「A few moments later.」

The two of them climbed to the mountaintop and stood on a huge boulder, overlooking the valley below. They had a clear view of the entire valley.

The valley was unexpectedly vast, stretching over ten miles in circumference. A series of towering and undulating mountains surrounded it, with no apparent exits or entrances. It was completely enclosed, a place isolated from the rest of the world.

Inside the valley, there were four distinct areas:

A sea of flowers.

A lake.

A lush green lawn.

A forest.

However, these four zones were separated by small streams, each forming an isolated area.

Strange, the layout here is clearly not natural, but why can't we see any signs of human activity? Qin Feiyang muttered to himself.

"ROAR!"

At that moment, a loud beast roar suddenly echoed from behind them.

Qin Feiyang and Fatty were shocked and hurriedly turned their heads to see a ferocious creature emerge above the forest. Its body was as large as a mountain, its eyes as big as grindstones, emitting a terrifying, fierce light!

That beast was staring at them!

They trembled, their faces turning pale. The fierce aura emitted by this beast was even stronger than Wang Hong, perhaps even comparable to the Manor Lord.

Is this the beast from deep within the mountain range? It's utterly terrifying!

If it weren't for the tunneling beast paving a shortcut, they wouldn't have been able to reach Butterfly Valley.

But slowly, a slight confusion crept onto the faces of Qin Feiyang and Fatty. That beast seemed to be just watching them, not approaching.

Qin Feiyang turned his head to look at Butterfly Valley once again, then back at the beast, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

"Damn it!"

Suddenly, as if a thought struck him, his expression changed drastically. He shouted, "Fatty, quickly send a message to White-Eyed Wolf! Tell them to come back immediately!"

"What happened?" Fatty asked, puzzled.

"That creature isn't just not approaching; it doesn't dare to approach," Qin Feiyang said in a low voice. "It fears Butterfly Valley. Butterfly Valley definitely isn't as simple as it looks!"

Hearing this, Fatty immediately took out the Image Crystal Stone and sent a message to White-Eyed Wolf.

"AH!!"

But right at that moment, two horrified screams echoed from the sea of flowers below. They were the voices of White-Eyed Wolf and the tunneling beast.

Qin Feiyang and Fatty's expressions changed abruptly, and they hurriedly looked toward the source of the screams.

Just then, they saw a white shadow flashing through the sky above the sea of flowers, heading straight for the forest. It was a human figure, but it moved so fast that it disappeared into the forest in the blink of an eye, before either of them could clearly see its face.

"This place certainly isn't simple."

"Boss, Master Fatty is going after them! You better keep up!" Fatty shouted.

RIP! The clothes on his back tore apart, revealing two black wings.

WHOOSH!

The wings spread, transforming Fatty into a streak of light as he shot towards the forest.

Qin Feiyang leaped down, rushing into the sea of flowers like a lightning bolt, ignoring the medicinal herbs around him in his haste.

「Several hundred moments later.」

He crossed the small stream in one step and landed in front of the forest. Fatty, however, had already entered.

"AH!"

Just as he was about to enter the forest, Fatty's scream of terror echoed once again. It sounded as if he had encountered someone terrifying, his voice filled with an unshakeable panic.

"Damn it!" Qin Feiyang cursed, rushing into the forest without hesitation, sprinting towards the direction of the sound.

「After a short while.」

A quaint, elegant wooden lodge suddenly entered his vision! The lodge had two stories and was nestled within the forest.

To the left of the lodge was a stunning flower garden. Various flowers, their buds ready to burst, were vibrant and colorful.

However, when Qin Feiyang looked to the right, his eyes widened in disbelief. There was actually a vegetable patch! Rows of lush green vegetables, each exuding youthful vitality like young maidens.

What kind of place is this?

Qin Feiyang frowned and looked up at the wooden lodge. The door was wide open, and it seemed somewhat dark inside. The surroundings were eerily quiet, and Qin Feiyang's heart inexplicably tightened with anxiety.

After steadying himself, Qin Feiyang cupped his fists respectfully. "Junior Qin Feiyang has unintentionally trespassed into Butterfly Valley. If I have committed any offense, I seek Senior's forgiveness."

However, there was no response.

Qin Feiyang tried again, "I implore Senior to be merciful and release my friends."

Still, there was no response. The deathly silence sent shivers down one's spine.

Qin Feiyang swallowed nervously and started walking towards the wooden lodge. But after only a few steps, he suddenly halted. His expression immediately became extremely tense. Beads of sweat, as large as peas, oozed from his forehead.

He felt like there was someone behind him! But for some reason, despite usually being fearless, he was somewhat reluctant to turn around at this moment.

"Who is it!" he barked, spinning around abruptly.

But behind him, apart from the trees, there was nobody in sight.

What's going on? Is it a hallucination? But I was sure I heard breathing behind me!

Qin Feiyang looked around suspiciously. But after scouring every corner, he found no trace of anyone.

"Strange." He furrowed his brows and turned his head back towards the wooden lodge.

But just as he turned his head!

His pupils contracted as if he'd seen a ghost, and he quickly retreated. Standing right in front of him was a person!

It was an old woman in white clothes, as skinny as a rake, with disheveled hair. Her eyes were deeply sunken into their sockets. At first glance, she resembled a horrifying specter from hell—an incredibly chilling sight!

