It was an ominous land tainted by resentment, perpetually shrouded in pitch-black yin energy. Not to mention Qi Refining cultivators, even Foundation Establishment experts who ventured in would face near-certain death with no chance of return.

Old Yin Mountain was utterly and completely a forbidden zone for humans!

"To think it's in such a place..."

Li Pingcan's expression turned extremely grave.

He had originally thought this was just a high-risk treasure hunt, but now it appeared to be an outright gamble - potentially a one-way trip with no return.

"No rush, let's survey the outskirts first."

"As long as I don't approach, there shouldn't be problems. After all, I have the Evil-Repelling Talisman and Divine Blessing of Nature."

He pondered this while his gaze penetrated through the cave's stone walls toward that forbidden mountain range veiled in thick fog.

Old Yin Mountain Outskirts

Transformed into a golden eagle, Li Pingcan soared through clouds and wind alongside Xiao Fei, looking down upon that yin-infested mountain.

Before even setting foot on the mountain, an icy, bone-chilling wind assaulted his face.

There was no fresh scent of vegetation typical of mountain breezes - only the stench of long-rotted flesh and a deathly stillness that seemed to seep into one's very soul.

"This place has exceptionally terrible feng shui," Li Pingcan muttered to himself. If someone were buried here, their descendants would be lucky if they only suffered minor misfortunes.

Rather than advancing recklessly, he found a concealed mountain hollow, sat cross-legged, and quietly expanded his [Fungal Lord Domain].

Countless mushroom spores, invisible to the naked eye, floated like dandelion seeds on the yin wind under the effect of [Dance of the Wind], silently drifting toward Old Yin Mountain.

This was his scouting technique, capable of detecting any movement within seventy li.

But this time, he miscalculated.

The moment the spores crossed an invisible boundary, they dissolved instantly like snowflakes tossed into boiling oil - disappearing without a trace!

"Damn! Does Old Yin Mountain have some kind of security system? My mushroom network just got 'disinfected'?"

This was no ordinary formation restriction - it was a malicious rejection originating from the land itself.

Simultaneously, a yin wind howled toward them. Zhao Wuyou's expression changed abruptly as he instantly activated Oak Stick Technique with his willow branch, executing the first stance of Wind Return Swordplay!

The sharp sword intent naturally countered yin energy, scattering the wailing wind.

Just as Li Pingcan relaxed, the golden Evil-Repelling Talisman at his chest suddenly ignited spontaneously, turning to ashes in an instant.

His face darkened completely.

This talisman had been bestowed by the Dragon Palace - even wandering ghosts would avoid it. Yet now, it had "died heroically" without even sounding an alarm.

What did this mean?

It meant whatever lurked in that mountain was terrifyingly evil!

"Forget it, forget it. A wise man doesn't stand under dangerous walls."

Li Pingcan wisely decided to abandon thoughts of immediately entering to seek treasure. He had no desire to become some monster's dessert for the sake of a vague treasure. Carefully noting the terrain's features, he resolved to return and plan more thoroughly.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

He refused to believe he was the only one interested in the "Martial God's Treasure."

Yunshui County, where winds and clouds shifted suddenly.

After long preparation, Zhao Wuyou finally seized what he deemed the perfect opportunity.

A massive snowstorm engulfed the entire county.

Magistrate Liang, having successfully suppressed the Li family and riding high on his power trip, decided to make an unprecedented show of "caring for the people" by personally visiting porridge distribution sites under Old Wu's protection.

Opportunity!

As Magistrate Liang's official carriage traveled down the main street, a gaunt, withered figure appeared like a ghost amidst the snow, blocking the path.

"Liang—Zhi—Yuan!"

Zhao Wuyou's voice rasped like dry bones grinding together, each word dripping with bone-deep hatred.

Frowning inside the carriage, Magistrate Liang lifted the curtain. Recognizing the man, he first froze, then revealed undisguised disdain.

"I wondered who it was. Turns out it's you, the old dog who refused to die."

Leaning back comfortably, Magistrate Liang couldn't be bothered to rise. "What? Couldn't beg for scraps at Seven Stars Sect anymore? Came back to this backwater to die? Or perhaps you seek justice for your pathetic Zhao family?"

"You deserve death." Zhao Wuyou wasted no words, murderous intent blazing in his cloudy eyes.

"You? Against me?"

Magistrate Liang laughed as if hearing the world's best joke. To celestial officials, all paths were inferior. They disdained martial artists and sect cultivators alike, viewing rogue cultivators as little better than stray dogs.

"A cultivation-wasted cripple dares bark before this official? Aren't you afraid I'll exterminate your entire Zhao lineage?"

