The people, one by one, were dashing forward as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

It seemed as if they were afraid of losing out on something significant if they delayed even a bit.

The closer they got to the valley, the more noticeable the stench in the air became.

Even though they knew there were treasures ahead, their bodies stubbornly resisted the odor.

This made those sensitive to scents wish they could cut off their own noses.

The Little Paperman flew into the valley early on, even though it initially didn’t know the valley’s original state.

Yet the lingering high temperatures allowed the Little Paperman to see the air inside, distorted due to the heat.

Coupled with the stronger stench, every step inside became a test.

However, what was an unbearable environment for others felt like a land free of obstacles to the Little Paperman.

Everywhere there were potholes struck by Heavenly Thunder, but fortunately, they were concentrated in just one area.

It was clear that Er Dan had just hatched nearby, and even Yun Ran and the others set up their Array here.

Heavenly Thunder had clearly seeped into the ground, but the timely rain had neutralized the Thunder Element.

Without it, there wouldn’t have been a single blade of grass growing for decades.

Soon, the Little Paperman found the source of the stench—a small smelly ditch.

Upon seeing this, the Little Paperman instinctively breathed a sigh of relief.

Great, the source of the stench had somewhere to be blamed, thus preventing suspicion from falling on anyone.

Once the Little Paperman inspected the surrounding area, it erased any traces of human existence.

Only then did it fly back up to monitor the people from the air.

Watching those people charge in with high expectations only to find nothing.

Even though the opposing party was adversarial, the Little Paperman felt a bit ’sympathetic’ towards them. Such a pity, truly pitiful.

While those Dark Masters were collapsing over getting nothing, Yun Ran and the others were completely carefree.

Not knowing how long she had slept, Yun Ran opened her eyes, instantly waking up to the gray and cold surroundings.

Yun Ran gave a big yawn, all the previous fatigue instantly vanished.

She glanced around quickly, noticing Dragon Spirit and Mo Zhi guarding on either side, staring at each other.

Xuan Chu lay not far from her, his heavy breathing indicated that he was really hurt.

Yun Ran stood up and walked lightly towards the edge of Mo Zhi’s Ghost Realm, careful not to wake Xuan Chu.

Dragon Spirit watched Yun Ran leave and instinctively wanted to follow, but was stopped by Yun Ran’s glare.

With so many of them here, it was best not to alert the Evil Ghosts of the Ghost World.

Dragon Spirit didn’t know what Yun Ran planned, but had a feeling Yun Ran was up to her antics again.

And so it was proven, with Dragon Spirit having some understanding of Yun Ran’s ways.

Indeed, as soon as Yun Ran stepped out of the Ghost Realm, she shed her camouflaged aura.

Immediately exposing her presence.

This scene made Dragon Spirit almost clench his Dragon Claw into a fist, as expected, Yun Ran wouldn’t stay peaceful for long.

But the strange thing was, Yun Ran, now without disguise, appeared as a completely vivid person.

Brazenly standing on the Ghost World’s territory, yet no Evil Ghost dared to bother her.

Yun Ran’s lips curled slightly: Seems she was right!

Previously forced into the Ghost World, she followed the ancestor’s guidance to find that entity in the Forbidden Land.

She hurried back then, exploring little, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t suspicious.

With time more on her side now, she could verify her suspicions, which proved right.

The entity in that Forbidden Land seems indeed formidable.

Otherwise, how could she have been free from the Ten Thousand Ghosts Slaughter Order and roam unhindered in the Ghost World?

With her theory confirmed, Yun Ran lost interest in wandering further, she slowly strolled back.

Dragon Spirit watched Yun Ran’s strange behavior, puzzled, and asked her: "What are you up to now?"

Xuan Chu had already awakened when Yun Ran left, so speaking now wasn’t disturbing anyone.

The only response Dragon Spirit got was Yun Ran rolling her eyes.

"Question, question, question, are you a million whys? Want to know everything!"

Dragon Spirit: ...

He felt his claws itching, wanting to shred Yun Ran into pieces like spicy strips!

But in the end, Dragon Spirit merely twisted his body, back facing Yun Ran, then let out a heavy "humph" from his nostrils!

Now it was Yun Ran’s turn to be speechless, wondering where Dragon Spirit got his bad temper.

Xuan Chu’s injuries wouldn’t heal just from a nap, but were much improved.

The previous paleness becoming quite rosy.

"You’ve been out long enough, maybe it’s best you borrow the path back through the Ghost World, while I leave from elsewhere.

Making sure the Dark Masters never discover we were here."

Though Yun Ran wasn’t afraid, she disliked being under too many eyes.

Moreover, Er Dan’s existence needed to be kept obscure.

No one could confirm this world lacks genuinely hidden powers, and if discovered, it’d be troublesome.

Xuan Chu nodded indifferently, borrowing a path through the Ghost World seemed reasonable.

But Dragon Spirit felt dissatisfied, as if Yun Ran was abandoning them after they helped her protect Er Dan.

Was this right? Was his dignity as the Dragon King’s not worth even a thank you!

Just as Dragon Spirit contemplated another humph to express his discontent.

Yun Ran spoke: "Thanks for your efforts; here’s your reward."

Seeing Yun Ran’s gesture extending to them, Dragon Spirit turned, gaze suddenly evasive.

Xuan Chu looked at the toy flag quietly resting in Yun Ran’s hand and asked curiously: "What’s this?"