Yet Han Li was not in a hurry! For the central area of the sanctuary was truly very different from the outer regions. In the outer areas, the internally grown spiritual herbs and rare fruits generally grew randomly, appearing in any corner of the region. They were typically obtained on a first-come, first-served basis, and once secured, the successful seekers would immediately retreat. Thus, genuine conflicts arising from the sudden surge of medicinal resources were relatively rare. Instead, the greater number of casualties resulted from others' large-scale purges and certain individuals' acts of killing and seizing treasures. However, in the central area, the situation was quite different! As reported by disciples who had narrowly escaped, this central area was vast, occupying over one-third of the entire sanctuary and enclosed by massive stone walls forming a large circular region. Starting from the four bronze gates, the area was divided into three distinct outer layers—much like the skin, flesh, and core of a common fruit—clearly structured and remarkably unique! The beautiful, picturesque location where Han Li now stands is the outermost layer of the central district. According to records, the distance from this layer to the one beneath it is not very extensive—only about one li in width. While the flowers and trees growing within this range are individually rare and exceptional, seldom seen elsewhere, few of them possess practical value as medicinal herbs beneficial to cultivators. Most of them serve merely as ornamental displays. Many members of the seven great sects speculate that the landowner deliberately designed this layer this way, treating it more like a garden than a functional zone. The striking, showy plants and fruit-bearing trees were intended primarily to please the landowner's aesthetic taste. Therefore, if one seeks medicinal herbs with tangible utility, it would be more convenient to search elsewhere within the estate itself. Truly valuable, high-grade medicinal herbs beneficial to cultivators are primarily produced within the second layer of the central district. This is precisely the reason why disciples from the various sects come to this area. Among these, the three primary herbs used in crafting the Foundation Pills were also included—naturally, these were their foremost objectives. Han Li himself was equally determined to secure these rare medicinal plants! When it came to the second region, Han Li, who had just reviewed the relevant materials, was genuinely stunned for a while. For this second region was essentially a vast ring-shaped mountain range, completely sealed off year-round by an impenetrable mist. Within these mountains, there were naturally occurring sanctuaries such as caves, deep valleys, and sheer cliffs, as well as man-made structures like stone dwellings and stone halls—where various celestial and terrestrial medicinal herbs thrived. The materials exchanged between Han Li and the hunchback primarily consisted of maps detailing the locations of these medicinal plants. After all, no one could be certain that the existing records would cover the specific area in which they would eventually find themselves, so having more such distribution maps was clearly advantageous—it would make it much easier to match up and locate their destination. Nevertheless, the mist in this mountain range was exceptionally dense and heavy. Ordinary cultivators, once they enter the mountain, quickly become completely lost in the mist, able to advance only step by step, stumbling and groping their way forward. Whether or not they can eventually emerge again depends entirely on luck. What proves even more troublesome, however, are the countless beasts inhabiting the ring-shaped mountain—ranging from lower-tier flame mice and swift rabbits to the top-tier golden-lit serpents and ice-fire wolves—covering nearly every known or unheard-of first-tier beast species reported by the Seven Great Sects. Beasts of lower strength can be easily handled by a single cultivator of sixth or seventh layer, who can manage seven or eight of them without difficulty. Yet when it comes to the highest-tier beasts, even the elite cultivators from the Seven Great Sects are often forced to flee in panic. Fortunately, the most formidable beasts on the mountain are relatively rare, and most of them serve as specialized guardians of specific medicinal herbs, rarely encountered outside their protective roles. As a result, the majority of the more challenging beasts encountered are primarily of first-tier upper rank. However, with the combined efforts of several elite disciples, these creatures could be easily defeated. Of course, if a single disciple encountered them, a fierce battle would still be unavoidable. Whether it was the mountain's mist or the wild beasts dwelling within, if only one of these challenges faced them, the proud and accomplished disciples might still manage to make a bold attempt, risking their lives to venture into the mountain and gather medicinal herbs. But now, with both challenges occurring simultaneously, the disciples found themselves at a loss, simply staring at each other in bewilderment. Under such circumstances, ascending the mountain meant certain doom—there was simply no chance of return. Thus, the initial groups of disciples who entered the sanctuary had only ventured to collect ordinary herbs outside the central zone and had never penetrated the ring-shaped mountain. However, after several such expeditions, a cultivator from Yan Yue Sect succeeded in meticulously crafting a special artifact known as the "Moon-Yang Jewel." This artifact neither attacked nor defended; its sole function was to emit a unique, radiant light capable of neutralizing various mists and toxic vapors—specifically designed