MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 182
With their provisions in tow, Lu Ming, Zhang Chengcheng, and Wei Lan embarked on their journey. The trio moved with remarkable speed, and by late afternoon, they had caught up with the vanguard of the Nanxiang exodus – Bai Tianyu, Duan Mei, and the experts from the Spirit Clan.
Having reached the front, Lu Ming slowed his pace, setting up camp for the night. After a simple dinner, he retired early, preparing for the arduous journey ahead.
Day 128 of the Black Mist Calendar
Lu Ming awoke before dawn, eager to begin the day's travel. As he was preparing to depart, Velo approached him.
"Take my granddaughter with you," Velo said, a warm smile gracing his lips. He gestured towards Fala, who stood shyly beside him.
"You'll need a guide, won't you?"
Lu Ming glanced at Fala's bashful face, then nodded in agreement. "Indeed, a guide would be invaluable."
And so, Fala joined Lu Ming's group.
The Black Mist Zone was a vast and varied landscape.
The Bear Mountain area was a harsh and desolate land, dominated by rugged boulders and sparse vegetation.
However, as they ventured beyond Bear Mountain, they entered a seemingly endless expanse of grassland.
Black, grass-like plants carpeted the ground, emitting a peculiar odor that was neither pleasant nor repulsive. Dark-colored herbivores, resembling sheep and cows, grazed on the strange vegetation.
This was where the importance of a guide became evident.
"This is the Black Grass Plains," Fala explained. "While not a complete wasteland, it's barren and lacks resources. It can't sustain intelligent life."
She pointed to the black grass. "These plants have no value. They're inedible and contain a slow-acting poison. Creatures that consume them experience a gradual but irreversible decline in strength."
Fala then gestured towards the distant herds. "These animals have been grazing on the black grass for a long time, making them weak and unable to even reach Level 1. Moreover, their meat is also tainted with the poison."
In other words, they were unfit for consumption.
"The same goes for the water sources here," Fala added.
Lu Ming nodded in understanding. "Then let's pick up the pace," he said, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice. They needed to traverse this desolate plain as quickly as possible.
Fala's description of the Black Grass Plains proved accurate.
Vast and somber, the plains held little danger. The Black Mist Zone's dim sunlight cast a melancholic pall over the landscape.
The creatures inhabiting this place seemed to understand their undesirable reputation, displaying no fear towards the travelers.
On the contrary, some peculiar-looking small animals, drawn by curiosity, approached Lu Ming and his companions. Their grotesque appearance elicited shrieks from the three women, but Lu Ming found them amusing.
Truthfully, Lu Ming had rarely ventured far from home. Travel and exploration were foreign concepts to him.
He had never yearned for the beauty of the outside world.
However, this relocation had forced him to leave his familiar surroundings and embark on a journey into the unknown. The company of the three women made him realize that perhaps the world beyond Nanxiang wasn't as bleak as he had imagined.
That night, as he lay on the Black Grass Plains, Lu Ming rested his head on his hands and gazed up at the night sky.
The dim, dusky canvas, painted in shades of black and gray, wasn't particularly picturesque. Yet, Lu Ming found himself strangely captivated.
The aroma of cooking mingled with the scent of black grass, creating a comforting blend that soothed his weary soul.
After dinner, they all retreated to their tents and drifted off to sleep.
The next day, they continued their steady march towards the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Day 130 of the Black Mist Calendar
Lu Ming and his companions finally crossed the Black Grass Plains.
They were now approaching the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the vast mountain range looming on the horizon.
The mountains stretched out in an unbroken line, their peaks shrouded in a hazy mist that stirred the imagination.
"That's the Hundred Thousand Mountains," Fala announced, pointing towards the majestic panorama. "Once we enter, we'll be within their territory."
"I wonder how vast they truly are," she continued, her voice filled with a sense of wonder. "Dangers and opportunities abound within. It's a paradise for exotic beasts and explorers alike."
"Someone once said that a supreme god spirit created the Black Mist Zone," Fala shared, her voice echoing the ancient tales passed down through generations. "In the beginning, the ruler of this land was an exotic beast."
She paused, her eyes reflecting the vastness of the plains before them.
"Later, the arrival of tribulation transcenders sparked conflict with the exotic beasts. The transcenders emerged victorious, and under the leadership of their beast king, the exotic beasts retreated into the Hundred Thousand Mountains."
Fala tilted her head, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "But I think this might be a myth. We've confirmed that the beasts in the Hundred Thousand Mountains lack any organized structure. They're no different from the beasts we encounter elsewhere."
"Therefore," she concluded, "there's likely no such thing as a beast king."
"Of course, due to the environment within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the beasts there are generally stronger than those outside. However, if you stick to the periphery, their strength is limited."
Zhang Chengcheng, ever inquisitive, interjected, "But you mentioned that there are also explorers in the mountains, right?"
Fala nodded.
"This means that if we venture deeper into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, we'll face danger from the beasts. If we stay on the outskirts, we'll encounter danger from the explorers."
The threat posed by intelligent beings was often no less deadly than that of wild creatures.
Fala paused, considering this. "Indeed," she conceded. "But how can there be a place in the Black Mist Zone without danger?"
As the women conversed, Lu Ming's gaze swept across the horizon.
"There's a city over there," he said, pointing towards a distant silhouette.
Fala was momentarily taken aback, surprised by Lu Ming's keen eyesight.
Then, she nodded. "Yes, that's Archean City."
"The only city outside the Hundred Thousand Mountains."
"Archean City doesn't belong to any specific race or faction."
She explained how some races, unable to survive in the harsh outer regions, had sought refuge within the Hundred Thousand Mountains. The mountains also held countless opportunities, attracting many explorers.
The origins of Archean City were lost to time. It might have been built by one of the races that ventured into the mountains.
Over time, the city had become a bustling hub, a trading center for adventurers returning with their spoils and a gateway for the mountain's inhabitants to connect with the outside world.
"Although Archean City isn't controlled by any single faction," Fala continued, "it does have its own rulers. My grandfather told me it's a chaotic place. That's why our route avoids it."
Due to the Mother Tree's presence, the major clans likely had little interest in the tribulation transcenders.
However, solitary travelers and smaller clans might not be so forgiving.
In short, there was no reason for them to interact with Archean City during their relocation. It was best to steer clear.
Lu Ming understood. He withdrew his gaze from the distant city.
"Let's head into the mountains," he said softly, a hint of determination in his voice.