The journey towards the "Serpentine Mist Valley," the heart of the "Forest of Lost Souls" pulsating with danger and promise, was like entering another world entirely. Wei Shen no longer relied on the meager remnants of the original "Wei Shen's" memories, for these regions had never been trodden by an ordinary disciple from the "Fallen Leaf Sect." Every tree, every plant, every sound was unknown and, therefore, a potential threat.
"Ignorance… a dangerous variable in any equation," Wei Shen thought coldly as he examined a strange purple flower with an unsettlingly sweet fragrance growing at the base of a tree.
He advanced with extreme slowness, his senses, sharpened by the sixth level of Qi Condensation, working at their utmost capacity.
"Every living being in this place is an enigma," he mused, deftly avoiding a giant spiderweb with gleaming silver threads stretched between two trees.
As he drew closer to the area the tormented disciple had described as the "Serpentine Mist Valley," the features of the forest began to change. The trees became larger and more twisted, like giant, deformed hands reaching towards the misty sky.
The ground grew damper, and the smell of moss and decay became stronger. And the mist, that dense white vapor for which the valley was named, began to seep between the trees, obscuring visibility and lending the place an air of mystery and dread.
On one occasion, while cautiously making his way through a narrow passage between two colossal rocks, he heard a faint sound of nearby movement, then muffled human whispers.
Wei Shen froze in place instantly, hiding behind a rock protrusion, and listened intently. These weren't ordinary whispers; they carried a tone of caution and anticipation.
"Are you sure this is the right way to the 'Frozen Spirit' Spring?" a young voice said, seemingly trying to keep low. "The mist here is incredibly thick, and I can barely see my own feet."
Another voice, rougher and more confident, replied, "Don't worry, novice. I've passed through here many times with Elder Fang. The spring isn't far, but we must be careful. It's said that 'Crystal Mist Vipers' guard that area, and they are incredibly fast and venomous."
"Crystal Mist Vipers?" the young voice repeated with clear anxiety. "And… do you think we'll find any of the 'Bloody Moon Fruits' rumored to grow near the spring?"
"Perhaps, if we're lucky and the disciples of the 'Crimson Flame Palace' haven't gotten there first," the rough voice said with a sneer. "Those arrogant fools think all the treasures of this forest belong to them."
The conversation suddenly broke off, and Wei Shen heard cautious footsteps receding. He waited a little, then peeked out carefully. In the distance, he saw two figures in dark green robes, upon which was an emblem of a five-branched leaf – the symbol of the "Grass Blade Sect."
"Grass Blade Sect… and Crimson Flame Palace," Wei Shen registered the names in his mind. "Valuable information. It seems the 'Spirit Dragon Fruit' isn't the only treasure attracting sects to this area. Competition will be fierce."
Wei Shen continued his journey, now even more wary, not only of the forest's beasts but also of these cultivators from other sects who might be more dangerous and cunning than any monster.
Finally, after another arduous trek lasting several hours, he began to feel a distinct change in the density of "Qi" in the air. It had become richer, and more… chaotic. The dense white mist now enveloped everything, reducing visibility to only a few meters. He could hear multiple sounds from afar – the roars of beasts, intermittent human shouts, and occasionally, the faint clang of weapons or muted energy explosions.
He had reached the "Serpentine Mist Valley."
He found himself an elevated position on the edge of the valley, hidden among a cluster of sharp black rocks that resembled the teeth of a giant dragon. From here, with difficulty due to the mist, he could see a part of the valley below.
The scene was a mixture of chaos and anticipation. He saw several groups of cultivators, each group wearing robes of different colors and emblems, positioned in various parts of the valley, all appearing alert and tense.
He could distinguish the light blue robes of the "Fallen Leaf Sect"; they seemed fewer in number and more anxious than the other groups. He also saw a group wearing fiery red robes with an emblem of a blazing flame – these were undoubtedly the disciples of the "Crimson Flame Palace." Another group wore silver-white robes with an emblem of an interwoven cloud – perhaps they were from the "Jade Cloud School" he had heard about.
Each group watched the others with clear caution and hostility. At times, he could hear taunts or challenges being hurled from one side to another
"Hey, disciples of the Fallen Leaf Sect!" an arrogant young voice shouted from the direction of the "Crimson Flame Palace" group. "Still here? Didn't your elders tell you this place is dangerous for children, and it would be better for you to go back to gathering herbs around your sect? Hahaha!"
Another voice, quieter but not without sharpness, retorted from the "Fallen Leaf Sect's" direction: "At least we don't act like wild monkeys trying to set fire to everything, you flame-bearers!"
It was clear that tension was escalating. And all of them were waiting for something.
"Many hungry wolves around a single piece of meat that hasn't appeared yet," Wei Shen thought, a cold, barely visible smile playing on his lips. "This is good. Very good.
When wolves fight over prey… it's easy for a cunning fox to steal it from all of them."
He began to study the valley's terrain carefully, searching for the best infiltration route, and the best place to hide and wait. He knew that the "Spirit Dragon Fruit," when it appeared, would be the spark to ignite a real massacre.
"Patience… is the weapon of the intelligent," he whispered to himself. "The treasure will appear… and bloody chaos will inevitably follow. Only then… will I have my grand feast."
He found himself a narrow, deep crevice between two rocks, offering him a good view of the central area of the valley where he believed the treasure would appear, while also providing good protection from most directions. He settled into it, completely concealed his aura, and became a part of the rock shadows, waiting with limitless patience, like a spider weaving its web in the dark, ready to pounce on any prey that fell into its snare.