On both sides of the valley stood towering, sheer peaks.
At a glance, they resembled two walls, guarding this place.
The mountains of Elephant Valley were pure stone, previously barren, without a single blade of grass or flower in sight.
But now, those once-bare peaks had undergone a dramatic change.
Not only had a massive lake appeared deep in the valley, submerging the original palace and vast swathes of land, but beyond the lake, a sea of flowers and trees had emerged.
Even more, those flowers and trees had climbed onto the rocks.
It was as if they had sprouted directly from the stone, causing the massive peaks to be covered in cracks.
Though the plants’ forms were breathtakingly beautiful, their domineering and savage growth seemed somewhat eerie.
But what drew the most attention was the lake itself.
The lake shimmered with multiple colours, reflecting sunlight in a dazzling, multicoloured display.
Yet, at this moment, the crowd’s gazes toward the lake were filled with fear.
“It’s happening again.”
Suddenly, someone pointed at a spot in the lake, exclaiming in shock.
Chu Feng could see ripples spreading across the water’s surface, something was about to emerge.
But upon seeing the object that floated up, Chu Feng’s brows furrowed, and gasps of horror came from those beside him.
What had risen to the lake’s surface was a skeleton, a human skeleton, and judging by its appearance, it had only recently died.
Though newly dead, its flesh was entirely gone.
Moreover, the skeleton bore numerous bite marks.
It was as if something had forcibly gnawed away its flesh.
And such skeletons weren’t alone in the lake.
At a glance, there were at least a thousand.
Clearly, these were people who had come seeking the source of the Spirit Spring Water, ignorantly plunging into the lake.
Only to have their lives taken by it.
“How did this place become like this?”
Linghu Yueyue and Linghu An’an were both shocked, turning their gazes to Chu Feng.
Though they hadn’t been with the White Cloak Nunnery for long, this wasn’t their first time here.
Thus, they knew what this place had originally been like.
And because they knew, they were so shocked, the change was simply too drastic.
And highly abnormal.
“The lake water is poisonous, but poison alone could kill, it wouldn’t strip away flesh.”
“The reason for this is that there are creatures in the lake,” Chu Feng said.
“Creatures? How could there be creatures?” Linghu An’an found it hard to comprehend.
“Do you think mere Spirit Spring Water could emit such oppressive force as before?” Chu Feng asked.
“I’m not sure, but normally, it shouldn’t, right?” Linghu An’an said uncertainly.
“Of course not, so from the moment that oppressive force emerged, the changes here were no longer just about the Spirit Spring Water,” Chu Feng said.
“Sir, what’s really going on?” Linghu An’an asked curiously.
“If I’m not mistaken, ancient creatures are likely hidden here, and now they might be trying to break free, but it seems they’re facing resistance.”
“They’re fighting against that resistance, which is causing all these anomalies.”
“So this place is very dangerous now,” Chu Feng said.
“Ancient creatures?”
Hearing this, Linghu Yueyue and Linghu An’an were both surprised and uneasy.
Because they trusted Chu Feng’s words completely, and that trust made them acutely aware of the danger here.
“You two should leave this place, it’s dangerous,” Chu Feng said.
“But the task assigned by the Head Abbess must be completed,” Linghu Yueyue said.
“That item seems very important to the Head Abbess,” Linghu An’an added.
Chu Feng had previously discussed the Head Abbess’s item with Linghu Yueyue and Linghu An’an.
The Head Abbess of the White Cloak Nunnery, though not highly cultivated, was a friend of the Yunling Clan’s leader.
Her item was a treasure, said to aid with the Spirit Spring Water, and had been borrowed by the Yunling Clan’s leader.
But judging by Linghu Yueyue and Linghu An’an’s expressions, that item must truly be important to the Head Abbess.
“It’s a green porcelain bowl, right?”
“I’ll find it for you, go back to the White Cloak Nunnery and wait for me,” Chu Feng said.
“But, sir…” Linghu Yueyue hesitated.
After all, this was their task, and she didn’t want to trouble Chu Feng.
“The water is poisonous, and there are ancient creatures inside, you can’t go down there.”
“Listen to me, go back,” Chu Feng said.
“Sir, we’ll wait for you here,” Linghu Yueyue said.
“Yes, as my lady says, we’re not afraid of danger, we’ll wait for you here,” Linghu An’an added.
Chu Feng naturally rejected their idea.
He wanted them to return to the White Cloak Nunnery precisely because this place was dangerous.
But Linghu Yueyue and Linghu An’an had their own considerations.
They believed that, even if there was danger, it stemmed from within the lake or deep underground.
And since Chu Feng was going in to find the Spirit Spring Water and the Head Abbess’s item, it would surely be even more dangerous.
They didn’t want Chu Feng to face the risk alone, so they decided to stay and accompany him.
That way, if danger arose, they could face it together.
If there was no danger, all the better.
“You two are really…”
Looking at Linghu Yueyue and Linghu An’an, Chu Feng felt helpless.
No matter how he tried to persuade them, their resolve was firm.
Whoosh—
Just then, a commotion stirred among the crowd.
After so many had died, everyone had kept their distance from the lake, not daring to get too close.
But now, someone was walking toward it.
Chu Feng saw it was an elderly woman.
She was dressed elegantly, her steps graceful.
Though her hair was white, it was neatly groomed, not a single strand out of place.
Clearly, this grandmother was someone who lived meticulously, paying attention to detail.
Yet, her face was covered in scars.
Her cheeks seemed to have been burned, now disfigured, her features unrecognizable, even somewhat frightening at a glance.
Upon seeing her, Chu Feng was puzzled.
Given her attire and grooming, she should care about her appearance, so why hadn’t she treated her disfigured face?
For martial cultivators, altering appearance wasn’t difficult.
Even if it couldn’t be fixed, she could have covered it, but she hadn’t.
Moreover, her steps were slow. Though she was approaching the lake, she didn’t seem like someone intending to dive in for treasure.
But none of that was the point.
The real point was that when Chu Feng saw her, an inexplicable feeling stirred in his heart.
It was a sense of instinctive concern.
Yet Chu Feng was certain he had never met this old woman before???