Chapter 224: Wait until we arrive before acting

"These are all cultivation patterns," Lin Xuan's voice carried deep insight, "they are imprints left by ancient Practitioners. These patterns contain a special power that can influence the circulation of the human body's meridians, and they have a unique promoting effect on cultivation."

"Really?" Xiao Qing immediately became excited, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, "Then there must be even more amazing things in the valley, right?"

Xiao Bai also revealed a rare look of curiosity: "The arrangement of these patterns is very special; it seems to be hinting at some direction."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly: "That is indeed the case. These patterns are not only for cultivation, but also a form of guidance. As long as one can correctly interpret the profound meanings within them, one can find the true path leading to the bottom of the valley."

"As expected of our benefactor!" Xiao Qing jumped up happily, "Then let's hurry in and take a look! What kind of secret is hidden at the bottom of the valley?"

"No need to rush," Lin Xuan's voice became profound, "Since we are here, we must properly experience the wisdom left behind by these predecessors." His gaze looked toward the direction of the valley floor, "Moreover, the true secret might exceed your imagination."

The three of them continued to advance toward the valley floor. As they went deeper, the surrounding patterns became increasingly dense, and the Spirit Qi in the air grew more concentrated. Both Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai could clearly feel that their own cultivation was subtly improving in this environment.

"Benefactor," Xiao Bai suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a trace of doubt, "The Qi here is somewhat special. It is not just a matter of concentration; it seems to contain some kind of special power."

Lin Xuan's footsteps paused: "You are right. This power..." His eyes became profound, "I fear it is exactly what those people are desperately searching for."

"Do others also know the secret of this place?" Xiao Qing asked curiously.

"There are quite a few who know of this place's existence," Lin Xuan continued forward, his voice carrying a hint of deep meaning, "but those who truly understand the mysteries within are few and far between."

As they went deeper, the scenery of the valley began to undergo subtle changes. The originally dense vegetation gradually thinned out, replaced by strange rocks of various shapes. The surfaces of these stones were likewise carved with mysterious patterns, emitting a strange luster under the sunlight.

"From here on, we must be extra careful," Lin Xuan reminded them, "every step could hide a mystery."

Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai nodded solemnly, both feeling the increasingly thick, mysterious aura in the air. They knew that the real show had only just begun.

In front of a cliff deep in the Qinling, a light breeze swept past, rolling up the withered leaves on the ground and spinning them in the air. Guide Liu stood under the cliff, repeatedly comparing the map in his hand, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

This steep cliff towered into the clouds, its surface as smooth as a mirror, with no visible handholds for climbing. Eerily, the temperature here was much lower than elsewhere; even at high noon, it gave one a gloomy feeling.

"Liu, are you absolutely sure this is the correct route?" Ilya's voice carried a hint of impatience, "We have been circling this area for a whole day." As the leader of the expedition team, what he feared most was getting lost in such a dangerous place.

Guide Liu was just about to explain when his whole body suddenly stiffened; years of experience surviving in the wild allowed him to detect the scent of danger: "Careful! Something is coming!"

Before the words had faded, rustling sounds came one after another from the forest. Immediately following, dozens of Golden Silk Monkeys swarmed out from all directions. The eyes of these monkeys glowed with an unnatural blood-red light, and the golden fur on their bodies shimmered with an eerie luster under the sunlight.

"Damn beasts!" Ilya cursed, "These monsters again! Everyone, prepare for battle!"

"Watch this!" A burly man in the team suddenly stood out. This was their weapons expert, Hongda, but what he displayed at this moment was not a conventional combat skill. He took a deep breath, his chest visibly expanding, and the next second, a scorching flame erupted from his mouth, forming a searing barrier in the air.

"This is... an Ability User?" Jin Bao in the team retreated a few steps in terror, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. It was his first time seeing such an ability that defied common sense. Suddenly, he realized that this seemingly ordinary inspection team might have more unknown secrets hidden behind it.

The flames formed a defensive line in the air, temporarily forcing back some of the Golden Silk Monkeys. Other team members also quickly drew their weapons, and the sound of dense gunfire echoed through the valley. However, the movements of these Golden Silk Monkeys were unimaginably fast; most of the bullets missed, with only a few scattered shots hitting their targets.

"Maintain formation!" Ilya commanded loudly, while pulling a special pistol from his backpack, "Form a defensive circle back-to-back! Do not give them any opportunity!"

But it was too late; several Golden Silk Monkeys had already broken through the defensive line and began attacking the team members frantically. Miserable screams rose one after another, and blood soon stained the ground. Although Hongda's flames were powerful, they could not completely stop these crazed monkeys. Even more terrifying was that these Golden Silk Monkeys seemed completely unafraid of death; even after being shot several times, they would desperately pounce toward the nearest human.

Meanwhile, at the city airport at the foot of the Qinling, Zhang Chulan and Feng Baobao had just walked out of the terminal. The afternoon sun was unusually blinding, and Zhang Chulan squinted instinctively. Just as he was adjusting to the light, his phone suddenly chimed with a message notification.

Opening the Temporary Worker group chat, Wang Zhenqiu's message came into view: "Where are you guys now?"

Zhang Chulan was just about to reply when he suddenly realized a strange issue. He carefully scrolled through the chat history and discovered that almost all the Temporary Workers were talking about the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley. This discovery made the alarm bells in his heart ring—why would the Company mobilize so many Temporary Workers at once? This was the first time he had encountered such a situation since joining the Company.

"Bastard, you guys came to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley too?" he asked cautiously in the group.

The group chat immediately became lively, with other Temporary Workers one after another indicating that they were also on their way here.

"Let's talk when we arrive," Wang Zhenqiu finally sent a message, "You find a safe place first and don't act rashly. Remember, absolutely do not take action ahead of time."

Zhang Chulan's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, various possibilities flashing through his mind. Just then, a familiar, crisp voice interrupted his thoughts: "Zhang Chulan!"

Turning around to look, Lu Linglong was running toward him, with Lu Lin following behind her looking helpless, seemingly having a headache over his younger sister's lack of ladylike behavior.

"Linglong? Lu Lin?" Zhang Chulan was both surprised and happy, "Even you guys came? What is going on?"

"Of course we had to come!" Lu Linglong winked mysteriously, "This is a rare opportunity for training! And besides..." She leaned close to Zhang Chulan and lowered her voice, "I heard Brother Lin Xuan also came, how could I miss that!"