Southern Xinjiang border, Seven-li Ditch.

  Miao altar.

  In the dimly quiet depths of the hall, both the still awake Gui Li and the Grand Wizard did not speak, only the burning flames occasionally made a crackling sound. In addition to this, in the silent altar, there was also a strange noise.

  The little monkey Xiao Hui got drunk and is now sleeping soundly, snoring away.

  In the past, Gui Lie often accompanied Xiao Hui, but usually didn't notice that Xiao Hui would snore while sleeping. It seems that Miao's strong wine is indeed extraordinary. Only to see a red face, a bulging belly, constantly rising and falling, cute and a bit comical.

  But similarly drunk, Xiao Bai's appearance was much better than Xiao Hui's. This nine-tailed celestial fox who had cultivated for a thousand years naturally surpassed Xiao Hui in terms of her demeanor. After this bout of heavy drinking, her skin was translucent and powdery, her head tilted to one side, and there was an air of charm between her eyebrows that captivated people's hearts. She truly was a bewitching creature who could overturn the masses.

  Gui Li sighed in his heart and turned around.

  The great wizard still faced the fire heap, without turning around, but at this moment slowly said a sentence: "You, this friend, seems not to be an ordinary person!"

  Gui Li's heart skipped a beat, thinking that this great shaman was mysterious and unpredictable, had he seen through Xiao Bai's true identity as the nine-tailed celestial fox? Although the customs of the five tribes in Nanjiang were vastly different from those of Zhongtu, and they were much closer to nature and animals than the people of Zhongtu, but how did they view such demons, Gui Li was uncertain.

  After a moment of contemplation, he carefully chose his words and slowly said: "How is it that the great shaman would look at this woman with such different eyes?"

  The great shaman fell silent for a moment, and said lightly: "As she is, a weak woman who can drink down dozens of strong men from my Miao tribe with her drinking capacity, can she still be an ordinary person?"

  The ghost's face changed, and he immediately put down his heart, but as soon as he thought of the magnificent scene where Xiao Bai had just been drinking with a group of Miao people at the foot of the mountain, he couldn't help but secretly shake his head.

  Maybe after being locked in the dark and gloomy Xuanhuo Temple for three hundred years, spending her days in loneliness and pain, she also needs to indulge and vent sometimes!

  The ghost gently turned his head, and Xiao Bai was still quietly leaning against his leg, sleeping soundly. His gentle breathing, slightly closed lips and eyes, and long eyelashes occasionally quivered slightly, as if a child who had fallen asleep but still had worries on his mind, perhaps dreaming of something?

  But I wonder, is she still sleeping soundly now? Will she have nightmares that make her suffer in her dreams?

  The delicate white eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if sensing the gaze, yet seemed to have seen something in a dream, and gently turned her head, before sinking back into deep sleep.

  In the firelight, her face had lost some of its coquettishness, but seemed to have gained a few degrees of innocence that had never been seen before.

  Gui Li shifted his gaze and looked at the Grand Shaman, saying: "She's had too much to drink, I'm afraid she can't answer your questions now, Grand Shaman."

  The great wizard apparently did not expect it, nor did he turn his head to look at the woman. After a pause, he said slowly: "There is one thing you may not know."

  The ghost's expression changed slightly, and he said, "What is it? Please speak."

  The tall and thin figure of the great witch doctor cast a shadow in front of the bonfire, swaying gently, even his voice seemed to have a hint of etherealness: "This soul-calling technique has always been passed down only among the Miao tribe's altar witches, let me make it clear, only the great witch doctors of each generation possess this technique, it is never taught outside, not even my own tribespeople know about it. But how did this young girl come to know about it, I really can't understand."

  The demon was taken aback, and Xiao Bai turned out to be a thousand-year-old fox spirit who had cultivated to a high level, only to transform into a human form with a beautiful and charming appearance. As for experience and knowledge, there were hardly anyone in this world who could compare to her.

  It's just that this remark is not suitable for the great witch doctor, Gui Li's mind turned and changed the subject, saying: "Great Witch Doctor, you didn't even turn your head or look at her, how did you know she was a young woman?"

  The great witch's head slightly tilted to the side, as if she had smiled quietly, and it was unclear whether she had seen through Gui Li's thoughts. She said: "Since this young lady is already drunk, let's talk about it after she wakes up! You are a guest from afar, go out and find our Miao tribe's chief Tu Ma Gu, I will have someone bring word to him, and he will arrange for you to stay here for a few days."

  The ghost's eyebrows furrowed, and he thought to himself that he couldn't wait to agree with the great witch doctor and go rescue Biyu. However, listening to his tone of voice, although it was calm, it was not to be doubted, and it seemed that he wanted to figure out Xiaobai's origins first. Since he had a request for someone else at this moment, thinking about it again after waiting for ten years, what's the harm in waiting one more day?

  The ghost took a deep breath and nodded: "Good."

