Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

Disappointed rogue cultivators, ostracized disciples within small sects, and low-level stewards who are greedy for money or have something on their hands.

Even some seemingly insignificant dockworkers and tavern waiters...

He never used his dragon identity to intimidate others.

Instead, they precisely identify each person's weaknesses or desires, and then use incentives, coercion, or favors to exploit them.

Using various seemingly reasonable excuses, they were incorporated into an isolated, one-way intelligence network.

These low-level informants are mostly clueless, only knowing that they are working for a mysterious and wealthy "organization".

They exchange spirit stones, elixirs, or protection, knowing nothing about the leader's identity or the organization's ultimate goal.

Ao Ming was well-versed in the ways of the human heart and the treacherous world. He never fabricated sensational rumors.

Instead, it is cleverly "processed" and "leaked".

An elder of the Xuantian Sect in charge of procurement for the outer sect.

In his early years, he competed for a position with a fellow student and used some less-than-honorable means.

This matter has been buried for a long time, and few people know about it.

Ao Ming learned the general outline through the old archives of the sea monster clan.

He then instructed his spies to pretend to casually stroll into a teahouse frequented by a rogue cultivator who had a grudge against the elder.

He chatted with other tea drinkers about an old story, the details of which were vague.

However, the key figures, time, and place coincide with the facts.

The rogue cultivator, already harboring resentment, was overjoyed to hear this "secret tale."

After some investigation, he thought he had something on them and went to extort money from them.

Although the Xuan Tian Sect eventually suppressed the matter, the elder spent a considerable amount of money to settle it, but he also got himself into a lot of trouble.

They hated that rogue cultivator to the core and investigated him extensively.

Ultimately, the clues broke down with a few insignificant ordinary people, leaving the matter a complete mess.

Meanwhile, Zifumen and Fulongshan are coordinating the allocation of a newly discovered medium-sized "Bichao Jade" vein in the East China Sea.

There was already some subtle friction.

Ao Ming ordered his men to embellish the story of several minor quarrels that occurred between the disciples of the two sects near the mine over trivial matters.

It also includes two historical grievances concerning resource disputes.

They fabricated seemingly objective "rumors" and spread them through storytellers in restaurants, gossip, and other channels.

Soon, some hot-blooded young disciples from both sects believed it to be true.

The friction escalated, and although it was stopped in time by the elders of both sides, the seeds of resentment had already been quietly sown.

These methods, like drizzle seeping into sand, seem insignificant on a single occasion.

It's harmless and won't even attract the attention of the higher-ups in major sects.

However, these accumulated tensions inadvertently exacerbated the existing suspicions, resentments, and distrust within the human race.

This has quietly weakened the already fragile alliance.

The atmosphere of Wanghaicheng and its surrounding area remains unchanged beneath its seemingly unchanging prosperity.

There was an added, almost imperceptible restlessness and gloom.

Ao Ming is extremely patient, like an experienced fisherman, quietly waiting for a larger school of fish to gather.

Waiting for the opportunity that can stir up even bigger waves.

On this day, as dusk approached, the light inside Baixiaoge was dim.

Just as Lanming was about to close, a dark figure silently slipped in through the door.

The newcomer was completely shrouded in a large black cloak.

His figure was thin, his footsteps were silent, and a cold and gloomy aura spread out.

It carries a faint scent of decaying earth and the underworld.

Without saying a word, he walked straight to the counter.

A black token, neither gold nor wood, and cool to the touch, was gently placed on the counter.

On the front of the token is a relief of a ferocious, roaring ghost head with its fangs bared.

On the back, there is a sinister-looking ancient character “幽”, as if black energy is flowing around it.

The token of the Valley of the Netherworld.

Lan Ming (Ao Ming)'s gaze fell on the token, his expression unchanged, as if he were just looking at an ordinary object.

He slowly closed the book in his hands, stood up, and made a "please" gesture.

Then he turned around, pushed open a hidden small door behind the counter, and stepped in first.

Behind the door was a narrow passageway. After descending a few steps, there was a small, secluded room, no more than ten feet square.

The four walls are inlaid with "Silent Notes" and "Severing Thoughts Stones" to isolate and prevent detection.

Only a single oil lamp emitted a ghostly green light, casting long, distorted shadows of the two people against the wall.

The man in black robes then entered and closed the stone door behind him.

He then removed his hood, revealing a pale, thin face with high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a sharp, hook-like gaze.

He was one of the most trusted elders under Yin Jiuyou, the master of the Netherworld Valley, and was known as "Ghost Vulture".

"Lord Lan,"

The ghost vulture's voice was hoarse and dry, like sandpaper being rubbed.

"I have long heard that you, sir, are capable of turning the world upside down in this Wanghai City, and your methods are truly remarkable."

My family patriarch has long admired the Pavilion Master through 'spiritual communion'.

He deliberately emphasized the words "spiritual communion," his gaze sweeping over Ao Ming's face like a venomous snake.

Ao Ming remained calm and bowed respectfully.

"You flatter me, esteemed guest."

Lan was just someone who made a living by providing information and mingling in the streets.

"The name of the Master of Yin Valley is renowned far and wide. I wonder what brings you to my humble shop today?"

"Let's not beat around the bush in front of an honest person."

The ghost vulture took a step closer, and the chilling atmosphere in the secret room intensified.

"My clan patriarch is quite displeased with the newly appointed 'backbone of the human race' of Qingyun Mountain."

Judging from the Pavilion Master's recent actions, it seems to be quite "lively" within our human race.

I would be happy to see it happen. I've come today to discuss a... collaboration with the Pavilion Master.

Ao Ming lowered his eyelids slightly, concealing the fleeting glint of light in his eyes:

"Oh? What business could a mere informant like me have with the Netherworld Valley, which is renowned throughout the Southern Underworld?"

The ghost eagle's voice was even lower, almost inaudible, yet every word was clear:

"Our clan has a plan that might cause the Qingyun Sect a lot of trouble and severely damage Dao Xuan's prestige."

For this plan to succeed, we need to rely on the Pavilion Master's unparalleled skill in spreading the news.

And... a precise understanding of the hearts of people in Middle-earth.

Inside the sealed room, only the faint crackling sound of the shark oil lamp wick burning could be heard.

The two whispered secrets, which were low and secretive, and then finally stopped.

A few days later, a rumor, whose origins were unknown, spread like a will-o'-the-wisp quietly in the desolate wilderness of late autumn.

It begins in the eastern part of Central Continent.

Especially in the areas where cultivators gather, which are adjacent to the Qingyun Mountains, the influence is spreading quietly.

Initially, the rumor only stated that it was about three thousand miles southwest of the Qingyun Mountains.

There is a desolate valley that is shrouded in the yin energy of the earth's evil spirits all year round, called "Black Fiend Valley".

In recent months, strange lights have been seen flashing briefly in the valley at night.

The fluctuations of the earth's spiritual energy also became somewhat abnormally intermittent.

It was quite different from the deathly silence of the past.

Experienced treasure hunters speculate that this may be due to the increasingly rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth in recent years.

It triggered some long-forgotten remnants of ancient restrictions in the valley.

Perhaps ancient cave dwellings or ruins will reappear.

The news initially circulated only by word of mouth among a small circle of independent cultivators who specialized in exploration and treasure hunting.

Most people were skeptical.

Black Fiend Valley is notorious for being a desolate and treacherous place.