Master of Strange Dao

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After dispersing enough sedative to kill a person, Yu Ziqing quickly exited the underground hole and went to find the village chief.

Someone had intruded into the village and scattered a large amount of sedative powder. If he didn't inform the village chief, the entire village would be in trouble by tomorrow.

Of course, more importantly, Yu Ziqing knew he definitely couldn't beat the intruder. Right now, he couldn't even beat the kitchen aunties; despite not needing to go down the mine, their strength was among the top in the village, able to pin him down with one hand.

Yu Ziqing, maintaining a calm expression, found an excuse and had Er Han take him to find the village chief.

Upon reaching the village chief's earthen kiln, he gave the chief a look, his expression turning serious. The village chief immediately told Er Han.

"You stand guard at the door."

After speaking, the village chief led Yu Ziqing to the depths of the kiln, where a strange power seeped out from inside.

"Speak."

"Village chief, an outsider has intruded into the village and has gone to the Mushroom Forest to steal and eat some Jinlan Mushrooms."

The village chief leaned on his cane, his eyes instantly turning sharper. He paused for a moment and said,

"Three months ago, I had Er Han tested, his strength was roughly comparable to a Third-tier body refining cultivator from outside, but the divisions outside are too complex, and they differ greatly. I can only make a rough judgment.

A year ago, when An Yue last came, he said if Er Han could go out, he would get to Fourth-tier within three months."

Yu Ziqing thought for a moment, remembering that Old Yang had once said the shepherds were actually subordinates of the Black Mountain Sheep. The black whip in their hands contained the sheep's wool, and the shepherds' Beast Creation strength was directly related to their magic artifacts.

This deduction made Old Yang speculate that the superior of the shepherds, the Black Mountain Sheep, was at most a Third-tier demon. If it crossed that tier, the shepherds' Beast Creation level would rise another level.

Moreover, the Black Mountain Sheep was never a combat unit on the Seventh Floor; its combat power was average. Its value lay more in the network of intelligence formed by the shepherds it commanded.

The person who sneaked in with the Black Mountain Sheep, given their sneaky behavior to steal Jinlan Mushrooms, was likely not proficient in combat but in hiding and gathering intelligence.

Even if they hadn't been hit by the sedative, with Er Han's strength, he should be more than enough to force them back. Along with others in the village weaker than Er Han, the odds of not losing were ninety percent.

"That's enough." Yu Ziqing nodded and said to the village chief, "It would be best if you didn't go out. That person is skilled in hiding; they've been undetected until now."

"No worries, you go ahead."

The village chief didn't say much more, nor did he plan to command on-site.

Yu Ziqing didn't rush into action but remained vigilant throughout. Old Yang hadn't come out today either.

It wasn't until the evening, after everyone had dinner and returned to rest, that Yu Ziqing quietly left the ground cave in the dead of night. He followed Er Han, who was already squatting at the door, leading the group to the entrance of the underground hole.

Two fierce aunties each held an iron rod thicker than Yu Ziqing's thigh, standing guard at the entrance.

"How is it?"

"Something definitely went in, but I assure you nothing came out." The two aunties posed with the hundred-jin iron rods, barring the hole with a ghostly hum when swung. Even a mosquito trying to fly out would have to endure a hit first.

"Er Han, let's go down. It's about time. Be careful when we get down there."

...

"Black, have you noticed that this one we ate today holds stronger medicinal properties? Indeed, bigger is better."

The Black Mountain Sheep, not satisfied with the one from last time, found a new, even larger Jinlan Mushroom.

Saying this, it stuck out its tongue, licking the mushroom's spore powder clean from the surface, afraid of spilling and wasting the precious essence during the eating.

Previously, it had heard that the powder was the essence of the Jinlan Mushroom, even more valuable than the mushroom itself. It was not about to miss out on that.

The Black Robed Man watched as the Black Mountain Sheep nonchalantly spread saliva everywhere, immediately moving to another spot to continue munching, mimicking the sheep by first licking the powder clean before continuing with the mushroom.

His knowledge couldn't be less than that of a demon; he knew well what was valuable.

After one incense stick's time, the Black Robed Man muttered to himself.

"Black, have you noticed, this Jinlan Mushroom seems to have changed flavor, it's getting sweeter, oh no, it tastes both sweet and sour, just like Daqian's sweet and sour ribs; the texture and taste are identical…"

The Black Mountain Sheep's gaze was unfocused, hearing only incoherent mumbling, but it ate more happily, feeling as if the mushroom was alive, offering its precious spores to it willingly, making it bleat in delight.

