With the Spirit Bone successfully distributed, the Soul Hunting mission had finally come to an end.
This expedition could be considered a massive success for everyone involved.
Dugu Bo had naturally gained the most. Not only had he obtained a suitable spirit ring, but his strength had also increased tremendously after absorbing the Medusa's abilities.
As for Yu Xiaogang and the others, although they had mostly acted as assistants during the hunt, their gains were far from small.
After all, winning the loyalty of a man who was almost guaranteed to become a Titled Douluo in the future was already a priceless reward for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
However, despite the successful completion of the mission, no one showed any intention of leaving immediately.
Especially Yu Xiaogang and Yu Yuanzhen.
Both of them were extremely interested in exploring the Medusa's lair.
Ever since their previous treasure-hunting experience, Yu Xiaogang had realized one important truth—
The Spirit Beast Forest contained countless hidden treasures and opportunities.
Many powerful Spirit Beasts guarded valuable resources within their territories, and some of those resources were so rare that even the greatest sects could spend years searching without success.
Now that they had successfully killed a ten-thousand-year Spirit Beast, it would almost feel like a waste if they simply left without investigating its nest.
"Elder Dugu," Yu Yuanzhen said while glancing toward him, "I'll have to trouble you to deal with these poisonous mists."
Dugu Bo immediately smiled confidently.
"Leave it to me."
"After absorbing the Medusa's spirit ring, these poisonous mists feel no different from ordinary air to me."
The confidence in his tone was obvious.
Soon afterward, everyone watched as Dugu Bo released his spirit power and manipulated the poisonous mist surrounding the area.
The dense fog slowly parted apart like a curtain being pushed open by invisible hands.
A hidden pathway gradually appeared before them.
At the end of the path was the entrance to a secluded valley.
Even before stepping inside, Yu Xiaogang suddenly paused.
A faint medicinal fragrance drifted through the air.
The moment he smelled it, his eyes lit up instantly.
Over the years, Yu Xiaogang had spent a great deal of time researching medicinal herbs.
At first, his interest had simply been connected to medicinal baths and various strengthening methods.
Later, after discovering special materials such as Whale Glue, he became increasingly interested in searching for hidden treasures whose true uses had yet to be uncovered.
In addition, after meeting Yue Guan—the Chrysanthemum Douluo—Yu Xiaogang had learned a considerable amount about flowers and medicinal herbs from him.
As a result, Yu Xiaogang was no longer an amateur when it came to the Dao of medicinal herbs.
The fragrance alone was enough for him to realize something incredible.
This valley definitely contained an enormous number of medicinal plants.
"Father!" Yu Xiaogang called excitedly. "Let's hurry inside and take a look. I think we're about to make another huge discovery!"
For perhaps the first time in a long while, Yu Xiaogang completely failed to hide his excitement.
The medicinal fragrance was simply too rich.
If the scent outside the valley was already this intense, then what kind of treasures were hidden within?
Even he could not imagine it clearly.
Yu Yuanzhen raised an eyebrow and glanced at his unusually excited son.
Unlike Yu Xiaogang, he knew almost nothing about medicinal herbs.
Normally, members of the clan specifically responsible for medicinal resources handled such matters for him.
However, seeing Yu Xiaogang become this excited naturally sparked his curiosity as well.
Whatever was hidden inside the poisonous mist was definitely extraordinary.
Following the path Dugu Bo opened through the mist, the group continued moving forward.
Gradually, the terrain began sloping downward.
It quickly became obvious that the valley was actually a giant basin hidden deep within the mountains.
The moment they entered the basin, Yu Xiaogang's sharp eyes immediately noticed a cluster of herbs growing near the roadside.
His breathing stopped for a moment.
"That… that's several-hundred-year-old Ginseng!"
He rushed forward in disbelief.
"And that Lingzhi mushroom… it's also several hundred years old?"
Yu Xiaogang's voice rose higher and higher with every word.
"Heavens! Snow Lotuses! There are so many Snow Lotuses here!"
The further he looked, the more shocked he became.
By the end, Yu Xiaogang looked completely dumbfounded.
He repeatedly rubbed his eyes and even pinched his own arm to confirm that he was not dreaming.
However, his reaction did not appear strange to anyone present.
Because at this moment, Yu Yuanzhen, the Grand Elder, Dugu Bo, and the others were all staring at the valley in exactly the same stunned manner.
