Legacy of the Spirit Stone

Chapter 77 – Mulberry Dew Valley Anomaly

Clear River Town has been experiencing strange occurrences lately.

Especially in the area near Mulberry Dew Valley, first there were reports of wailing sounds from the cemetery, and later, incidents of ghosts attacking people and livestock being harmed at night.

Upon receiving the news, Clear River Town dispatched two cultivators to investigate. They discovered that it was indeed the work of several mountain ghosts and promptly eliminated them.

However, it was peculiar because ever since the dynasty conducted a large-scale purge of ghosts twenty years ago, there hadn't been any ghost disturbances in the Clear River area.

Now, with the reappearance of mountain ghosts, and several of them at that, the investigating cultivators became vigilant. They returned to Clear River Town, used the dynasty's communication method to urgently notify the town mayor, and specifically visited the Yang Clan to invite Elder Yu and Yang Linghu.

"Elder Yu, what were the findings?"

At the entrance to Mulberry Dew Valley, Tian Yu, the mayor of Clear River Town, hurriedly approached Elder Yu as he emerged and asked.

"The yin energy is indeed emanating from within the valley, and the ghosts causing trouble were awakened by this yin energy," Elder Yu said with a serious expression.

He had just gone inside to check, and the Zhang family's protective formation was still intact, with the source of the yin energy within it.

The mere leakage of this yin energy was affecting a large surrounding area, so what kind of scene could be inside the Zhang family?

"Has something happened to the Zhang family?"

"Yes."

Elder Yu nodded and said, "Mayor Tian, in my opinion, this matter is not simple. You should report it to the dynasty as soon as possible."

Hearing this, Tian Yu showed a conflicted expression. He had been the mayor of Clear River Town for ten years, and nothing major had happened during his tenure.

In just two more months, he would have accumulated enough merit points to apply for a promotion, allowing him to move up from his current position.

Tian Yu had been eagerly awaiting this moment for the past six months, like waiting for the stars and the moon.

But who could have predicted that at this critical juncture, the Zhang family would have such an incident?

Clear River Town hadn't experienced ghost disturbances for twenty years. If the higher-ups found out, would it affect his future promotion?

Thinking of this, Tian Yu pondered whether he could avoid this issue.

"Elder Yu, if we suppress it with spiritual power, can this matter be delayed for three months?" he asked.

"Delay for three months?"

Hearing this, Elder Yu frowned.

Currently, the yin energy was already spilling out, affecting the safety of the surrounding people. Suppressing it with spiritual power could alleviate the situation, and with the Yang Clan and Clear River cultivators, delaying for three months was feasible.

But this method ultimately only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause.

The presence of so much yin energy outside indicates that there must be something sinister within Mulberry Dew Valley.

Elder Yu had previously used a magic disk to detect the restless sinister aura, which should be at the Qi Condensation Fifth to Sixth Layer.

If they sought aid from the dynasty now and brought in a late Qi Condensation cultivator, they could still eliminate it within Mulberry Dew Valley.

If they intentionally suppressed the yin energy, when they eventually let go, it would surge out more violently, causing greater harm.

Moreover, delaying like this could create a rich yin energy environment for the sinister entity in the valley to grow.

After three months, whether they could still control it would be uncertain.

Seeing the hesitation on Elder Yu's face, Tian Yu straightforwardly expressed his thoughts.

"Elder Yu, I'll be frank. In two months, I'll have enough merit to apply for a promotion. I've been waiting for this day for ten years and don't want it affected by this matter."

"The 'Ascension Permit' for the application will be issued within a month, and then I can leave this place for another position."

"By then, Elder Yu can also take people and leave, no longer involved in the Mulberry Dew Valley matter. The Yang Clan is far from here, so even if the yin energy erupts, it won't be affected."

Elder Yu remained silent after hearing this, but Yang Linghu stepped forward and said, "Mayor Tian, if the yin energy erupts afterward, the people of Clear River will suffer."

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"I'm well aware of that," Tian Yu replied calmly. "But this matter concerns my future and destiny. I've worked diligently here, dedicating ten years to the people of Clear River. Now, I'm merely taking some return from them. It's just a few mortals dying, which is nothing compared to the casualties from the beast tide a few years ago."

"Besides, if enough people die, the dynasty will naturally send someone to handle it, and the Yang Clan won't need to do anything."

After Tian Yu finished speaking, there was a brief silence.

After a moment, Yang Linghu said, "Hmph, what a statement, just a few mortals dying. Mayor Tian truly has the demeanor of an immortal."

His words were dripping with sarcasm, but Tian Yu wasn't embarrassed. Instead, he retorted, "Isn't it the same with the Yang Clan? Those mortals you keep at the foot of the mountain, making them support the Yang Clan, making them clan soldiers, making them laborers, and even providing cultivation seedlings for your clan."

"Are they equal in status to your clan and you cultivators? What everyone does is essentially the same, it's just that your clan hasn't reached the point of sacrificing them yet."

Yang Linghu looked displeased and wanted to say more, but Elder Yu raised his hand to stop him.

Seeing this, Tian Yu took something out of his storage bag and handed it to Elder Yu.

"Elder Yu, if the Yang Clan is willing to suppress the yin energy, I'm willing to offer this."

Elder Yu looked down and was immediately surprised.

It was a milky white pill, emitting a refreshing fragrance.

"Is this a late Qi Condensation Marrow Cleansing Pill?"

"Your insight is impressive, Elder Yu. This is indeed a Marrow Cleansing Pill!"

"What quality is it?"

"Substandard."

The Marrow Cleansing Pill, a late Qi Condensation pill.

Its effect is to cleanse the meridians and improve cultivation aptitude for cultivators.

Some might wonder why such a miraculous effect only belongs to a Qi Condensation pill.

The reason is simple: the Marrow Cleansing Pill is only effective for Qi Condensation cultivators and only works the first time it's taken; taking more is useless.

Even so, this pill is highly sought after by Qi Condensation cultivators, and its market price is high.

A substandard one sells for three hundred spirit crystals, comparable to a good Rejuvenation Pill.

Tian Yu's willingness to offer a Marrow Cleansing Pill showed his sincerity.

Elder Yu was unaware of Lingrui's return home, so he hesitated.

The Marrow Cleansing Pill was indeed tempting; whether sold for money or given to a child in the family, it was valuable.

But since the Marrow Cleansing Pill can only be taken once, using a substandard one felt somewhat wasteful.

Thinking of this, he decided to put the idea aside and return to inform Yang Lingqing before making a decision.

"Mayor Tian, this is no small matter. I need to return home and discuss it before deciding."

"Uh... alright, but please give me a quick response, Elder Yu. This matter can't be delayed."

After the two left, Tian Yu felt a bit puzzled.

Elder Yu, at the Qi Condensation Sixth Layer, was clearly the highest-ranking member of the Yang Clan, yet he couldn't make a decision on this matter?

"Strange, strange. Could it be that the Yang Clan has really let a young member take charge?"

Tian Yu pondered this and then showed a smug expression.

"If that's the case, even better! If Elder Yu can't see the problem, that young one will only fall into my trap."