Chapter 983: The Page of the River of Darkness

**VIP Volume 6: Heavenly Spiritual Treasure**

"Since you've already found the Yin-Zhi Horse's nest, why do you need me to wait until now? Have you encountered some significant trouble?" After a moment of silence, the burly man named Yuan was the first to ask.

"While the Yin-Zhi Horse is elusive and skilled at concealment, catching it wouldn't be difficult for me if I had enough time. The crucial issue is that this spiritual creature's nest is located within the Yin-Yang Cave in Myriad Poisons Valley. I simply can't follow it inside. Moreover, this creature is exceptionally clever; it only hovers near the cave entrance and absolutely refuses to venture out." The old man named Fu finally revealed the problem that had stumped him for decades.

"The Yin-Yang Cave?" This time, the burly man gasped. Bai Yaoyi's face also instantly paled.

Only Han Li, who had never heard of it, asked in confusion: "What is the Yin-Yang Cave? Is it very scary?"

"Fellow Daoist Han, you don't know about the Yin-Yang Cave? I almost forgot. Brother Han is an overseas cultivator, so it's normal for you not to know about this perilous place. The Yin-Yang Cave is recognized as one of the Seven Great Perilous Lands in our Great Jin. Ordinary cultivators who enter simply never return." Bai Yaoyi exclaimed softly before quietly explaining a few things to Han Li.

"So dangerous? What's special about this place?" Han Li's curiosity was piqued, and he pressed for more information.

"The Yin-Yang Cave, as its name suggests, means that once you enter, you are immediately separated from the living. Setting aside other dangers, the 'Soul-Shattering Yin Wind' that constantly blows year-round in the cave alone is enough to instantly scatter a Nascent Soul cultivator's spirit, sending them to reincarnation. Not to mention, the cave is located in a Profound Yin region, where Yin energy constantly gathers, giving birth to various exceptionally powerful specters within. Even if a living person could resist the Yin Wind, they would be torn to shreds by the numerous specters." The old man named Fu proactively explained to Han Li.

"Hmph, that's not all. The Yin-Yang Cave is located thousands of feet underground, with countless interconnected passages and numerous chambers. Some cultivators have managed to reach the bottom by luck, but they couldn't even ascertain its true size. In such a place, once one's spiritual sense is released, it will be blocked by the Yin Wind, making them no different from an ordinary person. There have even been rumors that an extremely powerful Ghost King lurks deep within the cave, though it has never been confirmed. In any case, even Grand Cultivators are unwilling to risk venturing deep into that place," the burly man snorted.

"Previously, apart from some low-grade ore veins, nothing of value had been found in the cave. Everyone always considered it an ancient, abandoned super-mine, and no one truly delved deep into it. However, Brother Fu has now discovered the Yin-Zhi Horse inside, which suggests that the Yin-Yang Cave is not as simple as it appears. Perhaps there genuinely is something worth exploring within," Bai Yao added, her brows relaxing.

"So many years have passed, and even with Brother Fu's divine abilities, he hasn't been able to catch the Yin-Zhi Horse. This shows that this cave is truly not a benevolent place. Even if there are treasures inside, one must risk their life to obtain them." Han Li, having experienced numerous perilous places like the Hall of the Void Heaven and the Demonfall Valley, naturally understood the dangers involved. He spoke bluntly, pouring cold water on their enthusiasm.

"I am aware of that. That's why I've been preparing for decades. I've specially refined several treasures designed to counteract specters. Furthermore, to guard against the Soul-Shattering Yin Wind, I've brought our sect's Violet Nether Pearl. With this pearl, I wouldn't dare say we can completely resist the Yin Wind, but it's certainly enough to weaken its power by nearly half. With this, all of you Daoists will be perfectly safe," the old man named Fu said with extreme confidence.

"The Violet Nether Pearl?" The burly man and Bai Yaoyi were both moved upon hearing of this treasure. This was one of the Nine Nether Sect's three great protective treasures!

"What do you think? I've made such thorough preparations. With the full assistance of you three fellow Daoists, even if we encounter a powerful Ghost King down there, our combined five-person force will be able to handle it. As soon as I capture the Yin-Zhi Horse, I will immediately use this spiritual creature to refine the Nascent Cultivation Pill. I guarantee each of you a pill. This elixir is a one-time spiritual medicine for cleansing marrow and transforming essence. Even if more can be refined, each person only needs to take one. There's no need to worry about me playing any tricks. As for anything else you might obtain down there, that will depend on your own fortune," the old man named Fu said slowly.

All three, including Han Li, remained silent. Even the burly man, who had been the most excited earlier, now wore a pensive expression.

"Since Brother Fu has made such preparations, why seek out the three of us? As one of the Ten Great Demonic Sects, your esteemed sect should surely be able to find several mid-Nascent Soul cultivators," Bai Yaoyi asked calmly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Hearing this question, Han Li's expression shifted, and the burly man also fixed his gaze on the old man named Fu's face. Both seemed particularly interested in how he would answer.

