CHAPTER 298: CHAPTER 298 TARGET: THE DEATH VALLEY

"Ugh—" A light groan escaped as an individual, shot through the chest by Wang Lan’s arrow, suddenly kicked their legs out and died.

"Brother!"

"Attack! Avenge our brother! He’s currently treating Princess Yu and can’t help us."

The two figures flickered, instantly lunging toward Bai Ji with murderous intent.

Bai Ji’s expression changed drastically. Just as she was about to act, the Star Energy Fluctuation within her was suddenly synchronized by a more powerful one, causing the Star Power in her body to surge uncontrollably.

"Synchronization of Star power? Wang Lan, save me!"

"He’s busy treating two critically injured people; he has no time to save you."

"Die—"

The two assailants moved like ghosts, covering dozens of meters almost instantly to reach Bai Ji. One slashed at her neck while the other swept at her waist.

Such a merciless, killing blow left no room for escape.

Just as the blades gleamed, about to strike home, a shadowy figure suddenly flashed before them. The two attackers froze, their blades stopping less than a foot from Bai Ji.

With her Star Power restricted, Bai Ji was like a fish on the chopping block. She had already closed her eyes, awaiting death, but the expected pain never came. When she opened her eyes, she found the two attackers standing motionless, like wooden statues.

"SPURT—" Blood sprayed out, splattering Bai Ji’s face. Only then did she realize that the two before her had been sliced in half down the middle.

"Moon Falling Snow—"

A soft grunt sounded from behind a rock.

"Speedy Wind? You’re alright?" Bai Ji exclaimed in surprise.

"With Wang Lan here, of course, we’re fine," Yu Ruoyun said gently, patting Bai Ji’s shoulder. "Come with me to change clothes."

The four regrouped after changing into fresh clothes. They showed no signs of the life-threatening terror or severe injuries they had suffered earlier. If not for the lingering fatigue on their faces, Bai Ji might have thought the fierce battle was merely a figment of her imagination.

"Why did those three try to kill you just now?" Wang Lan asked, looking at Bai Ji with puzzlement.

Bai Ji was also puzzled. After a long moment of thought, she still shook her head. "I’m just an ordinary student; how could anyone want to kill me... I can’t remember."

"You really can’t remember?" Wang Lan pressed.

Bai Ji continued to shake her head, her furrowed brows making her look pitiably confused. Yue Jifeng quickly tried to smooth things over. "Maybe Bai Ji unknowingly offended someone. Anyway, we’ve dealt with the assassins. We can just report it to the school once we get out."

Wang Lan frowned and shook his head. "I’m afraid it’s not that simple. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone tried to assassinate Ruoyun, or even me.

"But these three ignored Ruoyun and me, solely focused on killing Bai Ji. That, I don’t understand.

"Moreover, sneaking into the Nine-layer Pagoda to assassinate someone is no simple feat. Everyone who enters the Nine-layer Pagoda is registered; any discrepancy would be noticed.

"Going to such lengths to infiltrate the Nine-layer Pagoda surely isn’t just a matter of having offended someone inadvertently."

"But... I really don’t know," Bai Ji said with a troubled expression. "It’s all so baffling. They went through so much trouble, crossing mountains and rivers, just to kill *me*? When did I become so noteworthy?"

"Let’s drop it for now. We’ll have the Tianjian Bureau investigate after we get out," Wang Lan said, then dismissed the question. His expression turned to one of eager anticipation.

"Bai Ji, quickly collect the Soul Beads from the Golden Winged Fire Scorpion. The Scorpion King self-destructed and took its entire tribe with it. We’ve hit the jackpot this time!"

Bai Ji immediately grew excited. She sat cross-legged and manipulated the earth, causing it to tremble slightly. Her expression shifted from shock to ecstatic joy.

Under the gaze of three pairs of eyes, Soul Beads erupted from the ground, piling up into a small mountain before Bai Ji.

"About 8,000 low-grade Soul Beads, 30 mid-grade, and 5 high-grade Soul Beads."

"This is more than enough for the school assignment," Yu Ruoyun said, her face radiant with joy. "Mission accomplished. Shall we withdraw?"

"Withdraw? What for? We’ve only been here six days; we still have four days left. Wouldn’t it be a waste to leave so early? I’ve had an epiphany! With Wang Lan around, we can basically do anything, no matter how dangerous, and we’ll be fine. So, why don’t we go take down another Exotic Beast tribe?"

Yue Jifeng clearly hadn’t learned his lesson from his recent brush with death.

"Don’t talk nonsense. If you get yourself killed outright, I can only help send you to the afterlife; I can’t bring you back from the dead."

"How could I get killed that easily?"

"What about that attack just now? Even someone at the Star Sea realm would have been killed instantly, right?"

"That was just an accident. Exotic Beasts capable of self-destruction are one in a million. Encountering one was already incredibly rare. How could we be that unlucky again? Anyway, stop going on about it, Ruoyun. You’re the team leader; say something."

Yu Ruoyun activated her watch’s projection, and a map materialized in mid-air.

"I’ve found an interesting place."

"What place? What’s so interesting about it?"

"Here, The Death Valley! Designated by the academy as a Life Forbidden Zone. No student is allowed to approach it."

"The Death Valley... I’ve never heard of it." Yue Jifeng thought for a moment, then shook his head. Although he was a senior, this was his first time in the Nine-layer Pagoda. Moreover, he had never come across anything about The Death Valley in old posts or records.

