Chapter 281 Fresh Ginseng
The sky was gloomy and it looked like a storm was about to come. The dark clouds were rolled by the wind and the sky was invisible.

Migeshu led another white-browed man and walked in the front. They were all silent, but there was a sense of fear when they looked at each other.

The two of them had been lurking in Guishizi waiting for an opportunity to steal the anti-poison beads for many days, and they had made many attempts in the past years, so they had naturally been keeping an eye on Xiao Yan and his group early on. Since Chi Meng and You Chuan had been trying to find out the news about the anti-poison beads for several days, it would be hard not to notice them as long as one paid a little attention.

However, the two of them did not actually regard the four people as big competitors. Instead, they stopped all their actions and waited for an opportunity to become the oriole behind the mantis.

Therefore, the fact that Xiao Yan really saved the two of them and brought them out of Guishizi made them particularly wary and worried.

Xiao Weng has always been difficult to deal with. He has a lot of thugs under him and his lackeys are quite powerful. Normally, he wouldn't give face to anyone, but he took a step back towards Xiao Yan, a foreigner. How strange is that?

People like Ji Ruxue, Chi Meng, and You Chuan can still be judged to some extent. But for someone like Xiao Yan, who is completely unknown, if he is brought back and does harm to the Dan clan, wouldn't it be easy?
Mi Geshu still remembers how he kept begging under the moonlight, but Xiao Yan remained indifferent. Besides, the two parties were brought together because of friction, so why did Xiao Yan want to protect them?
Do you really want to take this person back?
The two looked at each other, worried.

But at this point, Tu Luo Shi, who was even stronger than Mi Geshu, was injured and her vitality was seriously damaged. At most, she could restrain Ji Ruxue for a moment. With two people against four people, they would definitely be abused. Therefore, even if they had some tricks up their sleeves, they had to hide them and dared not let Xiao Yan see any clues.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, it seemed as if they had completely left Raojiang. Migeshu and Tulasi slowed down a little, pointed ahead and said, "We are here..."

Chi Meng, who was already feeling tired, looked up quickly, looking energetic.

She only knew the approximate location of the Dead Creek Forest before, but had never been there. Not only because of the Dead Creek Forest's notoriety, but also because her father, the Gu King, had always told her about the dangers of the Dead Creek Forest and the brutality of the Dandies Clan since she was a child. Even as brave as she was, she only dared to come there after she grew up.

You have to know that the person Chi Meng admires the most is Gu King. Even he is so afraid of Si Xilin, how could she dare not disobey him?

Of course, Xiao Yan has now been added to the list of people I admire, and there is no ambiguity about this.

Several people looked up at the same time. Ji Ruxue waved away the sand blown up by the wind and frowned.

A sea of ​​forest looms before us.

As you glance around, you can see countless towering ancient trees intertwined in disorder. Big trees that require several people to hug their branches can be seen everywhere, rising into the sky like a dragon turning over. Their branches are curved and their shades are dense. They look more like a primeval forest than a primitive forest. It is a huge area that stretches to the south of your sight, as if there is no end.

What is particularly strange is that although the forest is dense and green, there is a touch of yellow soil that suddenly appears from the green grass at the edge of the forest and gradually spreads inward, forming a piece of yellow sand, which is particularly puzzling here.

Those huge ancient trees that rose into the sky like earth dragons formed a barrier at the edge of the sand, revealing the green shade and deep darkness inside.

Migeshu coughed, and with a feminine and hoarse voice, she warned: "There is a section of the road that is filled with miasma. If you feel uncomfortable, remember to speak up in time. Do not walk around or touch anything at will. The Dead Creek Forest is different from other places. It is not without reason that it is described as a place of exile. The word 'death' means that it is difficult for humans and animals to survive. But you can also see that the trees here are growing very well, and it doesn't seem that scary..."

She looked back at everyone and continued, "These woods are most likely infested with poisonous insects. At different times of the year, countless poisonous insects emerge from them. Among them are the Flame Worms, which are very destructive. If you are not careful, it is very easy to cause a big fire. At this time, all the members of the Jaundice Clan will go out to capture the Flame Worms and control the tide of insects.

In addition, these trees will also emit miasma to protect themselves. If you stay here for a long time, you will get seriously ill or even die. Therefore, it is impossible for outsiders to survive here. "

Chi Meng suddenly realized, and became a little more afraid of Si Xilin, but when he touched the small gourd on his waist, he felt more confident. He clasped his hands across his chest, looking both convinced and unconvinced, which is what is called half-submission.

As for Xiao Yan and the other two, they didn't react much. Xiao Yan himself seemed more like he was listening to a story and just laughed it off.

Migeshu was helpless. She wanted this Central Plains man to back off, but he didn't take it seriously at all. So she had to continue leading the way.

After entering the Dead Creek Forest, the sky was indeed blocked by the dense green grass. It was dark and gloomy, which made people feel uncomfortable.

