97: Chapter 97 Meteorite Rift Valley

Leaving the cave, Ye Tian headed all the way north, traveling through wild mountains and ridges.

Having offended the Blood Blade Sect, he was now far from Liuli City, yet he still needed to remain cautious.

Along the way, he practiced his newly mastered Blood Shadow Step to increase his proficiency; after all, it was a life-saving movement technique.

Half a month later, the scenery gradually became desolate.

Cracks in the ground grew more numerous, vegetation thinned out, and the air became hotter and more arid.

Gazing north, a massive shadow appeared on the horizon.

That was the perilous land at the border of the North Domain and the Wanshan Domain: the Meteor Star Great Rift Valley.

As he drew closer, the sight became increasingly breathtaking.

The rift was hundreds of miles wide; looking down, it was shrouded in mist and bottomless, making one's heart skip a beat.

Legend has it that this rift was formed by the impact of an extraterrestrial meteor in ancient times. Meteor fragments remained at the bottom, containing Astral Power and various rare mineral deposits, which also attracted countless fierce Yao Beasts.

Scattered along the edges of the rift were crude camps and small market towns spontaneously formed by adventurers, miners, and merchants, known as "Cliffside Markets." These were the final supply points and information hubs before entering the rift.

Ye Tian restrained his aura and, disguised as an ordinary adventurer, walked into one of the larger Cliffside Markets.

The market town was built from rough boulders and timber; its facilities were crude, but it was bustling with people coming and going.

Cultivators with profound auras could be seen everywhere, including many in the Ningyuan Realm. Occasionally, he could even sense one or two auras more powerful than an Elder, commanding respect.

He first found an inn to stay at, then spent time lingering in the town's taverns, teahouses, and trading stalls to gather information about the Meteor Star Great Rift Valley.

"Did you hear? A new Star-Vein Steel ore vein was discovered in the Black Wind Domain on the third level of the rift a few days ago. It nearly started a fight between the Mad Sand Gang and the Iron Sword Sect!"

"What's Star-Vein Steel? They say someone spotted traces of a Heart-Fire Lotus near the Gloomy Abyss. That's a treasure for refining Realm-breaking Medicinal Pills!"

"The valley hasn't been peaceful lately; Yao Beast activity is frequent, especially those Bone-Corroding Flying Ants and Earth Fire Scorpions. You'd better be careful if you run into them."

"Heh, wealth is found in danger! I heard a Huangxiang Lou exploration team is about to set out. They're recruiting experts with generous rewards..."

Listening to the conversations, Ye Tian gained a preliminary understanding of the rift.

The rift was roughly divided into several levels; the deeper one went, the more dangerous it became, but it also potentially hid more precious resources.

Among them, Huangxiang Lou was a power active in the rift area, primarily focusing on exploration and trading Materials.

A plan gradually formed in Ye Tian's mind.

He needed to go deep into the rift. On one hand, he could use the environment and powerful Yao Beasts to temper himself while searching for potential opportunities.

Joining an experienced exploration team was undoubtedly a good way to reduce initial risks.

The next day, Ye Tian went to the town's central square, where many teams were recruiting.

His gaze swept across them, finally stopping before a medium-sized team of about a dozen people.

The team members had steady auras and excellent equipment. The leader was a middle-aged man with a resolute face, whose cultivation had reached the Ningyuan Third Layer Peak.

Beside the man stood a cold-looking woman carrying a longbow, also possessing the strength of the Yuan Condensation Second Layer.

On the team's banner was an embroidered falling star, the emblem of "Huangxiang Lou."

"Huangxiang Lou exploration team recruiting two Ningyuan Realm experts to head to the Wind Erosion Canyon on the second level of the rift to explore the outskirts of a newly discovered ruin. Must be proficient in combat or prospecting; rewards are negotiable!"

A man in charge of recruitment shouted loudly.

Ye Tian stepped forward and said calmly, "I am Ye Tian, Ningyuan Realm cultivation, skilled in close-quarters combat. I wish to apply."

The middle-aged captain's gaze swept over Ye Tian, appearing slightly surprised by his youth, but sensing Ye Tian's aura, he nodded: "I am Captain Shi Feng.

"It's rare for a young brother like you to have such cultivation. It is truly impressive.

"Would you care to demonstrate a bit?"