"Of course you don’t know. The Death Valley was declared a forbidden area twenty years ago, and all students are strictly prohibited from approaching. With no one visiting, naturally, there’s no information about it.

"The Death Valley became known as a Life Forbidden Zone because it’s filled with a terrifying Star Martial Toxin. Even those in the Star Sea realm can’t survive inside for more than thirty seconds.

"Within The Death Valley, there’s a type of Exotic Beast called the Ghost-eye. Their bodies are composed of the toxin itself. They lack a physical form, existing instead as strange life forms condensed from toxin, like ghosts.

"That’s why the Ghost-eye has virtually no substantial offensive power. They rely on Star Martial Toxins to poison their targets and decompose the bodies with the toxin. Once decomposition is complete, the corpse is also assimilated into toxin.

"They could be a tribe, or they could be a single entity. You could say there’s only one Ghost-eye in The Death Valley, or you could say there are thousands."

Listening to Yu Ruoyun’s explanation, Yue Jifeng’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he audibly gulped.

"So, you have a Toxin Vaccine for the Ghost Eye Toxin?" Yue Jifeng asked tentatively.

With a vaccine, Poisonous Beasts would be mere trifles on a chopping block, easily dealt with. But without one, Star Martial Toxins were the most terrifying killers, harvesting lives like a scythe through wheat, swath by swath.

"No! But we have Wang Lan! This great scientist who has ushered in a new era of Star Martial Toxin Vaccines..."

The way Yu Ruoyun said it gave Wang Lan goosebumps all over.

"Ruoyun, stop teasing me."

"I’m not teasing you; that’s what they say in the news."

Faced with three pairs of hopeful eyes, Wang Lan eventually steeled his heart and shook his head. "But I haven’t created a Toxin Vaccine for the Ghost Eye Toxin. Strange. Since such a terrible toxin exists at the academy, why hasn’t the school prioritized having me develop a Toxin Vaccine for it?"

"That... I don’t know. The Death Valley has been a forbidden zone for over twenty years. Perhaps even the school has forgotten about it."

"If Wang Lan hasn’t developed a vaccine, then we can’t go to The Death Valley," Yue Jifeng muttered regretfully.

"Not necessarily. There might be other ways to counteract Star Martial Toxins besides a vaccine. Another method is to fight poison with poison. But before that, I must obtain a sample of the toxin," Wang Lan said hesitantly. If the Ghost-eye were truly as easy to deal with as Yu Ruoyun described, it would be quite tempting.

"You can leave getting the toxin sample to me. But I have to ask, Wang Lan, how confident are you? By the time I retrieve the sample, I’ll already be poisoned."

"I have no absolute certainty, but rest assured, my Star Martial Skill can treat Star Martial Toxins. However, its healing power isn’t limitless. It can save two people simultaneously, but not three. And these Star Martial Toxins are so potent, lethal within seconds, that I wouldn’t have enough time to save many. So, one person, I can save. Two, possibly. But not a large group."

"I see. Alright then, let’s give it a shot."

The team followed the map’s directions to the outskirts of The Death Valley. The valley resembled a huge basin, filled with dense, churning black fog. Two canyon passages, one at the front and one at the back, served as entry and exit. Strangely, though the fog-like substance swirled actively, it remained confined within the basin, not spilling out even a bit.

Even when fierce canyon winds blew, they only made the toxic mist churn without dispersing it.

Outside the canyon lay a vast river, flanked by dense primeval forests that stretched as far as the eye could see. The team of four stopped at the edge of the forest, Wang Lan curiously eyeing the dense woods.

"What are you looking at?" Yu Ruoyun asked softly.

"No wonder not only The Death Valley is a forbidden zone, but also the surrounding areas. A place pervaded by toxic gas is bound to be teeming with poisonous things; these forests are full of toxic herbs and flowers."

"Is it that terrifying? I suddenly have a bad feeling," Yue Jifeng exclaimed playfully.

"Actually, poisonous plants aren’t so bad. Generally, they don’t release toxins unless harmed. Or unless... they can’t help it."

After all, he’d learned about Star Martial Toxins from library books during his studies. That’s what the books claimed; whether it was accurate was anyone’s guess.

"This patch of forest here is highly toxic, which is perfect. We’ll need to find ingredients in it later to formulate the antidote. Speedy Wind, you’re the fastest. It’s up to you. Go in, get a vessel of the toxin, and come right back." Wang Lan took a vessel from his spatial wristband and handed it to Yue Jifeng.

Yue Jifeng solemnly took the vessel. "Wang Lan, my life is in your hands now!"

With an air of solemn resolve, he turned and headed towards the valley.

Wang Lan’s mouth twitched slightly. "Does this count as... him giving his last words?"

"Are you sure your Star Martial Skill can treat Star Martial Toxins?"

"Of course. I was poisoned by Mrs. Sun Li before, and I used my Star Martial Skill to cure it. Mrs. Sun Li was really thoughtful. She even knew I’d need the Toxin Synthesis Device and prepared it for me in advance."

"Speedy Wind is about to go in," Bai Ji called out nervously.

Wang Lan gave Bai Ji a surprised look. He recalled how Bai Ji and Yue Jifeng’s interactions had noticeably increased over the past few days. Whoa... Something’s definitely up between them! But it was strange; they’d seemed unfamiliar with each other before entering... They had spent these days in intense combat; could they really have gotten together so easily?