After leaving Kunlun, they began flying east.
Clara Heart kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, silent throughout the journey.
That silence was like a vast shadow, enveloping everything around them. Whenever Nathan Young came within ten feet of her, he could feel an oppressive atmosphere that made him deeply uncomfortable.
If he were simply helping out, Nathan might have already found some excuse to slip away. Unfortunately, with military orders binding him, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and follow along.
Perhaps it was this oppressive atmosphere that kept Nathan on edge; several times along the way, he wanted to speak but always stopped himself. Without exchanging a single word, the two silently crossed thousands of miles until they reached the outskirts of Mount Hua, gazing at its towering peaks and lush, verdant trees.
"Wait a moment!"
Clara twisted in midair, slowly turning her head back.
Nathan swallowed nervously and said, "Actually... to enter Mount Hua, it's best to stop by the Guang River Estuary first. This area is guarded by their troops, so..."
"Even with you accompanying me, it's not allowed?"
"Well..." Nathan's face reddened, and he stammered, "I'm a soldier from South Heaven Gate, not Guang River Estuary. What good am I here?"
Clara turned away and flew forward without another word.
Nathan hesitated for a moment, then could only follow, his brows tightly furrowed.
They soared over mountains and rivers, quickly entering Mount Hua's inner region.
"Where is the Third Saintess imprisoned?"
Nathan, almost reflexively, pointed toward a distant cliff. Realizing what he'd done, he was startled and quickly withdrew his trembling hand.
Without hesitation, Clara turned and flew in the direction Nathan had indicated.
Nathan could only furrow his brow and slowly follow.
Landing atop the cliff Nathan had pointed out, they soon spotted a compound nestled against the rock face, half-hidden among flourishing vegetation and swirling mist. Inside the compound, soldiers clad in Heavenly Army uniforms patrolled back and forth.
"Is this the place?"
Nathan finally gave up resisting, nodding slightly with a sigh. "That's where the guards live—it connects to the cave. The compound may look small, but plenty of troops are stationed here; only a few need to stay on-site. My second brother's main force consists of tree spirits, and this is the perfect place for them."
"How many times have you been here?"
"I've been here before..." Nathan frowned, lips pursed in displeasure. "Can I skip this question? If my father finds out, I'll be in big trouble."
Before Nathan could react, Clara Heart leapt off the cliff in a single bound. Startled, Nathan hurriedly followed.
In the blink of an eye, their figures vanished into the thick mist.
Adjusting her posture mid-air, Clara landed gracefully before the compound's main gate.
"Who goes there? State your name at once!" A deep, resonant voice boomed.
Before she could steady herself, dozens of Guang River Estuary soldiers surged from all sides, weapons drawn and aimed at her. The dense forest rustled—a flock of startled birds took to the sky.
It felt as if the entire forest was closing in around them.
Just then, Nathan landed beside Clara.
Clara glanced coolly at Nathan.
Resigned, Nathan braced himself and called out, "Brother Warren Wu, it's me, Nathan! I've come to visit Sister Anna Yang."
"Nathan?" Out of the mist, a tall figure slowly made its way through the ring of soldiers, coming straight to Nathan.
Warren Wu was a centipede spirit. Though in human form, he still had long whiskers on his forehead. His build was thin and lanky, but his eyes were unusually large.
Looking down at Nathan, Warren Wu waved his hand. "They're one of us."
At his words, the surrounding soldiers sheathed their weapons and dispersed. Even the barely visible tree spirits retreated to their places. Instantly, the area returned to its previous calm.
Eyeing Clara warily, Warren Wu cupped his hands in greeting. "I am Warren Wu of Mount Mei. May I ask your esteemed name, fellow cultivator?"
Clara stood motionless, meeting Warren Wu's gaze.
Nathan quickly interjected, "This is my friend, Clara Heart."
"She’s here to visit the Third Saintess as well?"
"Yes."