Yet all of that paled in comparison to the token I ultimately beheld. What manner of thing was it, that even Tian Yunzi and Lord Ling Tian grew pale at its mere sight? Alas, too many secrets shroud this star of Tian Yun, secrets beyond my grasp. King Lin sighed, lost in contemplation.

“Enough,” he murmured, “these matters must unfold at their own pace, with no room for haste. My true form remains hidden upon that veiled world, unlikely to be discovered. Furthermore, the Ancient God Tu Si, dwelling within the Vermillion Bird’s Tomb, has only fastened upon this single sliver of my being, remaining ignorant of its multitude. I shall seize this decade hence, and elevate its strength, preparing it for the trials yet to come!”

Casting aside such thoughts, Wang Lin discovered that his ponderings had carried him countless leagues. Scrying with his divine sense, he still found naught of interest, the land remaining a desolate plain. Upon this plain, an unnatural stillness reigned. Within the reach of Wang Lin’s spirit, he was alone, without sign of other life.

Unperturbed, Wang Lin continued his flight.

Ten days trickled past, and as Wang Lin flew, a sudden flicker of awareness drew his gaze towards the distant horizon. With a single stride, his very being transformed, becoming as a shooting star, moving with a swiftness far surpassing his prior pace, and vanishing in an instant of teleportation.

Beyond the desolate plain lay a thick, ancient forest, a verdant tapestry woven from countless trees.

Deep within this emerald labyrinth, a lone figure lay prone. Bare-skinned for the most part, the man had adorned himself with the juice of plants, painting his skin with a faint green hue.

He remained motionless, his breath so shallow as to be almost nonexistent. Soon, he faded into the very fabric of the forest, his presence undetectable to the uninitiated.

After a time, the silence shattered. The rustle of undergrowth heralded the arrival of a beast, a creature akin to a boar, yet bearing the fangs of a hunting dog and exuding a palpable savagery.

Though its form resembled that of a wild pig, a palpable aura of bestial rage clung to it. Yet, despite its menacing aspect, no spiritual energy flowed within its veins.

The beast burst forth into the clearing, but as it did so, the motionless figure erupted from its hiding place. In the blink of an eye, a black, shafted weapon appeared in his grasp, its tip adorned with a blade that shimmered with an unholy light.

Moving with blinding speed, he thrust the spear at the charging beast. Surprised, the beast could only crash into it, shattering the spear and leaving the man only the blade, which he thrust into the neck of the beast.

The beast screamed in pain and threw its head, to no avail, and fell.

Wang Lin descended to the ground, his eyes fixed on the savage.

It was the first creature he had seen in ten days.

The man’s eyes finally became clouded and he fell, defeated. But then, with a start, he saw Wang Lin above him.

Wang Lin’s brows furrowed, his gaze fixed upon the hunter. Though the man possessed no spiritual energy, a profound and raw instinct thrummed within him, granting him an awareness that transcended mere sight.

Intrigued, Wang Lin solidified his form in the sky above, his gaze as cold as the void, fixed upon the man below.

The hunter, observing Wang Lin’s sudden manifestation, faltered for a moment. Rising to his feet, he stood atop the carcass of the beast, blade held aloft, and rasped in a voice like grinding stones, “Beast… mine!”

Wang Lin chuckled softly, “I have no desire to steal your prize.”

The man scrutinized Wang Lin for a long moment, then nodded slowly. With evident struggle, he grasped the beast’s coarse mane and began to drag it towards the forest’s depths. Even as he labored, his gaze remained fixed upon Wang Lin, his eyes shimmering with a primal wariness.

Only when he had retreated far into the wood did he relax his grip. Even then, he continued on.

As sunset approached, the man dragged his prize towards a hidden valley.

As the man passed, a shimmering wave went over the entryway, but it was so subtle that it was easily missed. Wang Lin, ever-observant, saw it and investigated.
Beyond the valley’s maw, a grand and ancient artifice held sway – a ward woven with such potent, esoteric power that it veiled all hint of life within. Were one not nigh upon its very edge, naught would betray the existence of souls dwelling here. The sigils upon the ward spoke of ages past, their crafting unlike the handiwork of the Cultivation Alliance; nay, this was the labor of sorcerers from epochs long forgotten.

