Mo Wuji frowned slightly, "Bu Er, could there be a reason why we can't enter the Thunder Mist Forest, and you don't even know?"

Ding Bu Er sighed and said, "I do know some things. I heard that deep in the Thunder Mist Forest, there are very powerful demon beasts. You know about demon beasts, right? They are beings comparable to Immortal Masters. Even the Protector King of our Chengyu Kingdom would find it difficult to guarantee his life if he entered the depths of the Thunder Mist Forest. Our Miss mentioned before that the Eleventh Prince, Situ Yue, disappeared after entering the Thunder Mist Forest."

Speaking of this, Ding Bu Er lowered his voice even further, "Prince Yue was originally a genius with spiritual roots in our Chengyu Kingdom. After his disappearance in the Thunder Mist Forest, the King even asked the Protector King to go in and search for him. Later, the Protector King was severely injured and escaped from the Thunder Mist Forest, but Prince Yue was not rescued."

Mo Wuji remained silent. Even a powerful figure like the Protector King faced danger entering the Thunder Mist Forest. He couldn't even defeat Hu Fei. Once he entered the Thunder Mist Forest, he probably wouldn't even have his bones left.

Seeing Mo Wuji fall silent, Ding Bu Er continued, "Besides those powerful demon beasts, the Thunder Mist Forest is also filled with Thunder Swamps. These Thunder Swamps are filled with flashing lightning. Once you get caught in one, you'll only be struck to death by lightning."

After speaking, Ding Bu Er patted Mo Wuji, "Get some sleep. We'll reach the outer edge of the Thunder Mist Forest tomorrow afternoon."

...

Whether it was because he thought Mo Wuji was incompetent, or because Mo Wuji was someone Miss had personally named, Mo Wuji didn't get stuck with any guard duty overnight.

The next morning, as soon as the sky was barely light, Mo Wuji was pulled up by Ding Bu Er. After a quick wash, they continued on their way.

Ding Bu Er was right. After traveling for most of the day, they arrived at the outer edge of the Thunder Mist Forest the following afternoon.

Upon reaching this place, even if no one had told Mo Wuji, he could have guessed that this was the outer edge of the Thunder Mist Forest.

Although the area ahead looked foggy, Mo Wuji could still vaguely see a few flashes of lightning occasionally appearing in that misty area. Some unknown beast roars created a sense of panic.

The area where they were was filled with low bushes. Between these bushes, they could vaguely see some dirt paths that had been trampled out. Occasionally, some poisonous snakes and large rats scurried past in front of them, causing the bushes to rustle.

"Prefect Peng, find someone to watch the horses here, and clear a space to set up a temporary resting place. The rest of you, come with me deeper to search for the Double Leaf Flame Grass." Han Ning signaled everyone to dismount and said decisively to Peng Maohua.

Peng Maohua was shocked by Han Ning's words, "Miss, that Double Leaf Flame Grass is a spirit herb..."

Han Ning said calmly, "If it wasn't a spirit herb, would I need to come to the Thunder Mist Forest myself?"

"But, but..." Peng Maohua hesitated. The outer edge of the Thunder Mist Forest did indeed have some spirit herbs, but people had already searched them over and over countless times. Finding a spirit herb, especially a rare one like the Double Leaf Flame Grass, on the outside of the Thunder Mist Forest would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Miss's words meant that she definitely wanted to enter the Thunder Mist Forest. He did want to follow Miss to the Imperial Capital to see the Leap Immortal Sect Assembly, but if that opportunity required entering the Thunder Mist Forest, he would rather not have it.

"What's wrong? Do you have any other ideas?" Han Ning's tone became a bit colder.

Peng Maohua took a breath and said respectfully, "Miss, even the Protector King almost didn't make it out of the Thunder Mist Forest alive. If we go in..."

Worry was written all over his face.

