Half a Step into the Mystic Core Realm!

Mystic Bone Mountain located in the northern part of Qingzhou.

Yang Xiao followed Zhou Zheng on horseback, heading north along the mountain path.

The mountains along the way are undulating and the forests are lush. Occasionally, a few birds can be seen flying over the treetops, emitting a few clear calls.

However, the closer they got to Mystic Bone Mountain, the more eerie the atmosphere became.

The birds gradually disappeared, and the forest became eerily quiet; not even the chirping of insects could be heard.

"The Mystic Bone Sect is just ahead." Zhou Zheng reined in his horse and slowed down, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. "Be careful, Demon have an extremely keen sense of smell; they might be watching from nearby."

Yang Xiao sat astride the Demon Horse, the Army-Breaking Spear having somehow taken the place of the Spring Embroidery Saber.

At this moment, one hand grips the reins, while the other is already loosely held at the side, ready to react at any moment.

The two continued on their way, and after turning a bend in the mountain, the gate of the Mystic Bone Sect came into view.

It was a mountain gate built of mountain stones, with the three large characters "Mystic Bone Sect" carved on the lintel. The strokes were ancient and simple, and they subtly revealed a sense of strength.

However, at this moment, the mountain gate was tightly closed, and dozens of the Mystic Bone Sect disciples, armed with weapons, patrolled back and forth on the stone walls on both sides of the gate.

They looked tense, their eyes filled with exhaustion and fear.

Upon seeing Zhou Zheng and Yang Xiao approach, the disciples on the city wall immediately became alert.

"Who goes there!"

A middle-aged man stood on the city wall, his sharp eyes fixed on the two men.

He wore a gray robe with a white bone pattern embroidered on his chest, clearly indicating that he was an elder or deacon of the Mystic Bone Sect.

"Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division." Zhou Zheng took out his waist token and flashed it towards the city wall. "Here to receive the Mystic Bone Sect's mission."

The middle-aged man's expression softened slightly upon seeing the Demon Suppression Division's waist token, but he remained somewhat wary.

After observing the surroundings for a few moments, the middle-aged man shouted towards the city gate, "Open the gate!"

The heavy city gate slowly opened, emitting a harsh scraping sound.

Zhou Zheng and Yang Xiao rode their horses inside, and the city gate was immediately closed tightly again.

"Sir, you have come from afar, please come inside with me first."

The middle-aged man who had been waiting at the door was already bowing respectfully, but when his gaze fell on Yang Xiao, he looked somewhat puzzled.

"And this is...?"

"Deputy General Yang, you've come with me to broaden my horizons," Zhou Zheng introduced casually, without saying more.

Yang Xiao remained calm and did not speak.

Upon hearing the words "gaining knowledge," the Mystic Bone Sect disciples around assumed that Yang Xiao was merely a junior accompanying them, and they nodded in acknowledgment, paying no further attention to him.

Yang Xiao didn't care about this at all, and just silently observed the layout of the Mystic Bone Sect.

He was quite curious as it was his first time observing a proper sect, but after looking around, the Mystic Bone Sect felt more like a small village nestled in the mountains.

"Lord Zhou, please come with me."

The middle-aged man led the way, taking the two of them deeper into the Mystic Bone Sect.

After passing through several courtyards, they arrived at a side hall. "Lord Yan and Lord Meng have already arrived and are discussing countermeasures inside."

Zhou Zheng nodded and pushed open the door to enter.

Inside the side hall, two men were sitting around a stone table, on which was spread a map of the Mystic Bone Sect.

The man on the left was burly, with broad shoulders and a powerful build. He wore black armor and had a broadsword standing beside him. He exuded a fierce and valiant aura.

The man on the right was much thinner, dressed in a blue robe, with a gaunt face and extremely sharp eyes, carefully studying the terrain map.

Upon seeing Zhou Zheng enter, both of them looked up.

"Zhou Zheng, you've arrived." The burly man stood up, patted Zhou Zheng on the shoulder, and asked, "Was the journey smooth?"

"Fortunately, we didn't encounter any trouble." Zhou Zheng nodded, then introduced Yang Xiao, "This is Yang Xiao. He just made the greatest contribution to the Golden Buddha Temple and wants to join the Demon-Slaying Battalion. I brought him here to broaden his horizons."

"Deputy General Yang?"

