Chapter 365: Disguise

Yun Youzi pondered, "When I last came, my cultivation was far inferior to what it is now, and one magic tool was enough for the round trip. However, we're entering the third layer's inner valley, so to be safe, we should buy two more as a precaution."

At Yinshan Pass, Yun Youzi had already explained the situation to Qin Sang. Their objective was the inner valley of Boundless Valley, the most dangerous part of it.

If Yun Youzi hadn't known a path, their combined strength would have led to certain death.

Qin Sang would be relatively safe; he could withdraw after helping Yun Youzi restrain the strange man. However, Yun Youzi would have to brave the dangers alone, continuing deeper, clearly risking his life for a slim chance of survival.

Yun Youzi must have already weighed the pros and cons before making his decision, so Qin Sang didn't try to dissuade him further.

The path of immortality was arduous, and there were no easy gains to be had.

Qin Sang nodded. Although such jade pendants were expensive, they weren't a burden for them. Yun Youzi's suggestion was a seasoned move. The two then discussed further and decided to depart the day after tomorrow.

"...I didn't expect Mingyue's disciple to possess such talent. What do you think, Senior? If you're too busy to teach him personally, I'll introduce him to Shaohua Mountain for cultivation."

Qin Sang had thoroughly detailed the talents of Daoist Jixin, his disciple, and Li Yufu to Yun Youzi, asking for his opinion.

In the mortal world, Li Yufu was Mingyue's disciple and Yun Youzi's grand-apprentice. This relationship could continue even after entering the path of immortality.

If Yun Youzi didn't wish to be distracted, Qin Sang would recommend Li Yufu to Shaohua Mountain.

This starting point was already far superior to that of other cultivators.

"Daoist Jixin and his disciple remained true to their hearts and died in a fitting manner!"

Yun Youzi was greatly relieved to learn that Daoist Jixin and Mingyue were revered by the common people, with shrines built in their honor by countless families.

Hearing Qin Sang inquire about Li Yufu's arrangements, Yun Youzi mused, "Brother Qin, your insight is sharp. After meeting the Tan brothers, I did indeed have some realizations and thought about finding a successor. Since Li Yufu has this connection with me from the mortal world, and his talent is good, there's no need for additional trouble. However, my future is uncertain with this venture into Boundless Valley..."

Yun Youzi thought for a moment, then took out a wooden plaque and handed it to Qin Sang. "This is a disciple's token of the Taiyi Pill Sect. Brother, please keep this token of mine. If I don't make it out, I'd trouble you to go to Qingyang Temple. Have Li Yufu take this token and enter the Taiyi Pill Sect as my disciple. I also have some belongings stored in my master's cave dwelling, which can be given to him as well."

When speaking of his potential demise in Boundless Valley, Yun Youzi's tone was calm, as if he were discussing someone unrelated to himself.

Qin Sang felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this. He accepted the token and forced a smile, saying, "Senior, you're making such a hasty decision without even seeing Li Yufu himself or knowing his character. What if he turns out to be an ungrateful person? Wouldn't that tarnish your reputation?"

Yun Youzi shook his head and replied decisively, "Anyone recognized by Jixin and Brother Qin cannot be ungrateful."

Qin Sang paused, then nodded gently.

On the third day, Qin Sang and Yun Youzi brought their conditions to peak performance. After purchasing two more jade pendants, they left Qingyang Market and continued flying deeper into Heavenly Rift Mountain.

The two traveled non-stop, reaching the vicinity of Boundless Valley in just five days.

From a distance, they could see a vast scarlet expanse in the eastern sky, with blood-red clouds obscuring it. These clouds stretched for unknown miles north and south, extending beyond their sight.

Although named a valley, Boundless Valley was not a true mountain gorge but a vast and mysterious region.

The area was characterized by rolling mountains. Boundless Valley lay deep within this range. As they entered the mountain range, still some distance from the actual valley, they could already see faint blood-red mist floating in the air, and the surroundings were unusually cold.

This blood-red mist was the pervasive Blood Miasma from Boundless Valley.

If a cultivator inhaled a breath of this Blood Miasma, they would instantly feel as if plunged into an icy abyss. If their cultivation was insufficient, the miasma would contaminate their body, allowing toxins to invade their internal organs, and even immortals would be unable to save them.

However, the vicinity of this mountain range was unusually desolate, with no spiritual herbs growing. Therefore, ordinary cultivators wouldn't casually come here unless they intended to enter Boundless Valley.

Yun Youzi gazed in the direction of Boundless Valley and said, "Brother Qin, the first layer of Boundless Valley is relatively safe, but that's only when compared to the second and third layers; it's still fraught with danger. Moreover, the first layer has the most active cultivators. Often, careless individuals disturb demon hordes or devil nests, triggering ancient restrictions, which causes instability in the valley. Every so often, the first layer undergoes significant changes, so my previous experience might not be as applicable anymore. We can either find a guide or disguise ourselves as herb gatherers and join another team; that would save us a lot of time..."

Qin Sang nodded in agreement. The information he had gathered in Qingyang Market was similar to what Yun Youzi had described.

The deeper into Boundless Valley they went, the stronger the demonic beasts and malevolent spirits became. However, unlike the outer regions where they roamed in groups everywhere, those who ventured deeper were extremely cautious.

On the contrary, the first layer experienced frequent incidents, with even beast tides occurring from time to time.

A desolate mountain ridge.

From a distance, it appeared unremarkable, but up close, one could discern faint ripples shimmering in the air. These ripples shielded the Blood Miasma, preventing it from entering.

At this moment, two streaks of light rapidly approached from the southwest. Just as they were about to cross the ridge, the figures within the lights seemed to notice the unusual phenomena on the ridge and abruptly halted.

The streaks of light dissipated, revealing two figures: Qin Sang and Yun Youzi.

The two exchanged glances.

Yun Youzi said, "These restrictions only serve to block the Blood Miasma and provide an early warning. There isn't even a defensive array, so this must be one of the mobile markets. Let's go in; we're sure to find herb-gathering teams here."

These so-called mobile markets were a unique feature outside Boundless Valley.

If any anomaly occurred in Boundless Valley, such as an expansion of Blood Miasma or a beast tide outbreak, the people in the market would decisively abandon it and flee. After all, they only needed to set up a few simple restrictions, incurring no significant loss.

Once Boundless Valley returned to calm, they would come back, choose another location, and rebuild the market.

Over time, this became the norm.

The last time Yun Youzi visited, the market where he had been active was already a ruin. They had to spend some effort to find this particular market.

"When we meet people, we'll say we're entering Boundless Valley to collect Yellow Dragon Grass."

Hearing Yun Youzi's voice transmission, Qin Sang subtly nodded and followed him into the market.

Yellow Dragon Grass was mostly found in the deepest part of Boundless Valley's first layer, not far from the second layer. By disguising themselves as herb gatherers collecting Yellow Dragon Grass, they could seize the opportunity to leave their team once they reached their destination.

The buildings in the market were exceptionally primitive.

Roughly stacked stone blocks formed simple houses, or crooked, low wooden huts served as shops, scattered haphazardly across the ridge.

The streets were also winding and utterly disorganized.

Despite their unassuming appearance, many of these shops were established by well-known merchant guilds in the cultivation world.