Baiyun County basked in brilliant sunshine today, with not a single cloud in the sky.

Yet this seemingly beautiful scenery couldn't mask the heaviness in the villagers' hearts.

For today was the day of sacrifice, and over two thousand villagers had gathered from all directions before the shrine.

The villagers were emaciated figures in tattered clothes, some with exposed skin - clear signs of long-term deprivation of food and warm clothing.

Their faces were uniformly sallow and gaunt from hunger, with hollow cheeks and lifeless eyes.

Yet in stark contrast stood the shrine itself.

Built with extravagant splendor, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, its golden brilliance clashed jarringly with the surrounding dilapidated village.

What the shrine enshrined wasn't any deity's statue, but a massive yellow dog the size of a black bear.

The dog sat upon the pedestal meant for gods, draped in ceremonial robes, receiving the villagers' worship with pompous dignity.

This wasn't mere worship - each household had to bring their rarest delicacies as offerings.

Chickens, ducks, fish, meat, even precious rice and grains.

The county's wealthy families had servants carry fine wines to present to the yellow dog.

When the dog deemed the offerings sufficient, it casually tossed aside its ceremonial robe and began stuffing food into its mouth with large hands.

Between mouthfuls, it cursed viciously:

"Getting worse every damn year!

You turtle-bastards trying to curse me to death?"

County Elder Zhang hurriedly explained: "Great Deity, the harvest failed this year. We truly have no extra grain. Please be merciful."

"Merciful my ass! Same excuse last year. You all want to die, is that it?"

The yellow dog flew into a rage, smashing a lamb leg against Elder Zhang's head.

Blood immediately streamed down the elder's face.

Pointing at the cowering crowd, the dog roared:

"Too comfortable in your peaceful lives, have you? Forgotten my benevolence? Without me, you'd all be dead!"

The crowd murmured fearful assent, not daring to speak up.

After more cursing, the dog turned its attention back to Elder Zhang:

"Send your daughter to drink with me."

Elder Zhang's face turned deathly pale.

"Great Deity...my daughter recently became pregnant..."

"Pregnant? Married to whom?"

The dog's eyes bulged with rage.

It had long coveted Elder Zhang's daughter, though the girl hadn't yet matured.

After being away briefly, it returned to find the girl married off.

"Looks like you've got a death wish!"

The dog kicked viciously, collapsing Elder Zhang's left ribs with a sickening crunch.

Blood sprayed from the elder's mouth.

Elder Zhang was known for his kindness and generosity, well-loved by all.

Yet now...

"Heh."

A soft chuckle cut through the tension.

So incongruous at this moment.

The yellow dog turned toward the sound as the crowd instinctively parted.

There sat a white-haired young man outside the shrine, smiling faintly.

An outsider?

The massive dog leaped down from the shrine, shaking the temple grounds.

It strode toward the young man, fists clenched.

"Looking to die?"

A massive fist swung.

The white-haired youth dodged backward, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow.

The dog pressed relentlessly forward, throwing punch after punch.

The young man dodged while seeking counterattack opportunities.

Suddenly he drew his sword and slashed.

The dog raised an arm to block.

"Clang!"

The youth pivoted behind the beast and thrust his blade.

Yet the sword couldn't pierce its hide.

The youth frowned slightly.

The dog sneered and swung another devastating punch.

Unable to dodge, the youth crossed his sword defensively.

The impact sent him flying backward.

"Hah! Brat daring to challenge me?"

The dog's maw dripped saliva as it laughed, droplets splattering the ground.

Clearly outmatched, the youth could only retreat under the dog's savage assault, unable to mount any offense.

Each snapping bite left him more battered, his clothes shredded.

A misstep - the dog's jaws clamped on his left arm.

With a vicious shake, it hurled the youth against a tree.

Blood gushed from the mangled arm.

The dog's lips curled in a grotesque smirk,

Its beady eyes narrowing to sinister slits oozing malice.

"Hehehe...where'd this clueless Qi cultivator crawl from? Daring to cause trouble in my territory - tired of living?"

Its voice dripped with contempt.

The dog's massive paw reached for the youth's head -

So fragile-looking against that monstrous hand, like a ripe melon.

The villagers watched numbly.

This dog had tyrannized their county for over a decade. They'd long since become desensitized.

Then—

The seemingly defeated youth suddenly raised his head, dark energy swirling in his palm.

The dog's expression twisted as its trapped arm sank like in quicksand, struggling only intensified the pull.

With a snarl, it severed its own arm rather than risk being fully consumed.

Li Xuanxiao grinned and advanced.

Now it was the dog's turn to retreat in panic,

Terrified by the artifact in Li Xuanxiao's grip.

Before it could react, two spectral monks emerged from the artifact,

Pinning the dog in a pincer formation.

An illusory golden bell materialized around the struggling beast.

Helpless, the dog could only watch as it was sucked into the Myriad Soul Banner.

Covered in his own blood mixed with the dog's gore and saliva, reeking of filth,

Li Xuanxiao simply dusted himself off and stored the banner in his Violet Mansion.

The villagers stared dumbfounded at the sudden disappearance of their decade-long tormentor.

Most likely dead.

After a prolonged silence, they prostrated before Li Xuanxiao:

"Immortal Master, you've saved Baiyun County! May we know your honorable name?"

Li Xuanxiao turned to leave without acknowledgment.

None dared stop him, only watching his receding back in silence.

Then he paused abruptly and declared to the world:

"Li Xuanxiao, disciple of Mount Shushan."

Mount Shushan's disciples...still existed!