Gu Yao planned to enter the Quqiu Mountain Range for reasons beyond his initial plans. Firstly, Jiang Yan, after obtaining the Red Mysterious Pill, was already preparing to enter the mountains, so Gu Yao took advantage of the situation. Secondly, Gu Yao foresaw the possible storms ahead, so he decided it would be better to avoid them for now.
He could imagine that if he stayed at the academy, as soon as the matter of the elixir was exposed, he would be immediately taken to see Danfeng and Hu Guli. He would face their questioning and suspicions from others. To avoid these troubles, he slipped away.
Tian Feirong and Xiao Fatty travelling together was somewhat beyond Gu Yao's expectations, but as they were traveling with Jiang Yan and his party, they would be safe, so Gu Yao agreed.
In his view, Xiao Fatty decided to go out primarily to avoid Hu Guli who might recognize him at Tianfu Academy.
The attitudes of the people who came with Jiang Yan towards Gu Yao changed significantly. Initially, they felt that Jiang Yan's addition was very troublesome, slowing down their journey, and that it was too risky to depart at this moment, as they didn't feel confident to deal with the Illusion Demon Liquid that was making the students unconscious.
But after entering the Quqiu Mountain Range, Jiang Yan received a communication from the academy that the Red Mysterious Pill was recognized by Hu Guli as a healing medicine. The association was expanding its production to increase supply. This result made everyone look at Gu Yao with awe, and their attitudes towards him became much more respectful.
They knew that Gu Yao's combat power was not as good as theirs, but he might play a crucial role here, and be much more useful than them.
Because they needed to go full speed, Gu Yao could only gather some roadside plants when they were resting. Regardless, he was quite satisfied. As they moved deeper into the Quqiu Mountain Range, its resources indeed became more abundant, many of which couldn't be seen outside.
The others also discovered that Gu Yao was different from other elixir masters and kept a keen interest in him.
During rest, Gu Yao would also refine a few furnaces of elixirs and distribute them, earning quite a few praises. The elixirs alone would be able to double everyone's offensive and defensive power, so a good elixir master was really welcomed, but such a master was hard to find.
Meanwhile, Chi Changye's amazing combat power was also accepted by everyone. As expected, anyone who could stand side by side with Gu Yao would not be simple. As for Tian Feirong and Xiao Fatty, people saw them as followers, and it wouldn't be a problem if they were a bit weak.
Overlooked by people, Tian Feirong and Xiao fatty could only stare at each other and made up their mind to impress everyone in the long run.
The Star Moon Association had the most comprehensive map of the Quqiu Mountain Range. Gu Yao was satisfied after reaping many plants and other materials growing in the swamp they just passed through. The materials used by the pharmacists in the star world not only included plants but also ores, beast's flesh, and even the bodies of insects. Anything could be used for medicine. The cultivation world wasn't as broad, probably because its resources were too abundant.
"Up ahead is the Secluded Valley. After Secluded Valley is where the anomalies occurred, and also where the students had accidents. Everyone needs to be careful," Jiang Yan pointed at a dark place on the soft-skin map and said.
"Don't worry, elder brother, we will be careful," Zhou Li's face was less joking and more serious. Even though they chose the safest route, they had already encountered many battles, and the ones with bloodshed helped them grow the most.
Jiang Yan glanced at all the members and slightly nodded. Everyone had grown a lot, especially Gu Yao, Tian Feirong, and Xiao Fatty. They were supposed to be the ones everyone protected, but instead, they grabbed their law swords and joined the battle, making their auras more solid, and brought them closer to breakthrough.
After a short rest, the team stepped into the Secluded Valley, as if falling into a dim world. The place was filled with various harmful gases and giant exotic trees. Their mingled breath formed a barrier-like layer in the sky, not letting any light in or harmful gases out, making the place a playground for some special creatures.
