Chapter 9: The Verdant Valley
The trail they followed grew steadily wider as they moved farther north, leaving the dense forest behind. The landscape began to open up, revealing patches of rolling hills, tall grasses, and the occasional wildflower poking through the soil. The sunlight grew warmer, and a faint breeze carried the sweet scent of the land. For the first time in days, Wei Lin felt the oppressive weight of the Voidwood lift from his shoulders.
Wei Lin adjusted the strap of his satchel. "How far is it to the Verdant Sky Sect?"
Chen Rui, walking slightly ahead, glanced back over his shoulder. "It’s still a few days' journey. But we’ll stop at a town called Yuxi, before crossing the river and heading north to the Verdant Peak. The Sect’s recruitment trials are held there."
"I’m still trying to wrap my head around all this," Wei Lin admitted. "I mean, I know about the Voidwood from the stories in the village, but it’s hard to imagine what lies beyond it."
Chen Rui gave a knowing chuckle. "The Voidwood is unbelievably vast, and it’s known as a place of extremes," he said, his voice light. "Most people only know the dangers—creatures like that voidbeast we fought, for instance. But the truth is, the forest’s far safer than you might think."
Wei Lin raised an eyebrow. "Safe?"
"Yeah. Technically, we’re still in the Voidwood. But this entire region is called the Verdant Valley, and it’s actually one of the safest areas. The qi here is richer, which means there are fewer voidbeasts. The voidbeasts around here are mostly just strays or minor threats—nothing compared to what lurks deeper in the Voidwood, beyond the mountains." Chen Rui’s voice became a little more reflective. "Beyond those mountains are where the true dangers lie, where only the most powerful cultivators might choose to step foot.”
"So the Verdant Valley’s a sort of safe haven?" Wei Lin asked
"Exactly," Chen Rui said, nodding. "The Verdant Valley is bordered by mountains to the north and south—that includes Verdant Peak to the north, where the Verdant Sky Sect is located—and the Silent Highlands to the south. The River of Splendors runs through the valley, and it’s rich in qi, which means it’s not just a river—it’s a resource. It flows right through the heart of the valley, dividing the northern and southern territories, and naturally, it’s a point of conflict for the sects around here."
"The River of Splendors?" Wei Lin repeated, intrigued. "What’s so special about it?"
Chen Rui shrugged. "The river’s infused with qi, making it an ideal growing grounds for rare medicinal herbs—like that Voidbloom we found earlier. That’s part of why the Verdant Sky Sect is so powerful. They control the northern access to the river. But other sects, like the Scarlet Blade Pavilion, want control over it too." He smiled ruefully. "A little friendly rivalry, if you can call it that."
Wei Lin’s nodded as the pieces fell into place. “So it’s more than just a river.”
“Much more," Chen Rui replied. "The balance of power in the valley relies heavily on access to the river and its surroundings. That’s why the Verdant Sky Sect has such influence. But it’s not the only reason people want to join them." He glanced back toward Wei Lin. "It’s the resources, the techniques, and the connections that come with being part of a sect. You’ll understand when you see it for yourself."
As they continued along the trade route, the hills began to flatten, revealing a bustling town in the distance. Yuxi Town lay nestled in the valley next to the River of Splendors, its bustling streets framed by winding streams that criss-crossed the town, reflecting the soft afternoon light like molten jade.
"Yuxi Town," Chen Rui said, gesturing ahead. "It’s an important settlement because it controls one of the main crossing points along the River of Splendors. There’s a reputable apothecary here run by the Jade Leaf Sect, a subsidiary of the Verdant Sky Sect. We’ll probably be able to sell the Voidbloom and rest for a bit."
"Jade Leaf Sect?" Wei Lin asked.
"That’s right," Chen Rui confirmed. "The Jade Leaf Sect specializes in herbalism and alchemical techniques. They provide much of the medicinal ingredients that the Verdant Sky Sect needs. They’re well-respected, but they’re not as powerful as the main sect. Still, they’re a good place to get your hands on elixirs and learn more about alchemy if you’re interested."
They arrived in Yuxi Town as the sun began to set, casting the landscape in warm golden hues. The streets were busy with traders and travelers, the scent of cooked food wafting from nearby stalls. Chen Rui led the way, his confident stride drawing occasional glances from those around them.
Wei Lin took in the new sights with a sense of wonder, absorbing the bustle of the market, the mix of people, the boats and waterways, and the distant mountains that seemed to loom in the background.
"Let’s find a place to rest first," Chen Rui said, his voice relaxed. "We’ll head to the Jade Leaf Sect’s apothecary tomorrow to sell the Voidbloom. In the meantime, take a look around. It’s probably quite different from your life back home."