But before he finished speaking—

Zhao Wuyou suddenly planted his wooden staff into the ground while pulling out three talismans from his robe and hurling them forward!

One crimson as blood, one blue as ice, one heavy as mountains - all radiating spiritual fluctuations far exceeding normal talismans!

Top-grade first rank talismans!

Three of them!

"Explode!"

With Zhao Wuyou's roar, the talismans detonated!

Flames, frost, and earthen spikes erupted simultaneously, creating a zone of certain death that swallowed Magistrate Liang's carriage and surrounding guards whole!

"Boom!"

The massive explosion echoed through the street, shockwaves blasting snow dozens of feet high!

"You dare!"

A furious shout came from the explosion's epicenter as golden light erupted skyward, forcibly dispersing the chaotic elemental energies.

Magistrate Liang stood midair, robes tattered, face ashen with blood at his lips. A faint golden dragon-shaped aura enveloped him, releasing pressure comparable to Foundation Establishment!

"False Core power!"

Zhao Wuyou's eyes flashed with alarm but no surprise. As county magistrate, Liang could temporarily tap into the dynasty's destiny for such power.

"Old dog! Have you gone mad, forcing this official to expend national fortune!" Magistrate Liang raged. Each use of False Core cost him years of accumulated destiny - like carving flesh from his bones!

"Today, I'll grind your bones to dust!"

Pointing forward, the golden dragon aura formed a massive claw that crushed downward with overwhelming might!

Knowing he couldn't win, Zhao Wuyou showed no fear, instead revealing a tragic smile. From his robes he produced a cracked ancient bronze mirror.

"Even in death, I'll tear flesh from you!"

Channeling his last reserves into the mirror—

"Hum!"

A beam of deathly gray light shot toward the golden claw!

Their collision silenced the world.

Zhao Wuyou flew backward like a kite with its string cut, vomiting blood before vanishing into the snowy distance.

Magistrate Liang, grazed by the strange light, saw his protective dragon aura flicker violently, nearly dissipating as his face paled.

"Cough!" Suppressing his churning qi, he glared in the direction Zhao Wuyou fled, eyes filled with venom.

Without False Core protection, that attack would have taken half his life!

Even now, it injured him severely!

Daring not to pursue (False Core power needed time to recover, and who knew what other tricks the old dog had), Magistrate Liang ordered surviving guards: "Search! Tear the county apart if you must, but find that old dog!"

Abandoned Earth God Temple

Leaning against the deity statue, Zhao Wuyou gasped for air, black blood oozing from a horrific chest wound.

He had lost, utterly defeated.

But he regretted nothing - he'd fought with everything, making Magistrate Liang pay dearly.

Feeling his life rapidly fading, the old man smiled faintly in relief.

"Oh well... half my vengeance is complete enough for our ancestors. My only regret is not seeing that child one last time..."

Just as consciousness began slipping away—

"Want revenge? Want Liang to die more painfully than you?"

"Who's there?!"

Zhao Wuyou's eyes snapped open, divine sense sweeping the empty temple.

"Who's playing tricks?!"

"My identity matters not," the voice continued. "What matters is I can give you a chance to make him suffer unthinkably."

Thousands of ants emerged carrying a scroll, placing it before Zhao Wuyou.

On it, drawn in unfamiliar symbols, was a map—of Old Yin Mountain's treasure!

"This is..."

"The Martial God's legacy in Old Yin Mountain," the voice said temptingly. "Its contents would drive any Foundation Establishment cultivator mad. How do you think greedy Liang Zhiyuan would react upon obtaining this?"

Understanding dawned on Zhao Wuyou. His raspy laughter bubbled with dark satisfaction.

"Good! What brilliant manipulation! Boy, you're ruthless!" He guessed the speaker must also bear grudges against Liang, and that Old Yin Mountain was clearly a trap.

"Why should I trust you?"

"You've no choice."

The voice sounded utterly confident. "Either die pathetically here now, or gamble your remaining life to drag that glorious magistrate down to hell with you."

After long silence, Zhao Wuyou took the map, eyes turning icy with resolve.

"Fine! But after I die, you must promise me one thing!"

"Speak."

"Protect my Zhao family's remaining bloodline!"

"Agreed," Li Pingcan replied readily.

"HAHAHAHA!"

Zhao Wuyou laughed maniacally at the sky. "Liang Zhiyuan! I've prepared quite the welcoming gift for you in the underworld! Hope you like it!"

The snowstorm buried both streets and bloodstains, but not the murderous intent.

County runners and Magistrate Liang's personal guards scoured the county like bloodhounds until they cornered the dying Zhao Wuyou in the dilapidated temple.

Magistrate Liang entered, pale and weak from earlier injuries. Seeing Zhao Wuyou leaning against the statue, his eyes burned with venomous greed.

