Lin Feng could only see a vast expanse of black mist ahead, with no clear indication of what constituted the valley being 'open'. Yet, since Wen Mochen declared it open, it must be true. He too felt a surge of surprise; he hadn't expected the Blackmist Herb Valley's opening to occur so many days ahead of schedule.
Wen Mochen's expression darkened slightly. Channeling his true essence, he accelerated the Cloud-Soaring Ship beneath his feet, sending it streaking toward a small hill approximately a hundred meters high in the distance.
As they drew closer, Lin Feng saw several figures already positioned on the hill. Each occupied their own spot, sitting cross-legged in meditation. Sensing the approaching ship, they all looked up.
These must be representatives from the sects that arrived first, Lin Feng thought. Likely Elders or senior members. As for their disciples… undoubtedly, they've already rushed into the Blackmist Herb Valley.
The Cloud-Soaring Ship didn't land on the hilltop. Instead, it flew directly over it, continuing toward the shrouded valley ahead. They advanced several hundred meters more, descending only when wisps of black mist began to permeate the surrounding air. Wen Mochen stored the ship and addressed the group:
"Follow me. I will escort you to the transmission array."
Upon arriving, Lin Feng immediately felt a profound discomfort. Breathing itself seemed to grow labored. He gazed up at the impenetrable wall of black mist filling the sky ahead – it loomed like a colossal beast lying in wait for prey, inspiring deep dread.
They followed Wen Mochen another hundred meters. The surrounding mist thickened, the oppressive feeling intensified, and even the flow of true essence within his body felt disrupted. Just as some disciples began to pale, Wen Mochen finally halted before a white jade platform roughly ten meters in diameter.
Intricate, mysterious runic patterns covered the platform's surface. Eight indentations, clearly designed for holding spirit stones, dotted its perimeter. The material itself was unknown, lending it an aura of profound secrecy.
This was a transmission array. Established long ago through the combined efforts of multiple major sects, its purpose was to teleport individuals directly into the Blackmist Herb Valley. Although this period marked the thinnest concentration of black mist within the valley, the entrance remained blocked by a band of extremely potent miasmic poison – a barrier as effective as a solid wall. Even Golden Core cultivators found it nearly impossible to breach by force, hence the reliance on the array. Normally, this location too was shrouded in mist; it only became accessible during this specific window.
Crucially, the array did not perform fixed-point teleportation. Instead, it randomly deposited individuals somewhere within the valley's front half. This design aimed to prevent large-scale, immediate bloodshed among arriving cultivators, thus minimizing unnecessary losses. A drawback, however, was the separation of companions from the same sect; regrouping would require significant effort later.
While entry utilized the transmission array, exit did not. When the trial concluded, Elders from all participating sects would combine their power to forcibly disperse the miasmic poison at the entrance, opening a passageway. This passage would remain stable for three days. Anyone failing to exit within this timeframe would be trapped inside. Once the poison thickened again, death would be inevitable.
The scheduled exit time was thirty days after the predicted opening date. With the valley opening nine days early, Lin Feng and his companions now had thirty-nine days to seek treasures within.
"Once inside, proceed with utmost caution," Wen Mochen instructed rapidly. "Prioritize regrouping with a few companions before venturing deeper. Disciples from the Absolute Sword Sect, Azure Wind Valley, Divine Brush Pavilion, and Luo Ming Sect have already entered ahead of you. Exercise extreme wariness, especially around those from the Absolute Sword Sect and Azure Wind Valley. Avoid conflict with them unless absolutely necessary… And do not forget the exit window… Now, all of you, step onto the platform. I am activating the array."
Remarkably, despite the Cloud-Soaring Ship merely skimming past the occupied hill, Wen Mochen had identified the sects present. Lin Feng's gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly upon hearing the names 'Absolute Sword Sect' and 'Azure Wind Valley'.
The disciples obeyed, stepping onto the white jade platform. Wen Mochen flicked his right hand, sending several mid-grade spirit stones arcing through the air to land perfectly within each indentation. A brilliant flash of white light erupted from the platform. In the blink of an eye, everyone standing upon it vanished. The cost of this single activation was evident: all eight mid-grade spirit stones crumbled into dust.
