With Yuan Supreme's assistance, Lin Qian and his group reached Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley in no time. Within half a cup of tea's worth of time, they had already arrived at the valley.
As their light traces disappeared, Yuan Supreme and Lin Qian appeared atop a cliff, gazing out at Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley.
Just as Yuan Supreme had described before, from the outside, the valley indeed looked like a small and unremarkable ravine.
At the entrance of the valley, however, there was a dense crowd, bustling with people. Soul warriors from all directions were flying in, descending in front of the valley's entrance.
Clearly, the opening of Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley was a grand event. At least the nearby forces had sent people to participate.
After all, the valley was a treasure trove filled with great opportunities. Various precious medicinal herbs could be obtained there.
But the valley was also extremely dangerous. Anyone whose cultivation had not reached the Life and Death Realm entering would simply be courting death.
"Young Lord, this is as far as I can take you," Yuan Supreme said softly as he gazed at the valley before them. "If I do anything further, it would violate our ancestral oath. The punishment would be death, and if I fall, no one would be able to stand against the elders of the alien races. I hope you understand."
"No problem, I completely understand," Lin Qian nodded gently, acknowledging Yuan Supreme's predicament. "Yuan Elder, there is no need to worry. Please return to look after my grandfather. In case of any unexpected issues, you'll be there to handle things."
Lin Qian then focused his gaze on Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley. "I can handle things here on my own."
Yuan Supreme gave Lin Qian a deep look before nodding. "In that case, I'll take my leave."
With that, Yuan Supreme transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the distant horizon.
Now alone on the cliff, Lin Qian gazed out at the valley.
After Yuan Supreme departed, Lin Qian knew that everything from here on would depend on himself—and his Hua Xia Empire.
Shadowy figures and swift, breeze-like forms began moving stealthily, advancing toward Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley from various angles. Meanwhile, numerous reconnaissance beasts lurked in the shadows, slowly spreading out.
As the tactical map of Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley became clearer, Lin Qian took a step forward, descending from the cliff. Just as he was about to land, his body halted mid-air, and he gently floated down to the forest floor below, walking forward steadily.
Moving through the forest at a measured pace, Lin Qian sent out more scouting beasts while Ji Feng and Ye Ying closed in on the valley, their clothing and appearances shifting in an instant, blending seamlessly into the crowd near the valley's entrance.
Simultaneously, various figures and parts began to materialize, being transported to hidden locations for assembly and deployment.
In front of the valley, the soul warriors had set up numerous camps, making the scene resemble a bustling market.
Through Ji Feng and Ye Ying's perspectives, Lin Qian could clearly see that the entire camp was filled with soul warriors selling all sorts of medicinal herbs, with the thick aroma of herbs permeating the air.
On the stalls before the soul warriors, a variety of herbs were laid out, ranging in quality and age, all of which appeared to be in excellent condition.
In addition to herbs, many soul warriors were also selling rare and valuable seeds of medicinal plants.
After all, Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley housed a myriad of environments suitable for different medicinal plants to grow and thrive, with accelerated growth rates.
Thus, rare or valuable herb seeds were especially prized and sold at high prices.
As Lin Qian observed, more soul warriors entered and exited the valley. It was clear that none of them emerged unscathed, with many bearing wounds. This showed that the valley was far from a place where one could let their guard down.
Furthermore, Lin Qian spotted members of the Yun Clan. Near the entrance of the valley, several individuals clad in blue-and-white Yun robes stood vigilantly, keeping a close eye on the valley's entrance.
It was clear that their purpose was to prevent Lin Di and Yun Yunyan from escaping undetected.
By now, Lin Qian had already reached the camp area. As he approached the valley's entrance, he casually chewed on a skill jade, which caused his appearance to gradually change.
In a few moments, Lin Qian's face had transformed into the visage of his previous life.
Around him, the soul warriors were engrossed in their own affairs, bargaining over their goods. Their attention was entirely focused on their transactions, and none paid any mind to the altered Lin Qian.
As Lin Qian neared the valley entrance, he nonchalantly passed by the Yun Clan members.
Some of the Yun Clan guards cast a passing glance at Lin Qian as he walked by but quickly returned their focus to the valley entrance.
For them, capturing Lin Di and Yun Yunyan was of utmost importance. They could not afford any distractions.
The only reason some of them even looked at Lin Qian was because he had simply walked a little too close. To them, he was just an ordinary young man, not worth any particular attention.
Little did they know that the young man who had just passed them was none other than Lin Qian, the very son of Lin Di and Yun Yunyan, the one they had been desperately searching for.
If they had captured Lin Qian, they could have used him to force Lin Di and Yun Yunyan to surrender.
But alas, there were no "ifs." Lin Qian had already entered Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley through the main entrance.
Other soul warriors were also rushing into the valley alongside him.
Lin Qian could clearly feel that as he moved forward, the spatial fluctuations around him grew increasingly distorted.
Once he had fully entered the valley, the scenery before him suddenly opened up.
He now stood on a mountain slope, the valley entrance behind him like a massive gorge cleaved into the mountain range.
Before him stretched an endless expanse of dense forest, with towering trees so massive that even ten people couldn't wrap their arms around one trunk. The canopy was so vast that each leaf could easily cover a house. Though the spiritual energy inside the valley wasn't much denser than outside, it was tinged with a rich herbal fragrance. Inhaling deeply, Lin Qian felt an invigorating comfort spread through his body.
"Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley... Father, Mother, your son is here to rescue you. Hang in there," Lin Qian thought to himself, gazing at the strange beauty of the valley ahead.