82: Chapter 82 The Legend of the Ghostly Old Man

[Deep within Two Realms Mountain, there lies a massive valley shrouded in dense Devilish Qi.]

[Heavenly Demon Valley, front-line headquarters.]

[The main hall of the headquarters was deathly silent; even the sound of breathing was swallowed by the thick Devilish Qi.]

[More than a dozen powerful Demonic Path Cultivators stood on both sides, heads bowed, silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to even breathe loudly.]

[Above the main hall.]

[A figure sat upright on a throne of bones.]

[His blood-red robe looked like congealed blood. The middle-aged man had a sinister face, his eyes like two cold fissures; wherever they swept, frost formed in the air.]

[This person was none other than the overall person in charge of the Heavenly Demon Valley front line, a Late Core Formation Stage Elder—Immortal Master Xuetu.]

["Trash!"]

["A bunch of trash!"]

[Immortal Master Xuetu’s fingers tightened suddenly!]

[Bang!]

[The armrest, polished from the skull of a Core Formation Stage demonic tiger, shattered in response!]

["Three months! Three whole months!"]

["Three patrol squads, over a dozen Foundation Establishment Disciples, vanished into thin air! You haven't even figured out if the opponent is human or ghost!"]

["The face of my Heavenly Demon Valley has been completely lost by you bunch of trash!"]

[His voice carried no warmth, yet every Demonic Path Cultivator below felt their Divine Soul freezing over.]

["Elder, please calm your anger!"]

[A Core Formation Mid-stage Cultivator who looked like a leader bit the bullet and stepped forward.]

["Subordinate... this subordinate has carefully investigated the scene. The opponent’s methods were extremely ruthless; other than a sharp, unmatched metal-attribute Sword Qi left at the scene, there were no other clues."]

["Metal-attribute Sword Qi?" Immortal Master Xuetu’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, "Azure Cloud Sect, that old fellow from Golden Sword Peak?"]

["Reporting to Elder, according to secret intelligence, Golden Sword Peak’s Head, Immortal Master Jinyang, is in closed-door cultivation and absolutely cannot be on the front line."]

[The leader paused, lowering his voice even further.]

["This matter is riddled with weirdness. We also heard a... a very absurd rumor from some outer-ring Disciples who managed to escape."]

["Speak!" Immortal Master Xuetu’s voice was full of violence.]

["They say... they say that every time an incident happened, someone saw a Mortal old man with a walking stick appearing nearby..."]

["A Mortal old man?" Immortal Master Xuetu frowned, "Nonsense! Where would a Mortal come from on this front-line battlefield? Even if there were, they would have been killed off long ago!"]

["Yes... yes indeed." The leader wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his voice trembling, "So... they all say that the old man is not human at all..."]

["But... a Ghostly Old Man who specializes in hunting down our Heavenly Demon Valley Cultivators!"]

["A ghost?"]

[Immortal Master Xuetu was stunned for a moment, then laughed in extreme rage, his laughter cold and grating.]

[Ridiculous! We Demonic Path Cultivators act against the heavens and fight for our fate! How dare a mere wandering ghost dare to stir up trouble in my Heavenly Demon Valley?]

["Pass on my order!" He stood up abruptly, killing intent shooting from his eyes.]

["From today on, all patrol squads will be changed to two-person teams to increase patrol density! Furthermore, every squad must be equipped with a 'Soul-Locking Banner' and 'Soul-Chasing Incense'!"]

["I don't care if he is some ghost or some old man! As long as he dares to appear again, use the Soul-Locking Banner to lock him up for me! Even if he runs away, use the Soul-Chasing Incense to mark him!"]

["I want to see exactly what this guy who is playing god and acting like a ghost really is!"]

["Yes! We obey the Elder’s decree!"]

[The Demonic Path Cultivators in the main hall responded in unison.]

[A dragnet specifically aimed at you had quietly been cast.]

[...]

[And at this moment, you were completely unaware of this.]

[You were still in the Logistics Camp, living your leisurely and fulfilling life.]

[During the day, you practiced Alchemy, earned some "handling fees," and incidentally gave pointers to Elder Wang and the others, enjoying the pleasure of being revered like an Ancestral Master.]

[At night, you sat cross-legged in meditation to stabilize your cultivation, or studied the Cultivation Technique Jade Slips captured from the Demonic Path Cultivators to broaden your knowledge.]

[Of course, you would also receive messages sent by Liu Ruyan from the front line.]

["Tang Xun, the Medicinal Pill quality of those you gave me last time was just too good! When our squad encountered danger last time, it was all thanks to your top-grade peiyuan elixir that we could hold out until reinforcements arrived. My team members all say they want to find an opportunity to properly thank you, our unsung hero."]

["By the way, there is a very interesting rumor circulating on the front line recently. They say there is a mysterious 'Ghostly Old Man' who specializes in hunting down Heavenly Demon Valley patrol squads, causing them to be in a panic and not dare to go out alone. Don't you think that's funny?"]

[Looking at the content on the Jade Slip, you couldn't help but reveal a strange smile.]

[Ghostly Old Man?]

[These Demonic Path Cultivators are actually quite good at coming up with nicknames.]

[You replied to her.]

["Senior Sister, be careful on the front line. Don't skimp on the Medicinal Pill; when you run out, I'll send you more. As for that 'Ghostly Old Man,' it must be some Senior from the Righteous Path acting on behalf of the heavens. We should be cheering for him."]

[After writing, you sent the message, then looked up at the sky.]

[It’s almost the end of the month again.]

[You rubbed your chin, a glimmer of anticipation shining in your eyes.]

[The cooldown for your [Carefree Roam (Gold)] is about to be over.]

["I wonder what kind of harvest I can get this time?"]

[You licked your lips, already calculating your next "jungling" route in your mind.]

[You didn't realize at all that a dragnet tailored specifically for you had already been quietly cast.]

[Right now, your mind is full of how to make war profits more efficiently and safely.]

[After all, for you, Tang Xun, there is nothing more important than making money.]

[If there is.]

[Then it is to make even more money.]