384: Lurking in the dark

Jiang Donghua had just cleared a clean area in the valley, set up a new Restriction, and prepared to quietly Cultivate and comprehend the faint Opportunity for Breakthrough.

However, before an Hour had passed, he frowned slightly and looked towards the entrance of the valley.

He saw that the beautiful woman from the Snake Sect whom he had casually sent away earlier had actually returned!

She wore a nearly fawning smile, standing cautiously outside the newly established Restriction at the valley entrance, daring not to Cross the Thunder Pond Step, and holding an ancient style storage ring in her hand.

“Senior! Senior! I have returned! Please, Senior, be merciful and allow me to speak a few words!”

She raised her voice, shouting in the sweetest tone possible, her face filled with sincerity and flattery.

Jiang Donghua's mind stirred, and the Restriction at the valley entrance temporarily opened a gap.

The beautiful woman from the Snake Sect felt as if she had been granted a great amnesty, and she quickly scurried in, stopping ten Zhang away from Jiang Donghua, respectfully raising the storage ring in her hand above her head, and speaking with immense sincerity.

“Senior! Just now, I was blind and offended Senior, and even stole and ate Senior's Medicinal Ingredients. I truly deserve to die ten thousand times!”

“These are all the Medicinal Ingredients and some decent Treasures I have plundered—ah, no, collected over the years, all offered to Senior! I sincerely request Senior to accept them, considering them compensation for Senior's medicinal garden!”

She paused, then added, her tone even more humble.

“Senior's Divine Ability is vast. If Senior chooses to Live in Seclusion here, please feel free to command me for any errands or odd jobs, no matter how rough or tiring!”

“I am willing to Serve like a Dog or a Horse for Senior!”

Jiang Donghua looked at this Snake Demon who had returned and so sensibly offered compensation, which actually piqued a slight interest in him.

He retrieved the storage ring through the air and casually scanned it with his Soul Power.

Inside, there were indeed many Medicinal Ingredients, most of which were not high-grade, but they were decent for a Dou Zong or Dou Huang. There were also some scattered Ore and low-grade Demonic Core, clearly the snake demon's entire savings from years past.

For the current Jiang Donghua, these things were naturally not worth mentioning, but the sentiment was rare.

He put away the storage ring, his gaze falling once again on the Snake Demon, whose palms were sweating from nervousness, and he asked indifferently.

“You do have some sense. Tell me, which Demonic Beast Family do you belong to?”

In Jiang Donghua's understanding, Demonic Beasts capable of Cultivating to the Dou Zong level and successfully taking human form usually had some Legacy or Clan behind them, such as the famous Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan and the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan in Central Province.

However, upon hearing Jiang Donghua's question, the beautiful woman from the Snake Sect showed an extremely bewildered and confused expression. She blinked her eyes with Vertical Pupils and asked cautiously.

“Senior? What is a Demonic Beast Family?”

Jiang Donghua was startled when he heard this, and then he burst into self-deprecating laughter.

Only then did he realize that the lowest level of existence he had dealt with over the past hundred years were Dou Zun Old Monsters—either Pill Tower Giants, Soul Hall Heavenly Venerables, or experts from Ancient Races, and at the very least, Sect Masters of First-rate Forces in Central Province.

When discussing Demonic Beasts, it was natural to talk about top-tier Demonic Beast Families like the Ancient Void Dragon and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix, which possessed formidable Bloodline and immense power.

The Snake Demon before him, however, was just a minor character who had luckily Cultivated to Dou Zong and managed to take human form in this remote mountain range.

She probably hadn't traveled far outside this mountain range in her entire life. Her world likely only consisted of the Law of the Jungle, fighting for territory and Spirit Medicine. How could she know about such a grand concept as a Demonic Beast Family?

Thinking of this, Jiang Donghua couldn't help but shake his head, feeling that his question had been unnecessary.

He looked at the Snake Demon, who was still bewildered and uneasy, and changed the question, his tone somewhat casual.

“Never mind. Then what Information do you know? For instance, has anything unusual happened around this mountain range recently? Or has any particularly powerful existence passed by?”

Seeing that Jiang Donghua seemed to have no intention of blaming her, the Snake Demon quickly racked her brains, trying hard to demonstrate her value.

“Reporting, Senior! This mountain range has always been very peaceful. The strongest one here is me!”

She paused, a little embarrassed.

