My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

The Zhou family mansion, the wealthiest family in Heishan Town, is a completely different world within its high walls.

Although the pavilions and towers are not particularly exquisite or elegant, they are still decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an air of wealth and luxury built with gold and silver.

However, this wealth is now shrouded in a shadow.

The bronze mirror hanging under the corridor is a symbol of protection against evil spirits. The newly buried "Taishan Stone Guardian" in the corner of the wall, and the faint sandalwood scent mixed with the more subtle aroma of mugwort and cinnabar in the air.

All of this reveals the deep-seated fear in the owner's heart.

Ningbixuan, the most secluded and meticulously decorated independent courtyard in the Zhou family mansion, has now become the residence of Master Yunhe.

Inside the small hall, on a rosewood octagonal table, were eight exquisite porcelain dishes, four for cold dishes and four for hot dishes.

Although it wasn't anything fancy, it was already the best hospitality in this remote mountain town, with delicacies from the mountains and wild game, and fresh seasonal vegetables, all of which were carefully selected.

A pot of perfectly warmed aged Shaoxing wine exudes a mellow aroma.

Mr. Zhou, whose real name is Zhou Yongfu, is a man in his fifties, with a plump figure and a round, wealthy appearance.

At this moment, he was personally holding the wine pot, pouring wine for Master Yunhe, who was sitting at the head of the table, with a smile that was almost fawning on his face.

"You've worked hard again today, ridding the town of a scourge."

Zhou Yongfu's voice carried his usual smoothness, but also a hint of barely perceptible tension.

"This is a 20-year-old vintage that was just taken out of the cellar. Please have a taste to warm you up."

Master Yunhe – whose real name is Wu He, has fair skin and three long, meticulously groomed beards.

He picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, his movements elegant and composed, and nodded slightly.

"Not bad. Mr. Zhou is very kind." His tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger, yet it carried a condescending air of arrogance.

"Of course, of course!" Zhou Yongfu quickly replied.

"If it weren't for the descent of the immortal being and the application of miraculous magic, my Black Mountain Town would probably already be... alas!"

He sighed heavily, his fat face trembling, and his eyes filled with genuine fear.

"The howling of those things that roam outside the town at night is getting closer and closer... Yesterday, the window paper of the empty house next to Li the blacksmith's house was torn to shreds!"

"Master, how long do you think this 'chicken blood to ward off evil' method can last? And when will you finally eradicate the 'root of trouble' in the forest?"

This was the question Zhou Yongfu asked several times every day, and it was also the heaviest burden weighing on the hearts of the entire Heishan Town.

Master Yunhe put down his wine cup, picked up a plain handkerchief, and wiped the corner of his mouth with slow and deliberate movements.

He looked up at Zhou Yongfu, his gaze deep and penetrating, as if he could see into people's hearts, and slowly began to speak.

"Master Zhou, please calm down. The creature in the forest is not an ordinary mountain spirit or monster, but a collection of accumulated yin energy over the years."

Nourished by the terrain, it has grown to a considerable size, which can be called "Earth Vein Yin Stiffness". Ordinary thunder and fire talismans cannot harm its essence.

Although I am willing to exorcise demons, however…

He paused deliberately, and only continued when he saw that Zhou Yongfu had craned his neck.

"However, thorough preparations are necessary. First, a 'Nine Yang Locking Yin Formation' must be set up using pure Yang materials to cut off the supply of Yin energy from the earth's veins."

Secondly, forty-nine "Evil-Breaking Golden Needles" need to be crafted and inserted into the vital joints and acupoints throughout the body to immobilize the creature and gradually refine it. Thirdly...

His voice was low, making him sound even more solemn.

"The townspeople must unite as one, burning incense and praying day and night, using their pure and benevolent thoughts to enhance the power of the formation and counteract its malevolent and resentful force. None of these three can be lacking."

His words were cryptic and unfathomable, and Zhou Yongfu only vaguely understood them, but the terms "Nine Yang," "Golden Needle," and "human kindness" sounded incredibly powerful.

