17 Dragon and Phoenix 6 (1/2)

In the lower realm, a certain man was holding two rings strung together by a necklace chain. His beautiful face had an unreadable expression as he gripped the two rings, before putting them back on around his neck. He closed his eyes, starting to cultivate again. A few more years, and he would be able to ascend. Perhaps by then, this unexplainable emotion in his heart would have already disappeared.

Meanwhile, the group cleaned up camp and continued their treasure hunt. In the end, they really did search every valley of the mountain range's southern half. They were only looking for something that stood out to them as out of place, or something that could potentially be used to hide treasures. Yin Mei only knew that the entrance to the hidden city that contained the treasures was a small passageway hidden by an illusion barrier. Yao Ling hadn't been able to see through the illusions barrier, but only coincidentally flew in there when she had been hit by a demon beast.

She was worried that not even they would be able to see through the illusion barrier, as it was a relic from the golden ages. Among their group members, Mao Mao and Gui Neng were the most skilled in illusions. Yin Mei could also be considered decently knowledgeable, since Feng Hua had been studying a little into illusion techniques, but she couldn't be compared to Mao Mao or Gui Neng. Perhaps she should have brought someone from the Qilin clan along, since they excelled in seeing through illusions, but since the Qilin clan didn't have any females of their generation, Yin Mei wasn't close to anyone from their clan. To top it off, Gui Neng didn't like that person from the Qilin clan (this relationship between the two of them was a bit complicated, but Feng Hua, who was oddly perceptive, thought that the eldest young master of the Qilin clan might like Gui Neng, but that was just her personal guess).

”Phew, so there was nothing here either.” Yin Mei said as they finished searching the nth valley. The mountain range was truly way too large, and the number of valleys to search seemed unending.

”We probably can't continue like this, or we'll be here for months.” Yao Lan said as they started moving toward the next valley.

”But this fog is blocking most search techniques. Can it be dispelled?” Hu Rong looked around. She felt that by the time they exited, purple would become her least favorite color.

Yao Lan shook her head, also not knowing of a way to dispel the fog.

Mao Mao tried manipulating the wind to blow away the fog, but new fog would quickly fill in the places where she had blown away the old fog. ”God, this fog is so persistent.” Mao Mao said in frustration, her tail waving flicking back and forth in irritation.

”Maybe we can find and destroy the source of the fog?” Yin Mei suddenly suggested after thinking. ”A mysterious fog like this would probably have a source, right?”

”You're right. It could be a formation, or maybe a naturally formed treasure.” Yao Yan said. ”The problem would be finding the source.”

”No, that might be easier. Let's try following the air flow.” Mao Mao said, lifting her head up slightly as her ears twitched a little. ”When I was manipulating the wind earlier, I could sense that the air flow was slightly odd. I didn't think much of it until you mentioned a source though.”

The group followed Mao Mao for a long time, toward the center of the mountain range, seemingly retracing their former steps. Before long, they arrived at what looked to be a complex protection formation with thick fog swirling around it, hiding what was inside.

”I've never seen a protection formation like this before,” Yao Lan said, her eyes studying the formation.

Yin Mei guessed that it must be from the golden age. That being said, knowing that wasn't particularly helpful.

”Should we brute force our way in?” Hu Rong said, already seeming to prepare to do so.

Yin Mei thought that if this really was from the golden age, trying to brute force it would only waste their energy. She got closer, studying the formation. If she got too close, an invisible wall would stop her in her tracks. The closer she was, the thicker the fog.

”It's in seal script...” Yin Mei would be mildly frustrated, but she was grateful that Bai Yu had studied seal script to study talismans and formations. If not, then she wouldn't be able to read this formation at all. ”Wow, to actually achieve this sort of balance... the delicacy of this...” Yin Mei continued muttering her admiration as she studied the formation like a crazy person.

”Feng Hua?” Hu Rong, who still had her saber half drawn, was feeling unsure whether she should continue or leave Yin Mei to study it.

”Just let her study it.” Yao Lan answered, but she was also studying it. She didn't have too much knowledge in formations, but she had to admit that this formation was very well done, that it made even a layman like her sigh in admiration. As for the Gui siblings, who were fairly skilled in the art of talismans and formations, they were already absorbed in studying it like Yin Mei. Even if they couldn't figure out the trick to turning it off, it was a good learning opportunity.

Like this, several days passed. The others became so bored that they wandered around to randomly battle demon beasts as the Gui siblings and Yin Mei continued on their quest of solving this difficult problem.

”I got it! I got it!” Yin Mei suddenly shouted excitedly, not knowing how much time had passed. ”Huh? Where is everyone else?” She asked, realizing that it was only her and the Gui siblings here right now.

”Let's first deactivate the formation,” Gui Neng said, showing no care toward their other friends.

”Oh, right.” Yin Mei nodded. She placed her hand on a certain location of the invisible wall, her hand slow and peaceful as she slowly pushed, until it actually slipped through, disappearing. She soon brought it back, holding a piece of rock with seals engraved all over it. ”What an odd formation core.” Yin Mei said, as the formation powered down and the invisible wall disappeared. She decided to keep it for now, placing it into her storage ring. Because the others weren't here, the three decided to go in without them for now. Even without the others, they could still take care of themselves.

”Gui Heng, you be careful. You don't have a lot of fighting experience, so stay behind us,” Yin Mei said in a sisterly tone.

Gui Heng scowled, but didn't say anything. If he retorted, his sister would definitely attach some vengeful ghost on him when they got home.

”Is this the source of the fog?” Yin Mei said, barely able to see a few feet in front of her when she spotted a large amethyst placed on a pedestal, the light purple fog rushing out of it. ”What an interesting item.” There wasn't any information about it in the system, so she was totally clueless about its origins. But it was definitely something out of the ordinary, no matter how one looked at it. ”Let's take it for now.” She put it into her storage ring. Although the fog still remained, it slowly grew thinner. Now, if Mao Mao used her wind abilities, the fog should probably completely clear.

Yin Mei didn't really care if there wasn't any fog, as long as they looted all of the treasures of the city first. Then even if people swarmed over here looking for something, they wouldn't find anything of worth.

”Mao Mao, try clearing away the fog now,” Yin Mei communicated with Mao Mao using a voice transmission talisman.