297: Chapter 296 Flame Valley

The woman looked to be in her early twenties, with a clear and beautiful face, her features as if drawn in a painting. Her long, jet-black hair was tied up with a crimson hairpin, with a few strands hanging by her ears, fluttering gently in the wind. She wore a long red dress with intricate golden flame patterns embroidered on the hem, which shimmered slightly in the twilight like real jumping flames. A crimson longsword hung at her waist, its scabbard engraved with the ancient character for "Flame," its strokes sharp as a knife, each one containing an indescribable True Intent of fire.

Her cultivation was at the Early Stage of the Dragon Fetus Realm.

The woman pulled on the reins, and the steed stopped in front of Jiang Hanzhou, kicking up a cloud of crimson dust. Her gaze swept over the corpses and the broken carriage on the ground, a cold light flashing in her eyes before landing on Lin Xiaohuo.

"Xiaohuo, are you alright?" Her voice was crisp but carried a hint of anxiety.

Lin Xiaohuo hurriedly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and cupped his hands, saying, "Young Valley Master, this Disciple was incompetent and failed to protect the merchant caravan. I ask for the Young Valley Master's punishment. Fortunately, this Senior stepped in to save us, allowing this Disciple to preserve the fire spirit crystal." He held up the crimson brocade box in his arms with both hands and offered it to the woman.

Young Valley Master took the brocade box, opened it to check, and confirmed that the fire spirit crystal inside was intact before handing it to the Disciple behind her. She dismounted, walked up to Jiang Hanzhou, and sized him up. Her gaze lingered on the tiger soul saber at his waist for a moment before she clasped her hands in a respectful salute.

"I am Young Valley Master, the Young Valley Master of Yanhuo Valley. Thank you, Senior, for saving our valley's Disciple. May I ask for Senior's honorable name?"

Jiang Hanzhou returned the salute, "Jiang Hanzhou, a Loose Cultivator. I've come to the Southern Territory to find a certain medicinal ingredient and happened to pass by. It was just a small effort; the Young Valley Master need not be so polite."

A flash of surprise crossed Young Valley Master's eyes. She sensed the fluctuations of spiritual energy within Jiang Hanzhou; they were deep and thick, far exceeding the level of the Early Stage of the Dragon Fetus Realm. Moreover, she sensed a sharp Saber Intent from that saber—a sharp edge that could only be tempered through countless life-and-death battles.

"Is Senior Jiang heading to Yanhuo Valley?" Young Valley Master asked. "The Southern Territory has been unstable lately. People from the Liehuo Alliance are active everywhere, and a Loose Cultivator traveling alone can easily be targeted. If Senior doesn't mind, why not return to Yanhuo Valley with us? We have top-quality guest rooms and Medicinal Pills. Senior can rest there for a few days before looking for the herbs; it won't be too late."

Jiang Hanzhou thought for a moment and nodded, "Then I shall trouble the Young Valley Master."

Young Valley Master smiled, turned around, and waved to the group, "Prepare a horse for Senior Jiang."

A Disciple led over a fiery-red steed with a soft blanket spread over the saddle. Jiang Hanzhou flipped onto the horse and carried the tiger soul saber on his back. Lin Xiaohuo was also helped onto a horse. A Disciple handed him a clean outer robe, and after changing out of his blood-soaked, tattered robe, he looked much more energetic.

Young Valley Master mounted her horse and pulled the reins. The steed turned around and galloped toward Yanhuo Valley in the south. Over a dozen horses followed behind, their hoofbeats echoing on the crimson earth, kicking up clouds of dust.

Sandwiched in the middle of the horse party, Jiang Hanzhou looked at the faint outlines of volcanoes in the twilight ahead, silently calculating in his mind.

Yanhuo Valley was here.

The core of the teleportation formation was deep within the valley.

And the Valley Master, Li Tianxing, was a pawn of the Dragon Slaying True Person, a hidden agent sent by Wei Wuya to guard the formation core in the Southern Territory.

He needed to find the exact location of the formation core without exposing his identity and then find a way to take it. If Li Tianxing had already received word from Wei Wuya, then Yanhuo Valley might already have set an inescapable trap.

He had no way back; he could only move forward.

The steeds galloped across the crimson earth, the dust they kicked up looking like a dark red dragon in the twilight, winding toward the south. Ahead, the outline of Yanhuo Valley became clearer, with two massive volcanic rock statues visible at the entrance. The statues held torches that burned in the twilight, their flames reaching toward the sky.

When the group arrived at Yanhuo Valley, it was already dusk.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the crimson rock walls a dark red, like solidified lava. The entire valley was surrounded by towering rock walls covered in fine cracks, through which a dark red glow could be seen flowing—the pulse of the earth fire spiritual vein. The two massive volcanic rock statues at the valley entrance were about five zhang tall, holding torches that burned in the twilight, illuminating the entrance as if it were day.

Stepping into the valley, a wave of heat hit them. Earth fire surged within the valley, with steam-emitting cracks visible everywhere on the ground. Occasionally, a flame would shoot out from a crack and burst in the air into fine sparks. The air was thick with the smell of sulfur and the bitterness of medicinal herbs, the two scents intertwining to form a suffocating atmosphere unique to the Southern Territory.