Han Ning smiled slightly, "Prefect Peng, you're overthinking it. How could I possibly enter the depths of the Thunder Mist Forest? I'll only go within six meters of the Thunder Mist Forest at most. If I can't find it, I won't go any further. Your life is precious, and my life isn't worthless either."

Hearing Han Ning's words, Peng Maohua breathed a sigh of relief. Miss was right, she wouldn't put herself in danger. If they were only going within six meters, they would usually be safe.

Thinking of this, Peng Maohua said to a slightly thin young man, "Chai Jiu, you stay here to watch the horses and clear the area around us."

Seeing that Peng Maohua had no further objections, Han Ning nodded, "The rest of you, come with me."

Peng Maohua led the way with Mo Wuji and the other eight guards, while Han Ning and her personal maid, Shao Lan, followed closely behind.

Two hours later, Mo Wuji felt that the trees in front of him were getting taller and taller. The man-made path had long disappeared, but the grass here was also sparser, so they didn't need to use their knives to cut a path.

"Miss, we're about ten meters away from entering the Thunder Mist Forest." Peng Maohua's voice was a little tense.

Han Ning hummed, "It's getting dark today. We won't go in. We'll just search along the outer edge for about thirty meters, spread out in a line. Everyone be careful. Although the Double Leaf Flame Grass is a rare spirit herb, not many people need it. The best time to search for it is in the evening, because at that time, you can see a faint red glow in the center of the grass."

"Yes." Peng Maohua responded, and Mo Wuji could clearly feel that he seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief.

Mo Wuji knew about the Double Leaf Flame Grass. He had seen its description in a book when he was refining medicine in Dan Han. This grass has two leaves at the base, and a short red core between the two leaves, which resembles a flame.

"Ah..." Peng Maohua had just told everyone to spread out when a scream broke the surrounding silence.

"Chang Hongcai, what are you doing?" Peng Maohua's tone was stern.

"I've been bitten by a Heart-Piercing Snake..." Chang Hongcai's voice trembled, clearly from the unbearable pain.

Han Ning took out a pill and handed it to Chang Hongcai, "Swallow this quickly. The bite of this snake is excruciatingly painful. If you don't detoxify, you'll die from the poison very soon."

"Thank..." Chang Hongcai had just said "thank" when Mo Wuji heard Ding Bu Er scream, "So many, so many..."

The sound of "rustling" movement, not only Ding Bu Er, but everyone saw what was happening.

At least hundreds of Heart-Piercing Snakes were rapidly approaching from behind Chang Hongcai, and there seemed to be more rustling sounds in the distance, indicating that there were even more Heart-Piercing Snakes following behind these hundreds.

"Everyone, run quickly..." Han Ning finished speaking, grabbed her maid, and retreated rapidly.

Everyone fled in all directions, and Mo Wuji naturally ran without hesitation.

Chang Hongcai, who hadn't had time to swallow the antidote, let out a few more screams. Mo Wuji subconsciously turned his head and saw that Chang Hongcai was enveloped by dozens of Heart-Piercing Snakes. He was clearly beyond saving.

Mo Wuji felt his scalp tingle and ran even faster, pulling out the foot-long dagger from his leg strap. These snakes were too terrifying. Once surrounded, his fate would probably be no better than Chang Hongcai's.

After running for about ten meters, Mo Wuji sensed that something was wrong. If he kept running forward, he would enter the Thunder Mist Forest. He wanted to see where the others were running, and saw a black line flying towards him. Without thinking, Mo Wuji swung the dagger in his hand directly at the black line.

A pungent bloody smell almost made him vomit. Mo Wuji instantly understood what was happening. These Heart-Piercing Snakes could actually leap through the air.

There were rustling sounds coming from both sides. At this point, he didn't have time to worry about whether he was running into the Thunder Mist Forest or not. Even stopping for a single step would bring him closer to death. Speeding up his pace, Mo Wuji plunged into the Thunder Mist Forest without hesitation.