Evil Creature Emerges from the Valley

The same situation was also unfolding simultaneously across various villages in Qinghe territory. As Yang Lingrui and the others killed the mountain ghosts and distributed Evil-Repelling Talismans to the villagers and hunters, the news that the Songshan Yang Family's Immortal Masters had entered Qinghe to slay demons and eliminate evil spread rapidly.

"The Yang Family has made a move? This..."

Upon learning of this, Tian Yu felt extremely surprised.

The Yang Family had that talisman contract binding them; one month's time was simply not enough to complete the refining.

Moreover, by helping at this moment, they could not obtain any benefit from him. Why had the Yang Family refused earlier, yet chosen to act now?

And what a coincidence-just two days after he had reported the situation to the Wangchao, right when the situation in Qinghe was on the verge of spiraling out of control, the Yang Family stepped in.

It felt as if it had all been calculated.

Thinking of this, a faint sense of unease stirred within him.

Just as Tian Yu was perplexed, Gao Hui arrived at the Qinghe Town affairs hall with a portion of the talismans.

"Town Chief Tian, do not panic! I have already persuaded the Yang Family to act! They have refined many Evil-Repelling Talismans; the ghost and monster chaos has been suppressed, and the people are safe!"

"Town Chief Gao?"

Tian Yu clearly had not expected Gao Hui to come knocking.

But upon further reflection, many of his doubts found answers, and his expression toward Gao Hui became complicated for a moment.

On one hand, the leakage of yin energy was in Qinghe; it was not the responsibility of the Baishi Town Chief to intervene. His appearance indirectly highlighted Tian Yu's own dereliction of duty.

But on the other hand, the current situation was indeed beyond his ability to control, and he needed external assistance.

"Just as I thought! I knew someone must be advising the Yang Family behind the scenes. I wonder what benefits Gao Hui promised to make the Yang Family willing to temporarily set aside their talisman refining," Tian Yu thought to himself.

He felt he had figured everything out. Though deeply unwilling, he still had to bow and express gratitude on the surface.

"Thank you for your help, Brother Gao! The people of Qinghe are deeply grateful!"

"Say not such words. The towns under the Wangchao's rule must cooperate sincerely and help one another. This is merely my duty."

As the two spoke, Gao Hui's face was full of righteousness and his words were sincere, while Tian Yu's eyes glistened with emotion.

Regardless of what schemes they harbored in their hearts, at least the surface formalities were flawlessly executed.

After a sincere exchange, the two immediately set off for Sanglu Valley.

Now that many villages in Qinghe were protected by talismans, there was no need to worry about ghostly invasions in the short term. They could use this opportunity to resolve the source of the yin energy.

Arriving at the entrance of Sanglu Valley, Tian Yu saw the cultivators of the Yang Family. His first impression was shock at their numbers.

There really were six Qi Gathering cultivators!

And judging by the situation, the Yang Family still had a Family Head who had not arrived-meaning they had seven Qi Gathering cultivators in total!

Although four of them were still at the first or second level, a total of seven Qi Gathering cultivators, with a mid-stage cultivator at the sixth level holding the line, represented a formidable strength that overwhelmingly crushed all other forces in the three-town region.

"Greetings, Town Chief Gao, Town Chief Tian."

Elder Yu turned around and led the younger generation of the Yang Family in a bow.

"Oh, Senior Yu, no need for such formalities! It is I who should thank the Yang Family!"

Tian Yu stepped forward, grabbing Elder Yu's hand before Gao Hui could. "The Yang Family's actions to slay demons and uphold the Dao are truly just! On behalf of the people of Qinghe, I thank you all. Once this matter is resolved, compensation will surely be made!"

Seeing that things had come to this, Tian Yu changed his strategy, beginning to think of ways to win over the Yang Family and reclaim the initiative from Gao Hui.

But he ultimately failed to grasp the true nature of the matter, so naturally, he could not succeed.

Elder Yu looked at him with a smile, waved his hand, and said, "Town Chief Tian is too kind. Compensation is unnecessary. The younger generation of the Yang Family has long been cared for by Town Chief Gao. Since he personally came to request our help, our family naturally had to lend a hand."

Hearing this, Tian Yu's face twitched, and he could only force an awkward smile.

Behind him, Gao Hui revealed a faint, almost imperceptible smile, then stepped forward and asked, "Senior Yu, what is the situation inside the valley?"

"The Zhang Family's Formation is on the verge of collapse. The evil creature in the valley will likely emerge within half a month at most."

Elder Yu's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "Town Chief Tian, summon your subordinate cultivators here as well. Let us prepare early and strive to keep the evil creature confined here, so it does not harm the people."

"Very well!"

Tian Yu gritted his teeth and agreed.

If he could resolve this matter before the Wangchao sent someone, he might suffer less punishment.

