Chapter 115: Misty Deep Mountains Hide Secrets

Damn it, Wan Tianjue this old brat is like a dog‑skin plaster? Can't shake him off!

Li Hu wiped the sweat from his forehead and cursed in a low voice.

The three had just fled in disarray from a steep mountain pass, and faint shouts of the Wan family pursuers could still be heard behind them.

Wang Shan waved his hand, signaling them to be silent.

He leaned against a rock, panting heavily, his chest feeling like a bellows.

These past days of nonstop flight, even though he is at the ninth level of Body Refining, have started to wear him down. Zhang Mei handed him a Water Bag; Wang Shan waved his hand, indicating that she and Li Hu should drink first.

"Brother Wang, it looks like there's no path ahead."

Zhang Mei pointed ahead, where a dense mass of ink‑green vines, almost touching the ground, completely covered the area, forming a natural barrier.

The vines were unusually thick, some even thicker than a human thigh, tangled and knotted, exuding a primitive desolation.

Li Hu leaned in, trying to pull them aside: "What the heck is blocking the way? Let me…"

"Hold on!" Wang Shan called out. He stared at the vines, his brows slightly furrowed. This place... was too quiet. Even insect chirps and bird calls were sparse. He stepped forward, carefully parting a few hanging vines, revealing a corner of a gray‑black stone wall. The wall bore faint carvings, eroded by time beyond recognition.

"System, scan the area ahead," Wang Shan whispered mentally.

【Scanning... Beep! Detected faint Beast Sect Energy Residue, with slight resonance to Zhuren's technique. Warning: Energy fluctuations in this area are abnormal, showing intermittent amplification and attenuation, accompanied by signs of unstable spatial disturbance.】

Wang Shan felt a stir—Beast Sect Energy Residue? But these unstable fluctuations...

"Brother Wang, what's wrong? Is there treasure behind this wall?" Li Hu, noticing Wang Shan's changed expression, leaned forward curiously.

Zhang Mei also whispered, "Brother Wang, this place... feels off." She subconsciously rubbed her arm, as if a invisible chill brushed her.

Wang Shan did not answer immediately; he carefully observed the extent of the vine cover and the surrounding terrain. The vine wall spanned a considerable area, like a small hill entirely wrapped.

"System, could these energy fluctuations be the result of human interference?"

【Based on current data analysis, the energy fluctuation pattern exhibits non‑natural periodic changes; human manipulation cannot be ruled out.】

"Human manipulation..." Wang Shan mused. Wan Tianjue, that old fox, is full of schemes. Could he have discovered something and deliberately set a deceptive array to lure them? Or perhaps it's simply a trap?

"This place reeks of something sinister," Li Hu also sensed the unease, muttering, "The vines grow as if they were sentient; what if a huge man‑eating worm hides inside..."

At that moment, the system prompt sounded again: 【Supplementary scan data: Within the Core Area of abnormal energy fluctuations, traces related to Yushou Sect Inheritance were detected. Additionally, various high‑tier Spirit Plant energy emissions are present nearby, including the suspected Pill Main Ingredient 'Dragon Blood Vine' or 'Phoenix Perch Wutong Wood' associated Spirit Plant aromas.】

Wang Shan's breath caught slightly. Yushou Sect Inheritance clues? Pill Main Ingredient?...!

Either of those items alone would make his heart race. Especially the latter; he currently lacks resources for Foundation Establishment. Yet Wan Tianjue's shadow loomed like a black cloud over his mind.

"This..." Wang Shan hesitated. Risks and opportunities coexisted, and the risk was huge, as could be the opportunity.

Li Hu and Zhang Mei, though unaware of the system prompt, could see from Wang Shan's solemn expression that the matter was not simple.

"Brother Wang, did you find something?" Li Hu asked.

Wang Shan briefly shared his speculation and part of the system's findings (omitting the system itself): "This place may be linked to the Beast Taming Sect, perhaps even holding the spirit medicine we need. However, the energy fluctuations are odd; I suspect Wan Tianjue is behind it, trying to lure us inside."

