C27 Misty Forest!

Monks from the dense forest kept emerging, eager to investigate the situation in the valley. They were desperate to discover what had transpired there.

Soon after, two monks bolted from the valley, their faces etched with terror.

"Dead, all of them dead. Not a single survivor!"

"How can that be? How could the numerous masters of the Myriad Poison Sect be no match for just two individuals? Who are these formidable opponents?"

"It seems the final battle for the secret realm is going to be quite the spectacle with all these unknown masters showing up."

The tale of the nameless valley quickly became the talk of the town, stirring up a buzz everywhere.

Before long, word got out about a young prodigy from the Myriad Poison Sect, a cultivator with immeasurably deep skills.

"Whoever you are, the Myriad Poison Sect vows vengeance! A handsome reward awaits anyone with information, and whoever brings us his head will be handsomely compensated with a rare treasure!"

Meanwhile, Jiang Fann and his companions were nearing the Black Dragon Cave.

Han Qianxue teased, "Your righteous fury for a lady has put you squarely in the Myriad Poison Sect's crosshairs. They're offering a fortune for your head. Quite the spendthrifts, aren't they?"

Jiang Fann shrugged off the threat. "I've had no shortage of people wanting me dead. What's one more to the list?"

He then turned to Shi Chengtian, "Spread the word for me. Tell the Myriad Poison Sect's monks to clear out of the secret realm, or I'll slay them on sight. And to anyone who takes down a disciple of the Myriad Poison Sect, I'll reward them with a Nine Stars Pill. I'm curious to see if they can be completely eradicated, once and for all."

Shi Chengtian, unfazed by the escalating situation, scampered off to deliver the message.

Han Qianxue expressed her astonishment, "Offering the Nine Stars Pill as a reward? That's incredibly generous. Do you realize the cost?"

Jiang Fann replied nonchalantly, "What's there to worry about? We came across plenty of Dragon Fish in that lake a couple of days ago. The rest of the ingredients are a breeze. At my current level, I can produce twenty pills in a single night. How many can the Myriad Poison Sect afford to lose? We've already taken down nearly twenty. What's a hundred more? Two hundred? They'll be crushed under their own numbers."

Han Qianxue was at a loss for words. "You really do throw your weight around with that wealth of yours. If word of your pill-refining skills gets out, I can't even imagine how many factions would be clamoring to recruit you—or how many would be out for your blood. Your worth is simply immeasurable."

Jiang Fann chuckled. "The Nine Stars Pill is decent, but it's just a Yellow Rank pill. Once we start collaborating with Myriad Treasures Tavern, we'll be dealing in even higher-quality pills. Don't sweat it."

"You're always brimming with confidence. I have no idea where you get it from," she remarked.

Jiang Fann offered no explanation.

The revelation caused an uproar in the secret realm.

What was the Nine Stars Pill? It was an exceptional pill for those on the cusp of the Innate Stage. To cultivators yet to make the breakthrough, its allure was overwhelming, and it could even be traded for numerous pills of a similar caliber.

The Myriad Poison Sect had sent only a handful of disciples into the secret realm, most of whom had not reached the Innate Stage. The news had them on edge, clueless about the kind of formidable adversary they had crossed. Someone who could casually produce so many Nine Stars Pills—what staggering might did he possess?

The following day, Jiang Fann had Shi Chengtian spread the word that someone had secured the Nine Stars Pill.

The cultivators who had been restraining themselves could no longer contain their eagerness. Any Myriad Poison Sect disciple of a lower realm was now a target for attack.

Panic ensued among the sect's disciples. Banding together, many retraced their steps, seeking to exit the secret realm.

The most formidable disciple of the Myriad Poison Sect was livid, declaring, "Anyone who dares to slay a disciple of the Myriad Poison Sect will face relentless pursuit and bring trouble upon their own sect once they leave the secret realm."

His warning carried significant weight. Only a minority were fearless in the face of the Myriad Poison Sect's might. Yet, his words bought the less powerful disciples precious time to regroup and retreat from the secret realm.

Upon hearing this, Shi Chengtian felt disgruntled and proposed, "What a bore! They're all so faint-hearted. I say we draw that brash one to the Black Dragon Cave and finish him off there. That'll give the Myriad Poison Sect's elders something to really agonize over."

Han Qianxue quickly interjected, "This isn't the right time!"

Jiang Fann nodded in agreement, "Exactly! Drawing most of the crowd to the Black Dragon Cave now would greatly interfere with our quest for the inheritance. We can always lure him here after we've secured it."

Suddenly, Shi Chengtian's nose twitched, and he halted the conversation.

"Something's off. There's poisonous fog ahead. I've encountered this scent in the Dragon Transformation Abyss before! It made my head spin, nearly knocking me out."

Han Qianxue unfolded the map, examining the lay of the land.

"We've arrived! The Black Dragon Cave must be just ahead."

Being of the demon race, Shi Chengtian's sense of smell was far superior to that of the Human Clan.

Jiang Fann proposed, "You two stay put for a bit. I'll scout ahead on my own."

Trusting in Jiang Fann's capabilities, they weren't concerned. Shi Chengtian decided to hunt for some game nearby to share upon Jiang Fann's return.

Jiang Fann advanced solo, swiftly making his way towards the Black Dragon Cave.

He was already channeling the Arts of Pill Dao within him as he moved. Before long, he was enveloped by a white fog that obscured the forest ahead.

Entering the mist, Jiang Fann discovered visibility dropped to less than five meters, the fog thickening with each step. He carefully discerned the essence of the fog before slowly backing out of the woods.

