"Since you've already located the Yin Zhi Horse's lair and have taken the time to invite me here to assist, have you encountered some major difficulties?" After a brief silence, the wealthy elder finally revealed what had long stumped him. "The Yin Zhi Horse, though elusive and skilled at vanishing without a trace, is not particularly difficult to catch if given sufficient time. However, the key issue is that its lair lies deep within the Yin-Yang Caverns of the Ten-Thousand-Toxin Valley. I simply cannot follow it there. Moreover, this creature is exceptionally clever—it merely wanders near the entrance, refusing to venture into the cavern at all." "The Yin-Yang Caverns?" The large man could hardly contain his astonishment. Bai Yao Yi also turned pale instantly. Only Han Li had never heard of such a place and asked curiously, "What are the Yin-Yang Caverns? Are they particularly formidable?" "Han Daojun has never heard of the Yin-Yang Caverns? I almost forgot to mention that." Han is a cultivator from overseas, so it's no surprise that he's unaware of this sacred realm—the Yin-Yang Caverns are indeed one of the seven most renowned such sanctuaries recognized by our Great Jin Dynasty. Ordinary cultivators who enter often never make it out alive. Bai Yaoyi lightly murmured in surprise and then softly explained this to Han Li. "Given such peril, what makes this place so special?" Han Li's curiosity was piqued, and he asked follow-up questions. "The Yin-Yang Caverns, by nature, mean that as soon as one steps inside, the realms of yin and yang are severed. Even without mentioning other factors, the ceaseless, chilling yin winds that blow throughout the caverns—strong enough to scatter the immortal essences of cultivators at the stage of Yuan Ying—will instantly disperse the Yuan Ying, causing them to reincarnate. To mention nothing of the cavern's location deep within the realm of profound yin, where yin qi accumulates year after year, giving rise to numerous powerful and unusual spirits. Even if a living person manages to withstand the winds, they will still be torn apart by these spirits. "The elder with the wealthy surname willingly elaborated Previously, some cultivators had managed to reach the deepest parts, yet were utterly unable to discern the size or nature of what lay within. There, as soon as their consciousness extended beyond their bodies, it was immediately blocked by the cold,阴 wind—effectively no different from that of an ordinary person. There had even been persistent rumors that deep within the caverns resided an exceptionally powerful ghost king, though this had never been verified. Indeed, even the most accomplished cultivators were reluctant to venture that far. "Besides the inferior ore veins, nothing of value had ever been discovered within the caverns in the past. Everyone always regarded it as an ancient, abandoned super-mining complex, and no one had ever truly ventured deep inside. But now, with Brother Fu having found the Yin Zhī Mǎ, it's clear that this Yin-Yang cavern is far more complex than it first appeared—perhaps it truly holds significant potential." Bai Yao added, her brows relaxing slightly. "Given that even with Brother Fu's remarkable cultivation abilities, he has still failed to capture the Yin Zhī Mǎ after so many years, it's evident that this cavern is no ordinary place." "Even if there truly are any treasures within, we'll have to risk our lives to obtain them," said Han Li, having personally endured the perils of the Xitian Hall, the ZuiMo Valley, and other such treacherous places. He spoke without hesitation, casting a clear and practical warning. "I fully understand this, and thus I have prepared for over thirty years, carefully crafting several artifacts specifically designed to counter ghostly beings. Moreover, to guard against the startling, ethereal winds, Master Fu has brought with him the Ziyou Pearl from our own sect. While I cannot guarantee a complete defense against these winds, this pearl will certainly weaken them by nearly half. With this, the five of us shall be safe and secure." Master Fu spoke with great confidence. "The Ziyou Pearl?" Both the Han and Bai Yao Yi were deeply impressed upon hearing of this precious artifact. Indeed, it was one of the Three Pillars of the Jiuyou Sect! "Then, with such thorough preparations and the full support of these three esteemed friends, even should we encounter the mightiest ghost king, I believe we shall be able to stand against him together." As soon as I catch hold of Yin Zhi Ma, I will immediately use this precious elixir to prepare the Infant-Nurturing Pills, ensuring each of you receives one. This is a one-time marrow-renewing elixir that transforms the body's essence—no matter how many I produce, each of you will only take one. There's no need to worry about any obstruction from me. As for what else you might obtain below, that depends entirely on your own fortune." The wealthy elder spoke slowly. It might be acceptable to others, but absolutely not to me. Years ago, due to a dispute within the household, Fu and most of the peers of