Unusual Activity in Sanglu Valley

Strange occurrences had become frequent within Qinghe Town recently.

Especially in the area near Sanglu Valley. First came reports of wailing from the graveyard, and later, nighttime attacks by ghosts leaving both people and livestock dead.

When Qinghe Town received the news, two enshrined cultivators went to investigate. They found several mountain ghosts to be the culprits and struck them down.

What made this strange was that ever since Wangchao carried out a large-scale purge of evil spirits within its borders twenty years ago, Qinghe had not seen a single ghost disturbance.

For mountain ghosts to reappear now, and in a group no less, immediately put the investigating cultivators on high alert. They returned to Qinghe Town, used Wangchao's communication arts to urgently notify the town chief, and then made a special trip to the Yang family to request the presence of Elder Yu and Yang Linghu.

"Senior Yu, what did you find?"

At the entrance of Sanglu Valley, Qinghe Town Chief Tian Yu hurried forward to ask the moment he saw Elder Yu emerge.

"The yin qi is indeed emanating from within the valley. Those rampaging ghosts were awakened by it."

Elder Yu's expression was grave as he spoke.

He had just gone inside to look. The Zhang family's protective Formation was still intact, and the source of the yin qi lay within it.

If just the leaked yin qi could affect such a large surrounding area, what kind of scene awaited inside the Zhang family estate?

"Has something happened to the Zhang family?"

"Yes."

Elder Yu nodded. "Town Chief Tian, in my eyes, this matter is far from simple. You should send a missive to Wangchao as soon as possible."

A conflicted look crossed Tian Yu's face. He had served as the town chief of Qinghe for ten full years, and in all that time, there had never been a major disaster.

In just two more months, he would accumulate enough Merit Points to request a promotion, finally letting him rise above his current station.

For the past half year, Tian Yu had been eagerly counting the days, waiting for the stars and moon to align for this very moment.

Who could have predicted that at such a critical juncture, an incident like this would break out in the Zhang family?

Qinghe Town had not seen a yin ghost disturbance in twenty years. If the higher-ups learned of this, would it ruin his chances for promotion?

Thinking of this, Tian Yu began to scheme, wondering if there was a way to cover the matter up.

"Senior Yu, if we press it down with spiritual energy, could this matter be delayed for three months?" he asked.

"Delayed for three months?"

Elder Yu frowned.

The yin qi had already leaked, threatening the safety of the surrounding commoners. Suppressing it with spiritual energy could indeed ease the situation. Between the Yang family and the cultivators of Qinghe, stalling for three months would not be an issue.

But this method was ultimately a shallow remedy that ignored the root cause.

For so much yin qi to spill outside meant there had to be an evil, yin-natured entity lurking within Sanglu Valley.

Elder Yu had just used a Dharma Disc to probe the area, sensing a restless, malevolent aura. Its cultivation strength lay somewhere between the fifth and sixth levels of Qi Gathering.

If they called for aid from Wangchao now and brought in a late-stage Qi Gathering cultivator, they could still strangle it in its cradle within Sanglu Valley.

If they deliberately suppressed the yin qi, when they finally let go, it would erupt far more violently, inflicting even greater harm.

Furthermore, drawing the matter out would likely give the evil entity a dense environment of yin qi in which to grow.

After three months, whether they could still subdue it would be completely uncertain.

Seeing the hesitation on Elder Yu's face, Tian Yu decided to speak his mind frankly.

"Senior Yu, I will be direct. In two more months, I will have accumulated enough Merit Points to petition Wangchao for a promotion. I have waited ten years for this day, and I truly do not want this matter to ruin it."

"The 'Promotion Permit' will be issued within a month of that request. When it arrives, I can leave this place and take up a post elsewhere."

"At that time, Senior Yu can withdraw his people and wash his hands of the Sanglu Valley matter. The Yang family estate is far from here; even if the yin qi erupts, it will not reach you."

Elder Yu remained silent. Beside him, Yang Linghu stepped forward and said, "Town Chief Tian, what happens after that? When this yin qi erupts, the commoners of Qinghe will be the ones to suffer."

"I am well aware."

Tian Yu spoke calmly. "But this matter concerns my future and my Dao path. I have toiled diligently here, giving ten years of my life to the people of Qinghe. Now, I am merely taking a small Return from them. At most, a few mortals will die. Compared to the casualties of the Beast Tide a few years ago, it is nothing."

"Besides, once enough people die, Wangchao will naturally send someone to resolve it. The Yang family will not need to lift another finger."

A brief silence fell over the gathering.

A moment later, Yang Linghu sneered. "Hmph, well said. 'At most, a few mortals will die.' Town Chief Tian truly has the bearing of an immortal."

The sarcasm in his voice was thick, yet Tian Yu showed no shame. Instead, he asked in return, "Is the Yang family any different? You corral mortals at the foot of your mountain. You make them labor for the Yang family, draft them as Clan Soldiers, use them as beasts of burden, and harvest their children as cultivation seedlings for your clan."

"Are they equal to your family? Are they equal to you cultivators? The essence of what we do is exactly the same. It is only that your family has not yet reached the point where you need to sacrifice them."

Displeasure flashed across Yang Linghu's face. He opened his mouth to argue, but Elder Yu raised a hand to stop him.

Seeing this, Tian Yu retrieved an item from his Storage Bag and offered it to Elder Yu.

"Senior Yu, if the Yang family is willing to suppress the yin qi, I am willing to offer this."

Elder Yu looked down, a flash of surprise immediately crossing his eyes.

It was a milky-white Pill, exuding a fragrance that pierced the heart and refreshed the spirit.

"A Marrow-Washing Pill for the late Qi Gathering stage?"

"Senior has keen eyes. This is indeed a Marrow-Washing Pill!"

"What quality?"

"Low-grade."

The Marrow-Washing Pill was a Pill meant for the late Qi Gathering stage.

Its effect was to wash the marrow and cleanse the meridians of a cultivator, improving their aptitude for the Dao.

One might wonder: with such a heaven-defying effect as improving one's cultivation aptitude, how could it only be a Qi Gathering Pill?

The reason was simple. First, the Marrow-Washing Pill was only effective on Qi Gathering cultivators. Second, it only worked the first time it was consumed; taking more yielded no further benefit.

Even so, this Pill was wildly sought after by Qi Gathering cultivators, fetching a high price in the markets.

Even a low-grade pill sold for three hundred Spirit Crystals, roughly the same price as a fine-quality Rejuvenation Pill.

For Tian Yu to offer a Marrow-Washing Pill was a true show of sincerity.

Elder Yu was still unaware that Yang Lingrui had returned home, so he felt a moment of hesitation.

The Marrow-Washing Pill was undeniably tempting. Whether sold for wealth or given to a child in the clan, it would serve them well.

But since a Marrow-Washing Pill could only be consumed once, wasting that chance on a low-grade pill felt like a poor bargain.

Considering this, he pushed the temptation aside. He would return and inform Yang Lingqing before making a final decision.

"Town Chief Tian, this matter is grave. I must return home to discuss it before giving an answer."

"Ah... very well. But please give me your answer as quickly as possible, Senior Yu. This matter cannot be delayed."

After the two Yang family men departed, Tian Yu was left feeling slightly puzzled.

Elder Yu was at the sixth level of Qi Gathering. He was clearly the highest-ranking cultivator in the Yang family, yet he could not make a decision on his own?

"How strange. Could it be that the Yang family has truly left a junior in charge of their affairs?"

Tian Yu pondered for a moment before a smug smile surfaced on his face.

"If that is the case, even better! If an old man like Senior Yu could not see the trap, a greenhorn will only walk straight into my snare."

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