Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley

"Yes."

Zhou Yu immediately replied.

Compared with the seven or eight herb gatherers who had no idea what was going on, Zhou Yu knew some of the inside story behind this operation.

Why had they formed another herb-gathering team?

Why had they entered Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley in the Hundred Thousand Mountains?

It was all because of "The Lord's" order.

Zhou Yu didn't know who "The Lord" was, nor did he know why they were entering Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley.

He only knew that "The Lord" was a great benefactor of Zhou Pharmaceutical. Even if their entire herb-gathering team died in the Hundred Thousand Mountains,

they still wouldn't be able to repay even one ten-thousandth of "The Lord's" kindness.

"Mm. Get ready for now. We'll set out in ten minutes and thirty-seven seconds."

"The Lord's" deep voice came through the Miniature Earpiece.

"Understood."

Zhou Yu immediately checked the time.

He couldn't help feeling impressed. This "Lord," who had done Zhou Pharmaceutical such a great favor, was incredibly precise about time—even the departure time was accurate to the second.

Still, whatever he thought, Zhou Yu didn't dare disobey "The Lord's" orders. He watched his wristwatch, waiting for the ten minutes and thirty-seven seconds to pass before setting off.

At the Zhou Family Old Residence, in the main hall.

After setting the departure time for the herb-gathering team, Su Yuan began reviewing his plan.

As for how to retrieve the Blood Lingzhi deep in the ravines of Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley in the Hundred Thousand Mountains,

Su Yuan had naturally used the Grey Mirror to devise a complete and meticulous plan.

He didn't need to show up in person for any part of it. He only had to direct things from the rear.

As for who would carry out the plan? That would be Zhou Yu and the herb-gathering team he led.

In truth, the seven or eight herb gatherers were only there to help. The one who actually needed to venture deep into Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley and retrieve the Blood Lingzhi was Zhou Yu.

With the help of the Grey Mirror, Su Yuan knew that Zhou Yu was strong enough and wouldn't hesitate to follow his orders.

Only Zhou Yu had any chance of retrieving the Blood Lingzhi from Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley.

Why Zhou Yu and not a Huajin Grandmaster? A Huajin Grandmaster was certainly far stronger than Zhou Yu, but would have ideas of their own and wouldn't be so obedient.

And under the watchful eyes of countless snake monsters and two Snake Mothers whose strength rivaled that of Baodan Grandmasters, there was little difference between Dark Force and Huajin. If they were discovered, they would die either way.

A Baodan Grandmaster would have a much better chance, but with Su Yuan's current methods, he couldn't ensure that a Grandmaster would work for him without any risk.

"It's about time."

Su Yuan glanced at the clock and thought to himself.

At the same time,

in the wooden cabin outside the Hundred Thousand Mountains,

Zhou Yu watched the time and, once it was time to set out as "The Lord" had instructed,

immediately stood up, glanced at the eight herb gatherers, and said, "We're leaving."

The eight herb gatherers were inwardly bitter, but they obediently slung their large packs onto their backs, left the cabin, and entered the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

They had no choice. No matter how unwilling they were, they could only grit their teeth and obey. Zhou Yu was a Dark Force expert; killing them would be easy for him.

Besides, the parents, children, and other relatives of all eight herb gatherers were outside. Zhou Pharmaceutical wasn't a merciful organization, and in Southern Frontier, the merciful didn't survive.

Fifteen minutes later,

the herb-gathering team officially entered the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

The light dimmed at once, and the air began to grow damp.

However, the team was made up of experienced herb gatherers. They feared only a few forbidden places, such as Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley. The rest posed no challenge to them.

Zhou Yu carefully surveyed their surroundings. He was very familiar with the Hundred Thousand Mountains, too.

As he watched the area around them, Zhou Yu also kept an eye on the Miniature Earpiece in his ear, ready to receive "The Lord's" orders at any moment.

Five minutes later,

the Miniature Earpiece vibrated slightly.

Zhou Yu's attention sharpened, and he immediately listened.

"Start digging two meters ahead. You'll find some snake eggs. Bring them along."

Su Yuan's voice came through the Miniature Earpiece.

"Snake eggs?"

Zhou Yu stopped and looked at the spot two meters away.

He then ordered the eight herb gatherers to start digging.

Sure enough, they unearthed thirty-four snake eggs.

The herb gatherers who did the digging didn't think much of it. They assumed Zhou Yu had judged from the surroundings that this was a snake's nest and that it would contain eggs.

But Zhou Yu was far from calm.

How does "The Lord" know there are snake eggs here?

Zhou Yu wondered. Could "The Lord" have been here before and learned about this place?

Although he was puzzled, Zhou Yu didn't dwell on it.

That was the key reason Su Yuan had chosen Zhou Yu to carry out the plan—

He was obedient.

He simply followed orders.

Even if he had questions, he wouldn't hesitate to follow the next order.

After that,

on the way to Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley, deep in the Hundred Thousand Mountains,

Zhou Yu stopped from time to time and, following Su Yuan's instructions, dug up several hundred snake eggs.

The eight herb gatherers carried the eggs. Fortunately, they were small, so each of them could carry about a hundred without trouble.

Half a day later,

they finally reached the entrance to Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley.

Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley was, as its name suggested, a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Zhou Yu took a deep breath. On the way there, they had already encountered more and more snakes. Fortunately, the herb-gathering team had brought snake repellent spray and hadn't been attacked.

But Zhou Yu knew the spray could only scare ordinary snakes. Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley was crawling with vicious snakes, and the repellent couldn't stop them.

"Now, take out the medicinal herbs I told you to bring. Pick five and grind them up."

At that moment, Su Yuan's instructions came through the Miniature Earpiece Zhou Yu was wearing.

"Take five herbs and grind them up."

Zhou Yu immediately looked at the eight herb gatherers.

Before entering the Hundred Thousand Mountains, they had brought a lot of medicinal herbs as instructed. They still didn't know what they were for.

Soon,

the eight herb gatherers ground up five herbs.

"Now take two snake eggs and crack them. Pour the contents in and mix them with the ground herbs."

Su Yuan's voice sounded in Zhou Yu's ear again, and he ordered the herb gatherers to do as instructed.

Rustle, rustle—the ground herbs and the egg liquid mixed together, gradually blending into a transparent, colorless viscous substance.

"What is this?"

Zhou Yu watched the newly formed Transparent Viscous Substance. It was colorless and odorless.

"Now spread this Transparent Viscous Substance over your body. Make sure to cover every part."

Su Yuan's voice came through the Miniature Earpiece into Zhou Yu's ear.

After receiving the order, Zhou Yu immediately began taking off his clothes. Under the eight herb gatherers' watchful eyes, he carefully spread the Transparent Viscous Substance over his body, covering every part before putting his clothes back on.

"Next, have the eight herb gatherers repeat the same steps: grind the herbs, mix in the snake egg liquid, and spread the Transparent Viscous Substance they make over the nearby rocks and trees."

"Then enter Ten Thousand Ravine Snake Valley alone."

Su Yuan's voice continued to come through.

Zhou Yu's expression shifted slightly. He looked at the eight herb gatherers and repeated Su Yuan's instructions.

Finally, to be safe, Zhou Yu said coldly to the eight herb gatherers:

"Don't even think about escaping once I've gone in."

"You can't hide in the Hundred Thousand Mountains forever, can you?"