Chapter 194

But Han Li was not in a hurry! Because the central zone of this forbidden area was vastly different from the outer regions.

In the other outer zones, the spiritual herbs and rare fruits grew randomly and unpredictably, appearing anywhere within the area; one could find them in any corner, and whoever found them would immediately flee. Thus, conflicts arising directly from spiritual "herbs" were rare here. Far more common were deaths caused by mass purges or murders committed for the sake of treasure.

But in the central zone, it was entirely different! According to former disciples who had barely escaped, the central zone was enormous—nearly one-third or more of the entire forbidden area—and surrounded by stone walls forming a vast circle. From the perimeter of the four bronze gates inward, the region was divided into three outer layers, like the peel, flesh, and core of a fruit, sharply distinct and strangely structured!

The picturesque place where Han Li now stood was the outermost layer of the central zone.

According to the records, the distance from here to the next layer was not great—only slightly more than a li wide. The flowers, grasses, and trees growing within this range were all rare and precious, seldom seen in the world. But very few of them had actual medicinal value for cultivators; most were merely ornamental.

Many of the Seven Sects speculated that this layer had been deliberately arranged by the forbidden area's owner, treated like a garden, where the dazzling, eye-catching flora and fruit trees existed solely for the owner's pleasure. If one wished to find something useful, it would be wiser—and far less effortful—to search elsewhere in the forbidden area.

The true high-grade spiritual "herbs" of great use to cultivators were produced only in the second layer. Most disciples from the various sects entered this zone specifically for this layer, where the three primary herbs needed to brew Foundation Establishment Pills were located—undoubtedly their greatest target. Han Li was equally determined to obtain them.

Speaking of the second layer, the information Han Li had just read left him stunned for a long while.

For the second layer was a vast circular mountain range, perpetually sealed by thick, pitch-black "mist." Within this mountain lay natural spiritual sites—caves, hidden valleys, sheer cliffs—as well as artificial structures like stone huts and stone halls, where all manner of heavenly and earthly spiritual "herbs" grew.

The data exchanged between the ugly man and Han Li mainly consisted of maps showing the distribution of these herbs, since no one could guarantee that their existing records covered the exact area they entered; thus, the more such maps one had, the better—only then could one match locations accurately and follow the maps to find what they sought!

But the mist in this mountain was too thick, too dense! Once cultivators entered, they lost their way after just a few steps, forced to grope forward slowly, step by uncertain step; whether they could ever find their way out again depended entirely on luck.

Worse still, countless demonic beasts dwelled upon the circular mountain—ranging from low-tier Level One Flame Mice and Wind-Chasing Rabbits to top-tier Level One Golden Light Pythons and Ice-Fire Wolves, encompassing nearly every Level One demonic beast species known—or unknown—to the Seven Sects.

The weaker ones could be handled by a sixth- or seventh-stage cultivator alone, easily fending off seven or eight at once. But the top-tier ones—even elite disciples of the Seven Sects could only flee in panic if they encountered them.

Fortunately, this final category of demonic beasts was exceedingly rare on the mountain, and most had become specialized guardians of specific spiritual "herbs," rarely venturing outside their posts.

Thus, most of the dangerous demonic beasts were still primarily high-tier Level One. Yet, when several elite disciples joined forces, they could easily eliminate them. Of course, if one encountered them alone, a bloody battle was unavoidable.

Whether it was the mountain's mist or the demonic beasts lurking within, if one faced only one of these dangers, these proud, elite disciples might still risk entering to gather herbs. But now that both dangers were present together, the disciples could only stare at each other in silence. Entering the mountain under these conditions meant certain death.

Thus, in the early batches of disciples who entered the forbidden area, all had contented themselves with gathering ordinary spiritual herbs in the outer central zone, never daring to enter the circular mountain.

But after several cycles, a disciple of the Moon Conceal Sect, after great effort, forged a magic treasure called the "Moon Yang Treasure Pearl." This object could neither attack nor defend; its sole function was to emit a peculiar light capable of suppressing all kinds of mist and toxic miasma—crafted specifically for this forbidden journey.

Indeed, the Moon Conceal Sect disciple who obtained this treasure shone brilliantly during the next opening of the forbidden area!

