Lin Xiao Tian had not expected the depths of Kunlun Valley to be so profound; he had initially thought it was on a similar level to Black Mountain.
However, the stone tablet had indicated that the remaining parts of the Shen Nong Medical Canon were located there, so Lin Xiao Tian was determined to go.
"Old woman, I've decided to give it a try. I have confidence in myself."
"Confidence? Many of those expedition teams went in with guns. No matter how capable you are, can you compare to a gun?"
"In short... I must go. If anything happens, I will bear the responsibility myself."
"You..."
Seeing how stubborn Lin Xiao Tian was, the old woman was so angry she gnashed her teeth.
"In short... I do not agree to this matter."
After speaking, the old woman directly chased Lin Xiao Tian away.
Leaving the attic, Lin Xiao Tian felt a wave of frustration.
This old woman was truly something. Why did she get so agitated when they were having a perfectly good conversation?
But Lin Xiao Tian was seriously considering the old woman's words.
If things were truly as the old woman had described, then he would need to be more cautious about Kunlun Valley.
Back in his room, Lin Xiao Tian contacted Yang Xin.
"What?"
"You're going to Kunlun Valley?"
"Are you trying to die?"
Yang Xin's reaction was a barrage of questions.
Her unusual behavior made Lin Xiao Tian even more certain that the old woman was right.
"I know Kunlun Valley is very dangerous, but I have to go. Do you know anyone who has survived going there? I want to ask them about the situation inside."
"I do know some people, but they've all gone mad now. You won't be able to get anything out of them," Yang Xin said seriously.
"It's fine, as long as there are survivors. Just help me arrange a meeting."
Hearing Lin Xiao Tian's reply, Yang Xin was somewhat surprised.
Could it be that Lin Xiao Tian really had a way to make madmen talk?
"Okay! I'll arrange it for you. When are you free?"
"Anytime!" Lin Xiao Tian stated each word distinctly.
After they ended the call, Yang Xin immediately reported her conversation with Lin Xiao Tian to her family.
Upon learning that Lin Xiao Tian intended to go to Kunlun Valley, the head of the Yang family was greatly alarmed.
"What is Lin Xiao Tian suddenly going to Kunlun Valley for? Does the Lin family have some hidden agenda?"
The Yang family's higher-ups first thought of the Lin family's movements. Although they were all hidden families, they secretly did not wish for each other to prosper.
When the Lin family was in decline, many families had subtly caused trouble. If not for the Lin family's old woman stepping in to stabilize the situation, the Lin family would have long since fallen.
However, the Lin family was very secretive about its affairs, so the Yang family could not ascertain if this matter was related to the Lin family and could only make assumptions.
"Should we refuse him? After all, this is an area managed by our Yang family; we have the right to refuse," an elder of the Yang family said.
"That's not appropriate! Lin Xiao Tian is from the Lin family, so it would be difficult for us to refuse him on principle."
"I think it's better to agree. Kunlun Valley is a death trap; even if Lin Xiao Tian goes, he won't achieve much. Besides, if he does find any useful information, it would be a good thing for us."
The Yang family's high-ranking members voiced their opinions, and in the lead seat, the Yang family head pondered for a moment before finally making a decision.
"Agree! If he truly intends to enter the valley, we must also send people," the Yang family head stated.
"Then, if he enters the valley, we'll send an expedition team to follow him. I doubt he'll be able to refuse," an elder suggested.
"An expedition team alone isn't enough. Our Yang family must also send people. This way, if Lin Xiao Tian discovers anything, our own people can immediately grasp it."
As soon as the Yang family head uttered these words, the people below fell silent.
They were well aware of how dangerous Kunlun Valley was. Sending their own people there was tantamount to sending them to their deaths.
While the Yang family head's request seemed reasonable, it was clearly impossible for the main family to send people. Ultimately, it would fall upon the branch families, a calculation that was quite shrewd.
"Everyone is aware that for the Yang family to continue, the main family must remain unharmed. The Lin family serves as an example of this. I hope all the heads of the branch families will contribute to the family."
As the Yang family head spoke, the faces of the branch family heads turned grim.
As they had suspected.
But no one responded to the Yang family head's words.
Who would have the heart to send their own children to their deaths?
Seeing the lack of reaction, the Yang family head became somewhat angry. "Everyone, don't forget that your current standing is thanks to the main family's leadership! I know this is cruel, but when necessary, sacrifice is unavoidable!"
The Yang family head spoke with passion, but the others remained unresponsive.
It was better for others to sacrifice than for oneself to do so!
Moreover, even if they sacrificed, they would gain nothing. No matter how powerful the branch families were, they could not surpass the main family. The benefits were not worth their sacrifice.
The Yang family head's expression darkened. He knew these people's minds all too well, but at this juncture, he had to be decisive.
"I recall that last time Lin Xiao Tian was at Black Mountain, weren't there people from Yang Xun's family with him?"
The Yang family head suddenly looked towards a corner.
Yang Xun was the head of one of the Yang family's branch families, and also the grandfather of Yang Lin and Yang Xin.
Upon hearing his name called, Yang Xun's heart tightened.
"Indeed, two juniors from my family were with Lin Xiao Tian last time."
"Then have them go with Lin Xiao Tian again this time!" the Yang family head said in a flat tone.
"Family head, Yang Lin and Yang Xin are direct descendants of our family. They cannot go!" Yang Xun pleaded.
"Yang Xun, are you trying to bargain with me?" The Yang family head's expression turned cold.
In hidden families, the authority of the main family was supreme. The branch families could not defy any of the main family's wishes, or they would face severe punishment, even expulsion from the family in serious cases. This was also one of the reasons why hidden families could maintain stability.
"No, no... Family head, for the sake of an old widower like me, can only one of them go?"
But the Yang family head shook his head. "One person going is too risky."
Hearing the family head's reply, Yang Xun's face turned ashen.
Meanwhile, Yang Xin, unaware of what was about to happen, had already helped Lin Xiao Tian contact the person who had previously been to Kunlun Valley.
Lin Xiao Tian was also about to set off to meet Yang Xin.
In a psychiatric hospital, Lin Xiao Tian met the person who had returned from Kunlun Valley.
"This man's name is Luo Ping. He has been mad for ten years," Yang Xin said, pointing ahead.
Lin Xiao Tian's gaze swept over Luo Ping. The man appeared to be in his forties. Thanks to the care of the nurses, his clothes were relatively clean. However, his eyes were not like those of a normal person; his eyeballs seemed to twitch, darting left and right.
As Lin Xiao Tian approached Luo Ping, a nurse stopped him.
"Sir, you need to wear this protective gear."
The nurse handed Lin Xiao Tian a helmet.
Lin Xiao Tian indicated that he did not need it. The nurse hesitated but, knowing his unusual status, did not press further.
As Lin Xiao Tian got within a meter of Luo Ping, Luo Ping suddenly lunged at him with a roar.
"Roar!"
His mouth emitted a growl unlike that of a human.