But Migeshu and Tulashi finally felt relieved. The former took off her veil, and the latter directly took off the straw hat she was wearing outside to block the sunlight, revealing her equally bald head.

As for Migeshu, perhaps because he was embarrassed to show his head or had some concerns, he did not take off his hood and just led the way silently.

Xiao Yan didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Considering the situation of the Dan people, if they kept their hair it would probably be snow-white, which would not look good. It would be better to just cut it off and be done with it, which would also make life more convenient.

Chi Meng and Ji Ruxue were mumbling behind him. Xiao Yan didn't listen carefully. He just suddenly said to Mi Geshu and the others, "Do you really know where the Twelve Caves are?"

You Chuan, who had been following silently from behind, also looked up and looked over curiously.

"We..." Migeshu was a little embarrassed and looked at the Tuola Stone.

The latter was much calmer. He answered honestly, "We two don't know. We only heard some past events from the tribe leader. If you trust us, we can take you to the village to see our tribe leader. But it's still a few days' journey. Our Dan tribe lives in the easternmost part of the Dead Creek Forest. It's a dark place, but the environment is not so bad. There are few wild poisonous insects, so it's more suitable for living. I don't know if the tribe leader is in the village now..."

"Besides your clan leader, is there anyone else who knows?" Although Xiao Yan knew that person's existence, he still just guided him.

Migeshu and Tulasi looked at each other, the former walked to the latter and whispered something to him.

Gu Tu Luo Shi hesitated for a moment, then said, "In the deepest part of the Dead Creek Forest, there is another person who may know the answer, and the journey is closer than the village. But that person is extremely mysterious, and even our tribe leader has never dealt with her. However, the tribe leader told us that this person is extremely powerful, and unlike our Dan tribe, she was exiled here. It is said that her origin is very impressive. Perhaps you can go and try..."

Migeshu lowered his head and said nothing. That person was not just difficult to deal with. How could the people living there be good people? That area had long been designated as a forbidden area by their Dan tribe, and no one was allowed to go there.

But in recent years, the young people in the tribe have gradually begun to take power and have become interested in exploring that forbidden area. However, due to the threats posed by that man, they have not taken any action.

Last month, the two of them were ordered by the elders to go to Guishizi to steal the poison-avoiding beads in order to find the Gu King through the relocation meeting of the Ten Thousand Poison Caves. Because according to the clan leader, the Ten Thousand Poison Caves Gu King might be the only one who knows him. If the danger can be resolved through the Gu King, the survival area of ​​the Danger Clan can be doubled, especially since that area has never been explored, and there may be many surprises.

Therefore, Migeshu became respectful to Chi Meng only after he knew her identity, and not because of her reputation as a saint.

But Xiao Yan's background is unclear, and these four people seem to be quite experienced. If they can be lured over, they might cause friction with that person, and both sides will suffer. Wouldn't that be a good opportunity for the Dan clan to take advantage of it?
As for whether the person living in the forbidden area knew the location of the Twelve Caves, Migeshu was not sure. She was just worried about the rather bold plan.

In the Central Plains, this plan has a special term, called "driving the wolf to swallow the tiger", which is similar to Migeshu's idea, but not as crude.

Just when Mi Geshu and the other two were feeling a little uneasy, Xiao Yan, after pondering for a long time, went to ask Ji Ruxue and the others for their opinions, and then let the two of them lead the way.

The two were greatly surprised, shocked and delighted, and hurriedly led the four people deeper into the Dead Creek Forest.

After walking for another half a day, as the miasma became thicker and the ancient trees around them grew taller, the road was finally cut off. The group had to fight their way through the woods, feeling as small as ants.

"We won't go any further." Near a temple covered with vines and moss, Migshu pulled the Dora Stone and stopped.

The temple seemed to be built by an immortal, rising inexplicably from the thick green grass. Flowers and plants were everywhere around it, and the trees became sparse. The yellow sand turned into black soil, and the sunlight shone through the green grass, which was particularly dazzling in this dead stream forest.

Migshu carefully pointed to the sunlight around the temple and said, "It's easy for us to get burned there. How about we wait for you here?"

Her heart was in her throat, fearing that Xiao Yan would take them over, but he didn't even look at them and walked straight ahead. Ji Ruxue and the others followed, but no one called them.

Tulasi folded his arms across his chest and said nothing.

Migeshu was a little embarrassed, but did not pull Tulasi away. Instead, he hid behind a big tree and watched the four people walk into the temple without any surprise.

"Just... go in just like that?" Migeshu was a little surprised, and looked at Tulasi in surprise.

Tu Luo Shi frowned and said, "Let's go back and tell ..."

"Go back? Go back where?"

Suddenly, a pair of hands rested on their shoulders, and a voice came from behind them, as light as a ghost.