What was even more terrifying were the scars covering the right side of her face, making her look incredibly grotesque. In such an environment, with such an atmosphere, encountering such a person would scare anyone.

Qin Feiyang, however, quickly gathered his composure.

She's breathing, she has a heartbeat; that means she's not a ghost. As long as she isn't a ghost, there's nothing to fear.

Qin Feiyang cupped his fists. "Greetings, Senior."

The old woman said nothing, just kept staring at him.

This is a bit difficult. Qin Feiyang muttered to himself, then added, "I unintentionally intruded upon Butterfly Valley and disturbed you, Senior. I ask for your understanding."

The old woman finally spoke. "Are you Qin Feiyang from the Holy Temple?"

Qin Feiyang nodded.

SWISH!

The old woman's eyes glinted. She stepped forward, her aged hand shooting out like a claw, aimed directly at Qin Feiyang.

"Senior, we can discuss this!" Qin Feiyang paled, retreating quickly.

But his speed was no match for the old woman's. She grabbed his clothes and, with a sharp tug, ripped his upper garment to shreds.

"Uh!" Qin Feiyang stood there stunned, hands covering his bare torso. "Senior, what are you trying to do?"

Surely I haven't run into a perverted old crone?

The old woman commanded, "Move your hands!"

"No." Qin Feiyang shook his head, grimacing. "This junior already has a sweetheart. Please, Senior, have some self-respect!"

The old woman appeared visibly stunned for a moment, then a menacing look surfaced on her grotesque face. "If you don't move your hands, I'll kill you!"

"It's over," Qin Feiyang cried out to the heavens in anguish. "This old woman really is a pervert! My innocent body...!" His arms fell limply to his sides, revealing his well-built physique, complete with an eight-pack.

Seeing Qin Feiyang's reaction, the old woman couldn't help but frown. Without saying more, she looked directly at the Potential Mark on Qin Feiyang's chest. Her aged eyes gleamed brightly!

"Uh!" Qin Feiyang was taken aback.

I thought the old woman was a pervert. Turns out, she just wanted to look at my Potential Mark. This is awkward.

「A moment later.」

The old woman shifted her gaze to the Heart Knot. "And what is this heart-shaped mark?"

"This..." Qin Feiyang hesitated for a moment before responding, "This is a birthmark. I was born with it."

The old woman questioned, "Such birthmarks exist in this world? Boy, are you trying to deceive me?"

Qin Feiyang forced a smile. "How would this junior dare to deceive you, Senior? This really is a birthmark."

The old woman didn't press further, seemingly believing him.

Qin Feiyang asked, "Senior, may I put my clothes back on now?"

The old woman nodded.

Qin Feiyang hurriedly took out a new set of clothes and quickly put them on. He then asked, "Senior, about my three friends..."

"They're dead," the old woman stated, her expression blank.

"What!" Qin Feiyang's face turned ashen.

The old woman sneered, "Anyone who dares to trespass into Butterfly Valley, whether human or beast, must die!"

"Dead..." Qin Feiyang whispered, his face filled with disbelief.

Ling Yunfei and the others died. Had the Wolf King and his companions died now too? Why...

His hands gradually clenched into fists. He roared at the old woman, "You killed them over such a trivial matter! Do you have any humanity left?!"

"You're going to die too," the old woman replied coldly.

"You damned old witch, I'll kill you!" Qin Feiyang roared, drawing Blue Snow and fearlessly charging at the old woman.

"Hm?" The instant the old woman saw Blue Snow, a curious glint appeared in her eyes. Clearly, she recognized its extraordinariness.

She leaned slightly to the side, calmly dodging the attack. Simultaneously, her arm shot out, her palm like a blade, striking towards the back of Qin Feiyang's head.

Sensing the imminent danger, a jolt went through Qin Feiyang, and he snapped back to his senses. The rationality that had been clouded by anger quickly returned.

SWISH!

Just as the old woman's palm was about to strike, Qin Feiyang vanished without a trace.

"Hm?" The old woman's arm paused, and she scanned her surroundings in surprise.

But soon, a look of realization appeared on her grotesque face. "Come out. I know you're hiding in that old castle."

「Inside the castle.」

She even knows this? How does she know so much about me? Qin Feiyang's face was filled with astonishment. Lu Hong, who had also been awakened, wore an equally incredulous expression.

"If you don't come out now, I'll really kill your three friends," the old woman's voice carried into the castle.

Qin Feiyang and Lu Hong exchanged a glance, a flicker of hopeful surprise in their eyes.

"You continue cultivating," Qin Feiyang instructed Lu Hong, then flickered and reappeared before the old woman. "Where are they?"

The old woman replied, "So eager to see them?"

Qin Feiyang nodded.

"Very well, follow me." With that, the old woman turned and walked towards the wooden lodge.

Qin Feiyang hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose to follow.

Upon entering the wooden lodge, Qin Feiyang saw Fatty, White-Eyed Wolf, and the tunneling beast lying unconscious on the floor.

"What did you do to them?" Qin Feiyang demanded, a mixture of shock and anger consuming him as he rushed over to check on them.

"Don't worry, they've only fainted. They're not in any serious danger," the old woman said. "But this place... it's easy to enter, but difficult to leave.

"For you all to leave Butterfly Valley alive is practically impossible," the old woman cackled sinisterly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.