It was an exceptionally deep and secluded valley. Its entrance was narrow and hidden beneath layer upon layer of vines and shrubs; had he not deliberately searched for it, he would have found it nearly impossible to notice.
He pushed aside the hanging vines and squeezed sideways into the valley, only to be mildly stunned by the sight before him.
The valley's interior was far more spacious than he had imagined. Towering ancient bamboo filled the entire valley floor, their stalks a gentle blue-white, their surfaces gleaming like jade. Each one was so thick it would take one or two people to wrap their arms around it.
The bamboo leaves rustled softly in the breeze, while a faint blue mist permeated the grove.
The mist contained an exceedingly dense wood-attributed spiritual energy. With every breath, he could feel a warm, vital aura circulating through his lungs and organs.
Li Bufan slowed his pace and spread his Spiritual Sense ahead, carefully sensing every fluctuation of aura within the bamboo forest.
Under the perception of his Spiritual Sense, the blue-white bamboo revealed a gentle flow of energy, as though every stalk were breathing in its own way.
He slowly ventured deeper along the path through the bamboo grove. After walking for roughly half an hour, he came to a stop.
On the branch of a blue-white bamboo not far ahead rested an entirely emerald-blue cicada, several times larger than an ordinary one.
Fine golden patterns flowed over its transparent wings, refracting ever-changing colors beneath the faint light.
Li Bufan met the cicada's gaze for a moment. Just as he was about to speak, it suddenly let out a clear cry, then flew from the bamboo branch and lightly landed on his shoulder.
There was not the slightest hostility in its movements; it