Waterfall Valley had been used by Tang Hao to hide the grass seeds and Spirit Bone left behind by the Blue Silver Emperor, which meant it had to be an extremely secluded place.
Chen Yuan had indeed found no place matching those conditions on the map. However, since Tang Hao lived in seclusion in Holy Soul Village, Waterfall Valley could not be too far away.
Thinking along those lines, Chen Yuan studied the mountain ranges near Holy Soul Village on the map and finally found a clue. It was a stretch of continuous high mountains. No one had ever ventured inside, and no one knew what lay within.
With a target in mind, Chen Yuan prepared to set out in search of it. Before leaving, however, he disguised himself. He took off his clothes and changed into the plainest coarse linen garments imaginable, then draped himself in a black cloak that concealed his entire body.
Dressed like this, he looked exactly like the sort of villain who could let out a sinister "heh heh heh" at any moment, utterly at odds with his usual upright image of flying on a sword.
When night fell, Chen Yuan's attire blended perfectly into the darkness. A pair of wings emerged from his back, and with a flap, he shot into the sky.
Using the map to determine his location, Chen Yuan first flew near Holy Soul Village. After confirming the direction, he flew toward the Back Mountain behind the village and entered the endless mountain range.
Chen Yuan was patient, keeping himself at low altitude throughout. First, so he could search for his target; second, so he would not be discovered.
After flying over several peaks that ordinary people would find impossible to cross, he noticed that the moisture in the mountain forest had grown increasingly dense. His spirits lifted. There had to be a water source nearby.
He slowed down further and began searching more carefully. When the sound of water reached his ears, Chen Yuan became even more certain that he was on the right track.
Following the sound, he flew onward. A rushing waterfall appeared before his eyes beneath the moonlight, its turbulent waters sparkling brilliantly.
Chen Yuan took a deep breath and calmed his excited emotions. The most dangerous moment was now. Folding his wings, he landed nearby. Rather than rashly going forward to investigate, he first observed the area around the waterfall.
This valley was vast. Since few people ever came here, it retained a relatively primitive appearance. Still, it was not entirely without traces of human habitation. There was an open patch of ground by the river beneath the waterfall, deliberately cleared out, with signs that a bonfire had once burned there.
Looks like this is the place. Tang Hao, you shouldn't be here right now, should you?
Chen Yuan waited for an hour. No one returned, nor did anyone leave. Then he deliberately made a little noise and waited another hour. Still, no one returned or left.
There really is no one here. Two hours have passed, and it's already midnight. If I don't take it now, when will I?
Chen Yuan spread his wings and flew out. He soon reached the side of the waterfall and examined it from top to bottom, discovering the cave hidden behind the cascading water.
After confirming the location, Chen Yuan folded his wings and swiftly rushed inside. The moment his feet touched solid ground, he warily scanned his surroundings. The cave showed obvious signs of being carved by human hands. Because of the waterfall outside, it was dark, damp, and permeated by a chill.
Chen Yuan quietly walked deeper into the cave, where the surroundings gradually became more spacious. Once he truly entered its depths, he immediately saw the small mound of earth in the center. A single blade of grass grew from the mound. Its shape resembled Blue Silver Grass, but golden veins ran across it, emitting a faint halo that made it seem incomparably noble.
Near the grass was a bed made from a pile of dried Blue Silver Grass. There was a depression in it, as though someone had once lain there on their side, their gaze always fixed upon the golden Blue Silver Grass.
Imagining that scene, Chen Yuan was left somewhat speechless.
In such a dark and damp environment, no wonder Tang Hao's injuries haven't improved at all after more than ten years. And instead of planting the Blue Silver Emperor somewhere rich in Blue Silver Grass, he planted it in this tiny cave, where it was just one man and one plant staring at each other. What was Tang Hao even thinking?
Chen Yuan had no time to waste. He began feeling around the area for the hidden compartment containing the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone. After searching for a while, he finally found it behind the grass bed.
With a gentle press, the stone wall rumbled open, revealing a Fine Iron Box inside. Delight filled Chen Yuan's eyes as he suppressed his excitement.
He took out the iron box. It was rather heavy, but he was no weakling. The moment he got hold of it, he opened the lid.
In an instant, a blue radiance burst forth, making even the air in the cave feel fresh. Inside the box lay an exceptionally complete, crystal-clear right leg bone.
Chen Yuan's breath caught. He could imagine how much a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone would improve him, so he could not help feeling excited.
He quickly took away the Spirit Bone, closed the lid, put the box back, and pressed the stone wall mechanism again. Then Chen Yuan began erasing any traces of his visit. At last, he stood before the Blue Silver Emperor.
Chen Yuan revealed a thoughtful expression. For a Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master, consuming this Blue Silver Emperor would be no different from consuming an Immortal Herb. It could completely transform them.
However, he was not a Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master. Taking the Blue Silver Emperor would be useless to him and might instead drive Tang Hao mad, causing him to search everywhere for Chen Yuan's trail.
If he left the grass behind, then as long as Tang Hao did not discover that someone had come here, he might not realize for a long time that the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone had been taken.
That was more advantageous for him. The only flaw was the Blue Silver Emperor itself, but its aura was currently only that of a Thousand Year Soul Beast. Its soul might not even awaken, so that would not be much of a problem either.
As long as she did not revive, no one would know he had come. Having thought it through, Chen Yuan made his decision.
I won't touch the Blue Silver Emperor. I hope this can be delayed for a while longer. I still need time to grow, and it's not yet time to muddy the waters of the continent too much.
Chen Yuan immediately turned back, burst through the waterfall, and shot into the sky with a beat of his wings. Without looking back, he flew straight ahead.
Only after flying a hundred li in one breath did Chen Yuan land to rest. He found a crevice between mountain rocks, large enough to fit around three people. After squeezing inside, he sealed the entrance, leaving only a fist-sized opening for air circulation.
Having finally relaxed, Chen Yuan began Meditating to restore his Soul Power. He continued until the sky outside brightened and the sun rose over the horizon.
Chen Yuan woke as well. He let out a long breath, a smile on his face and excitement in his eyes. Then he took out the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone. It was not safe to leave this thing exposed; the sooner he absorbed it, the safer it would be.
"After absorbing my Third Spirit Ring, I broke through to Level 32 Soul Power. Then, after jumping off the cliff, my Soul Power surged between life and death, and I successfully broke through to Level 33 Soul Power. Now that I'm absorbing a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone, just how much will I improve?"
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