novelraw Chapter 25: Ten Thousand Valleys of Snakes
Chapter 25: Ten Thousand Valleys of Snakes
"Yes."
Zhou Yu immediately responded.
Compared to the seven or eight herb gatherers who didn't know the full story, Zhou Yu had some insider knowledge about this operation.
Why reorganize a herb gathering team?
And why enter the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley within the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range?
It was precisely because of the 'Sir's' orders.
Zhou Yu didn't know who this 'Sir' was, nor did he understand the purpose of entering the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley.
He only knew that this 'Sir' was a great benefactor to Zhou Pharmaceutical, and even if their entire herb gathering team perished in the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range.
It would still be difficult to repay even one ten-thousandth of the Sir's kindness.
"Mm, prepare yourselves now, we'll begin moving in ten minutes and thirty-seven seconds."The Sir's deep voice came through the miniature earpiece.
"Understood."
Zhou Yu immediately checked the time.
At the same time, he felt quite impressed—this Sir who had shown great kindness to Zhou Pharmaceutical had an incredibly precise sense of time, even specifying departure time down to the second.
Of course, while impressed, Zhou Yu didn't dare to show outward compliance but inward defiance toward the Sir's commands. He kept his eyes fixed on his watch, waiting for exactly ten minutes and thirty-seven seconds to pass before setting out.
......
Zhou Family Old Residence, main hall.
After Su Yuan set the departure time for the herb gathering team, he began reviewing the plan in his mind.
Regarding how to retrieve that Blood Lingzhi from deep within the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley in the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range.
Su Yuan had naturally used the gray mirror to devise a complete and meticulous plan.
The entire plan didn't require Su Yuan's personal involvement—he only needed to command from behind the scenes.
As for the plan's executors? They were Zhou Yu and the herb gathering team he led.
Actually, those seven or eight herb gatherers were just there for support. The person who truly needed to penetrate deep into the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley and retrieve the Blood Lingzhi was Zhou Yu.
Through the gray mirror, Su Yuan knew that Zhou Yu was sufficiently powerful and wouldn't hesitate in carrying out his commands.
Only Zhou Yu had any hope of retrieving the Blood Lingzhi from within the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley.
As for why it was Zhou Yu rather than a Transforming Force Grandmaster... although a Transforming Force Grandmaster would be much stronger than Zhou Yu, they would have their own ideas and wouldn't be as obedient.
And under the watchful eyes of snake monsters everywhere and two Snake Mothers comparable to Embracing Elixir Grandmasters, there wasn't much practical difference between Hidden Force and Transforming Force—if discovered, both would mean death.
An Embracing Elixir Grandmaster would have better chances, but with Su Yuan's current means, he couldn't make a Grandmaster work for him without potential complications.
"Time is about right."
Su Yuan glanced at the clock, thinking to himself.
At the same time.
Outside the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range, inside that wooden cabin.
Zhou Yu watched the time, confirming it had reached the departure time specified by the Sir.
He immediately stood up, scanned the eight herb gatherers around him, and spoke promptly: "We depart now."
Upon hearing this, the eight herb gatherers felt bitter inside but still obediently shouldered their large packs, exited the wooden cabin, and entered the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range.
They had no choice—no matter how unwilling they felt, they could only steel themselves and follow orders, especially since Zhou Yu was a Hidden Force expert who could kill them too easily.
Moreover, the parents, children, and relatives of all eight herb gatherers were outside, and Zhou Pharmaceutical wasn't known for being merciful—in the Southern Frontier region, mercy wouldn't keep you alive.
Fifteen minutes later.
The herb gathering team officially entered the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range.
Immediately, even the light dimmed considerably, and the air began to carry a damp smell.
However, everyone in the herb gathering team was experienced herb gatherers who only feared a few forbidden areas like the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley—other places couldn't trouble these gatherers.
Zhou Yu cautiously observed their surroundings—he was also quite familiar with the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range.
