"You’re leaving so soon?"
Yan Baizhe was sowhat surprised upon hearing that Qi Xiu was departing. After all, his old friend had arrived less than two months ago, and he had wanted to show him the various charms of Northwestern Dalang.
"Yes, my purpose in coming to Northwestern Dalang was to deal with a certain matter, and now that ti is approaching, I must go."
With a smile, he took out an iron box from the Golden Cry Jade Beads. The box was engraved with various Thunder Magic patterns and contained the Thunder Magic Talisman Scripts that Qi Xiu had previously gathered, which he was now presenting to Yan Baizhe.
"I’ve more or less figured out those Outer-Domain Evil Demons causing trouble and have dealt with those that could be captured or killed. Keep these Thunder Talismans; they may be useful to you soday."
The demonic disaster within the Wolf Saint Tribe wasn’t complicated. It mainly consisted of minor demons that weren’t a significant threat. In the presence of a natural demon-suppressing Divine Puppet like the Yellow Turban Strongman, they had no place to hide and were thoroughly captured in just three to five days. However, if the correct thod to revive the Wolf Saint Totem was not found, Outer-Domain Evil Demons would continue to sneak in ceaselessly. Qi Xiu was only able to alleviate the demonic affliction temporarily. He was powerless regarding the matter of the Wolf Saint Totem. The Thunder Talismans he left were ant to give Yan Baizhe and the others a thod to deal with the Outer-Domain Evil Demons, providing them sufficient ti to recover their true lineage.
"I won’t say much in the way of thanks. Between us brothers, if you need anything in the future, Yan is willing to go through fire and water for you, Qi Xiu!"
Standing up, Yan Baizhe spoke with utter seriousness. The simplicity and goodness of the n of Northwestern Dalang were fully exemplified at this mont.
"Alright. If I ever need help in the future, I will surely seek you out first."
With a faint smile, Qi Xiu stood up, ready to leave. At this mont, Yan Baizhe’s earthen tower received an unexpected visitor—soone neither he nor Qi Xiu had anticipated.
"Father?"
Staring in astonishnt at his suddenly appearing father, Yan Baizhe’s mind couldn’t quite grasp the situation.
"Step outside for a mont. I have sothing to discuss with your friend here."
Leaning on a wooden cane, Yan Xiong slowly entered the building, tilting his chin slightly to signal Yan Baizhe to leave for a while.
"Yes."
Although puzzled by his father’s sudden arrival, Yan Baizhe nodded in response. After glancing at Qi Xiu, he stepped out of the earthen house.
"Young friend, you have been here for many days, and I have not had the opportunity to et with you properly. Matters have been complicated, and I have been injured and weakened. I hope you don’t take offense."
Yan Xiong spoke gently, like a friendly elderly neighbor, smiling as he conversed with Qi Xiu.
"Uncle, you are too kind. Properly speaking, I should have taken the initiative to visit. But Lao Yan inford of your situation, and I’m aware of your health, so I chose not to intrude rashly."
Looking at Yan Xiong before him, Qi Xiu clasped his hands, his expression revealing a trace of sympathy.
As the chief of the Wolf Saint Tribe, Yan Xiong was indeed a true Dao Body Realm Leader. However, after two hundred years of continuous battles and facing various sieges and wars of attrition, he had suffered one injury after another. Over ti, his health had deteriorated severely. Indeed, Qi Xiu had encountered no fewer than a hundred Dao Experts from various sects and families, but he had never seen a Dao Body Realm Leader as weakened as Yan Xiong. With all internal organs damaged, the light in his life palace dimd, and his vital energies murky and erratic—this is the sign of a man nearing his end...
Qi Xiu was about to speak out of concern after noticing the depth of Yan Xiong’s injuries, but Yan Xiong preempted him.
"You have co to Northwestern Dalang... for the Valley of Deceased Gods, I presu?"
His gaze shifted slightly. Staring at the old tribe chief before him, Qi Xiu neither confird nor denied the statent. The Valley of Deceased Gods had existed for many years, and it was natural for mbers of the Fifty-Five Tribes of Dalang, who had always lived on this land, to hear bits and pieces about it.
Seeing that Qi Xiu didn’t respond, Yan Xiong smiled and gestured for him to sit down in the main hall.
"You needn’t worry. As far back as I can rember, every few hundred years, so inconceivably powerful cultivators from other provinces co to Northwestern Dalang. These cultivators arrive suddenly and leave silently. No one knows exactly what they co for, and given their imnse strength, no one dares to inquire."
"Then how do you know about the Valley of Deceased Gods, Uncle?"
Qi Xiu understood that Yan Xiong must have had so intentions in telling him all this. He pondered for a mont and then continued the conversation.
"It’s rather shaful to say... Baizhe’s Grandfather went to the Valley of Deceased Gods with a cultivator from another province, only to perish inside. His death caused our Wolf Saint Tribe’s lineage to crumble and fall into decline."
Hearing this, Qi Xiu’s eyebrows arched slightly.
"But as far as I know, entering the Valley of Deceased Gods requires special credentials. Inviting others to accompany oneself would likely only allow them to reach the valley’s entrance."
"Of course. But Baizhe’s Grandfather hit it off with that out-of-province cultivator. In the end, it cost a fortune to buy the credentials to enter the Valley of Deceased Gods from him."
Yan Xiong provided a reasonable explanation with a smile.
"Oh?"
