"Grown on sheer cliffs?" Shen Xiaoxiao was stunned, instantly losing hope.
If they were everywhere, he could pick quite a few. But if they were on sheer cliffs, even risking half his life, he might not be able to collect a single stalk.
"Zi Luo grass is generally found on sheer cliffs; it's highly unusual to find it on flat ground," Gu Wen frowned. "This doesn't seem to make sense. Why would there be Zi Luo grass here!"
Da Tou stood frozen, unsure how to answer. Even he didn't know why a stalk would appear here.
"If my guess is correct, we'll have a great harvest today," Lu Fan said with a smile. "Directly in front of this area, there should be many spiritual herbs!"
"Directly in front?" Da Tou looked towards the valley ahead, then quickly added, "Sir, there are indeed many good things in that valley, but it's a forbidden area of Niutou Mountain! You cannot enter carelessly!"
"Niutou Mountain forbidden area?" Lu Fan asked suspiciously. "Why is it called a forbidden area?"
"Anyone who enters the valley never comes out alive," Da Tou stated frankly. "Sir, if you go, you might not return. You are my great benefactor, you absolutely cannot be in danger!"
"I see!" Lu Fan nodded. "If there weren't any rumors, I might not be interested. Since this place is so eerie, I'll go in and try my luck!"
"Don't, don't!" Da Tou hurriedly said, "If something happens to you, the village chief will surely blame me, and how will I explain!"
"Don't worry, since I dare to go, I won't be in trouble," Lu Fan smiled. "You don't need to worry too much."
As Lu Fan spoke, Da Tou became more anxious. He wanted to speak up and stop him, but seeing Lu Fan's resolute expression, he didn't know what to do.
"I've also heard people say that those who enter the Niutou Mountain forbidden area are bound to die!" Shen Xiaoxiao quickly said. "When I was little, I thought it was to scare children, but I didn't expect it to be true!"
"Whether it's true or not, since we're here, we naturally can't retreat," Gu Wen said. "I agree with Master's idea."
"Are you guys crazy!" Shen Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. "This is no joke!"
"If you're scared, go back with Da Tou!" Lu Fan said. "When we come out, we'll meet you at Niutou Village!"
"How can that be!" Shen Xiaoxiao shook her head. "Since it's a forbidden area, we shouldn't enter carelessly. Let's go somewhere else!"
"Don't worry, we are not ordinary people," Gu Wen said with a smile. "Nothing will happen. You go back with Da Tou first!"
"Sir, the forbidden area of Niutou Mountain has claimed many lives over the years," Da Tou said quickly. "You absolutely must not be foolish!"
Saying this, Da Tou hurried forward and pointed to a stone tablet. "It says 'Forbidden Area' here to prevent others from entering by mistake!"
Lu Fan chuckled. "You don't need to say more, my mind is made up!"
Da Tou looked helpless. Shen Xiaoxiao gazed at the words "Forbidden Area" and shivered. After all, she hadn't seen much of the world, and these words, so strangely alluring, made her feel a sense of death.
Seeing Shen Xiaoxiao's pale face, Lu Fan looked at Da Tou. "Take him back to Niutou Village. After I finish collecting, I will return to Niutou Village!"
With that, Lu Fan stepped towards the forbidden area. Han Yunhai and Gu Wen followed closely, appearing unconcerned.
Shen Xiaoxiao also wanted to follow, but her feet refused to obey. In such a situation, as a weak woman, it was naturally somewhat embarrassing.
"Miss Shen, you cannot go in!" Da Tou quickly said. "If our benefactor goes in and we don't know his fate, if you go in, won't you be throwing your life away!"
Shen Xiaoxiao sighed. "I don't know why, but the words 'Forbidden Area' have a deterrent effect on me, making me unable to move. I'll wait for him here, and wait for them to come out safely!"
"There are many beasts here. If it's afternoon, even with my protection, it will likely be quite dangerous."
Da Tou stated frankly, "Let's return to the village early! We can then call the people of Niutou Village to wait outside the forbidden area together!"
"That's a good idea!" Shen Xiaoxiao nodded. "As long as there are more people, we won't be afraid!"
Inside the forbidden area, Lu Fan walked forward, his expression indifferent. He didn't believe in forbidden areas, so he was completely uninhibited.
"Master, will we really die here today?" Gu Wen asked awkwardly. "Why do I feel a chill down my spine?"
"I didn't ask you to follow me!" Lu Fan laughed. "If something really happens, you can't blame me!"
Han Yunhai and Gu Wen exchanged glances, then looked at each other. They hadn't expected Lu Fan to say that, which made them a little fearful. If something were to happen, Lu Fan would probably be the first to run.
Meanwhile, at Niutou Village, everyone was busy building houses. Da Tou brought Shen Xiaoxiao to Niutou Village. The village chief looked at them with curiosity. "What's going on? Why isn't that gentleman here?"
"They entered the forbidden area!"
Da Tou quickly said, "If something happens, it will be really troublesome!"
"Forbidden area?" The old village chief's face changed drastically. "How could this happen? Why didn't you warn him?"
"It's useless to warn him!" Shen Xiaoxiao said helplessly. "Mr. Lu and the others have already gone in!"
The old village chief's face turned grim. He quickly looked at the people of Niutou Village. "Everyone, put down your work. They've entered the forbidden area, and their lives are likely in danger. We have many people, and we cannot just stand by and watch them get into trouble!"
The villagers responded enthusiastically. Led by the old village chief, they were ready to go, each holding a bow and arrow, looking very serious, as if going to war.
"Old village chief, what exactly is in the forbidden area?" Shen Xiaoxiao asked in surprise. "Why are you all so solemn?"
"There is a monster living in the forbidden area. Generally, those who enter have no way to survive," the old village chief said quickly. "You are also kind people, and Niutou Village will never stand idly by!"
"Old village chief, you cannot easily venture into the forbidden area," Da Tou quickly said. "Otherwise, you will surely die!"
"We have many people. If we encounter that monster, we don't need to be too alarmed!" the old village chief stated frankly, leaning on his cane, but his heart was filled with worry.
"That monster is no ordinary creature," Da Tou said directly. "Since the old village chief has given the order, we will also go through fire and water!"
In fact, when Da Tou was just born, his father had died at the hands of the monster. Rumors began to spread throughout Niutou Mountain, and the saying of a forbidden area also emerged.
Therefore, in Da Tou's heart, he had always harbored fear towards that monster. Even though the monster had killed his father, he could only hide in Niutou Village, not daring to step into the forbidden area even half a step.
At the same time, Lu Fan and the others walked for a while before seeing the fog ahead becoming thicker and thicker, with even a greenish liquid within the mist.
"This fog is poisonous!" Gu Wen's face changed drastically.