Lin Wei said in a deep voice, "I have already contacted the local Xuanmen branch in Miao territory, and they will send someone to meet us. In addition, the military has also agreed to provide support if necessary, but on the condition that it does not cause panic among the public."
Huo Yusen sent his latest analysis: "I re-examined the topographical map of Eagle Beak Cliff and found that it is a natural feng shui formation, a 'trapped dragon pool.' This kind of terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it also has a bonus effect on evil magic. It is no coincidence that the Netherworld Palace chose to set up its formation there."
"Is there any way to solve this?" Huo Yuwen asked.
“Yes, but it will take time.” Huo Yusen pulled up the data. “The weakness of the Trapped Dragon Pool is at the ‘Dragon’s Eye’ position, which is the highest point. If we can set up a counter-array there, we can weaken the effect of the Netherworld Palace’s array. But that will definitely be their main defensive point.”
Qiqi suddenly raised her hand, "Qiqi can help!"
Everyone looked at her.
Qiqi said seriously, "Qiqi's spiritual power is quite special, and it can sneak in silently. If Qiqi can reach the dragon's eye, she can set up a formation-breaking talisman there."
"No!" Huo Yuwei and Lin Wei objected simultaneously.
"It's too dangerous!" Huo Yuwei said sternly. "Qiqi, you promised your brother you wouldn't act on your own."
Qiqi lowered her head and whispered, "But... but only Qiqi can get close to the Dragon Eye without being detected. Grandpa Qingyangzi said that the Netherworld Palace has set up a 'vengeful spirit warning net' at the Dragon Eye, and ordinary people will be detected immediately if they get close. But Qiqi has innate protective golden light, which can shield her from the vengeful spirits' senses..."
Lin Wei frowned. "What else did Daoist Qingyangzi say?"
"Grandpa Qingyangzi said he can hold on for three more days. If no one breaks the formation after three days, he will have no choice but to self-destruct his primordial spirit and perish together with the Netherworld Palace, so as to prevent his pure Yang blood from being used..." Qiqi's voice grew softer and softer as she looked earnestly at Huo Yuwei and Huo Yusen, "Big brother, Little Ninth Brother, we can't leave Grandpa Qingyangzi alone, we have to save him!"
Everyone fell silent.
Yun Songzi sighed, "Qingyangzi is indeed capable of doing such a thing. He has dedicated his life to subduing demons and eliminating evil, and he would never allow himself to become an accomplice of evil."
Qingyin nodded. "So we must act quickly, and we must succeed."
Looking at Qiqi's determined little face, Huo Yusen knew that once this girl made up her mind, it would be difficult to change it.
After pondering for a long time, he finally said, "If there is a comprehensive plan and protective measures, I can consider letting Qiqi participate. However, all actions must be carried out under command, and she must not act on her own."
Qiqi's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously, "Qiqi promises!"
Although Lin Wei still had concerns, she knew that this was the best solution at the moment.
“Then we need to revise the plan and divide into three groups. One group will launch a feint attack from the front to attract the attention of the Netherworld Palace. The second group will infiltrate to rescue people. The third group, consisting of Qiqi and Qingyin, will be responsible for infiltrating the Dragon Eye to set up the formation.”
She looked at Qingyin and said, "In this group, although you are not the one with the highest level of Taoist magic, Qiqi is still injured and cannot use her spiritual power. We can only rely on you to protect her. Remember, no matter what, you must ensure Qiqi's safety and you must not let anything happen to her."
Qingyin nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, unless I die, I will never let Fellow Daoist Qiqi suffer even the slightest injury."
"And what about me?" Huo Yusen asked eagerly.
Huo Yuwei patted him on the shoulder: "You and I are in the rear support group, responsible for communications and liaison, which is also very important."
Huo Yusen wanted to be with Qiqi, but he also knew that his presence would only increase Qingyin's burden and might even put Qiqi in danger.
After much hesitation, he could only nod and mutter, "Okay."
After the plan was revised, the convoy set off again, heading towards the Ten Thousand Mountains of Miao territory.
The mountain road was rugged, making the ride even more bumpy.
Although Qiqi felt a little uncomfortable, she kept quiet about it.
She suddenly stopped the car when they passed a village.
"Qiqi, what's wrong?" Huo Yuwei asked with concern.
Qiqi pointed out the car window, "There, there's a lot of resentment."
Everyone looked in the direction she pointed, and there was a seemingly ordinary Miao village with wisps of smoke rising from chimneys and several villagers working in the fields. Everything seemed normal.
But Lin Wei and Yun Songzi also sensed it. "Little Fellow Daoist Qiqi is right, there is indeed a problem here! This village looks peaceful on the surface, but there is surging Yin energy underground."
"Let's go down and take a look."
The convoy stopped in a secluded spot outside the village. Lin Wei, along with two team members and Huo Yuwei carrying Qiqi, entered the village disguised as tourists.
At the village entrance, an elderly Miao woman was weaving bamboo baskets. Upon seeing them, she greeted them warmly, "Guests from afar, are you here for tourism?"
Lin Wei replied with a smile, "Yes, I heard that the scenery in Miao territory is beautiful, so I came to see it for myself. Grandpa, is there a place to stay in the village?"
The old woman shook her head. "Unfortunately, the village is holding a religious ceremony these days, so it's not convenient to receive guests. Why don't you go to the town over there? There are hotels there."
"Perform a ritual?" Huo Yuwei asked casually. "What kind of ritual is it? We'd really like to learn about Miao culture."
The old woman's eyes flickered. "It's just a regular prayer ceremony, nothing special. You should hurry up and leave, it'll be dark soon, and the mountain roads are difficult to travel at night."
Looking at the dark aura surrounding the old woman, Qiqi suddenly asked, "Grandma, do you have trouble sleeping at night and often have nightmares?"
The old woman was startled, and the bamboo basket in her hands fell to the ground. "You...how did you know?"
Qiqi got down from Huo Yuwei's arms, walked to the old lady, made a hand seal, and gently touched her forehead.
A beam of golden light entered, and the black aura on the old woman dissipated slightly.
"Grandma, have a lot of people died in the village recently? And all of them died violent deaths?" Qiqi asked.
Tears welled up in the old woman's eyes. "Yes, yes. Starting last month, people in the village have been disappearing one after another. When they were found, they were already... already mummified. We invited a Taoist priest to come and see, and he said they had been captured and eaten by mountain spirits. He told us to perform rituals to help them pass on. But even after the rituals, people keep dying..."
She grabbed Qiqi's hand, "Little girl, can you help us? I can tell you're not an ordinary person..."
Lin Wei and Huo Yuwei exchanged a glance, realizing that the situation in this village was likely related to the Netherworld Palace.
"Grandpa, could you tell me in detail what common characteristics those deceased people had?" Lin Wei asked.
The old woman recalled, "They were all children under ten years old, and all born on yin months and yin days. The monk said that such children are easily targeted by mountain spirits..."
The boys and girls born on yin months and yin days perfectly meet the requirements of the Netherworld Palace for offerings.
Huo Yuwei asked, "What does that mage look like?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com