We see Cang Yan deep in thought as he walks through the mountain path.
> "My cultivation has already reached the Martial Lord level," he murmured. "But I've never truly experienced a real battle. If I continue like this, my foundation might become unstable."
He paused, eyes flashing with determination.
> "I should go to the most dangerous place in the Qin Continent—the Great Wild Forest. But... I know nothing about that region. I'll first head to the Min Country's capital—Min City. From there, I can gather information and prepare."
Without hesitation, Cang Yan soared into the sky, streaking across the clouds like a crimson flash.
---
The scene shifts—Min City, the heart of Min Country, lies before him.
It is one of the most powerful and prosperous cities in the entire continent, ruled jointly by three mighty families: the Han Family, the Bao Family, and the Min Royal Family.
Both the Han and Bao families are said to have old ancestors at the Martial Lord Realm, while the Min Family controls the country itself.
Descending near the massive city gate, Cang Yan gazed up. The towering red gates gleamed with golden characters spelling Min City. A long line of travelers and merchants stretched before the entrance.
Cang Yan walked straight toward the front, stopping before the guards.
One guard frowned slightly but maintained his tone.
"Hey, young man, the city entry fee is required for everyone. How many people with you?"
"Just me," Cang Yan replied calmly. "How many spirit stones to enter?"
The guard glanced at his robes—clearly not an ordinary traveler—and quickly straightened his posture.
"For outsiders, it's ten low-grade spirit stones for entry."
Cang Yan nodded slightly, handed the stones, and stepped into Min City, his crimson eyes scanning the bustling streets filled with merchants, cultivators, and nobles.As Cang Yan walked through the bustling streets of Min City, his eyes moved over the endless shops, tall pavilions, and crowds of cultivators in fine robes.
Vendors called out their wares — rare herbs, beast cores, spirit weapons — and the air was filled with the faint hum of spiritual energy.
> "This city… truly worthy of being the capital," Cang Yan murmured. "Even the air here is denser with qi."
He stopped in front of a large building with a golden sign: "Thousand Wind Pavilion – Information, Auctions, and Missions."
Curious, he entered.
Inside, the hall was spacious and elegant. A young woman in light-blue robes walked over with a professional smile.
"Welcome to Thousand Wind Pavilion, Young Master. Would you like to sell, buy, or gather information?"
"I need information," Cang Yan said calmly.
The woman nodded. "What kind of information?"
"About the most dangerous forest in Qin Continent — the Great Wild Forest."
Her expression shifted slightly.
"That place… is one of the deadliest regions. Even Martial venerable very rarely return alive. The outer areas are fine for hunting low-level beasts, but deeper inside dwell creatures beyond Martial Lord realm — even ancient beasts."
Cang Yan's eyes glimmered with interest.
> "Good. Then it's exactly what I need."
The woman hesitated. "If Young Master wishes to go, I suggest you prepare well. You can buy maps, antidotes, and beast-repelling talismans here."
"Understood," Cang Yan said, and passed her a pouch of spirit stones. "Give me a map and the best protective talisman you have."
After receiving them, he turned to leave.
Outside, the evening sun cast golden light over the city. People bustled about, unaware that a young man — already a Martial Lord — was about to step into one of the most dangerous places on the continent.
> "The Great Wild Forest… let's see if it can temper my strength,"
Cang Yan whispered, and his figure rose into the sky like a crimson streak.Cang Yan sat cross-legged on the bed of a luxurious room within Min City's finest inn. The soft glow of spirit lamps filled the chamber with a calm radiance.
He took out a jade slip from his spatial ring, his crimson eyes glinting faintly.
> "So this contains the information about the Great Wild Forest," he murmured.
Pressing the jade slip to his forehead, streams of light poured into his mind. Text and images formed within his consciousness, lines of glowing script unfolding like ancient secrets.
> The Great Wild Forest — not only the most dangerous region of the Qin Continent, but one of the deadliest across all known lands.
It is divided into three layers: the Outer Layer, the Inner Layer, and the Core Layer.
Cang Yan's expression darkened slightly as he read further.
> Within the Outer Layer, Martial King-level beasts roam freely. Martial Emperor and even Martial Venerable beasts are countless. At the very edge, there exists a single Martial Sovereign beast that rules over the entire outer region.
The script ended abruptly there. Beneath it, a final line appeared:
> Information about the Inner and Core Layers is not available within the Thousand Wind Pavilion archives.
Cang Yan opened his eyes slowly, the jade slip dimming in his hand.
> "So even the Thousand Wind Pavilion lacks data on the inner regions…" he muttered. "Just the Outer Layer alone has ten to fifteen Martial Lord-level beasts—and one Martial Sovereign beast…"
He exhaled softly, his gaze deep and calm.
> "In all of Min Country, not a single Martial Sovereign cultivator exists. Truly… this forest deserves to be called the most dangerous place on the continent."
The faint light from the window reflected in his crimson eyes as he placed the jade slip aside.
> "But that's exactly why I must go."