### The Plight of Nanjiang and the Quest for the Fiend
As the azure ethereal vapors settled over the land, the Monday Immortal and Xiao Huan found themselves in the company of Daoist Ye, a man who had narrowly escaped death. Daoist Ye, still bewildered by his own bravery during the ordeal, was now more cautious. The shared experience had brought them closer, and Monday Immortal no longer treated Daoist Ye with the cold indifference he once did. Yet, when it came to labor, the old habits remained. However, with Daoist Ye’s injuries, Monday Immortal often took on more of the work, which only added to his grievances.
Xiao Huan and Daoist Ye maintained their usual rapport, but there was a newfound fear in Daoist Ye’s eyes whenever he spoke to her. This shift in behavior piqued her curiosity, but she soon found herself absorbed in an unremarkable black book, a source of fascination and mystery.
Daoist Ye, having never seen this book before, wondered about its origins, but neither Xiao Huan nor Monday Immortal offered any explanations. Over time, he grew accustomed to her changed demeanor, though he could not pinpoint what exactly had changed.
### The Beast Cataclysm
The beast cataclysm, originating from the Ten Thousand Mountains of Nanjiang, first struck the southern lands. The people here suffered greatly, even more so than those in the Central Plains. Many villages and towns were left desolate, with no survivors. Those who managed to survive the initial onslaught were often plagued by the remnants of the beast fiends, leading to a life of perpetual darkness and misery.
Ghost Li, driven by a relentless quest, returned to Nanjiang. Along the way, he encountered numerous righteous disciples, including those from the Azure Ethereal Conclave and the Incense Valley. These disciples, like madmen, searched for the vanished Beast God, but to no avail. The Beast God, having fled after the battle with the Azure Ethereal Vapors, seemed to have disappeared into thin air.
Believing that the Beast God would return to his homeland, Ghost Li entered Nanjiang. The arrival of these righteous disciples temporarily subdued the remaining beast fiends, bringing a glimmer of hope to the devastated land.
Yet, despite their efforts, the Beast God remained elusive. The only place left to search was the mysterious and treacherous Ten Thousand Mountains.
### The Journey to Qili Dong
Before entering the mountains, Ghost Li visited the Qili Dong of the Miao people, to pay respects to the Great Shaman who had helped Biyao. As he journeyed through the desolate landscapes, he was struck by the devastation and the suffering of the people.
What caused such a catastrophe? He pondered, feeling a sense of detachment from the suffering around him. The endless prayers and supplications to the gods and buddhas in the world, yet no one came to their aid when the disaster struck. Was it true, as the “Book of Heaven” suggested, that the heavens were indifferent to the plight of the living?
### The Ruins of Qili Dong
Upon reaching Qili Dong, Ghost Li was appalled by the destruction. The once beautiful and tranquil village was now a desolate ruin. Only a few survivors remained, desperately scavenging through the rubble. The atmosphere was one of sorrow and despair.
Walking through the streets, Ghost Li noticed the wary eyes of the Miao people. Even Little Gray, his loyal companion, seemed subdued. Reaching the foot of the mountain, two young Miao soldiers stopped him. Using sign language, Ghost Li indicated his intention to visit the shrine. After a brief exchange, a middle-aged priest descended and invited him to meet the new Great Shaman.
### The New Great Shaman
Inside the dimly lit cave, Ghost Li met the new Great Shaman, a young man in his thirties. The Great Shaman, fluent in the Central Plain language, welcomed him and explained that he had inherited the position after the tragic deaths of the elders. He then shared the legend of the Beast God, revealing that the creature was immortal and could only be suppressed by the five tribal sacred artifacts. He also mentioned the “Eight Auspicious Fiery Formation,” a powerful array that could contain the Beast God.
### The Search Continues
Leaving Qili Dong, Ghost Li’s thoughts turned to Bai Xiao. Her mission to find the “Eight Auspicious Fiery Formation” had left him feeling guilty. Determined to continue his search, he decided to visit the Incense Valley, where the formation had last been seen.
### The Incense Valley
The Incense Valley, once a mighty sect, had suffered greatly during the beast cataclysm. Although many of its disciples were out searching for the Beast God, the valley itself was in ruins. Ghost Li, using his enhanced skills, infiltrated the valley and made his way to the Fiery Altar, where the “Eight Auspicious Fiery Formation” was located.
### The Unexpected Encounter
As Ghost Li examined the ancient array, a familiar laughter echoed through the darkened chamber. A figure in a yellow dress descended, and Ghost Li, recognizing her, was shocked.
“Jin Ping’er?” he gasped, unable to believe his eyes.
Jin Ping’er, the woman believed to have perished in the cataclysm, stood before him, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of mischief and allure. She revealed that she knew the location of the Demon Suppression Cave, where the Beast God was sealed, and that she had come to assist him at the command of the Ghost King.
### The Revelation
Ghost Li, stunned by this revelation, realized that the fate of the other demonic figures was still uncertain. Jin Ping’er, undeterred by his shock, smiled sweetly and said, “See, I am quite clever, aren’t I?”
With the promise of further revelations and assistance, Ghost Li’s quest to find and suppress the Beast God continued, shrouded in mystery and danger.
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