Nine Desolate Records

The ship docked before dawn.

Instead of the expected dock, there was a desolate riverbank shrouded in morning mist. Wang Han directed the sailors to lower a spare small sampan into the water, pointing to the blurry mountain silhouettes to the southeast: "Go south along the riverbank for about five li, and you'll find a path leading into the mountains. At the entrance, there's an old locust tree with one side charred black. Go in from there, and after half a day's walk, you'll see the outer medicinal fields of Xinglin Valley. This is the only way I can take you this far."

He handed Lu Li a small cloth bag containing some dried rations and a small bottle of wound medicine. "Brother, take care. That Jiaowei Gang... won't let this go easily. Even if you go into the mountains, you might not be safe." After saying that, he patted Lu Li on the shoulder, turned around, and climbed onto the large ship. The damaged "Flying Cloud" quickly disappeared into the mist downstream.

Only four people remained on the riverbank. The morning wind was biting, chilling them to the bone.

Lin Qingyuan had fallen into a semi-conscious state, the black lines on his neck twitching slowly like a living thing. The last drop of Pure Dew between Yun Jin's brows was visibly dimming. Shi Yong supported Lin Qingyuan, his own steps unsteady.

"Let's go." Lu Li carried Yun Jin on his back, his voice hoarse.

The journey along the Wuli River beach was exceptionally difficult. The path was strewn with jagged rocks and riddled with puddles. By the time we saw the old locust tree, half of it charred black, it was already broad daylight. Behind the tree, sure enough, lay a narrow, almost completely overgrown path that snaked its way into the misty mountains.

There were no road signs, no directions. Only Wang Han's vague "half a day's walk".

Lu Li determined the direction and took the lead on the path. Shi Yong followed, carrying Lin Qingyuan on his back.

The mountain path was rugged and grew steeper with each step. The fog gathered and dispersed erratically in the forest, making visibility fluctuate. The forest was eerily silent, save for the sounds of their own footsteps and panting.

Around noon, they stopped to rest by a stream. Lu Li fed Yun Jin some water, which she swallowed unconsciously. Lin Qingyuan would occasionally twitch, uttering indistinct syllables. Shi Yong was exhausted and nearly collapsed, leaning against a rock to catch his breath.

Lu Li himself was also at his limit. The burning pain of the lock on his chest was ever-present.

After resting for less than fifteen minutes, Lu Li stood up: "We can't stop."

The afternoon's journey was even more difficult. They began to traverse a mountain ridge, a steep slope filled with rocks, requiring them to use both hands and feet. Lu Li, carrying Yun Jin on his back, slipped several times, barely managing to regain his footing. Shi Yong, carrying Lin Qingyuan, struggled even more to move forward.

Before sunset, they finally crossed the ridge. Ahead, in the valley below, a breathtaking sight appeared—neatly terraced fields planted with various strangely shaped herbs, many emitting a faint glow. The air was filled with a rich, pure medicinal fragrance, a stark contrast to the murky air outside the mountains.

At the edge of the medicinal herb field stands a boundary marker about half a person's height, with two ancient characters engraved on it: Apricot Grove.

Arrived!

Hope acted like a shot of adrenaline, allowing their exhausted bodies to muster the last bit of strength. The four of them staggered down the last stretch of hillside and entered the medicinal herb field.

Just as they approached the boundary marker, something unexpected happened.

Suddenly, a soft, pale green light illuminated the ground around the boundary marker, forming a halo about three zhang in diameter that enveloped them. The halo was not aggressive at all, but it carried a gentle yet firm repulsive force, like a resilient barrier preventing them from moving forward.

At the same time, several clear whistles came from the depths of the medicinal field ahead. Several figures leaped out of the medicinal field and forest like agile apes, landing ten steps away from the circle of light.

There were three young people, two men and one woman, all dressed in light blue short-sleeved outfits, with medicine pouches at their waists and carrying a peculiar short-handled tool that resembled neither a sickle nor a hoe. They were alert, with sharp eyes, and quickly formed a triangular formation, subtly blocking Lu Li and his companions' retreat.

The leader was a young man in his early twenties with a handsome face and a calm gaze. He looked the four men up and down, who were disheveled and covered in blood, and paid particular attention to the unconscious Yun Jin and Lin Qingyuan, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Who dares to trespass into the forbidden medicinal herb fields of Xinglin Valley?" the young man asked, his voice clear and carrying an undeniable air of authority. "State your name and your purpose. If there is any falsehood, don't blame us for being impolite."

