Chapter 972

"Since you’ve already found the Yin Zhi Ma’s nest, why bother summoning me here to help? Are you in some kind of trouble?" After a moment of silence, the man surnamed Yuan was the first to speak.

"Although the Yin Zhi Ma is elusive and excels at concealment, given enough time, capturing it isn’t difficult for this old man. But the problem is its nest lies inside the Yin-Yang Cave in the Ten Thousand Poisons Valley—I can’t follow it down there. And this spirit creature is extraordinarily cunning; it only lingers near the cave entrance and refuses to step a single step outside."

"The Yin-Yang Cave?" This time, even the big man sucked in a sharp breath. Bai Yaoyi’s face instantly paled.

Only Han Li, having never heard of it, asked curiously:

"What’s this Yin-Yang Cave? Is it that dangerous?"

"Han Daoist doesn’t know the Yin-Yang Cave? I nearly forgot—you’re a cultivator from beyond the seas, so it’s natural you wouldn’t know this place. The Yin-Yang Cave is one of the Seven Absolute Dead Zones recognized by all of Da Jin. Ordinary cultivators who enter never return."

"If it’s that dangerous, what’s so special about it?" Han Li’s curiosity flared, pressing further.

"The Yin-Yang Cave means a separation of yin and yang the moment you enter. Just the Eternal Soul-Shattering Yin Wind that never ceases inside would cause a Nascent Soul cultivator struck by it to instantly lose their soul and be reborn. And the cave lies deep within a realm of profound yin, where yin energy has gathered for ages, naturally birthing all manner of ferocious ghostly entities. Any living being who enters—even if they withstand the wind—will be torn apart by the hordes of ghosts."

"Hmph, it’s not just that. The Yin-Yang Cave lies thousands of zhang underground, its tunnels crisscrossing endlessly, with countless chambers. In the past, some cultivators barely made it to the bottom, yet still couldn’t map its full extent. In that place, once your spiritual sense leaves your body, it’s blocked by the yin wind—no different from an ordinary mortal. Some even claim a terrifyingly powerful Ghost King lurks deep within, though no one has ever proven it. In short, even great cultivators avoid going deep inside."

"Previously, aside from some low-grade mineral veins, nothing of value was ever found in the cave. Everyone assumed it was merely an abandoned ancient super-mining cavern, and no one ever truly ventured deep. But now, Brother Fu has discovered the Yin Zhi Ma inside—this suggests the Yin-Yang Cave isn’t as simple as it seems. Perhaps it truly warrants exploration."

"After all these years, even Brother Fu’s prowess couldn’t capture the Yin Zhi Ma—clearly, this cave is no place for the faint-hearted. Even if there truly are treasures inside, you need a life to claim them." Han Li, having survived the Xu Tian Palace and the Fallen Demon Valley, knew well the dangers involved, and bluntly dampened their hopes.

"I know this well. For decades, I’ve prepared meticulously, crafting several artifacts specifically designed to suppress ghosts. And to withstand the Soul-Shattering Yin Wind, I brought the Purple You Pearl from my sect. With this pearl, I can’t guarantee complete immunity to the wind, but it can reduce its power by nearly half—enough to keep all of you safe."

"The Purple You Pearl?"

Upon hearing this treasure, the big man and Bai Yaoyi were both visibly stunned.

This was one of the Three Sacred Treasures of the Nine You Sect!

"How about it? With such thorough preparation—and with your three help—I’m confident that even if we encounter a powerful Ghost King below, our five combined forces can handle it. Once we capture the Yin Zhi Ma, I’ll immediately use it to brew Peiying Pills, guaranteeing each of you one pill. This medicine is a one-time elixir that purifies the marrow and reshapes the meridians; even if I could brew more, each person can take only one. You needn’t fear I’ll cheat you. As for whatever else we might find below, that’s up to your fortune."

All three of Han Li’s companions fell silent. Even the big man, who had been most eager moments ago, now wore a deeply thoughtful expression.

"If Brother Fu has prepared so thoroughly, why seek us three? Your sect, as one of the Ten Great Demon Sects, surely has several Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivators to spare."

At this question, Han Li’s expression shifted subtly, and the big man fixed his gaze on the old man’s face—both clearly keen to hear his answer.

