Chapter 91: Readsack Woodland and Compass
The journey had been quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves underfoot. But as I stepped beyond the final stretch of the winding path, the sight before me confirmed that I had truly arrived at Readsack Woodland.
Towering trees stretched toward the heavens, their thick canopies interwoven like an unbroken sea of emerald and jade. Shafts of pale sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor—a mixture of rich, dark soil and a carpet of moss. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the crisp, woody fragrance of ancient trees, mingling with the occasional sharp tang of some unknown plant.
Despite its beauty, the forest had an eerie stillness. The deeper I gazed, the more the shadows between the trees seemed to stretch and shift, as if the woodland itself was watching. Vines curled around thick trunks like coiled serpents, while twisted roots jutted out from the ground, waiting to trip the unwary traveler.
The further I stepped in, the sounds of nature came alive—hidden creatures skittering through the underbrush, distant bird cries echoing between the trees, and the faint, whispering rustle of unseen things moving beyond my sight.
Readsack Woodland was not particularly close to the Hidden Dragon Sect, at least not close enough for an ordinary outer disciple to reach so quickly. Yet, here I was, standing at its edge far sooner than expected. The reason? A shortcut—one that few disciples knew and even fewer dared to take.
There was an old, half-forgotten trail that branched away from the main roads leading out of the sect, a path rarely used except by hunters and wandering cultivators. Unlike the well-traveled routes, this one cut through treacherous mountain ridges and narrow ravines—places where one misstep could mean tumbling into an abyss. It was far from safe, but for those with the skill to navigate it, it cut the journey in half.
I had discovered the path through sheer coincidence—an old map tucked away in the Mission Hall records, forgotten beneath stacks of newer requests. The markings on it were faint, but the route was clear. It was dangerous, but I was confident in my ability to traverse it. And so, while most disciples would have taken two or three days to reach Readsack Woodland, I had made the journey in a single day.
Readsack Woodland was beautiful, yes, but it was not a place for the weak. The deeper I went, the more I felt it—a subtle pressure in the air, a quiet warning from the forest itself. Tread carefully, or become part of its ever-growing silence.
...
I took out a white cloth to help cover my nose and mouth. I was here to collect raw herbs, which were far more potent than when refined into a pill.
I flipped the task slip from the Mission Hall to see what herbs I needed to collect and in what quantity for the mission to be considered successful.
Ironbark Flower x15
Ironbark Flower – Found near jagged cliffs at the valley's edge, its tough petals and leaves hardened by exposure to strong winds.
After tucking away the task slip, I started searching for the place described in the Mission Hall's instructions. Readsack Woodland was vast, making it difficult to locate the Ironbark Flower. But thanks to the map, I was able to pinpoint the valley's location with ease.
The map indicated that the herb valley was located west of the Hidden Dragon Sect. The problem? I didn't even know which direction I was facing right now.
"Should have bought the compass when the salesman was offering it as 'Buy one, get 50% off on the second compass.'" I sighed. There was no use crying over spilled milk. A dejected expression crossed my face as I gazed at the massive Readsack Woodland. Behind me, the faint silhouette of the Hidden Dragon Sect was shrouded in smoke and clouds, giving it a mysterious look.
Ding—
"Not now." I pushed away the system screen, clicking the "❌" mark as soon as it appeared, not even bothering to read it.
[Host, should I open the compass feature for you?] The system's voice echoed directly in my mind after noticing how I had completely ignored its notification.
I thought about it. If I didn't take advantage of the system from time to time, I would be the only one losing out. After all, this system was living rent-free somewhere within my body. And Loneliness not reacting to it or interfering... Could it be that the system's existence didn't threaten either of us?
[Yes, Host, you are right.] The system felt its time to shine had arrived upon hearing my thoughts. It knew that once I tasted the benefits of rewards like ten or even a hundred years of cultivation in mere hours, I would obviously have a 180-degree change in attitude and might even become its devoted follower. After all, in the past, quite a few hosts had such tendencies.
I made an 'okay' decision in my heart, and immediately, I saw the system screen disintegrate into particles before rearranging itself into the sharp end of an arrow hovering two steps ahead of me. A compass dial rotated clockwise and counterclockwise before coming to a stop.
Deciding to trust this unreliable system for once, I followed the arrow hovering above me. However, I also made faint engravings on the tree barks to mark my path. Who knew if the system was planning to make me wander in circles before dropping me in front of some beast, taking revenge on me, and then transferring itself to the creature that killed me?
After passing through dozens of towering trees, I finally saw the valley where the herbs grew. It was now time to harvest them.
I stood at a distance, first observing my surroundings. Were there any signs of human activity? Any beasts lurking within the woods?
I activated the Dao of Silence, completely isolating my Qi. Not even a hint of energy leaked out, lest someone caught its scent. Climbing a tall tree trunk, I settled onto a sturdy branch to get a better vantage point. I could have jumped down directly, but that would have kicked up too much dust, even if I minimized the noise.
Taking out some pre-packed snacks, I nibbled on them, distracting myself as I waited. This part of the forest was a little too silent... A forest so close to the sect, yet I hadn't encountered a single disciple along the way or spotted anyone from afar. Strange.