Walking out of the narrow mountain valley, Yu Ziqing gazed into the thin mist ahead, understanding in his heart that this Jinlan Mine was likely different from what he had known before.
The temperature here was at least relatively warmer, making it unlikely to freeze a person to death.
But recalling the female ghost he encountered earlier and that man-eating forest, none of this had been mentioned by those Human Traffickers. Considering their nature, it was impossible for them to have survived escaping that Despair Abyss.
This meant that when those robbers last came, such incidents hadn't occurred; it was only in the past two months that things had changed.
The other people appearing in that Illusion Realm, judging by their appearance, clearly had cannibalistic tendencies, yet showed no signs of practicing any Evil Skill.
This led to a speculation that two or three months ago, a major change occurred here, making it difficult for this place to sustain itself. Basic food supplies were definitely in shortage.
No, they must have been severely lacking.
Otherwise, without being driven insane with hunger, those showing cannibalistic tendencies wouldn't gather in such numbers, and that female ghost wouldn't have thrown her child off the cliff so decisively before dying.
Yu Ziqing slowed his steps, gazing ahead, and made up his mind once again. No matter what, he had to go.
As the saying goes, people, at the very least, should not starve to death.
Even if being hacked to death by wild blades or swallowed alive by Devils, it was still better than freezing or starving to death in the icy wilderness.
He was terrified of the cold, and terrified of hunger.
First find a foothold at the mine, as if this Jinlan Mine held significant importance to some prominent figures, surely someone would risk the cold to come here.
Taking those impenetrable Evil Dao strongmen as a reference, if even they could only work as Human Traffickers in this remote wilderness, the people who could make it here from that so-called Daqian Divine Dynasty in the south, who had been mentioned many times by the old gentleman, must be stronger.
With the drastic changes in the vast wilderness, no matter what the previous situation was, now there would certainly be people trying to seize an opportunity at Jinlan Mine, and those coming here wouldn't be just one or two.
Then, try to find a way to leave the wilderness and head south to warmer places, which was the best choice. In any case, Yu Ziqing had had enough of the constantly freezing cold weather.
This was the new plan for the near future. As for now, it was about how to find a foothold at the mine.
While Yu Ziqing was still pondering, Yang bit onto Yu Ziqing's large cloak, glanced at the road ahead, and shook his head at him.
"Old Sir, do you mean for me not to go? Or do you mean I should be cautious and scout first?"
Old Yang was silent for a moment, then shook his head.
Yu Ziqing understood Old Yang's concern. Not going was impossible; they had already arrived, and there was nowhere else to go. And scouting alone was ridiculous. Being just one person, a weakling half-dead from hunger and cold, with not enough strength to even truss a chicken.
Trying to hide his tracks and investigate the unknown ahead was impossible. If there were still people alive inside, being exposed would mean showing bad intentions and cowardice.
Considering the female ghost's fate encountered earlier, showing cowardice would be akin to offering oneself up as prey.
After thoughtful consideration, Yu Ziqing decided to walk in with dignity and confidence. No matter what the situation, he should first pretend to have confidence.
Yu Ziqing pulled along Old Yang and, with the remaining flock, continued onward.
As he exited the valley ahead, the temperature rose once more. From the front came a clanging sound, like the mist clearing away, revealing a burst of life in the dead silent world.
The land appeared somewhat barren, with sparse dry grass dotting the surface. On the slightly elevated terrain, there were numerous holes in the ground, and people were entering and exiting those holes.
In the distance, places were carved into the hillside, with soil blocks stacked outside them, looking like crude earth kilns at first glance.
He smelled the scent of burning fire and the aroma of hot food. He also saw people carrying ram's horn pickaxes, heading deeper in, and heard voices shouting in various accents.
Yu Ziqing stood still, honestly surprised by the scene before him.
It felt almost too harmonious, like a dream.
Yu Ziqing hadn't stood there more than a few breaths when someone in the distance spotted him.
A drawling shout echoed, momentarily drowning out all other sounds.
The people who seemed to be going to work all turned around, quickening their steps with cheers as they ran toward Yu Ziqing.
Their expressions were like those of rural farmers planning to till the fields, suddenly seeing a grandchild who hadn't visited in years, unable to contain their joy. Before their minds reacted, their bodies already trod lightly forward, fearing the beloved grandchild might disappear if they delayed.
Yu Ziqing sensed no malice, yet couldn't shake a feeling of unreality from his mind.
He looked down at the Old Yang beside him.
"Old Sir, I'm not falling into an Illusion Realm, right now, am I?"
Old Yang shook his head, then lifted his forehoof to heavily step on Yu Ziqing's foot.
Yu Ziqing cautiously took out the recipe from his arms, glanced at it, and confirmed he could still recognize the words, having heard that one couldn't recognize words in a dream. So this shouldn't be a dream. Moreover, with the throbbing pain from his toe being stepped on, for now it seemed real.
The sheep following behind also swarmed out at this moment, vying for the remnants of dry grass on the ground.
The Black-faced Man leading the charge toppled over a scrawny goat. Pressing one hand on its head and lifting its hind leg with the other, he looked down and immediately smiled. With a swift movement at his waist, a short dagger was already pressed against the goat's jaw.