Chapter 383: Chapter 218: The Valley
Returning to the mouth of the cave, he moved the stone back into place, then led the Mole Beast to a clearing not far from the small waterfall.
Cheng Zongyang took out a gold ingot, a silver ingot, and two Red Blood Pills.
After having the Mole Beast eat the two Red Blood Pills, he placed the gold and silver in front of it. "Take a sniff," he said. "If you can find this, I’ll give you thirty Red Blood Pills."
"Hmph, hmph." After eating the Red Blood Pills, the Mole Beast let out a cheerful grunt, which surprised Cheng Zongyang.
This was the first time he had heard such a reaction from the Mole Beast. But he was pleased; it meant that after its Grade was elevated, there was a chance it could gradually recover its original nature. As for whether it would revert to the nature of a mole or a Beastman, that remained to be seen.
Then, he watched as the Mole Beast repeatedly sniffed the two metals, gold and silver. Although Cheng Zongyang’s scent was on them, it would be no problem for the Mole Beast’s Super Senses to distinguish the different smells.
He had two goals for this trip. The first was to find a suitable location to set up an Illusion Array, laying the groundwork for the future appearance of the Soul Gathering Stele. The second was to have the Mole Beast search for Gold and Silver Ore on its own. He also planned to stay out in the wilderness for a few days before heading back.
The Mole Beast was a Two-and-a-Half Stars Level Exotic Beast; with its Talent and Ability, very few other Exotic Beasts could pose a threat to it.
Therefore, he decided to try letting the Mole Beast venture into the mountains alone to search for Gold and Silver Ore, while he himself would explore the Wilderness World.
"Go on, go find these two things. Once you’ve found them, wait for me here. Nod if you understand," Cheng Zongyang instructed, uncertain if it could actually comprehend what he was saying.
But, as it turned out, the Mole Beast actually nodded.
"Looks like these Red Blood Pills have a greater effect on you than I thought." Cheng Zongyang felt that both he and Zhang Jinquan had underestimated the Red Blood Pills’ effects. He never expected the Mole Beast to have such a reaction.
The Mole Beast would obey his commands, but it had never shown this kind of response before.
The reaction wasn’t huge, but it was a definite change from how it had been at the start.
’Could a Red Blood Pill that sells for so many Points really have such a simple effect?’ Cheng Zongyang couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt.
He thought about it for a moment and decided not to rush things. He would look into it later.
"Wait here for me. Don’t move."
With that, he entered the Wilderness World to prepare some Red Blood Pills.
To make it convenient for the Mole Beast to take them and eat, he got thirty pills from Zhang Jinquan’s pharmacy, placed them in a bamboo canister, and threaded a rope through it so it could be hung around the Mole Beast’s neck.
After emerging again, he demonstrated how it worked, had the Mole Beast crouch down, and hung the rope around its neck for it to try.
Once the beast figured out how to open it, he instructed, "Don’t eat more than five a day."
The Mole Beast paused for a moment before slowly nodding.
Cheng Zongyang then placed the small gold and silver ingots into the bamboo canister as well. "If you forget the scent, take these out for a sniff. And another thing—don’t leave the mountains!"
After the Mole Beast gave another affirmative nod, Cheng Zongyang sent it off on its search.
He smiled as he watched the Mole Beast’s large, powerful figure gradually vanish into the depths of Tianduan Mountain, pausing every so often to sniff the air.
Searching separately was far more efficient. The Mole Beast didn’t have to trail after him, but could instead follow its own powerful sense of smell. This would improve their efficiency and greatly increase their chances of finding what they were looking for.
Next, Cheng Zongyang ventured deeper into the Inner Mountain, searching for a special, treacherous location to place the Soul Gathering Stele and other items in the future.
The number of venomous creatures and insects in the mountains was astonishing. Even though he was protected by Seven Herbs Powder, countless snakes and bugs postured aggressively as he passed. They seemed both fearful and fearless, likely viewing his presence as an invasion of their territory.
Furthermore, the larger the venomous insects and snakes, the less they were affected by the Seven Herbs Powder.
But he paid them no mind. He took out a Geomagnetic Stone, and instantly, the common snakes and insects fell silent, as if their strength had been sapped away. They only began to recover after Cheng Zongyang was long gone.
Continuing his journey in fits and starts, Cheng Zongyang pushed deeper into the mountains. He made sure to collect any valuable Medicinal Materials or animals he encountered along the way.
As the sun began to set in the west, Cheng Zongyang arrived at the edge of a cliff.
Gazing at the beautiful scenery beyond the cliff edge, the suffocating feeling from his trek through the dense forest instantly dissipated.
He scanned the surrounding terrain and discovered that the area’s central zone was a valley, enclosed on all four sides by mountains.
"It looks magnificent, but who knows what dangers are hidden on the ground below," Cheng Zongyang muttered.
He had been fine on the journey thanks to the Geomagnetic Stone. But without the Geomagnetic Stone and the Seven Herbs Powder, even with his Sixth Grade Cultivation, he couldn’t have guaranteed his safety from the sneak attacks of those venomous creatures. There were always certain insects with special abilities that could target a Martial Artist’s skin.
’The dangers of the Wilderness World are probably far greater than those of Tianduan Mountain.’
With a sigh, Cheng Zongyang prepared to head down for a look. He still hadn’t found a place for the Soul Gathering Stele, and this cliff wasn’t suitable. The situation below, however, was worth investigating.
However, as he observed it again, he discovered that the color of the trees in the Central Region was slightly different from the surrounding foliage, and their height varied as well.
He wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t been looking closely.
Seeing this, Cheng Zongyang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
’Could that be where the fireball landed?’
A theory formed in his mind, and he took out a pair of binoculars to get a better look.
One look confirmed it. The area must have been struck by the fireball, with the vegetation having grown back since. And right in the center, there was still a clearing.