The fact that "not one can be missing" made him feel that this matter was extremely difficult and could only be accomplished by a master like Zhenren.

He quickly replied, "Whatever you need, Master, just give the order! Although my Zhou family is not extremely wealthy, we have all the manpower and resources we need in this Black Mountain region, at your command!"

I'll talk to the townspeople and tell them to add three more incense sticks each day and pray sincerely!

A barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flashed across Master Yunhe's eyes, but his tone remained calm.

"Master Zhou is generous and cares deeply for his hometown; this is a meritorious deed. The list of required materials will be delivered by my attendant shortly."

As for the townspeople... sincerity is enough; there's no need to be overly demanding, lest it backfire.

He changed the subject, his brows furrowing slightly, "However, recently those Yin zombies seem to be becoming more and more restless, and are becoming increasingly greedy in absorbing Yin energy."

I observed the celestial phenomena last night and, combined with the atmosphere in the town, I fear... I fear its patience is about to run out. If we cannot prepare everything before it completely erupts, the formation will not be complete, the golden needles will not be ready, and the people's hearts will not be united...

"Alas, Black Mountain Town is likely to face annihilation. The very place in the town with the strongest yang energy, and thus the most coveted by evil spirits, will be the first to suffer."

His gaze swept meaningfully over the ornately decorated hall and Zhou Yongfu's robes of silk and satin.

Zhou Yongfu was so frightened that his face turned pale and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

His Zhou residence was the most conspicuous and "yang-abundant" place in town, wasn't it? Just thinking about those zombies rushing in... he dared not think any further.

"Master! Master, please save me! No matter what, please, Master, you must find a way to subdue this!"

"Whatever you need, I'll get it done right away! Double it! No, triple it!" Zhou Yongfu almost knelt down.

Master Yunhe gestured slightly, "Master Zhou, there's no need for that. Since I'm here, I'll do my best to mediate. However, the preparations need to be expedited. Besides..."

He pondered for a moment, "The restless, gloomy creatures will release even stronger plague-like energy, and the number of people newly infected with the evil energy in the town will likely increase."

If any animal stops breathing or shows any unusual signs, you must, as before, promptly notify me for handling and send it to the kiln for incineration to prevent future troubles.

To prevent their corpses from turning into zombies and thus fueling the power of the Yin Zombies, this is also crucial for buying time for the great formation.

"Yes, yes, yes! I will definitely do as you say! I will never delay!" Zhou Yongfu assured him repeatedly, as if he wanted to tear his heart out to show his loyalty.

After offering some words of reassurance and emphasizing the need to expedite the preparation of supplies, Yunhe Zhenren then used the excuse that he "needed to calmly calculate the details of the formation."

This ended the conversation that had left Zhou Yongfu both terrified and deeply dependent.

Zhou Yongfu thanked him profusely and withdrew, whispering something before leaving.

"Your Excellency works tirelessly day and night. Tonight... I have already had the maids warm the west wing's heated chamber and prepared hot water and calming incense."

There's also a clever maidservant serving you over there. If you need anything, just let me know." The implication in her words was self-evident.

Master Yunhe merely raised his eyelids slightly and gave a noncommittal "hmm," which could be considered tacit approval.

Zhou Yongfu breathed a sigh of relief and bowed as he withdrew.

Only Master Yunhe remained in the hall. The compassionate and unfathomable expression on his face vanished instantly.

Instead, a genuine expression mixed with arrogance and coldness appeared.

He walked to the window, looked at the night view of the Zhou family garden outside, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Earth Vein Yin Stiffness? Nine Yang Locking Yin Formation? Demon-Slaying Golden Needle?" He muttered to himself, his tone full of disdain.

"A bunch of ignorant mortals, they deserve to hear such things. They actually believed just some made-up words. Fortunately, I have followed my master and we are seeking the supreme path together. Soon... soon..."