Chongmei Mountain lay 120 li to the west.
Bubbles streamed continuously from the bottom of Yunze Lake; vast patches of pitch-black mud stirred up in tandem.
One by one, the Golden Pearl Clams, the size of millstones and triangular in shape, were dragged from beneath the water by the pearl gatherers.
Their surfaces were smooth, bluish-black, with wave-like frills fringed around the opening edges, fitting together jaggedly like interlocked fangs.
Chen Mu stood at the forefront of the bamboo raft, waving a grass fork, hauling the most recent Golden Pearl Clam onto the raft.
The pearl gatherer, Chai Song, stepped forward and adeptly pried open the clamshell, dissecting the clam flesh. Five or six golden pearls the size of soybeans were quickly found.
“If only it could have lived for another half year, these pearls would have grown to the size of longans. As they are, they won’t fetch much money,” Chai Song remarked, disappointment evident as he looked at the golden pearls in his hand.
“Natural disasters and man-made calamities, we’re powerless against them,” another pearl gatherer added his regret.
The disaster had passed by more than twenty days, and the Earth Spirit Vital Energy enveloping Yunze Lake had rapidly dissipated. The Qi Cultivators’ mana recovery slowed, and the Golden Pearl Clams bred within Yunze Lake died in droves.
Yun Chong Lower Courtyard had no choice but to mobilize all disciples, draining the lake dry like fishing to harvest various spiritual medicines and golden pearls.
“Brother Li, have I seen you somewhere before?” Chai Song stored the colored clamshell of the pristine and beautiful Golden Pearl Clam, turning his puzzled gaze toward Chen Mu to ask.
“It’s possible,” replied Chen Mu, wearing the face of Li Moliang with a solemn nod, “I’ve been a bivalve cultivator and pearl gatherer for many years, perhaps initially seen in the Administrative Affairs Institute.”
“That’s indeed possible,” Chai Song suddenly realized.
Chen Mu gave him a knowing glance with a smile.
He had indeed seen Chai Song before, not in the Administrative Affairs Institute but on Three-leaf Island while capturing the Strange Demon Netherworld Worm.
This person had previously escaped an attack by a strange demon and now had escaped the crisis of the Ghosts. He indeed had some skills and luck.
Unfortunately, the creatures of the entire lake were not so fortunate.
Chen Mu gazed at the lake surface.
The rotting flesh of dead Golden Pearl Clams and the corpses of large and small fish and shrimp lying belly-up were everywhere, their rich, fishy stench mixed with the smell of lake water assailing his nostrils.
“Yun Chong Lower Courtyard is done for,” he shook his head with a sigh.
The geomantic vitality of Yunze Lake was chaotic and collapsed. It might only gradually repair itself after being washed away by hundreds of years.
…
A month later, evening.
More than 200 li north of Chongmei Mountain, a pitch-black canopy boat floated on the water surface.
After more than a month of busyness, Chen Mu finally got some leisure time today.
At the bow, Li Moliang respectfully fist-bowed at Chen Mu, “Take care, sir.”
After speaking, he dove headfirst into the lake, transforming into a black shadow heading north, soon disappearing from sight.
Earlier chaos had resulted in many disciples’ deaths and injuries, making Chen Mu’s hiding even deeper and safer. He no longer needed to keep Li Moliang by his side.
The man was a Lock Dragon Knight, backed by the Lock Dragon Courtyard, which had ties with the Netherworld. Not wanting to get involved and complicate things, he simply let him return to Da Qian.
With the Heavenly Demon Spirit Seed along, Chen Mu wasn’t worried about betrayal.
Listening to the mana of Li Moliang moving away from the range detectable by the Truthful Listening Technique, Chen Mu stood at the bow of the canopy boat and turned to look back at Chongmei Mountain.
Just then, two little black dots rose from the mountain peak slowely, heading south—that was the Cloud Bat Flying Boat from Goose Sheep Path.
After more than a month of scavenging, the remaining value of Yun Chong Lower Courtyard had been drained dry.
The disciples of the Lower Institute began to relocate in batches.
…
Half a month later, Goose Sheep Mountain.
Accompanied by a humming sound, the large fleshy wings of the Cloud Bat Flying Boat spewed smoke as it slowly descended to the ground.
Chen Mu walked out of the dim cabin, eyes fixed on the distant orange-red sunset and the towering mountains piercing the clouds, and he felt instantly exhilarated.
“We’ve finally arrived.”
Across from the cramped cabin packed with over a hundred people and filled with various odors, the experience had been far from pleasant.
