Published: August 16, 2025
Chapter 180: Wulong Pool
The gray-black rotting ground, the murky water pit bubbling incessantly, the grotesquely twisted trees, the blood-red grass beneath his feet, and the pungent strange smell in the air—this was the scene Han Li perceived as he regained consciousness.
Without bothering to question this bizarre environment, Han Li first cautiously scanned his surroundings to see if there were others nearby. After all, the greatest danger usually came from fellow disciples who had entered the Forbidden Zone.
Fortunately, within several dozen meters, there was no one else but Han Li. He exhaled softly in relief.
However, he did not relax his guard. With one hand, he gripped a talisman, and with the other, he unsheathed the Golden Toad Mother and Child Blades, preparing for any eventuality.
Only then did Han Li calm down enough to carefully observe the strange place he found himself in.
He was not surprised to have suddenly appeared in an unfamiliar location. Before entering the Forbidden Zone, the officials had handed out detailed information to each disciple about the area.
According to the materials, anyone who steps into the Forbidden Zone would be instantly teleported by an active displacement formation to various corners of the zone. Where one ends up depends entirely on luck.
Some might be sent to the core of the zone, where abundant spiritual herbs grow—those are the lucky ones. Others might find themselves immediately surrounded by several demonic beasts, forcing a deadly battle for survival. The unluckiest might be sent straight into a deadly trap and perish instantly, though such cases were rare.
Most often, people like Han Li were teleported to the outskirts of the Forbidden Zone and had to explore on their own.
The reason for these strange occurrences was, according to veteran experts, that their method of bypassing the zone’s restrictions was not the correct way to enter. This triggered minor prohibitions, causing unexpected outcomes.
Han Li cautiously wandered around, comparing the surroundings with the information he remembered, finally finding some very useful details—accumulated by previous disciples who had exited the zone—which now greatly benefited newcomers.
"Wulong Pool lies in the northeast corner of the Forbidden Zone. It centers around a deep pool several dozen meters across. Within a range of about ten miles, there are plants like Corrupt Bone Flower and Serpent Vine Tree, which can be used to make poisons, but they are of little value."
"At the center of Wulong Pool, near the water's edge, every dozen years or so, some ‘Cold Smoke Herb’ randomly appears. This herb is very versatile. If possible, it should be collected and handed over to the sect for certain rewards. But beware, deep in the pool lurks a group of lower-tier first-grade demonic beasts—Cold Ice Toads. However, they are docile by nature and pose no danger as long as they are not provoked."
After recalling the information several times, Han Li had a good understanding.
Normally, the closer to the center of the Forbidden Zone, the more rare spiritual items and powerful guardian demonic beasts appear. Wulong Pool’s location was slightly toward the outskirts but not on the edge. If he hurried, he could still reach the center within a day.
With this in mind, Han Li dared not rely on any artifact. Instead, he leapt lightly up a large, leafy tree, surveyed the surroundings to confirm the direction, then jumped down again.
The pool was to the south of Han Li, right on the path toward the center of the Forbidden Zone—so he could visit it along the way.
Han Li cast a shape concealment technique on himself and then moved forward cautiously, step by step. Perhaps he was just too tense; after traveling several miles, nothing unexpected happened. It seemed he was the only person in the entire Wulong Pool area.
When he heard the sound of flowing water, Han Li relaxed some of his tightened nerves.
Pushing aside a few twisted branches blocking the view, a deep, jade-green pool appeared. Even before he neared it, a chilling coldness swept over him, causing him to shiver involuntarily.