The most sinister is the human heart

"There sure are a lot of people here at Windchime Valley."

Chen Yunxuan was currently quite far from Windchime Valley, so the journey took him longer than expected. Fortunately, he hadn’t arrived too late, but he was surprised to find hundreds of people gathered outside the valley.

All of them were young, and they all seemed hesitant, unsure whether to enter or not.

"If they’re too afraid to go in alone, why not find some people to team up with?" Chen Yunxuan remarked casually.

Hearing this, Know-It-All beside him chuckled and explained, "They came here fueled by excitement and passion."

"But when actually facing Windchime Valley, fear robs them of their courage."

"More importantly, unless they’re familiar with someone, how could they dare entrust their lives to strangers?"

"The beasts in Windchime Valley are dangerous, but even more treacherous than the beasts—are human hearts!"

Know-It-All’s words made Chen Yunxuan understand their concerns. If that was the case, then these people probably wouldn’t be able to participate in this year’s Northern Domain Grand Competition.

"The wind is strong right now, yet despite standing right before Windchime Valley, we can’t hear a single chime."

"That’s the mystery of Windchime Valley. No one knows the reason behind it."

"However, once you step inside, you’ll be able to hear them."

"Then let’s go in and see."

Without hesitation, Chen Yunxuan walked straight into Windchime Valley under the envious gazes of the crowd.

"They’re just two people, and they dare enter Windchime Valley? They’re practically asking for death."

"Exactly. They won’t even make it to the Northern Domain Grand Competition alive. They’ll probably end up as food for the beasts before they get there."

"Hmph, fools. They’re just throwing their lives away."

Many began mocking them with snide remarks, though it was nothing more than jealousy speaking.

"Enough. Do you really have the right to judge others? At least they have the guts to go in—do you?"

"All you do is sneer from the sidelines. How pathetic."

"Who the hell do you think you are? You’ve got no right to lecture us."

"Oh yeah? If we don’t dare go in, do you? If you’ve got the guts, then go in yourself!"

"You—"

Chen Yunxuan paid no attention to the commotion outside. Once inside Windchime Valley, he realized the place was larger than expected.

They had to walk a fair distance before reaching the true depths of the valley, as the outer area was entirely enclosed by dense forests.

And sure enough, the moment they entered, the sound of wind chimes reached their ears.

"What a strange place. There are no actual wind chimes, yet the sound is clear and distinct."

"What could be the reason for this?" Chen Yunxuan couldn’t help but feel curious.

"No one knows for sure. Maybe it’s due to the terrain, or perhaps… some hidden secret."

"But in the past, some have tried to uncover the mystery of Windchime Valley. Sadly, no one has ever discovered the truth behind the chimes."

Know-It-All truly lived up to his name. Throughout their journey, Chen Yunxuan had noticed that he knew far more than expected—almost as if there were very few things in the Northern Domain he wasn’t aware of.

"I’ve just lived a few more years than you. Knowing more isn’t anything special. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything."

"This is just the outer area. There aren’t any powerful beasts here, and the weaker ones won’t dare provoke you."

"We can proceed without worry."

Hearing this, Chen Yunxuan asked curiously, "What’s the strongest beast in Windchime Valley?"

"Are there any fifth-tier beasts?"

In a place like the Northern Domain, fifth-tier beasts were rare. Before meeting Chen Chang’an, Chen Yunxuan had never even heard of them.

"Rumors say there are, but no one’s ever seen one."

"So, it’s just hearsay."

"No one knows if it’s true."

Rumors?

But rumors often had some basis in reality.

"Brother Wang, please, you have to help!"

"My brother can’t hold on much longer!"

"You… why aren’t you doing anything?"

"Are you just going to stand there and watch my brother get killed by this third-tier beast?"

Zhang Wenqian stared at Wang Keming and the other two in panic, completely unprepared for how things had turned out.

When they first entered Windchime Valley, everyone had worked together smoothly, facing no real danger along the way.

But now?

Faced with a single third-tier beast, Wang Keming had forced Zhang Wenyuan to fight it alone while the three of them stood by and watched.

"Shut up!"

Wang Keming suddenly glared at her, his previously gentle demeanor vanishing in an instant.

Zhang Wenqian froze in shock. How could his attitude change so abruptly?

"Did you really think we brought you two along just to team up?"

"How naïve."

"If we didn’t have you as bait, how else would we make it safely through Windchime Valley?"

"You two are nothing more than food we picked out for the beasts. Understand?" Wang Keming sneered.

"What?!"

"You—"

Zhang Wenqian stared at him in disbelief, never imagining that their offer to team up had been for such a sinister purpose.

"Brother Wang, since a third-tier beast has appeared here, there shouldn’t be any others nearby within a certain range."

"Exactly. Third-tier beasts are territorial—they won’t allow others in their domain."

"That means the rest of our journey should be much smoother."

"Is she still coming with us?"

"Her?"

"Hahaha, of course she is. If we run into another third-tier beast, who else will serve as food?"

Wang Keming burst into laughter. This had been his plan all along.

Zhang Wenyuan was stronger, so he’d be used to stall a third-tier beast first. Zhang Wenqian was weak, but she could still buy them some time.

That way, they should be able to reach the Northern Domain Grand Competition grounds in Windchime Valley without issue.

"I won’t go with you! Never!"

Zhang Wenqian shouted, her eyes darting toward Zhang Wenyuan.

Her brother was struggling desperately, his body already covered in wounds.

"You don’t have a choice!"

"While Zhang Wenyuan is still holding it off, let’s move!"

Wang Keming didn’t want to waste any more time. He signaled to the other two, and together they grabbed Zhang Wenqian and quickly fled.

Zhang Wenyuan heard everything that had happened. His heart burned with fury and worry for his sister, but he had no strength left to break free.

Against a third-tier beast, he stood no chance at all.

"Wang Keming!"

"If I survive this, I swear I’ll make sure you die without a grave!"

With a furious roar, Zhang Wenyuan launched a desperate, all-out assault on the beast.

Sensing his rage, the third-tier beast only grew more frenzied.

BAM!

A single swipe sent Zhang Wenyuan flying, leaving him severely wounded and completely defenseless.

"Am I... really going to die here?"

Zhang Wenyuan closed his eyes in unwillingness, bracing for the moment death would claim him.

Bang!

Just as Zhang Wenyuan resigned himself to fate, a deafening explosion rang out. His spirit jolted, and he hurriedly opened his eyes—only to find the third-tier demon beast that had been about to strike him now lying lifeless on the ground.

Beside the corpse stood a young man, seemingly even younger than himself.

"This... He killed a third-tier demon beast in an instant?"

"Incredible!"

"Th-thank you, brother, for saving my life."

Struggling to his feet, Zhang Wenyuan bowed deeply toward the youth in the distance.

Chen Yunxuan glanced back at him and replied indifferently, "I saved you only because I couldn’t stand some people’s actions."

Huh?

Had this young man witnessed what happened earlier?

"Regardless, a life-saving grace is as vast as the heavens."

"Please, I beg you—"

Zhang Wenyuan was about to plead for Chen Yunxuan’s help in rescuing his sister, but before he could finish, he spotted Wang Keming and his group rushing back from afar.

"What... What’s happening up ahead?"