"Seek help from within my sect? Perhaps for others, but not for me. Years ago, over a sect internal grudge, I fell out with nearly all my peers. Aside from Sister Chang, the rest would likely rejoice at my death. Even if they agreed to help, I’d fear they’d strike from behind."

Han Li was momentarily stunned.

This explanation was no explanation at all—who knew if it was true? But since he’d said it, they couldn’t press further. Silence fell again.

"Entering the Yin-Yang Cave is too grave a matter. I must think carefully. How about this: I’ll give you a definite answer in three days?"

"Three days? Of course. The Yin Wind reaches its weakest point once every twenty years, half a year from now—that’s the ideal time to descend. And to combat ghosts, you’ll need time to prepare special artifacts. So even if you agreed now, you couldn’t enter until half a year from now. But before leaving, I require each of you to swear an oath of silence on this scroll of the River of the Dead—using your essence blood. I’m being cautious, not untrustworthy—I don’t want word of the Peiying Pills or the Yin Zhi Ma spreading."

"The River of the Dead scroll? The cursed artifact that brings calamity upon anyone who breaks their oath? Isn’t that thing lost for centuries?"

Han Li’s heart jolted at these words.

"I acquired this cursed artifact specifically for this journey, paying a heavy price in the underground bazaar. Its power isn’t as exaggerated as legends claim, but it’s more than enough to ensure your silence for now. Do you know how Feng Tianxing of the Heavenly Demon Sect died? Han Daoist may not know, but Bai Daoist and Yuan Daoist surely do. Feng Tianxing was also a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator—I trust none of you wish to test it."

"Fine. With Peiying Pills like that, Yuan won’t let this slip away. I’ll be here on time in half a year."

He suddenly gestured toward the black scroll, drawing it to within a few chi of his chest. He spat a wad of essence blood into the air before it.

Extending his index finger, he dipped it in the blood and swiftly wrote ancient characters upon the scroll.

Moments later, his finger paused—a ghastly, fanged ghostly head emerged from the black flames, grinned menacingly at the big man, then opened its mouth and sucked in the blood script, which vanished instantly.

The ghostly head then dissolved into green smoke and disappeared.

Witnessing this eerie spectacle, Han Li’s heart lurched.

The old man retrieved the scroll, glanced over it, and nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Bai Yaoyi.

After a brief hesitation, she reluctantly raised her hand, drawing the scroll to her. She performed the same ritual—the ghostly head appeared again, then vanished in the same uncanny manner.

When the old man turned his gaze to Han Li, Han Li sighed inwardly.

Though deeply wary of this unknown artifact, it seemed there was no other choice.

With a blank expression, he pointed at the scroll—it flew to his front.

He gazed at it briefly, then bit his tongue and spat a wad of essence blood, swiftly writing upon the scroll a vow not to reveal today’s agreement. The blood glowed—once more, the ghostly head emerged from the black flames.

It grinned coldly, opened its mouth—when suddenly, something within Han Li stirred, emitting a strange, faint sound, audible to all present.

The old man and the others showed no reaction.

But the ghostly head, upon hearing the sound, twisted in horror, let out a guttural, unintelligible roar, then instantly disintegrated—as if fleeing in terror.

The old man, the big man, and the others stared, dumbfounded.

Han Li, expression unchanged, drew a breath, swept his sleeve toward the scroll, and said calmly:

"I don’t need to think—I agree to meet you on time. But this artifact seems to clash with something inside me; I cannot swear upon it. I’m a lone cultivator, and for the next half-year, I’ll remain in the Southern Frontier and won’t speak of this to anyone. You don’t need it."

At that moment, the River of the Dead scroll, cradled by a pale green aura, flew back toward the old man.

The old man seized it, his face still etched with shock, unsure how to proceed. Aside from this cursed scroll, he had no other way to guarantee their silence about the Peiying Pills.

"Brother Fu," spoke the black-clad beautiful woman, who had remained silent since the beginning, "Han Daoist’s words make sense. We don’t need the River of the Dead scroll. I believe Han Daoist won’t break his word."

Her voice was slightly hoarse, yet carried an inexplicable allure; as her autumn eyes flickered, her entire demeanor became enchantingly captivating.

WwW.feiazw.CoM Wang