Lin Xiao Tian approached the stone tablet and found it shattered into unrecognizable pieces. The largest fragment was no bigger than his thumb, appearing no different from ordinary stones.
Lin Xiao Tian examined the stone fragments again, but he could no longer sense any fluctuations. It seemed the stone tablet had lost its efficacy completely after he absorbed its azure energy.
He once again felt the surging azure energy within him and walked contentedly towards the campsite. Just as he was about to reach it, his gaze snapped sharply towards a certain spot.
"What is it?" Yang Xin asked.
Lin Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes. "Nothing."
Back at the camp, Lin Xiao Tian began to study the Shen Nong Xin Fa he had just obtained. The more he studied, the more he realized how extraordinary this cultivation technique was. Lin Xiao Tian had initially thought the internal energy methods in the Shen Nong Yi Dian were already incredible, but the contents of this Shen Nong Xin Fa were related to cultivation itself. Historically, Shen Nong was human, but after obtaining the Shen Nong Xin Fa, Lin Xiao Tian had a new theory: Shen Nong must have been an immortal cultivator. Now, inheriting the Shen Nong Xin Fa, he was undoubtedly on the path of immortal cultivation. The benefit of immortal cultivation was that Lin Xiao Tian would no longer fear illness, and could even break through the limits of lifespan, living for hundreds, or even thousands, of years. The Xin Fa didn't elaborate extensively on the path of immortal cultivation, but the scattered fragments within it had already captivated Lin Xiao Tian. Who wouldn't desire immortality? Everyone cherishes their life, and Lin Xiao Tian was no exception. Furthermore, as the Xin Fa reached higher levels of cultivation, his physical fitness would undergo a qualitative leap. Abilities like invulnerability to blades and spears would be mere trifles; stopping bullets with bare hands would be child's play in the future.
Unconsciously, Lin Xiao Tian became engrossed in his cultivation. The spiritual energy in the Kunlun Valley was exceptionally dense, making it ideal for cultivation. In just a few hours, the azure energy within Lin Xiao Tian had surged by thirty percent, an increase equivalent to the total amount he had gained when he first inherited the Shen Nong Yi Dian. Thus, Lin Xiao Tian cultivated until dawn.
His objective achieved, Lin Xiao Tian prepared to return. However, he hadn't found any useful medicinal herbs along the way. Returning empty-handed would inevitably arouse suspicion from the Yang family, so Lin Xiao Tian decided to find something to feign as a discovery nearby. Unfortunately, after searching for a long time, he only found a few ginseng plants, none of which were even a hundred years old. Lin Xiao Tian was puzzled. He had clearly sensed abundant spiritual energy in the valley while cultivating last night; there should be more medicinal herbs than this. But finding nothing more, Lin Xiao Tian didn't want to force it, as it was already the third day, and he feared complications if he delayed any longer. Recalling the route in his mind, Lin Xiao Tian began to head back.
"Everyone, it's the third day, and we still have nothing to show for it. But there's no choice, we have to return now," Lin Xiao Tian announced to the group. Upon hearing Lin Xiao Tian's proposal to return, Yang Lin was overjoyed. "I agree! I can't stand this cursed place for another second."
"Mr. Lin, I haven't seen much danger along the way, and you seem to remember the route back. Why don't we venture a bit further inside? After all, you probably haven't found the medicinal herbs you were looking for yet, right?" the mercenary suggested, objecting first.
"This is a rare opportunity for the team. The master's intention is also to explore the valley as much as possible. I think it would be worthwhile to go a bit further in," the geologist seconded.
"Shut up! This is not a place for you to speak! In my opinion, we should go back now," Yang Lin said agitatedly. As a scion of the Yang family, even though the two objectors came from the main family, they had to defer to these spoiled young masters.
"Exactly! You people, have you forgotten your positions?" Xue Ding chimed in sarcastically. He was thrilled with Lin Xiao Tian's suggestion to return. His feet were blistered from the journey, and he now desperately longed for a comfortable bed, even thinking about the foot massage parlor he would visit upon returning.
"We can come to the Kunlun Valley anytime. For now, let's consider this as reconnaissance. There's no need for us to rush," Lin Xiao Tian said. With the insistence of Lin Xiao Tian, Yang Lin, and others, the team finally reached a consensus and began preparations to leave the valley. To depart before nightfall, Lin Xiao Tian moved at an even faster pace this time.
Walk five hundred paces forward, then turn right for ten paces, then turn left and you'll see a gnarled ancient tree as thick as two people, and then... Lin Xiao Tian silently recalled in his mind. But as he walked, he suddenly felt something was wrong. There was supposed to be an ancient tree here, so why wasn't it present now? Lin Xiao Tian frowned. He was certain he hadn't taken a wrong turn. Although he had been unconscious for a while, he hadn't lost his memory. Upon waking, Lin Xiao Tian had immediately confirmed his starting point, and the scenery along the way had matched his memory until this point. It was from the ancient tree onwards that everything changed. Lin Xiao Tian continued forward, and the surrounding landscape had completely transformed. As dusk approached, Lin Xiao Tian realized he had somehow returned to the very spot where he had initially lost his direction.
"How much longer? It's almost night, weren't we supposed to leave before dark?" Yang Lin grumbled.
"Yes! Mr. Lin, are you sure you remembered the way correctly?" Xue Ding couldn't help but chime in. This time, he had gone all out to leave the valley, but seeing that it was getting dark, and the endless expanse of trees surrounded them, he felt utterly numb.
"We are lost," Lin Xiao Tian stated. His voice was quiet, but it resonated clearly in everyone's ears.
"What?" The entire team erupted in a uproar.
"Didn't you say you remembered the way? How could we be lost?" Yang Lin stepped forward to grab Lin Xiao Tian's collar, but Lin Xiao Tian blocked him.
"I don't know. I truly believe I remembered it correctly."
"Then how do you explain this?"
"There's something wrong with this place. Even the sun's position is constantly shifting. I need some time to figure out what's going on."
"Ah! You still need time? What time is it? Lin Xiao Tian, you've really gotten me into trouble!" Yang Lin wailed. The others remained silent, but their mood was no better than Yang Lin's.
The female doctor then stepped forward. "Everyone, arguing is pointless right now. The first thing we need to think about is survival. For now, the Kunlun Valley doesn't seem dangerous, and there are plenty of edible fruits here. We can still survive. If we persevere, perhaps we can wait for rescue."
"That's right, there's no need to be so pessimistic. Everyone, believe in the power of science. I am a Doctor of Geology, you can trust me," the geologist added. The words of these two experts did manage to stabilize the group's emotions, at least Yang Lin was calmed down.
As everyone was still murmuring, Lin Xiao Tian's gaze suddenly fixed on a spot in the forest. "Here we go again," Lin Xiao Tian muttered to himself.