Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

Meanwhile, Xu Fu and Li Mubai quietly infiltrated the stronghold. Carefully avoiding patrolling bandits, and relying on Li Mubai's familiarity with the terrain, they quickly located key locations such as the granary and armory.

"This is their granary, piled high with grain," Li Mubai whispered, pointing to the houses ahead.

Xu Fu nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Very well, let's give them a grand gift."

After saying this, he formed a hand seal and chanted an incantation. Blazing flames erupted from his palms, shooting straight at the granary. The flames instantly ignited the roof, and the raging fire illuminated the night sky.

"Fire! Put out the fire!" the bandits cried out in panic.

The fire spread rapidly, soon engulfing the entire stronghold. The bandits were thrown into chaos; some were busy putting out the fire, while others fled in all directions, completely losing their fighting ability.

Xu Fu gazed at the ever-growing flames and nodded in satisfaction: "Let's see how they try to be so aggressive."

Li Mubai exclaimed, "Brother Xu Fu, what a brilliant strategy! With this, the bandits will surely be thrown into chaos, greatly increasing our chances of victory."

The two men exchanged a smile and, taking advantage of the chaos, sneaked into the bandits' hideout and set fires everywhere. They killed enemies as they set fires, quickly eliminating most of the bandits.

At this moment, Ying Zheng and Pan Gu also stormed into the stronghold. Seeing that Xu Fu and Li Mubai had succeeded, their morale soared, and they engaged in a fierce battle with the bandits. With the four working in perfect harmony, the bandits were unable to mount an effective resistance and fell one after another.

After a fierce battle, the bandits were completely wiped out. Their stronghold was littered with corpses and scattered weapons, a scene of utter devastation. The four men stood on the ruins, illuminated by the firelight, and laughed at each other, feeling a sense of exhilaration.

With the bandits vanquished, the nearby villages returned to peace. Upon learning that four visiting monks had eliminated the scourge, the villagers flocked to express their gratitude, their thanks overflowing. They offered the finest food and drink from their homes in welcome, and some even wished to erect statues of the four in remembrance.

However, Ying Zheng and his companions did not linger. After accepting the villagers' warm hospitality, they politely declined further offers, bid farewell to Li Mubai, and continued their exploration.

Walking along the winding paths of the Illusionary Spirit Valley, Ying Zheng couldn't help but sigh, "This experience has given me a deeper understanding of the true meaning of cultivation. Cultivation is not only for improving oneself, but also for upholding justice in the world."

Xu Fu nodded in agreement: "Indeed, those with ability should shoulder responsibility. Now that I have this power, I should rid the people of harm and protect all living beings."

Pangu laughed heartily: "Excellent words! This is the true meaning of cultivation! Let us continue on our journey, embrace more challenges, and create our own legend!"

Thus, the three embarked on another unknown journey, continuing their exploration and training in the Valley of Illusions. They firmly believed that as long as they upheld justice and forged ahead bravely, they would surely forge their own brilliant path. As the three ventured deeper into the Valley of Illusions, their reputation gradually spread throughout the valley. By chance, they were fortunate enough to encounter an old man known as the "Immortal of the Clouds." This elder appeared to be very old, yet his cultivation was unfathomable; he was a reclusive powerhouse within the Valley of Illusions.

The old man in the clouds smiled gently and said to the three of them, "I have long heard of your deeds, and I have come to meet you today. Illusionary Spirit Valley is a place full of opportunities, and it is truly the will of Heaven that you have been able to improve here."

Ying Zheng replied respectfully, "Senior, you flatter us. We only managed to achieve this through a bit of luck." His attitude was humble and sincere, conveying a deep respect for Yun Zhongxian.

Yun Zhongxian nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He continued, "While there are many opportunities in Illusionary Spirit Valley, there are also many dangers lurking within. As far as I know, there is a mysterious place in the valley called 'Netherworld Valley.' A tremendous opportunity is buried there, but it is also filled with unknown perils."

Upon hearing this, Pangu's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. He couldn't wait to ask, "The Valley of the Netherworld? What kind of place is that? And what kind of opportunities does it hold?" Pangu always had boundless enthusiasm and curiosity for adventure and treasure hunting.

After a moment of contemplation, Yun Zhongxian slowly spoke, “There is an ancient immortal abode in the Netherworld Valley, said to be left behind by an ancient powerful being. This immortal abode contains countless ancient books and immortal artifacts, each one priceless. However, the immortal abode is surrounded by powerful formations and mechanisms, making it no easy task to enter.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Fu felt a surge of excitement. He knew that such a place was undoubtedly extremely dangerous, but it also represented immense opportunities. Therefore, he respectfully inquired, "Senior, although the three of us possess some cultivation, venturing into such a place would likely be fraught with peril. Do you have any good strategies to offer us some protection?"

Yun Zhongxian sized up the three of them, a profound light flashing in his eyes. He slowly said, "The three of you are indeed brave and resourceful, but if you want to enter the immortal abode in the Netherworld Valley, you do need to make more preparations. In my collection of books, there is a secret manual called 'Netherworld Immortal Array Diagram.' This manual records in detail the array formations and methods for breaking the mechanisms in the immortal abode in the Netherworld Valley, which will be of great help to you."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng immediately declared, "Senior, we are willing to exchange all our treasures for this Immortal Array Diagram. We only ask to witness the true appearance of the Immortal Abode and explore the opportunities within." His gaze was resolute and determined, clearly indicating that he had made up his mind.

Yun Zhongxian waved his hand and said with a smile, "Treasures are certainly valuable, but the bonds between people are even more precious. Since you are interested in exploring the immortal abode in the Netherworld Valley, I will give you this 'Netherworld Immortal Array Diagram.' However, you must remember that the dangers in the Netherworld Valley are far beyond your imagination. Be sure to act cautiously and never let your guard down."

The three were overjoyed and repeatedly thanked the Immortal in the Clouds for his generous gift. They knew that they had received not only a magic array diagram, but also a rare opportunity and a sign of trust. This trust strengthened their resolve and confidence to continue their journey.

Under the guidance of the Cloud Immortal, the three began to immerse themselves in studying the Immortal Array Diagram. Through continuous learning and practice, their understanding of the Immortal Array deepened, and their mastery became increasingly proficient. Several days later, they decided to set off for the Netherworld Valley to explore the secrets hidden within that ancient immortal abode.

Before setting off, the three made thorough preparations in the Valley of Illusions. They collected all kinds of necessary medicines and healing elixirs for emergencies; checked their equipment and weapons to ensure they could exert their maximum power at critical moments; and at the same time, they continuously studied the "Netherworld Immortal Array Diagram" given to them by the Cloud Immortal, hoping to be prepared for and have countermeasures for the unknown they were about to face.

On the morning of their departure, the dawn light pierced through the thin mist, illuminating the three figures with resolute expressions. They stood at the entrance to the Netherworld Valley, gazing at the winding path stretching deep into the mountains, their hearts filled with anticipation and nervousness. Ying Zheng took a deep breath, calming his inner turmoil, and said, "This Netherworld Valley certainly seems extraordinary; even the surrounding air is filled with a chilling aura." His voice carried an indescribable reverence and respect. (End of Chapter)