"Can you expect a man who has been bedridden for decades, possessing great skills yet resigned to a slow death, to appear as ordinary as the rest?"

Monk Zheng Yan's words were laced with a hint of schadenfreude. "Tu Du is an old man, and thus harbors a deep resentment towards the young, especially lively youngsters like Little Miss Shi with their attractive appearances and boundless energy. They drive him to envy and madness, and he won't rest until he has ruined them. I'm surprised he didn't strike her down just now."

Yu Ci cast him a sidelong glance but didn't respond. The monk chuckled, "Speaking of which, you're also quite handsome, and your cultivation level is even more exquisite. You're exactly the type that old man despises. You should be careful!"

His words seemed caring, but they sounded more like he was anticipating a head-on collision, a fight to the death.

The monk's personality was truly unlikeable! However, this was indeed useful information.

Yu Ci pondered for a moment, then laughed, "I am a stranger here, unfamiliar with Sheer Cliff City. Could Master Zheng Yan enlighten me about this Old Monster Tu Du and his formidable abilities?"

Zheng Yan's dim eyes glowed faintly, giving off a cold and ruthless impression. But Yu Ci felt that, having seen some hidden details in the Divine Bronze Mirror, this man's inner emotions were incredibly rich, vastly different from his outward appearance.

The monk stared at Yu Ci for a while, then smirked, "If I were you, I'd run as far as I could. Why all this chatter?"

"Knowing the enemy and oneself will make escaping easier."

Yu Ci smiled, but his words were filled with absolute seriousness. Monk Zheng Yan felt it, was slightly puzzled, but quickly laughed it off, hiding his emotions:

"There's no harm in talking. Making friends is always a good thing. I just wonder if my goodwill will earn me a share of the Thousands Spirits Sect's spoils?"

His words were straightforward, fitting of a Pure Water Sect disciple.

However, even when Yu Ci didn't respond directly, Monk Zheng Yan didn't stop talking. He enthusiastically shared various tales about Tu Du, even expanding on the changes in Sheer Cliff City over the past decades.

Their conversation continued until nightfall, only ending when the Thousands Spirits Sect broke camp and left.

Then, Monk Zheng Yan dusted off his robe, didn't even say goodbye, and turned to leave.

Watching the monk's retreating figure, Yu Ci pondered for a long time. Through their interaction, he realized that despite this man's resemblance to the detestable Viper Monk he had slain, his poisonous tongue, and questionable morals, he had an inherent carefree nature, a lack of ambition, and little regard for face or dignity, making him seem slippery.

That the Pure Water Sect had such a disciple was indeed interesting.

However, Yu Ci hadn't forgotten the previous conversation between the monk and Xuan Yin Sect's Dharma Transmission Immortal Master Ming Lan. Regardless of the information revealed in their conversation, their strange shift in attitude had been an eye-opener for him.

At the inception of their changing attitudes, Yu Ci noticed Zheng Yan's flesh body radiate with an intensely fluctuating Yin Spirit. Its brilliance amplified in the blink of an eye, illuminating the surroundings with a dazzling glow that subtly vibrated. If translated into Cultivation Level, Zheng Yan's strength had increased at least four or fivefold in that instant.

From the situation at that time, Yu Ci was certain that the one conversing with Ming Lan was no longer Zheng Yan, but rather Monk Yi Xin of the Pure Water Sect, a formidable figure ranked among the top five in Sheer Cliff City, whose whereabouts were unknown at the time.

Indeed, the world was teeming with various Secret Methods. Yu Ci had never even considered the possibility of a bizarre method that could allow one to possess another's body simply through conversation.

Yet, more peculiar than the method was the relationship between the Pure Water Sect and the Xuan Yin Sect.

As far as Yu Ci knew, the Pure Water Sect, under the guise of Buddhist Practice, was a haven for corruption. From Monk Yi Xin down, it was hard to find a single virtuous person. Due to the situation in Sheer Cliff City, it was roughly aligned with the Thousands Spirits Sect, opposing the White Sun Mansion.

The Xuan Yin Sect, on the other hand, was rumored to be a branch of a large sect in the East. It had just moved to Sheer Cliff City ten years ago, maintaining a neutral stance and preaching among the common people, hardly involving itself in the affairs of the city. Its recent venture into the Sky Rift Valley in search of treasure was one of its rare active engagements in the past decade.

These two distinct Sects, both home to influential figures, were performing a farcical play of decree acceptance in the wilderness. Wasn't it absurd?

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

This was completely contrary to common sense.

Considering the numerous references Ming Lan made to Tu Du and the so-called "True Form Immortal Cocoon" in the Sky Rift Valley, the implications that seeped through her words sent chills down Yu Ci's spine. It seemed he had stumbled upon a grand plan... a plan soon to be forcefully interrupted by a more powerful force.

However, he also had a minor plan slowly taking shape in his mind.

************

A person's name casts a long shadow.

The most commonplace sayings often hold the most truth. The once fervent treasure hunt of the Thousands Spirits Sect, Pure Water Sect, and Xuan Yin Sect disappeared without a trace within an hour of Tu Du's arrival. The Thousands Spirits Sect had even packed up to return to their sect. Only the cultivators of the White Sun Mansion remained motivated, tirelessly exploring the Sky Rift Valley each day in search of the unknown treasure. Yet, their group, numbering in the dozens, was like ants in the boundless Sky Rift Valley. Their efforts were akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

Overall, a sudden tranquility descended upon the vicinity of Sky Rift Valley, a silence so profound it was enough to send chills down one's spine.