Ye Tian knew this was a necessary test. Without saying much, his gaze swept over a half-person-high, hard Green Oak Stone at the edge of the square.

He simply clenched his right fist slightly and then threw a punch through the air!

He didn't use any Martial Skills, simply transforming his Yuan Condensation Second Layer true essence into a gust of fist wind!

"Whoosh... Bang!"

The fist wind crossed several yards, striking the center of the Green Oak Stone with a dull thud!

In the next moment, stone chips flew, leaving a fist print about an inch deep on the stone's surface!

"Condensing Essence into Astral Qi, harming objects from a distance!

"What strong true essence control!"

Admiration flashed in Shi Feng's eyes, and the cold woman beside him also glanced over slightly.

This move was enough to prove that Ye Tian's strength far exceeded that of an ordinary Ningyuan First Level.

"Welcome to the team, Brother Ye."

Shi Feng extended his hand. "This journey is dangerous; we must work together.

"Once successful, resources will be distributed based on contribution, with an additional five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones as base pay. How does that sound?"

"That works," Ye Tian nodded in agreement.

His goal was never just for those few Spirit Stones.

The team was soon assembled. Besides Shi Feng and the female archer named "Leng Yue," there were eight other members ranging from Qi Gathering Ninth Stage to Ningyuan First Level. Including Ye Tian, there were eleven in total.

After a brief preparation, the team headed toward a steep slope at the edge of the rift, officially beginning their rift trial.

Entering the rift, the light dimmed abruptly, the air was choking and pungent, and the temperature fluctuated wildly.

Beneath their feet was a rugged rocky path; on one side was a steep cliff wall, and on the other was a bottomless abyss where astral winds howled, kicking up gravel.

The team moved forward under Shi Feng's command. Leng Yue scouted ahead; her movement was extremely agile, often allowing her to detect danger in advance.

Ye Tian silently observed the team's way of moving and each person's characteristics while spreading out his Divine Sense to stay alert to his surroundings.

The first level of the rift was relatively safe, but it was not without danger.

Along the way, they encountered several waves of Yao Beast attacks.

One type of Yao Beast, called "Stone Lizards," had skin identical to rocks and excelled at camouflaged ambushes.

There were also swarms of "Bone-Corroding Flying Ants"; while individually weak, their sheer numbers and ability to spit corrosive acid made them extremely troublesome.

Facing these, Ye Tian did not go all out, only displaying the strength of the Ningyuan First Level and using Overlapping Wave Fist to face the enemies. His fist technique was steady, his power control exquisite, and every strike easily resolved the targets.

A few days later, the team arrived safely at the junction of the first and second levels.

Before a massive underground crack, where it was pitch black below and the sound of flowing water could be heard faintly—this was one of the entrances to the second level, the "Wind Erosion Canyon."

"Everyone be careful. From here on, the danger level doubles.

"Inside the canyon, not only are the Yao Beasts stronger, but there are also eerie Soul-Eroding Yin Winds and complex terrain."

Shi Feng warned solemnly, taking the lead as he slid down a narrow natural stone bridge.

Entering the Wind Erosion Canyon, the environment became even harsher.

On both sides were cliff walls thousands of feet high, eroded by wind and sand into countless holes; beneath their feet was soft sand and irregular rocks.

Fierce winds whipped sand against their protective true essence with a crackling sound.

Even more eerie was the evil force within the wind, capable of eroding one's Divine Sense and causing irritability; this was the "Soul-Eroding Yin Wind."

Here, the range of Ye Tian's Divine Sense perception was suppressed.

The team's pace slowed down as they became more cautious.

Suddenly, Leng Yue, scouting ahead, blew a warning whistle!

"On guard!" Shi Feng barked, and the team instantly formed a defensive formation.

Over a dozen dark shadows lunged out from a forest of weathered rocks ahead!

These shadows resembled cheetahs, but their skin was covered in deep red scales, their tails were incredibly hard, and their auras had all reached the Ningyuan First Level!

"It's Red-Scaled Leopards! Watch out for their speed and claws!"

Shi Feng recognized the Yao Beasts, his expression turning grave.

One was nothing, but over a dozen Ningyuan Realm Yao Beasts were enough to pose a serious threat to their team!

The pack of Red-Scaled Leopards growled and instantly dispersed, launching swift lunges from different directions!

They were extremely fast, moving as if on level ground even in this complex terrain!

The battle erupted instantly!