"Old dog, you picked quite the place. Expecting this clay idol to bury you?" Liang mocked, voice betraying his weakened state.

Coughing black blood, Zhao Wuyou smiled ghastly, eyes strangely bright. "Magistrate Liang, your timing is perfect. Having such distinguished company in hell will spare me loneliness!"

Before anyone could react, he channeled his last dregs of power into an ancient storage ring on his finger.

The ring glowed ominously as unstable energy leaked out - threatening to detonate and level the entire area.

"You wouldn't dare!" Magistrate Liang paled.

He feared death, but more so losing potential treasures in the blast!

Even the poorest ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator would have accumulated substantial wealth over a century. What if there were Foundation Establishment pill recipes or techniques inside?

This could be a heaven-sent opportunity!

"HA! Watch me!"

Zhao Wuyou looked utterly deranged. "My entire Zhao family awaits me below - should I arrive empty-handed? These worldly possessions make perfect funeral offerings for you!"

He gambled that Liang's greed would override caution.

Sure enough, Magistrate Liang's throat bobbed, eyes conflicted.

Thoughts raced: 'This old dog's spent. Self-destruct might not seriously hurt me... but what if he has some mutual destruction technique? No, can't risk it! The treasures!'

"Wait!"

As Zhao Wuyou's energy peaked, Magistrate Liang shouted sharply, "Zhao Wuyou! Surrender the ring, and I swear you'll get a proper burial! Your remaining family will be spared!"

"Too late for that!" Zhao Wuyou roared as the ring's glow intensified.

"Old Wu!" Magistrate Liang acted decisively - his words had merely bought time!

Old Wu appeared behind Zhao Wuyou like a ghost, withered hands clamping like iron vices on the old man's hand seals while icy energy disrupted his power flow.

"Ugh!"

Zhao Wuyou convulsed as the ring's light dimmed. Turning incredulously to Old Wu's impassive face, his eyes flashed with bitter resignation.

Magistrate Liang snatched the ring, roughly erasing its imprint to inspect contents:

Pills, magical implements, some damaged cultivation jades... as expected.

"Hmm? This—" His attention locked onto a beastskin map.

The Martial God map of Old Yin Mountain!

Liang Zhiyuan's breathing quickened.

"HAHAHA!"

He laughed uproariously. "Zhao Wuyou, you old dog! You're my lucky star! Not only delivering your life's savings but this incredible opportunity! Rest assured, after you die, I'll take good care of your Zhao descendants - until none remain!"

"You... shameless...!"

Zhao Wuyou's eyes bulged angrily before his head lolled - dead.

In his triumph, Liang failed to notice the strange smile in Zhao Wuyou's dying eyes.

Spirit Mountain Cave Abode

Having witnessed everything, Li Pingcan slowly withdrew his awareness, lips curving slightly.

"A casual move, awaiting blossoming."

"Liang Zhiyuan, I do hope you enjoy this specially prepared gift."

County Office

Injured by Zhao Wuyou's last attack and further weakened by False Core usage, Magistrate Liang suffered severe destiny and physical backlash.

Confined to his office recovering, he obsessed over the treasure map, itching with impatience.

Old Yin Mountain's infamy and his current condition made venturing there suicidal. Worse, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Once slightly recovered during spring planting season, Magistrate Liang issued a shocking proclamation:

To thank heaven for protecting Yunshui during the snow disaster and pray for Great Yu Dynasty's prosperity, a thirty-three foot tall "Prayer Altar" would be built at the county center for a grand ceremony channeling collective will to heaven.

The heavy labor burden crushed every household like a mountain.

County runners stormed villages press-ganging laborers. Cries and curses filled the air:

"Please sir! My husband broke his leg last year! He can't do hard labor!"

"Damned altar of death! Missing spring planting means starvation!"

"Rations worse than pig slop! Neighbor's son died exhausted at the site yesterday - not even a burial mat..."

Public outrage mounted, but Magistrate Liang remained unmoved.

"Outrageous! Utterly unconscionable!"

Zhou Junzhi's eyes bulged with fury. "That bastard Liang's no official - he's a plague!"

Li Pingfu's face darkened equally. Patrolling construction sites, he'd seen peasants in rags struggling under whips.

Li Ping'an sat silently, teacup whitening under his grip. He saw deeper implications:

Liang wasn't just extorting money and labor - he aimed to destroy Li family's hard-earned reputation in Yunshui.

'If we collect taxes or supervise construction, public anger turns toward us while he reaps benefits,' he thought coldly. 'Once built, he'll present the altar as an auspicious sign to curry imperial favor. A vicious threefold scheme!'