With the top-grade Detoxification Pills provided by Gu Yao, everyone didn't need to worry about inhaling harmful gases. However, this place was home to numerous venomous insects, venomous beasts, and even demon plants. Any cultivator who entered might be targeted as prey. And if not careful, they might become part of the fertile soil here.
Everyone's faces looked serious and cautious, but the black cat cub perched on Gu Yao's shoulder had eyes that were strangely curious and a deep green color. If Gu Yao didn't have control over it, perhaps it would have already run out to play. This place was dangerous for Gu Yao and the others, but for the cat cub from the Netherworld, even the backyard might not compare.
The black cat cub had been silent all the way, leaving everyone initially puzzled as to why Gu Yao brought such a seemingly useless pet. However, as Gu Yao proved his worth, everyone gradually ignored its presence since it didn't affect their actions anyway.
Jiang Yan noticed it slightly, with a hint of confusion in his eyes. However, due to the journey, he temporarily put aside his curiosity.
His intuition told him that Gu Yao and Chi Changye were not the type of people to keep useless things.
Suddenly, a buzzing sound came from the front. Including Gu Yao, several people had the same thought flashing in their mind: Here they come again! It must be another swarm of poisonous bees. After exterminating several poisonous insects and bees before, Tian Fei Rong and others felt that even the golden ring poisonous bee, which was mentioned by big brother before, was far weaker. If the people who rushed into the heritage house before had encountered these poisonous insects and bees, it was uncertain how many could have survived and escaped.
Once upon a time, Yuan Yang town was the only world they knew. Only after they left did they realize how vast the world was. Upon hearing the sound, Tian Fei Rong immediately went into combat mode.
A swarm of black bees flew over. Although the light was dim, one could still see a few bright colors among the swarm of poisonous bees. The more strange the color was, the more venomous the bee was supposed to be. However, even before these bees could come close, they crashed into the first barrier. After a hissing sound, a large number of bees fell to the ground and were immediately devoured by the bees behind them.
This was not the first time they had seen such a sight, but it still made one's hair stand on end.
Jiang Yan produced a blue, spherical artifact. With a wave of his hand, two water chains flew out of the artifact and plunged into the swarm of bees, instantly clearing a path. Jiang Yan gave the command "Go" and everyone rushed over without hesitation or retreat. At the same time, any bees that broke through the water chains were immediately killed by them.
Chi Chang Ye, with Gu Yao by his side, held a sword in his hand. A large number of bees fell with a rustling sound. If someone looked carefully, they would find each bee falling to the ground was cut neatly in half. The wounds were extremely smooth.
Gu Yao didn't become careless because of the presence of this powerful weapon. Any negligence during a battle could lead to irreparable consequences. Suddenly, as another wave of bee corpses fell, there was movement underneath the rotting soil and corpses. A black shadow flew towards Gu Yao at high speed, closing the distance in an instant.
Reacting quickly, Gu Yao threw his wooden magical sword. In mid-air, several green vines sprouted and quickly wrapped around the approaching black shadow. With a "strangling" spell, the vines began to constrict, crushing the black shadow into pieces. The blood, of a strange color, was scattered about.
The magical sword under Gu Yao's control shrunk the vines back instantly, returning to its original form of a small green sword, with no bloodstains or dirt - a testament to his improvements. His favorite technique was the "strangling" spell.
It was then that they realized the black shadow was a poisonous snake, its color blending with the surroundings, originally intending to ambush Gu Yao and his group - but it failed.
After fighting all the way, they finally reached the end of the secluded valley where the light began to brighten again.
They found themselves in between two extremely different worlds. One was a dark, hell-like world, while the other was a brightly lit, beautiful world. Those on the boundary line could easily be attracted by the other side. Especially after days of fighting and strained nerves, once they saw this other world, all they could think of was finally a chance to rest.