Wang Lin, his gaze sharp as a falcon’s, surveyed the barrier with meticulous care. He lingered not to breach the valley’s embrace, but instead circled its perimeter, scrutinizing the arcane glyphs with the eye of a scholar-mage. His conclusion, born of careful observation, was immutable: this place held secrets deep.

“Intriguing,” he murmured, a glimmer of curiosity dancing in his eyes. “Within the Demon Sea’s gate, this place whispers a different tune than the treasure troves I have sought before.” The ward-shrouded vale held a siren’s call, promising mysteries unveiled.

After a thoughtful silence, Wang Lin extended his right hand, his index finger tracing a sigil in the air. A spark of arcane energy ignited at his fingertip, then, with a flick of his wrist, he launched it into the valley’s hidden depths.

But as the mote of light dared to cross the threshold, the ward reacted with a thunderous roar. A wave of emerald energy surged forth from the ancient runes, engulfing the offering, devouring it whole.

Then, a cacophony of sound erupted from within the valley’s heart.

Wang Lin, his senses on high alert, retreated swiftly, vanishing from his position in a blink.

Moments later, vibrant lights flickered within the valley, and from its hidden entrance emerged three figures.

They were savage of aspect, their bodies adorned only with a slick of emerald ichor. Crude weapons, stained with the marks of countless battles, were clutched in their hands. As they emerged, their eyes darted about with wary suspicion, scanning the unseen threats that surrounded them.

After a time, a flicker of confusion crossed their features. They exchanged bewildered glances, then turned and retreated into the valley’s embrace.

As their forms faded from view, Wang Lin reformed from a wisp of ethereal smoke, shadowing their retreat. But the moment he brushed against the ward’s invisible shield, it pulsed with renewed energy, its protective essence blazing forth.

A wave of oppressive dread washed over Wang Lin, forcing him to withdraw. As he stepped back, the emerald light receded, the ward resuming its silent vigilance.

“Fascinating,” Wang Lin breathed, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.

The ward’s purpose was clear: to guard the valley’s secrets, to forbid the passage of outsiders. Any attempt to force entry would unleash the full fury of its power, crushing the intruder beneath its ancient might.

The ward was ingenious, a puzzle woven with complexities that defied quick unraveling. Wang Lin, his brow furrowed in thought, conceded that a swift solution was beyond his grasp. Instead, he settled himself upon the earth, taking a meditative posture before the barrier, his gaze fixed upon its enigmatic surface, silent and still.

His sudden appearance did not go unnoticed. Almost before Wang Lin had settled into his vigil, the valley erupted in a flurry of light, and four figures emerged.

Three were the same that had ventured forth before, but the fourth was new, his face etched with cruel intent. A shaft of ebony wood, its surface shimmering with an unholy light, was clutched in his hand. Without pause, he hurled the spear at Wang Lin, a feral grin twisting his lips as he prepared to charge forward. Behind him, the other three emitted guttural roars, their crude weapons raised in anticipation of battle.

Wang Lin, his expression serene, cast but a single glance upon the approaching spear. In that instant, it shattered into fragments, its power utterly undone.

The savage warrior froze, his grin vanishing in a mask of stunned disbelief. The shattered remnants of his weapon hung in the air, a testament to Wang Lin’s power. His companions faltered in their advance.

Wang Lin, unwilling to waste words on these primitive beings, simply reached out his hand. The four warriors cried out in alarm as an invisible force seized them, lifting them from their feet. They struggled in vain against the unseen bonds, their limbs flailing wildly. Wang Lin deposited them gently to the side, effectively imprisoned and unable to move.

He would not normally engage with beings so devoid of spiritual power, but the strangeness of this place, the presence of such an ancient ward guarding a simple valley, demanded answers. He would find those answers within the minds of these primitive souls.

With the four warriors safely restrained, Wang Lin resumed his meditative pose, his demeanor unchanged.

Before long, a commotion stirred within the valley, followed by a burst of light. Two figures emerged, their eyes fixed on the intruder with a mixture of fear and hostility.