The outskirts of Fallen Dragon Canyon's core region.
The gray miasma was noticeably thinner here, and the terrain gradually narrowed. The steep, dark red cliffs on either side rose like two swords thrust straight into the clouds, completely sealing off the road ahead.
The rock faces bore countless marks of weathering and erosion accumulated over millennia. Thick purple-black vines clung to them like coiling dragons, exuding a cold, sinister air.
An exceptionally sturdy stone checkpoint had been built at the only entrance.
Huo Yuhao hid behind a moss-covered boulder, his gaze sweeping over the hundred-foot-high stone checkpoint as he took in every detail of the surrounding defenses.
A full twelve guards in Heavenly Dragon Sect uniforms were stationed inside and outside the checkpoint.
The fluctuations of Soul Power emanating from them were substantial. Even the weakest was a Soul Ancestor above rank forty, while their captain had reached the threshold of Soul King.
They held standard-issue spears, and special jade tokens capable of activating an alarm formation hung at their waists.
The defenses were tightly arranged. Several patrol squads moved along intersecting routes, thoroughly sealing off almost every blind spot an intruder could use.
Huo Yuhao reached back and took out the black token Long Batian had given him.
It could certainly spare him considerable trouble.
But after rubbing his thumb twice over the coiled dragon carved into the token, he turned his wrist and slipped it back into his Storage Soul Tool.
Using this thing to enter through the front gate would inevitably mean dealing with the Heavenly Dragon Sect's people and undergoing all sorts of questioning and inspections. That would only make it easier to leave traces someone could follow.
Since he wanted to get inside and investigate the opportunities hidden there, he might as well choose a