chen asked bluntly.

"Indeed."

The old Priest nodded. "The White Tiger Tribe and our Vermilion Bird Tribe have the best relationship. Their Priest is the person I trust most outside of our own people."

"I've already contacted the White Tiger Priest. Young friend, you need only take the Token I give you, and you will be able to enter the White Tiger Tribe safely."

Here, the old Priest paused for a moment before continuing, "That way, if there is truly danger on Jade Crane Mountain, you can also have the people of the White Tiger Tribe provide assistance."

"It's a long journey from here to Jade Crane Mountain. If you can't make it back in time, you can also take our tribe members to spend the night at the White Tiger Tribe's camp."

In the end, Ye Chen took the Token from the old Priest and accepted his request.

He had already been planning to make a trip to Jade Crane Mountain anyway.

The old Priest's words only strengthened his resolve.

Relying on the Vermilion Bird Fire Seed alone, it would be difficult for Ye Chen to recover any further from his injuries.

The fire seeds of the Four Great Divine Beasts all contained a trace of the power of creation, but they were a far cry from the true Sacred Fire of Creation.

If he wanted to heal his injuries faster, even if he couldn't obtain the Sacred Fire of Creation, he would need to acquire the fire seed of another divine beast.

Ye Chen had a premonition that once he obtained the White Tiger Fire Seed, his combat prowess would be even further restored!

At the same time, Ye Chen noticed the old Priest's cultivation had also broken through—he had actually reached the Ninth Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm!

This was clearly related to the awakening of the totem's power!

The people of the tribe relied on the power of the totem as their source of strength. With the totem's awakening, the potential within their bloodlines would be stimulated, allowing them to exhibit cultivation talents unlike any they had shown before!

With no time to lose, Ye Chen prepared to set off at once.

He refused anyone's company, and with a map to Jade Crane Mountain in hand, he planned to go alone!

When Lin Qiyun learned of this, she couldn't help but worry. "Jade Crane Mountain is a long way from here. Who knows what dangers you'll face on the way? Let me go with you!"

She didn't believe she would be a burden to Ye Chen.

She had lived here for many years; she was far more familiar with the local terrain and routes than Ye Chen.

Moreover, thanks to the Celestial Mountain Sect's protection, few people in the vicinity dared to make a move against members of the Vermilion Bird Tribe.

But Ye Chen was a different story.

He was just an outsider.

The Celestial Mountain Sect's reputation might not be enough to protect him, and he wouldn't be able to sense many of the hidden dangers beforehand like a local could!

Of course, Ye Chen still refused.

'With her current strength, it was better for Lin Qiyun to stay in the tribe and continue cultivating.'

Most importantly, Ye Chen wasn't confident he could protect her.

He himself only barely had enough power to ensure his own safety.

The Black Triangle Region was a chaotic place. Robbery and murder were common, an almost daily occurrence.

It was one thing for Lin Qiyun to leave the tribe and stay in the immediate vicinity, but traveling all the way to Jade Crane Mountain... there was no telling what kind of situation she might encounter.

Until he was strong enough to guarantee Lin Qiyun's safety, Ye Chen had no intention of leading her into danger.

Finally, under the expectant gazes of the tribe members, Ye Chen left the tribe alone.

However, he hadn't been gone long before he ran into his first crisis.