Chapter 81

The three exits simultaneously clashed with evil beings.

Since the Yang Family had brought sufficient evil-repelling talismans, the cultivators maintained control of the battlefield. Only a few mid-stage Gathering Qi evil beings required focused handling.

At the main entrance, Zhang Tianfeng demanded Old Yu’s full attention.

The remaining three formed a triangular formation—Yang Linghu at the front, Zhao Qi and Wu Tong supporting from the flanks.

“Wah—!”

A shrill wail echoed as Yang Linghu spotted another fourth-level Gathering Qi evil being crawling from the valley.

“Stay here! I’ll keep that one busy!”

Yang Linghu dashed forward. With a flicker of thought, his Tiger Head Arm Guards materialized.

With Tian Yu absent, he no longer suppressed his cultivation level.

At third-level Gathering Qi, wielding fourth-level techniques and empowered by a superior-quality mid-stage spiritual treasure, Yang Linghu now rivaled fourth-level foes.

“You’re not escaping!”

He intercepted the evil being, slamming his fist downward. A tiger claw’s external manifestation tore three gashes across the creature’s chest, hurling it back ten feet.

A cultivator of equal level would’ve reeled from such a blow—but this thing felt no pain. Corrupted by dark energy, it retained only bloodlust.

The evil being paused briefly before lunging again.

Such creatures never retreated. Only destroying their core or shattering their bodies stopped them.

“No pain, no fear… perfect training dummy!”

Yang Linghu grinned, fighting spirit igniting. Past monsters had fled mid-battle, forcing tedious chases. This mindless beast? Ideal for practice.

Meanwhile, Yang Lingrui battled Zhang Yao at full strength. He channeled destructive energy into his opponent’s veins, reducing internal organs to pulp while leaving the corpse intact—a warrior’s mercy for a former rival.

After finishing Zhang Yao, Yang Lingrui joined Gao Hui against a fifth-level Gathering Qi evil being.

Liang Yi held back four early-stage Gathering Qi creatures. Though only first-level himself, divine movement talismans and his family’s resources kept him steady.

The western front fared worst. Aside from Tian Yu, Qinghe Town’s cultivators paled against the Yang Family’s might. Surviving one-on-one fights counted as victory here. Without Yang talismans, the line would’ve collapsed.

The eastern side cleared first. Gao Hui’s reinforcements stabilized the west.

With both flanks secure, all cultivators converged at the valley mouth. Yang Lingrui aided Yang Linghu in slaying the fourth-level evil being.

Only sixth-level Gathering Qi Zhang Tianfeng remained.

“I’ll go help Elder Yu! The four of you stay here on guard!”

“Understood!”

Yang Lingrui leaped into the valley to assist Old Yu, with Gao Hui right behind him.

After brief hesitation, Tian Yu followed too.

Inside the valley, Old Yu and Zhang Tianfeng remained locked in combat.

Neither specialized in purely offensive techniques, resulting in limited lethal force.

One wielded a spiritual treasure while the other drew power from dark energy, leaving them evenly matched despite hundreds of exchanged blows.

The arrival of Yang Lingrui’s group tipped the balance.

As Zhang Tianfeng weakened, Tian Yu grew eager.

“Slay this strongest evil being here, purge the dark energy, and our crisis ends!”

Success meant he’d only face written reprimands, not real punishment. Merits mattered less now – avoiding negligence charges was enough, even if Gao Hui claimed all credit.

Tian Yu unleashed his secret techniques, attacking fiercely.

Just as Zhang Tianfeng staggered, a glimmer of clarity flashed in his eyes.

“NO!! This isn’t right!! This wasn’t supposed to happen!!”

His anguished shriek echoed through the valley.

Old Yu thrust out his palm. “His consciousness returns! Stop now!”

Yang Lingrui and Gao Hui instantly halted their techniques.

But Tian Yu ignored them, caring only about ending things quickly.

“Evil being, your tricks won’t work on me! Die!”

A beam of light shot from Tian Yu’s hand, striking Zhang Tianfeng’s skull.

“AAAAHHH!!”

Zhang Tianfeng’s shrieking ceased as the clarity vanished from his eyes.

“Tian Yu! Explain this!” Gao Hui demanded.

“Me? You’re the fools trusting a monster’s lies!” Tian Yu gathered another beam while speaking.

Suddenly, Zhang Tianfeng twisted and fled deeper into Sanglu Valley.

The group pursued until thickening dark energy blinded both sight and divine awareness, forcing them back.

Fuming at the escape, Tian Yu wheeled on Old Yu. “Why stop? Together we’d have finished him in minutes!”

Whoosh—

The rushing wind sound made Tian Yu turn. Meeting Yang Lingrui’s icy stare, his anger dissolved into cold realization.

At this moment, the four found themselves in the valley. The other three could easily eliminate him here, then simply blame evil beings to escape unscathed.

Realizing this, cold sweat trickled down Tian Yu’s back.

"You’re inexperienced in such matters. I understand."

Having cultivated for decades, Old Yu maintained rock-solid composure and wouldn’t be provoked by trivial matters.

"But you just destroyed our best chance to help Zhang Tianfeng’s consciousness resist the dark energy corruption."

These words made Tian Yu freeze in panic.

He never knew combating evil beings involved such complexities. His reckless actions had clearly startled the creature into fleeing.

"Senior Yu! I’ve doomed us all!"

Regret flooded Tian Yu’s heart, but the damage was done.

When the evil being retreated to the valley’s depths, strange changes occurred. The lingering dark energy suddenly cascaded downward like rushing water.

Old Yu’s face darkened. He pulled out his magic disc, then urgently shouted: "Go!"

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!

The four figures sped from the valley. Spotting their retreat, Yang Linghu instantly yanked his three companions by their collars and bolted.

"Move!"

He barked at the stunned Qinghe Town cultivators still standing frozen.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion shook the valley as dark energy erupted violently.

The slow-reacting Qinghe cultivators vanished into the black tide within seconds.

Agonized screams pierced the air behind them.

Using their family’s divine movement talismans, Yang Linghu’s group barely outpaced the devouring darkness.

Regrouping at safe distance, the Yang Family members huddled together.

"Evacuate Qinghe Town immediately!" Old Yu commanded the five juniors. "What comes next exceeds your capabilities."

"At once, Elder Yu!"

Without question, the five Yang cultivators raced toward Qinghe Town.

Meanwhile, terrifying energy pulsed from the valley depths.

When Tian Yu cautiously extended his divine awareness, the overwhelming evil aura physically shoved him backward.

"This… this is Gathering Qi at the seventh level!"