A man stands before the heavens, his sword emerges from the Emei Mountains.

The window was half open, and the rising sun gradually shifted, casting a golden glow on Chen Yu.

He recalled the story told by Ma Sangu from the Bashan village.

The Five Poisons Sect's Immortal Toad Altar is located in Zhongnan Mountain, and its master is Zhan Taijing.

This message is quite suggestive.

There is an ancient tomb in Zhongnan Mountain where the woman in yellow robes is buried, and the Immortal Toad Altar of the Five Poisons Sect is also located here.

In the world of The Return of the Condor Heroes, Ouyang Feng stayed in Zhongnan Mountain for a period of time in a mad manner. It is unknown whether Zhan Taijing and Ouyang Feng had any connection.

It's not impossible that Ouyang Feng, in his impaired state, taught Yang Guo the Toad Skill, or passed it on to someone else.

The Five Poisons Sect captured the original owner, surely for the secrets of the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. Could they also be coveting the martial arts of the Ancient Tomb?

Their ambitions are considerable.

Was the junior sister who fell off the cliff and died in the back mountain related to the Five Poisons Sect?

After some deliberation, Chen Yu's thoughts returned to his mind. He picked up his pen and ink and wrote down his ideas and suggestions with his junior sister Shi Jinkui over the past few days regarding the examination of Yaowang Cave after it was incorporated into the inner sect, as well as the plan for the Emei Sect to build temples in Hanyang and other places.

At midday, Chen Yu went to Woyun Nunnery to hand over the text to Miejue. At noon, he invited Ding Minjun, Ji Xiaofu, Bei Jinyi, and Su Mengqing to tell them that he was going to Hengyang, Hunan.

"Junior Brother Chen, aren't we a bit short-handed?" Ji Xiaofu asked worriedly.

"The previous two times, we relied on the fact that the Five Poisons Sect was unprepared, so we used enough manpower to wipe them out, like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. Now that the Bashan Altar has been destroyed, it would be unreasonable for the Five Poisons Sect not to be on guard. Acting in a big way would only expose them to being plotted against. Acting in secret is the best policy."

"That's right," Su Mengqing agreed.

Chen Yu changed the subject, "Thunder and Lightning Gate and Azure Phosphorus Cave will be dealt with by Senior Sister Lao Ding and Senior Sister Ji."

"Don't worry, junior brother."

Ding Minjun had been drinking and practicing her martial arts for over a year, and Chen Yu's address of "senior sister" was sincere. She was still basking in the satisfaction of Chen Yu knocking Jian Jie unconscious and avenging her, so she immediately patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, leave it to senior sister."

Chen Yu kept his eyes focused on his nose and his heart unmoved by the waves, when suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him.

He always felt that the names Thunder Gate and Azure Phosphorus Cave were familiar, but he could never quite place them. Now, after much contemplation, he suddenly understood.

The Nine-Winged Taoist, a skilled martial artist in the world of Tianlong, comes from the Thunder and Lightning Sect.

Bilin Cave is one of the thirty-six caves. The cave master appears to be Sangtu Gong, who is extremely skilled in earth-walking techniques and hidden weapons.

Given Ding Minjun's careless nature, if he were to encounter the master of Bilin Cave, and if his opponent had inherited Sangtugong's martial arts, he would surely be riddled with bullets.

hiss……

"What's wrong, Junior Brother?" Bei Jinyi, who loved to eat, was holding a persimmon in her hand. When she saw Chen Yu's expression change, she asked with her keen mind.

Chen Yu replied smoothly: "Thunder and Lightning Sect and Azure Phosphorus Cave, just from their names, one can sense their skill in using tricks and hidden weapons. They are associated with the Five Poisons Sect and may even be adept at poisons. We must not be careless, especially with the latter."

"Yes, it sounds like some kind of evil or crooked practice," Su Mengqing said.

Ding Minjun dismissed it with disdain.

Ji Xiaofu, observing his expression, said, "Junior Brother, rest assured, we will act cautiously. During the night raid on Bashan, we also searched for a lot of Five Poisons Sect antidotes. Junior Sister Shi is improving our sect's pills based on some of the secret formulas we seized. We'll bring plenty with us. When encountering enemies, we'll use sword formations supplemented by hidden weapons."

"That puts my mind at ease."

"Take care on your journey, junior brother, and return in triumph," Su Mengqing and Bei Jinyi said.

"Okay." Chen Yu nodded.

The patrols on the back mountain were arranged by Jingxuan, so there was no need for further instructions.

After the others left, Chen Yu packed his bags and, carrying the hidden weapon "Han Sha She Ying" that he had obtained from Ma Sangu of Bashan, headed straight for Xijianping.

……

Yang An had already received word of this, and he and Tang Zhihu had been waiting for a long time when Chen Yu arrived.

Chen Yu didn't mind Tang Zhihu accompanying him. Yang An was currently in the inner sect, and Tang Zhihu's cultivation was already outstanding among the outer sect, with few able to match him. Yang An's intention was probably to give him some experience and then recruit him into the inner sect after he returned.

Accompanying Yang An and Chen Yu, Tang Zhihu, who had martial arts experience in the escort agency, carried a powerful bow.

The three of them walked together. Zhou Zhiruo stepped forward and said, "Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Yang, Senior Brother Tang, take care on your journey."

