Before Burial Demon Valley

The news Qian He had brought was like a massive stone thrown into a tranquil lake, stirring wave after wave in Mo Yuan's heart.

Burial Demon Valley, an ancient battlefield, an ancient demon seal, the Black Fiend Sect colluding with the Netherworld... Put together, these words foretold that this journey would be anything but smooth, with danger lurking everywhere.

Yet he felt no fear. Instead, excitement surged within him.

Secluded cultivation could certainly raise one's realm, but true sharpness could only be tempered through bloody battles and raging fire.

He had just gained much from the Scripture Pavilion and needed a suitable whetstone.

"Burial Demon Valley is exceedingly dangerous. Even along its outskirts, strange demons and monsters often appear, while spatial rifts are impossible to guard against."

Uncle Nine, Lin Jiu, wore a solemn expression as he warned, "Junior Brother Xuan Ji's cultivation is profound, and he handles matters with great care. You must follow his arrangements and not act on your own. Think carefully when trouble arises. Preserving yourself comes first."

"Rest assured, Master. This disciple knows what is at stake," Mo Yuan answered solemnly.

Three days later, at dawn, a party of seven assembled at the entrance of Stone Bamboo Shoot Mountain.

Their leader was Uncle Master Xuan Ji, the stern-faced elder responsible for discipline and assessments.

His Daoist robe was as immaculate as ever, and his aura was as steady and imposing as a mountain. He was already at the mid-stage Foundation Establishment Realm. His gaze swept over the group with unquestionable authority.

Aside from Mo Yuan, the other five were all outstanding inner disciples.

Mo Yuan recognized two of them. One was Zhao Gan, whom he had fought in the previous tournament, while the other was a senior brother at the ninth level of Qi Refinement named Chen Feng, who specialized in metal-element sword arts.

The remaining three, two men and one woman, all possessed auras between the eighth and ninth levels of Qi Refinement. They were clearly carefully selected experts of the sect.

When Zhao Gan saw Mo Yuan, his expression was complicated. There was both unwillingness over his previous defeat and a faint, barely noticeable trace of awe. In the end, he merely nodded in greeting.

Chen Feng cupped his fists and smiled at Mo Yuan in a friendly manner. The other three examined this famous junior brother curiously.

"Everyone is here."

Uncle Master Xuan Ji's voice was cold and hard, without a hint of unnecessary words. "Our destination is the outskirts of Burial Demon Valley in the southwest. Our mission is to investigate the movements of the Black Fiend Sect and the Netherworld organization, gather intelligence, and eliminate small groups of enemies if circumstances permit. Remember: you are not to enter the inner region of Burial Demon Valley. Any violators will be dealt with according to sect rules!"

"Yes, Uncle Master Xuan Ji!" everyone answered in unison.

"Move out!"

With a flick of Uncle Master Xuan Ji's sleeve, a palm-sized, entirely azure spirit boat was tossed into the air. It expanded with the wind, transforming into a flying vessel capable of carrying ten people. Runes flowed across its hull, radiating a light and swift aura.

This was the sect's standard flying artifact—the Azure Wood Boat.

The group boarded the flying vessel one after another.

Uncle Master Xuan Ji stood at the prow and activated an incantation. The Azure Wood Boat became a streak of azure light, piercing the clouds as it raced southwest.

The atmosphere aboard was somewhat silent. Uncle Master Xuan Ji closed his eyes to rest, saying nothing.

The disciples also sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing or silently watched the mountains and earth speeding past below.

Mo Yuan sat at the stern, looking down over the vast land.

This was his first time traveling a great distance aboard a flying artifact. Feeling the howling wind by his ears and watching the scenery race backward beneath his feet, he could not help but feel deeply moved.

The path of cultivation was about breaking free from the earth's restraints and soaring above the Nine Heavens.

He calmed his mind and did not waste any time. While circulating his cultivation technique and absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy, far denser than that on the ground, he continued deducing in his mind how to combine the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Grand Codex with Heavenly Thunder Pacing the Stars.

"System, check in."

[ Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: Medium-Grade Spirit Stone x30, Illusion-Breaking Talisman (Enhanced) x5, <Aura Concealment and Form-Hiding Technique (Advanced)> insights x1, and a trace of ethereal drifting wind intent left behind by the Primordial World! ]

[Illusion-Breaking Talisman (Enhanced)]: A specialized talisman for illusion formations and illusion arts, far more effective than ordinary Illusion-Breaking Talismans.

[<Aura Concealment and Form-Hiding Technique (Advanced)> insights]: A senior expert's insights into the use of an advanced Aura Concealment Technique, containing various practical combat techniques.

