Published: August 16, 2025
Chapter 194: Secrets of the Central Area
However, Han Li was not in a hurry! Because the central area of this Forbidden Zone was vastly different from the outer regions.
In the other areas outside the central zone, the spiritual herbs and rare fruits grew mostly in a random, disorderly fashion. They could be found in any corner of the region, and it was usually a matter of first come, first served. Those who obtained them would immediately escape far away. Therefore, true conflicts sparked by spirit medicine were not common in these areas. Instead, more people perished due to large-scale purges and ruthless treasure-snatching killings.
But in the central area, it was an entirely different story! According to disciples who had been lucky enough to return before, this central area was vast, occupying more than a third of the entire Forbidden Zone, enclosed by stone walls forming a large circular boundary. Starting from the four bronze gates and moving inward, the entire region was divided into three major outer layers—much like the peel, pulp, and core of a normal fruit—with clear and distinct levels, quite peculiar indeed!
The picturesque spot where Han Li currently stood was in the outermost layer of the central area.
According to records, the distance from here to the next layer was not large — just a little over a li in width. The flowers, grass, and trees growing within this range were all rare and precious, seldom seen in the world. However, very few of them qualified as spirit medicine with real use to immortal cultivators; most were merely for viewing or playing with.
Many members of the seven great sects speculated that this layer was intentionally designed by the Forbidden Zone’s master as a sort of garden. The colorful, eye-catching flowers and fruit trees were meant to please the master’s eyes. If one wanted to find anything truly useful here, it was better to explore the other areas of the Forbidden Zone—it would be much less troublesome.
The truly high-grade spirit medicines valuable to immortal cultivators were produced in the second layer of the central area. Most disciples entering this place from various sects had their sights set on this layer. The three main ingredients used for refining foundation establishment pills were found here, making it the biggest target for everyone. Han Li was equally determined to obtain these spirit medicines!
When Han Li first saw the records about this second layer, he was stunned for a long while.
Because this second layer was actually a huge circular mountain range, shrouded year-round in a pitch-black mist so thick that one could not see their own hand. Within these mountains were natural spiritual lands such as caves, secret valleys, and precipitous cliffs, as well as man-made structures like stone houses and stone halls. Various heaven and earth spirit medicines grew in these locations.
The data exchanged between the ugly man and Han Li primarily consisted of maps detailing where these spirit medicines were located. No one could guarantee that the existing information they had would cover the exact area they would enter, so having as many distribution maps as possible was crucial for matching locations and searching according to the maps.
However, the mist on this mountain was too dense and heavy! Immortal cultivators who entered the mountain would lose their way just after a few steps, forced to move forward cautiously and slowly, unsure if they could find their way out again—it all depended on luck.
What troubled them even more was that countless demonic beasts inhabited the circular mountain. From low-level first-rank demon beasts like flame rats and wind-chasing rabbits, to top-tier first-rank beasts such as golden light pythons and ice and fire wolves, almost every type of first-rank demon beast ever heard of by the seven great sects—or even unheard of—was present.
The weaker beasts could be handled by a single sixth or seventh level immortal cultivator taking on seven or eight without issue. But for the top-tier beasts, even elite disciples from the seven great sects would only have the option to flee in panic.