Ling Xiao could tell that these wild beasts were originally ordinary animals, later consumed by the power of a plague, resulting in some kind of mutation.
At a glance, however, the strongest plague beast was merely a first-level ferocious beast, equivalent to a martial artist at the first level of the Mortal Realm.
The rest were just plague demon beasts, equivalent to martial artists at the Martial Vein Realm, which posed no significant issue for Ling Xiao.
Yet, strangely, it was said that nearly a thousand people lived in this valley, but not a single person could be seen now.
Could beasts be consumed by the plague, leading to mutations?
What about the people?
An ominous feeling arose in Ling Xiao’s heart.
“Gentlemen, the Plague Valley originally had a valley master, whose strength reached the late third level of the Mortal Realm. He was once a disciple of the Moonlight Sect, but after the incident in the valley, there has been no word of this valley master,” the garrison leader warned Ling Xiao and the other three. “You young heroes must be cautious; we suspect there’s a third-level Mortal Realm powerhouse in the Plague Valley!”
The task was assigned by the local garrison, and they were also the ones providing the rewards.
However, their knowledge of the events in the Plague Valley was far from detailed.
Ling Xiao had no intention of wasting time here.
On his Mountain and River Map, a clear three-dimensional map of the entire valley had already appeared, marking every ditch and corner, even the easily overlooked spots, with great precision.
With just one look, his understanding of this place surpassed that of the locals born and raised here.
So, despite the valley being shrouded in thick fog, it was virtually impossible for him to lose his way.
“Ling Xiao, aren’t you going to scout the situation inside?” Sword Ling Xiao was just standing there, staring into the Plague Valley, when Chen Zui spoke up, questioning him.
“Senior Brother Shangguan, my cultivation is weak. If I enter this plague, I’m afraid I won’t survive. This task should be handled by you three senior brothers,” Ling Xiao said with a smile.
Based on his judgment, the plague in the Plague Valley shouldn’t pose a problem for Mortal Realm powerhouses.
Of course, this applied to most of the plague. However, there was a manor in the Plague Valley where the plague took on a blood-red hue. To enter there, one’s cultivation needed to be above the seventh level of the Mortal Realm, or they required special auxiliary martial arts like Ling Xiao’s.
Otherwise, entering would inevitably lead to being corroded by the plague.
Whether death followed was uncertain, but it definitely wouldn’t be pleasant.
“Just go in when you’re told, no more nonsense!” Hearing Ling Xiao’s words, Wanyan Jun, Chen Zui, and Shangguan Lei blocked his path of retreat, leaving only the road leading into the Plague Valley.
“What are you trying to do?” Ling Xiao asked, feigning fear.
“What are we trying to do? Hmph, you’ll find out once you’re inside. If you want to live, do exactly as we say, or we’ll send you to hell right now!” Chen Zui said with a sinister smile.
“Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! I’ll go in!” Ling Xiao hurriedly retreated toward the Plague Valley.
Outside, the Northern Han garrison was present, making it inconvenient to act.
But once inside the Plague Valley, things were different. There were no living people there, so even if he took out these three, no one would know.
Wanyan Jun, Chen Zui, and Shangguan Lei exchanged smiles.
They thought to themselves that Ling Xiao was just a coward who bullied the weak. They’d heard he was quite domineering, even defeating Sword King, but facing three inner disciples at the third level of the Mortal Realm, he was scared senseless.
After entering the Plague Valley, Ling Xiao headed straight for the manor with the blood-red plague.
He had already checked the other areas and confirmed nothing unusual.
Only this manor, due to the blood-red plague, was impenetrable to his senses.
This strongly suggested it was likely the source of the plague, and the so-called plague ferocious beasts were probably there too.
Perhaps even the valley’s thousand inhabitants were there.
Since the task required it, this was a place he had to visit.
To accommodate Wanyan Jun, Chen Zui, and Shangguan Lei, Ling Xiao didn’t move too quickly.
He wasn’t in a rush to act, as these three were third-level Mortal Realm martial artists. If they encountered danger, they could at least serve as three strong combatants.
This sect mission itself was suspicious. Even a Moonlight Sect disciple at the peak of the third level of the Mortal Realm had been trapped here, so things were likely not as simple as they seemed.
“Senior Brothers, this manor seems strange. Shall we go in and check?” Ling Xiao now fully played the part of someone being coerced.
He believed these three wouldn’t act against him for the time being, for the same reason he wanted to use them, they likely wanted to use him too.
“You go in first!” Wanyan Jun ordered coldly.
“But Senior Brother Wanyan, the atmosphere inside doesn’t feel right. If I go in, won’t I die?” Ling Xiao asked timidly.
“Less nonsense, get in there!” Shangguan Lei took a step forward and kicked toward Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao used the force to enter the manor, making it appear as though he’d been kicked inside.
“Hahaha, this kid is useless!” Shangguan Lei laughed.
“Don’t get too smug yet. Senior Brother Hei Suo said this kid is full of tricks. We still need to be careful,” Wanyan Jun said calmly.
“Senior Brother Wanyan, aren’t you being too cautious? No matter how strong this kid is, he’s at most at the peak of the second level of the Mortal Realm. With the three of us together, can’t we handle him?” Chen Zui said disdainfully.
“Even so, caution is best. From now on, we keep an eye on his every move,” Wanyan Jun said seriously.
“But he’s already gone in. Are we going in too?” Chen Zui asked.
“Wait a moment!” Wanyan Jun thought for a bit. “This manor isn’t that big; he can’t escape. If he comes out alive, it means there’s not much of a problem inside.”
“Senior Brothers, come in, it’s fine. There’s just one person who’s not quite dead yet!” Suddenly, Ling Xiao’s voice came from inside.
“Let’s go!” Wanyan Jun and the others entered the manor together, passing through the courtyard to the inner hall, where they saw Ling Xiao standing next to an old man who was barely alive.
“Senior Brother Zhan!” Wanyan Jun recognized the half-dead old man at a glance. It was the valley master, also a Moonlight Sect disciple.
Back when Wanyan Jun was an outer disciple, this Senior Brother Zhan was already an inner disciple at the Mortal Realm. Unfortunately, his potential was limited. By the time he was over a hundred years old, he’d only reached the third level of the Mortal Realm and returned to the valley to serve as its master.
Perhaps he just wanted to live out his days quietly.
After all, even Mortal Realm martial artists only had a lifespan of about two hundred years, and Senior Brother Zhan was already nearing the end of his life.
