Chapter 85: Into the Tiger

The Wang Family's small courtyard was heavy with tension.

Wang Shan relayed the information that Qian Sihai had brought about the Hundred Beast Valley and the mysterious symbols, along with his own conjectures, in painstaking detail to Wang Boyan, Wang Zhize, Wang Zhitao and several other core clan members.

"... The Wan family's Ten Thousand Beast Method likely originates from the Ancient Beast Taming Sect within this Hundred Beast Valley. There, there may be a complete set of techniques, methods of restraint, and even clues concerning Foundation Establishment."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Of course, it is extremely dangerous inside. Qian Sihai said that not only do demonic beasts run rampant in the valley, but there may even be second‑rank demonic beasts. Moreover, that old dog Wan Tianjue, once his injuries improve and he has nowhere to go, might very well risk entering the Hundred Beast Valley to seek an opportunity for healing."

"Second‑rank demonic beasts?" Wang Boyan inhaled a cold gasp, worry evident. "Clan Leader, the risk is too great. If…"

"Elder brother, I understand," Wang Shan said calmly. "But with Wan Tianjue's blade hanging over our heads, we have no retreat. Heishi Town is only a temporary haven, not a long‑term solution. This Hundred Beast Valley may be the Wang Family's only chance to break the deadlock."

Wang Zhitao, hot‑blooded, grew excited at the words: "Clan Leader, let's do it! Not scared at all! If Wan Tianjue is also there, we can settle old and new grudges together!"

Wang Shan glared at him: "Reckless! If we truly face Wan Tianjue, in our current state, who could block a single strike from him?" He turned to Wang Zhize: "What's your opinion?"

Wang Zhize pondered briefly: "The Clan Leader's words are sound. We truly need a swift way to boost our strength and acquire more resources. Although the Mercenary Guild can offer assistance, it remains an external force with limited demands. This Hundred Beast Valley does indeed sound perilous, yet it also carries great opportunity." His gaze was firm. "I agree with the Clan Leader's decision; the Wang Family should take a gamble now."

Wang Fang and Wang Yong also nodded in succession. Though young and perhaps less keenly aware of future perils than the elders, their trust in Wang Shan and their yearning for a powerful clan made them willing to follow.

Seeing the core clan members' opinions unified, Wang Shan felt a slight relief. He opened the system interface, gazing at the remaining 1,100 Spirit Plant Points, and frowned faintly. This trip to the Hundred Beast Valley required thorough preparation.

"System, purchase one Second‑rank Environment Scan Talisman, fifteen Second‑rank Quelling Pills, five Second‑rank Healing Pills, and five Second‑rank Breath‑Restoring Pills."

Second‑rank Environment Scan Talisman: 800 Spirit Plant Points. Scans for energy fluctuations of second rank and below within a five‑li radius, preliminarily identifying demonic beast grades and trap seals.

Second‑rank Quelling Pill: 15 Spirit Plant Points each. Can resist miasma erosion below second‑rank concentration for twelve hours.

Second‑rank Healing Pill: 20 Spirit Plant Points each. Has significant healing effect on internal and external injuries of Body Refining practitioners.

Second‑rank Breath‑Restoring Pill: 20 Spirit Plant Points each. Rapidly restores Spiritual Power for Body Refining practitioners.

A series of purchase commands went through, and the Spirit Plant Point numbers on the system's Light Screen dwindled rapidly.

"Second‑rank Environment Scan Talisman purchase successful, consuming 800 points."

"Fifteen Second‑rank Quelling Pills purchase successful, consuming 225 points."

In the blink of an eye, the 1,100 Spirit Plant Points were reduced to a pitiful 75. Wang Shan's mouth twitched; this system truly was a gold‑swallowing beast—Spirit Plant Points were never enough. Yet, knowing these items could save lives at a crucial moment, he felt it was worth it.

"This expedition to the Hundred Beast Valley is no small matter and should not involve the entire clan," Wang Shan said, looking at everyone. "I decide that I will lead the team, with Zhize, Zhitao, Wang Yong, Wang Fang, plus six clan members whose cultivation is above Body Refining Sixth Layer and who are adept at tracking or have special skills, making eleven in total for the expedition. The remaining clan members, led by Elder brother, will stay at the Heishi Town courtyard, continue to keep a low profile, maintain the usual trade of pills and talismans, keep in contact with the Mercenary Guild, and gather information."

Wang Boyan solemnly nodded: "Clan Leader, rest assured, I'm here for the family."

Wang Shan then gave detailed instructions: "During the stay, prioritize safety. If sudden situations arise, and the Shi or Li families experience any changes, do not resist forcefully. Three concealed evacuation tunnels have been left in the courtyard, leading respectively to hidden dwellings east and south of the town, and to an abandoned mine outside the town; I will give the map and activation method to Elder brother. Should danger become critical, evacuate in batches immediately and use the preset signal to request aid from the Mercenary Guild." He handed some pills and a stack of talismans to Wang Boyan: "These pills and talismans are sufficient for ordinary circumstances."

