Chapter 266 - 267: Pear Blossom Gully
Chapter 266: Chapter 267: Pear Blossom Gully
Translator: 549690339
No matter how many times it was trampled upon, no matter how much blood had seeped into it, the earth still lay covered with a lush green and yellow verdure, and occasionally one could even see a large swath of flowers that usually only appeared in spring and summer.
The Divine Green Holy Dragon flapped its enormous wings, its bright feathers making it resemble a sacred azure phoenix soaring high in the clear autumn sky, exuding a sense of majesty and dominance.
Zhu Minglang looked down at the ground and saw many monsters roaming about.
The tea-colored ground was perennially covered with lush grass, and though there were no large rivers, it was dotted with countless streams and ponds. Herds of wild cattle and sheep could be seen everywhere, and depending on these wild animals for food, an abundance of demon spirits flourished, especially in the area near Pear Blossom Gully where the terrain was complex and variable, and the types of creatures dwelling there were diverse.
From small animals like rabbits, squirrels, and mountain deer to large ones like evil dragons, demon kings, and demon lords, one could say that a complete food chain had been established.
This also meant that whether it was an ordinary hunter, farmer, or woodcutter or someone possessing unique skills like a Dragon Shepherd or a God and Mortal, they could find what they wanted here.
Originally, Zhu Minglang had planned to look for clues to the Dragon Caverns, wanting to plunder some to maintain his wealth, but he had heard that Pear Blossom Gully itself was a treasure trove, which made him even more interested.
As long as it was not a long-distance flight, the Divine Green Holy Dragon’s stamina could still hold.
But upon arriving at Pear Blossom Gully, flying carelessly was no longer an option.
After all, without understanding these towering mountains, who knew whether a confrontation with some ancient creature or a Holy Spirits level being would happen, something Zhu Minglang presently might find somewhat challenging.
Following the twisting stream, they began their journey into the depths of Pear Blossom Gully.
After half a day’s journey, Zhu Minglang finally understood why the rich Pear Blossom Gully was seldom visited and yet remained unscathed despite the iron hooves of the four countries…
The mountain paths were too complex, and one could easily fall into a bottomless cave, a poison valley, or an undercurrent. An army simply could not enter Pear Blossom Gully, and even those familiar with the paths would likely get lost within these countless twisting gullies!
Pear Blossom Gully indeed had a sense of isolation from the world. Any cries for help they sent to the outside world were futile; how could anyone come if they couldn’t even find the way to Pear Blossom Gully?
Fortunately, Hu Bailing knew the way.
She had ventured into Pear Blossom Gully more than once as a child, where she had a playmate. Though they had not seen each other for many years, their bond remained deep.
She led Zhu Minglang and the others over countless mountains, through numerous subterranean rivers within caves, and some tunnels were even between the mountains, hidden within dense vine valleys so tight that no gap was visible. Zhu Minglang’s concern now was not about Mourning Dragons, but rather how to make his way back…
“Pear Blossom Gully is just ahead,” panted Hu Bailing, who also seemed out of breath.
“That’s the fourth time I’ve heard you say that,” Zhu Minglang said with a wry smile.
Night was approaching, and Zhu Minglang, feeling tired, was considering stopping to rest when he vaguely saw lights at the far end of the valley ahead.
Zhu Minglang hurried to a spot with a clearer view and saw countless village lights intertwining into a spectacular pool of stars, reflecting against the stars in the sky, creating stunning beauty amid the dusky mountain scenery.
At last, they had arrived!
Zhu Minglang and the others hastened their steps toward the First Mountain Village of Pear Blossom Gully.
Approaching the village gates, trees as thick as ancient pines were bound tightly together with enormous vine ropes to form a rather sturdy gate, blocking the gently ascending path, and on both sides rose cliffs and precipices, adorned with snowy pear trees…
The scale of this gate, Zhu Minglang would have believed it if he had been told it was a fortress!
It was surprising that this semi-secluded tribe had erected such a formidable wall. It was clear that they weren’t guarding against greedy armies from various countries but against terrifying creatures that, like them, dwelled in this treasure-filled mountain!
“Who goes there?” challenged a young man wearing a beast-fur hat from atop the towering wooden fortification.
“We’re from Runyu City, we were given a rescue mission and have come to assist you in exterminating the Mourning Dragon,” Hu Bailing called out loudly.
“We’ll open a crack in the door, hurry in. The Mourning Dragon is nearby, watching us,” said the young man with the beast-fur cap.
The massive door didn’t slowly pull open; instead, the plants wound around the top seemed to be controlled by something, as they slowly unraveled enough to create a gap wide enough for one person to pass through.
Zhu Minglang was actually somewhat puzzled. While walking through the area just now, he hadn’t sensed any dragon presence—in fact, he found these mountains rather quiet, devoid even of the self-proclaimed Demon Spirits and Demon Spirits that usually lurked around …
Normally, a group of people moving through such deep mountains would attract the attention of some cannibalistic monsters.
But this wasn’t right!
The absence of roaming monsters was in fact not a good sign!
It meant that the weaker monsters realized that in this area there was a more dangerous creature, which was why they dared not come out to hunt!
A slit appeared in the huge wooden gate, letting some firelight spill out.
Just then, under the dim cliffs, a pair of greedy, malicious eyes suddenly lit up, like a fierce beast that had always been lurking in a spot, just waiting for its prey to pass by it.
Its eyes, fixedly staring at the crack of the door, seemed to see an endless supply of food inside; the rolling evil Qi and hostility hit like a violent storm sweeping over!
“Get in quickly!!”
The young man in the beast-fur cap shouted loudly.
Zhu Minglang was last in line, and the others had quickly passed through the gap in the vines of the wooden door, but when it was his turn to step through, Zhu Minglang found that the vines were rapidly growing and entwining, closing the door tightly!
“There’s one more person,” Fang Niannian called out angrily from inside.
Nan Yuso was about to go back when she realized that the wooden door was completely sealed shut.
“I’ll go save him, but under no circumstances should the door be opened!” At this moment, the youth above spoke up.
“How can it not be opened, the guy is still so far away.”
“The Mourning Dragon’s breath carries a toxin that is harmless to people but highly polluting to water sources,” said Hu Bailing at this time.
“Don’t worry about me; I’ll take a moment to deal with this Mourning Dragon,” Zhu Minglang’s voice came through the thick wall.
“The one up high, no need to come down; the one outside is our City Lord, his strength is formidable,” Hu Bailing said.
“Strong? It seems you know nothing about these Mourning Dragons.”
Outside the mountain village wall, Zhu Minglang stood under the gate, finding the Mourning Dragon wasn’t as immense as he imagined; its size was only comparable to an ordinary mountain tiger.
But it’s precisely such creatures that pose the greatest threat to humans.
Moreover, Zhu Minglang had one point of confusion.
This creature was clearly hiding under the cliff, and they had even passed close to its hiding spot just now, so why had it managed to escape his perception?
Nan Yuso didn’t discover it either.
And to think, both of their cultivation bases were at the Monarch Level!