Legacy of the Spirit Stone

Chapter 80 – Evil things come out of the valley

The same situation was occurring in various villages within the Clear River territory. Yang Lingrui and others were exterminating mountain ghosts while distributing evil-expelling talismans to the villagers and hunters. The news that the immortal masters of the Pine Mountain Yang Clan had entered Clear River to slay demons and exorcise spirits spread rapidly.

"The Yang Clan has taken action? This..."

Tian Yu was quite surprised upon hearing the news.

The Yang Clan had that talisman contract, and a month was hardly enough time for its refinement.

Moreover, helping now would not bring them any benefit from him. Why did the Yang Clan initially refuse, only to choose to intervene now?

And how coincidental it was that just two days after he reported to the dynasty, with the situation in Clear River on the brink of losing control, the Yang Clan stepped in.

It felt as if everything had been calculated.

With this thought, he sensed a vague feeling of unease.

While Tian Yu was puzzled, Gao Hui arrived at the Clear River Town Hall with a portion of the talismans.

"Mayor Tian, don't worry! I have already persuaded the Yang Clan to take action! With many evil-expelling talismans refined, the ghostly chaos has been suppressed, and the people are safe!"

"Mayor Gao?"

Tian Yu was clearly not expecting Gao Hui to come to him.

But after thinking it over, many of his doubts were resolved, and his expression towards Gao Hui became complicated.

On one hand, the overflow of yin energy in Clear River was not something the mayor of White Stone Town should handle, and his presence indirectly indicated Tian Yu's failure as the mayor of Clear River Town.

On the other hand, he indeed couldn't manage the situation and needed external assistance.

"As expected! I guessed someone must be advising the Yang Clan from behind the scenes, and I wonder what benefits Gao Hui promised to persuade the Yang Clan to delay their talisman refinement." Tian Yu thought to himself.

Feeling he had figured everything out, he was unwilling but had to express his gratitude outwardly.

"Thank you, Brother Gao, for your assistance! The people of Clear River are deeply grateful!"

"Don't mention it. Under the dynasty's rule, towns should cooperate sincerely and watch over each other. This is merely my duty."

As they conversed, Gao Hui spoke with a deep sense of righteousness, while Tian Yu was moved to tears.

Regardless of their inner calculations, they both maintained the necessary facade.

After a sincere exchange, they immediately set off for Mulberry Dew Valley.

Now that many villages in Clear River were protected by talismans, there was no immediate threat of ghostly invasions. They took this opportunity to address the source of the yin energy.

Upon reaching the entrance of Mulberry Dew Valley, Tian Yu was shocked by the number of Yang Clan cultivators.

There were indeed six Qi Condensation cultivators!

And it seemed the Yang Clan's patriarch was absent, making it seven Qi Condensation cultivators in total!

Though four of them were only at the first or second layer, having seven Qi Condensation cultivators, with one at the mid-sixth layer, was a formidable strength that could crush any faction in the three-town region.

"Greetings, Mayor Gao, Mayor Tian."

Elder Yu turned around, leading the Yang Clan juniors in a bow.

"Oh, Elder Yu, no need for such courtesy. I should be thanking the Yang Clan!"

Tian Yu stepped forward, shaking Elder Yu's hand before Gao Hui could. "The Yang Clan's action to exorcise demons is a righteous act! On behalf of the people of Clear River, I thank you all. Once this matter is resolved, we will surely offer compensation!"

At this point, Tian Yu shifted his strategy, thinking of how to win over the Yang Clan and regain the initiative from Gao Hui.

But he ultimately failed to grasp the true nature of the situation and couldn't succeed.

Elder Yu smiled at him, waving his hand. "Mayor Tian, there's no need for compensation. The Yang Clan juniors have long been under Mayor Gao's care. Since he personally asked for help, we had to lend a hand."

Hearing this, Tian Yu's face twitched, forcing a slightly awkward smile.

Behind him, Gao Hui showed a faint smile before stepping forward to ask, "Elder Yu, how is the situation in the valley?"

"The Zhang family's formation is on the verge of collapse. The evil creatures in the valley will likely emerge within half a month."

Elder Yu's expression turned serious. "Mayor Tian, have your cultivators come here as well. Let's prepare early and strive to contain the evil creatures here, preventing harm to the people."

"Alright!"

Tian Yu gritted his teeth and agreed.

If they could resolve this before the dynasty sent reinforcements, they would face less blame.

