After getting lost and circling back repeatedly for over half an hour, it was impossible not to think of a ghost wall.
Both the young monk Shi Kong and the young Taoist Xuan Chengzi were eager to catch ghosts. Despite their mutual dislike, they each took a side and began searching for the source of the ghost wall using their respective spells.
Unfortunately, there was no trace of ghostly aura—just a naturally occurring area resembling an entrapment formation formed by the rocks and trees. Finding a way out would take time and patience.
Fang Zhenbang’s expression darkened. “Could the people ahead also be trapped here?”
Bai Lingling sniffed around, crouching low to the ground. “Hard to say…” he muttered, then suddenly leaped up. “But their scent is here! Along with unfamiliar human smells… though faint. They left a while ago.”
Nearby, Ma Chen, a visual ability user, amplified his power to search for a path. “This only confirms they came up this mountain. Lingling, can you track them through the scent?”
Bai Lingling shook his head. “No, the trail is scattered—they were circling just like us.”
Ma Chen frowned and continued using his ability while the rest of the team tried their own methods.
Fang Zhenbang said, “We can’t waste too much time. It’s already past four. Once it gets dark, finding our way will be harder, and the darkness puts us at a disadvantage. Don’t forget about that thing making gorilla noises—we still don’t know if it’s actually a gorilla.”
—True enough. Something that sounds like a gorilla might not be one.
The team redoubled their efforts.
Fang Zhenbang held a compass, actively searching for direction. When the needle kept spinning uselessly, he couldn’t help but glance at Lin Yangfeng. He didn’t dare urge Lin to join the search, but he still sought reassurance, wondering if Lin had a solution.
What he saw surprised him.
Lin Yangfeng was untying the bundle strapped to the back of his wheelchair, placing it on his lap and unwrapping it.
Fang Zhenbang didn’t understand—until Lin pulled out a blackened branch, possibly from a paper mulberry tree, though the bark didn’t quite match.
Then Lin Yangfeng snapped impatiently, “Everyone, gather here.”
Instantly, all movement ceased as the team hurried over, none daring to test his patience. Fang Zhenbang quickly joined them, though still confused.
Lin shoved the branch into Shi Kong’s hands—the young monk took it, puzzled.
Next, Lin distributed more branches to each team member before keeping one for himself.
After receiving his branch, Ma Chen’s expression turned odd. Hesitantly, he pointed in a direction. “I feel like… we should go this way now.”
Xuan Chengzi and Shi Kong spoke almost simultaneously. “I feel it too.”
So did Fang Zhenbang, Bai Lingling, and the rest—all in perfect agreement.
If one person felt this way, it might be an illusion, but with so many people, could they all be mistaken in the same way?
Just as everyone was unsure whether to ask, Bai Lingling raised the branch in her hand and examined it. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she blurted out, “Could this be a branch from the Mi Gu tree?”
Xuan Chengzi caught on: “The one that prevents disorientation when carried?”
Shi Kong clasped his hands together: “So that’s what it is.”
As a White-haired Rat Spirit skilled in identifying treasures, Bai Lingling’s recognition was natural. Xuan Chengzi and Shi Kong, coming from ancient Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries with extensive records, were also familiar with it. The others, however, were still puzzled.
Shi Kong explained, “The Mi Gu tree is an Exotic tree passed down from ancient times. Some say it’s a type of paper mulberry, while others claim it merely resembles one. But there’s no doubt that carrying its branches ensures you never lose your way, making it one of the best treasures for breaking through Entrapment and Bewilderment formations…”
As Shi Kong spoke, Lin Yangfeng had already taken the lead, wheeling his chair in that direction.
The team quickly followed, casting expectant glances at Shi Kong, urging him to continue.
Seeing that Lin Yangfeng didn’t object, Shi Kong kept pace while elaborating on this extraordinary tree. He first gave a general explanation, then cited examples from ancient texts where people had used Mi Gu branches to escape formations. Finally, he touched on the tree’s origins.
“It’s said the Mi Gu tree only grows on Beckoning Mountain,” Shi Kong said, his expression wistful. “Beckoning Mountain is an ancient peak long lost to time. The records don’t detail its location, only mentioning that in an era so distant humans didn’t yet exist, our land had many ancient mountain ranges teeming with endless Exotic Herbs and Exotic Beasts far beyond our ability to handle today. Some mountains were rich, others barren—Beckoning Mountain was among the prosperous ones.”
“Legend has it that Beckoning Mountain’s specialties were the Mi Gu tree, a certain herb, and a type of Exotic Beast…”
At this point, Xuan Chengzi scoffed and interrupted, “You were doing fine earlier, but what’s with this ‘certain’ nonsense? If you can’t recall, just stop—you’re making a fool of yourself.”
Shi Kong clasped his hands and murmured a few sutras, seemingly suppressing his irritation before replying calmly, “Where did I falter? The Mi Gu tree was relatively common on Beckoning Mountain, but after the ancient mountain ranges vanished for unknown reasons, its branches became exceedingly rare. Nowadays, they’re practically impossible to find in the—”
As the group spoke, the path ahead cleared. Before Shi Kong could finish his sentence, his gaze landed on a large tree to the right.
Its shape resembled a paper mulberry, with pitch-black branches sprawling in all directions…
He glanced at the branch in his hand.
No matter how he looked at it, they were identical.