Han Yu requested access to another section of jade slips, this time focusing on bestiaries and monster records. It took longer than before, as many slips were incomplete or too ancient to read properly.
Wu Shuan stopped by during this time, bringing him a meal. "Still at it?" he asked, setting a small plate beside Han Yu.
"I found what the herb is," Han Yu said. "Now I'm looking into the beast we killed. Something about it doesn't add up."
Wu Shuan raised a brow. "You think it's rare?"
"Not just rare," Han Yu replied, eyes narrowing as he skimmed through another record. "It's not supposed to exist here."
An hour later, he found it—the reference he had been searching for.
The jade slip depicted a sketch of a large wolf-like creature covered in scales, with eyes that glowed blue and a flame that burned unnaturally hot.
Its name was written below in small, ancient script: Scaled Blue Flame Wolf.
Han Yu absorbed the description carefully.
It was classified as a mid-tier Spirit Beast, known for its trace bloodline of a Flame Drake. While its own power as a juvenile was limited to the Core Condensation or early Spirit realm, its potential was remarkable. Given time and proper cultivation resources, it could reach the Peak of the Spirit realm and possibly touch upon the Immortal Ascension threshold.
That bloodline explained the creature's scales, as well as its unusual elemental control.
Wu Shuan read over his shoulder, letting out a low whistle. "A Flame Drake descendant? No wonder it took us so long to bring it down. If it were older, we'd be in pieces by now."
Han Yu nodded, his thoughts distant. "Yes. The one we fought must have been a juvenile, perhaps recently advanced into the Core Condensation stage. If it were mature, even six of us together would not have survived a direct hit from that breath attack."
The weight of that realization settled over them both. The encounter had seemed straightforward at the time, but in truth, they had brushed against something far more dangerous than they understood.
He closed the jade slip and let out a slow breath. "We were lucky."
Wu Shuan smirked faintly. "Luck favors those who are careful. Still, let's not test it again."
Han Yu chuckled softly. "Agreed."
He made a full report of his findings, recording both the herb's properties and the beast's classification for the logistics division. Once the record and some paperwork were complete, he returned to his tent with the herb.
While he did think of using the herb for all of them, they still needed the approval of elders and a bit of paperwork which would be done by tomorrow.
Night had fully fallen... or what passed for night in this false sky. The stars above shimmered faintly, but they lacked depth, as though someone had painted them upon an enormous dome.
Han Yu sat quietly, staring upward for a long while.
Everything they had found so far pointed to one truth, the inner realm was not a simple tomb. The beasts, the herbs, even the energy that flowed through the land all seemed slightly foreign, slightly out of place.
And in that quiet moment, he wondered if this realm truly belonged to their world at all.
A faint wind stirred through the camp, carrying with it whispers of the forest beyond.
The Ripple Calming Flower rested safely in its box beside him, glowing faintly through the talisman seal. Its gentle light flickered like a heartbeat, steady and calm.
Han Yu exhaled, feeling that same calm settle over him for now. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and perhaps, new answers to the mysteries surrounding this place.
But tonight, he allowed himself a moment of peace beneath the illusory heavens.
The next day dawned within the false sky, though dawn was a strange word for it.
There was no rising sun, no glow from the horizon to mark the change from night to day. Instead, the illusionary heavens simply brightened as if someone had lifted a veil from the world, letting in a light that carried no warmth.
Han Yu was already awake before this artificial dawn. Follow current novels on novel•fire.net
He had spent the night meditating quietly, cycling his Qi through his meridians to keep them smooth and to absorb more qi from the rich air of the inner realm. The faint hum of spiritual energy that pervaded the inner realm made cultivation slightly easier, though there was something unfamiliar about it... as if an undercurrent that refused to settle.
It was pure, but not in the way he was used to. Like water that had been filtered yet still carried traces of something foreign.
He set those thoughts aside for now. There were other matters to attend to.
After tidying up his tent, he stepped out and made his way toward the logistics division. The camp was already alive with activity. Disciples were organizing new expeditions, replenishing supplies, and discussing what areas to explore next.
A few elders could be seen overseeing the more critical preparations, their calm presence ensuring that everything remained in order. Though most of the stronger elders were also out, exploring and looking for fortune.
Han Yu reached the same tented structure as before. Its walls shimmered faintly with an array that kept the contents within safe from moisture and spiritual fluctuations. Inside, the familiar scent of medicinal powders and parchment greeted him once again.
The same young disciple manning the counter from yesterday perked up upon seeing him. "Senior Brother Han! You're back early today."
Han Yu gave a short nod. "I am here to confirm the paperwork I filed yesterday regarding the Ripple Calming Twelve Petaled Flower. I need authorization to use a portion of it for my group."
The disciple quickly checked through a stack of jade slips and pulled one out. "Yes, the record is here. You reported one intact sample, twelve petals in total. I can confirm you've been granted permission to allocate part of it for field use, as long as it is properly logged afterward."