A hint of surprise flickered across Qi Xiu’s face. He smiled, leaned forward slightly, and fixed his gaze on Yan Xiong’s dimming eyes.
"So it was all persuasion, and no coercion?"
"Uh, hehehe..."
Finding himself sowhat unnerved by Qi Xiu’s sharp, clear eyes, Yan Xiong chuckled dryly and fell silent.
"I suspect there was coercion. Otherwise, the old chief would not have t his end in the Valley of Deceased Gods."
"It’s hard for us to know the details of the past. Today, however, I am here to ask a favor on behalf of our Wolf Saint Tribe."
With a solemn expression, Yan Xiong straightened his weakened body.
"I request that you keep an eye out in the Valley of Deceased Gods and help our Wolf Saint Tribe recover our lost inheritance."
Upon hearing Yan Xiong state the true purpose of his sudden visit, Qi Xiu’s gaze beca deep, his eyes thoughtfully shifting back and forth.
"As long as you can help our Wolf Saint Tribe reclaim our heritage, we are willing to follow your lead and beco a subsidiary of the Shenxiao Sect in the future!"
"Are you so sure I can help you reclaim your heritage?"
"I trust Yan Baizhe, and I trust you as well."
Facing Qi Xiu’s scrutinizing gaze, Yan Xiong slowly nodded.
Silence. A long silence.
Faced with Qi Xiu’s silent response, Yan Xiong’s mind whirled with thoughts. He had originally thought that, with my status as a Dao Body Realm Leader deigning to visit, this young man would at least show so courtesy. But who would have thought his ntal fortitude and sharp insight would far exceed my expectations? With just a few words, he guessed the secrets of the past. Thus, what originally seed like a sure thing has beco shrouded in uncertainty.
"Young friend, I..."
"I will consider keeping an eye out for you regarding this matter."
Hearing Qi Xiu agree, Yan Xiong’s face imdiately lit up with joy.
"Then I shall thank you on behalf of all the mbers of the Wolf Saint Tribe—"
"Eh, don’t be in a hurry to thank . I only said I’ll consider keeping an eye out for you. You should be aware of what kind of place the Valley of Deceased Gods is. Let alone a Bloodstain like , even a Dao Body Realm Leader who enters could die just like that. I can only keep a general lookout for you within an absolutely safe scope, so don’t get your hopes up too high."
Having made his position clear upfront, Qi Xiu stood up, ready to leave. He understood Yan Xiong’s predicant as the tribal chief and also recognized the desires of that Grandfather. However, there were things he felt contradicted his core principles, so naturally, he didn’t want to get too entangled.
"Young friend, wait a mont."
Calling out to stop Qi Xiu, Yan Xiong took out a secret manual stained with mottled blood.
"This was left by that out-of-province cultivator back then. It contains so secrets about the Valley of Deceased Gods that might be of use to you."
Yan Xiong handed the bloodstained secret manual to Qi Xiu. He opened his mouth, and after hesitating for a while, spoke in a subdued voice, "Indeed, my Wolf Saint Tribe was at fault back then. Since the Grandfather passed away, our tribe has been secretly protecting and aiding his descendants. Even during our tribe’s hardest tis, we never skimped on our efforts. Two hundred years have passed, and in these two hundred years, there hasn’t been a day of peace for the Wolf Saint Tribe. Perhaps that has atoned for so of the wrongs. Young friend, for Yan Baizhe’s sake, please save our Wolf Saint Tribe."
Looking down at Yan Xiong, whose expression was one of somber exhaustion, Qi Xiu accepted the secret manual stained with mottled blood.
"A house built on a crooked foundation will eventually collapse, no matter how many tis it’s rebuilt. So things, if not torn down and started anew, won’t lead to good outcos. Uncle, please take care."
Listening to the sound of Qi Xiu’s fading footsteps, Yan Xiong’s once straight back hunched over once more.
I understand. For the sake of the Wolf Saint Tribe, I know what to do...
His murmuring sighs echoed in the hall. As he slowly looked up at the departing figure of the young Daoist, Yan Xiong’s gaze gradually grew firm.
「...」
"What did Father say to you?"
As they walked down the path leading away, Yan Baizhe asked curiously.
"Nothing much—just that I should visit you more often if I have ti."
Qi Xiu made up an excuse, not revealing the truth to his old friend. Yan Xiong’s previous conversation with , though humble and sincere in tone, showed no hint of regret in his words. It conveyed more of an idea that he felt he had suffered for two hundred years and therefore should be forgiven. That was why I wasn’t forthright about helping the Wolf Saint Tribe reclaim their heritage.
Although murder and robbery are common in the Cultivation Realm, it still depends on the person. I don’t consider myself a gentleman who strictly adheres to utmost goodness and propriety, but I do have my own moral compass. What the Wolf Saint Tribe did was contrary to my principles, so naturally, I’m unwilling to help.
When the root is rotten, it must be completely removed and a fresh, healthy seed planted for new growth. The hints I gave Yan Xiong were more than enough. Whether he understands depends on whether he wants to. If he truly wants the Wolf Saint Tribe to cleanse its past filth and reignite its spark of life, he will know what to do.
"I hope that when I next co, I will see a different you."
Giving Yan Baizhe an encouraging look, the Golden Cry Jade Beads on Qi Xiu’s wrist suddenly began to heat up. The golden jade ball inside was lting, revealing the segnt of a divine being’s finger bone within. A faint light flew out from it, pointing in a specific direction.
The Valley of Deceased Gods!
It had opened.
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