Chapter 367: Entering the Valley

The novel begins here.

After introducing the two parties, the shopkeeper excused himself. "Fellow Daoist Kong is very familiar with Endless Valley. If either of you has any requests, feel free to mention them to him. I won't disturb the three of you any further."

The three entered the wooden house one after another.

The room was empty save for them.

Sun Xin had no intention of engaging in pleasantries and asked directly, "Fellow Daoists, please have a seat. A moment ago, my senior sent a message asking if I knew where the Yellow Jade Grass grows. So, are the two of you entering the valley to collect Yellow Jade Grass, or do you have other objectives?"

Yun Youzi grunted, then countered, "Does Fellow Daoist Kong truly know where Yellow Jade Grass grows?"

Sun Xin replied candidly, "Yes, I do know a place where Yellow Jade Grass grows.

"However, I must inform you both in advance that it is not a safe place. There were already significant dangers there, and after this beast tide ended, a group of Tigerwing Eagles suddenly appeared and made a nearby rocky mountain their nest.

"Among these Tigerwing Eagles are over ten great demons in the Spirit Beast stage. They are also very restless and fiercely territorial. What's more frightening are their demonic eyes, which can see through invisibility. It's very difficult for ordinary cultivators to hide under their noses.

"Collecting Yellow Jade Grass will involve the risk of being discovered by the Tigerwing Eagles.

"I earn my living through hard work and don't wish to lose my life. I can only guide you to a safe spot in the inner reaches of Endless Valley; after that, you'll have to proceed on your own. If you are unwilling, I will not force you.

"You can inquire around; other guides operate the same way."

Yun Youzi frowned. "It's fine if you don't wish to lead us all the way, but you should at least explain the terrain and directions clearly, shouldn't you?"

Sun Xin nodded. "That should be the case."

Qin Sang and Yun Youzi were merely using the Yellow Jade Grass as an excuse and didn't care whether they could collect it. After clarifying that the location was not far from the second layer, they agreed to join Sun Xin's group.

With two more clients, Sun Xin couldn't help but beam with a wide smile.

Unfortunately, his face was terrifyingly pale, and the smile only made him appear even more bizarre.

"Three more fellow Daoists will arrive tomorrow morning. You two might as well rest and recuperate in my humble abode. We will depart tomorrow. Additionally, you'll need to prepare some auxiliary items before entering Endless Valley. I'll make a list for you; ensure everything is ready to avoid abandoning the journey midway."

Qin Sang and Yun Youzi had no objections.

Sun Xin, having spent years in Endless Valley, understood the valley's conditions better than Yun Youzi. The items on his list were exceptionally detailed and marked with their uses.

They didn't cost much spiritual stone, so they purchased everything in preparation for unforeseen needs.

Just as they were about to return to the wooden house, Yun Youzi suddenly sent a message. "Brother Qin, what's your impression of Sun Xin?"

Qin Sang paused, glancing at Yun Youzi. "What does Senior mean?"

"His skin is unnaturally pale; it's likely due to his cultivation technique."

Yun Youzi pondered, "I don't sense any demonic energy or bloodlust from him, so I can't tell what cultivation method he practices. Such a noticeable effect on the body suggests it might be some kind of demonic or evil art.

"This is Endless Valley, so it's normal for Sun Xin to be a demonic cultivator. I see that his mind is clear, and he doesn't have any bloodlust aura. Since Senior said Tianfeng Tower has a good reputation, and their shopkeeper dared to guarantee him with their name, it means this person is at least not an unrestrained demon on the surface…"

Qin Sang recalled his own Spirit Evasion Art and mused, "It's also possible he's simply disguised too well. As long as we keep a close watch on his every move, if we find anything amiss, we can strike first. There's no need to fear him."

Yun Youzi grunted. "Brother Qin is right. It's best if he honestly leads the way and there's no trouble. If he dares to harbor ill intentions, we'll give him a lesson he'll never forget!"

They waited another night in the market.

The next morning, everyone had arrived.

Besides Qin Sang, Yun Youzi, and Sun Xin, there were four others: three men and one woman.

The first to arrive was the woman. She wore a red dress and a veil, obscuring her face, but she had an excellent figure and a cold demeanor.

The second to arrive was a gentle middle-aged man. After joining the group, he proactively initiated conversation and introduced himself as Bao.

Both of these individuals were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The last two were a master and apprentice, an old man and a young one. The old man was a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the early stage, but his apprentice's cultivation was only at the Qi Condensation stage.

Aside from the man named Bao, the others had no desire to get to know each other. They were merely temporary companions gathered by Sun Xin, and they would go their separate ways upon reaching their destination.

Sun Xin stood up and said, "All fellow Daoists have arrived. Let's depart now."

The red-clad woman had been waiting impatiently for a while. She looked at the old master and young apprentice with displeasure and asked in a sharp voice, "Why is there a Qi Condensation cultivator accompanying us? What if his low cultivation attracts trouble, and we have to clean up his mess?"

The apprentice's face flushed crimson.

The old man placed a hand on his disciple's shoulder and said with a chuckle, "Fellow Daoist, please rest assured. My apprentice and I are merely seeking a spiritual herb for medicinal purposes and have no intention of venturing deep into Endless Valley. We will not be a burden to any of you."

The red-clad woman snorted and said nothing more.

Sun Xin, seeing this, breathed a sigh of relief and quickly urged them to set off.

The market was not far from the entrance of Endless Valley. The group used their flying artifacts, and an hour later, they arrived at the valley's edge.

A blood-red wall stood before them. The blood mist was incredibly viscous, swaying like liquid.

Standing before the blood mist, Qin Sang immediately smelled a pungent, bloody odor that made him feel faintly dizzy, indicating the mist's intense toxicity. He quickly circulated his spiritual power to create a barrier around himself, isolating the blood mist.

Just as potent as its toxicity was the biting cold that emanated from the mist.

The apprentice's face was so frozen it almost matched Sun Xin's pale complexion. He wrapped his arms around himself, huddling close to his master, trembling uncontrollably.

Sun Xin glanced at the apprentice and said, "Fellow Daoists, you can now take out your protective artifacts. Once we enter the blood mist, do not stop activating your artifacts."

Qin Sang and Yun Youzi both took out their jade pendants and held them in their palms.

Upon activation with spiritual power, the Qingyang Demonic Flames within the jade pendants surged out, quickly forming a layer of blue demonic flame barrier around their bodies.

With a sizzling sound, the blood mist was burned by the demonic flames, and the chill on their bodies instantly vanished.

Despite being a demonic flame, it contained an aura of extreme yang and rigidity, which was remarkably astonishing.

Presumably, this aura originated from the Qingyang Divine Gang.

The others also employed their own methods.

The red-clad woman conjured a red cloth, which glowed with red light, enveloping her entire body.

The cultivator surnamed Bao and the master-apprentice duo also used artifacts that sealed Qingyang Demonic Flames, though their quality was inferior to Qin Sang's jade pendants.

The most peculiar method was Sun Xin's.

He held a scarlet pill the size of a longan in his palm. It was engulfed in raging flames that seemed as if they would never extinguish.

A dense demonic aura emanated from the pill.