C2562 The Forbidden Area
C2562 The Forbidden Area
Jiang Fann withdrew his spiritual strength, allowing Wan Chengfeng's energy to flow freely. Wan Chengfeng's power was truly remarkable; anyone who made it onto the Starsea List was undeniably strong.
Fang Xiang watched Wan Chengfeng in shock. He had encountered many cultivators at the same level as himself, but none had ever unleashed such a powerful aura. It was as if he could glimpse the invincible presence Wan Chengfeng once had.
"So strong!" Fang Xiang exclaimed sincerely.
Jiang Fann smiled and said, "Everyone has different talents. Some start late, but in the end, we all reach the same destination. You're only behind him by a few decades of cultivation. Who knows, you might surpass him in the future."
"Stop joking. Talent is everything," Fang Xiang replied.
Jiang Fann shook his head gently, disagreeing. He knew all too well how poor his own natural talent had been.
"Bloodline power can awaken, and you can enhance yourself over time. There are ways to improve the body with elixirs and other methods. The choices you make later on are what truly matter."
This time, Fang Xiang didn't argue, as Jiang Fann's words made sense.
Wan Chengfeng's spiritual strength surged for a full hour before finally calming down. The chaotic energy was now fully contained within his Qi Sea, leaving him looking vibrant and composed, his aura gradually becoming more restrained.
He was in a good mood and looked at Jiang Fann earnestly, saying, "I really can't thank you enough this time. I might actually be able to reclaim two centuries."
He stared at his own hands, clearly exhilarated. The power he gained brought not just joy, but a sense of his former self.
Jiang Fann rested on the spot, trying to quickly regain his strength. Suppressing Wan Chengfeng's power had been a significant drain on him, but thankfully, everything had gone smoothly.
Early the next morning, the three of them had returned to their usual selves and were just setting out when Fang Xiang, who had been quite excited, suddenly froze in place, his whole body trembling.
Jiang Fann noticed the change and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Fang Xiang snapped back to reality after a moment, his expression a mix of resignation. He used his spiritual strength to form a talisman, which Jiang Fann and the others recognized as a message charm.
He handed the charm to Jiang Fann, who immediately focused his spiritual sense on it. The message inside was unexpected.
"Effective immediately, Fang Xiang is relieved of his duties as steward of the Heaven Pavilion and expelled."
Those simple words explained Fang Xiang's shocked expression. He had trained under his master since childhood, always nurtured by the Heaven Pavilion. Receiving such news was a blow, though not entirely surprising, especially after he had declined the elders' proposal a few days earlier.
Jiang Fann knew exactly why and felt a bit awkward. "I didn't expect to drag you into this."
Fang Xiang replied, "It's alright. I had a feeling something like this might happen, just didn't think it would be so soon. It seems the Zhongtian Dynasty is pretty upset, and with Xingtian Yong's influence, I can accept this outcome. I just hope it doesn't affect our mentor."
Wan Chengfeng, standing nearby, patted Fang Xiang on the shoulder and reassured him, "Brother Fang, there's no need to be down. Worst case, you can stick with me. With my help and guidance, you'll eventually leave this place and explore the wider world. As a cultivator, focusing only on this realm is too narrow-minded. One day, when you reach the Celestial Realm or even higher, you'll look back at this place and see them all as insignificant. Only a few old masters will be worth your attention."
Fang Xiang gave a wry smile, "The Celestial Realm? That's a bit beyond my reach. I'm not like you and Brother Jiang. I'm still far behind."
Jiang Fann quickly waved his hands, "Don't count me in. I can't even imagine reaching the Mortal Separating Stage."
Jiang Fann and Wan Chengfeng consoled Fang Xiang for a while, and he soon calmed down. He sent an apologetic message to his mentor using a communication talisman, then followed the two toward the restricted area.
Without the constraints of the Nine Heavens Pavilion, he could now act more freely and boldly. As for Jiang Fann, he had already considered him one of his own.
Two hours later, they arrived at a desolate area, barren and seemingly devoid of life. According to the map, they were nearing the edge of a restricted zone—a place rarely visited by cultivators. Those who did venture here were typically highly skilled, as entering recklessly would surely lead to death.
As they approached the boundary, Fang Xiang said to Jiang Fann, "Even though we had to leave the Nine Heavens Pavilion, I'll continue to help you with your matters."
Jiang Fann nodded, trusting Fang Xiang's words.
Wan Chengfeng led the way, his eyes alert. He wasn't the type to be careless; on the contrary, he was very shrewd, always focused during training, especially in dangerous places like this.
"Keep your presence suppressed and stay close to me. If we encounter any problems, I'll handle them. You focus on keeping yourselves safe, especially you, Brother Fang."
