As everyone stepped out of the narrow, cramped forest path one after another, their first impression was one of awe.

This was still within the bounds of the dense forest, but the towering treetops soared dozens of meters high, like the lofty dome of a grand palace looming overhead, instantly dispelling any sense of oppression. Ahead lay the entrance to a mountain valley, where jagged cliffs hung precariously, vines and vegetation clung to the black rocks, and strange, enchanting flowers bloomed everywhere. Faint phosphorescent lights fluttered up and down, casting flickering shadows.

It was truly a primordial and mysterious otherworldly demon realm.

"This..." Benjamin Lee opened his mouth, stammered a couple of times, as if wanting to say something, but as soon as his voice echoed through the vast valley, he couldn't help but hold back.

There was even a sense of "not daring to speak loudly, for fear of startling the immortals above."

William Grant said in a low voice, "According to the directions, the Human-Faced Jade Spirit Flower is just up ahead in the valley. Although there are no more flower demons here, the danger is even greater... Everyone must be careful."

"Mm!" Everyone nodded in agreement.

The logic was simple: in a land teeming with demons and monsters, if a patch of untouched ground suddenly appeared, it could only mean that this was the territory of an even greater demon.

As human bodies traversed this wild and vast land, it was hard not to feel insignificant. The group made their way into the black valley strewn with jagged rocks, and before long, they spotted a cluster of enormous flower stalks growing in a clearing at the edge of the valley.

A single stalk bore two flowers, each bud as large as a human head, the petals tightly covering the heart of the flower, pure white in color, with long, straight leaves all around, making it appear pure and striking in the valley.

"This is the Human-Faced Jade Spirit Flower... It really does look just like the illustrations," said Benjamin Lee.

William Grant glanced up at the sliver of cliff above, obscured by rocks, and said, "At this hour, it should be just after nightfall outside. When a sliver of moonlight falls on this flower tonight, that will be the moment it blooms. Before then, absolutely do not touch it."

On the way here, Liam Carter had already learned about the process of picking the Human-Faced Jade Spirit Flower.

This flower was quite mystical; picking it at any other time would cause it to lose its spiritual essence. It must be plucked at the precise moment it matures and blooms under the moonlight, in order to preserve its spirit.

However, at that instant, everyone who looks at it will fall into an illusion—perhaps this is its way of protecting itself.

At this point, one person must use a bronze mirror to shield the flower at the moment it blooms, causing the flower's illusion to backfire and confuse itself. Then, another person can pick the flower from behind, thus successfully harvesting it.

This only requires two people, but the reason five are needed for this task is that three others must form a Three Talents Sword Formation around the perimeter while the flower is being picked, to guard against any guardian demon beasts nearby.

...

"Ziqing, you take the 'Human' position; Chu, you take the 'Earth' position; I'll take the 'Heaven' position. Lu, you hold the mirror; Benjamin Lee, you pick the flower," William Grant issued his orders crisply.

The Three Talents Sword Formation wasn't simply one person guarding each side: the 'Human' position guarded one direction, the 'Earth' position guarded two, and the 'Heaven' position guarded one direction while also supporting the others, ready to assist at any time.

This placed the greatest responsibility on the strongest point, compensating for any differences in the strength of those forming the array.

Naturally, no one objected, and they took their positions around the flower stalk.

The wait wasn't long. Soon, a sliver of moonlight pierced through the many obstacles and fell upon the clearing. In this sunless, secluded valley, that sliver of moonlight was incredibly precious.

The beam of moonlight gradually shifted, inch by inch, until it hovered above the Human-Faced Jade Spirit Flower.

"Focus!" William Grant suddenly shouted.

Liam Carter, Emily Thompson, and William Grant, the three forming the array, immediately stood with swords drawn, backs to the flower, no longer looking in its direction.

Because...

As the Human-Faced Jade Spirit Flower matured, rustling sounds echoed through the valley—some monsters, who had coveted the flower for a long time, could no longer restrain themselves.

"Roar—" The first to leap from the bushes was a black-spotted tiger, its furious roar shaking the forest! Its body was covered in fierce markings, and a pair of fleshy wings grew from its sides—clearly, it had cultivated for many years.

These forest monsters were cunning, and naturally, it charged straight at Emily Thompson.

The young girl bit her silver teeth, clearly terrified, but did not retreat. Instead, she stepped forward, ready to draw her sword and face the enemy.

Just then, a bolt of sword energy, like a golden dragon, swept in from the side!

Boom—

As the surging sword energy passed, the demon tiger vanished, leaving only wisps of ash drifting in the air.

It was, of course, William Grant who had acted.

Liam Carter caught sight of this and, while marveling at the formidable power of the Golden Core stage, couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

What a waste.

If only he could have landed a blow himself.

William Grant, ever vigilant, noticed Liam Carter's sigh and said, "No need to be discouraged, Junior Brother Chu. As long as you train diligently, in time you too can reach my level."

Hmm... He thinks I'm discouraged by his strength?

Liam Carter was momentarily stunned, then nodded at William Grant.

Ah, yes, yes.