Upon entering Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley, Lin Qian gazed at the lush forest ahead. Towering ancient trees stood tall, as majestic as mountain ranges, creating an awe-inspiring sight.
These massive ancient trees continuously absorbed and exhaled spiritual energy, purifying the atmosphere and making the surrounding spiritual energy even denser and more refined. Any impurities lingering in the air were absorbed by these enormous trees and transformed into pure nutrients, which the trees used for their own growth.
These so-called impurities were residual energies left behind after soul warriors engaged in combat, or other miscellaneous forces scattered in the environment.
For soul warriors, these chaotic energies were useless, but for the spiritual trees, they were incredibly rich nutrients.
Upon arriving in the valley, Lin Qian didn't rush to delve deeper. Instead, he scouted along the edge of the valley, searching for a secluded and rarely visited area.
Once he found a suitable spot, Lin Qian deployed his scouting beasts and sent Ji Feng and Ye Ying deeper into the valley to explore. Meanwhile, he settled atop one of the giant spiritual trees.
These trees were so massive that their branches were as wide as highways. Lin Qian sat on one of the thick branches, resting as he waited for results.
Just as Yuan Supreme had mentioned earlier, from the outside, Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley looked like a small valley. But once inside, it felt like stepping into another world, vast and boundless.
The valley's terrain was complex, and it was filled with all sorts of people—both good and bad, with various factions competing for resources.
Members of the Yun Clan were also present, searching for his parents. If Lin Qian were to charge in recklessly, it would only waste time.
It was better to plan carefully and act later. Lin Qian chose to wait for the results from the scouting beasts, Ji Feng, and Ye Ying before making his move.
Sitting cross-legged on the tree branch, Lin Qian entered a meditative state, quietly awaiting favorable news.
Time passed slowly, and a full month had gone by. Lin Qian opened his eyes, coming out of his meditation.
By now, several soul warriors had gathered around the spiritual tree where Lin Qian sat.
They had noticed Lin Qian meditating without any apparent defense, thinking they could kill him and steal whatever treasures he might have.
However, as they prepared to act, Ye Ying, who was always lurking nearby, swiftly appeared behind them, silently piercing their hearts and dantian before vanishing again, continuing to protect his emperor from the shadows.
"Strange... Why can't I find any trace of Father and Mother?" Lin Qian murmured to himself, frowning as he emerged from his meditative state.
Over the course of a month, every corner of Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley had been meticulously scouted.
All the valley's unique terrains and the individuals moving within it had been mapped on Lin Qian's tactical map.
Even the Yun Clan members active in the valley had been observed and tracked. Despite their frantic searching, they, too, were unable to find any sign of Lin Di or Yun Yunyan.
"Father and Mother's hiding skills are truly impressive. Even with the Hua Xia Empire's scouting beasts, Ji Feng, and Ye Ying all searching, we haven't managed to find them," Lin Qian remarked, rather impressed than frustrated by the result. His parents were clearly highly skilled at evading detection.
"Perhaps the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager are indeed within the valley, but maybe Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley itself contains some kind of hidden world," a voice echoed in Lin Qian's mind—Zhuge Ming, his trusted strategist.
"Your Majesty, I dare to speculate that there may be a hidden world within the valley, where the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager are currently hiding."
Zhuge Ming's analysis made Lin Qian nod thoughtfully. "The Prime Minister's reasoning makes sense. It seems I won't be able to find them directly. The only option now is to cause some commotion and draw them to me."
"Your Majesty... what are you planning to do?" Zhuge Ming's voice held a note of concern, sensing something troublesome in Lin Qian's tone. "Please don't act impulsively, Your Majesty."
"Impulsive? What's there to be impulsive about?" Lin Qian chuckled, his tone casual. "As the old saying goes, if you don't take risks, nothing will happen. But sometimes, to make things happen, you have to stir the pot a bit. Don't worry, Zhuge Ming, I'll take care of myself."
With that, Lin Qian's appearance returned to its original form, the face that belonged to him in this lifetime.
Then, without hesitation, Lin Qian leaped into the air, flying deeper into Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley, with the hidden Ji Feng and Ye Ying quickly emerging to follow him.
Half an hour later, Lin Qian arrived at the Spring Vitality Area of the valley.
This area was home to medicinal herbs known for their life-restoring and vitality-boosting properties.
A soul warrior named Zhao Yishuang stood before Lin Qian, his face full of bitterness as he watched the young man in front of him grasp the spirit herb he had painstakingly found.
Zhao Yishuang was over a hundred years old and had only reached the first stage of the Awakening Realm. He never expected the young man before him to be so powerful.
With just one move, Lin Qian had subdued him, and now Zhao Yishuang was filled with dread, fearful that the young man might kill him at any moment.
He was at the mercy of Lin Qian, utterly helpless.
"Look at my face. Remember it well," Lin Qian said seriously, pointing at his own face as he addressed Zhao Yishuang.
Zhao Yishuang's expression darkened, and he let out a bitter laugh. "What, so I can come find you for revenge in my next life?"
"Do as I say. Have you remembered my face?" Lin Qian asked impatiently, ignoring Zhao Yishuang's remark.
Trapped with no other choice, Zhao Yishuang could only nod. "Yes, I've remembered it."
"Good. I am Lin Qian, son of Lin Di and Yun Yunyan, the ones being hunted by the Yun Clan. Did you remember that?" Lin Qian said, watching Zhao Yishuang carefully to ensure he understood.
Hearing this, Zhao Yishuang was momentarily stunned. He had heard of the Yun Clan's pursuit of Lin Di and Yun Yunyan in the valley, but he never imagined that the powerful young man before him was their son.
Still dazed, Zhao Yishuang nodded again.
"Good. Here, take your spirit herb back. Sorry for the trouble," Lin Qian said, handing the herb back to Zhao Yishuang. "If you can, spread the word that I'm here. The more people who know, the better. Consider this a gift from me."
With that, Lin Qian turned and flew away, leaving Zhao Yishuang standing there, dumbfounded, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.