Wen Mochen watched the space where they had stood for a moment, then turned and walked away.
…
This was Lin Feng's first experience with teleportation. He hadn't fully braced himself before a blinding white light filled his vision. When it faded, he found himself in an utterly unfamiliar place.
His companions were gone. An unsettling, profound silence pressed in. Above, the suffocating black mist blotted out the sky, casting the world into oppressive gloom. The atmosphere was deeply uncomfortable.
Lin Feng shook off his momentary disorientation instantly. His hexagonal jade talisman was already gripped firmly in his hand as he scanned his surroundings with heightened vigilance.
He was in a secluded hollow, nestled between hills. No signs of other people. No immediate presence of demonic beasts. Confirming relative safety, he relaxed slightly and began to move cautiously, examining the terrain in detail. Comparing it mentally against the map of Blackmist Herb Valley he had memorized, he quickly pinpointed his location: the eastern sector of the valley's front half.
"Good fortune," Lin Feng murmured to himself, a note of satisfaction in his voice. "Not unlucky enough to land straight into an ambush. Well then… time to hunt for treasure!"
Having assessed his situation, he reached into his robe and gently extracted Xiao Qiu. The little creature blinked sleepily. "Xiao Qiu, time to get to work!"
"Qiu! Qiu?!" Xiao Qiu wriggled in mild protest, then suddenly froze. Its tiny nose twitched, sniffing the air. Its beady eyes sparkled with sudden interest as it looked around.
"What is it? Found something?" Lin Feng asked, a flicker of hope lighting his features. He placed Xiao Qiu securely on his right shoulder and patted its head. "This is the Blackmist Herb Valley. They say it's overflowing with rare treasures. Let's start searching!"
"Qiu!!" Xiao Qiu chirped excitedly. Balancing on Lin Feng's shoulder, it surveyed the area, then lifted a tiny paw and pointed decisively towards the right front.
"That way? Alright! I trust you!" Lin Feng smiled and strode purposefully in the indicated direction.
…
The Lingyue Sect possessed established methods for members to signal each other. Yet, as Lin Feng journeyed, he deliberately left no trail markers. Nor did he head towards the prearranged rendezvous point. He had no intention of teaming up with others.
Guided by Xiao Qiu, Lin Feng moved unerringly towards concentrations of spiritual energy. Within less than half a day, he harvested over a dozen spirit herbs. Most were Grade 2, but one precious Grade 3 herb was among them. He encountered demonic beasts along the way, but even the peak Grade 2 beast guarding the Grade 3 herb proved insignificant before his might. A single flash of his flying sword dispatched it effortlessly.
However, this was still the valley's periphery. The herbs found here were predominantly Grades 1 and 2 – relatively common and easily purchasable elsewhere. Lin Feng already possessed ample stores of such herbs; they held little allure for him. Eventually, he decided to abandon foraging in the outer regions entirely, quickening his pace towards the valley's deeper, more perilous heart.
The terrain of the front half was well-documented on his map, allowing Lin Feng to navigate efficiently. He deliberately skirted areas known to harbor dense populations of demonic beasts. The occasional beast he did encounter was invariably below Grade 3, posing no real threat. After another half-day's travel, he had traversed the relatively safe front half and entered the middle zone of the Blackmist Herb Valley.
"Qiu Qiu!!"
As they passed a small hillside, Xiao Qiu suddenly erupted in excited chirps from Lin Feng's shoulder. One tiny claw gripped Lin Feng's hair, tugging insistently, while the other waved frantically towards the slope on their left.
"Oh? Another herb?" Lin Feng halted, surprise and anticipation washing over him. Xiao Qiu's intense reaction strongly suggested a Grade 3 spirit herb lay ahead.
Eagerly, Lin Feng turned and began ascending the slope. Midway up, however, his steps faltered. His senses prickled. He spun around, his gaze sharpening as he focused on the distance behind them.
Through the murky, dim light, two figures were rapidly approaching their position!
After nearly a full day within the valley, this was Lin Feng's first encounter with other cultivators.
Friend or foe?