The northern region of the Eastern Wasteland.
A meticulously crafted and luxurious flying ship hurtled through the sky.
Within the ship, a peerlessly handsome young man and a breathtakingly beautiful young woman gazed out at the passing scenery.
They stood side by side in the flying ship, observing the world outside.
The two were Jiang Li and Luo Yunxi.
After an intense battle with Lin Qiuyue and Qing Hua, Jiang Li had directly brought Luo Yunxi to the Taiyin Valley.
They were preparing to explore the Taiyin Secret Realm.
The closer they got to the northern parts of the Eastern Wasteland, the more Jiang Li and Luo Yunxi could feel a chilling aura. Even though the flying ship completely insulated them from the surroundings, they could still sense the cold, eerie atmosphere outside.
This coldness was distinctly different from the malevolent aura of the Yellow Springs Demonic Sect.
This was a chill that seeped into the bone, whereas the chill within the Yellow Springs Demonic Sect seemed to carry a disturbing, restless energy.
"We should be approaching the vicinity of Taiyin Valley now!" Luo Yunxi said softly, looking at the scenery outside.
At this moment, Luo Yunxi was wearing a milky white long dress, her waist-length hair cascading down. Her lower body was adorned with a pair of sheer stockings.
Under the accentuation of the sheer stockings, Luo Yunxi's slender and long legs appeared incredibly alluring.
These slender, long legs added a touch of beauty to her exquisitely delicate face, which was already breathtaking.
After a while, the flying ship finally neared Taiyin Valley.
As they approached Taiyin Valley, Jiang Li retracted the flying ship and descended rapidly towards the ground with Luo Yunxi.
Above Taiyin Valley, there was an extremely powerful, chilling energy that perfectly formed a no-fly zone.
Even cultivators at the Life-Death Realm were unable to pass through it.
Only Saints, who had transcended the Life-Death Realm, could pass with great difficulty.
Taiyin Valley was enveloped in a pervasive cold atmosphere.
Jiang Li and Luo Yunxi slowly paced towards Taiyin Valley.
Seemingly influenced by the chilling energy here, the circulation of spiritual energy within Luo Yunxi's body seemed to have accelerated considerably.
...
At the entrance of Taiyin Valley.
The chilling energy at the entrance was already quite severe.
There was no flourishing vegetation in the surrounding area, only desolate and barren emptiness.
However, there were many cultivators coming and going.
Besides cultivators, some demon beasts were also present.
The interior of Taiyin Valley was extremely suitable for the cultivation of human cultivators and certain demon beasts who practiced Yin-attribute techniques.
Due to the environment of Taiyin Valley, most cultivators who could come here were at least at the Spirit River Realm.
Cultivators or demon beasts below the Spirit River Realm would be invaded by this chilling energy, causing severe damage to their bodies.
Furthermore, the unique environment also gave birth to rare natural treasures that were not found elsewhere.
Many cultivators came here to explore and search for treasures.
Taiyin Valley spanned thousands of miles, concealing countless unknown treasures and dangers within.
At the entrance, guards in armor stood watch.
Everyone entered and exited in an orderly fashion, and any occasional conflicts were quickly suppressed.
Taiyin Valley was originally unclaimed land, accessible to anyone.
However, decades ago, an organization called the Taiyin Alliance suddenly appeared.
This organization, whose origins were unknown, established guards at the entrance of Taiyin Valley.
Entry required a payment of spirit stones.
The establishment of order was naturally accompanied by countless acts of bloodshed.
Resistance? Then they would kill until you submitted.
"Brother Jiang Li, this Taiyin Valley is so lively!" Luo Yunxi said softly.
This was Luo Yunxi's first time visiting Taiyin Valley. She had expected it to be a desolate and uninhabited region.
Unexpectedly, the liveliness here was comparable to that of some bustling cities.
Jiang Li nodded. He also hadn't anticipated so many people being here.
As Jiang Li walked forward, he examined the life scripts of the surrounding cultivators and demon beasts.
These cultivators were all consistently at the Spirit River Realm or above, with many even in the Divine Sea Realm, their cultivation base not low.
Some of these individuals had opportunities, but many also met their demise in Taiyin Valley, with numerous instances of bloodshed.
Recent Turning Point: Two days later, obtained a 2000-year-old spirit herb at Taiyin Valley 445.362.
Recent Turning Point: Three days later, killed a Sha Yin Tiger at Taiyin Valley 746.841, obtaining a fierce beast inner core.
Recent Turning Point: Five days later, fell into a pit at Taiyin Valley 745.634, obtaining Earth Spirit Gold.
...
Bloodshed: Two hours later, heavily wounded by a demon beast, fled, and then died from Yin energy entering the body.
Bloodshed: Three days later, due to unequal division of spoils, killed by compatriots.
Bloodshed: Six days later, killed for glancing at a powerful demon beast.
...
Looking at the recent turning points and bloodshed of the surrounding cultivators, Jiang Li shook his head.
It seemed this Taiyin Valley was not a place for the benevolent.
"Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones per person. Those without spirit stones, get lost!" a cold voice echoed from the entrance.
Jiang Li and Luo Yunxi looked towards the entrance.
They saw two teams of guards tightly protecting the entrance to Taiyin Valley.
In front of the entrance stood a胖子 (pàngzi - fat man) whose clothes were emblazoned with the emblem of nine majestic mountains.
The胖子 was accompanied by several guards, all of whom were powerful cultivators at the Divine Sea Realm.
"How dare you? Do you know who I am? You dare to stop me?" the胖子 said with a darkened face, staring at the guards at the gate.
The guards behind the胖子 had fierce glints in their eyes, ready to respond to any potential conflict.
"I recognize that insignia. He's a disciple of the Nine Mountains Palace, a top-tier force."
"I wonder how the Taiyin Alliance will handle this. That's a top-tier force, not something to trifle with..."
"Yes, yes. I think the Taiyin Alliance only extorts spirit stones from rogue cultivators like us. When it comes to people from these forces, they don't dare to charge. After all, the Taiyin Alliance's foundation is still too shallow..."
"..."
...
The surrounding people were all discussing, wanting to see how the Taiyin Alliance would deal with this disciple from the Nine Mountains Palace.
Listening to the surrounding discussions, the胖子 appeared smug, his face filled with arrogance.
"Bang!!!"
Just as the胖子 thought they would be allowed to pass, an immense force struck.
The胖子, along with his guards, was sent flying by the powerful impact, landing in the barren land far away.
"No spirit stones, get lost! If you disturb the order again, your life will be forfeit next time!" the guard said coldly.
Divine Sea Realm Eighth Stage!!!
Jiang Li's pupils contracted. Those guards were all cultivators at the Eighth Stage of the Divine Sea Realm.
The Taiyin Alliance had quite the resources, employing cultivators at the Eighth Stage of the Divine Sea Realm as guards.
An Eighth Stage Divine Sea Realm cultivator could be an elder in their Yellow Springs Demonic Sect, yet here they were mere guards.
And there were as many as eight such guards.
What was the origin of this Taiyin Alliance?
...