Chapter 2825: Mist
Redwood City is vast, with a large population, and because it is closest to the Red River Mountains, it sees a particularly high traffic of cultivators, making all kinds of trade extremely prosperous here.
Carson Flores and Kaelithra Nixon inquired around the city briefly and arrived at the central square, bustling with cultivators.
Carson strolled around the square, first buying an oath doll at a high price, then creating a bounty flag which was promptly displayed in the square.
Carson then cast a spell, materializing the image of the Leap Void Beast. The beast, formed by gathering lights, seemed alive, instantly attracting the gaze of countless cultivators.
"Bounty, Leap Void Beast. If anyone can provide real, accurate clues, they will be rewarded with ten million Spirit Stones. If you can lead us there and we find it, a superior grade cultivation method will be awarded."
Ten million Spirit Stones!
Superior grade cultivation method!
Carson’s bounty immediately attracted many fervent eyes.
Ten million Spirit Stones may not be a huge sum for a Great Land Immortal, but for ordinary cultivators, it would mean a fortune, not to mention the superior cultivation method.
There are thousands of cultivation techniques in the world, but those reaching superior grade are not too common, considering that a single superior grade cultivation technique can essentially support an Immortal Sect.
Carson’s bounty targets numerous mid-to-low level cultivators; true masters might not appear here.
Soon, someone stepped forward to inquire. Carson pointed to the oath doll placed on the table, causing many people to change color slightly and back away.
The oath doll distinguishes truth from falsehood. If one lies, a single Heavenly Thunder might turn them to ashes. Though Spirit Stones and cultivation methods are tempting, one must have the life to spend them. Moreover, should falsehood be proven, once the person is gone, not a single Spirit Stone can be received.
From the crowd’s avid attention to its eventual dispersal, not a single person dared come forward to claim the bounty.
Kaelithra Nixon looked disappointed: "No one knows!"
Carson smiled and said: "No rush, news needs time to spread. We should wait."
The two set up their stall in the most frequented place where information flows fastest, waiting for three days.
As night fell, foot traffic dwindled. Just when Carson thought there might be no harvest today, a man cautiously approached, hooded, his figure shrouded in shadow.
"Sir, is your bounty real?"
Carson pointed to the oath doll on the table: "If you can provide real and effective information, you can claim the bounty immediately. If you know the specific location and can lead us there, should we find it, the cultivation method can be exchanged right away."
The man glanced at the vividly lifelike Leap Void Beast beside them and whispered: "I might have seen it."
Carson’s eyes lit up: "Fellow, tell me more."
Carson casually cast a soundproof spell, enveloping the three to prevent others from overhearing.
Though it was night, attention on this spot was more than one or two persons. Perhaps it was for this reason that the man came so tightly wrapped to find us, afraid of being marked after receiving a windfall.
The man whispered: "I previously entered the Red River Mountains, hoping to try my luck. Many adventurers who entered share this aim, lacking specific targets, just seeking valuable things, be it demonic beast body parts or heavenly materials and earthly treasures, immortal elixirs and the like."
Carson nodded: "I understand, go on."
The man continued: "I wasn’t alone, but with a friend. We wandered the Red River Mountains for a time, making small gains. Unsatisfied, we ventured deeper. As we proceeded, however, we unexpectedly got lost."
Carson interrogated carefully: "What do you mean by lost?"
The man’s face showed puzzled and fearful bewilderment: "We walked into a fog, landscapes inside resembling the Red River Mountains but seeming like another space altogether."
"Mist floated lightly in the air like early morning forests, yet looking up, the sky had no sun, no blue sky or white clouds. Looking back, the distance was invisible, only misty forests faintly visible."
"Such an indescribable feeling, normal world perception is clear—sunshine, wind rustling, birds flying, insects humming, lively and vibrant. But inside, everything felt suppressed, like a silent world, eerily quiet."
"We were quite panicked then, my friend suggested quickly flying upwards out of the fog because the surroundings were too peculiar, being cautious, he told me to wait while he flew first, asking me to guard the surroundings..."
The man’s voice grew uncontrollably tremulous, brimming with undisguisable fear at this point.
"The terrifying event happened..."