Zong Shou took a deep, steadying breath, forcing his surging blood Qi into submission. When he opened his eyes again, his state of mind had settled, and his face was filled with delight. "Junior Brother only heard that there is a type of Vein Spirit Grass here that would be somewhat beneficial to my Dual Meridian physique, so I came to search for it. But what about Senior Sister, why are you in the Blood Valley? Even if it’s for tempering, there are plenty of other places; why come to such a perilous location?"

He was genuinely surprised in his heart. In the memories of 'Zong Shou,' disciples of the Lin Hai Academy were required to travel extensively upon reaching the Spirit Nurturing Realm, traversing every place where spiritual veins converged. Only upon reaching the Soul Projection Realm could they return to the academy.

And Gong Xinran, at this moment, clearly had not yet completed the cultivation for this realm.

Speaking of his admired Senior Sister, she indeed possessed considerable talent. At nineteen, she had already entered the Spirit Nurturing Realm—an achievement many Spirit Masters could only envy. Within Lin Hai Academy, she was highly regarded by the instructors.

"You know this is a perilous place!"

Gong Xinran snorted through her nose, then shook her head with a hint of bitterness. "Why would I be here for tempering? Do you think Senior Sister is like you? No matter how audacious I am, I wouldn't easily venture here, nor would I choose this place to warm my soul spirit or temper my state of mind. Wouldn't it be much better to just roam around Donglin Cloud Continent? Remember what Senior Sister told you before? Our Gong family once had a Day Roaming Realm Spirit Master. Three thousand years ago, he dominated Donglin Cloud Continent, but for some unknown reason, he perished in this Blood Valley, which caused our family to decline. I came to the Blood Valley this time to search for my ancestor's remains. In a few more days, when I achieve the Soul Projection Realm, I won't be able to enter anymore—"

Zong Shou swiftly sifted through the dusty memories in his mind and indeed found some related information.

He thought to himself, no wonder this girl made that 'Zong Shou' so fond of her. Her words carried no guile, and she was extremely candid with people. Such a vital matter as the relic of a Heaven-rank expert, she didn't hide even a bit from him. Her concern for 'Zong Shou' was also utterly sincere.

Gong Xinran didn't perceive anything unusual. She turned her head. "I have my ancestor's bloodline, so I can sense the location of my ancestor's remains. It just so happens that Senior Brother Gao Yi is the young master of the Gao family in Dragon Spirit City, and he could find some help. That's why we ventured in to try. If we find it, that's naturally best; if not, it will still resolve a lingering wish, and I can move forward unburdened." She smiled and pointed behind her, where one of the other figures among the group stood. Tall and handsome, clad in luxurious robes, exuding an imposing nobility. He inclined his head in a greeting toward them with perfect decorum, though his expression was slightly cold.

Zong Shou felt a slight prick in his chest, a profound bitterness, and inexplicably, he felt a distinct dislike for this 'Senior Brother Gao Yi.'

He remembered this person, too. Two years ago, when they were still at the academy, he was extremely close to Gong Xinran, almost like lovers, and now, it seemed they had indeed ended up together.

Deep in his heart, however, he was secretly struggling. This was not his true feeling. Although the consciousness of the original 'Zong Shou' had dissipated, the influence on this body and his current consciousness remained strong.

This was one reason why those who seize bodies preferred not to merge with the original soul: besides maintaining the purity of their spirit, they also wished to avoid the influence of the original soul's consciousness.

Yet, his situation was somewhat different. Having arrived ten thousand years in the past, while his state of mind and consciousness remained, the spiritual sense and martial intent honed in his previous life had vanished without a trace—he was starting from scratch. When the original 'Zong Shou' chose to fuse consciousnesses, there was simply no room for refusal.

"Is this your family's maid? She's so cute! Being able to subdue a third-tier Cold Nether Tiger soul beast as a guard, she must be a Spirit Nurturing Realm Soul Master too? Tsk, tsk, truly worthy of being the Young Lord of Qian Tian Mountain. But you two, aren't you being too reckless! Over these ten thousand years, countless martial cultivators and Spirit Masters have died in the Blood Valley. One of you is a young girl who just reached the Spirit Nurturing Realm, and the other can't even cultivate. Just the two of you dared to enter? Oh right, that Vein Spirit Grass, is it really useful for Junior Brother?"

Gong Xinran cast an appreciative glance at Chu Xue, then immediately reprimanded without mercy. Finally, her eyes darted around, and she forcibly pulled Zong Shou's hand, dragging him toward the group of martial artists.