The burly man's gaze fell on Yang Xiao, sizing him up. "You accepted the Golden Buddha Temple mission?"

The task at Golden Buddha Temple has been hanging for a long time without anyone accepting it. Besides the fact that some people are temporarily unable to spare the manpower, the main reason is that they don't want to get involved with Buddhism and cause trouble.

He must have some connections to have been able to solve the Golden Buddha Temple case.

"Yes." Yang Xiao nodded.

A hint of surprise flashed in Yan Tieyi's eyes, then he grinned. "Not bad, young and promising."

He has a straightforward personality and doesn't mince words.

The man in the blue robe remained silent, observing Yang Xiao in quiet contemplation.

His gaze lingered on Yang Xiao for a moment, as if he were probing something, before he looked away, his expression unchanged.

"Now that everyone's here, let's get down to business," Meng Jiu said calmly. "The situation at the Mystic Bone Sect is worse than what's recorded in the files."

"The Mountain Lord has several Aperture-Opening Realm demons under his command, and they have been besieging the Mystic Bone Sect for more than half a month."

"The Mystic Bone Sect suffered heavy casualties, with fewer than a hundred capable fighters remaining, and their cultivation levels are only around the Liquid Condensation Realm."

"If this drags on any longer, the Mystic Bone Sect will surely fall."

Zhou Zheng frowned, not forgetting the biggest threat, "Where is the Mountain Lord?"

"It hasn't shown itself yet." Meng Jiu shook his head. "It seems to be waiting, waiting for the Mystic Bone Sect to completely collapse before making its move."

"This Mountain Lord is very cunning."

Yan Tieyi said in a deep voice, "It knew that the Demon Suppression Division would send people, so it has been hiding in the shadows and refusing to show itself easily."

"But if it doesn't show up, we'll be unable to extricate ourselves due to concerns about the safety of the Mystic Bone Sect, and we won't be able to do anything about it."

Yang Xiao listened quietly without interrupting.

Meng Jiu glanced at him and continued, "So, we've come up with a plan during this time."

"We will use the Mystic Bone Sect as bait to create the illusion that the Mystic Bone Sect leader has taken the initiative to attack and that the sect's defenses are weak, thus luring the Mountain Lord to reveal himself."

"At that time, we will lie in ambush, waiting for the sect leader to strike, and try to severely injure or even kill the Mountain Lord."

Zhou Zheng nodded after listening. "The plan is feasible, but the risks are considerable."

"What if the Mountain Lord doesn't fall for it?"

"Then we'll have to take it by force." Yan Tieyi smiled easily, then turned to Yang Xiao: "Deputy General Yang, it's a good thing you've come. Would you be willing to provide support at the Mystic Bone Sect?"

"If Demon try to break in during the chaos, you are responsible for intercepting them until we return."

"Of course, with your strength, dealing with ordinary Aperture-Opening Realm Demon shouldn't be a problem."

He seemed to mention it casually, but his eyes held a hint of scrutiny.

"No problem."

Yang Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, without trying to persuade them further.

He seemed to be looked down upon by the burly Deputy General in front of him.

But that's alright. He's not good at showing off in front of others to demonstrate his abilities. He's more accustomed to maintaining a state of vigilance at all times and being fully prepared for any potential crises.

Let's start by staying behind at the Mystic Bone Sect...

The following morning.

Dozens of people gathered inside the main hall of the Mystic Bone Sect.

The sect leader of the Mystic Bone Sect was an old man with white hair named Gao Chengen. He was hunched over, but his eyes were extremely sharp.

Gao Chengen sat in the main seat, his expression solemn, and looked around at everyone.

"Gentlemen, there are some things I must tell you frankly."

His voice carried a hint of bitterness.

"The reason why the Mystic Bone Sect provoked the Mountain Lord is because we hunted down a Bear Demon a few months ago."

"That young Bear Demon is suspected to be a descendant of the Mountain Lord."

Upon hearing this, the hall immediately fell silent.

Zhou Zheng, Yan Tieyi, and Meng Jiu all frowned slightly, while several Mystic Bone Sect elders looked even more solemn.

The descendants of the Mountain Lord were killed, no wonder it relentlessly pursued the Mystic Bone Sect.

"What's worse is..." The Mystic Bone Sect Master paused, his voice lowering even further, "I've met with the Mountain Lord."

"It's already at the Half-Step Mystic Core!"