With the dissolution of Yun Chong Lower Courtyard and the relocation of numerous disciples, Chen Mu had thought he would be sent to another Lower Institute, but to his surprise, he had been directly sent to Goose Sheep Mountain.
“An unexpected pleasure.”
He had originally wanted to infiltrate Goose Sheep Mountain, and now it was just as he wished.
…
“Newcomers, don’t just stand there; follow me quickly,” a lanky elderly man with graying hair approached the group. He shouted impatiently and, without checking whether the crowd had heard him, he turned around and walked away.
The group that had just disembarked exchanged glances for a moment before they inevitably followed, carrying their large and small bags.
“My surname is Liu, from the Administrative Affairs Institute.”
“This is Goose Sheep Mountain, and there are many rules here, not as lax as the Lower Institute.”
“You newcomers should speak less, observe and listen more, and obediently follow the arrangements. If you offend any senior from the Upper Court and end up being punished, don’t blame me for not warning you.”
The elderly Mr. Liu, regardless of the expressions of the crowd, continued to introduce Goose Sheep Mountain as they walked, evidently not his first time doing this task.
Chen Mu blended into the crowd, listening to the introductions while surveying his surroundings.
The first thing that caught his eye was the towering Goose Sheep Mountain, with three clusters of buildings constructed around the mountain.
One on the mountainside, one at the foot, and another not far beyond the mountain’s base.
By then, sporadic lights were already lit on the mountain, peacefully and serenely illuminating the scene from afar.
Before long, under the old man’s guidance, the group reached the western edge of the third cluster of buildings. A cluster of low wooden houses appeared before them.
“Pick any house to stay, but you can only stay for up to three days,” Mr. Liu emphasized.
“After that, you’ll have to build your own dwelling over there,” he pointed towards a barren area further to the west.
“Can’t we rent or buy an existing wooden house?” someone in the crowd asked, frowning.
“That used to be possible, but not anymore,” Mr. Liu said with a sigh.
“There are more people coming to Goose Sheep Mountain than just you. Any houses for sale would have been sold out long ago.”
“Either stay in tents for the time being and make do waiting for the Administrative Affairs Institute’s official plans, or find a spot to build your own.”
The crowd continued to ask questions about where to fetch water and eat, then dispersed in small groups.
Chen Mu also left with the group and walked into an unoccupied wooden house.
The room was narrow, containing only a wooden bed, which he didn’t mind.
After using the Truthful Listening Technique to ensure no one was spying on him, he ducked into Thousand Lanterns City to wash up thoroughly.
Then he returned to the wooden hut, released the Five Ghosts Black Smoke, and thoroughly cleaned the interior. After laying out a new set of bedding on the wooden bed, he lay down and did not move again.
After being cramped in a small cabin with over a hundred people for more than ten days, his body was not tired, but his spirit was not well. At this moment, he just wanted to lie down and do nothing.
…
The next day, sunlight poured into the room, and Chen Mu opened his eyes.
After a good night’s sleep, Chen Mu felt warm all over, completely relaxed, and did not want to get out of bed.
“I can’t lie here any longer; I need to find a place to settle first. Once a proper dwelling is built, there will be plenty of time to rest.”
After encouraging himself for a moment, Chen Mu got up, packed up his bedding, and, after popping a Fasting Pill in his mouth to satisfy his hunger, he pushed the door open.
The temporary wooden house was located at the third construction ring of Goose Sheep Mountain, with a wide east-west green stone road running across it.
To the east were some orderly wooden buildings, and to the west, barren land covered with grass and shrubs.
New Lower Institute Disciples could only build their dwellings on this barren land.
Chen Mu chose a spot on a small hillside covered with sparse broadleaf woods, which he greatly liked.
“Secluded and hidden, with forest cover blocking prying eyes, few disturbances, peaceful and safe; this is it!”
With a thought, he executed the Point Ground into Steel Technique, and the ground soil surged up like water, forming a one-meter-high square stone platform that rose from the ground.
A dark shadow appeared at the center of the stone platform, resembling black ink diffusing rapidly on white paper, quickly spreading in all directions.
A two-story wooden building slowly rose from within the shadow.
Combined with the Point Ground into Steel technique, this exquisitely crafted small building, which he had pulled from Thousand Lanterns City, was quickly set upon the stone platform.
He then manipulated the soil to mold several steps at the entrance. Chen Mu clapped his hands satisfied and smiled.
“All set!”
He wasn’t skilled in building houses, but there was no shortage of structures in Thousand Lanterns City; just taking one was enough to easily set up a home.
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