Yin Jiuyou—Xu Changqing did not know him.
But when Xuan Yan and Qin Baili heard the name, realization dawned on them.
This man had quite a reputation in the Immortal Sect and had committed no small number of outrageous acts.
The gaunt man continued, "When Lu Chenyuan was alive, Deputy Peak Master Yin was his right-hand man.
"After Lu Chenyuan died, Dark Nether Peak was left leaderless. Several senior brothers and elders nominated him to temporarily assume the position of peak master, and it has continued until now."
Xuan Yan gave a slight nod. "Lead the way."
At those words, a trace of hesitation flashed across the gaunt man's face.
He looked at Xuan Yan, then at Xu Changqing and the others. His lips moved several times, but when the words reached his mouth, he forcibly swallowed them back down.
Then he lowered his head and stepped aside from the entrance. With a sweep of his short staff through the air, the restriction at the foot of the mountain let out a low hum, and the barrier instantly dissipated.
"Please, Grand Elder. Everyone, please."
The stone steps were steep, and ghostly green Spirit Runes on the stone pillars to either side flickered endlessly.
The air was frigid. The farther up they went, the thicker that faint, decaying stench became.
Along both sides of the mountain path, caves hewn into the rock walls occasionally came into view. They were pitch-black inside, yet one could make out all manner of jars and bottles, containing things soaked within whose forms could no longer be recognized.
The Dark Nether Peak members and disciples they encountered along the way were all stunned upon seeing Xuan Yan. Their expressions immediately changed, and they either hurriedly bowed or quietly retreated to the roadside.
No one dared step