Cheng Zongyang was slightly surprised to see the Elf Bird. He smiled, caught it, and noticed the small box tied to its tiny leg.

’It seems Ma Yue is quite efficient. He’s already collected a full Crystal Stone.’

Cheng Zongyang was quite pleased. This way, he could gradually convert those Martial Artists into Soul Slaves. However, he had only given Ma Yue a few Crystal Stones, and the Elf Bird could only carry one at a time.

Fortunately, the Elf Bird was extremely fast, so he wouldn’t have to wait long.

He had the Mole Beast wait while he took the Elf Bird into the Wilderness World.

The box tied to its leg wasn’t large—only about the size of a thumb. Given the Elf Bird’s size, carrying the small item didn’t hinder it.

Looking at the Elf Bird, Cheng Zongyang took out a Little Red Blood Pill—one-third smaller than a standard Red Blood Pill—and fed it to the bird.

These Little Red Blood Pills were specially crafted by Zhang Jinquan at Luo Zheng’s request.

Once it was discovered to be effective on animals, it became a supplementary elixir for these captive creatures. It was quite beneficial for their growth.

It wasn’t just the Elf Bird’s offspring; other important creatures like the Ghost-faced Spiders and Wilderness Silk Insects were also raised on a supplementary diet of Little Red Blood Pills. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The Elf Bird smelled the familiar aroma and happily pecked at the pill, swallowing the Little Red Blood Pill in a few quick snaps of its beak.

Cheng Zongyang had already removed the box from its leg and now set the bird down on the table.

Inside, aside from a Middle Tier Soul Crystal Stone, was a tiny, rolled-up slip of paper.

By the light of a lamp, he gently unrolled it. Only a few words were written on it.

"Shangyong. All is well!"

"So that’s where he went," Cheng Zongyang murmured.

But Luo Dingran hadn’t purchased the Soul Crystal Stones yet, so Cheng Zongyang had no choice but to send the Elf Bird back empty-handed.

After coming back out, Cheng Zongyang released the bird, which instantly vanished into the mountain forest.

Next, Cheng Zongyang took the Mole Beast and continued his journey into the mountains.

A day later, he arrived at the Treasure Cave once again.

Cheng Zongyang once again took out some gold and silver and a Red Blood Pill. He placed them on a bamboo tube and handed it to the Mole Beast, instructing, "Only look for Gold and Silver Caves like this, understand?"

"OINK OINK." The Mole Beast nodded and then departed.

Cheng Zongyang, meanwhile, entered the cave and crossed over into the Wilderness World.

This time, he was here to appraise the map again.

The map now stretched for 270 kilometers, but 200 kilometers of it still needed to be appraised. To save up Points to buy those two items, however, he had to temporarily halt the expansion of the wilderness map.

In other words, he was only going to appraise a 30-kilometer section for now.

As for the remaining 170 kilometers, he would have to wait until after he had bought those two items.

He materialized the map, summoned its virtual interface, and then asked Luo Dingran for the latest Teleport Anchor Point locations.

The four Collection Hunting Teams were moving quickly. In just two or three days, they had already set up the most important anchor points within the initial seventy-kilometer zone.

The Teleport Anchor Points were only being established in straight lines in four cardinal directions, not covering the entire area.

Cheng Zongyang casually chose a direction and teleported directly to Station Seven.

Then, Cheng Zongyang began the process of appraising the map’s locations once more.

The distance this time wasn’t great, and Cheng Zongyang finished the appraisal in a single day.

However, he had just used a Town Recall Talisman to return to the market cottage when Luo Dingran immediately came to him with a piece of news.

"Sir, the fifth division has found an uninhabited, abandoned town! The anchor point is set, so you can go and inspect it whenever you’re ready!"

Cheng Zongyang’s face lit up at the news. Without hesitation, he said, "Come with me and let’s take a look! How far is it?"

Luo Dingran nodded. He didn’t refuse, as he was also eager to see it.

"According to the report, it’s 230 kilometers northeast of Snow Moon Peak, and 30 kilometers north of Supply Station #21 on the eastern route."

As he finished speaking, the two of them vanished from the market cottage.

They reappeared at the entrance of a dilapidated wooden building in a desolate, ruined area.

"This subordinate, Li Kai, greets you, Sir! And you as well, Steward!"

Cheng Zongyang glanced at Li Kai, who was bowing with clasped hands. "Are you the only one here? Where are the others?"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to their surroundings.

"Sir, to increase our exploration speed, we decided to split up. After I crossed the Ruiyu Mountain Range you had appraised, I stumbled upon this town hidden in a valley."

Cheng Zongyang gave a slight nod and stepped outside.

Beneath his feet was a narrow street, long buried under dead leaves and choked with weeds. Of the shops that once lined it, only a few dilapidated stalls and a scattering of broken bricks and tiles remained. The houses on either side were also in a state of decay, their doors and windows rotted and broken, their walls mottled and covered in moss.

Luo Dingran and Li Kai followed behind, observing their environment while remaining alert for any movement.

The three of them walked down the street. The signs on every shop had long since rotted away, with many of the characters now illegible. It was impossible to tell how many ages had passed.

Just then, Cheng Zongyang stopped in front of a tavern. The sign was blurred and faded, and he could only vaguely make out a few characters. He couldn’t understand the writing itself, but he recognized the building’s layout.

But after staring at those characters for a moment, a look of shock crossed Cheng Zongyang’s face!

It wasn’t just him; Luo Dingran was equally stunned.

The characters on the sign were the same as the ones on his stone slate!

The two exchanged a look but said nothing.

Looking at the various dust-covered jars inside, he could tell this must have been the liveliest place in town. Taverns are never short on patrons, no matter the place.

But now, the tavern’s windows were shattered and cobwebs hung everywhere. It was completely empty, save for a dozen or so dilapidated tables and chairs and a floor littered with shards of pottery.