On both sides of the road, Pill Furnaces for Alchemy could be seen everywhere. These Pill Furnaces varied in size; the small ones were only half a person tall, while the large ones were over a zhang high. Their bodies were entirely crimson, engraved with dense flame runes. Some Pill Furnaces were still burning, with thick smoke billowing from their mouths, the smoke carrying the fragrance of Medicinal Pills. Others had already been extinguished, with ash piled at the bottom and walls covered in scorch marks. Most of the Disciples performing Alchemy were bare-chested, their faces blackened by smoke, sweat dripping down their backs onto the scorching ground with a sizzling sound.

Further away was a wide martial arts field. On the field, dozens of Disciples were practicing fire arts. Some sat cross-legged, surrounded by crimson flames; some threw punches and kicks that carried a scorching wind; others held fire blades, their light drawing crimson arcs in the twilight. Most of their cultivation levels were between the Blood Expansion Realm and the Soul Condensation Realm. Though not high, their dedication to cultivation reminded Jiang Hanzhou of his days at Canglang Water Dock.

But unlike the imagined prosperity, the atmosphere in the valley was suffocatingly oppressive. There were no smiles on the Disciples' faces; their expressions were solemn and wary, their gazes scanning the surroundings as if guarding against something. There were several times more patrolling guards than usual. Every few steps, a squad of warriors in crimson armor could be seen patrolling, spears in hand and scimitars at their waists, their steps orderly and their eyes sharp. On the walls of the valley entrance, several Martial Artists at the Peak of the Soul Condensation Realm stood, scanning the distance with their fingers on their hilts, ready for battle at any moment.

Young Valley Master led the way, her red dress fluttering in the hot wind. Her pace was fast but steady, showing no hesitation as she stepped on the scorching ground. Lin Xiaohuo followed at the back of the group, helped off his horse by several Senior Brothers. His face was still pale, but he looked much better than he had during the day.

She brought Jiang Hanzhou to the guest courtyard and pushed open the gate, revealing a quiet courtyard. It wasn't large, with only three stone rooms, but it was kept very clean. Several heat-resistant Scarlet Flame Grasses were planted in the yard, their leaves glowing slightly in the twilight and emitting a faint fragrance. The walls of the stone rooms were engraved with heat-insulating runes, keeping out the heat of the earth fire. The temperature inside was comfortable, a stark contrast to the extreme heat outside.

Young Valley Master stood in the yard with a troubled expression. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke: "Senior Jiang, to be honest, something major has happened in the valley. Three months ago, my father suddenly fell ill with a strange poison and became bedridden. The valley's affairs are currently being handled by Grand Elder Great Elder, but Elder Liu has been advocating for peace with the Liehuo Alliance and surrendering part of the earth fire spiritual vein. My father strongly opposed this, which led to the Liehuo Alliance's frequent provocations. Now, the people in the valley are uneasy, and many Disciples are privately whispering that Elder Liu wants to take this opportunity to seize the position of Valley Master."

Jiang Hanzhou's brow twitched slightly. The Yanhuo Valley Master poisoned, the Grand Elder in power advocating for peace, and the Liehuo Alliance frequently making trouble. This information vaguely matched the clues he had obtained from Yi Qianfan's letter. The Valley Master Li Tianxing—no, Valley Master? Yi Qianfan's letter said "Valley Master Li Tianxing," but Young Valley Master's surname was Su, and the Valley Master's surname was Su. Was his memory wrong, or was a pseudonym used in the letter?

He didn't dwell on the question, simply looking at Young Valley Master: "Young Valley Master, I know a bit of medicine. Perhaps I can take a look at the Valley Master's condition."

A flash of surprise crossed Young Valley Master's eyes, which then turned into joy. She nodded quickly, her eyes filled with gratitude: "If Senior Jiang is willing to help, Muxue would be eternally grateful. Please follow me."

The two walked out of the guest courtyard, through a long corridor, and arrived at the Valley Master's sleeping quarters.

The sleeping quarters were built in the deepest part of the valley, backed against a massive rock wall engraved with dense flame runes that shimmered in the twilight, emitting a dark red glow. The main gate was carved from a single piece of crimson stone, with a large character for "Flame" engraved on it. The strokes were as sharp as a knife, each containing an indescribable True Intent of fire. Four guards in crimson armor stood at the door, holding spears with sharp gazes. Seeing Young Valley Master, they bowed in unison and made way.

Young Valley Master pushed open the stone door and led Jiang Hanzhou into the sleeping quarters.

The interior of the sleeping quarters was even more spacious than it looked from the outside. In the center was a large stone bed covered with soft animal skin blankets, upon which lay a middle-aged man. The man was in his early fifties, with a burly build and a resolute face. He should have looked majestic, but now his face was blackened, his lips parched, his eyes sunken, and his cheekbones protruded sharply; he was so thin he was nothing but a skeleton. A scorching aura emanated from him—a spiritual energy fluctuation unique to fire Cultivators—but that aura was chaotic and weak, like a candle flame that could go out at any moment. Yet his body was bone-chillingly cold. When Jiang Hanzhou walked to the bedside and touched his wrist, a strange chill came from his fingertips, forming a sharp contrast with the heat on the surface.

