On a dark night with strong winds, the crows flew south.
Outside the feng shui formation, a gust of wind swept in, casting shadows of figures and trees overlapping under the moonlight.
Yungshou Zhenren slowly walked to the railing of the stone pavilion, gazing out beyond the ancient forest, seemingly perceiving the approaching danger.
The wind rustled, and the leaves swayed.
The door to the fasting room by the courtyard opened, and a figure clad in a blue Taoist robe stepped out.
The person wore a purple-gold Taoist crown, with long hair tied high and secured with a wooden hairpin. The robe billowed, embroidered with cloud patterns, and the figure was tall and upright.
A long sword was tied to his back, its scabbard ancient, and the hilt inlaid with multicolored gems, reflecting shimmering lights in the stream.
Another figure, a weathered middle-aged man in coarse yellow hemp clothes, wearing a typical straw hat of a farmer, descended from the courtyard's green pines, barefoot in straw sandals.
This man was robust, with broad shoulders, muscular arms, and thick fingers with prominent knuckles, indicating he had substantial martial arts training, though it was unclear whether it was in boxing or finger techniques.
As they moved, the two figures positioned themselves to the left and right of Yungshou Zhenren.
Yungshou Zhenren explained to everyone, "These two are Daoist Tongya from the Qingcheng Sword Sect and the contemporary leader of the Dinu Hall, the Hero Yan Bei."
Upon hearing this, the crowd seemed to expect Daoist Tongya's arrival. Many priests had already recognized him when he first appeared.
In contrast, the presence of Yan Bei, the contemporary leader of Dinu Hall, elicited surprised expressions among several priests, as his arrival was somewhat unexpected.
Regardless, both were there to lend their strength, so the three masters bowed in thanks.
Seeing Bai Yichen looking puzzled, Master Guanzhi explained, "Daoist Tongya is one of the two elders of the Qingcheng Sword Sect and an innate expert with many years of fame."
"He traveled the martial world with Uncle Yungshou in his youth, forming a bond. Both sects belong to the Daoist tradition and have had numerous interactions over the years."
"The Dinu Hall is a rising martial sect that has emerged in the past decade or so. It was only after this leader, Yan Bei, achieved innate mastery that the hall began to rise."
"Yan Bei is quite renowned in the martial world among his generation, but I'm unsure why he has come to assist our temple today."
Master Guanzhi pondered for a moment and added, "Perhaps there are other connections."
Bai Yichen merely nodded slightly and then focused his gaze, remaining expressionless.
He could already sense a few glances directed toward him, seemingly filled with curiosity.
Bai Yichen seriously suspected that Master Guanzhi did not fully understand the auditory capabilities of innate experts, especially those in the perfected innate realm; their enhanced senses under the internal breath surpass ordinary people.
Yungshou Zhenren cast a glance this way, cleared his throat, and said, "I have adjusted the energy of the feng shui formation; the innate experts outside won't sense us. Once they enter, the situation here will change even more."
He then looked at Tongya and Yan Bei, saying, "There must be more than one innate expert from Heishi coming; I will need you, Brother Tongya and Hero Yan, to help stop them when the time comes."
"Brother Dao, you're being too polite; I will do my utmost."
"The younger generation will definitely spare no effort."
Seeing this, Yungshou Zhenren reminded the crowd from Xuanzhen Temple again, "You all know what to do with the remaining people… Be extremely careful!"
The crowd of Daoists responded in unison.
...
"Hmm… they have indeed set up a decent feng shui formation here."
Outside the ancient forest, a long-haired man in a tight black outfit and a silver-threaded golden mask spoke.
"Xuanzhen Temple has been passed down for hundreds of years; it's only natural that they have some family foundation. Once we capture Yungshou, then... Hehe, Lord Heihui, don't forget our previous agreement."
To the left, a short and stout man wearing a rat zodiac mask and a silver-threaded robe looked greedily at the ancient forest, seemingly already envisioning the endless benefits of possession.
"Once the deed is done, naturally, you won't be left out. Just don't be too careless; if things don't go as planned, hum!" Heihui said coldly, "I always feel something is strangely quiet tonight."
"I think they've already been taken down by Granny Wen's poison," Wuyat replied casually.
"Ha ha, along with the organization's assassins, aside from the acquired experts in the front courtyard, everyone else has probably... haha."
It was indeed the old woman known as Granny Wen, with her head full of silver hair, hunched over and leaning on a cane. Though she seemed frail, her eyes shone green like a cat's, eerie and captivating.
She chuckled a few times, then took out several medicine bottles and released a gust of palm wind, pushing the green mist from the bottles toward the courtyard.
"The feng shui formation needs something to rely on; with my poison mist, these ancient trees won't stand a chance."
Behind the three of them were five individuals dressed in Heishi assassin uniforms, who hurriedly took out pre-prepared pills and swallowed them.
The poison mist rose with the wind, sweeping through the ancient woods. Although it seemed to be obstructed by the feng shui formation's energy, much of it still penetrated, causing the surrounding plants to wilt.
"Just an old hag; combined with my poison, she won't stir up any trouble."
Wuyat's expression twitched slightly upon hearing this.
Granny Wen's eyes sparkled with green light from the poison mist as she spoke, "Are you really not going to take my pills, Wuyat?"
Wuyat merely chuckled twice and didn't respond further.
"Alright, we need to hurry; let's not wait for that lot in the front courtyard to kill everyone before we finish our job."
The leading Heihui then instructed the five behind him to stand by and intervene if they saw the three masters make a move.
Then, led by Heihui, Wuyat, and Granny Wen, the five followed behind as they entered the ancient woods.
Suddenly, a light mist enveloped the forest, and a fine drizzle began to fall, washing away much of the spreading poison mist above the ancient trees.
The moisture rose, shrouding the entire deep ancient woods in a layer of fog, with the moonlight hazy and the shadows of the trees dancing, creating an ethereal scene.
"Not good, it's a trap!" Heihui shouted.
However, it was too late; the changes came too quickly and unexpectedly.
Looking around, he seemed to have lost sight of those nearby in the misty rain.
The situation seemed to be shifting.
But perhaps due to years of experience and exceptional strength, Heihui calmed himself for a moment, drew a slender sword from his waist, and dashed in a straight line toward one direction. The trees before him shattered under a flurry of quick and dense sword strikes.
Then, relying on his innate breathing perception, he continued forward through the mist.
...
Yungshou Zhenren, who had been sensing with his eyes closed, seemed to notice the change and opened his eyes, saying, "The formation has changed; however, it's unlikely that this alone can trap multiple innate experts; they will definitely come this way."
"You all take the feng shui jade stones; as previously discussed, catch them off guard, and go deal with those Heishi innate experts."
Then, Yungshou Zhenren looked at Bai Yichen and said, "Don't rush in; I know you have some strategies, but this mission must be handled cautiously!"
Bai Yichen nodded in agreement.
Afterward, Yungshou Zhenren deeply surveyed the other Daoists.
The Daoists also bowed solemnly.