Chapter 2053: Dark Beast

A secluded manor, nestled halfway up the mountain, was adorned with unique features: peculiar rock formations, exotic flora, and distinctive pavilions and palaces.

Inside a blue stone pavilion, Dugu Hong was speaking with Dugu Feng, his expression grave.

"Seriously, why did you go there? Do you have any idea you almost caused a huge disaster? Do you think this is Xuanyin Valley, where you can do whatever you please?"

Dugu Hong scolded him with a cold face. They had been invited to attend True Monarch Taiyang's grand ceremony, an invitation many cultivators envied. If Dugu Feng had trespassed into a forbidden area of the Taiyang Sect, they could have faced severe consequences, even elimination. Such an act was a grave taboo for any major power.

"I never expected that an unguarded place would actually house such a powerful ghost creature," Dugu Feng explained, looking bewildered. "I was just curious; as soon as I got close, I triggered the restriction."

"A powerful ghost creature? Are you certain?" Dugu Hong asked, frowning.

Dugu Feng hesitated slightly, then conjured a small black banner. Imbuing it with a spell, the banner immediately emitted a brilliant dark light. It circled around them, transforming into a shimmering dark light barrier that enveloped their entire bodies.

"It's at least a sixth-tier ghost creature," Dugu Feng stated gravely. "I'm just curious how the Taiyang Sect, which has always prided itself on being a righteous sect, could be raising a sixth-tier ghost creature?"

Dugu Hong frowned, pondering for a moment. "Are you certain it was a ghost creature? Not a demonic beast?" he asked.

"Grandfather, your grandson possesses a Xuanyin Ghost Body, which makes me extremely sensitive to ghost creatures. Demonic beasts elicit no reaction from me, though an 'yin beast' type of demonic creature might similarly affect me," Dugu Feng explained, still confused.

"This matter must not be spread; keep it strictly to yourself," Dugu Hong said sternly. "If anyone asks, simply say you accidentally trespassed. You absolutely cannot let anyone know you possess a Xuanyin Ghost Body, or my adversaries would never allow you to grow."

Dugu Hong spoke with a serious demeanor. Just as a tree that stands out in the forest is vulnerable to the wind, the elite disciples of major powers are always protected. The more talented a disciple, the greater the need for their protection. He was training Dugu Feng to be the next Valley Master of Xuanyin Valley, believing that with good fortune, Dugu Feng might advance to the Integration stage in a few millennia, leading the valley to glory.

"Yes, Grandfather," Dugu Feng readily agreed.

In a hidden underground cavern, spanning over a hundred acres, countless black formation patterns were carved into its stone walls, emitting strong restrictive fluctuations. A black giant hound, as large as a small mountain, lay on the ground. A pitch-black horn, like dark ink, protruded from its head, its fangs were bared, and its eyes glowed an eerie green. Hundreds of thick black chains bound its limbs and neck. The surface of these black chains was covered with rice-grain-sized mystical runes, emanating astonishing spiritual energy. The black giant hound stirred its body, and the chains dragged, producing rattling sounds. The black giant hound let out a loud roar, and countless black yin qi suddenly surged within the stone cavern, accompanied by gusts of chilly wind.

A steep, sky-piercing giant peak, resembling a colossal sword, jutted out of the ground. The three large characters "Taiyang Peak" were faintly visible on its surface. The peak's slopes were sheer, and at its summit was a vast golden plaza spanning over fifteen thousand acres. On the plaza stood a magnificent, glittering palace, its plaque bearing the three golden characters "Taiyang Palace." The palace gates stood open. Inside, the main hall was spacious and brightly lit, its floor paved with a type of golden jade. Exquisite murals adorned the stone walls, and the ceiling was inlaid with numerous beautiful jade stones.

A nine-foot-tall young man in a golden robe sat on a golden jade chair. His hair was as black as lacquer, a jade crown adorned with a golden hairpin sat on his head, he had broad shoulders and a stout waist, and a faint golden light occasionally gleamed in his eyes. This was True Monarch Taiyang, an Integration Stage cultivator in his initial phase. As a cultivator who had ascended from the lower realms to the Xuanyang Realm, True Monarch Taiyang's ability to advance from the Spirit Transformation stage to the Integration stage within five millennia was an incredibly fast cultivation speed. Many Void Refinement cultivators remained stuck in one realm their entire lives, often perishing under the great heavenly tribulations.

A tall, slender old man in a green robe stood nearby. He had a square face and large, bright eyes, exuding an aura of authority without needing to express anger. This was Lu Sen, True Monarch Taiyang's second disciple, an early Void Refinement stage cultivator.

"Master," Lu Sen reported respectfully, "the Long Family has sent someone. However, Senior Li of Golden Leaf Island is currently occupied and unable to attend personally, so he has sent Li Yufeng, the head of the Li Family, instead." This grand ceremony was a prime opportunity for the Taiyang Sect to showcase its strength, and many esteemed guests had been invited.

"Has Fellow Daoist Chen of Zhenhai Palace arrived yet?" True Monarch Taiyang inquired further. He had become acquainted with Chen Haotian in his early years, and their friendship was quite good.

Lu Sen nodded. "Senior Chen of Zhenhai Palace is currently occupied with other matters and has sent two Spirit Transformation cultivators in his stead."

A faint sound of footsteps preceded Lin Yaoyao as she entered, her expression grave. "Master," Lin Yaoyao began slowly, "Dugu Feng from Xuanyin Valley just ran into the Spirit Nurturing Valley and triggered its restrictions. Strangely, I sent people to search throughout the entire sect, but we couldn't find the disciples guarding the Spirit Nurturing Valley. We later discovered that their life soul lamps had extinguished, implying they were killed by the spiritual beasts within the valley."

True Monarch Taiyang's expression grew serious. "I understand. Send more personnel and set up several more sets of formations. Without my command, no one is allowed to enter the Spirit Nurturing Valley. Violators will be severely punished. Even you are not permitted to approach within three miles of the valley."

"Yes, Master," Lin Yaoyao agreed without hesitation.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may withdraw," True Monarch Taiyang waved his hand. "Reinforce the personnel; there must be absolutely no mishaps." Lin Yaoyao and Lu Sen bowed and withdrew.

True Monarch Taiyang took out a small, gleaming blue mirror and imbued it with a spell. Countless mystical runes emerged on the mirror's surface, and after a brief blur, a giant hound appeared on the screen.

"An Yin Beast? No, it must be a Nether Beast!" True Monarch Taiyang murmured to himself. "Whether this old man can travel to the Netherworld depends on you." By chance, he had captured this demonic beast from a forbidden area. After consulting numerous ancient texts, he had finally identified it as a Nether Beast. Nether Beasts are demonic creatures that reside in the Netherworld. They emit a dense yin qi, which makes them strikingly similar to Yin Beasts, but the two are distinct species. While Yin Beasts are demonic creatures that thrive in environments rich in yin qi, Nether Beasts are inhabitants of the actual Netherworld. Nether Beasts are significantly more powerful than Yin Beasts; ghost creatures can possess them, and those of the fifth-tier and above can even manipulate yin qi within a certain range to attack enemies. Yin Beasts, on the other hand, lack this ability; they are simply demonic beasts that happen to live in yin-rich areas.

"If Nether Beasts exist, then the Netherworld must also exist," True Monarch Taiyang mused, his eyes burning with fervor and anticipation. "If I can find that item in the Netherworld, my chances of advancing to the Grand Ascension stage will be significantly greater." He put away the blue mirror and walked towards a side chamber.