Li Hu's eyes lit up at the mention of spirit medicine, but he quickly deflated: "If that old Wan Tianjue is guarding inside, aren't we walking into a trap? Damn, that old brat smells worse and is tougher than a stone in a latrine!"

Zhang Mei also voiced concern: "Brother Wang, the Wan family are pursuing us so closely; if we get trapped inside, the consequences would be unimaginable. Better... better to be cautious." Though she also yearned to grow stronger, she was even less willing to see Wang Shan take the risk.

Wang Shan nodded, understanding their worries. He himself was also caught in a battle between heaven and man.

"Should we go in first and see, or take a detour?" Wang Shan muttered to himself, his finger absentmindedly rubbing his chin. A detour might mean missing an opportunity, and the Wan pursuers outside could swoop in like flies at any moment. Going in could land them straight into Wan Tianjue's trap.

"Damn, it's a real dilemma!" Li Hu, irritated, scratched his hair.

Wang Shan suddenly thought of something: "System, I recall there is a diagram for the Three-tier Environment Scanning Talisman. How many Spirit Plant Points to exchange for one?"

【Three-tier Environment Scanning Talisman diagram, exchange requires 80 Spirit Plant Points. Additional materials needed for crafting must be collected or exchanged.】

"What about directly exchanging for the finished Talisman?"

【Three-tier Environment Scanning Talisman finished product, exchange requires 150 Spirit Plant Points.】

Wang Shan glanced at his dwindling Spirit Plant Points, gritted his teeth: "Exchange for a finished one!" It's not a time to save.

【Exchange successful, 150 Spirit Plant Points deducted.】

A Talisman shimmering with a pale cyan aura appeared in Wang Shan's hand. He inhaled deeply and infused it with Spiritual Power.

"Hum—"

The Talisman transformed into an invisible ripple, spreading toward the vine‑covered area, penetrating the dense vines and stone wall.

Wang Shan closed his eyes, carefully sensing the feedback from the Talisman. After a moment, he opened his eyes, his expression even more complex.

"How's it, Brother Wang?" Li Hu hurriedly asked.

Wang Shan spoke slowly: "The interior spatial structure is intricate, like a maze. Moreover, several zones are sealed by powerful Seals, preventing the Scanning Talisman from fully revealing them. One sealed area... its emitted energy fluctuations resemble those of the Ten Thousand Beasts General Compendium Stele we encountered in the valley, but more obscure and broken."

"Ten Thousand Beasts General Compendium Stele?!" Li Hu and Zhang Mei were startled. They had witnessed its mystery before.

"That's troublesome," Wang Shan rubbed his temples. "If this is indeed Wan Tianjue's handiwork, he likely exploited certain traits of this ruined relic, turning it into a... a Whirlwind Trap Zone. It's designed to lure treasure seekers like us straight in, then he can shut the door and beat us like dogs."

"Whirlwind Trap Zone?" Li Hu grinned, "The name alone sounds bad. Brother Wang, should we still go in?"

Wang Shan pondered briefly: "Not for now. We know too little about the interior; a rash entry carries too many variables." He looked at Li Hu and Zhang Mei, "We'll observe from the outskirts first, see if any other traces of Wan Tianjue remain. Also, I'll set up a few Warning Talismans here in case his troops suddenly approach."

As he spoke, Wang Shan pulled several low‑tier Warning Talismans and Stealth Talismans from his satchel, placing them in concealed corners near the relic's entrance. Though these Talismans were of modest grade, their advantage lay in stealth; once anyone approached, he could detect them instantly.

Li Hu and Zhang Mei kept watch nearby, their eyes scanning the surrounding jungle vigilantly.

"Do you think that old fox Wan Tianjue might be lurking outside, waiting for us to go in first?" Li Hu muttered softly.

Wang Shan placed the final Talisman, straightened up: "Very possible. So we must remain patient." He gazed at the mysterious relic heavily wrapped in vines, a resolute glint in his eyes.

Whether inside lies a dragon pool or a tiger's den, since it ties to the Beast Taming Sect and holds clues to the Pill Main Ingredient, he could never give up easily. Yet now, he needs more information and a safer plan.