Lu Li felt a chill run down his spine. The opponent reacted swiftly and was heavily guarded, clearly not an ordinary herbalist. Moreover, this pale green aura barrier was obviously a kind of early warning and defensive formation.

He set Yun Jin down, letting her lean against his legs, then stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and tried to keep his voice steady: "My name is Lu Li. I and two companions were pursued by enemies and are seriously injured. We have long heard of the benevolent healers of Xinglin Valley and have come here seeking treatment. These two companions are critically injured and on the verge of death. We earnestly request the experts in the valley to lend a helping hand!"

He pointed to Yun Jin and Lin Qingyuan.

The young man's gaze swept over the flickering, almost extinguished light between Yun Jin's brows and the eerie black markings on Lin Qingyuan's neck, his expression growing even more serious. The girl behind him couldn't help but whisper, "Senior Brother Mu, that girl's brow...it seems to be the light of 'Purifying Dew'? And that young master, that black aura..."

The young man addressed as Senior Brother Mu raised his hand to stop her, looking at Lu Li: "The Cleansing Dew is one of our valley's secret medicines, not to be shared with outsiders. Where did you obtain it? The 'Nightmare Erosion' afflicted on this young master is extremely rare and vicious, something ordinary people would never be able to contract. Just who are you people?"

Lu Li's mind raced. The other party had sharp eyes and such knowledge of Cleansing Dew and Fear Erosion (which they called Nightmare Erosion), so they must be a core disciple of Xinglin Valley. Concealing it would be useless and might even provoke them.

"The Cleansing Dew was a gift from a senior, used to temporarily stabilize my companion's soul." Lu Li chose to tell part of the truth. "As for the injury suffered by Brother Lin... it was caused by the corruption of an evil power called 'Fear.' We fled all the way from Cangwu Mountain to Linyuan City, and then to Shu Mountain... and along the way, we saw this evil power spreading. We came here for two reasons: first, to seek medical help, and second, to... warn others."

He deliberately mentioned the place names Cangwu Mountain, Linyuan City, and Shu Mountain, and mentioned "the spread of evil spirits" in the hope of attracting the other party's attention.

Sure enough, Senior Brother Mu and the two people behind him all changed their expressions. The three exchanged a glance.

"The Cangwu Mountain is in turmoil, the Locked Dragon Well has changed, the Shu Mountain Sword Tomb has been sealed... These things have indeed been rumored in the valley." Senior Brother Mu pondered, his eyes sharp as knives as he stared at Lu Li. "You say you've been through these places? What proof do you have? And how can you prove that you have nothing to do with that spreading evil power, but are merely victims?"

This question gets to the heart of the matter. Lu Li and his group's injuries are strange, and their origins are unknown, making them difficult to trust.

Lu Li remained silent for a moment, then slowly took out a small cloth bag from his bosom. He opened it and found two things inside: half a charred fragment of a jade pendant engraved with cloud patterns (from a brocade sachet), and a rough map simply sketched with charcoal, marking Cangwu Mountain, Suolong Well, Shu Mountain, and some routes.

"This jade pendant belongs to my unconscious companion, whose surname is Yun." Lu Li held up the fragment of the jade pendant. "I heard that your guigu had a connection with a senior surnamed Yun from thirty years ago, so perhaps you recognize this pattern. As for this map..." He paused, "it's the route we took to escape."

"Clouds?" Senior Brother Mu took the jade pendant fragment, carefully examining the cloud patterns on it, his expression slightly changing. The girl behind him also leaned over to look, exclaiming, "It really is a cloud pattern! Just like the one on the portrait in the Medicine King Pavilion..."

Senior Brother Mu raised his hand again to stop him. His gaze towards Lu Li was less scrutinizing and more inquisitive and serious. He then looked at the simple yet informative map.

"Wait here for a moment, and do not attempt to leave or touch the restrictions." Senior Brother Mu put away the jade pendant and map, and said to Lu Li. He then instructed the two behind him, "Qinghe, you stay here and keep watch. Fuling, come with me back to the valley immediately to report to Elder Gu!"

