Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 48 Bloodbath at the Mountain Gate, Returning with Treasure
The surviving disciples witnessed Ji Liang's murder and immediately let out a shrill scream, scattering in all directions.

Meng Xihong hung the Evil-Breaking Mirror above the Yin Sha Sect's protective formation. The formation, which was originally meant to protect the sect, now became a cage, firmly imprisoning all the disciples in place.

He used wood-based magic, and countless vines burst forth from the ground, sweeping all the struggling and crying disciples into the air.

"You demon! I'll haunt you even in death!"

"Help...please, I don't want to die!"

"Demons?" Meng Xihong sneered. "Go and say those words of begging for mercy to the innocent people you have harmed."

Only two disciples with higher cultivation levels were left as prisoners, while the rest of the Yin Sha Sect disciples were all executed.

Meng Xihong quickly cleaned up the battlefield, confiscating all valuables, especially the refining corpse and Ji Liang's storage bag.

Following the old woman's instructions, he cautiously ventured deeper into the secluded cave behind the mountain. After breaking the illusion array with the Evil-Breaking Mirror, he found the cave filled with severed limbs and remains, as well as cultivators being made into corpse puppets while immersed in a special liquid.

However, apart from that, the cave was otherwise ordinary and unremarkable; even when illuminated by the Evil-Breaking Mirror, nothing unusual could be seen.

Upon returning to the former sect, he interrogated the prisoners and learned that the Nether Cave was the entrance to the secret realm, which was concealed by the sect leader using a broken array plate from the secret realm. Without specific techniques or stronger methods to break the array, it would be impossible to find the entrance.

"A secret realm..." Meng Xihong seemed to be deep in thought. It seemed that the Yin Sha Sect had survived to this day entirely thanks to this secret realm. And now, this secret had fallen into his hands.

He glanced at the messy encampment, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

This place actually contains a low-grade spiritual vein! The Yin Sha Sect has so many good things.

If it could be moved back to the Meng family, it would be of great benefit to both cultivation and the nurturing of spiritual herbs.

Now that the Meng family doesn't even have a single spiritual vein, this one is especially precious.

"It seems I must carefully consult ancient texts upon returning to find a method to relocate spiritual veins..." He suppressed his thoughts and turned his gaze back to the dark cave.

The most urgent task is to find a way to enter the secret realm.

Perhaps we should look for clues in the cultivation techniques and items found on the Yin Sha Sect disciples...

At dawn, Meng Xihong, laden with spoils, quietly led the prisoners away.

Behind them, only the deathly silence of the Yin Sha Sect and the lingering stench of blood gradually dissipated with the morning light remained.

When I returned to Yunni Township in the morning dew, it was still dark.

Meng Xihong activated his "Righteous Qi Seed," unleashing his righteous energy. In an instant, he sealed the captive's vital points and then imprinted an invisible restriction onto the binding ropes to ensure absolute safety.

He then handed the body over to Zhang Xianghua and others for safekeeping, and without stopping, went straight into his study. He still carried with him an aura of lingering menace.

"Husband!" Bai Muyun rushed over despite being heavily pregnant upon hearing the news. Seeing that his clothes were stained with blood but he was moving normally, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally settled down a little.

"Is everything going well?"

"The Yin Sha Sect has been eliminated. Apart from the sect leader and his entourage who may not be in the sect, no one should have survived. We also had some unexpected good fortune."

Meng Xihong placed several bulging storage bags on the table, his expression revealing exhaustion, but his eyes were bright and alert. "Yunniang, take a look at this first."

He took out the evil-breaking mirror he had obtained from the old woman, and then emptied all the items from Ji Liang's storage bag.

Jade slips, medicine bottles, scattered spirit stones, and a few magical artifacts exuding a sinister aura were scattered on the table. The most eye-catching item was a black token that was neither gold nor wood, with the words "Nether Cave" engraved on it. The pattern on the back resembled both a map and runes.

“This is…” Bai Muyun picked up the token and carefully sensed it, but could not detect anything unusual. “There is a secluded cave hidden behind the Yin Sha Sect’s back mountain by a secret array plate. According to the prisoners, it is the core of the sect, but unfortunately, they cannot enter it.” Meng Xihong said in a deep voice, “I suspect that the entrance technique or related items are among these relics.”

The couple immediately began to examine all the jade slips and books. Most of them contained the Yin Sha Sect's techniques and the evil art of corpse refining, which Meng Xihong only glanced at before discarding them.

Such techniques are contrary to the will of Heaven and Earth, and clash with the noble spirit of the literary path he cultivates; they must never be allowed to remain.

