"This place is naturally dangerous. The mists of Yunze can disrupt both magical and demonic powers," Bai Jing said. "It's very dangerous for both cultivators and demons alike. If it's not necessary, it's best not to fly in Yunze. Chi Yao also mentioned that there seems to be some kind of taboo within Yunze. Once you take flight, you'll fall into endless illusions."
The sound of bells rang in the white mist, the tinkling like a guiding light in the thick fog. Even if you can't see the road ahead clearly, you won't lose your way in the mist.
As time passed, the fog in Yunze grew thicker, like rich, milky-white milk floating before your eyes, making you want to reach out and blend into the fog where you couldn't see your own fingers.
Only after entering this Land of Cloud Dreams will you understand how fickle the climate can be. A moment ago, it was a clear, sunny day, and now it's shrouded in thick fog.
Jiang Wen had never seen such thick white fog anywhere else. Standing in one place, he couldn't even see a few feet in front of him, only hearing the sound of splashing water and the tinkling of bells ahead. If you get lost in this fog, you probably won't be able to find the group again. No wonder so many people are unwilling to set foot in this land that could be called a fairyland.
"If you're afraid of getting lost, use fire magic to temporarily disperse the fog. But don't overdo it, lest you attract the demons and beasts of Yunze," Bai Jing's voice came from ahead.
"There's a barbarian village ahead. I've passed by it a few times. Further ahead, Black Cloud Mountain is where Chi Yao is located. But I only remember the general area, just a mountain range. I'll leave the rest to you," Bai Jing said, and with a gust of wind from her mouth, she blew away the fog in front. The vision of the group became clear, only to be covered by white mist again after a moment.
Lü Shiming took out a thumb-sized compass from his collar. This exquisite navigation tool was a magical artifact of the Tai Shen Palace for exploring the desolate lands outside Dagan. Using the art of the stars, it could point the way even in places with chaotic spiritual energy. In the land of Yunze, this kind of thing is a treasure that prevents you from getting lost.
He had been carrying it with him since the plan began, just for this moment.
He watched as the compass turned, randomly transforming into a phantom shadow several tens of feet long, imprinted on the ground.
Her lower body was deep in the swamp. To prevent herself from sinking further, she supported her body steadily with both hands on the bank.
"Nearby barbarian?" Jiang Wen asked, looking at her.
In this environment, anyone calling for help had to be treated with caution. The group was not stupid. Yunze was full of all kinds of demons, and this might be a means for some monsters to bewitch people.
"Leaving her alone probably doesn't align with our intentions, should we go take a look?" Jiang Wen said.
Before they had gone far, a woman's weak cry for help came from the thick fog, with a unique accent.
"There aren't many snakes and insects this season. When summer comes, you have to be careful when walking without insect repellent," Bai Jing was saying when they heard a strange sound.
"Fellow Daoist Su, what's wrong?" Li Yunshang's voice came from the thick fog.
Barbarians raise snakes and often eat them. They have unique methods to make snakes as docile as pigs and sheep. Mature domestic snakes are as thick as thighs. Their skins are dried and made into clothing, and their meat is their daily staple food, as indispensable as grains for people.
"Alegeya, my name," the barbarian woman took up his words and said. "I came out to release snakes and accidentally wandered in here. Can you help me?"
"Help her," Su Mu said. He stared at the barbarian woman, a sense of annoyance welling up within him, and he didn't know why he pleaded for her.
"Whoosh!" Behind them was the rapid sound of a flying sword, like Su Mu performing sword control.
A pair of emerald eyes in her proper features looked at them, her eyes revealing a pleading expression.
Barbarian women don't have the delicate figures of inland women. Like men, they shoulder the task of hunting. The constant consumption of meat makes their bodies no less strong than barbarian men. The barbarian woman in front of them was probably rarely exposed to sunlight, her milky white skin revealing a youthful air.
"Outlander?" the woman asked curiously. Outlander was what barbarians called people from outside Yunze. Merchants often passed through here, and it wasn't difficult for them to understand some of the official language of Dagan.
"Good treasure!"
Every barbarian is born with a name starting with the sound 'A,' which is the call of the Dream Dragon. They believe that this will bring them good luck and abundant food.
"Alegeya! You're so tall! Taller than me," A Meng ran to Alegeya with interest, looking up and sizing up this huge barbarian woman. She reached out and touched her arm, the fair skin having resilience.
Her hair was wrapped together, and two canine teeth were inserted into her hair. Her bulky body was no less than several male cultivators.
After introducing themselves, Alegeya could be considered to have met the group.
Jiang Wen rescued her from the swamp. The barbarian woman Alegeya took off her wet pants, revealing her strong, white thighs.
"Why would Alegeya come out in this weather?" A Meng asked curiously.
Following the sound, they found the person, indeed a barbarian woman dressed in dark cloth.
"Help me? I'm trapped in this mud pit."
Seeing this scene, Bai Jing couldn't help but exclaim.
"It's nothing, just a green-eyed snake," Su Mu said indifferently.
"Big fog, snakes are good to hunt. It's time to release snakes. Alegeya wanted to come out and release snakes, but didn't know there was a mud pit. Many thanks to the Lusangs, the Dream Dragon will bless them."
"Naturally, the Tai Shen Palace has many treasures," A Meng said proudly.
After he finished speaking, he turned and disappeared into the mist alone, silent.
"Probably only those barbarians can enter here, but it's still better to be careful, after all, this place isn't that safe," Su Mu also responded, and the group followed the phantom shadow of the compass towards the sound.
Her expression was very calm, and her pair of emerald eyes stared at Jiang Wen, like tender buds after the rain caressing people's hearts, making people can't help but admire her vitality and purity.
Lasan is a respectful term for girls, and males are respectfully called Lusang. The barbarians believe in the Yunze Dream Dragon. They believe that the Dream Dragon created the world, allowing them to live in such a dreamlike environment.
"Is anyone there—"
Su Mu, who was originally talkative, became taciturn after Alegeya joined. He would sometimes look at the white mist above his head, his eyes blank, not knowing what he was thinking.
Jiang Wen noticed that Su Mu was in low spirits and wanted to comfort him, but he didn't know where to start, so he could only stand beside him and look at his expressionless face.
"Ahead is our village, Alegeya welcomes benefactors," Alegeya ran towards the front, and several large stones appeared before the group.