Yu Ci, a figure who had been at the center of the valley's turmoil in recent days, had vanished, as if frightened by Tu Du's reputation. After gaining the upper hand, he seemed to have made a swift exit.

Many held this belief, including the cultivators from the Thousands Spirits Sect who were tasked with the delivery and receipt of the "Ghost-Face Flower". They were all prepared for their efforts to end in vain.

However, when the "Ghost-Face Flower" was delivered to the original base of the Thousands Spirits Sect as planned, Yu Ci emerged from the shadows like a specter under the cover of night. He took the medicinal herb from the hands of the escorting cultivators with impeccable timing, leaving two figures of some standing within the Thousands Spirits Sect dumbstruck.

This was the first time Yu Ci had shown himself in two days, and he seemed to have no intention of hiding again for the time being.

Bidding farewell to the cultivators of the Thousands Spirits Sect, Yu Ci strolled through the forest, opening the box that held the Ghost-Face Flower. Just as Cheng Rong had previously mentioned, there were two Ghost-Face Flowers in the box. The deep purple petals and leaves together formed the shape of a ghost's face, looking eerily identical to the description on the Jade Slip.

Both medicinal plants had been processed to maintain their medicinal properties for a long time, saving Yu Ci some effort. After a brief inspection, Yu Ci put away the herbs and quickened his pace.

However, before he could get far, a whistle echoed from the surrounding forest: "Yu Ci, this day next year will be the anniversary of your death!"

The voice was unmistakably Huang Tai's. Accompanying his voice, shadows darted out from the forest continuously. Although they were still at a distance, figures appeared from all directions, leaving one to wonder how many were lying in ambush.

Yet, Yu Ci did not hesitate. The moment the whistle sounded, he sprinted towards the west, in the direction of Sky Rift Valley.

He had barely covered half a mile when figures sprang out from the front, a trio from the White Sun Mansion's personal guards. In the fleeting glimpse he caught in the darkness, Yu Ci saw that although the guards' faces were expressionless, their swordplay was undoubtedly imbued with a do-or-die determination.

After numerous encounters, who wouldn't be aware of Yu Ci's formidable swordsmanship that could strike terror into the hearts of his opponents? To face him head-on in a life-or-death battle was to court an eighty percent chance of death, even for the well-trained personal guards of the Mansion Master when they formed a battle formation.

However, Yu Ci did not draw his sword, instead, he casually tossed a Great Sun Talisman. Instantly, a brilliant light erupted, its lethal force in the darkness was astonishing.

The three personal guards of the Mansion Master widened their eyes, wary of Yu Ci's terrifying swordsmanship. Who would have expected such an outcome? Their reaction was even worse than that of the Viper Monk they had encountered earlier. They all screamed in agony, their eyes damaged, and their desperate swordsmanship crumbled like a collapsing wall.

Only then did Yu Ci charge forward with his sword, effortlessly cutting through the three personal guards. He did not need to use his Foggy Sword Divine. The Red Glow flickered slightly, and the three personal guards were left with blood spurting from their throats. They died swiftly and cleanly, their deaths a bitter pill to swallow.

"To fight for life, yet to be grounded in despair, how can one not die?"

As a man who gambles with his life, Yu Ci had every right to disdain the three personal guards. Of course, what he disdained even more were the tactics of Huang Tai.

In fact, Huang Tai's calculations for the day were somewhat commendable. First, he got information from the undercover of Thousands Spirits Sect and seized the opportunity of Yu Ci coming to receive the "Ghost-Face Flower". He arranged for ambushes on the periphery; he also noticed that Yu Ci's Foggy Sword Divine, though fierce, was just a three-strike killing move. He dispersed the ambushers, using a small battle formation to trouble Yu Ci, forcing him to use his killing move, gradually depleting his energy, and finally capturing him in one fell swoop.

This plan wasn't a bad one, but Huang Tai was not cut out to be a leader. He ignored, or simply didn't care, that after several days of continuous blunders, his prestige and status in the eyes of his subordinates had been steadily declining. He used his subordinates' lives as pawns, just to exhaust Yu Ci's Foggy Sword Divine.

In his eyes, this strategy was very cost-effective, but how did his subordinates see it?

Huang Tai was unaware of Yu Ci's disdain. At this moment, he was five miles away, leading his most elite group of subordinates, waiting on Yu Ci's inevitable path.

He had also placed a heavy bet, convinced that Yu Ci would not give up the greatest advantage of being familiar with the terrain of Sky Rift Valley, and focused entirely on the west. This operation was his last chance to regain his position in Elder Tu's heart, and thus, he could not afford to fail.

In the relatively quiet night forest, each shout or scream was exceptionally clear. Although they were not continuous, it was clear that the target was heading this way. Through these sounds and the pre-designed Method of Communication, Huang Tai led his subordinates slowly through the forest, constantly adjusting their interception points, like a group of starving beasts waiting for their prey to approach, ready to tear it to shreds!

But at this moment, a fog rose!

************

Suddenly, I have a question, am I writing in the style of a mortal? I don't know the answer, but that won't stop me from asking for clicks, bookmarks!

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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e