It had been a long time since he had used the Star Gu to scout a wide area. Now that he did, his eyes and ears truly felt clearer. The Ink Lotus Domain was unlike the Southern Nations: the people here were stronger and far more alert to insects.
Since ancient times, the Ink Lotus Domain had been home to many Insect Spirit Masters, who served as the eyes and ears of the major powers. As a result, numerous measures against insects had developed. If Huo Hai used Spirit Insects inside the Divine Mystery Sect or another lineage's grounds, even he had no idea whether they would be discovered. Once discovered, they might stir up a major storm.
Huo Hai decided to wait until he understood more about the Ink Lotus Domain's defenses against insects before using Spirit Insects to scout. Wolf-Sealing Mountain was different. It was not the headquarters of any lineage or faction, so naturally it had no such defenses.
Guided by the Star Gu's scouting, Huo Hai avoided the previously cleared road and secretly circled around through the distant mountain woods. That way, no one would discover his movements even when he reached the ruins.
"No one here? That saves me a lot of trouble." The Star Gu flew a circuit without finding anyone at the entrance to the ruins. There were not even signs of anyone along the stretch leading up to them, nor did they find any surveillance measures in the surrounding woods. Only then did Huo Hai slowly approach the entrance. Rather than enter, he carefully examined the traces on the ground.
Feeling the ground, Huo Hai murmured to himself, "Judging by these footprints, no one has been here for about a month. Looks like even the Rogue Cultivators have given up on these