In Lishan City, a notice about the withdrawal from the Extraordinary People Country was posted outside the Mountain and Sea Building store, attracting passersby to gather and whisper.

The main doors of the Mountain and Sea Building were tightly shut, while the clerks counted the goods and packed them into boxes.

The short and stout Store Manager sat behind the counter, watching the old accountant with gray hair work on the accounts.

The old accountant asked, "Such a significant matter as withdrawing from the Extraordinary People Country, should we really not ask for the Old Ancestor’s instructions?"

The Store Manager looked at the busy clerks, among whom were a few temporarily hired Extraordinary People.

"The Old Ancestor had already instructed that henceforth, both matters of the Mountain and Sea Building and the Hongyan Building would listen to the master and mistress. The mistress’s intention is to let the Young Master handle this matter of the Extraordinary People Country entirely. The mistress said that this is the first time the Young Master has shown interest in the family’s business, and she doesn’t care about this small business in the Extraordinary People Country."

"Even if the Young Master doesn’t handle it well this time, it’s not a big deal. It’s a training experience for him, to let him know that business is not easy and to appreciate the master’s usual hard work. The mistress also said it’s okay if the goods are lost; what’s important is our safety. As long as we are still here, the store can be reopened, so it’s best to withdraw all of you temporarily."

"The mistress is indeed worthy of being the mistress of our Mountain and Sea Building." The old accountant nodded and continued to write down the accounts.

The Store Manager noticed a short-statured Mouse Person struggling to drag a box bigger than himself, his eyes slightly moved as he took out a sealed letter from his sleeve.

"Zhuwu, come here for a moment. You’re quick on your feet; take this letter to the Hongyan Building. Make sure no one sees it; this letter is very important. There can be absolutely no mistakes, understand? I’ve always trusted you; don’t let me down."

The Store Manager emphasized certain words heavily, staring intently at the short Zhuwu.

Zhuwu’s small eyes shifted slightly, baring his buck teeth cautiously nodding, he took the letter and left the Mountain and Sea Building through the back door.

"Do you suspect him?" the old accountant asked.

The Store Manager sighed, "It’s not a suspicion."

The old accountant understood, "He who is not one of us must have a different heart."

"This kind of thing... it’s hard to say. Sir, finish the accounts and leave quickly. I’ll stay with our Young Master; he can’t be left without support. When you return to Baishui Domain, tell my wife that I’ll be back soon and tell her not to write as many letters. Hongyan Building can’t take our Spirit Stones and still deliver a letter a day."

The old accountant smiled and nodded, "Okay, I’ll be sure to deliver the message."

＊

Jiang Yuebai was piloting the somewhat tattered Ninth-Grade Flying Magical Artifact Sky-Controlling Boat at low altitude, speeding through the air. The boat had no canopy, no protective shield, and there was a hole at the bottom, flying barely faster than a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Jiang Yuebai expanded her Divine Sense sufficiently to avoid all surrounding dangers and pursuers. To avoid suspicion, she deliberately created a few incidents, fighting with the beasts in the mountains.

During the fights, besides using the Green Jade Bamboo Flute, she also sent out vines from her body, proving herself to be a real Extraordinary Person.

Despite this, Yu Qing’er remained highly vigilant, speaking little along the way, simply wrapping her cloak tightly around Yu Xiao and holding him close at all times.

After more than a month of on-and-off travel, the group finally arrived at Tianmu Gorge. Crossing over it was Four Feathers Mountain. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The canyon winds were strong, making it impossible for the flying artifact to pass, so the group had to climb over the mountain on foot.

Two more days were spent ascending to the mountain top, coinciding with nightfall. Jiang Yuebai saw the four tall mountains stretching to the sky, with mountain ridges as thin and curved as feathers circling around them. Over them were talisman array light belts, resembling a glowing bird’s nest, protecting the central forest.

At the base of Four Feathers Mountain, as far as her eyes could see, there were lights from thousands of homes with smoke rising from cooking fires. The forest trees had been felled, turning into clusters of mountain villages, representing the flags of various countries fluttering in the wind, stretching across hundreds of miles centered on Four Feathers Mountain.

Jiang Yuebai’s eyes trembled, not expecting the rallying power of the Iron Feather Country to be so strong. At this rate, it would sooner or later evolve into a grand city, drawing all the Extraordinary People of the Extraordinary People Country together.

Xie Jingshan came up and transmitted his voice, "Aside from Night Wolf, Tiger Leopard, Snow Bear, and Sand Scorpion, the population of the other Extraordinary People Countries have basically all arrived."

Jiang Yuebai used a modified Heavenly Eye Technique to scan around Four Feathers Mountain, seeing no fewer than thirty great arrays, making the entire mountain impregnable.

Nearby, Feather Clan Extraordinary People were flying in the air, patrolling in teams of five armed with long spears.

Yu Qing’er, carrying Yu Xiao, slowly climbed the mountain, panting until they reached the proximity of Four Feathers Mountain and finally let out a relieved smile.

"I apologize to you two seniors for your hard work. Let’s rest after entering Iron Feather Country."

