As the group stood on the summit of the central mountain range, the majestic golden peak behind them, which had stood tall and imposing, vanished.
In its place was a serene expanse of blue sky and white clouds.
Seeing the golden peak disappear, Zhang Tian showed no surprise.
“Let’s go, down the mountain.”
After a glance, Zhang Tian withdrew his gaze.
“Boss, the golden peak is gone,” Fatty whispered.
“Yes, once people leave, the formation and mechanisms return to their original positions,” Zhang Tian said calmly.
After speaking, the group headed towards the original staircase.
It was still a sky-piercing staircase.
Looking down from the staircase, it was a world of mist.
The group moved through the mist, like a group of adventurers crossing mountains and traversing ridges.
Professor Li looked back.
As they moved further away, the golden peak gradually disappeared from sight.
Going down the mountain was faster than going up. While climbing, there might be anticipation, making time feel slower, but on the descent, without anticipation, both time and footsteps quickened.
Nearly an hour later, Zhang Tian and his group were already at the foot of the mountain.
Then, at Hu Bayi's suggestion, they patrolled the entire mountain again.
At the same time, they discovered more spirit herbs.
After confirming that no more spirit herbs could be found on the mountain, the group finally headed back.
“Boss, it’s fortunate that Old Hu was thoughtful, otherwise we would have missed so many spirit herbs,” Fatty said with a smile.
Zhang Tian nodded.
“Most of those spirit herbs are quite rare. We’ll study them when we get back.”
Perhaps there would be some unexpected gains.
As Zhang Tian spoke, the others felt a sense of relief.
The feeling of escaping death and obtaining treasures was quite good.
The reason Zhang Tian wasn't in a hurry to distribute the acquired items this time was primarily due to Professor Li and the others being present.
It was a bit inconvenient.
The group began to retrace their steps.
Upon exiting the range of Medicine King Valley, they looked back to see the entire mountain range of Medicine King Valley shrouded in a layer of mist.
At the same time, the summit of Medicine King Valley had also disappeared.
Zhang Tian knew clearly that after he came down from the summit, he must have triggered the mechanisms of Medicine King Valley, causing the entire valley to be enclosed by a formation.
Ordinary people would not be able to find it.
As for this formation, it would not be avoidable; it would begin to activate from the moment one left the summit.
However, Zhang Tian did not pay it much attention, as he had already emptied the place and there was nothing he needed.
It was different for Professor Li and Xiao Guang.
Watching the golden peak gradually disappear, they felt a sense of awe.
“Teacher Li, the mist on this mountain is really thick,” Xiao Guang exclaimed.
He thought it was just the effect of the mist.
“Indeed, it lives up to its legendary reputation,” Professor Li also nodded, not thinking too deeply about it.
Then, the group passed through the previous valley again.
They saw the winding river.
With someone like Hu Bayi acting as a human navigator, there was no need to worry about getting lost.
After passing through the valley again, the group felt a sense of having crossed through time, a feeling of great relief.
“Boss, I don’t want to spend another minute in this damn mountain range,” Fatty declared loudly.
His figure strode forward with an air of bravado.
Seeing Fatty’s gait, Xiao Guang and Professor Li frowned.
That walking posture, those movements, that demeanor.
They were so much like a mysterious agent.
That chubby agent, though they had only met him a few times, his posture and movements were exactly the same.
“Could it be that they are the mysterious agents? Am I the fool?”
Professor Li trembled.
Fatty’s performance was too unexpected, his movements and demeanor completely mirroring an agent.
Coupled with the performance of Zhang Tian and the others this time, who else but agents could escape under such dire circumstances?
“Zhang’s strength, and the team’s strength are evident for all to see.”
“Besides, excluding Miss Yang and the silent man, their group is essentially identical to the agents we’ve encountered.”
“I understand now, they must be hidden agents, pretending to be different to avoid detection.”
Professor Li’s eyes lit up with this realization. No wonder Zhang Tian had been so unfriendly to him initially, yet had helped him repeatedly.
He had even taught him knowledge.
No wonder they were willing to help him retrieve the artifacts.
So, they were on the same side as him, and their seemingly different behavior was a necessary act to conceal themselves.
With this thought, Professor Li glanced at Zhang Tian again.
His eyes held a newfound gratitude.
They had done so much, hidden themselves, and secretly helped him.
He absolutely had to help them keep their secret.
“I wonder if they would help me come here again if I called them agents?”
Professor Li mused, cautiously glancing around.
“Teacher Li, what are you thinking about?”
Seeing Professor Li’s mind wander, Xiao Guang looked at him with confusion.
Professor Li waved his hand.
“Nothing, I just feel like this was all like a dream.”
Professor Li sighed.
Xiao Guang nodded in agreement.
“Yes, it’s like a dream, an incredibly terrifying nightmare, but we’ve learned a lot within this dream.”
Xiao Guang nodded.
As Xiao Guang finished speaking, he looked at Professor Li again.
“Teacher Li, why does this fatty brother’s walking style feel so familiar?” Xiao Guang whispered.
Professor Li waved his hand.
“He has always walked like this, hasn’t he?”
Professor Li tried to maintain a calm demeanor.
Xiao Guang let out an “oh” and said no more.
Zhang Tian’s ears caught their conversation, and he was contemplating whether to use his powers to make them temporarily forget.
However, amnesia could cause significant brain damage.
Forcing memory loss would harm them.
After some consideration, Zhang Tian decided against it.
After all, Professor Li and the others wouldn’t live much longer. Professor Li would die in at most three years.
Xiao Guang was already middle-aged and would be gone in a decade or so.
It shouldn’t affect him much.
Thus, following Hu Bayi’s route, the group began to head towards the outskirts of the forest.
The same familiar small river.
The same familiar tombstone.
This time, they were not deceived.
Soon, they arrived at the canyon of King Xian.
“Old Hu, can’t we avoid going through this canyon?” Fatty grumbled.
Returning the same way, having to walk through the canyon, was frankly unpleasant.
“This is the only way,” Hu Bayi replied helplessly.
“If you want to go around, you’ll have to take a detour.”
He didn’t want to go through the canyon either, but there was no other option.
“In that case, Fatty will have to reluctantly demonstrate his flying ability to everyone.”
Fatty suddenly smiled.
A hint of pride bloomed on his face.
Zhang Tian patted his forehead. This guy probably wanted to show off from the beginning, and was just finding an excuse now.
To Professor Li’s and Xiao Guang’s astonishment, Fatty’s vanity was greatly satisfied.
“Boss, look, Fatty can fly too!” Fatty shouted from the sky.
Zhang Tian ignored him and sped towards the temple of King Xian’s tomb.