Chapter 225: Secrets? Is it something delicious?

Lu Lin stepped forward and stopped his younger sister from continuing: "Let's go to the hotel first; some things are not suitable to be discussed here." His gaze signaled Zhang Chulan to pay attention to their surroundings, clearly having sensed something.

The group boarded a pre-booked car and drove toward the city center. On the way, Zhang Chulan couldn't help but ask: "Lu Lin, do you know what's going on this time? Why are so many people suddenly interested in the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley?"

Lu Lin was silent for a moment: "I'm not too clear on the specifics either. However, according to the Lu family's ancient records, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley does indeed hide some unknown secrets." He paused, "And these secrets may concern the structure of the entire Outsider world."

"Secrets?" Feng Baobao suddenly raised her head and asked innocently, "Is it something delicious?"

Everyone was amused by her. Lu Linglong immediately leaned over: "Sister Bao'er, I brought a lot of snacks; I'll share them with you when we get to the hotel!"

Watching the two girls chatting enthusiastically about snacks, Zhang Chulan couldn't bring himself to smile. The gathering of various factions, the secrets of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley, and the Company's unusual mobilization... all the clues seemed to point to a massive mystery he couldn't yet see clearly.

The car finally stopped in front of a high-end hotel.

While checking in, Zhang Chulan noticed quite a few foreign faces in the lobby, and their eyes all revealed a strange sense of vigilance. Once the waiter led them to the booked suite and Lu Lin finished arranging the room assignments, he immediately signaled for Zhang Chulan to talk on the balcony.

"Chulan," Lu Lin's voice was very low, "I just received news that people from the All-Sex are here too."

Zhang Chulan's pupils constricted: "All-Sex? They are also interested in the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley?" Various encounters from Biyou Village immediately flashed through his mind.

"It's not just the All-Sex," Lu Lin looked around as if worried about eavesdroppers, "Those foreigners in the lobby just now are said to be members of secret organizations from various countries. They have come out in full force this time; I fear the things inside the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley are far more important than we imagined."

Zhang Chulan leaned against the balcony railing, gazing at the distant, rolling Qinling Mountains. The sunset's afterglow dyed the mountains gold, beautiful and mysterious. Yet he knew that in these seemingly calm mountains, a storm capable of changing the entire Outsider world was brewing.

"Then, Master Lin Xuan..." He had just wanted to ask something, but was interrupted by Lu Lin.

"That person is too mysterious," Lu Lin shook his head, "Even Grandfather speaks of him with deep reservation. It is better for us to focus on our own mission." He paused, "Remember, do not easily trust anyone until you have fully grasped the situation."

Inside the room, Lu Linglong was sharing the snacks she brought with Feng Baobao; the two were talking and laughing, seemingly oblivious to the danger they were about to face. But Zhang Chulan knew this might be the last moment of peace.

"Wait until everyone has arrived," Lu Lin said, "Then we will set off for the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley." His expression became grave.

Zhang Chulan nodded, but the questions in his heart only grew. Why were all parties interested in the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley at the same time? What kind of secret was hidden there? And most importantly, why did the Company need to mobilize so many Temporary Workers?

Inside the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley, clouds and mist swirled, and ancient stone steps wound forward like a giant dragon coiled among the mountains. Lin Xuan walked slowly with Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai, each step feeling as if he were walking along the long river of time. The dense, mysterious patterns on the mountain walls flickered in the mist, emitting a heart-palpitating, ancient aura.

"Benefactor, the concentration of Spirit Qi here is at least ten times higher than the outside world!" Xiao Qing said while excitedly sensing the fluctuations of spiritual power around her, "This is simply a natural treasure trove for cultivation!"

Just then, two burly figures suddenly appeared in the thick fog ahead. They were over two meters tall, their bodies covered in golden fur, with strong muscle contours vaguely visible, emitting a wild pressure.

"Careful!" Xiao Qing immediately flashed in front of Lin Xuan, striking a defensive pose, "The size of these two Golden Silk Monkeys is too abnormal, and the aura on them is also very strange!"

Indeed, these two Golden Silk Monkeys had completely exceeded the normal range, their size almost indistinguishable from an adult gorilla. Their golden fur shimmered with a metallic luster in the mist, each strand seeming to contain special power. Most surprisingly, their eyes revealed a spirituality and wisdom that did not belong to beasts.

However, the scene that followed left Xiao Qing dumbfounded.

Seeing Lin Xuan, the two massive Golden Silk Monkeys simultaneously bent their waists and performed a standard bow. Their movements were elegant and fluid; there was no trace of a beast's roughness in their gestures, but rather a strange elegance.

"Interesting," Lin Xuan said softly, a meaningful smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

He stepped forward and gently placed his right hand on the forehead of one of the Golden Silk Monkeys. In an instant, a profound power flowed from his palm, nourishing every inch of the Golden Silk Monkey's skin like spring rain.

"Hum—"

A low hum suddenly echoed in the air, as if heaven and earth were resonating. The bodies of the two Golden Silk Monkeys began to undergo magical changes; their originally thick limbs became slender and powerful, their facial contours gradually leaned toward those of humans, and even their eyes became increasingly clear.

"This is..." Xiao Qing watched in a daze, "They are actually evolving? This is too magical!"

Xiao Bai explained elegantly: "This is the supreme grace of the Benefactor. By enhancing the Qi within their bodies, he is helping them take a step further. Judging by their current state, they will soon be able to cultivate to the realm of taking human form."

The two Golden Silk Monkeys seemed full of gratitude for Lin Xuan's kindness; they made a gesture of invitation, signaling the three to follow. Passing through a deep mountain path, they arrived in front of a hidden stone chamber.

Pushing open the heavy, moss-covered stone door, a rich medicinal fragrance immediately rushed toward them, refreshing their spirits. Inside the stone chamber, hundreds of precious herbs were neatly placed on ancient stone shelves. There were thousand-year-old Ginseng, snow lotuses, fleeceflower roots, and many other rare medicinal materials that even the knowledgeable Xiao Bai could not name.

"We're rich!" Xiao Qing jumped up in excitement, little stars twinkling in her beautiful eyes, "These are all treasures! Any one of these could be sold for a sky-high price if taken out!"

While cheering and jumping for joy, she nimbly packed the herbs into her Cunwudai. The two Golden Silk Monkeys stood quietly to the side, their eyes filled with a touch of relief, as if saying: These things have finally found suitable owners.

On the other side, the atmosphere among the expedition team was not so relaxed.

"Liu, how much longer are you going to lead us around in this ghost place?" Ilya asked impatiently while wiping sweat from his forehead, "I keep feeling like we're going in circles."