A strange burnt smell permeated the room—not the burnt smell of Medicinal Pills, but the nauseating stench of scorched flesh. That smell emanated from Valley Master's body, growing stronger with each of his breaths.

Young Valley Master walked to the bedside and took Valley Master's hand, her eyes reddening: "Senior Jiang, this is my father, Valley Master. Three months ago, he suddenly fell ill. Elder Liu said it was an internal injury caused by Qi Deviation during cultivation, but I know the Cultivation Technique my father practices too well; it's impossible for him to have Qi Deviation. Later, I invited several physicians to take a look, and they all said he was poisoned, but no one could cure it."

Jiang Hanzhou nodded, sat down by the bed, reached out his right hand, and placed it on Valley Master's wrist.

The pulse was so weak it was almost undetectable, each beat like a desperate struggle that could stop at any moment. A strange fluctuation was mixed within the pulse—not spiritual energy, not True Intent, but the aura of some living thing. That living thing was perched at Valley Master's heart, its wriggling accompanying every heartbeat, drawing essence blood and fire-attribute Internal Energy from the heart before releasing a toxin. The toxin flowed through the blood to the limbs and bones, eroding every inch of his Meridians and every organ.

He let go and carefully checked Valley Master's tongue and fingernails. The tongue was black-purple and covered in fine cracks, within which dark red blood streaks were faintly visible. The fingernails were black, with fine black patterns underneath that wound like worms, slowly wriggling under the nails.

His brow furrowed; he already had a judgment.

This wasn't an ordinary poison, but a strange poison called the "Heart-Burning Gu." The Gu insect parasites the heart, feeding on the host's essence blood and fire-attribute Internal Energy. When it acts up, it feels like fire burning the heart, eventually turning the host to ash. This kind of Gu insect is extremely rare, found only in the lava pools deep within the volcanoes of the Southern Territory. Furthermore, its cultivation method is extremely tedious, requiring three years of feeding on a Cultivator's heart blood to mature.

This Gu poison shared the same origin as the blood Gu he had seen in Shahe Stockade and the Ice Gu he had seen in the Northern Territory—all were products of the Ten Thousand Gu Sect. But the Heart-Burning Gu was more hidden and more insidious; it wouldn't kill the host immediately, but would slowly devour the host's vitality, letting them die slowly in agony.

"This Gu poison is extremely rare and must be administered over a long period in food and drink to take effect," Jiang Hanzhou said in a deep voice, placing Valley Master's wrist back on the blanket. "The person who administered the poison must be someone close to the Valley Master. Only someone who can access the Valley Master's daily meals would have the chance to plant the Gu in his food."

Young Valley Master's face turned pale, and the jade sword in her hand trembled slightly. Her lips quivered, and her voice shook: "Could it be Elder Liu? He is the Grand Elder of the valley, in charge of all affairs, and he dined with my father every day. Moreover, after my father was poisoned, he immediately blocked all news and forbade anyone from visiting. Even I can only come to see him once every three days."

Jiang Hanzhou didn't answer directly, only saying: "I can prepare an antidote to temporarily suppress the Gu poison and wake the Valley Master. But to completely eradicate it, the Mother Gu must be found. The Mother Gu is the source of the Heart-Burning Gu; only by killing the Mother Gu will the offspring insects die. Furthermore, the Valley Master is deeply poisoned, and the Gu insect has already fused deeply with his heart. Even with the antidote, he can only last another month. If the Mother Gu isn't found within a month, the Valley Master will still die."

Young Valley Master's eyes were red, and tears welled up, but she gritted her teeth and didn't let them fall. She took a deep breath, her knees buckled, and she knelt before Jiang Hanzhou, sobbing: "I beg Senior Jiang to save my father! As long as my father can be cured, Yanhuo Valley is willing to offer any treasure! The earth fire spiritual vein, thousand-year fire lingzhi, Scarlet Flame Dragon Scale—whatever the valley has, Senior only needs to ask!"

Jiang Hanzhou hurriedly reached out to help her up and shook his head: "The Young Valley Master need not do this. I have no grudge with the Liehuo Alliance, but poisoning people is not my wish. I will do my best to treat the Valley Master, but in the meantime, I must ask the Young Valley Master for a favor."

Young Valley Master looked up, her eyes full of expectation: "Please speak, Senior."

"I need an Earth Fire Command of Yanhuo Valley to enter the Earth Fire Cave to Cultivate." Jiang Hanzhou's voice was calm, his gaze falling on the flame runes on the walls of the sleeping quarters. "My cultivation is stuck at a Bottleneck, and I need an extreme environment to polish my Foundation. Yanhuo Valley's earth fire spiritual vein is extremely pure, making it the perfect place for my Breakthrough. If I can break through, perhaps I can also contribute to Yanhuo Valley's fight against the Liehuo Alliance."