Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

Aside from some yin-attribute poisonous insects and miasma, I've never heard of any treasures.

However, within ten days, the rumors snowballed, adding many vivid "details":

Some monks who claimed to have "seen it from afar" swore oaths.

On a night of full moon, I saw a ferocious beast resembling an earth dragon with a single horn flash by at the mouth of the valley and then disappear.

It closely resembles a guardian spirit beast described in ancient books called "One-Horned Fiend".

There is also a rumor that a master of feng shui and geomancy passed by the outer perimeter of Black Fiend Valley.

The compass needle spun wildly.

They sensed extremely subtle yet powerful residual restrictive fluctuations deep within the valley, which were definitely not naturally formed.

The most intriguing theory is that it was a mercenary captain who often hunted low-level monsters in the vicinity.

He claimed that during a hunt, he accidentally wandered into the depths of a misty valley and vaguely saw the phantom of a giant cauldron, ten feet tall, with three legs and two ears.

It floats uncertainly amidst the swirling, malevolent aura, its body covered with ancient, indistinguishable runes.

The Taoist aura emanating from it is desolate and profound, stirring the heart.

The phantom quickly vanished, leaving no trace.

These "eyewitnesses" often speak with absolute certainty, yet their identities are vague and their whereabouts are uncertain.

The rumors themselves are also partially concealed, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

In particular, some descriptions of the geographical features and patterns of malevolent energy in Black Fiend Valley are quite accurate.

More importantly, there's Baixiaoge, a restaurant in Wanghai City with a good reputation.

Their attitude has also become ambiguous.

When curious or interested cultivators go to the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion to inquire about the truth of Black Fiend Valley.

The usually mild-mannered shopkeeper, Lanming, would first show a hint of difficulty, hesitate for a moment, and then lower his voice to say:

"Well... I have indeed heard some rumors, and it seems that something is amiss."

However, the Black Fiend Valley is extremely dangerous and unpredictable, with malevolent energy that invades the body, making it difficult to enter. I dare not make any rash judgments about its specifics.

In my humble opinion, fellow cultivators, it would be best to exercise caution and refrain from taking unnecessary risks.

This hesitant, almost veiled, demeanor suggests that one should not leave.

Coupled with the impression he had cultivated of being "reliable and cautious," it only added fuel to the fire.

To make more people believe it without a doubt.

There must be something strange about Black Fiend Valley!

Even the most well-informed Baixiaoge (a secret society) remained tight-lipped about it, advising people not to go.

Doesn't this indirectly confirm that there are indeed valuable treasures among them, and that they are of great importance?

The wind, which began as a gentle ripple, gradually grew into an undercurrent.

Some small and medium-sized sects with keen senses, powerful independent cultivator groups, and even a few cultivation families with ulterior motives.

They began to turn their attention to the southwest direction of the Qingyun Mountains.

Greed, curiosity, and the desire for "opportunity" grow and spread in the shadows.

At this moment, the Qingyun Sect, which should be the one most aware of any disturbances around its own sect, is the one that truly understands the situation.

However, with the sect leader in seclusion, the higher-ups focused their energy on appeasing the disciples returning from the East Sea, consolidating the gains of the battle, and improving the overall strength of the sect.

In addition, Black Fiend Valley is remote and desolate, located on the edge of the sect's territory.

Few disciples ever went there, and thus they were unaware of the dark clouds that were quietly gathering and growing ever thicker.

Qingyun Mountain, Tongtian Peak, Law Enforcement Hall.

The palace was solemn, with the fragrance of sandalwood wafting through the air.

Wan Jianyi sat in the main seat, his face ashen, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrests of the rosewood chair, producing a dull thud.

Before him stood several weary mountain patrol disciples, bowing respectfully.

They were all capable members of the sect, and the leader was Chang Jian, a capable disciple of the Enforcement Hall.

"Uncle-Master Wan," Chang Jian said, clasping his hands in a fist salute, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity and confusion.

