Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

More and more figures appeared.

Their dark Daoist robes almost blended into the darkness.

Mingshanzi had already changed his attire, wearing a navy blue crane cloak embroidered with the Beidou Seven Luminaries, a long sword on his back, and a specially crafted pouch at his waist filled with bamboo talismans. Combined with his crane-like thin figure, his demeanor was vastly different.

Previously ethereal like an immortal, now exuding a murderous aura.

The people beside him all seemed extraordinary.

There was an old white-haired Taoist, tall with a face full of scars, not carrying a sword but holding an old jujube wood Dharma Seal in his right hand. His knuckles were covered with patterns stained with vermillion, marks from thirty years of practicing the Thunder Technique...

There was also a Kun Dao approaching thirty, serious and unsmiling, her long black hair secured with a green bamboo hairpin. You could vaguely see thirty-six golden needles inserted in her bun, and under her Daoist robes, leg wraps filled with talisman papers peeked out...

These experts, a small part came from the Cheng Family, the majority from Qingcheng, rarely appeared in public, primarily handling combat and warfare.

The leader from the Qingcheng side, Li Yan, recognized him. It was Ling Yun, who had previously guided them around Qingcheng Mountain and now officially became the leader of external operations from his previous role as Guest Officer.

Though neither Mingshanzi nor Ling Yun could be considered the head decision-makers, they were top-ranked within their respective mid-level hierarchies.

Yet, both stood respectfully on the sides.

Centered was a blind old Taoist, his Daoist robe tattered, his hair withered, his face covered with age spots, appearing frail and decrepit.

This was Cheng Jianxin, one of the Ten Grandmasters of the Divine State.

His Dao was waning, compounded by previous injuries, his condition was poor, eyes cloudy, and his breath weak.

Yet, no one dared to underestimate him.

Many even sneaked glances at him with eyes full of admiration.

None other than Cheng Jianxin's overwhelming prestige, having single-handedly kept Shu in check for decades, elevating Qingcheng above Emei.

In the eyes of either the Cheng Family or the Qingcheng Mountain Taoists, Cheng Jianxin was undoubtedly a god-like figure.

A god going down the mountain is still a god!

Beside Cheng Jianxin stood a young boy holding a sword, none other than Chang Gousheng, who had previously challenged Li Yan.

Unlike the others, the boy still appeared disheveled, his eyes bloody with tears welled up, his gaze shifty, occasionally glancing to the side.

Cheng Jianxin paid him no heed, facing the distant river, carefully sensing the aura.

At this moment, the river was bathed in moonlight like frost, illuminating the Yuzui Dividing Dam.

Over thirty Cao Boats lined up, each hanging giant Red Lanterns, staining the surrounding river blood-red.

Though the New Year's festival hadn't ended, the night wind on the river was biting cold, yet all the ship workers were bare-chested, revealing muscular physiques.

"Heave ho! Three Stars light the Water Mansion—"

"Heave ho! Five Generals open the mountain gate—"

They chanted ancient Sichuan River songs, turning the thick hemp ropes over the keel's pulley, sinking slabs of basalt a square yard in size into the heart of the river.

On these basalt slabs, numerous grooves were carved, filled with black glaze, forming gigantic runes.

You could vaguely discern that they formed an eye pattern.

These were ship workers sent by the Salt Gang to help. They were used to heavy labor and often involved in lethal trades, but not one dared question the operation now.

The last curious one had already fed the fish.

Not only were there these Salt Gang men on the boats, but also many Black Feather Guard soldiers with black cloaks, King Shu's personal troops, at least a hundred, each wielding a Divine Fire Gun, vigilantly scanning all directions.

Furthermore, there were some peculiarly dressed monks, Taoists, and laypeople.

They too were Southwest Evil Dao members gathered by King Shu, few in number but the most trusted by him.

Leading them was an elder in a green robe.

In a Confucian robe, with well-defined features, alternating white and black hair, his demeanor was scholarly, yet inexplicably, he felt like a Divine Weapon inserted in the ship.

Boom!

A giant stone splashed into the water, raising huge waves.

Each time this happened, magicians tossed vermillion mixed with chicken blood powder into the river, performing hand seals and spells.

The surrounding Yin Winds howled, vague shadows lurking underwater but were driven away by them.

"They are indeed up to some tricks."

Cheng Jianxin, though blind and waning in Dao, still maintained his divine skills, feeling all of this.

He sighed slightly, his expression calmly ancient, "Years ago I investigated this place and found nothing."

"Seems I was careless... begin the search!"

At his command, several people immediately busied themselves.

"Yes, Ancestor."

The previous Kun Dao cupped her hands solemnly.

Though a woman, she was evidently the main force among these experts, her demeanor quite authoritative, responding as she began performing hand seals.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

The thirty-six golden needles in her hair suddenly trembled, changing with the spell, rhythmically and in tune.

Simultaneously, her ears slightly twitched.

She closed her eyes, feeling the night wind brush against her hair, the distant sounds amplifying in her mind.

This was a special spell meant to enhance the ear divine power, extremely difficult to practice and harmful, requiring those magic artifacts to be permanently embedded in the scalp, nourished with one's Qi Blood.

Yet, once mastered, it was akin to having ears a thousand miles away.

Unlike Li Yan, who could hear ghostly whispers, this Kun Dao's awakened ear divine power could discern Astra Bane Qi flow sounds for probing.

Listening to the sounds in her ears, she finally opened her eyes, took out a Compass from her bosom, performed a hand seal, and grabbed at the air, pointing at the Compass.

The Compass needle instantly jumped and spun wildly.

"Change at Kan position!"

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