Undercurrent

Shen Changchuan hid himself within the dense forest, observing carefully.

To better conceal himself, he had even learned the Breath Concealment Technique from a spell manual left behind by the Four Fiends of Heshan.

He meticulously observed the Gale Falcon's every move, including its injuries, the times it left its nest to hunt, its hunting methods, the intervals between its departures, and so on.

He was searching for a way to deal with the creature.

After this persistent effort of observation, Shen Changchuan had finally gathered most of the information about the Gale Falcon.

Using this as a model, he pondered methods to deal with the Gale Falcon in his mind, simulating various approaches, hoping to completely eliminate this threat.

Finally, after two more days of deep thought.

He had simulated over a dozen contingency plans in his mind.

Shen Changchuan ultimately decided to retreat.

"The success rate is too low."

"That creature is too fast. With all the means I currently possess, only the Soul-Snatching Bell could hit it and pose some threat."

"But after the last encounter, I doubt a surprise attack will be as effective. Moreover, even if the surprise attack succeeded, the 'stiffening' effect from the Soul-Snatching Bell wouldn't be enough for me to heavily injure and kill it while it's incapacitated."

"Once it flies into the sky, I'll be completely helpless."

Combining the results of his careful observations over the past few days, Shen Changchuan decisively abandoned all his plans.

Based on various logical deductions, if he were to rely solely on his current abilities, the possibility of failure in dealing with the creature would be over seventy to eighty percent.

And if the opponent flew into the sky, there wouldn't be the slightest chance of success.

Therefore, Shen Changchuan decided not to waste any more time.

Without causing the slightest disturbance, he quietly departed.

"If a rash attack fails again, and I face it next time having learned from two defeats, the difficulty will likely increase by several times!"

"So, to deal with that creature, I must kill it in one blow! I cannot give it another chance to escape."

"I need to prepare thoroughly."

On his way back, Shen Changchuan cautiously traversed the path he had taken to get there.

While simultaneously contemplating a plan to deal with the Gale Falcon.

With his current means, it would be very difficult to completely resolve the issue.

Shen Changchuan didn't want to gamble on that two to three percent chance of success.

Thus, the only way forward, was to strengthen himself.

"If I had a corresponding magic item, spell, or even a formation, that would be good."

"I should go and check the merchant caravans gathered at Wu Family Market first, to see if there's anything suitable."

"If I still can't find a good solution, perhaps I can lay low for a while and improve my cultivation level. There's still half a year until the spring plowing and summer harvest, so there might be a way to deal with it by then."

Lost in thought, Shen Changchuan's gaze fell upon the progress bar panel, specifically the Azure Wood Sword Light which remained stuck at 1% progress and had not improved.

Shen Changchuan could sense that this spell was very powerful.

If he could cultivate it to perfection, he would have an eighty to ninety percent chance of using it to slay the Gale Falcon!

Regarding this matter, he wasn't entirely without a backup plan.

Moreover, "At the very least, we can call for backup, invite the cultivators from those six villages to help us resolve this together."

"There will always be a way."

Thinking this, Shen Changchuan's heart relaxed slightly.

After several days, he returned to Great Bay Village along the original path.

In a remote village, the entire village was now clean, not a single person in sight.

Not even a dog, the surroundings were deathly silent.

At this moment, in the village square, corpses, regardless of gender, age, or youth, were piled into a small mountain.

Each deceased person had a contorted face, as if they had seen something terrifying before their deaths.

Meanwhile, a black-robed figure wearing a bronze mask extended his palm towards the corpse mountain.

A blood-red light rose from the mountain of corpses, thick as blood, emitting a scarlet glow.

The stacked corpses seemed to have all their vitality and blood drained at this moment, rapidly shriveling, like mummies that had endured thousands of years.

Immediately after, the red light flickered, and a White Bone Longsword, emanating endless resentment and filled with ill omen, rose from the corpse mountain.

It was grasped by the Bronze Masked Figure.

"Congratulations, my lord, your artifact refining is complete, and your strength has greatly increased!"

Just then, an aged voice came from behind.

Although the voice was congratulatory, if one listened carefully, they could tell there was not a shred of sincerity in it.

It sounded like mere pleasantries.

The Bronze Masked Figure turned his head.