After suppressing their presence, Jiang Fann took out the Sun Thunder Pearl, holding it in his hand. This would help them find their direction. They weren't here to train in the restricted zone; their goal was to locate the Dry Thunder Sect.
Jiang Fann reminded the others, "We're not here to take risks, just to find the Dry Thunder Sect. If we encounter powerful beings, avoid them if possible. Don't try to be heroes."
As they stepped into the restricted area, the three of them immediately felt their bodies become several times heavier. However, this didn't affect them much, as they had all participated in trials in higher realms, and this gravity was much weaker in comparison.
Wan Chengfeng glanced at the other two, and seeing they were fine, he felt more at ease. After confirming the exact direction with Jiang Fann, the three set off, walking steadily on the ground rather than flying. In a place like this, they couldn't afford to be careless.
Even though they hadn't encountered anything yet, an inexplicable pressure made them feel very uncomfortable. Despite being seasoned adventurers who had faced various environments, they couldn't shake off this feeling.
Jiang Fann had instructed Xiaoyu to keep her powers on high alert, ready to notify him of any discoveries immediately. Since entering the restricted zone, the Chapter of Pill Dao had been continuously sending information about spiritual herbs, some of which were quite rare. Jiang Fann was tempted to gather them but ultimately decided against it. If he were alone, he might have taken the risk, but the uncertainty of the situation meant he couldn't afford to get separated from the others. While he might be able to protect himself, the other two could be in serious danger, and he couldn't accept that outcome.
Wan Chengfeng kept confirming their position with Jiang Fann, and after two hours of walking, they transitioned from a barren landscape to the edge of a forest. The contrast was striking, with lush vegetation and the sound of birds in the trees. Yet, the oppressive feeling lingered, refusing to dissipate even in this seemingly vibrant environment.
"We've moved past the outer perimeter now, and it's only going to get more dangerous from here. We have no idea what's ahead," Jiang Fann remarked.
"I'll take the lead," he continued. "I can see certain things with my special sight. Wan, you should walk behind me. It's not safe for you to be at the back."
Wan Chengfeng didn't object, trusting Jiang Fann's abilities, knowing they were at least on par with his own.
Jiang Fann gripped the Sun Thunder Pearl and activated his special sight, scanning the surroundings. He noticed a peculiar energy in the forest, like an invisible, odorless mist. Without his special sight, it would have been impossible to detect.
Using his knowledge of medicine, Jiang Fann began absorbing this energy. He frowned slightly, gathered some herbs from the ground, and started crafting a remedy on the spot.
As Jiang Fann worked, Fang Xiang suddenly felt dizzy and nearly collapsed, but Wan Chengfeng caught him just in time.
"This place is filled with a colorless, odorless poison mist," Jiang Fann explained. "He's been poisoned. Your strength is high enough to hold out a bit longer. Don't worry, I'll have the antidote ready soon."
Wan Chengfeng considered using his own energy to shield Fang Xiang from the poison's effects but paused at Jiang Fann's reassurance.
"It's useless. The toxic miasma has merged with the surrounding spiritual energy. Unless you stop breathing or using your spiritual strength, you'll be affected. But I've crafted these pills to solve that problem."
Since the pills weren't of high quality, it only took about ten minutes to finish making them. Jiang Fann immediately took one and placed it under the tongue of Fang Xiang, who was not yet fully unconscious, advising, "Just keep it under your tongue. No need to swallow."
With the pill's power, Fang Xiang's complexion improved significantly within a few minutes. Wan Chengfeng also took one. Although Jiang Fann was immune to all poisons, he took one as a precaution. They divided the remaining three pills among themselves for future use.
Once Fang Xiang's breathing steadied, the three of them continued their journey. Although still uneasy, at least the toxic miasma no longer affected them.
The forest was home to many poisonous creatures, posing a significant risk to ordinary practitioners. However, under the influence of Jiang Fann's medicine arts, those creatures dared not approach. His skills proved invaluable here.
By evening, they still hadn't reached the location marked by the Sun Thunder Pearl, nor did they know how far it was. As the sky darkened, Jiang Fann glanced through the gaps in the dense canopy and suggested to the others, "We don't know what the night holds in this restricted area. Let's find a place to rest for the night and set out again at first light."
"Alright!"
The two didn't refuse, and the three of them quickly settled under a nearby rock. With the rock at their backs, there weren't many directions to worry about. Once they stopped, Jiang Fann didn't waste any time. He immediately pulled out some materials and began setting up a formation right there.
First, he arranged a defensive formation, then followed it with a concealment formation to hide their presence. This double layer of protection was meant to ensure their safety.