"Finding helpers from within the sect? Perhaps for others, but absolutely not for me. Years ago, due to an internal feud, I, Fu, fell out with most of the fellow cultivators of my rank in the sect. Aside from Junior Sister Chang, the others would probably wish for my early demise. Even if they were willing to help, I'd still worry about them stabbing me in the back," the old man said, a fierce glint flashing across his face, hinting at a trace of anger.

Han Li was momentarily startled. This was no different from offering no explanation at all; who could know the truth of it? However, since the other party had said as much, it was naturally inappropriate to press further. The group fell silent once more.

"Venturing into the Yin-Yang Cave is truly a grave matter. I need to consider it carefully. How about this: I'll give you a definite answer in three days?" Bai Yaoyi said, lifting her head after pondering for a while.

"Three days? Of course. The Yin-Yang Cave's Yin Wind reaches its weakest point in its twenty-year cycle about six months from now. That period would be the most suitable time to enter. Also, to deal with the specters, you fellow Daoists will need to prepare some special magical artifacts and treasures. So, even if you agree immediately, you won't be able to enter the cave for another six months. However, before you leave, I need you all to use this Page of the Underworld River, which I hold, to write a blood oath of absolute secrecy. I'm taking precautions first; I don't want the matter of the Nascent Cultivation Pill and the Yin-Zhi Horse to become widely known during this period." The old man named Fu smiled slightly, flicked his sleeve, and a yellowish page burning with black flames appeared before them.

"The Page of the Underworld River? The evil artifact that brings certain calamity if its oath is violated. Hasn't that thing been missing for hundreds of years?" The burly man exclaimed immediately, losing his composure upon hearing this.

Han Li's heart also jolted upon hearing this.

"I specifically acquired this evil artifact from an underground market at a high price for this venture. Its efficacy isn't as exaggerated as the rumors claim, but it can certainly ensure that you all keep absolute secrecy for a short period. Fellow Daoist Han might not know how Feng Tianxing of the Heavenly Demonic Sect met his demise back then, but Fellow Daoists Bai and Yuan should be very clear on it, right? Feng Tianxing was also a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. I don't think any of you three would want to test its power," the old man named Fu said calmly.

"Alright, with such a valuable item as the Nascent Cultivation Pill, I, Yuan, will certainly not let it go easily. I, Yuan, will definitely be there on time in six months." The burly man said decisively after a moment of flickering expressions.

Then he suddenly gestured towards the black page, drawing it a few feet in front of him. He opened his mouth and spat out a glob of vital blood, which hovered before the page. The burly man extended his index finger, dipped it in the vital blood, and swiftly wrote some ancient characters on the page. A moment later, his finger paused, and a ghoulish head with a green face and fangs suddenly emerged in the black flames. After giving the burly man a sinister grin, it inhaled deeply, and the blood-written characters on the page flew up one after another, vanishing into the demon's mouth in a flash. Immediately, the ghoulish head transformed into a wisp of green smoke and disappeared.

Han Li's heart sank at this eerie sight.

The old man named Fu retrieved the page, inspected it closely, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face before he turned to Bai Yaoyi. After a slight hesitation, she somewhat helplessly raised her hand and drew the page to her, repeating the process. The ghoulish head appeared again, then eerily vanished.

When the old man's gaze fell upon Han Li, Han Li sighed inwardly. Although he was extremely wary of something whose true nature he knew nothing about, it seemed he had no other choice. With an impassive face, he pointed at the page, and it immediately flew to his front. After gazing at the page for a moment, he bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a glob of vital blood. He swiftly used his vital blood to write a vow on the page not to reveal the day's agreement. With a flash of bloody light, the ghoulish head that had appeared twice before once again manifested in the black flames.

After it gave a sinister smile and was about to open its mouth, something within Han Li suddenly stirred, emitting a strange chirping sound. The sound wasn't loud, but all the cultivators present heard it clearly. The old man and the others showed no unusual reaction, but upon hearing the sound, the ghoulish head's face immediately contorted and deformed. After an indistinct growl, it disintegrated and vanished, as if fleeing in fright.

The old man named Fu and the other three were stunned.

Han Li, with a faint hint of an unusual expression, took a breath, flicked his sleeve towards the page, and calmly said: "I don't need to consider it; I agree to meet you on time. However, this item seems to clash with something within me, making it impossible for me to write the oath. But I, Han, am a rogue cultivator, and I will remain in Southern Xinjiang for the next six months without leaving. Nor will I tell anyone about this matter. This item can be done without."

At this point, the Page of the Underworld River, supported by a wisp of green mist, shot back towards the old man named Fu. The old man named Fu snatched the page, a surprised expression still on his face. For a moment, he didn't know how to proceed. Aside from the eerie Page of the Underworld River, he genuinely had no other means to ensure that the other party would truly keep their word and not divulge the secret of the Nascent Cultivation Pill.

"Brother Fu, I think what Fellow Daoist Han said makes sense. The Page of the Underworld River can be dispensed with. I believe Fellow Daoist Han will not break his word." The beautiful woman in black, who had been silent like a mute from the beginning, spoke up at this moment.