[A trace of ethereal drifting wind intent]: Contains the elusive, traceless Dao essence of wind and clouds. It can slightly increase movement speed and concealment effects while aiding comprehension of wind-element spells.

The rewards once again perfectly suited his needs.

The Illusion-Breaking Talismans could deal with possible illusions within Burial Demon Valley. The Aura Concealment Technique insights would help him infiltrate and investigate more effectively. As for that trace of ethereal drifting wind intent, it gave him new insights into both Ghost Shadow Footwork and Heavenly Thunder Pacing the Stars, making his movement technique seem even lighter and more agile.

He immediately absorbed the ethereal drifting wind intent, carefully studied the Aura Concealment Technique insights, and compared them with his own knowledge. He felt that his ability to suppress his aura and blend into his surroundings had improved further.

Several days later, the flying vessel began descending. The landscape below gradually turned desolate. The mountains took on an unhealthy gray-black color, vegetation became sparse, and a faint smell of sulfur mixed with an indistinct stench of decay began to fill the air.

From afar, the outline of a massive valley shrouded in gray-black mist appeared on the horizon, like a vicious scar carved across the land.

That was Burial Demon Valley.

"We are about to enter the outskirts of Burial Demon Valley. Everyone, stay alert!"

Uncle Master Xuan Ji's icy voice rang out, shattering the silence aboard the vessel. "The spiritual energy here is chaotic, and fiendish energy permeates the area, making evil entities prone to arise. There may also be hidden spatial rifts. Be especially careful when probing with your divine sense."

The Azure Wood Boat landed in a concealed mountain hollow dozens of miles from Burial Demon Valley.

The group put away the flying vessel and set foot on solid ground.

A cold, oppressive aura rushed toward them, making everyone deeply uncomfortable.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy here was thin and violent, mixed with dense yin fiend death energy. If ordinary cultivators remained here too long, their cultivation would likely regress rather than advance, and they might even become plagued by inner demons.

Uncle Master Xuan Ji took out an ancient compass. After its needle spun wildly for a moment, it pointed toward a direction deep within Burial Demon Valley and trembled faintly. "The source of the fiendish energy lies over there. The Black Fiend Sect's activity is very likely connected to it. We will investigate along the outer region in that direction.

Chen Feng, you are responsible for scouting ahead. Mo Yuan, your divine sense is sharp; watch for abnormal energy fluctuations and concealed auras around us. Zhao Gan, guard the rear..."

He assigned their tasks swiftly and clearly, displaying the composure of an experienced leader.

The group formed a guarded formation and carefully advanced toward Burial Demon Valley.

The ground beneath their feet was soft, sticky black soil. Occasionally, exposed white bones could be seen, and it was impossible to tell whether they belonged to humans or beasts.

The surroundings were terrifyingly silent. Even the wind seemed to carry a mournful wail.

Mo Yuan cautiously spread out his divine sense like a spiderweb while circulating the advanced Aura Concealment Technique, perfectly blending his own aura into the surrounding environment.

He could sense many faint but malicious auras hidden beneath the deathly stillness. They belonged to low-level demons and yin spirits that had adapted to this environment.

Suddenly, his divine sense stirred. He said in a low voice, "Three hundred paces to the left, behind the rocks. There is a concealed aura carrying yin fiend energy. It is likely a Black Fiend Sect sentry."

A sharp light flashed in Uncle Master Xuan Ji's eyes. He nodded slightly and made a hand signal.

Chen Feng and another disciple silently circled around like wildcats.

A moment later, an extremely faint muffled sound came from that direction. Chen Feng soon returned, carrying an unconscious man in black robes. His clothing was clearly that of a Black Fiend Sect member.

"Only one. Sixth level of Qi Refinement. He has been subdued," Chen Feng said quietly.

Uncle Master Xuan Ji stepped forward, placed a finger against the man's brow, and performed a soul-searching technique.

A moment later, his brows knitted tightly. "He was merely an outer sentry and knows little. He only knows that the sect's higher-ups have been frequently entering and leaving this place recently, apparently searching for somewhere called the Yin Fiend Spring. Its exact location is unknown."

With a casual gesture, he reduced the sect member to ashes. In a grave voice, he said, "Yin Fiend Spring... It seems their objective truly is to use this extreme environment to refine some evil artifact, or... awaken something. Continue forward. Watch for abnormal energy fluctuations and traces of human activity."

The group set out again, the atmosphere even heavier than before.

They had encountered a Black Fiend Sect sentry just after entering the outskirts. It was clear the enemy had been operating here for a long time.

Mo Yuan tightened his grip on the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear, its shaft cool beneath his fingers.

He knew the true trial had only just begun. Burial Demon Valley was destined not to let them complete their mission easily.

And in such a perilous place, his check-in system might perhaps bring an unexpected turning point.