Until Meng Xihong triggered a dull bronze tablet with his spiritual sense, projecting a complex star array diagram, the core of which matched the shape of the token.

"Found it!" Meng Xihong's spirits lifted. "This is the entrance array diagram and control incantation for the secret realm. It seems that the Yin Sha Sect's foundation lies in this secret realm. Unfortunately, the array diagram is incomplete, only showing the method to open the entrance, and we know nothing about what's inside."

He put away the bronze slip and token, and said, "In addition, there is a low-grade spiritual vein beneath the Yin Sha Sect's territory."

"A spiritual vein?" Bai Muyun's beautiful eyes widened, filled with surprise and joy. "If we could bring it back..."

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Meng Xihong nodded. “I have already consulted the books I obtained from the Yin Sha Sect. Migrating a spiritual vein requires a specific formation and at least the Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, and the risks are considerable. This matter needs to be considered carefully. Perhaps we can consult Senior Yun Songzi when he returns.”

He paused, his tone turning serious: "There is one more thing. The Yin Sha Sect Master and the Grand Elder are both still in the secret realm. Although the sect's treasure vault has been discovered, it is protected by a powerful restriction that cannot be broken by brute force. The key or the method to open it is probably still with them."

This means the crisis is not yet completely over. Once that group returns, it will be a fight to the death.

Bai Muyun's heart, which had just been at ease, jumped again.

Meng Xihong held her hand and comforted her, saying, "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. The most urgent task is to digest what we've gained and enhance the family's strength."

He tallied up several hundred low-grade spirit stones, a number of pills, materials, and the refined corpse: "The spirit stones and pills can supplement the household income, and these materials can be used to refine talismans and magical artifacts. As for this refined corpse..."

He pondered for a moment, "Its body is hard, so it can be reforged and turned into a guard puppet, making the most of it."

Subsequently, he specially selected several relatively orthodox general-purpose magic manuals obtained from the Yin Sha Sect, such as "Detailed Explanation of Basic Escape Techniques" and "Introduction to Five Elements Magic Techniques". Although they were not of high quality, they were just right for Bai Muyun, Meng Yanning and others to hone their foundation.

Several days later, Yun Songzi returned. The old man had specially changed into a brand-new Taoist robe. His eyes were clear and bright, and his spiritual energy was harmonious and restrained, making him appear somewhat like an immortal.

As soon as he landed, he looked up at the weather above the Meng family's residence and immediately sensed a faint trace of bloodthirsty aura in the air.

Looking again at Meng Xihong, although his aura was calm, there was still a hint of sharpness between his brows. Yun Songzi immediately understood and stroked his beard, saying with a smile, "Young friend Xihong, you have accomplished quite a lot while I was away these past few days."

Meng Xihong did not hide anything and briefly told him about the extermination of the Yin Sha Sect, omitting details about the secret realm and spiritual veins, only saying that he had eliminated a scourge for the people and seized some resources.

After listening, Yun Songzi gave him a deep look: "Slaying evil and eliminating wickedness without losing your chivalrous heart, good! However, Foundation Establishment cultivators are no small matter. Their return will surely bring turmoil, so you need to prepare in advance." His words were full of praise and reminder.

"I understand," Meng Xihong said, bowing. "There is something I wish to ask you, senior. I have acquired a refining corpse with a strong and resilient body. I wish to cleanse it of its evil aura and use it to protect my home. I wonder if you have any good methods?"

Yun Songzi laughed heartily: "What a coincidence! During my recent trip, I happened to obtain a few 'Crossing Calamity Golden Pills,' which are specially used to purify evil spirits. I will give you one, which, when activated with righteous energy, will be enough to purify this fiend. I will also pass on to you a 'Simplified Method for Refining Dharma Protector Soldiers,' which will enable it to guard your residence."

The old man changed the subject, looking around the courtyard and saying, "And this courtyard of yours is actually three courtyards arranged in a special way, eventually combined into one, is that right?"

"I don't know the details, but the village chief did say that these are the three best tile-roofed houses in the village. They were specially enclosed by a wall by a distinguished guest and connected into a small, detached house."

“That makes sense.” Yun Songzi nodded. “I see that each of these three tiled houses contains an array, and they are connected to each other. The central dwelling is the core. We just need to find the key to activate the array. This array must have been used by the original owner as a place for defense or concealment.”

Meng Xihong immediately understood. This must be another gift from that mysterious Magistrate Xiao.

He had anticipated that he would take Ji Beichuan and Zhang Xianghua with him, and had specially prepared this suitable residence.

Thinking of this, Meng Xihong couldn't help but smile bitterly. This debt of gratitude was probably becoming increasingly difficult to repay.

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(End of this chapter)