Although Yu Yuanzhen lacked knowledge regarding medicinal herbs, he still recognized famous treasures such as Ginseng and Lingzhi.
After all, these herbs regularly appeared in high-level auctions.
And because he had seen them sold countless times before, he understood even more clearly just how unbelievable the current scene was.
Several-hundred-year-old Ginseng.
Several-hundred-year-old Lingzhi.
Treasures that normally caused bidding wars at auctions were growing here like ordinary weeds.
Snow Lotuses that countless wealthy families would desperately compete for were now spread across the ground in clusters.
And beyond those, there were countless other valuable herbs they could barely recognize.
Even someone as experienced and composed as Yu Yuanzhen found it difficult to remain calm.
The Grand Elder's reaction was even more exaggerated.
As the man responsible for handling much of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's finances, he understood the value of medicinal resources better than almost anyone else present.
Lin Lang, having risen from commoner origins, also knew exactly how precious these herbs were.
As for Dugu Bo, his knowledge of poisons naturally meant he possessed extensive understanding regarding medicinal plants as well.
Therefore, when the three of them saw the scene before them, they became even more excited than Yu Xiaogang himself.
Because this was only the outer edge of the valley.
If medicinal herbs already grew here like weeds…
Then what kind of treasures existed deeper inside?
The mere thought made their hearts race.
No one dared imagine it further.
After exchanging glances, the Grand Elder immediately spoke.
"Elder Dugu, seal the entrance again."
His tone was extremely serious.
"We absolutely cannot allow anyone else to enter this place before we fully investigate it."
Dugu Bo instantly nodded.
"Right! Right! We can't let outsiders discover this valley."
Only after being reminded did he finally snap out of his dazed state.
Without hesitation, he turned around and released poisonous mist once more, sealing the path they had just entered through.
Only then did the group continue deeper into the valley.
And the further they walked, the more shocked they became.
At first, they thought the medicinal herbs near the entrance were already enough to stun anyone speechless.
But after reaching deeper areas of the valley, they realized that was merely the beginning.
"Wait… is that a thousand-year-old Ginseng?!"
Yu Xiaogang nearly shouted himself hoarse.
"Heavens… a thousand-year-old Ginseng that hasn't transformed into a Plant-type Spirit Beast yet…"
"How much medicinal power must it contain?"
Not far away, Lin Lang stared blankly at another herb.
"That Cordyceps…"
"It's thicker than my forearm!"
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo suddenly trembled violently.
"Polar Snow Lotus!"
His voice was filled with disbelief.
"That's actually a Polar Snow Lotus!"
"I never thought I'd see such a treasure again in my lifetime…"
"And there are so many of them!"
Everyone felt as though they had gone insane.
What kind of blessed land was this?
Why were there so many high-grade medicinal herbs gathered in one place?
As they continued walking, exclamations of shock never stopped.
Every few steps, someone would discover another priceless treasure and freeze in place for a long time.
A journey of barely ten meters ultimately took them more than two hours to traverse.
And the deeper they went, the denser the medicinal herbs became.
The concentration of spiritual energy in the valley also grew richer and richer.
Finally, everyone came to a complete stop.
Before them stood an enormous curtain made entirely of Dendrobium.
The sight instantly left everyone speechless.
Normally, even a palm-sized piece of Dendrobium was already considered an extremely precious medicinal herb.
Yet now, massive strands of it hung together like an actual curtain.
The scene before them was so absurd that it felt unreal.
No matter how wild their imaginations were, none of them could have envisioned such a thing.
Yet the impossible was now standing directly before their eyes.
A rich medicinal fragrance drifted from the Dendrobium curtain.
Yu Xiaogang suddenly felt like laughing.
Dendrobium forming a curtain?
If someone else had told him such a story before today, he would have thought they were completely insane.
And yet…
Here it was.
Right in front of him.
However, Yu Xiaogang had a strong feeling that this curtain was not the end.
If anything, it was merely the entrance to the valley's true core.
He took a deep breath.
Then, suppressing the excitement in his heart, he stepped forward and carefully pushed through the Dendrobium curtain.
The moment he passed through it, a dazzling scene appeared before his eyes.
Brilliant red and blue lights illuminated the hidden space beyond.
Countless exotic flowers and precious herbs grew throughout the area, each one radiating dense spiritual energy.
Yu Xiaogang casually swept his gaze across the garden—
But that single glance instantly froze him in place.
His eyes widened.
His breathing stopped.
And for a long moment…
He could no longer look away.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)