"Grown on sheer cliffs?" Shen Xiaoxiao was taken aback, instantly losing hope.
If they were all over the ground, he could pick quite a few. But if they were on sheer cliffs, even risking half his life, he might not be able to collect a single plant.
"Zi Luo grass is usually found on sheer cliffs; it would never grow on flat ground under normal circumstances," Gu Wen frowned. "This doesn't seem to make sense. Why is there Zi Luo grass here!"
Da Tou stood frozen, unsure how to answer. Even he didn't know why a plant would appear here.
"If my guess is correct, we'll have a great harvest today," Lu Fan chuckled. "In front of this area, there should be many spirit medicines!"
"In front?" Da Tou looked towards the valley ahead and quickly said, "Sir, there are indeed many good things in that valley, but it's a forbidden area of Niutou Mountain! You can't enter it casually!"
"Niutou Mountain forbidden area?" Lu Fan asked suspiciously. "Why is it called a forbidden area?"
"No one who enters the valley has ever come out alive," Da Tou stated frankly. "If you go, sir, you might not return. You are my great benefactor, and you must not get into trouble!"
"I see!" Lu Fan nodded. "If there weren't any rumors, I might not be interested. Since it's so mysterious here, I'll go in and try my luck!"
"Don't do it, don't do it!" Da Tou hurriedly said, "If something happens to you, sir, the village chief will definitely blame me, and how will I explain!"
"Don't worry, I wouldn't go if I wasn't confident I could handle it," Lu Fan smiled gently. "You don't need to worry too much."
As Lu Fan spoke, Da Tou became more anxious. He wanted to stop him but saw Lu Fan's resolute expression and didn't know what to do.
"I've also heard people say that anyone who enters the forbidden area of Niutou Mountain will die!" Shen Xiaoxiao quickly said, "When I was little, I thought it was just to scare children, but I didn't expect it to be true!"
"Whether it's true or not, since we're here, we can't back down," Gu Wen stated, "I agree with Master's idea."
"Are you all crazy?" Shen Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. "This is not a joke!"
"If you're scared, go back with Da Tou!" Lu Fan said. "After we're done, we'll meet you at Niutou Village!"
"How can that be!" Shen Xiaoxiao shook her head. "Since it's a forbidden area, we shouldn't enter casually. Let's go somewhere else!"
"Don't worry, we are not ordinary people," Gu Wen said with a smile. "Nothing will happen to us. You go back with Da Tou first!"
"Sir, many people have died in the forbidden area of Niutou Mountain over the years," Da Tou said quickly. "Please don't do anything foolish!"
With that, Da Tou hurried ahead and pointed to a stone tablet. "This inscription reads 'Forbidden Area,' precisely to prevent anyone from entering by mistake!"
Lu Fan chuckled, "You don't need to say more. My mind is made up!"
Da Tou looked helpless. Shen Xiaoxiao gazed at the words "Forbidden Area," and a shiver ran down her spine. After all, she hadn't seen much of the world, and especially with these words looking so alluring, they made her feel the presence of death.
Seeing Shen Xiaoxiao's pale face, Lu Fan looked at Da Tou. "Take him back to Niutou Village. After I've collected the herbs, I'll return to Niutou Village!"
With that, Lu Fan stepped towards the forbidden area. Han Yunhai and Gu Wen followed closely, appearing unfazed.
Shen Xiaoxiao also wanted to follow, but her feet felt rooted to the spot. In such a situation, as a weak woman, she felt a bit embarrassed.
"Miss Shen, you can't go in!" Da Tou quickly said. "If our benefactor goes in and something happens, and you go in too, wouldn't that be sending your life away for nothing!"
Shen Xiaoxiao sighed helplessly. "I don't know why, but the words 'Forbidden Area' have a deterrent effect on me, making me unable to move. I'll wait for him here, and wait for them to come out safely!"
"There are many wild beasts here. If it gets to the afternoon, even with my protection, it will likely be quite dangerous."
Da Tou stated frankly, "Let's go back to the village early! We can then call the people from Niutou Village to wait outside this forbidden area together!"
"That's a good idea!" Shen Xiaoxiao nodded. "As long as there are more people, we won't be afraid!"
Meanwhile, inside the forbidden area, Lu Fan walked forward with a calm expression. He didn't believe in forbidden areas and thus had no reservations.
"Master, will we die here today?" Gu Wen asked awkwardly. "Why do I feel a chill down my spine?"
"I didn't ask you to follow me!" Lu Fan laughed. "If something really happens, you can't blame me!"
Han Yunhai and Gu Wen exchanged glances. They were taken aback that Lu Fan would say such a thing, which made them a little fearful. If something were to happen, Lu Fan would probably be the first to run.
Back in Niutou Village, the villagers were building houses. Da Tou brought Shen Xiaoxiao to Niutou Village. The village chief looked curious, "What happened? Why isn't that gentleman here?"
"They went into the forbidden area!"
Da Tou quickly said, "If something happens, it will be really troublesome!"
"The forbidden area?" The old village chief's face changed drastically. "How could this happen? Why didn't you warn him?"
"Warning him would have been useless!" Shen Xiaoxiao said helplessly. "Mr. Lu and the others have already gone in!"
The old village chief's face darkened. He quickly looked at the villagers of Niutou Village. "Everyone, put down your work. They have entered the forbidden area, and their lives may be in danger. We are many, and we cannot just stand by and watch them get into trouble!"
The villagers responded enthusiastically. Led by the old village chief, they prepared themselves, each holding a bow and arrow, looking very serious, as if they were going into battle.
"Old village chief, what exactly is inside the forbidden area?" Shen Xiaoxiao asked in surprise. "Why are you all so solemn?"
"A monster lives in the forbidden area. Those who enter generally have no way out," the old village chief quickly explained. "You are all kind people, and Niutou Village will not stand idly by!"
"Old village chief, you must not venture into the forbidden area lightly," Da Tou said quickly. "Otherwise, you might die without a chance!"
"We have many people. If we encounter that monster, we don't need to be too panicked!" the old village chief stated frankly, leaning on his cane, though he was quite worried in his heart.
"That monster is not an ordinary creature," Da Tou said. "Since the old village chief has given the order, we will also go through fire and water!"
In fact, when Da Tou was just born, his father had died at the hands of the monster. Rumors began to spread throughout Niutou Mountain, and the concept of a forbidden area also emerged.
Therefore, in Da Tou's heart, he had always been filled with fear of that monster. Even though the monster had killed his father, he could only hide in Niutou Village and dare not step into the forbidden area.
At the same time, Lu Fan and the others walked for a while before they saw the fog ahead becoming denser, with even green liquid within the mist.
"This mist is poisonous!" Gu Wen's face changed drastically.