The old man witnessed the array, and his face suddenly changed, with a trace of terror flickering in his eyes. He shouted loudly, "Not good, they actually activated this array! Shi Feiyang, quickly step back, leave it to us." His voice was filled with deep anxiety and worry.

Although Shi Feiyang was full of doubts in his heart, he saw the old man's urgent expression and knew this was no joke, so he temporarily stepped aside. He saw that group of people quickly spread out around the array, each displaying their unique martial arts. Some were forming seals with their hands, chanting incantations softly, as golden runes flew from their palms, striking the array; others were wielding long whips, the tips wrapped in blazing flames, fiercely lashing at the edges of the array.

Under their combined efforts, the light of the array gradually dimmed, and that mysterious power also weakened step by step.

Shi Feiyang carefully observed from the side, finding that these people's martial arts styles were completely different from what he had seen before, yet there seemed to be some ancient wisdom and mysterious power contained within their moves.

Xue Wuya saw this, and his face suddenly turned pale, knowing the situation was beyond salvation.

Therefore, he led the remaining bandits to quickly retreat amidst the chaos on the scene. Shi Feiyang intended to pursue but was stopped by the old man: "Do not chase a desperate enemy; the primary task now is to seal this array."

Shi Feiyang was helpless and could only join forces with everyone to seal the array. Once everything was calm, Shi Feiyang turned to the old man and asked, "Who are you? What is this array all about?"

The old man sighed deeply and slowly replied, "We are the Hidden Clan guarding ancient secrets. Thousands of years ago, after a battle between good and evil, to prevent the resurgence of evil forces, our ancestors sealed power within this array and commanded our clan to guard it for generations. Unexpectedly, they found a way to activate the array. It seems that the crisis in the Jianghu has just begun."

The old man's eyes revealed deep worry, already foreseeing the upcoming storm.

Shi Feiyang respectfully cupped his fist to the old man, firmly saying, "Senior, do not worry. In the face of this Jianghu crisis, I will do my utmost to safely retrieve the missing sect leader."

His expression displayed fearless determination, with no difficulty able to obstruct his resolve to discover the truth.

The old man nodded with relief, his eyes full of appreciation: "Young Hero Shi, your chivalrous heart is truly rare in today's Jianghu. In that case, our Hidden Clan is willing to fully assist. Although the array has been temporarily sealed, the initiators will not give up easily and will surely plot to breach it again, stirring up greater turmoil."

Shi Feiyang clasped his hands in gratitude: "It is truly my fortune to have the senior's assistance. However, the enemy's whereabouts are like a clay ox entering the sea, difficult to trace, and I do not know where to start the investigation."

The old man pondered for a moment, then slowly took an ancient jade pendant from his bosom and handed it to Shi Feiyang: "This is the Dragon-Seeking Jade Pendant passed down through my clan, which can sense the aura of ancient relics. The missing sect leader may be closely related to such mysterious sites."

Shi Feiyang received the jade pendant with both hands, seeing it was engraved with complex and mysterious patterns, glowing faintly under the moonlight. When his fingertips touched the pendant, it trembled slightly, slowly pointing westward.

"It seems the clue is to the west." Shi Feiyang raised his gaze, looking toward the unknown area shrouded in night, his eyes revealing a trace of anticipation and determination. Thus, Shi Feiyang, together with the people of the Hidden Clan, embarked on the road westward.

In a few days, they endured the elements, traveling day and night. Along the way, mountains, rivers, and streams passed swiftly beneath their feet.

Finally, they arrived at an ancient valley.

The night descended, and the valley was shrouded in a thick, ink-like eerie mist that seemed alive, rolling and surging slowly. The surrounding trees twisted and deformed under the fog's cover, with branches stretching wantonly, casting shadows like sinister monsters.

The air was filled with a putrid smell, oppressive and suffocating.

The moonlight struggled to penetrate the mist, casting dappled shadows on the ground, adding a touch of eeriness.

Just upon entering the valley, Shi Feiyang keenly sensed a strong hostility, like a thorn in his back.

In an instant, a group of black-clad figures emerged ghostly from the fog, swiftly surrounding them. These figures were agile, with cold, piercing gazes and weapons gleaming with a chilling light. Their attacks were ruthless, indicating careful planning and preparation.

Shi Feiyang and the people of the Hidden Clan quickly formed a back-to-back defensive stance, instantly engaging in a breathtaking battle with the black-clad adversaries. Shi Feiyang wielded his Myanmar Saber, displaying the Hundred Victories Saber Technique, with saber light like silver lightning, repelling the approaching black-clad figures one after another.

Boom! The Hidden Clan members also displayed their divine powers, with the Holy Flame Spirit Control Technique igniting blazing flames in their palms, transforming into a giant Fire Phoenix rushing at the enemy with roaring heat waves; the Star Pattern Evil-Breaking Fist unveiled mysterious star patterns upon launch, delivering powerful strikes at the black-clad figures, each blow carrying astonishing power. For a time, the valley was filled with dazzling lights, interwoven with shouts and weapons clashing, shaking the eardrums painfully.

The battle grew increasingly intense, Shi Feiyang's blade techniques became more fierce, each slash carrying a sound of breaking through the air.

The members of the Hidden Clan were not to be outdone, with various special skills emerging one after another. The flames of the Holy Flame Spirit Control Technique grew increasingly intense, seemingly capable of burning all evil; the star patterns of the Star Pattern Evil-Breaking Fist shone brighter, as if able to shatter all darkness.

Though the black-clad attackers were numerous, they gradually seemed to be struggling under the combined force of Shi Feiyang and the Hidden Clan members.