Yu Qing’er’s urgency prompted Jiang Yuebai and Xie Jingshan to exchange a glance and nod in agreement. Jiang Yuebai once again brought out the battered Sky-Controlling Boat, descending the mountain towards Four Feathers Mountain.

The appearance of the Sky-Controlling Boat attracted the attention of the Extraordinary People in the village below, who came out to look up. With more than thirty miles to go before reaching the mountains ahead, two teams of Feather Clan Extraordinary People quickly approached from two directions.

"Who are you? Stop!"

The Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Feather Clan female captain, clad in armor, pointed her long spear and stopped the Sky-Controlling Boat.

Yu Qing’er, carrying Yu Xiao, emerged from the back of the boat, eagerly retrieved a token she’d hidden for a long time and held it up.

"I have your Mountain Master’s token. Your Mountain Master invited me here. The Feather Clan senior escorting me fell midway, and now there are still pursuers after me. Take us into the city to see the Mountain Master quickly."

The female captain gestured with her hand, and the token in Yu Qing’er’s hand flew to her. After verifying it with Feather Clan’s secret technique, a feather projection floated from the token, faintly revealing a ’Xi’ character.

Xie Jingshan’s pupils slightly trembled, while Jiang Yuebai cast him a sidelong glance.

"It’s indeed the Mountain Master’s token."

The female captain accepted the token and scrutinized Jiang Yuebai and Xie Jingshan with a wary expression.

"You and the child may enter the city with me; as for you two, that’s not allowed."

Xie Jingshan frowned, and Jiang Yuebai quickly held him back, turning towards Yu Qing’er with a smile, "Sister Qing’er, we risked our lives protecting you along the way; you did make a promise."

Yu Qing’er’s eyes showed a struggle, but ultimately she stepped back with Yu Xiao to the female captain, "I’m sorry, I... I’m sorry!"

Xie Jingshan felt a surge of anger, barely moving before finding nine long spears pointed towards him.

Jiang Yuebai stepped forward to protect Xie Jingshan, still smiling.

"Even if we can’t enter Iron Feather Country, can we at least stay outside Four Feathers Mountain?"

The female captain coldly replied, "As long as you behave, do not approach the mountain boundary, whatever."

"Thank you."

Jiang Yuebai gave Yu Qing’er a deep look. Yu Qing’er turned her head to avoid eye contact.

"Let’s go."

Jiang Yuebai piloted the Sky-Controlling Boat, departing with Xie Jingshan.

Xie Jingshan’s anger was still burning, telepathically questioning, "Why are you so accommodating? She betrayed us, yet you still thank her?!"

Jiang Yuebai gave him a sidelong glance, "This is just the beginning. In this world, there are countless who cross the river and dismantle the bridge, or even stab you in the back. Yu Qing’er not claiming we kidnapped her for the Feather Clan to eradicate us is already quite favorable. Getting angry over such a trivial matter, you’ll be infuriated to death in the future."

Xie Jingshan plopped down heavily, weighing down the Sky-Controlling Boat, his big tail tapping the ship’s bottom.

"What do we do now?"

Jiang Yuebai replied, "Be patient. Currently, those Feather Clan Extraordinary People are watching us; we need to lay low for a few days, act casually. Once they lower their guard, we’ll take action."

Xie Jingshan glanced back, indeed seeing a team of Feather Clan Extraordinary People watching them closely.

Jiang Yuebai steered towards a village where Green Vine Country’s Extraordinary People gathered. As they neared the forest where the village lay, Xie Jingshan’s eyes widened upon seeing another Jiang Yuebai sitting by a tree, inscribing the Little Green Talisman.

Little Green’s lantern-like form flickered in and out, suggesting the Divine Concealment Talisman was nearly complete.

Behind the tree hid a puppet Jiang Yuebai, clumsily practicing inscribing the Continuous Pearl Jade Talisman.

Xie Jingshan turned to the Jiang Yuebai piloting the boat, reaching out to poke her face, causing her form to dissolve into a flurry of feathers.

"When did you swap for a clone?"

The feathers reformed into Jiang Yuebai, who squinted at him with a smile, "I was worried about the potential for battle, wouldn’t be good if we got surrounded, right?"

"What about me? Are you not worried about me getting surrounded?"

Xie Jingshan conceded, realizing this woman’s conscience was greatly flawed. She had anticipated Yu Qing’er’s betrayal without telling him.

Jiang Yuebai shrugged, "Doesn’t matter. If you really got surrounded, I’d expose your identity, and Shen Huaxi would definitely show up to invite you in. That’s a contingency plan."

"A contingency plan... one of them?"

Xie Jingshan held his heart, pondering how much scheming Jiang Yuebai had hidden within her.

Jiang Yuebai stood up and patted Xie Jingshan’s head, "Don’t worry, Brother Dog. The ten thousand Top-Grade spiritual stones you spent won’t be in vain; I’ll ensure to get you safely to Shen Huaxi. Let’s find a place to stay temporarily in the Green Vine Country’s village. I’ve detected signs of a cultivation technique breakthrough and need time."

Xie Jingshan’s nerves continued to twitch; all this journey, he hardly dared to breathe, yet she still had time for cultivation, even a breakthrough?!