In the dense fog, footprints surged like raindrops.

Even more startling were the barking dogs.

At first, it was distant, but before anyone could react, it filled the air from all directions, as if surrounded by a pack of dogs.

This sound was audible to ordinary people.

Sha Lifei felt his scalp tingle.

"Something's wrong. Who stirred up the dog nest?"

"Earth Listening String" Yue San'er possessed ear divine power, and with a slight chant to probe, he became dizzy, nearly falling to the ground.

The old man broke out in a sweat, his voice trembling, "Let's go quickly!"

He's by the Yellow River and has seen many things.

Ghost cats, yin dogs, animals with some spirituality, due to the unique environment, may turn into evil entities, causing trouble, and he's dealt with many.

But such ferocity was rare in his life.

It felt different from ordinary yin soul ghosts.

"Don't worry, everyone."

Li Yan hurried to explain, "This is a senior arriving, far more advanced in Dao than me."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ghost Face" Situ Bo stared at the surrounding footprints, eyes gleaming with uncertainty, and said, "This isn't a mere ghost, it's imbued with temple incense power, is it... yin soldiers?"

Speaking those words, even he found it hard to believe.

There are various types of yin soldiers in the world.

Lesser ones are wandering ghosts in the wild and battlefield yin soldiers, mountain fierce souls, spirit monster residual souls...

Intermediate ones are the Five Rampaging Soldiers.

More aggressive are ancient Five Troop Barbarians.

Higher still are Li Yan's yin soldiers, Mystical Sect Lu Soldiers.

But no matter the type, most are humanoid.

Why were they summoning dogs in front of them?

What he didn't know was that Yang Chenghua, having roamed the wild for years, was influenced by Immortal Master Erlang's spiritual charm, having a preference for dogs.

His incense power was inexhaustible, lavishly refining a spirit dog army...

Li Yan paid no mind, looking ahead.

He had arranged with Yang Chenghua to meet at the tea house in Qingyang Palace's western suburb, but with such a situation, the other probably already started searching for him.

Finding someone was very simple for Yang Chenghua.

Release the spirit dogs, and they could search the surrounding hundred miles.

Sure enough, distant lights soon flickered.

Pinpoints of light, actually quite numerous.

As they drew near, it was clear not only Yang Chenghua arrived, but also people from Qingcheng Mountain and the Cheng Family, including hundreds of garrison soldiers.

"Greetings, Senior Mingshanzi."

After a brief exchange with acquaintances, Li Yan turned to the increasingly aged Cheng Jianxin, feeling a mix of emotions, he cupped his hands and said:

"Senior, we meet again."

"Hmm, indeed a promising junior."

Cheng Jianxin stroked his beard with a smile, not saying much.

Not every senior saw Li Yan as a hot commodity.

This Sword Immortal of Shu traveled the world all his life, slaying geniuses countless times, and now, at his end, only wished to protect his disciples one last time.

No matter how many opportunities lay behind Li Yan, he was disinterested in planning.

Moreover, their legacies and paths were utterly different.

Li Yan nodded to Chang Tianque in greeting, then exchanged information with Mingshanzi.

Dujangyan indeed had issues...

Lu Sheng initially wanted to bring the Dragon Palace into Chengdu!

Li Yan's thoughts were many; he then turned to Yang Chenghua, face serious, "Senior, they indeed obtained the mask, do you have any recollections?"

This was spoken rather ambiguously.

Yang Chenghua understood Li Yan's intention.

As he awakened step by step, inheriting all of Immortal Master Erlang's incense spiritual charm, memories of the other grew.

The River Lord suppressed Shu for thousands of years, worshipped by countless people.

The secrets he knew were countless.

"Some impressions."

Yang Chenghua nodded, "Years ago, the River God ravaged Shu's rivers, accompanied by quite a few powerful evils."

"Among them was a water demon transformed from an Ancient Shu Kingdom's Witch Sacrifice, cursing people, the cursed bore eye-shaped scars, later a Fangshi procured a mask, carried by Li Bing, using Great Qin's national fortune to suppress that evil in the Dragon Palace Water Mansion..."

"Later, the mask presumably returned..."

This explanation connected many events.

The Qiang people defeated southward, nearly destroyed by the Ancient Shu Kingdom, barely winning a battle, terrified, used the Nuo Mask for suppression.

Their Wizard legends likened the Ancient Shu to demons.

This National Guardian Divine Artifact naturally wasn't willingly returned.

When the River God ravaged, the Qiang had long integrated it into their possessions, gladly lending the artifact to suppress evil.

The evil's true nature was the Ancient Shu Witch Sacrifice, a nemesis to a nemesis.

And wolf Wu harnessed the residual Evil Spirit Qi from the evil to transform the Bronze Nuo Mask into a Demon Artifact.

At this point, Li Yan soberly stated, "Senior, be cautious."

Yang Chenghua nodded slightly, "Rest assured, I'll keep distance from that thing."

Their conversation was cryptic, triggering frowns and discontent among Qingcheng Sect members.

They met Li Yan for the first time and heard of his reputation, but at such a critical moment to be so secretive seemed unprincipled...

Yet they didn't say much.

As for Mingshanzi, he discreetly examined the two, occasionally glancing at Yang Chenghua's waist, eyes filled with suspicion.

Throughout the journey, he subtly probed to uncover Yang Chenghua's origin, only to face evasions.

Still, certain things became evident.

The spells used by the opponent, driven by incense power invoking Mystic Sect Secret Skill, were unheard of.

Along with the spirit dogs, the silver bow golden bullet at the waist...

Even the appearance bore resemblance with some in the temple.

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