By the time Yu Ziqing led the group to the Mushroom Forest, they saw this scene from afar.

A pale young man in a black robe, with tattoos on his face, looked dense as he hugged the stem of a Jinlan Mushroom, gnawing on it, chewing each bite while praising it.

"This steamed rib gets chewier, just like this. Black, you have to try..."

On the other side, a gigantic Black Mountain Sheep stood as tall as a person, sprawled on the ground, humming and licking the dirt, shaking its tail in delight, eyes nearly shut tight.

"Black, I've decided not to leave. When I return next year, I'll kick the boss's head in…"

Yu Ziqing hurriedly stopped the others, watching the scene from afar, his hair standing on end. The sedative's effects were far beyond what he had anticipated.

Quickly, he took out a small packet from his coat, containing freshly sliced Jinlan Mushroom roots. Holding it under the tongue could counteract the sedative's effect.

As for the antidote, Yu Ziqing never bothered to concoct one.

Who makes a poison and pairs it with an antidote? If caught, the enemy could immediately use it to detoxify; why bother making poison then?

If one could knock an enemy down with a punch, no need for poison; why go to the trouble?

In actual use, ensuring it doesn't poison oneself is key, and it's best not to have an antidote. If defeated and killed, at least the poisoned opponent goes down with you.

Everyone took a slice of the mushroom root under their tongue and cautiously approached the Mushroom Forest, wary that the pair might suddenly attack.

However, for someone whose senses were muddled and perception seriously distorted, a different scene unfolded.

Their chaotic consciousness cleared up suddenly, and the overwhelming urge to eat vanished. An indescribable fear began to well up within them.

The entire world seemed shrouded in mist; only the front began to clear.

Something menacing seemed to be expanding slowly, dimming the light wherever it went.

A warped yet clear sensation made them nauseated, yet the clarity and distortion grew stronger.

They saw an indescribable form, seemingly shaped by black flames or black oil, humanoid, with eyes glowing blood-red, steadily approaching.

Each step forward, their world was corroded and twisted. Everything around seemed terrified, retreating and fleeing.

The oppressive and terrifying aura suffocated them; something they had never experienced before.

Following this being were fiery, red-faced Evil Ghosts escorting behind.

Two of the Evil Ghosts dragged a black Evil Dragon, like a dead dog, pulling the scarred dragons along.

Facing the growing pressure and terrifying aura, the Black Mountain Sheep defecated in fright, stiffened, and fell helplessly to the ground as if dead from fright.

Meanwhile, the Black Robed Man went limp, collapsed to his knees, prostrated, not daring to lift his head, timidly muttering.

"Hei Wu, humbly… greet the immortal… Devil King… arrival…"

"Have mercy, have mercy, this little one will serve loyally, even unto death…"

Beside him, the seemingly dead Black Mountain Sheep revived at that moment, following the Black Robed Man's words, repeating them over and over.

"Hei Ba, humbly… welcome… your arrival."

Yu Ziqing and the others stood silently, watching this scene for a long time.

They exchanged glances, unsure whether to kill them on the spot.

In fact, no one entertained the idea of leaving them alive; intruding into the village and stealing Jinlan Mushrooms warranted a death sentence upon capture.

But now, right upon meeting, the opponents defecated and urinated on themselves, prostrated, and babbled incoherently, appearing utterly deranged. Even Er Han hesitated to act.

"Brother Yu, what should we do?" Er Han scratched his head; he'd never witnessed such a spectacle.

Even those executed in the village for capital crimes behaved more appropriately before death than these seemingly powerful cultivators.

"Let's capture them first and let the village chief decide."

Yu Ziqing spoke, pointing to the area behind the Mushroom Forest.

"The ones in the back are poisoned; don't eat them for now. It's best if we don't eat the ones in front either. We have plenty of stored grain, so let's eat that first. I'll deal with these poisonous ones later."

Watching the state of the pair, Yu Ziqing also felt uneasy.

He realized he had underestimated the sedative's effects, or rather, his standard differed significantly from Old Yang's.

And apparently, these two had consumed enough sedative to count as a meal.

In the short term, they'd be utterly useless; their brains quite possibly damaged beyond repair.

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