Chapter 61 – Bloodmist Valley (2/2)
“Bloodmist Valley!” Lin Zi Yan felt Ye Wei’s enthusiasm and surprise and therefore answered immediately.
“Blood what?” Ye Wei frowned as the name did not ring any bells.
“It is to the north of Frozen Sun City, deep inside the Red Wolf Mountains.” Lin Zi Yan explained, “About half a month ago, the Lee family of Frozen Sun City sent their youngsters to train in the mountains, and when they went past Bloodmist Valley they found some Welkin Leaves trimmings.”
“And what happened to them?” Ye Wei couldn’t wait for Lin Zi Yan to finish.
“The Lee family sold them to an anonymous Runemaster for one point eight million silver. The transaction was kept on the down low, and that’s all the information my source could find unfortunately.” Lin Zi Yan frowned and said in a slightly regretful tone.
“Okay.” Ye Wei digested what he heard then nodded. ‘If he bought it for that price, I don’t think he would resell it for a profit. Needless to say the Runemaster would be nowhere to be found anyway…’
“I will go to Bloodmist Valley!” Ye Wei took a deep breath and said to Lin Zi Yan, his determination was audible.
Although Ye Wei had no idea where it was, he was ready to go through the gates of hell for his cousin whom he owed his life to without a word of complaint.
“I have a beast carriage ready for us.” Ye Wei’s hasty decision was all within Lin Zi Yan’s calculation. Proud of her prediction and entertained by Ye Wei’s hotheadedness, she chuckled.
“Zi Yan… You can’t go!” Ye Wei frowned, he did not want to rely on Zi Yan when it came to family business. He was too prideful and felt that he owed her enough already.
“If I don’t tag along, it will take you a very long time to locate Bloodmist Valley!” Lin Zi Yan smiled at Ye Wei with a light blush. “Just let me help you as kind of a repayment!”
Ye Wei didn’t understand she seemed so happy. A few days ago the tension between them was unbearable. He nodded and said, “You’re right, I appreciate your help.”
“Let’s get ready!” Lin Zi Yan said lightheartedly as she proceeded to help Ye Wei pack then led him out of the house.
A horned elephant carriage was waiting outside, and they quickly boarded and headed off.
Frozen Sun City was a city located to the west of Green Moon City. It was way larger and more populated than Ye Wei’s hometown. When the carriage drove past the busy streets of the big city, Ye Wei was amused by the view and the people.
They went off road at the north end of the city into the wilderness and passed through the mountains. As they got closer to their destination the red mist was thickening. The mist was constantly changing shape from one second to the next and it smelled a little like blood.
‘We will be there soon…’ Lin Zi Yan slowed the beast down before they were spotted by other travellers as she did not wish to draw too much attention.
After arriving, they got off the carriage and walked towards Bloodmist Valley. Ye Wei could hear chattering noises in front of him, and he quietly walked ahead of Lin Zi Yan. He spotted a large group of tents on the flat ground far ahead. ‘Why are all these people here?’
Lin Zi Yan could see Ye Wei was confused, “Bloodmist Valley is a very strange place. According to legends, it was the training ground for a very strong group of cultivators. They left a lot of treasures in there and they made the mist with a stance to keep people out of this place. The stronger one is, the more one will be hurt by the red mist. It is life-threatening for cultivators above Warrior level, and I’ve heard tales of condensed prime Warriors getting paralyzed by the mist long time ago when they discovered the place.” She told Ye Wei as she was looking at an old sheepskin map in her hand.
“See the thick mist over there? It gets thinner every few days, sometimes weeks, and when it does we will enter, but we will have to watch for the signs. When the mist starts thickening again, we will get out. People have found great treasures in there, but not all of them found their way back out of the thick mist…” Lin Zi Yan said as the two walked towards the edge of the valley. There were more than a hundred groups of people gathered close by where the thick mist was. The pair decided to wait near the others so they too could enter as soon as the mist dispersed.
Although they tried to keep a low profile, the beauty of Lin Zi Yan had the opposite effect. The cultivators couldn’t help but talk about the elegant girl who had just arrived. How she was dressed like someone important, and how lucky Ye Wei was to have her company.
“That’s a lot of people. They look like they know the valley well so they must be here for the treasures.” Ye Wei shared his concern with Lin Zi Yan, “We will have to act quickly and seize the chance before the herb is spotted by anyone else. I don’t want to miss this chance to save Cousin Zhong.” He clenched his fist with determination and took a couple of deep breaths, then went back to observing the ever changing mist.