With everything arranged, Wang Shan solemnly handed the fragment of the Ten Thousand Beast Method and the Wan family's token to Wang Zhize. "Zhize, keep these two items close to you. I have a feeling they are intricately linked to the Hundred Beast Valley and that Ancient Beast Taming Sect. Perhaps within the valley we can find clues that correspond to them."

Wang Zhize carefully took them, tucking them into his chest: "Clan Leader, rest assured, I will guard them properly."

Three days later, deep into the night, the moon was dark and the wind high.

Wang Shan led the ten selected clan members, silently departing from the Wang Family's courtyard. His Spiritual Sense flickered, activating the system's built‑in simple scanning function, like an invisible eye probing every movement within Heishi Town. Several scattered cultivator informants secretly watching the courtyard were deftly evaded. The group moved like ghosts through the pitch‑black streets, exited Heishi Town smoothly, and raced eastward toward the rolling depths of the Man Yun Mountain Range—the direction of the Hundred Beast Valley.

After a night of forced marching, when the horizon turned a pale fish‑belly white, a massive canyon silhouette loomed before them. At the gorge's mouth, dark‑green miasma churned like thick fog, completely shrouding everything inside, with only a few low, suppressed beast roars faintly echoing from its depths, exuding a primitive ferocity and cruelty. The air was thick with a damp, putrid smell that made one gag.

"This is the Hundred Beast Valley…" Wang Zhitao swallowed, his initial excitement dampened by the scene. "It looks even more sinister than Manager Qian described."

Wang Shan's expression grew solemn as he drew a pale‑yellow talisman from his chest—the Second‑rank Environment Scan Talisman he had spent 800 Spirit Plant Points on. Infused with Spiritual Power, the talisman ignited without flame, turning into a faint light that sank into the miasma ahead.

A moment later, system feedback appeared in Wang Shan's mind: 【Scan complete. Within a three‑li radius of the gorge entrance, seventeen signs of late‑stage first‑rank demonic beast activity, five signs of peak first‑rank demonic beast activity, and three suspected early‑stage second‑rank demonic beast auras were detected. No obvious trap seals found. Warning: Unknown energy interference present in the area; the specific target (Wan Tianjue) aura is fuzzy, unable to be precisely located, possibly shielded or in a special state.】

"Sss…" Wang Shan inhaled silently. Just at the gorge mouth there were already so many powerful demonic beasts, even suspected second‑rank ones. What weighed heavier on his mind was that Wan Tianjue's trail was indistinct. Was it blocked by the Hundred Beast Valley's unique environment, or had that old fox employed some special means?

He gave the group a brief summary of the scan results, omitting the part about Wan Tianjue. Even so, hearing of three suspected second‑rank demonic beast auras made everyone's complexion grow even gloomier.

"All take the Second‑rank Quelling Pills," Wang Shan said, first pulling out a dark‑green pill and swallowing it; a wave of coolness instantly spread through his limbs and bones, shielding him from the miasma's foul stench. "Remember, once inside the valley, obey my commands and do not act on your own. The miasma will suppress Spiritual Sense and impair vision; stay on high alert."

The others obeyed, swallowing the pills, and Wang Shan waved his hand: "Enter!"

He stepped forward first, treading into the rolling miasma. Wang Zhize and the others followed closely, gripping their weapons tightly.

The dense miasma slammed into them; even after taking the Second‑rank Quelling Pills, their vision remained obstructed, visibility under ten meters, and Spiritual Sense compressed to a tiny range. The surroundings were eerily quiet, only the faint sounds of feet on the slick ground and their own slightly heavy breathing. This unknown oppressive feeling tightened everyone's nerves.

"Awooo—!"

Just a hundred meters into the valley, from the dense miasma ahead, several black silhouettes suddenly darted out at astonishing speed!

"Careful!" Wang Shan barked low. The few First‑rank Upper‑Grade Fireball Talismans already latched in his hand instantly ignited, sending three scorching fireballs hurling toward the shadows.

"Pupupu!"

The fireballs struck precisely, illuminating the attackers. They turned out to be seven or eight monstrous wolves, each nearly twice the size of a normal mountain wolf! Their bodies were jet‑black, eyes flashing with a faint green glow, and they exuded a subtle putrid odor. The wolves hit by the fireballs let out a painful howl, their fur scorched black but not fatally wounded. Strangely, a thin veil of black vapor seemed to cling to their claws and fangs; the rocks they had previously slashed emitted a sizzling, corrosive sound.

"They're mutated Shadow Wolves! Their attacks are corrosive! Everyone, watch your defenses!" Wang Zhize shouted, his long sword trembling as he lunged forward.

The Mercenary Guild's intel only mentioned ordinary first‑rank demonic beasts like the Phantom Cat within the valley; it never spoke of such mutated, corrosive Shadow Wolves.

Wang Shan felt a chill in his heart; the demonic beasts within the Hundred Beast Valley were far more troublesome and bizarre than the outside world's rumors suggested!