“The Black-Corner Region to the north seems to have always been quite chaotic. I heard that a Human Force called Jia Nan Academy was surrounded by a very powerful force a few years ago, and they fought for many years! It has only recently quieted down...”

The Snake Demon prattled on about the limited Information she knew, mostly Trivial Matters and Hearsay.

“Alright, I understand.”

Jiang Donghua interrupted the Snake Demon's incessant chatter and casually tossed her a bottle of sixth-grade pill suitable for Demonic Beasts as payment for the Information Fee.

“You may withdraw now. Without my summons, you are forbidden to approach within a hundred Li of the valley.”

The Snake Demon took the Medicinal Pill, felt the pure Energy within, and was instantly overjoyed, retreating with endless gratitude.

The beautiful woman from the Snake Sect, Bi Lin, left the valley reluctantly, taking three steps back for every one forward. Only after she completely exited the range of the Restriction set by Jiang Donghua did she let out a long sigh of relief.

Immediately, an indescribable Ecstasy and excitement surged into her heart!

Not only was she not depressed by being driven away, but she felt as if she had Hit the Jackpot!

“Dou Zun! Definitely a Dou Zun Old Monster!”

Bi Lin was so excited that her whole body trembled, and an unnatural blush appeared on her cheeks.

“That is a Top-tier Expert who only appears in legends! They can Tear Space Apart with a wave of their hand, and a single glance can render me immobile!”

“Heavens! I actually got to meet such an existence!”

She recalled Jiang Donghua's unfathomable aura and the casual way he manipulated her, filling her heart with awe and reverence. What made her even more ecstatic was that this Senior hadn't killed her!

“Not only did he not kill me, but he also accepted my compensation and finally gave me a bottle of Medicinal Pill!”

She carefully brought out the bottle of sixth-grade pill that Jiang Donghua had casually bestowed upon her, pulled out the stopper, and a pure medicinal fragrance rushed out, causing the Fighting Qi within her body to become slightly more active!

“sixth-grade pill! This is a sixth-grade pill!”

Bi Lin was so excited she nearly screamed.

“I've lived for hundreds of years, and the number of sixth-grade pills I've seen can be counted on one hand, let alone owned one! This Senior is too generous with his spending!”

She hugged the Medicinal Pill tightly, as if holding a Rare Treasure, and her mind began to race, analyzing the thoughts of this mysterious expert.

“Why didn't he kill me? Could it be that he fancies my beauty?”

Bi Lin subconsciously puffed out her proud chest and twisted her waist, which was already slender like a water snake, revealing a smug, seductive smile.

“Hmm! It's very possible! This body I gained after taking human form is considered top-tier within a thousand li radius!”

“Although this Senior's strength is formidable, he doesn't look old. Perhaps he is at the Peak of Vigor, and without a companion by his side, it's only natural for him to be tempted upon seeing my charm!”

“It's just that his status is noble, and he's too embarrassed to speak directly!”

As soon as this thought arose, Bi Lin immediately felt that her future was bright!

If she could latch onto the high branch of this Dou Zun Old Monster, even if only as a Concubine, wouldn't she be able to Walk Sideways across this mountain range—no, across the entire Black-Corner Region?

What Resources and status wouldn't be within easy reach?

“He is so young, and his strength is outrageously high. If I can win him over!”

The more Bi Lin thought about it, the better she felt, and ambitious light flickered in her eyes.

“Perhaps, I can also seize this Opportunity to Breakthrough Dou Zong and step into that coveted Dou Zun Realm!”

She seemed to already see her beautiful future, standing beside a Dou Zun Expert, revered by thousands.

“Yes! I must seize this Opportunity!”

Bi Lin made up her mind.

“Senior told me not to approach within a hundred Li, but he didn't say I couldn't wait outside the hundred Li!”

“I need to find a place to stay that is close to the valley and where I can constantly observe the movements at the entrance! What if Senior needs something—for example, someone to Serve Tea and Water, or Warm Bed and Fold Quilt?”

She took another deep breath of the sixth-grade pill's fragrance, a look of intoxication appearing on her face.

“It smells wonderful! I am definitely Clinging to This Thigh!”

Saying that, she twisted her waist again and transformed into a Multicolored Stream of Light, not flying away from the valley, but instead rushing towards a higher peak on the outskirts of the valley from where she could vaguely overlook the direction of the entrance.

She had made up her mind to Stake Out the area long-term, waiting for the arrival of her Opportunity.

Time flew by; spring departed and autumn arrived, and many more years quietly passed.

