Legend has it that the Spiritual Qi of Changping Ghost Mountain is polluted because, in ancient times, a shocking immortal dynasty war once took place here.

At that time, not only the Central Plains Great Tang, but also various small Border Region countries, had established immortal dynasties.

But no matter how small the country, the ambition of its emperor could never be satisfied.

Therefore, later, immortal dynasty wars of mutual annexation broke out among the small Border Region countries, and one of these battles took place in Changping.

None of the small Border Region countries could escape unscathed.

It is said that in this battle, more than 450,000 Cultivators perished.

Thus, this place has been filled with vengeful spirits and evil Qi, which have not dispersed for thousands of years.

The Cultivators living here have studied for generations, hoping to solve the problem of thin and polluted Spiritual Qi.

Finally, one day, a Pill Dao Genius emerged. He refined a Medicinal Pill that allowed people to absorb Spiritual Qi without being affected by the resentful Qi for several months after consumption.

This was the Netherworld Meditation Pill.

With such a good item, Song Yan naturally couldn’t miss it. Moreover, he heard that the Materials required for its refinement were common and the price was cheap.

Most of the Disciples participating in the Changping matter would buy some.

Leaping onto a towering ancient tree, he gazed eastward. The red leaves of Little Cold Mountain in the distance had already come into Song Yan’s view.

"..."

Morning sun, Little Cold Mountain, red leaves.

In this desolate and barren land, there was a very special kind of unique beauty.

Hmm...?

He was about to continue his journey when he noticed some unusual movement not far away.

With a few leaps, he quickly approached to observe.

At the foot of the mountain, among a pile of rocks.

A Loose Cultivator at Qi Refining Stage 5 was gripping the neck of a female Cultivator at the 3rd Level of Qi Refining. His right hand, wrapped in chains, constantly tore at the female Cultivator’s clothes.

"No... don’t..."

"Please, let me go..."

Song Yan watched the two’s actions indifferently, then suddenly chuckled.

What a clumsy trick.

His Divine Sense, far exceeding that of a Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level Cultivator, instantly spread out, thoroughly investigating the surrounding situation.

"Qi Refining Stage 5, 3rd Level of Qi Refining..."

"Two at Qi Refining Stage 6, one at the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level."

Upon closer inspection, there was also some Spiritual Power emanating from array talismans, seemingly a killing array of some kind.

The power of Divine Sense was manifested in all aspects.

For example, now.

It could allow a Cultivator to avoid many unnecessary risks in advance.

However, even without sufficiently powerful Divine Sense, Song Yan would still not fall for it.

This kind of petty trick, in the heretical cultivators notes, was of a level that the Golden Core Old Demon would scold as a negative example.

This area was open and not far from the main road from Changping Prefecture City to Little Cold Mountain.

If it were truly a demonic Cultivator committing violence, anyone with enough intelligence would not choose such a place.

They would at least choose a place near a cliff, a cave, or the side of Little Cold Mountain closer to Changping to act, making it easier to ambush or quickly dispose of bodies.

The scene before him was clearly intended to lure some naive, hot-blooded young heroes who had just started their journey.

The others in ambush would then wait for the right moment to strike, kill, and seize their belongings.

However, the chains in the Loose Cultivator’s hand were stained with blood, suggesting he was likely a demonic Cultivator.

Song Yan pondered.

Actually, if he could confirm that some of these people were demonic Cultivators, then going along with the plan to kill them here and bring back clues would earn him extra merit.

Being able to accumulate enough merit in advance to exchange for a breakthrough Spirit Pill would allow him to return to the Sect earlier, which would naturally be for the best.

However, the other party had superior numbers and there was also a Cultivator at the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level, while he was alone.

Acting rashly alone at this moment would carry great risk.

After much thought, he decided to withdraw his Divine Sense and leave.

Eh?

Suddenly, a familiar aura entered the range covered by his Divine Sense.

"..."

Song Yan froze in place, confirming it repeatedly.