As they approached, she smiled sweetly at Gao Yi. "Senior Brother Yi, do you still remember Junior Brother Zong Shou? What a coincidence, meeting an old acquaintance from the academy here in the Blood Valley. He is going inside to collect that Vein Spirit Grass; have you heard of it, Senior Brother?"

Zong Shou followed Gong Xinran with a sense of helplessness. Carefully observing this group of martial artists, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

Of the eight people, besides the two Spirit Masters, Gao Yi and Gong Xinran, the remaining six were all at the Secret Martial Master cultivation level. When they killed those fang wolves earlier, their actions were decisive and swift, as if they were seasoned veterans. Their fierce aura alone was not comparable to ordinary martial practitioners.

Dragon Spirit City was one of the great Eastern cities; he hadn't heard of the Gao family. However, in the original 'Zong Shou's' memories, they seemed to be quite powerful, a prominent clan that had risen recently.

"Zong Shou? Naturally, I remember. The Young Lord of Qian Tian Mountain, correct?"

Gao Yi mockingly pulled at the corner of his lips. His displeasure was evident but fleeting, quickly concealed. He lowered his head in thought. "I haven't heard of Vein Spirit Grass. The Blood Valley is filled with countless spirit grasses, and most look very similar. Unless one is a seasoned herb gatherer, it's hard for others to identify them. Junior Brother Zong Shou, can you describe what this grass looks like? We can collect it for you."

Zong Shou shook his head slightly; it was normal that he hadn't heard of it.

The function of this Vein Spirit Grass was extremely obscure even in later eras; naturally, apothecaries and alchemists of this time wouldn't know its use. Even its name only appeared in later times.

It was precisely because it couldn't be bought on the market—not even in the nearby Cloud Saint City—that Zong Shou chose to venture in himself to gather it.

As for its characteristics, he couldn't describe them either. He could only test them one by one, relying on experience to discern them.

"How could this be?"

Gong Xinran's expression clearly dimmed, then instantly brightened again. "Senior Brother, since it's on our way, how about letting these two accompany us for a while? Junior Brother here cannot cultivate, and although this girl is a Spirit Nurturing Realm Spirit Master, she is too young. I truly cannot feel at ease letting them search for herbs alone!"

Gao Yi's brow immediately furrowed. He glanced at Zong Shou, a flicker of subtle disdain crossing his eyes before his gaze brightened again when looking at Chu Xue. However, before he could speak, a cold sneer came from the side. "Accompany them? Miss Xinran, are you joking, or do you take us for bodyguards? A good-for-nothing who hasn't even opened his meridian wheel should know his place. The usual fierce beasts are one thing, but if we run into a beast horde, I, Qi Nu, won't care. For a cripple like him, who doesn't know his limits, it’s better if he dies—"

The speaker was short and stocky, but broad-shouldered and muscular. Several scars marred his face, making him look even more ferocious when he spoke. He was actually both a Spirit and Martial cultivator, but his vigorous blood Qi masked his soul power, suggesting he hadn't reached the Soul Observation realm yet.

Before his words finished, Gao Yi sharply called out, "Silence!"

Gao Yi seemed to hold considerable authority among these martial artists. Although Qi Nu was reluctant, he grunted and stopped speaking. The former then rubbed his temples with a troubled expression. "This journey is perilous, Junior Sister, you know that well! There are countless fierce beasts; we might not even be able to guarantee our own safety, so how can we bring others? Forgive my bluntness, but this girl is fine, but Junior Brother Zong Shou is completely defenseless. To us, he's just a burden, increasing the danger! If you truly care for them, you should let them go back—"

His words were equally blunt, but Zong Shou felt no anger, simply watching quietly. Although he had now reached the Martial Master realm, and his soul power was at the peak of Soul Observation, with his Breath Concealment Art employed, he truly seemed as if he had never practiced martial arts.

He mused that it was best this way; traveling together would be the worst possible scenario for him. Although these people possessed considerable combat strength, they would only drag him and Chu Xue down.

Never mind that he now possessed the medicinal liquid that allowed unimpeded travel in the Blood Valley; even without it, the few fierce beasts here might not be able to stop him!

Gong Xinran did not know his thoughts. Her expression was helpless, yet she persisted. "Senior Brother! They have already come this far; are you suggesting they turn back? My Junior Brother is stubborn; no amount of persuasion will work. If we leave, he will surely follow. It's better if we let them collect the Vein Spirit Grass so I can be at ease. If Senior Brother is unwilling, then I will go with them!"