Outside the valley, on the peak overlooking the valley entrance, Bi Lin had settled and become the local overlord.

Thanks to the bottle of sixth-grade pill casually bestowed by Jiang Donghua and her own diligent efforts, her Cultivation had steadily improved over these years, breaking through from the initial One-star Dou Zong to the Three-star Dou Zong Realm!

With her strength improved, she should have been full of spirit.

However, Bi Lin's heart was filled with resentment and anxiety.

For the past few years, she had almost daily stood guard on this mountain peak, gazing longingly at the valley entrance, hoping that the mysterious Dou Zun Expert would reappear, even if just to get some fresh air. She could then seize the Opportunity to 'accidentally' meet him and display her charm.

Unfortunately, the valley remained silent.

The invisible barrier remained as stable as ever, separating the inside and outside into two worlds.

She hadn't even seen a shadow of Jiang Donghua again.

If it weren't for the barrier's real existence and a terrifying yet secretly exhilarating incident that happened a few years ago, she would have almost suspected that the Senior had quietly left.

That was shortly after she broke through to Three-star Dou Zong. A Three-star Dou Zong level Black Wind Leopard, also coveting this Spirit Qi-rich mountain range, presumed its strength was formidable and tried to expel her to claim the area for itself.

As the two sides were locked in fierce combat, the Black Wind Leopard, seeing that it was no match, became desperate and tried to forcefully charge the valley's barrier, intending to use the unknown existence within the valley to restrain Bi Lin.

Just as the Black Wind Leopard's sharp claws were about to touch the barrier.

"Buzz!"

From the barrier, a strand of extremely condensed Fighting Qi crystal, radiating terrifying pressure, suddenly shot out without warning!

That strand of Fighting Qi was as fast as lightning, shooting with incredible precision towards the Black Wind Leopard's head!

"Pfft!"

With a soft sound, the Black Wind Leopard, whose strength was on par with Lady Bi Lin, couldn't even let out a scream before its head exploded like a watermelon!

Its massive body twitched twice, then crashed to the ground, dead.

The entire process happened in a flash!

Bi Lin was scared Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering at the time, frozen in place, not daring to move for a long while.

Immediately, a surge of ecstasy and lingering fear rushed into her heart!

The ecstasy was because this barrier indeed had an automatic guardian Restriction left by the Senior!

And its power was so terrifying!

The lingering fear was that she was fortunate not to have forced her way in earlier, otherwise, her fate would probably have been the same as this Black Wind Leopard!

This incident made her even more certain that the Senior in the valley was unfathomable, and it also strengthened her resolve to cling to his powerful support.

It's just that this powerful support was too difficult to meet!

Just as Bi Lin was about to give up hope, thinking that the Senior intended to remain in seclusion here until the end of time.

Today, the barrier that had been stable for many years at the valley entrance suddenly fluctuated violently!

"There's movement!"

Lady Bi Lin was startled awake from her meditation, her heart pounding!

She immediately, at the fastest speed, took out a purple gauze dress from her storage ring, a dress she had prepared for many years but never had a chance to wear. It was made with very little material, perfectly outlining her fiery figure. She fumbled to put it on.

Then, looking into a water mirror, she carefully adjusted her makeup, ensuring her smile was charming yet innocent, seductive yet dignified.

She took a deep breath, struck what she believed to be her most alluring pose, with the sweetest smile on her face, and stared intently at the fluctuating barrier entrance, ready to greet him at the first moment.

"Om—!"

At the barrier entrance, a light flashed, and a spatial portal slowly opened.

Bi Lin's heart swelled with joy, and she was about to step forward to greet him sweetly.

However, beyond the portal, there was no one.

There was no figure of the Senior stepping out as imagined, not even a trace of aura leaked out.

Bi Lin's smile froze on her face.

She waited for a while, but there was still no movement.

"Senior? Have you come out?"

She tentatively and cautiously called into the portal.

There was no response.

Lady Bi Lin gritted her teeth, gathered her courage, and tiptoed, step by step, to the spatial portal, peering inside.

She saw that the valley was empty.

Where the Senior had once sat, only a bare stone platform remained.

Where a few medicinal herbs had originally grown, many medicinal herbs were now thriving with vitality!

The entire valley, apart from the residual, slowly dissipating rich Heaven and Earth energy aura, contained nothing!

The Senior had long since vanished without a trace!

"Where is he?!"