His expression was a bit strange, and after a moment of contemplation, he shook his head and actually walked directly towards the pile of rocks.

"It seems these few have met with terrible luck."

The female Cultivator at the 3rd Level of Qi Refining saw that a Cultivator had taken the bait, and a hint of joy appeared in her heart.

Immediately, she cried out with tearful eyes: "Senior, save me..."

The mountain wind swept by as Song Yan walked slowly, seemingly casually stepping into the encirclement, but stopping a few steps before the buried array talismans.

"Save me..."

The Loose Cultivator at Qi Refining Stage 5, seeing that the other party was still some distance away, began to shout provocatively.

"Kid, I am one of the Five Han Mountain Demons! I advise you not to meddle!"

With that, the chains in his hand suddenly flared with demonic flames, obscuring the bloody light.

He sneered inwardly. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Normally, when such big words were spoken, a greenhorn like this, who clearly looked like he had just started out, would be provoked and then act out a hero-saving-the-beauty scene.

Ultimately, they would be killed by their combined efforts.

The voluptuous female Cultivator struggling in his arms struggled and pleaded at the opportune moment, looking towards Song Yan: "Senior, save me... I am willing to be your servant!"

"So, you admit you are demonic Cultivators?"

In the sleeves of his Dao robe, Song Yan subtly formed a Dao Seal.

The dark blue sword scabbard on his back suddenly glowed with a faint Spiritual Light.

Two Sword Shadows swiftly flew out from the scabbard, heading straight for that person!

"So fast!"

The demonic Cultivator at Qi Refining Stage 5 panicked. Although the other party had not stepped into the killing array, he had no time to think further and shouted: "Act!"

The female Cultivator was about to take the opportunity to break free from the demonic Cultivator’s chains and throw herself into Song Yan’s arms.

But she saw one of the Flying Swords coming straight for her!

"What’s wrong with this person!?"

She quickly brought out a red token, but the Flying Sword came too fast, and she hadn’t had time to infuse much Spiritual Power into it.

Bang!

The tip of the Lianli Sword seemed to just lightly tap, but the Sword Qi contained within it was not something any random person could withstand.

The red token immediately dimmed, and despite the activation of Spiritual Power, it failed to unleash its protective Spiritual Light.

It was a pity that the gap between the Late Stage of Qi Refining and the Early Stage of Qi Refining could not be bridged by these Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts, which were merely for show.

Moreover, standing here now was... Song Yan, whose Dao Heart had just reached Perfection three months ago, and whose Sword Dao seed was almost at its peak.

The Flying Sword swiftly moved.

Under the female Cultivator’s terrified gaze, the Flying Sword effortlessly tore through her protective Spiritual Robe and slashed across her throat.

Thud.

The female Cultivator clutched her neck with both hands, struggling as she fell to the ground, convulsing continuously, blood gushing out.

Too fast.

In almost the blink of an eye, the female Cultivator had died violently.

The Cultivator at Qi Refining Stage 5 was not much better. The power of the Unmoored Boat was even more exaggerated than that of Lianli.

It almost instantly pierced through the opponent’s protective Spiritual Robe, heading straight for his face.

"Big brother, save me!"

Clang!

At the critical moment, a small gong blocked him.

With a flick of his finger, the Unmoored Boat flew back to Song Yan’s side.

"I really misjudged him..."

From the surrounding dense forest, three Cultivators slowly emerged.

Two at Qi Refining Stage 6, one at the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level.

"Big brother! Fifth sister, she..."

The demonic Cultivator at Qi Refining Stage 5 was furious, wishing he could skin this person alive.

But the leader merely slowly raised his hand, stopping his words, then cupped his hands to Song Yan.

"I am..."

Buzz—

The Unmoored Boat instantly flew out, heading straight for the leader.

Song Yan’s expression was indifferent, as if he wasn’t conversing with anyone.

"I’m not interested in the identity of a dead person."