The Shattered Formation, the Emperor-Grade Ginger.

Biling Lake is vast and expansive.

On the opposite shore of the lake, a magnificent and imposing formation can be seen, standing there like a divine wall!

Mysterious runes flicker intermittently, exuding an aura of resilience and immortality!

It is a sacred formation!

Clearly, behind the formation lies another realm, one that does not belong to the assessment area.

Jiang Yuqiong and his group of ten searched around for quite a while but found no signs of activity.

He even kicked Han Xuan into the lakebed to investigate, but still, there wasn't the slightest trace of anyone!

After searching for a long time, they finally discovered signs of a battle on the opposite shore.

At the same time, they found scales belonging to the Mysterious Ice Chilong.

"Under the siege of many, the Mysterious Ice Chilong was injured!"

"But it escaped as well! Truly worthy of a Tier 6 ferocious beast—its strength is remarkable!"

Feng Wuchou said, holding a palm-sized scale between his fingers.

In addition to the scale, there was a faint scent of blood in the air.

Occasional splashes of blood could be seen scattered on the ground.

"Baili Jinghong and the others must have gone after the Mysterious Ice Chilong."

"If we follow the trail of its aura, we should be able to catch up with them!"

Qin Yuxi said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Jiang Yuqiong nodded.

The group set off again, pursuing the trail.

This chase led them on a winding path over a considerable distance, bringing them close to the divine formation wall.

Then, they witnessed a surprising scene.

"Why is there a missing section in the formation here?"

Jiang Yuqiong muttered in confusion.

He noticed a gap, over six feet tall, in the divine formation wall.

The aura of the Mysterious Ice Chilong also vanished at that point.

"Let's go take a look."

Jiang Yuqiong said.

Since they were already here, they might as well check out the situation.

Without hesitation, he led the group forward, slipping through the gap in the formation.

The moment they entered, a potent, ancient, and primal aura rushed toward them!

At the same time, the entire group's eyes widened in shock.

"This is…"

"An ancient battlefield!"

Before them stretched countless mountains and ravines, continuous and unbroken, majestic and perilous.

Ancient trees formed dense forests, spreading out in vast patches!

This was an incomparably expansive space!

Yet, amidst the lush clusters of trees, faint outlines of ruined walls and scattered debris could be glimpsed, strewn in all directions!

This was a relic!

Who knows what storms it had weathered in the distant past.

"Treasure herbs! There are treasure herbs everywhere!"

Hui Shoutao suddenly shouted, nearly jumping with excitement.

Among the cliffs and stone walls, numerous treasure herbs took root, emanating a fragrant aroma.

Some even bloomed with vibrant flowers, swaying gracefully, utterly enchanting!

Tier 4, Tier 5, Tier 6—herbs dotted the mountains and fields, adorning the landscape!

There were even many King-tier and Emperor-tier treasure herbs to be seen!

It was practically a treasure herb cultivation base!

However, the higher-tier herbs were surrounded by individual restrictions, crafted by the hands of a mighty expert, making them impossible to break.

"So many treasure herbs, and we can't even pick them! What a pity!"

Hui Shoutao wailed dramatically, as if he wanted to bash his head into the ground.

To enter a treasure-laden mountain and leave empty-handed—what a miserable feeling.

"Look at you, so pathetic!"

Jiang Yuqiong shot him a glare and said.

Instinctively, he sensed something off.

And it wasn't just him—Feng Wuchou felt the same unease.

"This must be the herb garden of the Ancient Sky Sect. Deeper in, there might be even rarer treasure herbs—perhaps even sacred herbs!"

"A place like this shouldn't be accessible during an assessment!"

Jiang Yuqiong agreed with his reasoning.

This left two possibilities.

One: the Ancient Sky Sect had intentionally left this flaw, providing the Mysterious Ice Chilong an escape route. Even if a few prodigies entered, they wouldn't be able to take anything significant.

Two: someone had sabotaged the formation and entered this place!

But upon closer thought, a sacred formation like this couldn't possibly be breached by the abilities of these young prodigies.

So, the first possibility seemed more likely.

"Let's gather some seasonings first!"

In high spirits, Jiang Yuqiong darted through the forest.

Before long, he had harvested over a dozen treasure herbs.

But when Feng Wuchou, Hui Shoutao, Han Xuan, and the others prepared to pick some as well, he stopped them with a shout, earning resentful and puzzled looks.

Jiang Yuqiong snorted but didn't explain.

What a joke!

This is my family's herb garden—how could I let you lot plunder it freely?

The treasure herbs we… ahem, borrowed from outside have already been shared plenty with you. Be grateful!

"Let's go find Baili Jinghong and the others!"

With everything settled, Jiang Yuqiong waved his hand, leading the group onward once more.

This time, they didn't travel far before spotting a group of people—though the Mysterious Ice Chilong was nowhere to be seen.

Six individuals were currently engaged in a fierce battle in the air.

Not far from them, on a mountainside, a treasure herb glimmered with a lush green glow!

A rich, intoxicating aura wafted from it, captivating anyone who caught its scent!

"A King-tier treasure herb!"

Qin Yuxi exclaimed softly.

Indeed, it was a King-tier treasure herb.

The restriction around it had already been broken, leaving it unprotected.

The soil beneath had been half-dug, revealing a tuber the size of half a watermelon, white and tender.

No doubt, the group above was fighting over this herb.

Jiang Yuqiong took a closer look and let out a surprised "Eh?"

"Isn't this ginger?"

Chuckling to himself, he activated his movement technique, and with a flash, he appeared beside the treasure herb.

Jiang Yuqiong broke off a piece and tasted it—its spiciness made his tongue stick out!

"It really is ginger! And it's huge!"

Jiang Yuqiong was overjoyed.

After searching for so long, he'd finally found a treasure herb resembling ginger.

Without hesitation, he pulled out a short knife he'd scavenged from Feng Wuchou and dug a few times, soon lifting the entire tuber into his arms.

Good heavens!

The whole tuber was as big as a watermelon!

A robust medicinal power emanated from it, seeping into his nose and refreshing his spirit!

Just one whiff invigorated the blood in his body.

Truly worthy of a King-tier treasure herb!

But Jiang Yuqiong didn't care about that.

What he wanted was ginger!

No more worrying about the gamey taste of certain beasts' meat!

Delighted, Jiang Yuqiong cradled it in his arms.

But at that moment, a cold voice suddenly rang out from above.

"Where did this little pest come from? Put down the treasure herb!"

"Or I'll chop off your hands!"

Jiang Yuqiong ignored it.

Immediately after, shouts from Feng Wuchou, Hui Shoutao, Qin Yuxi, and the others followed.

"Watch out!"

"Boss, be careful!"

At the same instant, a dazzling blade strike sliced through the sky, like a rainbow spanning the heavens, slashing downward!

Before it even landed, an incomparably sharp aura descended, as if it would cleave the very space apart!

Jiang Yuqiong's gaze sharpened!

He didn't need anyone's warning—he'd already sensed the danger.

With a flash, he vanished from his spot, reappearing thirty feet away.

And then, the terrifying blade strike finally landed!

Slash!

The small hill where Jiang Yuqiong had stood was sliced clean in half!

The upper half slid down slowly, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom, sending dust billowing.

"Put down the treasure herb!"

A cold shout came from above once more.

Jiang Yuqiong looked up to see a youth in black combat attire staring down at him icily.

In his hand, a long blade gleamed with a chilling light, piercing to the eyes and radiating murderous intent!