The most chaotic place in the world was Void Valley.
Since the beginning of the Primordial Heartlands, Void Valley had been known as a forsaken land. Its natural laws were unstable, and spatial disruptions were frequent. If not for the existence of the Void Tree, few would risk going there.
After more than a month of travel, Xu Zimo’s carriage finally arrived at the outskirts of Void Valley one early morning.
The sky had just begun to brighten, the moon and stars were fading, and a soft glow stretched across the horizon.
As they got closer to the valley, more and more travelers appeared along the road.
From afar, the entrance to Void Valley lay in a sunken mountain hollow. Though Xu Zimo couldn’t see into it yet, the sky above was striking.
Unlike other areas, the space above the hollow was violent, streams of spatial turbulence howled through, tearing the fabric of reality apart. The space struggled to mend itself but couldn’t keep up with the rate of destruction.
Though space is usually invisible, the shattered void looked like cracked glass, visible and alarming. Even the sunlight passing through cast broken reflections on the ground.
“Did you hear? Old Du died in a spatial storm a few days ago. We were just drinking with him not long ago. Life really is unpredictable.”
“Big deal. Everyone coming to Void Valley has their life hanging by a thread anyway. Just recently, the Yellow Crane Gang found a top-quality Void Tree. They traded that wood with the Zhou Dynasty for tons of cultivation resources.”
“That’s why all these elite clan kids are nothing. We rogue cultivators are the real gamblers, wrestling with fate.”
In front of Void Valley was a small teahouse with a few people chatting over tea. Weapons leaned against the tables. A banner on a wooden board read in bold characters: “No Return Teahouse.”
When Xu Zimo arrived, a man in yellow robes smirked and said, “New here?”
Xu Zimo stepped down from the carriage and tied up Night Terror, smiling. “How can you tell?”
“The real entrance to Void Valley is on the other side. This road you’re on is the Path of No Return. Most first-timers don’t know and accidentally enter it, never to come out.” The teahouse owner, a man in his fifties with graying hair, smiled at Xu Zimo and added, “So I opened a teahouse here to warn people.”
Xu Zimo took interest and sat down. “What kind of tea do you serve?”
“Just some homemade loose tea. Would you like some?” the owner asked.
“Sure, I’ll have a cup of tea,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“You don’t look like someone coming here for an adventure,” the man in yellow robes commented.
“I’m from out of town. Heard this place is famous and wanted to check it out,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile.
“If you come from wealth, there’s no need to risk this. Only desperate folks like us come here hoping to strike it lucky,” the man said, shaking his head.
“I’ve never been to Void Valley. Could you tell me what it’s like?” Xu Zimo asked.
The teahouse owner brought over a steaming pot of tea. It smelled fresh and pleasant, just right.
“Void Valley? Let me explain simply,” the owner said, sipping his own tea. “The valley is boundless. Even a lifetime isn’t enough to explore it all. The main dangers are spatial turbulence and Void Beasts. Because of the unusual terrain, most living creatures can’t survive there for long. Only the Void Tree can.”
“Have there been any special events or rare creatures spotted inside?” Xu Zimo asked.
He realized from the owner’s answers that there was little reliable information. The valley had no borders, and the Void Spirit Monkey had given no clues. How was he supposed to search?
“We don’t know. We’re not regulars in the valley. Just come by occasionally to try our luck. Even the teahouse owner has never been in,” the man in yellow robes said.
“If you want real intel, head three kilometers east to a small town. There’s a family named Pi who’ve lived there for thousands of years, surviving by harvesting Void Wood. They might know more.”
“Can you tell me more about this Path of No Return?” Xu Zimo asked.
“It’s no secret. Just something newbies don’t know,” the owner chuckled. “Spatial turbulence is the biggest threat in the valley, but usually it only appears occasionally. However, on the Path of No Return, turbulence is the most concentrated. Almost no one dares enter. Anyone who steps into it is instantly torn to pieces.”
“No one’s ever made it through?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Nope. They say even Grand Emperors can’t make it in more than a few steps before turning back,” the owner replied.
“Thanks,” Xu Zimo said, standing up and placing a few spirit stones on the table. He got back on Nightmare’s carriage.
Leaving the Path of No Return, Xu Zimo went to check out the official entrance to Void Valley.
There was indeed only one entrance, paved with white granite, clearly maintained and constructed.
Disciples from major factions stood guard at the gate. Anyone entering had to hand over their entry token.
The entrance itself was a swirling vortex of warped space.
Xu Zimo saw people vanish as soon as they stepped in, he couldn’t see the world inside at all.
Still, he didn’t rush in. He wanted to check out the town to the east first.
Nightmare moved forward, and three kilometers wasn’t far. Soon, Xu Zimo arrived at a town called Void Town.
It wasn’t big or small. Two ancient trees stood at the entrance, flanking a wooden gate with a rusty iron plaque that read “Void Town” in faded characters.
The streets inside were lively enough, with small groups of travelers walking by. Vendors on both sides called out in calm tones.
It wasn’t bustling, but it wasn’t deserted either.
“Excuse me, is there a family named Pi living in this town?” Xu Zimo stopped a passerby and asked with a smile.