Zi Hua removed her disguise, it felt slightly weird whenever she was in a different appearance since she wasn't herself, then headed off to the location of the fifth flame, Death Canyon.
Like its name suggests, Death Canyon was known for it's danger, vicious spirit beasts and deadly plants habituated there.
No soul has managed to enter and return alive.
Death Canyon was a phenomenon, different climates and ecosystems all coexists there, you wouldn't be able to see the mixture of such variety anywhere else, however roses have thorns.
The beautiful scenery contained hidden dangers which one could lose their life to at any moment.
Thankfully, Zi Hua had the Heaven-defying artifact for safety measures, she could return there if needed, however she did not want to rely on it this time, in case she ever gets into a situation where she cannot enter it, she will be more prepared, she has always preferred to be overly cautious than let her guard down and potentially get herself into a tricky situation.
Zi Hua didn't allow her spirit beasts out even after they repeatedly pestered her so that they will be able to help her, but in her past life, she only relied on herself, so it was rather difficult to change old habits, plus the less people, the less risk of getting separated or dragging each other down, if she brings one of them, she would have to bring the rest, she would rather have them stay safe in the Heaven-defying artifact.
"Master, we're not babies anymore!"
"Exactly, stop babying us!"
"Until you stop babying us, we're not speaking to you!" After that, the three slammed the door in her face, Zi Hua could only sigh helplessly, at least now they won't carry on pestering her to go out and potentially end up in danger.
Though, she felt bad about rejecting their care and concern but she was also concerned about them.
Zi Hua had no choice but to head to Death Canyon whilst leaving the situation unsorted.
Zi Hua wore a purple hanfu with white lining that reached up to her knees and had one side of the hanfu wrapping over the other side.
She stepped into Death Valley and recalled the map, she first headed to the tropical part of Death Valley which was the first place she had to pass in the route she had planned to reach the flame.
It was a tropical rain forest, lush with greenery, but lots of hidden dangers amidst the various colors.
*CLAMP*
A plant that resembles a certain torture device which contains spikes appeared.
Zi Hua quickly moved to the side when she noticed the rustling, thank goodness that she did, if she had been late she would've been squashed into bits.
However, just after that, a neon yellow plant angrily spat acidic liquid towards Zi Hua, it turns out that she had stepped on its stem.
'Whoops' Zi Hua decided to float instead to prevent herself from provoking any plants again.
Her flying technique did not require her to expend any spiritual power so she wouldn't have to worry.
Zi Hua cautiously ventured around, this was already part of the safest route yet there's so many hidden dangers, but it does bring her back to the time when she had to assassinate a mad scientist and had to pass through the scientist's tropical greenhouse which was full of scientifically modified plants, although her research was not looked well upon, a group of researchers from a organization took her work after her death and used it to develop a cure for certain diseases.
Whilst advancing through the rain forest, a brilliant idea popped into Zi Hua's head.
If she doesn't survive this, it would be pity for the plan not to be put into motion, so she has to survive.
When dusk fell, Zi Hua brought out the cooking stove armaments that she had made as well as some already prepared food by Xiao Shen, all she had to do was cook it, from the storage ring that she created beforehand.
After eating, Zi Hua set up her tent and the portable shower, after taking a nice shower Zi Hua retired for the night and fell asleep but still stayed alert in case any spirit beasts or plants decide to approach her, after all, nocturnal animals hunt during this time.
As midnight approached, Zi Hua suddenly jolted up and opened her eyes wide, exhibiting the ability she had gained through the tedious missions which she had had to stay in ambush whilst being alert towards her surroundings for days.
Something or more specifically, someone was approaching.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT
1 more chapters to go until ML appears!
Remember how I said there's gonna be a surprise? Well, some of you may have noticed the '' around the word nice.
Since I am such a 'nice' author, I'm going to edit this novel and not update for about 1-2 months!
I have actually been thinking about editing the novel for a while and was originally planning on doing that when I reached Chapter 100 but then, I thought 'Why not do it right before the ML appears', so here it goes.
But don't worry about the novel changing too much since it'll only be MINOR EDITING which will be focusing on SPAG and inconsistencies, THE PLOT WILL NOT CHANGE.
It would be much appreciated if you point out any thing that you would like to be edited, though, I may not change some because it will change the plot. Please be nice with the phrasing, my fragile heart can't take downright hate (haha, I know I'm asking for a lot, being needy, nitpicking and exhibiting a terrible attitude)
Some may think that 1-2 months is too long but there's almost 100 chapters, ikr, I can't believe that myself, I can't believe I have written so much over the past 5 months (I started this novel on the 1st of January 2019).
Editing them all will take a lot of time especially if I'm going to fix inconsistencies.
THIS NOVEL WILL NOT BE DROPPED, so please do not leave me *insert GIF which I wish I could*.
I know this is a long wait so I would like to thank you guys for staying with me and not abandoning me as well as all the support I have been given in the past 5 months.
Thank you!!!
I will be editing the chapters on another platform before posting all the edited ones all at once so no I am not procrastinating (okay, maybe 9/10 times you think that)
And if you still haven't caught on, THIS IS THE END OF VOLUME 1!!!
I have made a discord server to commemorate the completion of Volume 1 so feel free to join:
https://discord.gg/D2GjKx3
Please read the stuff on the 'intro' chat channel thingy!
On the server you will be able to interact with me and other readers as well as see the times that I am procrastinating, great right?
Also as per the request of a reader, here is a mini character profile for Zi Hua.
Name: Zi Hua
Supreme Sovereign's disciple
Age: 15 and a half (I know that there's some confusion regarding her age so I'm going to make some changes during the edit to fix that)
Gender: Female
Spirit Beasts: Xiao Hong, Xiao Bai, Xiao Zi