Master of Strange Dao

Yu Ziqing arrived at You Zhen's small courtyard.

Upon reaching there, Yu Ziqing released You Zhen.

The group finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The sealed items behaved docilely throughout the journey, never slowing them down.

That fellow had sensed Yu Ziqing's Devilic state at the time, and coupled with what Yu Ziqing had said, naturally assumed that Yu Ziqing was his accomplice. A great effort was made to rescue him.

Thus, the journey had been eerily quiet, fearing the slightest noise would attract unwanted attention and ruin everything.

Now back at Jinlan Mountain, Yu Ziqing didn't dare take out the sealed items and kept them in the Storage Bag, shielding them from external perception, especially by adding the Sealing Devil Seal.

They couldn't allow the fellow inside to sense the countless hungry ghosts outside.

What if he realized something was amiss and suddenly caused a commotion?

They decided to rest for a day before continuing their journey to resolve the sealed items.

...

In the middle of the Hengduan Mountains, King Xiang emerged from a Deserted Cave Heaven.

This was a bona fide Deserted Cave Heaven, bleak with nothing but Alien power, devoid even of death qi or yin qi, meaning there hadn't even been an empty, decaying mausoleum within.

Inside, it was covered with endless snow and ice like the Hengduan Mountains themselves, devoid of life or any living creatures.

Yet, King Xiang had been fighting here with someone for days.

Now, all those paying attention had turned their gaze elsewhere.

They realized King Xiang had gone mad, driven insane in his quest to save his father.

A rumor spread outside, claiming that King Xiang accidentally found a travelogue, stating that over two thousand years ago, someone had visited this Deserted Cave Heaven and upon exit had witnessed someone carrying a sealed item into the cave.

So, King Xiang believed the uncredited travelogue.

He assumed a part of his father was sealed inside.

Meanwhile, another powerful figure, hearing the news, learned from elsewhere that King Xiang's discovered cave had an urgent treasure he needed.

Upon meeting, the two quarreled, sparking a fight in the Hengduan Mountains, with King Xiang fighting wildly, mercilessly, intent on an undying feud.

After the strongman retreated, understanding the recent events, he felt aggrieved, suspecting entrapment and sought King Xiang for trouble.

King Xiang assumed this man was hindering his efforts to save his father.

The farce ended, leaving King Xiang alone at the cave, still stubbornly believing a part of his father resided there.

However, by then, no one paid attention to the place.

Some even avoided the area, fearing to provoke this madman.

At this moment, King Xiang sat at the cave entrance, warming a pot of wine, sipping by himself, his demeanor calm, unmoved by joy or sorrow.

He didn't care how others saw him; indeed, he preferred it, as it kept attention away from him.

As long as he could save his father, nothing else mattered much.

When Yu Ziqing had messaged, telling him to find a cave to draw attention, he complied dutifully.

He spent a day drinking before entering the Deserted Cave Heaven, even knowing nothing lay within but still doing so earnestly.

Seven or eight days passed as King Xiang drank at the cave entrance.

He saw Yu Ziqing, accompanied by a Black Mountain Sheep, racing across the snowfields.

He grinned, drained his cup, and turned into the Deserted Cave Heaven.

Yu Ziqing and the old sheep followed him inside.

"Brother Qing, this…" King Xiang's eyes brimmed with hope, though he hesitated to voice it.

"We secured one," Yu Ziqing reassured him with a comforting glance.

He took out the Storage Bag bearing the seal, and the old sheep began setting up the array, preparing various things.

"I'm a bit short, and array materials aren't cheap. This time, I barely managed it, but you'll have to handle it next time."

"Thank you, Brother Qing," King Xiang bowed, noting it down to bring Yu Ziqing dozens of cartloads upon return.

He glanced at the old sheep and politely inquired,

"And who might this be?"

"This is Yang, an elder from my family," Yu Ziqing replied.

"Since this time we need to set up an array, venture into the Forbidden Land, and ultimately lift and set seals, I'm limited, so I had to ask the family elder for help."

King Xiang watched the old sheep swiftly and precisely place materials in the correct positions, his expression serious, recognizing a master.

"Greetings, Master Yang. I am Zhen Ren, grateful for your assistance."

The old sheep gave him a sidelong glance.

"Just stand aside and stay out of the way."

Seeing the old sheep's demeanor and attitude, King Xiang obediently stepped aside.

Though adept in combat, he was out of his depth with the old sheep's preparations, barely versed in formations, mostly dedicating time to cultivating realms and secret techniques.

"My family elder is always like this; don't be offended, Your Highness," Yu Ziqing said.

"Not at all. A master ought to act so—it's quite normal."

Yang spent a day arranging a large array capable of suppressing devils, then began unsealing the Storage Bag.

"This array can last a day at most; within that time, it should hold the devils down, but you'd best strike together and be ready. You Zhen, stop hiding, come out."