Lin Yi nodded, but his gaze swept past the dead forest toward the land farther north.
It was a sea of gray gloom, obscured by layers of dead branches that made it impossible to see clearly.
Yet he could sense an indescribable pressure from that direction, as though something lay hidden in the darkness.
It's about time.
The edge of the Middle Layer is another half li north of the dead forest.
I'll part ways with them here and keep heading north.
Wang Sheng and the others probably won't stop me. We agreed before coming that I'd only accompany them as far as the dead forest.
He worked out his plans inwardly while continuing along with the group, his expression betraying nothing.
The dead forest was harder to traverse than Gravelstone Valley. Roots and loose stones covered the ground, forcing the horses to tread cautiously.
After traveling for roughly an hour, the group stopped in a somewhat open clearing.
Wang Sheng dismounted and called for everyone to rest.
He walked over to Lin Yi and pointed north. "A little farther north is the Ancient Battlefield's Middle Layer. That's outside our Blackrock Group's territory."
From what Wang Sheng said, this spot really does match the map.
Looks like the place marked with a cross is the entrance.
Lin Yi mused inwardly, but merely nodded before saying, "Wang Sheng, I'm planning to look around nearby, so I won't be going any farther with you."
Wang Sheng glanced at him without asking any questions and simply nodded. "All right. Be careful out there."
He paused, then lowered his voice. "If anything feels wrong, don't push your luck. Just retreat. We know this stretch of dead forest well. Follow the route we took here, and you won't get lost."
"Understood." Lin Yi cupped his