The girl named Qinghe and the other young man nodded in agreement. Senior Brother Mu, along with the young man named Fuling, turned and disappeared into the depths of the medicinal field in a few leaps.

Lu Li and his three companions, along with the girl named Qing He, were left standing in a pale green halo.

Qinghe was not old, about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a round face and big eyes. She looked at Lu Li and the others with curiosity, especially the unconscious Yun Jin and Lin Qingyuan, but the strange instrument in her hand was always steadily pointed at them.

The wait felt incredibly long. Lin Qingyuan's breathing grew weaker and weaker, and the clear light between Yun Jin's brows finally went out completely. Lu Li's heart sank deeper and deeper.

About half an hour later, movement came again from the depths of the herb field. This time, not only Senior Brother Mu and Fuling arrived, but also an old man dressed in a dark blue robe, with a stern and ancient face. The old man had gray hair and beard, but his eyes were clear and bright, his steps were steady, and his aura was as deep as the sea. In his hand, he held the half of the cloud-patterned jade pendant.

The old man arrived outside the circle of light, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over Lu Li and the other three before finally settling on Yun Jin's face, a complex and unfathomable emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Remove the restrictions," the old man said in a low voice.

Senior Brother Mu nodded, took out a jade talisman from his robes, and waved it at the light. The pale green light receded like ripples on water, and the repulsive force disappeared.

The old man walked to Yun Jin's side, squatted down, and placed two fingers on her wrist pulse. After a moment, he looked at her brow, his brow furrowing. He then walked to Lin Qingyuan's side, examined the dark lines on his neck and his pulse, his expression becoming even more grave.

"The Cleansing Dew is exhausted, and the soul is about to dissipate. The Nightmare has seeped into the marrow and invaded the heart meridian." The old man stood up, looked at Lu Li, and said with a deep gaze, "It is a miracle that you have been able to hold on this long."

"Senior, please help!" Lu Li bowed deeply.

The old man was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I am Gu Song, the elder on duty at the Medicine King Pavilion in Xinglin Valley. The cloud-patterned jade pendant is indeed from an old friend. For the sake of this item, the valley can make an exception and admit you. However, there are a few rules you must abide by."

"Please speak, senior."

"First, once you enter the valley, you must follow the arrangements made by the valley and must not act on your own or pry into the valley's secrets."

"Second, you must not leave the designated area until you have fully recovered from your injury."

"Third, once the injured person's condition stabilizes, you must truthfully disclose their origin and experience."

"Fourth," Elder Gusong looked at Lu Li, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate his flesh and see the restless source within him and the hidden seal on his chest, "the aura within you is chaotic and strange, with a lurking, malevolent power. After entering the valley, you will need to undergo an examination using the 'Heart-Questioning Mirror' to prevent any hidden evil spirits from lurking within."

Lu Li's heart trembled slightly, but he did not hesitate: "This junior is willing to abide by all the rules and accept inspection."

Elder Gusong nodded and said to Senior Brother Mu, "Mu Chen, take them to Courtyard No. 3, Section B of the 'Guest House'. Ask Elder Su of Baicao Hall and Physician Mo of Jingxin Pavilion to come for a consultation immediately. Notify the Array Pavilion to strengthen the perimeter security."

"Yes!" Mu Chen bowed and accepted the order.

Elder Gusong glanced at Yun Jin and Lin Qingyuan again, sighed, and turned to leave.

Mu Chen gestured for Lu Li and Shi Yong to take the wounded and follow behind him. Qing He and Fu Ling stood on either side, subtly protecting him.

The group traversed the layers of medicinal herb fields, following a narrow stone path deeper into the valley. Along the way, they saw many more disciples working in the fields, who cast curious yet wary glances their way.

The deeper you go, the smaller the medicinal herb fields become, but the rarer and more precious the herbs grown there are, exuding a spiritual aura. In the distance, clusters of white-walled and gray-tiled buildings built against the mountain come into view, with flying eaves and brackets, simple and elegant, hidden among lush ancient trees and swirling clouds.

We've finally arrived at Xinglin Valley.

But Lu Li knew that stepping into this place was only the beginning of another difficult journey. Treatment, interrogation, and potential crises were just beginning.

He glanced at Yun Jin, who was breathing weakly in his arms, and then at Lin Qingyuan, who was being supported by Shi Yong and whose consciousness was blurred.

No matter what, survive first.