The mountain path was rugged.
Ordinary medicinal herbs could generally be found wherever they grew, but some extremely precious ones were located either on sheer cliffs or beside deep, treacherous pools.
Of course, even then, encountering these herbs required immense luck.
Zi Yishan and Zi Tianhai followed their father, Zi Xunyang, along the edge of the cliff.
Their faces were beaded with sweat, yet they gritted their teeth and persevered.
Once they crossed this mountain, they would reach their destination for this trip—Zhan Tian Peak.
No one knew the origin of Zhan Tian Peak; it was as if it had appeared out of thin air. Su Dan Novels.
It was purely by chance that Zi Xunyang discovered the abundance of medicinal herbs on Zhan Tian Peak.
Therefore, they often came here to gather herbs.
The only drawback was that the entrance and exit to Zhan Tian Peak only appeared when the purple qi flowed eastward.
Thus, the trio had to reach the base of Zhan Tian Peak before sunrise the next morning, enter when the entrance manifested, and stay inside for a day and a night, emerging on the morning of the third day.
As dusk gradually settled, the mountain path became even more treacherous.
In the distance, the howls of wolves and roars of tigers could be faintly heard, sending shivers down their spines.
Fortunately, the three had traversed this path many times and easily avoided the territories of various wild beasts.
As the eastern sky began to show the first hint of dawn, the trio finally stood at the foot of Zhan Tian Peak.
"You two rest for a while. I'll call you when the entrance appears."
Zi Xunyang instructed, then stared intently at the brightening eastern sky, waiting for the first ray of light.
Zi Yishan and Zi Tianhai, however, collapsed onto the ground.
After all, they were still twelve-year-old children, and after traveling all night, they were utterly exhausted.
Although they had rested a few times, those brief respites had only allowed them to catch their breath, doing nothing to alleviate their physical fatigue.
Furthermore, climbing a mountain was a test of willpower, demanding a sustained effort. If they rested for too long midway, it would be difficult to continue.
Consequently, during their journey, the three dared not take extended breaks.
This was precisely why Zi Yishan and Zi Tianhai were so weary.
Zi Xunyang, though also tired, was an adult and possessed far greater endurance and willpower than the two boys.
Time flew by. The pale dawn in the east gradually turned rosy, and in a moment, a touch of purple appeared on the horizon.
About ten feet away from the trio, a vortex suddenly materialized.
"Yishan, Tianhai, quickly!"
Zi Xunyang shouted, grabbing them and swiftly darting into the vortex.
Within a few breaths, the vortex vanished, and the surroundings returned to their former tranquility.
Inside Zhan Tian Peak, the trees were lush and verdant, brimming with life.
"Yishan, Tianhai, there are no beasts within a three-mile radius here. You can move around nearby, but don't stray too far, understand?" Zi Xunyang said sternly.
Zi Yishan and Zi Tianhai nodded in unison and replied, "Father, we understand."
"Good! Gather some herbs nearby. I need to go deeper inside to find some precious ones. I'll be back before dark. That way, we can rest for several days once we return."
"Don't worry, Father, we won't wander off!" the two replied earnestly.
Zi Xunyang nodded, gave them a few more reminders, then slung his herb basket over his shoulder and walked into the depths of the forest.