The size of the God Valley of Buried Souls was far beyond Xu Zimo’s imagination.
It stretched for hundreds of billions of square miles from east to west, so vast that it nearly encompassed half of the Demi-Ghost Region which itself was one of the many regions of Ghost God Heaven.
Everywhere he looked were countless tombstones and burial pits.
The reason was simple. Buried here were all the dead from the ancient war between Primal Gods and Spectral Ghosts.
There were gods, and there were ghosts.
Even now, one could faintly hear the wailing of those fallen spirits.
The valley was utterly desolate. Other than the black crows and shadow vultures circling overhead, there was no sign of life.
Under the blackened soil, fragnts of pale bones were half-buried, giving the place an eerie and chilling atmosphere.
Xu Zimo descended from the gloomy sky, standing at the entrance to the valley.
Behind him followed the massive figure of Red Blade Bull Demon.
Though Xu Zimo had left earlier, the bull demon’s speed as a Saint Sovereign was unmatched, he could sense Xu Zimo’s aura and catch up easily.
“The battle’s over?” Xu Zimo asked. “How did it end?”
“That Madman Chu truly lives up to his na,” Red-Blade Bull Demon replied with a grin. “I couldn’t even get close. The Abyssal Tyrant withdrew, probably waiting until he recovers to his peak before fighting again.”
“That’s none of our concern,” Xu Zimo said calmly. “Once we obtain the Wood God Jumang’s inheritance, we’ll leave Ghost God Heaven.”
“The death aura here is thick,” the bull demon noted, frowning as he looked toward the valley.
An ordinary person might only feel its coldness, but as a Saint Sovereign, his senses could reach much deeper.
The deathly energy blanketed the land for billions of miles. Any ordinary being who entered would have their flesh dissolved and their bones turned to dust.
“Master, this place is too heavily tainted with death. Even you won’t be able to stay long,” the bull demon warned. “So many must have died here…”
“I don’t know the number,” Xu Zimo replied. “But I’ve heard that ever since that battle, light has never returned to the Ghost God Heaven. The sun itself fell from the sky. You can imagine how devastating that war must have been. Let’s not enter yet. We’ll look around the area first, there may be another way.”
“I saw a village at the foot of that mountain when I ca,” Red-Blade Bull Demon said. “Perhaps we can inquire there.”
Xu Zimo nodded.
The God Valley of Buried Souls lay atop a high ridge. Descending from it, he found himself in a lush forest teeming with life.
Unlike the deathly desolation above, this area was full of birdsong and green trees, two completely different worlds.
After walking down the slope, Xu Zimo saw the entrance to a small village flanked by two enormous ginseng trees.
These trees did not bear fruit, but their trunks were shaped like human figures, ancient and strange.
What was even odder was that the ginseng tree on the left had two long whisker-like tendrils hanging down.
“Young man, welco to our Forgetful Village,” said the ginseng tree, speaking with a deep, resonant voice as Xu Zimo approached.
“Forgetful Village?” Xu Zimo murmured.
“You must be heading for the God Valley of Buried Souls,” the ginseng tree continued.
“How do you know that?” Xu Zimo asked.
“No one cos this way unless they’re bound for the valley,” the tree replied. “This place rarely sees visitors.”
“Then perhaps you know a way through?” Xu Zimo said.
“I’ve observed that the valley’s death aura is too heavy. Entering it will be difficult,” the tree said. “But our village has a sacred spring, the Ancient Clear Spring. Drink from it, and you can pass through the God Valley of Buried Souls unhard.”
“How can I obtain so of this spring water?” Xu Zimo asked.
“There’s no rush,” the ginseng tree chuckled. “You’ve co from far away. Let us first show our hospitality.”
With a wave of its thick branches, the air rippled, and laughter echoed from within the village.
Soon, several elderly figures erged. They looked aged and wise, their clothes woven from leaves, their long beards resembling tree roots, and their hair like green foliage.
They were Dryads, ancient beings who had cultivated for a thousand years and taken human form.
“Welco, young man,” said the elder at the front with a kind smile. “We’ve prepared a feast in your honor. Please, join us.”
“I ca seeking only the Ancient Clear Spring,” Xu Zimo replied.
“Please stay and dine with us tonight,” the elder said warmly. “When you leave tomorrow, we’ll send you away with the spring water you seek.”
Xu Zimo frowned slightly but said nothing, allowing the elder to lead him into the village.
Once inside, he was surprised to find that aside from a few elders, the rest of the villagers were all won, beautiful won, standing along the village’s main road, holding garlands and smiling in welco.
“What is all this about?” Xu Zimo asked.
“This is our traditional greeting ceremony,” the elder said with a laugh. “Please, don’t be concerned.”
Following the elder, Xu Zimo was brought to an open clearing. Tables were laid out with all manner of fruits, pastries, and wine. The air was filled with rich fragrance that instantly lifted the spirit and soothed the mind.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the elder gestured for Xu Zimo to take the seat of honor.
When he did, bonfires were lit on both sides, and the village ca alive with cheerful music.
In the center of the flas, a woman dressed in exotic Western attire began to dance gracefully, her every movent flowing like ripples of moonlight.
“Drink, young man,” the elder said, raising his cup with a smile.
Xu Zimo rarely had the chance to relax, so he accepted the invitation and drank several cups.
The wine spread through his body in waves of warmth, soothing his organs and leaving him feeling utterly at ease.
“What an excellent wine,” he remarked.
“What business brings you to the God Valley of Buried Souls?” the elder asked.
“My ho lies within the Demi-Ghost Region,” Xu Zimo answered casually.
“Do you have family waiting for you there?” the elder pressed.
“I’ve been gone for a long ti,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head. “I’m not sure how many remain. As for the spring water, I’ll rely on your help, Elder.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” the elder said, smiling as he gestured toward the dancer in the center of the firelight. “This is my youngest daughter. She’s in her twenties, well-learned, kind, and accomplished in every art. What do you think of her?”
The corner of Xu Zimo’s mouth lifted. “Elder, you’re not trying to hook up with a marriage, are you?”
The elder laughed heartily. “The God Valley of Buried Souls is filled with restless spirits and countless dangers. The road ahead is uncertain. Why not stay here, marry my daughter, and live in peace within our Forgetful Village? A life without worry, wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
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