Lady Bi Lin was struck by lightning, standing stunned on the spot, her charming smile completely crumbling, replaced by endless loss and bewilderment.

She had guarded for so many years, hoped for so many years, and he had already left?

When did he leave? How could there be no movement at all?

Dispirited, she walked into the valley, looking around, but indeed found no trace of anyone having been there.

That Senior had vanished as if into thin air.

"Alas..."

Lady Bi Lin sighed deeply, plopped down on the cold stone platform, and looked at the fiery dress on her body, which no one appreciated. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

But soon, she seemed to think of something again, and her eyes lit up.

"No! Although Senior is gone, the energy in this valley is still so rich! And, he didn't say I couldn't come in! Maybe he'll come back?"

She cheered up again, clenched her fists, and the flame of hope rekindled in her eyes.

"Yes! I can't give up! I'll just wait here honestly!"

"What if Senior comes back one day? This is an Immortal Cave where a Dou Zun Expert once lived!"

"Cultivating here is also much faster than outside!"

Thus, this snake demon, who was determined to cling to powerful support, began her new round of 'waiting for the rabbit' in this empty valley.

On this day, he was suspended above the mountain cave, eyes closed, sensing the subtle changes in the energy between heaven and earth.

Suddenly, his Emperor Realm Soul stirred slightly, perceiving dozens of extremely obscure, yet terrifyingly powerful Fighting Qi fluctuations faintly coming from the Black-Corner Region and several distant directions!

These fluctuations, some as fiery as the sun, some as cold as an abyss, some as vast as the sea, some as sharp as a sword—the strength of the master of each fluctuation had surprisingly reached the Dou Sheng level!

Two of them even made him feel a trace of threat!

"Dou Sheng, so many Dou Sheng auras!"

Jiang Donghua slowly opened his eyes, his gaze piercing through the clouds towards the direction from which the fluctuations came, his expression becoming extremely solemn.

"It seems this final great war, after all, cannot be avoided. I still have to personally intervene!"

The reason he was so confident that he must participate was, firstly, to save the common people—Hun Tiandi was not human; if he refined pills in Zhongzhou, it was highly likely, a hundred percent likely, to affect Sound Valley. Secondly, with this Heaven-Defying System panel, why couldn't he become an Emperor?

This confidence was related to his grand-niece, the current Valley Master of Sound Valley, Mu Qingxian.

Mu Qingxian possessed an extremely rare special Physique, the Heavenly Sound Spirit Body.

This Physique has a natural affinity for Soul Power, particularly skilled at purifying and soothing restless Soul Origin, and has miraculous effects on repairing Soul injuries.

In the past, to quickly improve his strength and to strike at the Hall of Souls, Jiang Donghua had repeatedly taken Mu Qingxian to specifically seek out and destroy the Hall of Souls' branch halls that imprisoned and refined Soul bodies.

Their plan was for Jiang Donghua to destroy the branch hall's defenses with thunderous means and capture or kill the Hall of Souls Experts, while Mu Qingxian would use her Heavenly Sound Spirit Body to purify the resentful Soul Origin collected and tormented by the Hall of Souls, and then absorb it.

However, the plan was beautiful, but reality deviated.

Each time Jiang Donghua destroyed a Hall of Souls branch hall, a large amount of pure Soul Origin would surge out like a tide, and before Mu Qingxian could even use her Heavenly Sound Spirit Body for purification.

The mysterious System panel within him would, like a primordial beast hungry for ten thousand years, uncontrollably generate a terrifying suction force, instantly devouring all that massive Soul Origin completely!

Not even a trace was left!

The speed was so fast that Mu Qingxian couldn't even react in time!

After a few times, Jiang Donghua had no choice but to stop this behavior of 'bringing a girl to farm dungeons'.

He couldn't explain the System to Mu Qingxian and could only be vague.

This matter had always left a huge doubt and vigilance in Jiang Donghua's heart.

"This System can instantly devour such vast and complex Soul Power and convert it into the purest energy to help me improve. So, what if I get close to that legendary Source Qi?"

Source Qi, that is an even higher-level, purer Heaven and Earth Origin energy than Soul Origin!

It is the key to breaking through to the Dou Di Realm!

"Will the System also instantly devour and absorb Source Qi, just like it devours Soul Origin?"

This thought made Jiang Donghua feel a hint of excitement.

He yearned for Source Qi, yearned for a Breakthrough, then no one on this Fighting Qi Continent would be able to restrain him!