The previously empty village now had twenty to thirty figures gathered, all different.

There were hunched, emaciated elders like dried corpses.

There were brothers with swords on their backs, their faces defiant.

There was also a burly butcher, his face wrapped in black cloth strips, holding a blood-stained cleaver.

These people had gathered for some reason, but they maintained a certain distance from each other, with an air of vigilance, distance, and distrust.

The Bronze Masked Figure didn't seem to care. The White Bone Longsword flowed like liquid into his arm.

Then, he turned around, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

"Where are the Four Fiends of Heshan? Why don't I see them?"

The Bronze Masked Figure scanned the area, noticing that several figures seemed to be missing, his voice as cold as grinding machinery.

"Does anyone present know those four brothers? My bottle of Qi Gathering Pills is not so easily obtained."

Although his voice remained devoid of fluctuation, everyone present felt a chill run down their spines.

They were certain that if the Four Fiends of Heshan had taken the pills and fled without fulfilling their end of the bargain, their fate would be dire.

"Cough, cough."

Just then, a cough drew everyone's attention.

It was an elder holding a cane, his arm withered like a claw, his hair white.

He smiled at everyone and nodded, saying:

"I have heard about this. It is said that the Four Fiends of Heshan met their end in a place called Great Bay Village. Their heads were hung up, and they cannot come anymore."

"Oh, is that so? Those Four Fiends of Heshan possess a wicked weapon called the Soul-Snatching Bell, and with all four of them working together, even cultivators at the Qi Gathering Seventh Level might not be able to take them down. Where did this formidable challenger come from?"

"Pfft, what challenger? He's just a disciple from the Shen Family, and rumor has it his cultivation is only around the Qi Gathering Third or Fourth Level. His skills are said to be quite ordinary."

"Old Ghost Song, are you joking? How could someone at the mere Qi Gathering Third or Fourth Level deal with the Four Fiends of Heshan?! You must know their leader is at the peak of the Sixth Level, not to mention they possess a wicked weapon like the Soul-Snatching Bell. I heard the Wu Family once sent a cultivator at the Qi Gathering Seventh Level to hunt them down, and they still couldn't capture them!"

Someone present raised objections on the spot, refuting the claim.

They didn't believe it one bit.

"Heh heh heh, who knows? Those four brothers usually love to pretend to be innocent to lure and deceive naive youngsters who have just entered the world. Perhaps this time they were playing the pig to eat the tiger, but ended up becoming the pig themselves and were ambushed by someone using underhanded tactics?"

Old Ghost Song let out a sinister, cackling laugh.

Then, he continued to speak, his aged and hoarse voice now seemingly filled with temptation:

"The Four Fiends of Heshan are dead, and their inheritance has likely fallen into that kid's hands. Why don't you all go and test the waters to find out?"

"If you don't trust this old man, you can all go and investigate for yourselves."

"I imagine that even if a mere brat at the Qi Gathering Third or Fourth Level truly possesses some skill, in your hands, it will be as easy as taking something from your pocket."

As soon as these words were spoken, Many in the crowd had their eyes flickering, clearly already harboring intentions.

However, some also cast a deep glance at Old Ghost Song.

Was this old ghost really kind enough to give them such a great benefit for free?

What a joke!

Having been in this line of work for so long, how could he be a kind-hearted person?

He likely wasn't sure of the opponent's abilities himself and wanted to trick a few cannon fodder into scouting the path for him.

But this might also be an opportunity.

For a moment, The surrounding crowd was each harboring their own hidden motives.

"Enough!"

Just then, The Bronze Masked Figure in front spoke coldly, their icy voice interrupting everyone's thoughts.

"Since they are dead, then so be it."

"But I will make it clear beforehand, the purpose of gathering you all here at great cost is to break through the Wu Family Market."

"After the Wu Family Market is breached, you are free to do as you please. But if anyone acts rashly before the Wu Family Market is broken, leading to the operation's failure, I will cross mountains and rivers, travel thousands of miles to hunt you down, extract your souls, and ensure you never find peace for all eternity!"

The Bronze Masked Figure spoke coldly, The White Bone Longsword, emitting a bloody glow, slashed down, carving a deep gash tens of feet long into the ground!

A torrent of bloody Sha energy swept in all directions, No one dared to speak.