After leaving the inn, Ling Feng regrouped with Cao Meng and the others at the north gate of the city. Without delay, they set off for Zuowang Valley.
As Cao Meng had said, Zuowang Valley was indeed a barren wasteland—nothing more than two narrow mountain ranges intersecting, blocking out sunlight almost entirely.
The valley was cold and damp, with only the hardiest weeds surviving. No flowers or herbs grew here.
Aside from the Northwestern Army using it for military drills, the place was practically deserted.
"General Ling, see for yourself. What kind of hellhole is this? Why would the demons go through all this trouble—sending an army, even breaking through the fortress with a demon emperor? It makes no sense!"
Cao Meng wore an "I told you so" expression, inwardly scoffing: This kid's still too young and naive!
"Never judge a book by its cover." Ling Feng pursed his lips. "There are three entrances to Zuowang Valley. We'll split into three teams and search thoroughly. I suspect this place might be the entrance to a secret realm."
Back then, the entrance to the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons had also been hidden in an unremarkable mountain within the Cangqiong Mountain Range. He had good reason to believe Zuowang Valley could be the same.
Cao Meng thought, Well, we're already here. Might as well search properly so this kid can finally drop it.
He ordered the Spiritual Element Realm elites to split up and scour the valley.
Ling Feng didn't waste words, choosing a direction and heading in. The journey had been too uneventful—so uneventful that even he was starting to doubt his own judgment.
"Hmph! Just some wet-behind-the-ears brat, riding on the Commander-in-chief's favor!"
Once Ling Feng was out of earshot, one of Cao Meng's vice-generals, Pei Shao, couldn't help but grumble.
"Pei Shao! And the rest of you—listen up!"
Cao Meng shot him a glare, his voice icy. "General Ling might lack experience, but he saved Adviser Jia's life—which means he indirectly saved mine too. I don't want to hear another word against him, understand?"
Pei Shao and the others shrank back, realizing they'd misjudged Cao Meng's stance.
"Good. Now move out! Search carefully—let's make sure General Ling has nothing left to say after this!"
With a snort, Cao Meng led three elites into the left entrance while Pei Shao took the remaining men through the last one.
Though Ling Feng didn't look back, his Boundless Vision caught everything. He couldn't help but respect Cao Meng a little more.
For a rough-around-the-edges guy, he's got principles.
The three teams soon fanned out deep into Zuowang Valley.
"Ugh, what a waste of time! A complete waste!"
Pei Shao trudged through the valley, griping loudly. "I could walk Zuowang Valley blindfolded seven or eight times! There's no secret realm gate here—that little general's just dreaming!"
"Ah, Vice-General Pei, quit complaining. Think of it as a day off," a square-faced soldier chuckled.
"Easy for you to say, Lao Fang."
Pei Shao shouldered his spear, jabbing it randomly at the surroundings.
Without warning, space tore open—a crack splitting the air!
Six figures stepped out.
"Finally! Shook off that damn old man. Didn't miss the timing!"
"Enough talk. If not for Elder Xuan Snake hiding among us, that sacred land geezer would've wiped us all out!"
"Hah! As if the sacred lands would let some brat steal our chance at fortune. That great opportunity belongs to us—the geniuses of the northern demon tribe!"
"Wait—outsiders? They got here before us?"
The six youths—dressed in demonic beast pelts and reeking of demonic qi—paused mid-conversation, spotting Pei Shao's group.
Pei Shao and his men froze.
Pei Shao's mind reeled as he scanned their cultivation levels—his face instantly paled.
All demon lords! (Equivalent to Spiritual Element Realm.)
His heart hammered like a drum.
Heavens... General Ling was right all along! The demons' target really is Zuowang Valley!
"Northwestern Army armor?"
A black-armored demon youth narrowed his eyes. "How? How did they know our objective? We wiped out all their scouts!"
"Who cares? Just kill them!"
A girl with snow-white fox tail from the Fox Clan giggled. "They're just ants anyway."
Hearing this, Pei Shao didn't hesitate—he bolted, his movement art carrying him like the wind!
These were demon lord-level geniuses, each with king beast bloodlines. Against them, humans stood no chance!
The other soldiers, snapping out of their daze, scrambled after him.
Their only hope now was to find Cao Meng—and fast.
The demon geniuses sneered, watching them flee with disdain.
The black-armored leader—a towering figure with an aura of dragon might—was none other than the Three-Headed Demonic Jiao Prince, whom Ling Feng had once encountered at Luofeng Canyon.
Back then, the prince's sudden appearance had distracted Yan Jinghong, indirectly saving Ling Feng's life. (See Chapter 69)
Beside him, a bear-like demon cracked his knuckles. "Third Prince, these humans must've stumbled in by accident. Weaklings like them—let me finish them off!"
The Demonic Jiao Prince smirked, cold light flashing in his slit-pupiled eyes. "No rush. The Wuji Cave Heaven ahead is bound to have traps. With Elder Xuan Snake gone, these humans might make useful cannon fodder!"
"Then let me capture them alive!" The bear-demon grinned eagerly.
"Hei Xiong[1], you're too heavy-handed. Xue Ji—you go."
The prince's lips curled as he glanced at the only female in their group.
1. 黑熊 (Hēixióng) direct translate = black bear ☜