Mulberry Dew Valley had three exits: two small paths and a main road.

Elder Yu stationed Yang Linghu, Wu Tong, and Zhao Qi at the southern main road.

Tian Yu led the Clear River Town cultivators on the western path, leaving the eastern side to Gao Hui, Yang Lingrui, and Liang Yi.

Originally, Zhao Qi was assigned to the east with Yang Lingrui, but he later whispered a few words to Elder Yu, who then switched him with Liang Yi.

Gao Hui, curious about the change, inquired with Lingrui.

After hearing Yang Lingrui recount Zhao Qi's legendary growth, Gao Hui was filled with respect.

Given this, it was better for Zhao Qi to follow Elder Yu!

At the main road of Mulberry Dew Valley.

Wu Tong was constantly adjusting her breathing to calm her mind. Seeing this, Yang Linghu intended to offer some reassurance.

After all, she had only been in Qi Condensation for a little over a month, and facing these ghostly creatures in her first battle, it was natural to feel nervous and fearful.

"Um, Wu Tong."

"Yes, Brother Linghu!"

Upon hearing the call, Wu Tong immediately opened her eyes and looked at Yang Linghu.

In that moment of eye contact, Yang Linghu realized he was mistaken.

Because he didn't see any nervousness or fear in Wu Tong's eyes, but rather an uncontrollable fiery excitement!

"You, are you..."

"Ah, I got a bit too excited fighting mountain ghosts in the village earlier. Master instructed me to be cautious with evil creatures, so I was trying to calm myself down," Wu Tong explained.

"Oh, I see, I was worrying for nothing."

Yang Linghu chuckled, then his expression turned serious. "In battle, avoid recklessness. If you can't handle it, lead the evil creatures to me."

"Understood, Brother!"

Due to her natural lack of talent, Wu Tong found it difficult to practice the Five Elements Technique, but she made decent progress with the Savage Strength Art.

After discussing with Yang Lingqing, Elder Yu decided to have her practice this technique and asked Yang Linghu to guide her.

On the surface, this decision seemed based on Yang Linghu's proficiency in the Savage Strength Art, but there was a deeper reason.

Yang Linghu was nineteen, and Wu Tong was eighteen, making them a perfect match.

The cultivators guarded the entrance of Mulberry Dew Valley day and night. On the tenth day, the yin energy within the valley surged violently.

Elder Yu, holding a magic disk, shouted, "The evil creatures are emerging! Prepare to engage!"

Yang Linghu and the others immediately activated their techniques, channeling their spiritual power.

"Roar!!!"

A heavy roar echoed from the valley, and the next moment, a figure leaped out.

This person was shrouded in sinister energy, with cultivation at the peak of the mid Qi Condensation sixth layer.

His appearance bore a six-part resemblance to Zhang Tianqi, the head of the Zhang family, and he was indeed Zhang Yao's uncle, Zhang Tiansheng.

However, he was now completely consumed by the sinister energy, devoid of any reason, reduced to a mindless puppet.

Behind him were several ghostly figures transformed from Zhang family members, their red eyes scanning the crowd before charging out with shrieks.

Seeing this, Elder Yu leaped into the air, holding the magic disk in one hand and forming a spell with the other. He cast a gravity spell, slamming Zhang Tiansheng back into the valley.

"The evil creatures are troublesome. If you encounter danger, prioritize your safety!"

After giving this instruction, Elder Yu leaped into the valley, engaging Zhang Tiansheng in battle.

To read the uncut version, go to [pawread.com].

At the same time, sinister energy surged from the east and west, with several howling evil creatures emerging.

Among the evil creatures, Yang Lingrui recognized a familiar figure.

Zhang Yao of the Zhang family, whom he had once sparred with at the Yang family's distant northern mines, where Yang Lingrui had the upper hand.

In truth, Zhang Yao had decent talent. If he had focused on cultivation for twenty years, he could have reached the mid Qi Condensation stage and become a pillar of the Zhang family.

But unfortunately, his face was now withered and deformed, with only the traces of unwillingness and despair from his last moments visible in the grooves and twisted features.

Corrupted by the sinister energy, his cultivation had reached the Qi Condensation fourth layer.

Gao Hui was about to step forward when Yang Lingrui moved ahead.

"Once acquaintances, we sparred. Today, with the Zhang family in such dire straits, let me help you find peace!"

(Thank you to all the readers for the break yesterday! Thank you for your encouragement and support!)