Wei Lin nodded. "Life outside the village..." he murmured to himself.
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Below is a translation of the chapter into Chinese (via ChatGPT).
以下是通过ChatGPT将本章翻译成中文。
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封天遗志
第九章：青翠谷
二人一路北行，沿途山林渐稀，原本幽深密布的林海终是让位于起伏连绵的丘陵。青草摇曳，野花点缀，微风携着泥土与花草的清香拂面而来，日光穿透云层，洒落点点金辉。行至此地，魏林方觉心头沉郁之气稍解，数日以来被虚空林笼罩的压迫感，终于在这片旷野间稍稍散去。
魏林提了提肩上的包袱，随口问道：“翠天宗还要走多久？”
走在前方的辰锐回头望了他一眼，淡然道：“尚有数日路程。不过在北上抵达翠天宗前，我们会先在玉溪镇歇脚，待穿越天镜河后，便可直赴翠天峰，那里正是翠天宗招收弟子的试炼之地。”
魏林闻言，目露思索之色，道：“我还是难以想象村外的世界。我们村里人都听过虚空林的传闻，可是这林子外头，到底是个什么样子？”
辰锐轻笑一声，道：“虚空林，乃是极端之地，世人皆知其险恶，却不知其安稳。人们只记得它的凶险——譬如我们遇到的那头虚灵兽，可其实，比起真正的险境，虚空林外围不过是稍有凶兽出没罢了。”
魏林皱眉道：“安全？”
辰锐点头道：“确切而言，我们如今仍在虚空林的边界，但整个这片地域，乃是被称为青翠谷的地方。这里灵气充沛，远胜寻常山林，亦因此，凶兽罕至，偶有零散妖物，但与真正的深渊相比，不过微不足道。”辰锐目光一沉，缓缓道：“在这片谷地之外，便是山岭阻隔的真正险地，唯有修行有成的大能者，才敢踏足。”
魏林恍然，点头道：“所以青翠谷是个避世之地？”
“正是如此。”辰锐微微一笑，道：“青翠谷以群山环抱，北有翠天峰，翠天宗便坐落其上，南接寂岭天原，横贯其中者，便是天镜河。”
“天镜河？”魏林低声重复，颇感兴趣。
辰锐随口解释道：“此河蕴藏灵气，沿岸生长着许多珍稀灵药，比如先前我们发现的虚灵花。翠天宗正是掌控着北岸的通路，因而势力稳固。不过，也有别的宗派虎视眈眈——血刃阁，便是其中之一。”他轻笑一声，语气中透着些许揶揄：“当然，所谓的‘友好竞争’，往往比明面上的争斗更加麻烦。”
魏林微微颔首，隐隐明白了此地势力的消长。这条河，远不只是条普通的江河，而是修行者们角逐的根本。
辰锐继续道：“青翠谷的格局，正因天镜河而形成。这片谷地的灵气流动、资源争夺，皆围绕着它展开。你很快就会明白，加入宗门的意义，远不止是习得功法那么简单。”
二人沿着官道前行，丘陵逐渐趋于平缓，远方的城镇隐隐映入眼帘。玉溪镇就坐落在天镜河畔，清澈的溪流蜿蜒穿城，如同玉带环绕，夕阳余晖洒落，点缀出粼粼金光。
辰锐抬手指向前方，道：“玉溪镇，天镜河的重要渡口之一。此镇由玉叶宗坐镇，他们是翠天宗的附属宗门，擅长医药与丹道，镇中有一座药坊极负盛名。我们可以在此将虚灵花出手，同时也能歇息片刻。”
“玉叶宗？”魏林问道。
辰锐点头道：“玉叶宗专研药理与炼丹术，为翠天宗提供许多珍贵的灵药。他们虽不如主宗强盛，却在医道上独树一帜。若你对丹道有兴趣，这里倒是个不错的去处。”
夕阳渐沉，天色染上层层绚烂霞光，二人踏入了玉溪镇的街道。镇中车马繁忙，商贩叫卖之声不绝于耳，烟火气息弥漫，勾勒出与深山截然不同的风貌。水道交错，行舟穿梭，倒映着金色的余晖，如同流动的琉璃。
辰锐收回目光，淡然道：“先寻处客栈歇息，明日再去玉叶宗的药坊，将虚灵花换取些许盘缠。趁着今日，你可在镇中走走，看看这片世间烟火，与你家乡有何不同。”
魏林驻足，环视四周，目光映着这座繁华镇市，人影交错，炊烟升腾，水道交汇，远处的群山巍峨如画。
他轻声呢喃道：“村外的世界……”
