Chapter 365: Disguise

Wandering Man pondered for a moment before speaking. "The last time I came, my cultivation was far inferior to what it is now. A single artifact was enough for a round trip. However, since we're heading into the inner valley of the third zone, it's best to be cautious. We should buy two more as backup."

At Yinshan Stronghold, Wandering Man had already explained the situation to Qin Sang. Their target lay within the inner valley of Endless Valley, the most dangerous area in the entire region.

If not for Wandering Man knowing a specific path, the two of them would have had no chance of survival.

Qin Sang's role was relatively simple—he only needed to assist Wandering Man in restraining the strange being before retreating. But Wandering Man had to risk his life, venturing deep into danger alone, staking his survival on a single chance.

Since Wandering Man had already weighed the risks and made his decision, Qin Sang refrained from persuading him otherwise.

The path of immortality had always been arduous—there was never a path to success without struggle.

Qin Sang nodded. Although the jade pendants were expensive, they were not a financial burden for them, and Wandering Man’s suggestion was prudent. After further discussion, they decided to set off in two days.

"...I never expected Ming Yue’s disciple to have such outstanding talent. Senior, what do you think? If you lack the time to personally mentor him, I could guide him to cultivate at Shaohua Mountain instead."

Qin Sang detailed everything about Daoist Jixin and his disciple, as well as Li Yufu’s extraordinary talent, seeking Wandering Man’s opinion.

In the mortal world, Li Yufu was Ming Yue’s disciple and, by extension, Wandering Man’s grand-disciple. This connection could continue even after stepping into the immortal path.

If Wandering Man did not wish to be distracted, Qin Sang would recommend Li Yufu to join Shaohua Mountain instead.

With such an opportunity, his starting point would already surpass most other immortal cultivators.

"Daoist Jixin and his disciple remained steadfast in their beliefs and met their end with honor!"

Upon learning that Daoist Jixin and Ming Yue had been revered by the people, and even had a Shrine of Ten Thousand Families built in their honor, Wandering Man was deeply gratified.

Hearing Qin Sang inquire about Li Yufu’s future, Wandering Man deliberated for a moment before saying, "Brother Qin, you have sharp eyes. After meeting the Tan Brothers, I did have thoughts of finding a successor. Since Li Yufu shares a worldly connection with me and possesses remarkable talent, there’s no need to look elsewhere. However, this journey into Endless Valley is fraught with uncertainty..."

Wandering Man thought for a moment before taking out a wooden token and handing it to Qin Sang. "This is a disciple token of Taiyi Core Sect. Take it with you. If I don’t make it out, please go to Qingyang Temple and have Li Yufu bring this token. He can enter Taiyi Core Sect as my disciple. I also have some belongings stored in my sect’s cave dwelling—give them to him as well."

When speaking of his potential demise in Endless Valley, Wandering Man's tone remained calm, as if discussing the fate of someone else entirely.

Qin Sang felt a tinge of sorrow but accepted the token with a forced smile. "Senior, you haven’t even met Li Yufu in person. You don’t know his character. If he turns out to be ungrateful, wouldn’t that tarnish your name?"

Wandering Man shook his head decisively. "Anyone recognized by both Jixin and Brother Qin could never be an ingrate."

Qin Sang was momentarily stunned before nodding lightly.

...

The third day.

Qin Sang and Wandering Man had adjusted their states to their peak condition. After purchasing two additional jade pendants, they departed from Qingyang Market, flying deeper into the Tianduan Mountains.

They traveled without rest and arrived near Endless Valley in just one day.

From a distance, the eastern horizon was painted blood-red, with crimson clouds blotting out the sky, stretching for an unknown number of li beyond their line of sight.

Although Endless Valley bore the name of a valley, it was not a typical mountain gorge. Instead, it was a vast and enigmatic region.

Rolling mountains extended endlessly, and the true Endless Valley lay deep within them. Even before reaching their final destination, they could already see faint wisps of blood-colored mist drifting through the void. The surrounding air was unnervingly cold.

These blood-colored mists were the infamous blood miasma of Endless Valley.

A single breath of blood miasma sent shivers through one’s entire body as if plunging into an icy abyss. Those with insufficient cultivation who let the miasma touch their skin would have its toxins invade their organs—an affliction even immortals would struggle to cure.

However, this mountainous region was desolate, with hardly any spiritual herbs growing. Ordinary immortal cultivators had no reason to come here unless they intended to enter Endless Valley itself.

Gazing toward Endless Valley, Wandering Man spoke. "Brother Qin, the first zone of Endless Valley is relatively safe—but only in comparison to the second and third zones. It is still rife with danger. Moreover, this is where the most immortal cultivators gather. Many reckless individuals often provoke hordes of monsters or awaken ancient barriers, causing turmoil in the valley. Every so often, the first zone undergoes drastic changes, rendering my past experiences less reliable. We should first find a guide or disguise ourselves as herbalists and blend into another team. That way, we can save a great deal of time."

Qin Sang nodded in agreement. The information he had gathered from Qingyang Market aligned closely with what Wandering Man described.

The deeper they ventured into Endless Valley, the stronger the monsters and demons became. However, unlike the outer regions where they roamed in swarms, the threats in the depths were more scattered, and those who dared to enter were extremely cautious.

Ironically, it was the first zone where chaos frequently erupted, with frequent beast tides and unforeseen disturbances.

...

The desolate mountain ridge appeared unremarkable from a distance. Only upon approaching could one notice faint ripples in the air, flickering in and out of sight. These ripples formed an invisible barrier, blocking the blood miasma outside, preventing it from seeping in.

Two streaks of evasion light shot toward the ridge from the southwest at high speed. Just as they were about to pass over, the figures within the light seemed to sense something unusual about the area and abruptly halted.

As the evasion light dissipated, two figures emerged—it was none other than Qin Sang and Wandering Man.

The two exchanged a glance.

"These barriers serve only to block the blood miasma and act as a warning system," Wandering Man remarked, "There isn’t even a protective array here. This must be one of the mobile markets. Let’s head inside—we should be able to find a herbalist team here."

The so-called mobile markets were unique to the outskirts of Endless Valley.

Whenever Endless Valley underwent a sudden change—whether it was an expansion of the blood miasma or an outbreak of beast tides—the inhabitants of these markets would swiftly abandon them and flee. Since the market structures only required a few simple barriers, leaving them behind came at no real cost.

Once the valley settled down, they would return, set up in a different location, and rebuild the market.

Over time, this practice became routine.

The last time Wandering Man had visited, the market he had used as a base had long since been reduced to ruins. It had taken them quite some effort to locate this new one.

"If we meet anyone, we’ll say we’re entering Endless Valley to harvest Huanglong Grass."

Hearing Wandering Man’s voice transmission, Qin Sang gave a slight nod and followed him into the market.

Huanglong Grass mostly grew in the deepest part of the first zone of Endless Valley, not far from the second zone. By disguising themselves as herbalists searching for it, they could join a group and separate when the opportunity arose.

The buildings within the market were extremely crude.

Simple stone slabs were stacked into rough houses, while some makeshift wooden huts, crooked and barely standing, functioned as shops, scattered haphazardly across the mountain ridge.

The streets twisted and turned without any discernible order.

Yet, despite their humble appearance, many of these unassuming shops were actually run by well-known merchant guilds in the immortal cultivation world.