In the vast forest, a fierce wind swept through, causing the sea of trees to form waves, rumbling like the tides and spreading throughout the mountain range. Suddenly, the sound of breaking wind echoed in the sky, and three black figures flashed from afar, stopping in the air and scanning the area below.
Having not returned to this place for many years, due to some changes in the terrain, the location of the small valley seemed to have shifted slightly. This caused Xiao Yan to waste a lot of time searching. His gaze slowly swept over the dense forest below, and soon, his eyes lit up. He flapped his fire wings and flew towards an area between several mountain peaks. After a brief inspection, Medusa and Zi Yan followed closely behind.
Moments later, Xiao Yan appeared in the middle of the sky above the mountains. He took a deep breath and, despite the great distance, could still smell a rich, sweet fragrance. “The medicinal scent here is stronger than it was back then. It seems this truly is a treasure trove,” he said with delight, waving to Medusa and Zi Yan before flying down into the valley.
As he slowly descended, a putrid gust carrying a sharp force suddenly shot towards him. Xiao Yan frowned and flicked his finger, releasing a powerful jade green Dou Qi that collided heavily with the shadow.
“Chirp!” The black shadow let out a pained cry and quickly retreated. Upon closer inspection, Xiao Yan saw it was a pitch-black, two-winged magic beast. Though it had been driven back, the creature did not leave but hovered in the air, emitting threatening cries.
“I didn’t expect a fourth-level magic beast to appear here. Was it attracted by the rare herbs in the valley?” Xiao Yan muttered, shaking his head and ignoring the beast. With a move, he turned into a black shadow and flew towards the valley.
Seeing this, the magic beast’s eyes turned red. It flapped its wings and charged directly at Xiao Yan. “Scram!” Xiao Yan’s foot gently touched the ground, and with a wave of his sleeve, a powerful force struck the beast, causing many feathers to fall off.
“Squeak!” The creature panicked, flapping its wings and flying high, but remaining in the air, circling ominously.
After scaring away the annoying beast, Xiao Yan scanned the valley, only to hear low growls. More agile shadows emerged, revealing a group of ferocious, green beasts with a fierce aura. They surrounded Xiao Yan, much to his surprise. “Fourth-level Wind Panther Beasts? They can’t fly, so how did they enter the valley? And why are there so many of them?”
While Xiao Yan pondered, two figures, Medusa and Zi Yan, joined him. “Hehe, this is a great place. I didn’t expect such a small area to have so many precious materials. The energy density here is also much higher than outside,” Zi Yan grinned, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Her ability to sense these materials was unique, even to Xiao Yan.
Medusa’s cool glance swept over the Wind Panther Beasts, and she coldly commanded, “Get lost!” Her voice, filled with an unusual pressure, caused the beasts’ eyes to show fear. After struggling, they finally withdrew, retreating slowly.
“Even under my pressure, these fourth-level beasts managed to resist for a moment. Something seems strange,” Medusa murmured, her brow furrowed. Her power should be enough to make even higher-level beasts flee, yet these ones resisted before leaving.
“Before, there were no beasts here. It seems this place has become dangerous,” Xiao Yan mused, heading deeper into the valley where he remembered a small thatched hut once stood. Medusa and Zi Yan followed cautiously, her unease growing.
After walking for about ten minutes, they reached the deep part of the valley. The thatched hut, undamaged by the years, remained in place. Xiao Yan’s gaze lingered, recalling the events of the past and the girl in white, who was no longer there.
Regaining his composure, Xiao Yan approached the hut, but more angry roars and flashing figures surrounded it. Realizing something was wrong, Xiao Yan’s smile faded. “Could someone else have discovered this place?” he thought, his brows tightening.
“These little pests are really annoying. Let me handle them!” Zi Yan, fed up with the threatening roars, stepped forward, her eyes glowing with purple light, exuding a unique pressure. Unlike Medusa’s, it felt as if it came from her blood and soul.
Xiao Yan and Medusa, feeling the pressure, exchanged glances, both surprised. Under the pressure, the beasts yelped and scampered away, tails between their legs. Zi Yan proudly raised her face towards Xiao Yan, who smiled in response.
Approaching the hut, Xiao Yan’s hand, hidden in his sleeve, revealed a flickering green flame. “Be careful,” Medusa whispered behind him.
Nodding, Xiao Yan carefully reached for the door, but Medusa, her face pale, rushed forward and grabbed his hand. “There’s a potent poison on the door,” she warned, her expertise in poisons making her more sensitive to it.
Xiao Yan’s expression changed, and he drew back, his eyes scanning the area. It seemed the valley had indeed changed hands. Medusa’s eyes narrowed, her fingers crackling with colorful energy, ready for any contingency. “Be careful,” Xiao Yan said, pulling Zi Yan closer. He looked at the hut, his eyes narrowing, and with a flick of his sleeve, a burst of wind blew the door open.
The hut was empty. “Don’t go in. The people here seem extremely skilled with poisons, and the toxicity is very strong. Even with your strength, it would be troublesome,” Medusa cautioned, eyeing the empty hut.
Xiao Yan nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings. “If you don’t show yourself, I’ll destroy this valley now!” he declared, his voice echoing loudly.
Silence fell, and then a hoarse voice, seemingly out of nowhere, spoke, “Destroy this place, and you three will stay here forever.”
Xiao Yan and Medusa spun around, their eyes landing on a figure cloaked in black, standing on a distant cliff.
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