The two of them felt their scalps go numb instantly. Before they could turn around, they felt a black screen in front of their eyes and they lost consciousness.

------

“He’s not here.”

Chi Meng walked a few steps inside, then suddenly looked up and saw a towering ancient tree in the center of the temple rising straight up and breaking through the roof of the temple.

She looked at it in surprise for a long time before she asked confusedly, "Can trees be planted in a house?"

Ji Ruxue walked around the ancient tree, fiddled with the swing tied to the branch, wiped the dust off it with her hand, and said, "It looks like there has been no human habitation here for a long time."

"Wait." Xiao Yan didn't care. He picked up the dead branches and leaves around him, then looked at You Chuan: "Can we find prey in this forest?"

"It should be possible." You Chuan nodded and said, "When I came here just now, I saw some wild animal feces. This Dead Creek Forest is such a large forest, and the Dan Tribe can live there. It is impossible that humans and animals cannot coexist."

"Let's go out and look for prey. We may have to wait here for two days."

"Okay." You Chuan did not refuse. He wiped his sword and walked out of the temple.

But not long after he walked out of the door, he suddenly and slowly backed away, raising his hands to show that he had no hostility.

Xiao Yan was picking up some wild fruits and looking outside with the two girls who were picking up firewood.

In front of You Chuan, a thin woman with messy hair and an almost invisible face was playing with the sword that belonged to You Chuan while slowly pushing him towards the temple.

Her clothes were dirty and old, her cuffs were obviously torn and a lot shorter, and her fingers were dark black. From her appearance alone, it was hard to tell her age; she looked almost like a beggar.

Ji Ruxue held the scabbard with a vigilant look.

As soon as You Chuan walked out of the door, his knife was taken away. They didn't notice any movement at all, which shows the strength of the person who came.

"You little brats, do you know that when you come to visit, you should inform the host. You have no rules... and you dare to light a fire?! Hey, hey, hey, this is too much!!"

The thin woman pulled out You Chuan's knife, flicked the spine of the knife with her fingers, looked quite disgusted, and then threw it back to him. She walked through the four people, jumped onto the swing skillfully, squatted and swayed, her eyes hidden behind her messy hair rolled around, looking at everyone.

You Chuan looked a little embarrassed. He stood at the door and quietly wiped the dirty knife.

The thin woman looked down on him, raised her hand and pointed at Xiao Yan: "Little kid, what do you want from me?"

Chi Meng put his hands on his waist, eyes wide open in disbelief: "You are... the person that the Jaundice Clan is afraid of?"

"Diarrhea tribe?" The thin woman scratched her ears and muttered softly, "What are you afraid of me doing..."

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, without too much greeting or unnecessary embellishment. Even though he knew the relationship between this woman and Chi Meng, he did not point it out directly. Instead, he got straight to the point and said, "The four of us are here to look for the Twelve Caves. I heard that you know where the Twelve Caves are, so we have no choice but to come and disturb you. If I am being rude, please forgive me."

"Another person who is so picky..." The woman muttered, then she became interested, changed from squatting to sitting, and began to swing continuously on the swing, not caring about the gazes of Chi Meng and others at all, and just asked: "Are you not from Raojiang?"

Xiao Yan nodded and smiled: "Junior is from the Central Plains."

"You're from the Central Plains, what are you looking for in the Twelve Caves?" The woman was trying hard to swing the swing higher, but after asking this question, she suddenly slowed down, rolled her eyes, and stared at Xiao Yan with a mysterious voice.

"Your surname is Li?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Ji Ruxue's pupils suddenly shrank. She glanced at Xiao Yan, then stared at the woman, shocked.

You Chuan narrowed his eyes, looked at Xiao Yan's back curiously, then looked at the thin woman, feeling somewhat puzzled and thoughtful.

Chi Meng held back and didn't interrupt. She really thought that this woman was too weird. Her words were incoherent and she looked crazy. She didn't look like a master at all. She completely shattered her imagination of a hermit master.

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "If my surname was Li, would you be willing to tell us?"

The woman said "oh" and continued to swing on the swing, swinging higher and higher, flying over the heads of several people, and the sound seemed a little intermittent.

"I don't know what the Twelve Caves are. Go away."

"Hey!" Chi Meng couldn't help but clench his fists, feeling so angry. If you don't know, then why are you asking?

Xiao Yan showed an expression that showed it was supposed to be like this, and then he was not in a hurry. Instead, he pulled the hot-tempered Chi Meng and continued to pick up the fruits and firewood on the ground.

When Chi Meng saw this, he was suddenly delighted, and then he followed suit, looking at the woman with pride from time to time.

Lululu, I won’t leave. I’ll piss you off to death!
"Girl, can you show your sister the bracelet you are wearing?"

Suddenly, the woman flashed in front of Chi Meng, squatted down, stared at Chi Meng, and spoke in a mysterious voice.

(End of this chapter)