This trip out, with the Carp Spirit being inconvenient, was simply left at home.
A few minutes later.
Lu Ran and the others arrived at Jiuyou City.
Jiuyou City is located within the Ten Thousand Mountains, although it is a large main city.
But when Lu Ran and they emerged from the teleportation array.
The entire city center square was empty!
The ground was littered with dead branches and leaves, the air was humid, the ground covered in moss, and even some saplings were growing around.
Looking around, it was desolate.
Even the nearby dungeon hall was empty, without a single professional.
The entire main city was deserted, not even a ghostly shadow could be seen in the streets and alleys.
Around the main city, scattered peaks could be seen stacked layer upon layer.
The unique moisture within the Ten Thousand Mountains floated in the air, making the entire sky dim and hazy.
"Such a large main city, not a single person?" Lu Ran was a bit surprised.
"The environment in the Ten Thousand Mountains is dangerous, novices can’t get out of here, and if they do, they can’t survive. High level warriors have gone to other main cities, living much better than here. As a result, this place became abandoned, one of the few deserted main cities in Longxia." Liu Xinxin explained.
"So you mean no one lives in Southern Border anymore?" Lu Ran was somewhat taken aback.
No matter how dangerous, it becomes an uninhabited area, that can’t be right?
It’s no wonder Liu Xinxin said this place was best for Lu Ran to clear monsters on a large scale.
"Not exactly, the Miao Village people have lived here for generations, but they are not suited to the living environment of the main city. Instead, they form gathering places in the wilderness, building villages, existing in the form of tower villages." Liu Xinxin said.
At this moment.
Ye Hongyi opened the map to identify the direction and said: "Follow me, I’ve already contacted Wei Yingying in advance, we’ll go to the Miao Village first."
Wei Yingying?
It’s an unfamiliar name.
Lu Ran didn’t think much, but beside him Liu Xinxin actively explained: "The awakening of professions here is very regional, with few people. Once other professions appear in the villages, they usually leave the Ten Thousand Mountains. However, a few special professions ended up staying, the most famous of which is Southern Border’s characteristic profession, the Gu Master."
The Gu Master profession is neither a conventional profession, nor a rare or hidden profession.
It is a special existence.
Their skill and attack methods are different from other professions.
Without a clear set style, they resemble the Yin Yang Master somewhat, as their positioning varies based on the Shikigami they control.
The positioning of a Gu Master depends on the Gu they cultivate and control.
"The professional community across Southern Border is managed by the contemporary Grass Ghost Lady, who herself is also a Gu Master from a Miao Village, but more powerful. This generation’s Grass Ghost Lady is Wei Yingying, she’s the leader of the Miao Village." Liu Xinxin continued to introduce.
And if they want to operate in Southern Border.
It’s best to inform Wei Yingying, and incidentally figure out whether there are any Gu Masters leveling outside.
At this point.
Liu Xinxin looked at Ye Hongyi and said: "Your Sister Hong was born in the Miao Village, but she left at a very young age due to her awakening profession, rarely coming back over the years. She and Wei Yingying know each other."
The group left the main city.
The official road outside the city was long overgrown with weeds, almost indistinguishable.
Various low-level monsters roamed everywhere outside the city.
Spiders and snakes, poisonous creatures were everywhere.
Additionally.
Most of the monsters here are relatively small, some poisonous insects are even less than palm-sized, hidden in the grass, waiting to strike.
Lu Ran was greatly surprised.
And this was just the low-level monster area outside the main city; the deeper you go, the higher the level of poisonous creatures.
It’s no wonder that no normal professionals are willing to live here.
Clearing dungeons here isn’t a problem, but to never leave the city in one’s lifetime?
And outside the city, in this environment, it makes one’s skin crawl!
Before global dataization it was fine, this environment could even be considered picturesque, but after global dataization, the entire Southern Border is fraught with peril!
Lu Ran glanced back at the main city behind him.
Muttering: "I still don’t quite understand, main cities have protective shields to ward off outdoor monster invasions, if the Miao Village chooses to live in Southern Border, why not in the main city, instead of the wilderness, with constant threat from wild monsters."
To say it’s because of being unaccustomed seems somewhat far-fetched?
"The Miao Village has a long history, cultural traditions, and furthermore, it’s not just Gu Masters that live here. The few special professions I mentioned earlier all live here, among them, the Corpse-Driving Sect and the Flower Fallen Cave Maiden, together with Gu Masters, are known as Xiangxi’s Three Evils. They’re also the three professions with the most people in the village, where the Gu Master group is the largest, followed by Corpse Drivers, and lastly the Flower Fallen Cave Maiden." Liu Xinxin continued to introduce.
Because of the different sects, although they are both from the Miao Village.
They often don’t unite, but rather have some friction.
"The growth of the Gu Masters requires combining with wild poisons to upgrade their skills and strengthen their Lifebound Gu. Corpse Drivers gather in areas rich in Yin Qi, and as for the Flower Fallen Cave Maiden, they’re always mysterious, only the Grass Ghost Lady knows their whereabouts. Perhaps this is why they don’t live in the main city." Liu Xinxin said.
Even Liu Xinxin, who is proficient in data.
Wasn’t entirely sure about the details here, after all, she seldom visits this place.
Throughout the process.
Lei Tai, on the contrary, was very cautious, stopping every three steps to carefully observe his surroundings.
"Lei Tai, what are you doing sneaking around like that?" Ye Hongyi noticed his strange behavior and couldn’t help but tease.
"Poisonous insects! These things are disgusting, damn it." Lei Tai cursed.
Unexpected.
Lei Tai, who appeared as strong as a bull, fierce and fearless, was scared of bugs?
His funny appearance, clad in heavy armor like a human tank yet moving cautiously, amused both Ye Hongyi and Liu Xinxin, making them burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, Lu Ran.
Turned to look around.
First, he cast an Undead Touch, of course, in a small area.
Within the coverage area, all the poisonous insects hidden in the bushes and grass were startled, triggered out.
Since it wasn’t invisibility, just hiding in the grass and unseen, Undead Touch could trigger them.
Once triggered, looking around, it was teeming with health bars!
And above every health bar, almost without exception, floated three words: Controllable!
Indeed!
Lu Ran’s eyes brightened, his gaze sweeping across.
Large swathes of poisonous insects were controlled, retreating like a tide toward the surroundings.
Ye Hongyi and the others marveled at the sight.
"Indeed, what’s perilous for others in Southern Border is paradise for you, kid!" Lei Tai exclaimed excitedly.
Seeing the surrounding poisonous insects retreat.
Lei Tai finally relaxed, otherwise the constant vigil against poisonous insect attacks was an ordeal!
It was like having venomous snakes watching in the dark.
Just waiting for you to drop your guard, to bite.
Human fear of the unknown is what truly torments the mind.