The Outer Court students sprang into action, but the seven from the Inner Court looked rather impatient. In terms of cultivation, Wang Yan was also a Soul King, merely on par with them, and he was an Outer Court teacher at that.
These Inner Court students had always respected strength alone. They had little respect for a teacher whose cultivation was no greater than theirs. Still, a teacher was a teacher, and they gave him that much face.
Wang Yan said gravely, "I just surveyed our surroundings. Combined with my observations along the way, I've made several discoveries."
"Wenlan trees have begun appearing in this area. The wenlan tree is a relatively rare species. Its heartwood can be used in medicine, and its trunk is as hard as iron, making it ideal for all kinds of furniture. It has extremely demanding requirements for air quality.
"It can only survive in places with exceptionally lush vegetation. I once read in an ancient text that wenlan trees only appear at least fifty li deep into a dense forest.
"Moreover, wenlan trees favor cold, shaded environments. Their heartwood is an excellent aid for Soul Masters cultivating cold-natured Martial Souls."
Ma Xiaotao frowned. "Mr. Wang, what are you trying to tell us?"
Wang Yan said, "I mean that the presence of wenlan trees indicates we've already entered the heart of the Mingdou Mountains, or at least its outer edge.
"According to our intelligence, the leader of the Death God's Hand bandit group may be an Evil Soul Master. Just now, I found this."
As he spoke, he took a section of tree trunk out of his Storage Soul Tool. Something had clawed away half of it, revealing a cylindrical hollow inside.
Wang Yan said, "This is a wenlan tree. Its heartwood is dark blue,