Sanglu Valley had three exits: two small paths and one main road.

Elder Yu led Yang Linghu, Wu Tong, and Zhao Qi to guard the main road in the south.

Tian Yu led the Qinghe Town cultivators to guard the small path in the west, while the east was entrusted to Gao Hui, Yang Lingrui, and Liang Yi.

Originally, Zhao Qi had been assigned to the east with Yang Lingrui, but he later whispered a few words to Elder Yu, who then swapped him with Liang Yi.

Gao Hui did not understand the meaning behind this and curiously inquired of Lingrui.

After hearing Yang Lingrui recount Zhao Qi's legendary experiences of survival, Gao Hui was filled with profound respect.

If that was the case, it was indeed better to let him follow Elder Yu!

At the main road of Sanglu Valley.

Wu Tong constantly regulated her breath to calm her mind. Seeing this, Yang Linghu intended to step forward and offer some reassurance.

After all, she had only just achieved Qi Gathering a little over a month ago. Facing these yin ghost creatures in her first battle, some nervousness and fear were understandable.

"Um, Wu Tong."

"Yes! Senior Brother Linghu!"

Hearing the call, Wu Tong immediately opened her eyes and looked at Yang Linghu.

The moment their eyes met, Yang Linghu realized he had been mistaken.

Because in Wu Tong's eyes, he saw no nervousness or fear-instead, he saw an irrepressible, blazing fervor!

"You, this is..."

"Ah, I got a bit too excited fighting the mountain ghost in the village earlier. Master instructed that when facing evil creatures, one must be cautious and attentive, so I thought I should calm myself down a bit," Wu Tong said.

"Oh, I see. I was worrying needlessly."

Yang Linghu smiled, then his expression turned serious. "When engaging in technique battles outside, remember not to be reckless. If things get out of hand later, lure the evil creature toward me."

"Understood, Senior Brother!"

Due to her naturally poor aptitude, Wu Tong found it very difficult to practice the Five Elements techniques, but she made decent progress in cultivating the Brute Force Art.

After discussing with Yang Lingqing, Elder Yu decided to let her cultivate this method and instructed Yang Linghu to guide her in daily practice.

On the surface, this decision seemed to be because Yang Linghu had profound mastery of the Brute Force Art, making him the perfect person to guide Wu Tong.

But there was a deeper meaning behind it.

That was, Yang Linghu was nineteen this year, and Wu Tong was eighteen-a perfect match.

The three groups of cultivators guarded the entrances of Sanglu Valley day and night. On the tenth day, the yin energy within the valley surged violently.

Elder Yu gripped his Dharma Disc and shouted, "The evil creature is emerging from the valley! Prepare to meet the enemy!"

Hearing this, Yang Linghu and the others immediately activated their techniques and mobilized their spiritual power.

"Ugh-roar!!!"

A deep, guttural roar echoed through the valley. The next moment, a human figure shot out from within.

This person was wrapped in sinister yin energy, and his cultivation had reached the sixth level, the peak of the mid-stage Qi Gathering realm.

His appearance bore a six-tenths resemblance to Zhang Tianqi, the head of the Zhang Family. He was none other than Zhang Tiansheng, Zhang Yao's clan uncle.

But by now, he had been completely corrupted by the yin energy, with no trace of rationality left, entirely reduced to a walking corpse.

Behind him followed several yin ghosts transformed from Zhang Family members. Their red eyes swept over the crowd, and they charged out with strange cries.

Seeing this, Elder Yu leaped into the air, holding his Dharma Disc in one hand while forming hand seals with the other. He cast the Gravity Technique, slamming Zhang Tiansheng back into the valley with a single blow.

"This evil creature is tough to handle. If you encounter a perilous situation, prioritize your own safety!"

After leaving this instruction, Elder Yu charged into the valley and engaged Zhang Tiansheng in battle.

At the same time, yin energy surged outward from both the east and west sides, and several howling evil creatures emerged from within.

Among the evil creatures, Yang Lingrui spotted a familiar figure.

Zhang Yao of the Zhang Family. The two had once clashed at the Yang Family's distant mine in the north, where Yang Lingrui had gained the upper hand.

In truth, Zhang Yao's talent and aptitude were not bad. If he had cultivated peacefully for twenty years, he could have reached the mid-stage Qi Gathering realm and become a pillar of the Zhang Family.

But unfortunately, his face was now withered and deformed. Only from his deep wrinkles and twisted features could one glimpse the trace of unwillingness and despair from his final moments.

Corrupted by the yin energy, his cultivation level had now reached the fourth level of Qi Gathering.

Gao Hui was about to step forward, but Yang Lingrui moved ahead of him.

"We once met and sparred-that was fate. Today, the Zhang Family has fallen to this state. Let me help you find release from this sea of suffering!"

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