MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 184
Cloaked in concealing black robes, the four of them entered the abandoned gathering place. Inside, they found a motley collection of 180 individuals, each with their own unique race and appearance. Some were already deep in slumber, while others sat around crackling fires, their voices a low hum of shared stories and idle chatter.
Lu Ming's keen eyes surveyed the scene, a subtle sense of relief washing over him. While the strength of the 180 people in this camp was not bad, there were no Physique Realm experts among them. It made sense; Physique Realm experts were the pinnacle of power in smaller tribes like the Spirit Clan. In larger tribes, they were commonplace, but out here in the wilds, they were a rarity.
The curious eyes of the camp's inhabitants briefly fell upon Lu Ming and his companions before quickly moving on. After all, tribulation transcenders were the stuff of legends, unseen for a millennium. These outlaws, less informed than the major clans, didn't even entertain the possibility.
Fala, revealing a hint of her Level Nine Mortal Realm strength, secured them a relatively clean room for the night.
Lu Ming, uneasy about sleeping under the open sky amidst strangers, opted to meditate on the ground, eyes closed but senses sharp.
During this time, Fala ventured out briefly, returning with a hushed excitement.
"It's about the ruins," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "They say the ruins of the Flame Clan have appeared in the Hundred Thousand Mountains!"
Fala, drawing on the knowledge passed down from her grandfather, explained the significance of the Flame Clan, a once-powerful super clan, and the concept of inheritance grounds.
"The ruins are the inheritance ground of the clan," Fala said, her eyes gleaming with the allure of possibility.
Other than having gods, large clans also had inheritances. Inheritance was undoubtedly a very important thing to clans.
In the Black Mist Zone, powerful clans often created secret realms or similar constructs for the purpose of passing on knowledge and storing valuable resources. The specific nature of these secret realms varied greatly, so Fala didn't delve into the details.
Instead, she offered a simple explanation: "There's a high chance of finding valuable opportunities within these ruins. They were originally intended for the clan's descendants, but if the tribe is destroyed and its bloodline is severed, these opportunities naturally become available to those who are destined to find them."
"The Hundred Thousand Mountains have witnessed the demise of many tribes, leaving behind numerous ruins," she continued.
"Besides the exotic beasts and precious herbs, these ruins are another major reason why people are drawn to this region."
Lu Ming's brow furrowed as he recalled the words of the gray-skinned man from earlier. He had no interest in treasure hunting. To him, it sounded like nothing but trouble.
"Where are these Flame Clan ruins located?" he inquired, already planning to steer clear.
Fala shook her head. "I don't know. The people outside don't know either."
"They only have vague information, suggesting the Flame Clan ruins are somewhere nearby, a sprawling complex of some sort. But the exact location remains a mystery."
A playful smirk touched her lips. "They even invited me to join their search tomorrow, but I declined."
Fala's refusal was indeed a wise decision. Lu Ming had no desire to be drawn into the chaos and danger associated with the Flame Clan ruins.
After a moment of thought, Lu Ming declared, "Let's rest here for the night and continue deeper into the Hundred Thousand Mountains tomorrow. We'll try to stay away from this area as much as possible."
The three women readily agreed. Avoiding unnecessary risks and conflicts was paramount in their current situation.
The night passed uneventfully, the only sounds the soft rustling of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.
Day 131 of the Black Mist Calendar
Early the next morning, Lu Ming and his companions set off once more, leaving the bustling campsite behind. They ventured deeper into the heart of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, their destination the elusive "Peach Blossom Spring" that Lu Ming had envisioned.
But their quest proved challenging. The mountains were vast and unforgiving, their paths shrouded in mist and mystery. Three days of relentless searching yielded no results.
Finally, on the afternoon of the 135th day, Lu Ming called a temporary halt to their search.
Standing before a large cave, the carcass of a Level One Physique Realm exotic beast at his feet, Lu Ming surveyed the surroundings.
"What do you think of this place?" he asked, his gaze sweeping across the landscape.
The low mountain offered a decent vantage point from its slopes. A spacious, concealed cave carved into its side provided shelter. A clear stream trickled at its base, ensuring a steady water supply.
While exotic beasts were plentiful in the vicinity, Lu Ming had already dispatched the strongest one. Before the confrontation, he had meticulously surveyed the territory. This beast had reigned supreme, with no rivals in sight. Its solitary nature meant its demise wouldn't trigger any retaliation from a larger group.
In essence, all the essential requirements for a settlement seemed to be met.
Yet, Lu Ming wasn't entirely satisfied. It wasn't the idyllic haven he had envisioned. But considering their circumstances and the time they had already spent searching, it was a compromise he was willing to make.
"Let's settle here," he declared, his voice firm, leaving no room for debate.
There was no need for further discussion. Lu Ming, as their leader, had made the final call.
The only place that would truly satisfy Lu Ming was his old house in Nanxiang, a place filled with memories and a sense of belonging that he couldn't replicate here. But that life was gone, lost in the unforgiving maw of the apocalypse.
Sometimes, even the strongest among them had to compromise.
Moreover, he had already wasted precious days searching for the perfect location. The cultivation he'd managed during those days was only possible within the Void Space while he slept, and the loss of attributes weighed heavily on his mind.
The priority now was to establish a new home, a place where they could rebuild and cultivate in peace.
As soon as Lu Ming voiced his decision, Fala produced her communication stone and relayed their chosen location to the main group trailing behind.
Seven days later, on the 142nd day of the Black Mist Calendar...
Having completed his morning exercises in the place he now referred to as "Nanshan," Lu Ming spotted three figures approaching from a distance.
Huo Sheng, Velo, and Li Zitong.
After a week of travel, they had finally caught up.
Reunited with familiar faces, Lu Ming warmly welcomed them with a meal at the cave entrance.
With Fala, Zhang Chengcheng, and Wei Lan already present, there were now seven people gathered around the makeshift table.
As they ate, conversation flowed. Huo Sheng, as usual, did most of the talking, while the others listened attentively.
"I brought Li Zitong along first," Huo Sheng explained. "With his expertise, building houses and cultivating the land will be much easier."
Back in Nanxiang, Li Zitong had been Lu Ming's subordinate. Now, reunited with his leader, Li Zitong was on the verge of tears, a sense of security washing over him.
His loyalty to Brother Lu was unwavering.
Lu Ming returned Li Zitong's smile with a nod of approval. "From now on, I'll leave the infrastructure work here to you," he said, entrusting the task to his capable subordinate.
Li Zitong, his chest swelling with pride, patted it resolutely, a silent promise to give his all to the endeavor.
Huo Sheng continued his report. "Some of the later groups have already entered the Hundred Thousand Mountains and found decent places to settle temporarily. Some experts are still exploring for better locations. And a few chose to stay on the Dusky Black Grasslands..."
A sigh escaped Huo Sheng's lips. "Everyone has their own path. We can't force them."
The Black Grasslands were harsh, but they offered a degree of safety for those seeking a less demanding existence. Food and water were readily available, making it a suitable, if not prosperous, place to settle.
Lu Ming, always respectful of individual choices, let Huo Sheng's words pass without comment.
Then, he spoke, "Soon, I'll send Wang Xiong, Meng Jie, Zhang Lixin, and the other elders from Guangping Street over, along with some promising youngsters. We're estimating around a hundred people in total. Is that acceptable?"
A group of one hundred wasn't too large, and Lu Ming felt it was a manageable number.
Velo chimed in, "I'm afraid my granddaughter and I will have to impose on Brother Lu Ming."
Lu Ming readily agreed. "Of course, no problem."
Having a seasoned veteran like Velo by his side would be invaluable in navigating the challenges of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