"Junior sister, practice your skills diligently. In three or two years, with your comprehension, you will surely be able to go down the mountain to gain experience," Chen Yu encouraged.

"I'll have my senior brother examine me when I get back."

"it is good."

Tang Zhihu said, "Junior Sister Zhou's comprehension is astonishing, and her memory is outstanding. When she came up the mountain, she knew a little about writing, but now she has read extensively from the classics collected in the sect, and can quote from scriptures and speak eloquently."

"It's all thanks to the careful guidance of my senior brothers and sisters," Zhou Zhiruo said softly.

Chen Yu's mind raced, and he said, "My academy has many classic texts that can aid in understanding and cultivation. Junior Sister, why don't you take some time to read them?" Zhou Zhiruo was overjoyed: "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Don't be so polite.

The three of them did not linger and strode down the mountain.

With bow on his back and sword gleaming in the frost, he rides his horse westward in the autumn wind.

……

"I never imagined that Junior Brother Tang's archery skills were so outstanding."

The sun had already set, a babbling brook meandered through the mountains, and three pheasants were roasting over a campfire.

Chen Yu, who had witnessed Tang Zhihu's three consecutive arrows, praised him highly.

"The carriages jingled and the horses neighed, the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) each carried bows and arrows at their waists. Among the镖局 (bodyguard agencies) and镖师 (escorts/escorts), there were many skilled archers. I learned a trick."

Chen Yu and Yang An nodded; many of the bodyguards from the Su Family Escort Agency in Guanzhou were also skilled archers.

"My junior brother's martial arts are not as good as my two senior brothers', but he can shoot arrows and provide long-range assistance. I'm confident he won't be a burden." Tang Zhihu spoke confidently about his archery skills.

"Junior brother, you are mistaken. In terms of martial arts alone, you are absolutely no less skilled than the Five Poisons Sect Master and Incense Master," Yang An commented objectively.

"Thank you for your kind words, senior brother. I will continue to strive for excellence."

"Enter the inner sect as soon as possible," Chen Yu said.

"Thank you for your kind words, senior brother."

The Xijiang River is located in Changning, which is under the jurisdiction of Hengyang.

Chen Yu and his two companions rode swiftly from Emei Mountain and arrived in late autumn. The mountains of Hengyang were still lush and green. Due to the original owner's memories, Chen Yu felt a strong sense of familiarity with the local dialect. He thought that if this trip was successful, he could visit the Hengshan Sect in Hengyang.

"Senior brother, have some meat." Tang Zhihu took a roasted pheasant and handed it to Chen Yu.

Thank you.

The three ate meat and drank wine. Chen Yu said, "This place is not far from the Miao village where the Five Poisons Sect of Xijiang is located. Let's discuss how to gather information."

"How about we dress up as Miao people?" Tang Zhihu suggested. "We could also dress as hunters."

Yang An laughed and said, "Hunters stick together, and unfamiliar faces easily arouse suspicion. The Miao people gather in groups, which is also inappropriate. We'll just sneak in at night."

"OK."

"Senior Brother Chen and Senior Brother Yang are indeed very thoughtful," Tang Zhihu said with shame.

With some time still to go before sunset, Chen Yu asked during their casual conversation, "Junior Brother Tang, what are your plans for the future?"

Tang Zhihu joked, "I'll try to leave the sect and take over the escort agency before Senior Brother Chen becomes the sect leader. But as agreed, I'll be obliged to do whatever Senior Brother asks me to do. If I can wait until the sect fights the Tartars, I'll dismiss the irrelevant personnel of the escort agency and follow Senior Brother in serving the country with utmost loyalty."

"What ambition!" Yang An praised.

"Okay." Chen Yu nodded.

"A promise is a promise." Tang Zhihu picked up the gourd containing the medicinal wine.

"Dry!"

……

Along the Xijiang River in Changning, clusters of torches burn brightly, casting a jumbled and chaotic light and shadow on the riverbank.

Granny Jin Hua and Ali disembarked from the passenger boat.

"Grandma, where are we going now, to the Five Immortals Sect?" Ali asked in a clear voice.

"No, we'll go to Anhui. Grandma will find someone to do some work there."

"Hmm." Ali nodded, then her expression suddenly changed. She grabbed Granny Jin Hua's hand. "Granny, look at that?"

Following Ali's pointing finger, Granny Jinhua saw several men walking about five or six zhang away, unusually surrounded by a middle-aged man dressed as a servant.

"He's one of Father's men, Yin Wushou." Ali didn't dare to breathe.

Granny Jin Hua frowned, wondering how the people from the Sky Eagle Sect had arrived in Changning, Hengyang.

Could it be that their power is expanding and they're going to target the Hengshan Sect?

Granny Jin Hua made a mistake in judgment.

On that day in Hanyang, the Eagle Sect captured a disciple of the Kongtong Sect. During interrogation, they learned that Bai Guishou had been captured and also learned the appearance of the key figure of the Five Poisons Sect.

The Sky Eagle Sect and the Iron Palm Gang were powerful, and they used carrier pigeons to send messages to their branches in various places to keep an eye out and investigate. They actually managed to find out the whereabouts of Bai Guishou and his group and chased them directly to Changning, Hengyang.

Unexpected events lead to unexpected events, and storms from all directions converge in Hengyang.