I am a full-level celestial master, you let me enter the strange talk of rules?

Zhang Yangqing took over the conversation this time, speaking calmly and naturally: "That's right, we have something important that we left in the mountains before, so we came back specifically to retrieve it."

That was the truth, but the young man frowned even more after hearing it.

He looked up at the sky. It was already afternoon. Darkness came early in the mountains, and with the dense forest, the light was already starting to dim.

After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and earnestly advised, "Brothers, listen to my advice, things are really not safe in the mountains lately! Look at the sky, it's getting dark soon. It's very unsafe to rush into the mountains at this time!"
"If you don't mind, my home is in a mountain hollow not far ahead. I live alone there. You can rest there for the night, have some hot water and something to eat, and then go into the mountains tomorrow morning. It'll be much safer that way!"

He paused, then added, "Besides, I grew up in these mountains and know the terrain very well. Which specific place are you looking for? Maybe I know a shortcut. I can point you to an easy road tomorrow."

These words were spoken with sincerity, filled with concern for the safety of a stranger on the street and a willingness to help in any way possible.

Zhang Yangqing looked closely at the young man through his sunglasses.

Although the other party had a demonic aura and was in poor mental condition, their eyes were clear and their tone was sincere. They didn't seem like a wicked person at all. Instead, they had the simplicity and hospitality unique to mountain people.

It is truly rare to find someone who, even when facing their own troubles, still thinks of reminding and helping strangers.

Zhang Yangqing politely declined, saying, "Isn't that a bit much? It's too much trouble for you."

The young man quickly waved his hand: "No trouble at all! Really! I live alone, and I have an empty room, it's just a bit basic, but please don't mind! It's really dangerous in the mountains at night, you can trust me!"

Seeing his insistence, Zhang Yangqing stopped refusing and nodded: "Alright, then we'll trouble you, young brother. We'll be staying here for the night."

Perhaps in the eyes of Taoist disciples like Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan, this young man is destined to be with Taoist disciples, and his fate may be resolved.

But at their first meeting, neither of them knew whether the young man meant well or had ulterior motives.

Even though they are powerful, they must always ensure their own safety.

As the saying goes, one should not have the heart to harm others, but one must have the heart to guard against others.

"Great! No trouble at all! Gentlemen, please follow me!" The young man seemed relieved when he saw that they had agreed. He gave a forced smile and turned to lead the way, heading towards a more secluded path leading into the mountain valley.

Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of interest in each other's eyes.

This trip to Changbai Mountain seems to have encountered an unexpected little incident before even officially starting the search for the sword.

As night fell, the last rays of the setting sun were completely swallowed up by the continuous mountain ridges, and the light in the forest quickly dimmed.

The young man seemed to have temporarily given up on finding the beautiful woman. He sighed wearily, turned around, and led Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan along the more secluded path towards his home deep in the mountain valley.

Along the way, in order to ease the somewhat dull atmosphere and to learn more about the situation, Xiao Xuan took the initiative to strike up a conversation with the young man.

From his self-introduction, we learned that the man's name was Chen Wen, a villager from the nearby Chenjia Village, who had lived at the foot of this mountain for generations.

Zhang Yangqing casually picked up his phone and opened a map app to check the map.

The screen did indeed mark a location called "Chenjia Village," and the direction was basically the same as the road Chen Wen led.

But as Chen Wen said, the further into the mountains you go, the weaker the cell phone signal becomes, and it becomes intermittent. About halfway there, the signal bars disappear completely, turning into a glaring red cross.

"No signal?" Zhang Yangqing muttered to himself, casually putting his phone back in his pocket. This situation inexplicably reminded him of his experience when he went to a remote resort with Xiao Xuan last time, where the signal was blocked or interfered with by some invisible force.

It seems that there are indeed some unclean things in this area that are interfering with the normal electromagnetic field.

He slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding environment.

The sun had completely set, and the last ray of light was blocked by the dense canopy of trees, plunging the surroundings into a deep gloom.

Only those who live in the mountains year-round and are familiar with the terrain can navigate the intricate paths with ease, relying on the faint light and shadows and their memories.

In the distance came the chirping of insects and the occasional roar of a beast. Rustling sounds rose from the bushes and under the leaf litter, signs that nocturnal creatures were beginning to move.

But besides that, Zhang Yangqing could also sense some more subtle and unusual auras.

In certain dark corners, damp ditches, or the shadows of ancient trees, a faint aura of malevolence and yin energy emanates.

If my eyesight is even slightly better, I can still see a 'hanging' figure on a certain tree, appearing and disappearing, as if something terrible had happened to this tree, and it has an unspeakable past.

If an ordinary passerby saw this, they would definitely be scared. But Zhang Yangqing showed no emotion whatsoever. Who is he trying to scare?

Zhang Yangqing also sensed a faint, barely perceptible demonic aura nearby.

These scents, some strong and some faint, some like traces left by passersby, others like the aroma emanating from the "master" who has long resided here.

It's perfectly normal that the Changbai Mountains, a place of natural beauty and spiritual energy since ancient times, would harbor some demons, monsters, and evil spirits.

As long as they don't actively harm people, or pose little threat, cultivators like Zhang Yangqing generally don't bother to clean them up one by one.

He remained calm and continued to follow behind Chen Wen and Xiao Xuan, silently sensing everything around him.

After walking along a mountain path for a while, the terrain ahead opened up a bit.

Chen Wen stopped and pointed to the outline of a village nestled deep in the mountain valley, with sparse lights, and said, "Brothers, that's our village over there."

Zhang Yangqing looked in the direction he pointed.

It was indeed a typical small mountain village, with dozens of households scattered on the hillside. Most of them were single-story houses or two-story buildings with brick and tile structures. At this moment, lights were already on, and wisps of smoke were rising from the chimneys, exuding the warmth of human life.

However, in the eyes of professionals like Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan, this village seemed somewhat unusual.

On the ground near the village entrance, at several conspicuous corners of walls, and even on the trunks of some old trees, one can vaguely see some dark red marks that have not been completely washed away by wind and rain.

Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a mark left after black dog blood was splashed.

Moreover, this happened in more than one place, which is clearly not a coincidence.

"It seems this village has been rather unsettled lately," Xiao Xuan said to Zhang Yangqing in a low voice. (End of Chapter)