and prepared for the journey into the sanctuary. Indeed, the disciple of the Yanyue Sect who obtained this treasure shone brightly in the next opening of the sealed sanctuary! After driving away most of the mist alongside the other sects, they returned laden with abundant treasures. Using these gains, they produced large quantities of Foundation Pills and actively recruited disciples, rapidly enhancing the sect's strength and thereby securing the Yanyue Sect's position as the foremost immortal cultivation sect in the Yue State. However, as the saying goes, "no wall is completely impermeable!" The news of the Yanyue Sect's successful acquisition of the "Yueyang Pearl" and its abundant celestial herbs from the sanctuary eventually spread. Soon thereafter, the other six sects, unwilling to let the Yanyue Sect enjoy the benefits alone, approached them. Though unwilling to incur widespread displeasure yet determined not to surrender the pearl without a fight, the Yanyue Sect eventually agreed to share the pearl after prolonged negotiations with the other six sects, making it a jointly owned treasure among the seven sects. Henceforth, the pearl is passed among the seven sects in rotation. Each time the sanctuary is reopened, the sect currently holding the pearl must return it, and another sect takes over its stewardship. But regardless of which sect possessed the precious pearl, once they entered the sacred zone, their disciples had to operate the pearl under the supervision of disciples from other sects, within the pre-determined time frame, and could neither deliberately rush nor delay the effort to dispel the mist. As a result, all disciples who arrived promptly at the central area could enter the ring-shaped mountain at the same time to collect medicinal herbs, ensuring complete fairness. Although this arrangement appeared to be a significant setback for Yan Yue Sect—compelling them to abandon their dream of exclusive access to the sacred zone's medicinal herbs—it actually saved them from a potential extinction and provided them with the time and opportunity to steadily grow stronger. Today, Yan Yue Sect has emerged as the leading force among the seven sects, with its strength truly profound and formidable. No other sects, unless they form alliances in pairs, can stand a chance against it. Han Li remained calm and composed, able to maintain his steady, seemingly indifferent demeanor throughout the encounter—precisely because of this arrangement. The seven sects had already agreed in advance on the timing for clearing the mist, which was set for the morning of the third day. Han Li had previously rushed to the central area without stopping, fearing that he might be intercepted en route and thus delay his entry into the mountain. Now that he had entered the central region, he no longer felt urgent! His only current task—rushing to the second level—was now merely watching the mist there helplessly. As for the third level at the heart of the sanctuary, that remained even more mysterious. Once standing atop the ring-shaped mountain, one could clearly see a colossal tower, towering over a hundred zhang, rising at the very center of a vast area encircled by the second level. Surrounding the tower were extensive green forests, dense and unbroken, flowing like a continuous stream of foliage. This was the third level—the very core of the sanctuary. The senior figures from the seven great sects, upon hearing the descriptions from the disciples of Han's sect, immediately recognized this as the original residence of the sanctuary's master, and their eyes were filled with eager anticipation for the treasures within the tower. However, at the junction between the second and third layers, there exists a powerful, unknown seal still actively in operation, blocking all disciples who attempt to enter. This seal is far beyond the reach of mere Qi Condensation stage disciples, yet even Foundation Stage and above cultivators cannot penetrate it. Thus, the true nature of this tower remains a complete mystery. Han Li showed absolutely no interest in the towering structure within the third layer. To him, merely finding a sufficient supply of celestial and terrestrial medicinal herbs in the second layer and escaping unharmed would be nothing short of a miracle—grace of heaven and gods. After patiently enduring for a full minute with the rather unattractive man before him, Han Li finally broke free from his entanglement and disappeared into the surrounding grasses and trees. As he vanished, he glanced back and saw Zhong Wu still lazily seated in place, showing no intention of leaving. It seems these "masters" won't stop until they've eliminated at least ten of the other disciples who intend to fish in troubled waters! I'd wager the other three sects are doing the same thing as well! While pondering this, Han Li wandered off from the bronze gate, searching everywhere. Under a towering ancient tree, he spotted an unremarkable tree hollow—this brought him great delight. After diving inside, he made a few simple protective adjustments at the entrance and then promptly fell asleep, drifting off without a thought. Han Li needed to rest well—he had no idea what might happen when the ring-shaped mountain's mist finally lifted tomorrow morning. He had to restore himself to his peak condition to be fully prepared. Yet he was confident that the number of disciples arriving at the ring-shaped mountain to await the clearing of the mist would not be large. And none of them would prove much easier to handle than that one who sealed the mountain peak. That night, Han Li slept deeply and soundly. It wasn't until the early hours of the next morning that he gradually came to consciousness. The most crucial day of his journey to the Forbidden Realm had finally arrived!