They drove away most of the mist on behalf of the other sects, then returned from the circular mountain laden with treasures. With the harvest from this trip, they brewed a large quantity of Foundation Establishment Pills, recruited many new disciples, and propelled their sect's power to a meteoric rise—thus establishing the Moon Conceal Sect as the number one cultivation sect in Yue Country.

But as the saying goes, there are no walls without cracks! News of the Moon Conceal Sect's great gains in the forbidden area using the "Moon Yang Treasure Pearl" eventually spread. Soon after, the other six sects, unwilling to let them monopolize the spiritual herbs, came knocking.

Reluctant to provoke universal hostility but unwilling to surrender the pearl, the Moon Conceal Sect, after prolonged negotiations and bargaining with the other six sects, finally surrendered the treasure, making it a shared asset of the Seven Sects.

Thereafter, the treasure was held in rotation by the seven sects. After each forbidden area expedition, the sect currently holding the pearl had to hand it over to another sect for safekeeping.

But no matter which sect held the pearl, upon entering the forbidden area, its disciples were required, under the supervision of the other sects' disciples, to use the pearl within a prearranged time window—neither rushing ahead nor delaying the mist-clearing.

Thus, all disciples who arrived in time at the central zone could enter the circular mountain simultaneously, ensuring perfect fairness.

This arrangement seemed to cost the Moon Conceal Sect dearly, forcing them to abandon their dream of monopolizing the forbidden area's spiritual herbs—but in truth, it also saved them from annihilation and preserved the opportunity to grow stronger gradually.

Today, the Moon Conceal Sect stands alone at the pinnacle among the Seven Sects, its power immeasurable. None of the other sects, unless they formed pairs, could possibly stand against it!

This was precisely why Han Li was not anxious—and why he had patiently feigned indifference to the ugly man for so long.

Before entering, the Seven Sects had already agreed on the time to clear the mist: the morning of the third day.

Han Li had rushed nonstop to the central zone, fearing delays from ambushes on the way. Now that he had reached the central zone, there was no need to rush anymore! Even if he hurried to the second layer, he could only stare helplessly at its mist.

As for the third layer at the very heart of the forbidden area, it was even more mysterious!

From the peak of the circular mountain, one could clearly see a colossal tower, a hundred zhang tall, standing at the center, surrounded by vast, dense green forests that sealed it off completely. This was the so-called third layer—the core of the forbidden area!

After hearing their disciples' descriptions, the high elders of the Seven Sects immediately recognized it as the original residence of the forbidden area's owner, and they burned with desire for whatever treasures lay within the tower.

But between the second and third layers, an unknown, powerful barrier still functioned, blocking all disciples who attempted to enter. This barrier was far beyond the capability of any Qi Refining cultivator to break—and yet, Foundation Establishment or higher cultivators could not enter the forbidden area at all. Thus, what lay inside the tower remained an unsolved mystery to this day.

Han Li had no interest whatsoever in the great tower within the third layer. For him, finding enough heavenly and earthly spiritual herbs in the second layer and escaping unharmed was already more than enough—he would consider it divine blessing.

Han Li and the ugly man endured each other's false pleasantries for a full quarter-hour before Han Li finally slipped away into the surrounding foliage, vanishing from sight. As he disappeared, he glanced back and saw Zhong Wu still lounging lazily in place, showing no sign of leaving.

It seemed these "experts" would not rest until they had cleared out at least nine out of ten other disciples trying to sneak in. He suspected the other three sects likely had the same people doing the same thing.

As Han Li pondered this, he wandered far from the bronze gates, searching everywhere.

Beneath a towering tree, Han Li discovered an inconspicuous tree hollow—and his heart leapt with joy.

He slipped inside and performed a few minor protective measures at the entrance, then let his mind go blank and fell into deep, snoring sleep.

Han Li needed rest—proper rest. Tomorrow morning, when the mist of the circular mountain was cleared, who knew what might happen? He must restore his state to peak condition—that was the only safe course.

Yet he believed that by tomorrow, far fewer disciples would be standing before the circular mountain, waiting for the mist to be cleared—and none of them would be easier to deal with than Feng Yue!

Han Li slept soundly, deeply, until dawn the next day, when he slowly awoke.

The most important day of the forbidden area expedition had finally arrived!

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