the same rank in the clan grew estranged. Aside from my constant sister, the others probably hope I fall ill or die soon. Even if they are willing to intervene, I still fear they may work behind the scenes to undermine me." The elder's face flashed with sternness, and a hint of anger briefly surfaced. Han Li was momentarily stunned. How could this statement differ from mere silence—how could one know its truth? Nevertheless, once the other party had made such a declaration, they would naturally refrain from pressing further, and the group fell into another silence. "To attempt the passage through the Yin-Yang Cavern is indeed a matter of great significance. I shall carefully consider it. How about this—within three days, I will provide you with a definite answer?" After a moment of thoughtful contemplation, Bai Yao Yi raised her head and said this. "Three days? Of course. The Yin-Yang Cavern will reach its weakest phase during the twenty-year cycle of the prevailing阴 wind in six months' time. That is precisely when entry into the underground realm would be most favorable." Moreover, to combat the spectral beings, each of you will also need to prepare certain special artifacts and treasures. Thus, even if you agree immediately, you won't be able to enter the cavern until six months hence. However, before your departure, I shall require each of you to use this Scroll of the River of the Underworld—held in my hands—to inscribe a sworn vow of confidentiality with your pure blood. As a man of integrity who values personal over noble principles, I certainly don't wish the matter of the cultivation pills and the Yin Zhī Mǎ to become a topic of widespread discussion during this period. The wealthy elder smiled gently and shook his sleeve, revealing before them a yellow, charred scroll blazing with black flames. "Scroll of the River of the Underworld? That is the cursed artifact which brings a miraculous misfortune upon anyone who breaches their oath—haven't you heard that it has vanished for several centuries?" The tall man exclaimed, immediately gasping. Han Li was likewise startled upon hearing this. "This artifact, however, I specifically acquired at great expense from the underground market, just for this journey." The effects of this item are not as extraordinary as the rumors suggest, yet it can certainly help keep all of you silent for a short period of time. As for how Feng Tianxing of the Heaven Demon Sect perished—perhaps you, Mr. Han, may not know, but Mr. Bai and Mr. Yuan should be quite familiar with the matter, right? Feng Tianxing was also a cultivator at the mid-Stage of Yuan Yin. I suspect none of you would be willing to risk your lives to test it out," said the elder with the surname Fu, calmly. A moment later, the fingers stilled, and a ghost with a green face and jagged teeth suddenly emerged from the black flame. It grinned fiercely at the tall man, then took a deep breath, and the blood characters on the pages fluttered upward, vanishing into the ghost's mouth in a flash. Instantly, the ghost dissolved into a mist and disappeared. After briefly gazing at the pages, he bit his tongue, spitting out a cluster of pure blood. With swift movements, he wrote down the contents of their agreement—ensuring no mention of today's appointment—on the pages using his blood. A flash of blood light caused the ghost-headed figure, which had appeared twice before, to reemerge within the black flame. The figure gave a solemn, eerie smile, just as it opened its mouth, when suddenly something within Han Li stirred, emitting an odd, resonant sound—though soft, it was clearly heard by all present. The elder and others remained unimpressed, but upon hearing the sound, the ghost-headed figure instantly contorted its face, then roared in a confused, indistinct cry before dissolving completely, as if startled and fleeing. The wealthy elder and the four men stood in stunned silence. Han Li looked slightly puzzled, took a deep breath, and gently brushed his sleeve across the pages, then calmly stated, "I need not hesitate—I have already committed to meeting my friend at the agreed time. Yet it seems this thing is in conflict with something within my body, and thus, I am unable to inscribe my vow." But Han was a lone cultivator, and for the next six months he would remain in Nanjiang, never leaving. He would certainly not inform anyone of this matter. Then, the Yinhe Scroll was carried back toward the Fu elder by a sheet of emerald mist. The Fu elder grasped the scroll tightly, still stunned, unsure of what to do. After all, aside from this strange artifact—the Yinhe Scroll—he had no other means to ensure that Han truly kept his word regarding the cultivation pearl. "Fu elder, I believe Han's words are also well-founded. We need not use the Yinhe Scroll. I am confident that Han will not break his promise." Remarkably, the once-silent, black-robed beauty—who had remained as if mute from the beginning—now spoke. Her voice was slightly hoarse, yet possessed an undeniable charm. With a subtle turn of her autumn-colored eyes, she instantly became enchanting.