While scanning the area, Zhou Yu also continuously monitored the miniature earpiece in his ear, ready to receive the Sir's commands at any moment.
Five minutes later.
The miniature earpiece vibrated slightly.
Zhou Yu's spirits lifted, and he immediately began listening attentively.
"Start digging two meters ahead—you'll uncover some snake eggs. Bring these snake eggs with you."
Su Yuan's voice came through the miniature earpiece.
"Snake eggs?"
Zhou Yu stopped walking and looked at the spot two meters ahead.
He then ordered the eight herb gatherers to start digging there.
Sure enough, the herb gatherers dug up thirty-four snake eggs.
The digging herb gatherers didn't think much of it, assuming Zhou Yu had identified this as a snake nest with eggs based on the surrounding environment.
But Zhou Yu's mind wasn't calm.
"How did the Sir know there would be snake eggs here?"
Zhou Yu wondered internally, "Has the Sir been here before? That's how he knows?"
Although puzzled, Zhou Yu didn't dwell on it.
This was precisely why Su Yuan chose Zhou Yu as the plan's executor—
Obedience.
He only knew to follow orders.
Even if he had doubts, he wouldn't hesitate in executing subsequent commands.
......
Following this.
During their journey toward the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley deep within the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range.
Zhou Yu stopped repeatedly, following Su Yuan's instructions to dig up hundreds of snake eggs.
The hundreds of snake eggs were carried by the eight herb gatherers. Fortunately, the eggs were small, so each gatherer carrying around a hundred eggs wasn't problematic.
Half a day later.
The group finally arrived outside the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley.
The so-called Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley was a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides.
Zhou Yu took a deep breath. Actually, as they approached the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley, various snake species had become increasingly numerous. Fortunately, the herb gathering team had prepared for this by bringing snake repellent spray, which prevented attacks.
But Zhou Yu knew that snake repellent spray could only scare off ordinary snakes at best. The Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley was filled with vicious snakes everywhere, far beyond what snake repellent could handle.
"Now, take out the medicinal herbs I asked you to bring, select five of them, and grind them up."
Right at that moment, Zhou Yu's miniature earpiece transmitted Su Yuan's instructions.
"Take out five medicinal herbs and grind them."
Zhou Yu immediately looked at the eight herb gatherers.
Before coming to the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range, they had followed instructions to bring many medicinal herbs, though until now they hadn't known what purpose these herbs served.
Soon.
The eight herb gatherers ground up the five medicinal herbs.
"Then take two snake eggs, break them, pour the egg liquid into the ground herbs, and mix them together."
Su Yuan's voice sounded again in Zhou Yu's ear, who then commanded the herb gatherers to do exactly that.
Splash~ As the ground herbs and snake egg liquid mixed continuously, the two gradually merged together, forming a transparent, colorless viscous substance.
"What is this?"
Zhou Yu observed as well—the newly formed transparent viscous substance was odorless and colorless.
"Now apply this transparent viscous substance to your body, covering every part thoroughly."
Su Yuan's voice came through the miniature earpiece into Zhou Yu's ear.
Receiving the command, Zhou Yu immediately began removing his clothes. Under the watchful eyes of the eight herb gatherers, he carefully applied the transparent viscous substance to his body, covering every part thoroughly before finally putting his clothes back on.
"Next, have the eight herb gatherers repeat the previous steps—grind the medicinal herbs, mix in the snake egg liquid, and finally apply the resulting transparent viscous substance to nearby rocks and trees."
"Then you alone enter the Ten-Thousand-Ravine Snake Valley."
Su Yuan's voice continued to transmit instructions.
Zhou Yu's expression shifted slightly as he looked at the eight herb gatherers and repeated Su Yuan's commands.
Finally, to be absolutely safe, Zhou Yu coldly warned the eight herb gatherers:
"Don't even think about running away after I go in."
"You can't hide in the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range forever, can you?"