Chapter 84

Wang Shan sat in the small courtyard, holding in his hand the scroll of the Ten Thousand Beast Method he had picked from Wan Hong's body.

This thing is downright eerie; the text exudes a gloomy vibe, all about methods of sacrificing living beings for refinement—just hearing it makes one feel queasy.

But he doesn't have time to be picky now; staying alive is paramount.

He turned it over and over; aside from the repulsive refinement techniques, the edges and blank spaces of the fragment were covered with strange, twisted symbols that looked like ghost-drawn talismans, not at all like ordinary text or cultivation notes.

It looks more like some kind of map marker, or perhaps a pattern from a certain place?

These past few days, whenever he had free time he pondered those symbols. In his system space, the spirit plants were thriving, he had accumulated some spirit stones, his cultivation steadily rose, and having reached the late stage of Body Refining Eighth Layer, he felt solidly established, sensing that the Ninth Layer was not far off.

But Wan Tianjue, that old dog, was like a thorn lodged in his chest, impossible to pull out, preventing him from calming his mind for cultivation.

He tried to mentally run through one of the symbols that looked a bit clearer, pulled up the system interface, hoping the system could analyze it.

As a result, the system interface popped up a line: 'Insufficient information, cannot parse; suggest seeking related ancient texts or ruins for comparison.'

'Fine, it's not realistic to expect you to know everything.' Wang Shan muttered, then closed the system interface. Ancient texts? Ruins? Where to find them? In this godforsaken Heishi Town, there aren't even a few books in the whole town, let alone ancient texts. Ruins? The Man Yun Mountain Range is vast, but who knows where any ruins might be or what they look like?

Wait…… ruins?

Wang Shan pinched the fragment, his gaze drifting toward the courtyard gate.

Mercenary Guild. Qian Sihai, that fat guy.

Their information channels are extensive!

They know every bit of gossip in town, and any stir in the Man Yun Mountain Range is clear to them.

Didn't he previously brag about being able to inquire about Foundation Establishment pills and Ancient Cultivator Cave Dwelling news? Though it sounded dubious, perhaps they could help with this symbol matter?

Thinking of this, he immediately shouted: 'Zeze!'

Wang Zeze was organizing medicinal herbs not far away; hearing the clan head's call, he hurried over. 'Clan Leader, are you looking for me?'

'Hmm,' Wang Shan carefully put away the fragment, took out a sheet of paper from his pocket—on it was a symbol he had just rubbed off the fragment—'Take this and go to the Mercenary Guild.'

Wang Zeze took the slip of paper, looking at the symbol on it that seemed awkward however you looked at it, feeling a bit puzzled. 'Clan Leader, what is this?'

'Don't ask so many questions,' Wang Shan lowered his voice, 'just go find Qian Sihai and say that I saw this symbol in an ancient book, thought it was interesting, and wanted to ask him whether the Mercenary Guild's records have any note about this symbol, or any legends related to it. Remember, don't say it came from the Wan family fragment; say it's from an ancient book, the vaguer the better. Also don't act too eager—just treat it as a casual inquiry.'

Wang Zeze heard the Clan Leader say that, knowing this wasn't simple but not asking further: 'Understood! I'll go now and get it done properly!'

'Go, be careful.'

A few days later, Wang Zeze returned. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he hurried to Wang Shan, face showing some excitement: 'Clan Leader! I have news!'

Wang Shan was feeding those few spirit blood branches; hearing this, his hand paused, he turned around. 'How so?'

Wang Zeze took out Qian Sihai's contact token from his pocket and handed it to Wang Shan. 'Manager Qian's reply—he said, he said this symbol…… is related to an ancient legend near Heishi Town!'

Wang Shan took the token, extending his spiritual sense into it.

Qian Sihai's information was very detailed, his tone also carrying a hint of surprise.

He said that after receiving Wang Zeze's commission, he had a few guild members who specialized in gathering rural legends and old secrets look into it, and unexpectedly they actually found something. That symbol is indeed related to an ancient legend circulating about a place called Hundred Beast Valley near Heishi Town.

The legend says that Hundred Beast Valley, long ago, was the mountain gate location of an exceptionally powerful Beast Taming Sect from antiquity.

The legend doesn't mention what that sect was called, or perhaps the name has been lost. Anyway, for some unknown reason, the sect vanished overnight, its mountain gate fell into ruin, and gradually it became today's Hundred Beast Valley.

Inside the valley, demonic beasts run rampant, making it extremely dangerous, yet some say that the valley might hide the inheritance or treasures of that ancient sect.

What's more, the legend mentions that the emblem of that ancient Beast Taming Sect is very similar to the symbol Wang Shan provided!

After reading the message, Wang Shan was completely stunned. Symbol…… Hundred Beast Valley…… ancient Beast Taming Sect…… Ten Thousand Beast Method……

His mind instantly went into an uproar.

Ten Thousand Beast Method! Wan family! That symbol! Hundred Beast Valley! Ancient Beast Taming Sect!

Could it be…… that the Wan family's Ten Thousand Beast Method was actually derived from the ruins of that fallen ancient sect? Is the Wan family perhaps the remnant force or inheritor of that ancient sect?

This…… this is too much of a coincidence, right?!

Wang Shan's fingers gripped the token, unconsciously tightening his hold. He had always felt that the Wan family's Ten Thousand Beast Method had an eerie vibe; now it seemed it might truly be related to some ancient evil sect. And this Hundred Beast Valley was very likely their lair, or at least the origin of their inheritance!

If we could locate that sect's ruins, could we find a more complete Ten Thousand Beast Method? Or…… more crucially, is it possible to find a way to counter the Ten Thousand Beast Method? Even, any clues related to Foundation Establishment?

After all, it's an ancient sect; no matter how desolate, there must be something left behind, right?

However, Qian Sihai's information also mentioned the danger of Hundred Beast Valley. He said that place is notorious as a perilous spot near Heishi Town; of the adventurers who enter, nine out of ten never return. The demonic beasts inside are extremely formidable, with rumors even of second-tier or stronger demonic beasts holding sway. Even if one at the ninth layer of Body Refining entered, they'd still have to be extremely careful—one slip could cost their life.

Second-tier demonic beasts…… that's comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Wang Shan sat on the blue stone, feeling as if a huge rock weighed on his heart. Wan Tianjue, that old dog, was like a blade hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment. And this Hundred Beast Valley was like a massive whirlpool—inside might lie a sliver of hope, or it could swallow him whole, leaving no remains.

To go in, or not to go in?

Going in carries huge risk—one could die at any moment. But not going in, Wan Tianjue will sooner or later come after them, and then the Wang family will have no way out either.

Perhaps…… this Hundred Beast Valley is the sole means to break the situation?

He recalled Wan Tianjue, and the sorry state of being hunted by the Wan family. A spirit of refusing to yield surged up: danger is danger, but fortune favors the bold! If he could find a way to counter the Wan family in Hundred Beast Valley, or an opportunity to skyrocket his own strength, what's that bit of risk?

Moreover, Wan Tianjue is injured and currently feeling his way over here. Would he also know of the existence of Hundred Beast Valley? Would he likewise have the same idea, intending to go there to seek opportunity or heal his wounds?

If Wan Tianjue also went to Hundred Beast Valley……

Wang Shan's eyes flickered, his mind racing with calculations. This venture seems to be getting murkier and murkier. But murky waters are where you can fish!

He took a deep breath, stowed the token away. It seems time to properly plan the Hundred Beast Valley affair. But he must not act rashly; he needs to first clarify the situation inside before making any plans.

He rose to his feet, gazing at the clansmen in the courtyard. For them, this perilous trip is worth the risk!