"For more than half a month, the area around the mountain gate, especially the southwest areas of 'Black Water Stream' and 'Falling Eagle Plain', has been affected."

Indeed, there were quite a few more traces of unfamiliar cultivators.

They move about mysteriously, in groups of three or five, mostly dressed as independent cultivators, with a few groups claiming to be from unknown small sects.

The disciples secretly observed that their activities all seemed to point towards the more distant "Black Fiend Valley."

Another disciple added, "Master, I was once ordered to follow a group of people and seize a lone person to interrogate him."

The man was initially stubborn, but later revealed that he had heard that a "precious light" had recently appeared in Black Fiend Valley.

The earth's veins are moving abnormally, suggesting that an ancient treasure is about to be unearthed.

Therefore, I came here to try my luck with the immortals.

When asked about his source, he simply said, "That's what everyone's saying."

"Black Fiend Valley? Ancient relics?"

Wan Jianyi's brows furrowed even more, and a sharp sword intent flashed in his eyes.

"I explored that place in my early years. It was filled with malevolent energy, the earth was barren, and there were occasional yin-attribute mineral veins."

However, there is no record or indication in any ancient books that suggests the existence of ancient relics.

This matter is truly strange.

The third disciple, with an indignant expression, said:

"Uncle Wan, the strange thing is yet to come!"

Recently, my disciples and I went down the mountain to make purchases.

In the town of Qingxi at the foot of the mountain, I heard many unbearable rumors and gossip!

Some say that the treasure was first discovered by our Qingyun Sect, but we wanted to keep it for ourselves, so we kept it a secret and blocked the news.

Even more outrageous, some people claim to have personally witnessed my Qingyun disciples dressed in civilian clothes.

They were furtively setting up formations on the outskirts of Black Fiend Valley.

It's obvious they want to seize the territory and keep the treasure for themselves!

That's utter slander!

"Absolutely absurd!"

Wan Jian slammed his hand on the table and stood up, unleashing a chilling sword aura that caused the teacups on the table to hum.

"My Qingyun disciples have all been cultivating, healing, and consolidating their cultivation on the mountain recently. Has anyone been ordered to go to Black Fiend Valley?"

Not to mention setting up formations and claiming territory!

Such slanderous words must be malicious attempts by someone to ruin my reputation!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and after a moment of calm thought, said in a deep voice:

There must be some dark forces pulling the strings behind this.

You shall continue to strengthen your patrols and pay close attention to the movements around the mountain gate, especially the actions of those unfamiliar cultivators.

But remember, do not act without solid evidence or if the other party provokes you.

Do not easily clash with them, lest you give them ammunition to criticize you.

"Yes! We understand!" Chang Jian and the others responded in unison.

"In addition," Wan Jianyi turned his gaze to Xiao Yicai and Lin Jingyu beside him.

"Yicai and Jingyu, you two are both meticulous and your cultivation is sufficient to shoulder important responsibilities."

Immediately and secretly descend the mountain, infiltrate Black Fiend Valley, and personally investigate. Two things must be clarified:

First, is there really a strange phenomenon in the valley called "the birth of a rare treasure"?

Secondly, where did this rumor originate, and what is its source?

Be extremely careful, conceal your movements, and avoid alerting the enemy.

"Disciple obeys!"

Xiao Yicai and Lin Jingyu exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes, and bowed respectfully.

They swiftly withdrew from the Enforcement Hall, transforming into two inconspicuous streaks of light that silently disappeared into the clouds below the mountain.

Three days later, at dusk.

The two returned to Tongtian Peak, travel-worn, and went straight to the Law Enforcement Hall to report back.

"Uncle Wan,"

Xiao Yicai's expression was solemn, showing no sign of relaxation.

"The two disciples of Black Fiend Valley have repeatedly investigated and even risked venturing into the areas where the fiendish energy is strongest."

Apart from the fact that the Yin energy in the valley is slightly more active than in the same period of previous years due to changes in the earth's veins?