The moment Xiao Yan stepped through the Tree Gate, a sudden brightness flashed before his eyes, followed by a faint wave of dizziness.
When he recovered, he discovered to his astonishment that the space around him had been completely engulfed in fog so thick it seemed impossible to disperse.
This fog was more than ten times denser than the mist within the mountain range. What troubled Xiao Yan most was that even his soul power struggled to penetrate it, rendering his attempts at probing the surroundings useless.
"So this is the so-called maze formation. It really is troublesome."
Xiao Yan swept a solemn gaze over his surroundings and murmured to himself.
"Little Yanzi, relax. An obstacle like this is nothing to your teacher!" Just as Xiao Yan was feeling troubled, Yao Lao spoke in a rather relaxed tone.
"That's true. Teacher, you're an Eighth-Tier Alchemist. How could an ordinary person's soul realm compare to yours?" Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan felt reassured once again.
After that, Xiao Yan followed Yao Lao's instructions, slowly advancing one step at a time.
He proceeded in silence for nearly half an hour before noticing that the thick fog around him seemed to have thinned considerably.
"We're about to leave the maze formation..."
No sooner had Yao Lao's voice faded than a light breeze blew toward them. The surrounding fog churned violently, then swiftly receded, allowing the scenery around them to gradually emerge.
An imposing mountain peak now stood before Xiao Yan. He was just below its halfway point, and giant rats covered in golden fur kept darting past on either side of the somewhat treacherous mountain path.
"Little Yanzi, these are Gold-Devouring Rats. Don't harm them, or you'll anger the Gold-Devouring Rat Clan..."
Yao Lao reminded him again.
"Mm."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly