CHAPTER 357: CHAPTER 352: DIVINE WOOD MOUNTAIN VILLA

After Cui Shan and the others left, Li Fan and the rest still remained outside Old Man Wang’s courtyard cultivating.

"Should we head back?" a practitioner from Yu Kun Academy asked.

"Since Senior Brother Cui and the others have gone back, they will probably bring news soon. We can go outside to gather some information and see if there’s any trace of the demons," Chen Zhen said, who had recovered quite a bit from his injuries overnight.

Wang Yuyao looked at Old Man Wang, who said, "Yuyao, you should go with them. With Young Hero Lu and Qingshan around, nothing will happen."

"Alright." Wang Yuyao nodded and respectfully cupped her hands towards Li Fan. "I trouble you, Young Hero Lu."

Saying that, the group left this area.

"Brother Xiao Fan, what do you think is going on with these demons?" Yang Qingshan asked.

Li Fan shook his head. He was new here and knew nothing about Qinghe County, so how could he know so much?

"The attack by the demons this time is strange. Although Qinghe County has many cultivators with formidable strength, and demons have not dared to invade for many years, the appearance of demons this time seems premeditated, and their actions are very systematic, possibly with a Great Demon behind orchestrating," Old Man Wang said.

"Let’s wait for the news," Li Fan replied.

Half a day later, Wang Yuyao returned, a smile on her face, and said, "The chaos caused by the demons has already alarmed the major forces in Qinghe County. Outside the Yu Kun Academy, cultivators from various great sects are preparing to exterminate demons. News from the Divine Wood Mountain Villa indicates they have some leads on the demons and are inviting all forces to the villa to discuss demon-slaying."

On hearing this, Old Man Wang was immediately pleased and said with a smile, "The Cui and Xie families have already joined in, and with Yu Kun Academy as a representative, now that Divine Wood Mountain Villa is calling, various forces will certainly respond, and the demons can be quelled."

"Divine Wood Mountain Villa?" Li Fan inquired with curiosity, still unfamiliar with the forces of Qinghe County.

"You may not know, Young Hero, but Divine Wood Mountain Villa is also a top family force in Qinghe County, and they have always lived outside the city. The villa is filled with strong cultivators. A few years ago, it was rumored that Old Master Mu was injured and went into seclusion for cultivation, so the villa rarely moved outside. Now that the demon chaos has alarmed all forces, Divine Wood Mountain Villa stepping forward is naturally a great thing."

"That’s indeed good," Li Fan nodded slightly.

"Brother Xiao Fan, are you going?" Yang Qingshan asked curiously.

"Let’s go have a look," Li Fan replied. Since the senior brother asked him to explore here, there must be a reason. He wanted to see what this demon calamity would lead to.

In the distance, more people appeared flying in the air, as cultivators from all over Qinghe County rushed over, clearly incensed by the demon’s slaughter.

Seeing this, Li Fan thought to himself that despite the various grievances and conflicts among humans in the Da Li Dynasty, most cultivators could still stand together when facing a demon menace.

"Father, do you want to go along?" Wang Yuyao asked Old Man Wang.

"No need, with so many cultivators arriving, demons can’t cause trouble. You all go, don’t mind me," Old Man Wang replied.

"I’ll stay and accompany you," Yang Qingshan decided not to go upon hearing that Old Man Wang was staying.

"All of you can stay. Little Yuan and I will go," Li Fan said. Huang Xiong and the others could handle demons of the Fifth Realm and had some cards up their sleeves, capable of ensuring Yang Qingshan and Old Man Wang’s safe retreat in case of danger.

They were still unaware of the situation over there at Divine Wood Mountain Villa, so it was a good opportunity for him and Lu Yuan to check it out.

Yang Qingshan: "??"

Are they that close now?

How far have things progressed?

Lu Yuan also silently glanced at Li Fan, and the rest were all knowingly without words.

Li Fan remained expressionless; he just didn’t want to reveal Lu Yuan’s name. Lu Yuan had gained some fame in the Land of the West Sea, and he wondered whether news from the West Sea would reach the mainland.

As evening fell, people continued to arrive atop the western hills of Qinghe County, creating a lively and grand scene.

However, most were merely onlookers, and whenever someone was seen flying in the air, the bystanders would exclaim and discuss who had arrived.

Li Fan and Lu Yuan came along with Chen Zhen and the others.

Divine Wood Mountain Villa was a family force, the Mu Family, considered one of the top powers in Qinghe County, and the old manor master was among the highest-ranking cultivators in Qinghe County.

When they arrived outside the villa, someone stood there to greet them, and after Chen Zhen explained their background, the group was smoothly invited into the villa.

Divine Wood Mountain Villa covered a vast territory, with sprawling building complexes resembling a small city, the entire villa brimming with vitality.

Upon entering Divine Wood Mountain Villa, the place was already crowded with many cultivators from the various sects and families of Qinghe County, as well as loose cultivators from all sides.

"The aura within this villa seems a bit peculiar," Li Fan whispered.

"Divine Wood Mountain Villa is named so not just because of the Mu family; another reason is a divine tree. The villa worships an ancient tree that has developed sentience," Wang Yuyao explained.

"A Tree Demon, eh."

Li Fan thought to himself but naturally wouldn’t say it aloud on their territory. All things have a spirit. Wang Yuyao saying it developed sentience isn’t problematic, though phrasing it differently could mean calling it a Tree Demon.

The boundary between spirit and demon lies in whether they do evil.

"Something feels off."

Li Fan’s brow furrowed slightly; a divine tree with spirit should exude rich Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy, making one feel comfortable, yet Li Fan felt a sense of discord.

With a thought, Li Fan’s body emitted a faint wave of mana, and his eyes became extremely strange, with a pale golden pupil having a hint of emerald green, flickering with two different lusters.

After cultivating on Nine Infant Island, Li Fan consumed the divine tree and formed his dharma form, and now he is a Qi Cultivator primarily focusing on the wood element.

His somewhat demonic eyes swept through the villa but found no trace of demon energy. However, besides the wood attribute spiritual energy, he sensed wisps of gray airflow, which felt uncomfortable. These two strands of aura were mixed together, covering the gray airflow.

"There’s something wrong with Divine Wood Mountain Villa."

Li Fan thought to himself. At this moment, more and more cultivators were arriving, making the villa especially lively, but the sky was gradually darkening.

Li Fan and the others came to the central area of the villa, where cultivators from all directions gathered.

"Senior Brother Cui and Senior Sister Xie have arrived," Wang Yuyao turned to look and saw a group arriving through the air, led by Cui Shan and Xie Lingxuan, accompanied by several elders with a commanding presence, whom Li Fan recognized at a glance should be Sixth Realm cultivators.

"Cui Shan and Xie Lingxuan are indeed the pride of their families. Now they are at the peak of the Condensed Core, perhaps having a chance to break through to the Taoist Body in a few years."

Many people came forward and greeted them. The group landed at the forefront, and people from Yu Kun Academy also came forward.

At this point, people started walking over, those from Divine Wood Mountain Villa.

In front, a middle-aged man stepped forward, cupping his hands towards the crowd and said, "Everyone, Mu Lingfeng has been waiting here for a long time."

"Elder Mu."

"Master Mu." The cultivators all cupped their hands in greeting as well. The middle-aged man who appeared was the current master of the Divine Wood Mountain Villa, Mu Lingfeng, as the old master had not dealt with external affairs for many years, transferring the master position to Mu Lingfeng.

Li Fan’s strange-colored eyes still stared intensely at Mu Lingfeng. He saw that the aura around him was normal but looked towards the surrounding directions, and those cultivators in the shadows had gray airflow surrounding them.

"There’s a problem. Be ready to fight or withdraw at any time." Li Fan transmitted his voice to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan was startled, looked at Li Fan with some surprise, then nodded slightly.

"Miss Wang, there’s an issue with Divine Wood Mountain Villa. Inform the people of Yu Kun Academy to prepare themselves mentally." Li Fan then transmitted his voice to Wang Yuyao.

Wang Yuyao looked at Li Fan in astonishment, appearing hesitant, and replied, "Young Hero Lu, what is the problem?"

"Specifically, it’s unclear at the moment." Li Fan said, but given the timing, inviting cultivators from various sides to Divine Wood Mountain Villa and spotting abnormalities among the villa cultivators, there must be demonic manipulations involved.

"Divine Wood Mountain Villa has rooted in Qinghe County for many years, with esteemed status; it shouldn’t be." Wang Yuyao shook her head at Li Fan.

"Judge for yourself."

Li Fan said no more; whether to believe it was up to the other person.

"I’ll convey Young Hero’s reminder." Wang Yuyao hesitated and said.

Mu Lingfeng gestured to the crowd and continued, "Now that demons have appeared, my Divine Wood Mountain Villa has obtained information about them, inviting everyone here to slay the demons. Is there courage?"

"Certainly."

"Slaying demons is our duty." Everyone echoed in agreement.

"Good." Mu Lingfeng produced a wine cup in his hand, drank it down before everyone, and said, "The villa has prepared a feast inside; drink courage and slay demons."

"Alright."

"Master Mu is hearty; we’ll take the liberty." The crowd moved towards the prepared banquet, grabbed wine cups, and drank.

Li Fan frowned tightly; he wanted to warn everyone but feared no one would believe him.

Moreover, if he dared to warn publicly, it could lead to trouble for himself.

Having exhausted his sword intent on Nine Infant Island, facing a great cultivator, he needed to be more cautious.

"Lu, you can rest assured. If there are issues with Divine Wood Mountain Villa, then there’s no one reliable in Qinghe County." Chen Zhen walked beside Li Fan, speaking in a low voice, evidently informed by Wang Yuyao.

Yet the reputation of Divine Wood Mountain Villa in Qinghe County was too great, leaving no room for suspicion.

"Come, Lu, have a drink with me." Chen Zhen said to Li Fan.

"Better to be cautious." Li Fan replied softly, "We have other matters; we won’t stay."

He gestured to Lu Yuan with his eyes and looked at Wang Yuyao, saying, "You should leave with me."

Wang Yuyao hesitated, but recalling that Li Fan had saved them before, she nodded, "Alright."

Li Fan and Lu Yuan walked out, moving swiftly.

Within the crowd behind, surrounded by stars, Cui Shan looked towards Li Fan’s direction, slightly furrowing his brow.

He also caught a whiff of an unusual aura.

Night slowly cloaked the land, Divine Wood Mountain Villa still brightly lit. Li Fan and Lu Yuan walked out of the villa and looked up into the distance, surprisingly seeing a powerful demonic aura enveloping the night.

In the direction behind him, Divine Wood Mountain Villa was shrouded in a shadow. Suddenly he sensed a foul odor, which smelled like corpse decay.