Late at night.
A cool breeze swept through the lush vegetation. Branches and leaves swayed and rose and fell like layer upon layer of surging waves, while the distinctive fragrance of the forest slowly spread through the air.
Foxes and rabbits darted about; snakes and mice waited for their chance. Rustling sounds filled the shadows.
Three figures walked slowly along the official road.
The one in the middle had a touch of frost at his temples and fine lines at the corners of his eyes. He seemed middle-aged. The person on the left wore a green robe and straw sandals, with a long sword on his back. The one on the right wore an imperial robe and a golden crown.
As they walked, their auras were reined in so completely that not a trace of life force leaked out. They were Fu Xuanxu, Zhong Kui Yueji, and Ning Wuye.
As they walked, they suddenly came to a halt.
A short distance away stood a stone stele, crudely engraved with the three characters "Yan Hui Valley."
The three glanced casually at the stele, then looked toward the path beyond it.
It was a broad road, level and well maintained, no different from the stretch where they stood. Tall grass drooped along either side, interspersed with clumps of trees, and crows and sparrows occasionally called from the branches.
The three watched in silence. Fu Xuanxu said, "There's an Illusion Array here."
"Check what kind of array it is. If it can be broken, break it. Otherwise, we'll take another route."
Zhong Kui Yueji gave a slight nod. "Leave it to me."
At a thought, he took a dull-colored compass out of his Storage Pouch and began calculating with his fingers.
Fu Xuanxu and Ning Wuye stood beside him, keeping watch in every