Echo Valley Town

Arrow: Frost Poison Arrow

Arrows crafted from Frost Thorns Wood. Their highly contagious frost poison doesn't require penetration of defenses; it takes effect simply by hitting the target.

[Arrows specifically designed to disrupt enemy movements; low value.]

[Equipment: Frostwood Cloak]

[A thick cloak woven from Vines, its surface decorated with wood grain that possesses a chilling poison that automatically damages approaching enemies; equipping this cloak provides some protection against hot weather.]

[Deadly Poison Plant Set - (2/7)]

A cloak that exudes a chilling aura would probably be even more popular in summer.

"Um..."

"Not bad?"

Linsey tidied up her gear.

The Frost Poison Arrow's function is as simple and direct as its name suggests.

However, this Frostwood Cloak happens to be a member of the Deadly Poison Plant Set.

Combined with the [Poison Thorn Wood Armor] that Linsey had acquired before, the two pieces of equipment directly activated a basic set effect.

[Plant Toxins: The toxicity of set items is slightly increased.]

Linsey put on her cape and huddled against a nearby bush.

Smash!

Part of the bushes was pierced by the Thorn, and another part was frozen brittle by the cold poison, directly imprinting a mold of Linsey's body.

"Wait a minute! Won't I turn into a hedgehog now?"

The combination of the two pieces of equipment is a perfect match.

If you fight with them, as long as the enemy doesn't use weapons and gets close, they'll probably be attacked by both Thorn and cold poison before they even reach Linsey.

In higher-level battles, this effect may not be very effective.

However, it is extremely effective in defending against petty theft or dealing with miscellaneous enemies in large-scale battles! However, the set effect has the same drawbacks as the [Poison Thorn Wood Armor].

They all activate automatically after being equipped.

If she doesn't want to harm innocent people, Linsey usually won't equip them.

A week later, torrential rains fell.

The branches and leaves in the forest were battered by the heavy rain, creating a continuous symphony.

Linsey, wearing a raincoat she had made herself, peeked out from the forest and saw the surging Echo Ancient River in front of her.

"If it rains for another two days, there will probably be floods again."

Linsey murmured something, then looked into the distance again.

Through the rain, a canyon is faintly visible, like viewing a painting through frosted glass.

The Echo Valley River stretches into the distance.

Like an axe splitting a mountain, it carved a huge, long, and immeasurable crack between the mountains, resembling a Meteorite falling to earth.

At this very moment, the sound of wind and rain whistles through the air.

Even with poor visibility, eerie sounds could still be heard from several kilometers away, created by the reflection of sound.

Does the sound reflection from the Echo Valley manifest?

Linsey reached out and wiped the rain off her face.

When he left the Lake Island Secret Realm, he relied solely on the map to estimate that he could get here in four or five days.

But in reality, it still took a bit more time.

The forest during the rainy season is even more difficult to traverse than the normal wilderness. Now, if he calculates the time carefully, it has been a full two months since he left Nine Bends City.

"Anyway, let's go check out Echo Valley first."

Linsey adjusted the raincoat on her shoulders.

Then he took a step and walked towards the mountains, stepping on the damp and soft forest ground.

The Echo Ancient River, one of the three major rivers in the Courtyard in the Forest, is named after the Echo Valley in front of it.

Decades ago.

This place, considered a natural wonder, has been developed as a tourist resort.

Because of my experience in Black Mountain World.

Linsey doesn't really like being alone in the wild.

We're going in to rest now and do some research.

Continue walking for another hour in the rain.

Linsey finally arrived at the entrance to Echo Valley.

But looking at the scene before him, he immediately had a feeling that he might have come to the wrong place.

"There are just too many people..."

Linsey stood in the rain, staring wide-eyed at the small town before her.

He followed the Echo Valley River, its surging waters flowing like an endless song of life, through the entire canyon and the tourist town nestled there.

In the small town, raindrops fell along the eaves, making a crisp sound.

Then, following the stone-paved road, they quickly merged into the river in the center of the town, flowing together into the distance.

But this is a beautiful, poetic scene.

It does not mean that the population is sparse.

Conversely, the taverns and inns on the streets and alleys were bustling with activity.

Linsey stood at the entrance to the town, the aroma of steaming food even penetrating the dense rain and reaching his nostrils, accompanied by the enthusiastic discussions of the explorers.

Linsey went inside and inquired before she understood what had happened.

Two months ago, at the call of Mu Le Na Hu En, countless residents of Nine Bends City stepped into the jungle, preparing to search for the forest treasures spoken of by the city lord.

Just two weeks later, a strange change occurred in the forest.

With Linsey and the explorer Reze in control, the fleet eventually set up camp on the riverbank and even embarked on a journey to resolve the crisis.

And the others who also left the city...

Most explorers could only continue their journey along the Echo Valley River.

They dared not venture into the forest easily, and eventually came to Echo Valley Town, using it as a temporary haven in the midst of the crisis.

Following the war in Nine Bends City, even more refugees flocked there.

Now, more than a month later, the strange events in the forest have finally come to an end.

The bolder ones have already left the peace of Echo Valley Town and gone out to continue their search for the so-called treasure.

Many more people plan to stay here for a while longer.

We'll start again once we're sure there are no problems with the forest.

By a combination of circumstances, this lively and extraordinary scene came about.

"..."

"With so many people around, those two guys shouldn't be hiding here, right?"

Linsey opened the map.

The red, yellow, and green markers on top are so densely packed, like a map in an open-world game, that it's dazzling.

Linsey simply closed the map, picked a riverside inn, and went inside.

"Cough, cough cough."

As soon as she stepped inside, Linsey couldn't help but cough a few times.

Stepping into the hotel, you are greeted by a warm fireplace, as if the inside and outside of the hotel are two completely different worlds.

After coughing up the damp air unique to the rainy season from my throat.

Linsey stepped forward and spoke to the landlady, "Boss, are there any rooms available?"

The proprietress, wearing a linen coat, was leaning against the counter calculating accounts.

Hearing the question, she looked up and saw Linsey, a smile escaping her wrinkles, "Oh dear! There have been so many people in town these past few days, my rooms are all full. But my husband built a few new rooms in the backyard a few days ago, they're still very basic, if you don't mind..."

Linsey interrupted the landlady's narration directly:

"I'll only stay for one day."

The proprietress's smile remained unchanged, "Two Silver Coin, and we'll provide hot water and food."

Linsey nodded.

He took out two Rough Silver Coin and placed them on the counter, put away his raincoat, and found a seat in the hall.

There are also quite a few explorers staying here.

The trading of various equipment, medicines, and maps is extremely active.

Linsey waited for her food while secretly gathering information.

The adventurers reminisced about the past and dreamed about the future. While there was some boasting in the discussions, there were also many heartfelt recollections.

Not long after, Linsey came across an interesting discussion.

Those were a few men and women sitting on the left side of the hotel.

They didn't lower their voices; they exchanged their views as if discussing something everyone already knew.

"Have you heard? Something happened in Zhenbei two days ago."

"It seems quite a few people are missing!"

"Some people say they found treasure in the forest and discovered a secret realm, which is why they set off overnight!"

"I asked several Fifth Stage Awakeners..."

"Since those important figures are unwilling to speak out, it might not be true!"