After spending two days resting at Kui Water Village, Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi had gained a preliminary understanding of Southern Border customs and local life.
They had also gleaned some information about Incense Burning Valley from the locals.
Its reputation among the righteous was one of honor and respect.
But in the eyes of Southern Border's many tribes, Incense Burning Valley was a power they both revered and feared.
They revered it because its disciples wielded profound arts and great strength. They truly guarded Southern Border's gateway, fending off the savage demon beasts and Barbarian Tribes from the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains and keeping the region safe.
They feared it because Incense Burning Valley's ways were far too domineering.
The Valley considered itself both the guardian and the master of Southern Border.
It had always treated the region's tribes as subordinates, demanding whatever it pleased and taking whatever it wanted.
Any tribe that dared defy its will would be mercilessly suppressed.
Over the centuries, many small tribes had been wiped out for offending Incense Burning Valley.
Southern Border appeared peaceful on the surface, but beneath it, undercurrents had long been churning.
The major tribes' resentment toward Incense Burning Valley had already reached a breaking point.
Only the Valley's overwhelming strength kept them from speaking out, though their anger burned.
Hearing all this, Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi felt their hearts grow heavier.
They knew the Six-Tailed Demon Fox had spoken the truth.
Incense Burning Valley was no benevolent force.
Their journey would likely be even more perilous than they had imagined.
Once they had learned where Incense Burning Valley lay, the two wasted no more time.
They left Tianshui Village and took to their swords again, flying toward Southern Border's hinterlands, to the mountain range said to