At that moment, a low and deep roar resonated from the depths of the valley, as if some terrifying presence was gradually awakening. Shi Feiyang's heart tightened suddenly, and he immediately realized that this fierce battle was far from over, and a greater crisis might be silently approaching.

Yet, he showed no sign of retreat, instead grasping the Myanmar Saber more firmly, ready to face the challenges ahead. The members of the Hidden Clan quickly adjusted their stances as well, preparing to meet new enemies. In this mysterious and eerie valley, a more thrilling fierce battle was about to unfold.

During the fierce battle, Shi Feiyang keenly noticed that these black-clad attackers did not seem eager to achieve victory.

Although their attacks appeared fierce, in reality, they seemed intent on stalling, continuously maneuvering from various angles, launching seemingly deadly yet deliberately non-lethal strikes, merely aiming to exhaust the group's stamina.

Shi Feiyang's heart suddenly became alert, realizing that the enemy might be brewing a bigger conspiracy, and behind this seemingly simple ambush, a deeper crisis might be lurking.

Just then, an eerie and bizarre laughter echoed from the depths of the valley, resonating through the mist with a chilling tone, terrifying to hear. A voice said, "Shi Feiyang, you really fell for it. Today is the day you die!" With this sinister laughter, a figure slowly emerged from the mist, none other than Xue Wuya.

Xue Wuya held a black token in his hand, engraved with eerie runes, glimmering with a dark light in the mist. He raised the token high, chanting, as if performing some mysterious ritual.

Instantly, the mist in the valley became denser, as if trying to engulf the entire world.

The surrounding temperature dropped sharply, and a piercing cold rushed in, while a powerful and evil dark force surged from all directions, like a turbulent tide, attempting to completely drown them.

Shi Feiyang and his companions felt an unprecedented pressure at that moment, as if their bodies were tightly bound by an invisible shackle, making their movements slow and difficult. Meanwhile, their inner strength was greatly restricted under the oppression of the dark force, operating with a slight sluggishness. Shi Feiyang felt a weight in his heart, realizing that Xue Wuya must be using some evil power that far exceeded their imagination.

"Be careful, everyone, this is dark power!" The elder warned loudly, his voice carrying a hint of urgency and vigilance.

Shi Feiyang gritted his teeth, channeling the Bright Jade Technique, a faint white mist enveloping his body like a resilient shield, contending with the dark power. The white mist trembled slightly under the impact of the dark force but remained steadfast, trying to create a safe space for everyone. The Hidden Clan members also displayed their exceptional skills, their faces full of determination, fighting a life-and-death battle against the dark power.

During the intense confrontation, Shi Feiyang suddenly discovered that the jade pendant in his hand, instead of dimming under the dark power, shone more brilliantly. Moreover, the direction indicated by the jade pendant was precisely towards the token in Xue Wuya's hand. A thought struck him: could this token have a thousand threads of connection with the missing Sect Leader? This thought was like a ray of dawn, instantly illuminating the doubts in his heart.

Taking advantage of Xue Wuya's chanting interval, Shi Feiyang utilized the ingenious Body Technique "Deep Concealment of Body and Name," his whole body like a black lightning bolt, instantly breaking through the dark force's obstruction, charging straight at Xue Wuya. His speed was incredibly fast, generating a strong wind that scattered the surrounding mist. Seeing this, Xue Wuya's face changed drastically, quickly brandishing the token as a black light shot toward Shi Feiyang like an arrow.

Shi Feiyang swiftly dodged, agilely sidestepping, while simultaneously slashing with his Myanmar Saber, unleashing a chilling light with a fierce momentum towards Xue Wuya. Xue Wuya hastily used the token to block, with a loud "clang," sparks flying.

Shi Feiyang only felt a strong countershock from the token, making his arm numb, realizing the opponent possessed such profound power.

But he showed no intention of retreating, his eyes burning with even stronger fighting spirit, quickly adjusting his posture, launching another attack.

After a series of fierce exchanges, Shi Feiyang finally caught a flaw in Xue Wuya.

He unleashed the ultimate attack "Heaven and Earth With Longevity" from the Hundred Victories Saber Technique, channeling his entire body's True Qi into the Myanmar Saber, emitting a dazzling light, like a meteor streaking across the night sky, carrying a world-destroying momentum, slashing towards Xue Wuya.

Xue Wuya's eyes widened in terror, trying to dodge, only to find his body bound by an invisible force, unable to move.

With his eyes filled with fear and despair, he screamed, "No!" With this scream of despair, Xue Wuya's body was split into two by Shi Feiyang's Myanmar Saber, blood splattering onto the ground, mingling with the mist, appearing extremely horrifying.

After Xue Wuya's demise, the dark force that once shrouded the valley also vanished without a trace.

The dense fog in the valley gradually dissipated, and sunlight once again fell, the warm rays dispelling darkness and cold, bringing long-awaited light. Shi Feiyang and his companions could finally heave a sigh of relief, understanding this battle was only a temporary victory, and the real crisis might still lurk deeper in the shadows, waiting for them to uncover.

Shi Feiyang bent down, picking up the mysterious token from Xue Wuya's hand, examining it carefully.

The runes on the token were strikingly similar to the symbols he found in the sect of the missing Sect Leader, with twisting lines exuding a mysterious and ancient aura. He was certain that this token was the key to unlocking the mystery, an important clue leading to the truth. Thus, Shi Feiyang handed the token to the elder of the Hidden Clan, and after whispering for a moment, they went their separate ways, each pursuing the truth.

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