But then, a bucket of cold water was splashed on them. Those woken include Zhou Li - after wiping his face, he jolted awake to find he had walked quite a distance unconsciously. Looking straight ahead, instead of fascination for the gorgeously colorful world, a chilling feeling was all he was left with.
The cold bucket of water was literally provided by Jiang Yan, whose main cultivation was already water-based. It was no less powerful in combat than other attributes, and at that exact moment, it was also a handy way to clear everyone's heads.
Suddenly, a buzzing sound came from ahead. Including Gu Yao, several people flashed a thought in their minds, "Here it comes again! It must be another swarm of poisonous bees." After eliminating poisonous insects and bees several times, Tian Feirong felt that the golden ring poisonous bees they had once heard of from his older brother were nothing compared to these. If the people who had ventured into these remains in the past encountered these poisonous insects and bees, it was uncertain how many could escape alive.
They used to think Yuan Yang Town was their entire world, but after stepping outside they realized how vast the world really was. Upon hearing the sound, Tian Feirong immediately entered a battle state.
A group of dusky poisonous bees was flying over. Though the light was dim, one could still see some bright colors among the swarm of bees. The more peculiar the color, the more potent the poison of the bee. Before this swarm of bees had approached, they hit the first barrier, and a large number of bees fell to the ground. They were then swarmed and devoured by the bees from behind.
This wasn't the first time they had witnessed such a spectacle, but it still made people's hair stand on end.
Jiang Yan summoned a blue spherical magic tool. With a wave of his hand, two water chains shot towards the swarm of bees from the magic tool and created a path among the bees. Yuan Yan shouted, "Go!" and everyone followed him without hesitation or faltering. At the same time, they used their skills to kill any bee that slipped past the water chains.
Chi Changye, with Gu Yao on one side and a sword in hand, the bees fell to the ground. If anyone looked closely, they would notice that the fallen bees were cleanly cut in half, with smooth wounds.
Gu Yao, not careless because of the deadly inertia nearby, knew that any carelessness could lead to irreversible consequences. During another wave of falling bee corpses, movement suddenly emerged from the decomposing soil and corpses. A shadow rapidly swept towards Gu Yao, getting close in an instant.
Quickly, Gu Yao's wooden sword left his hand, flying out to reveal numerous green vines in the air. The vines quickly wrapped around the incoming shadow, and with a twist of the word "strangle", the vines started strangling the shadow. With a "bang", the shadow was torn to pieces, with its oddly colored blood being sprinkled around.
Under Gu Yao's control, the vines quickly retracted and returned to the small green sword in his hand. The sword wasn't stained with any blood, remaining transparent green. The "strangle" spell was Gu Yao's favorite technique.
After the killing, they discovered that the shadow was a poisonous snake, its color blended in with the surrounding, aiming to ambush Gu Yao and the others, but failed.
Following a fierce fight, they finally reached the end of the secluded valley where the light became bright again. The scenery looked like a paradise, as if they could finally relax.
However, a sudden cold splash of water arouse them all, including Zhou Li. He realized he had unconsciously moved quite a distance into the splendid world, and now felt his body hair standing up in full alert.
The source of water splash was Jiang Yan, whose principal technique happened to be water-based. His techniques weren't limited to fighting enemies but can also be used for soaking and waking everyone up.
"Senior Brother," Zhou Li asked while wiping the water from his face, "What exactly is going on here? It wasn't like this before, was it?"
The secluded valley was full of dangers. Neither the students of the academy nor the disciples of Qian Xue Gate were willing to step into it lightly. Despite Gu Yao having been collected many rare spirit grasses in the secluded valley that could sell for many spirit stones outside, no amount of spirit grass or spirit stone was worth risking one's life for. However, there were still people who passed through the dangerous secluded valley to reach the other side and brought back information that differed from what they were experiencing now.
It is because of this peculiarity and the serene facade of the world in front of them that Zhou Li felt a chill in his spine. The more beautiful an object is, the more danger it could potentially be hiding below it.