He sat down cross-legged, allowing the fog to merge with his body, tuning into his physical transformation.

Minutes later, he opened his eyes, foraged for several herbs within the fog, and retraced his steps.

Upon returning, Han Qianxue was waiting, but Shi Chengtian was still out.

Seeing him, Han Qianxue eagerly inquired, "What's the verdict? What lies ahead? Is it passable?"

Jiang Fann explained, "We're dealing with a peculiar miasma that can disorient and trap people within. The toxins numb the nerves. The pills you have should keep the miasma at bay temporarily. But linger too long, and we'll be in for some real trouble."

Han Qianxue was unfazed. Given Jiang Fann's confident explanation, she was sure he had a plan.

With a smile, she asked, "You've got a solution, right?"

Jiang Fann nodded, "We can use the herbs from this forest to concoct two batches of Barrier Avoidance Pills. They've absorbed the miasma's toxins, and I've selected a few that will have minimal side effects when taken."

Han Qianxue grinned, "I knew I could count on you."

That evening, Shi Chengtian started a bonfire to roast meat, while Jiang Fann began his alchemy, undisturbed.

Han Qianxue always stood by to observe whenever Jiang Fann crafted his potions. Despite her close proximity, she couldn't discern his technique. His seemingly effortless process, with every detail meticulously controlled, was truly breathtaking.

Shi Chengtian, on the other hand, had no interest in potion-making. He had bluntly told Han Qianxue that if he ever needed pills, he'd simply ask Jiang Fann directly, without any shame.

The Barrier Avoidance Pills were not complicated to make and were ready in under four hours.

Emerald green and the size of a peanut, they looked a bit unusual compared to regular pills.

Out of the five pills produced, Jiang Fann pocketed two and distributed the rest, cautioning them, "You don't need to swallow these pills; just keep them under your tongue. They won't cause any harm, even if held there for half a month."

Shi Chengtian joked, "Boss, these are pretty tiny. If I accidentally swallow one, it's not going to kill me, right?"

"No worries there," Jiang Fann reassured, "The worst you'll get is an upset stomach."

After they had eaten and cleared the area, they set off towards the miasma-laden forest.

As they walked, Jiang Fann warned, "The fog was thick when I scouted here yesterday! It's hard to navigate inside, so let's stick close to each other. Getting separated could spell trouble."

He turned to Han Qianxue.

"How extensive is this miasma forest, do you know?"

Han Qianxue shook her head. "It's all marked as uncharted territory on the map. The Black Dragon Cave is concealed within it!"

"Looks like we're down to luck then. Keep your eyes peeled—there could be oddities lurking in these woods."

Once they entered the forest, Shi Chengtian was silent, his vigilance razor-sharp. Despite his typically bold demeanor, he proved to be quite dependable in action.

Han Qianxue and Jiang Fann trailed him, constantly on guard. They were ready to respond at the first sign of trouble.

After about five minutes of walking, visibility was nil, and their Spiritual Sense couldn't extend far.

The surroundings were indistinguishable; even the tree trunks looked eerily alike.

Discerning the lay of the land was a challenge.

Jiang Fann couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched, yet every time he honed in, it seemed utterly empty.

The sensation was unsettling.

Shi Chengtian came to an abrupt halt, his ears twitching.

"Something's off. We're not alone here."

Han Qianxue remained silent, while Jiang Fann closed his eyes, trusting his Spiritual Sense over his sight.

Still, he detected nothing nearby.

But Shi Chengtian was certain. His aura surged, focusing energy into his feet.

"Let the earth quake and the mountains shake!"

He bellowed and slammed his foot down hard.

The earth fractured beneath him, fissures racing outward.

Suddenly, several dark shapes burst from the soil, driven out by Shi Chengtian's formidable force.

Jiang Fann was taken aback—he hadn't considered that the threat was beneath them.

The figures vanished upon hitting the surface, their burrowing skill astonishing.

"What were those?" Han Qianxue asked urgently.

Jiang Fann shook his head, having not caught a clear glimpse.

But Shi Chengtian was confident, "Those were Demonic Beasts, Shadow Mice, on par with the early stages of the Innate Stage!"

Jiang Fann had an epiphany, "Ah, that's what it is. No wonder they move without a sound and at such a swift pace. But these few seem quite exceptional. Do normal Shadow Mice possess this level of strength?"

Han Qianxue responded, "In the outside world, a Shadow Mouse's power would typically match that of an individual with equivalent Stellar Energy. It's rare for them to reach the Innate Stage of a demonic beast. Even for a Rat King, it's a tough feat, but these few are evidently different. Could they be mutants?"

Jiang Fann clarified, "It's not out of the question. This secret realm inherently possesses greater strength than the outside world. Plus, we're in the Black Dragon Cave, the former domain of the Black Dragon King. The dragon Qi here is pervasive, influencing the resident demonic beasts over time. Given our proximity to the heart of the Black Dragon Cave, where the dragon Qi is even more potent, it's not surprising that these Shadow Mice have ascended to this level."

Han Qianxue's face suddenly paled, "Shadow Mice are social creatures, and when they hunt, they do so in groups of dozens. They've been tracking us this whole time. Could it be..."

As the trio moved closer, Jiang Fann cautioned, "Shi Chengtian, take the lead. We need to pick up the pace. Getting entangled with a swarm of Shadow Mice would spell trouble."

Considering the high caliber of the Shadow Mice in this area, their potential for destruction was undoubtedly alarming. Engaging them directly would clearly be unwise.