  The great wizard said quietly: "Then go out!"

  Gui Li nodded to the back of the great witch, and was about to get up and leave, but hesitated again. Xiao Bai was sleeping soundly with her head on his lap, looking like she was heavily drunk, how could he wake her up to walk?

  Gui Lie called out twice, but Xiao Bai didn't seem to hear him and was even a bit annoyed at being disturbed. He pouted his mouth, turned over, and fell asleep again.

  She turned over, but it didn't matter, Xiao Hui was originally leaning against her belly, and now he suddenly bumped his head on the ground, but the monkey seemed to be unaware of it, still snoring loudly. It seems that a born spiritual creature is also very hard-headed, even more powerful than an ordinary monkey's brain.

  The ghost let out a sigh, shook his head repeatedly, and after hesitating for a moment, he had no choice but to bend down and support Xiaobai. He then stood up, stretched out both hands to pick up Xiaobai, and at the same time, pulled Xiaohui onto his shoulder. With one person (fox) in his arms, he walked outwards.

  The little white one lying in his arms, faintly fragrant, with a shallow smile, and the face that was white with a hint of pink, gently swaying before his eyes.

  The ghost took a deep breath and walked out in big strides, leaving this altar behind.

  Walking out of the dark altar, stepping over the two giant stone pillars at the gate, sunlight suddenly splashed on my face.

  A warm and gentle feeling rose from his body. Gui Li slightly narrowed his eyes, looking at the figure standing not far in front of him, with his hands behind his back, gazing out at the scenery of Qili Valley from the mountain top - it was Tu Ma Gu.

  A Miao sorcerer emerged from the altar behind Gui Li, walked past him and went to Tu Ma Gu's side, saying a few words in a low voice. Tu Ma Gu turned his head, looked at Gui Li twice, then shifted his gaze to Xiao Bai who was drunk and asleep, nodded slightly as if agreeing to something.

  The sorceress turned around expressionlessly and walked back to the altar, disappearing into the shadows without another glance at Gui Li.

  Tuma Bone smiled and walked over, saying: "How's it going? Has the great wizard agreed?"

  The ghost smiled slightly and said, "I don't know yet, he told us to stay here."

  Tuma Bone nodded and said, "I know, follow me!" After that, he turned around and walked down the mountain.

  Guilei hugged Xiaobai and Xiaohei, following behind him. Only then did Tuma Gu say: "Our place is a poor and remote countryside, it can't compare to the prosperity of your Central Plains, you all do as you please! Hehe."

  The ghostly figure looked at the Miao tribe's chief and nodded: "Chief, you're being polite, it's us who are disturbing you."

  Tuma bone hehe smiled and didn't say anything else.

  Down the mountain, Tu Ma Gu sank into thought for a moment before heading towards the riverbank with a stern expression. Along the way, many Miao people couldn't help but stare, their eyes lingering on Xiao Bai's body.

  They walked past the stone bridge with a Middle-earth flavor that the ghost had seen before, and came to a house built on a row of green trees, relatively quiet.

  Gu Lian stood behind Tu Ma Gu, quickly and slightly furrowing his brow. The house was not large, only one story with a single room, square and simple, completely made of wood. On the outer wall of the house, there were no animal hides or skeletons that are commonly hung on Miao people's houses.

  Tuma Bone turned his head and said, "This house has been vacant for a long time, but we've always kept it clean. It's quiet here too, with few people coming by. You two can stay here for the night!"

  The demon's eyes narrowed slightly as he nodded his head and said, "Thank you, Clan Leader."

  Tuma Bone smiled and looked at the little white in Gui Li's arms, saying: "Then I won't disturb you, you rest first!"

  After finishing speaking, he was about to leave, but stopped in his tracks, as if remembering something, and said: "Wait a moment, I'll also send someone over with some food, so you can rest assured! Our local customs are simple and crude, sorry to trouble you."

  Gui Li shook his head repeatedly and said, "No need, thank you, Clan Leader."

  Tuma Bone nodded and turned to leave. Gui Lianmu watched him for a while, then turned back and examined the house again.

  It looks like this house was built by a person from Central Plains...

  He hugged Xiaobai and Xiaohei, pushed open the door and walked in.

  The room was simply furnished, with a bed and a table, several wooden chairs, the walls were made of neatly arranged paulownia wood, one side had an open window, and the whole room had a faint scent of wood.

  Gu Lei never thought that luxurious accommodations were important, it was so simple, and yet it suited him just fine. He walked over to the bed, put Xiao Bai down on it, and Xiao Bai murmured softly in his sleep before falling into a deep slumber.

  Guī Lì shook his head, and from his shoulders he took down Xiao Hui. The monkey's mouth opened and closed, occasionally making a "tsk" sound, looking very satisfied. Guī Lì let out a sigh, and put it on the bed as well.

  Looking at the two of them sleeping peacefully, Gui Li turned around and walked to the table, sitting down. The room seemed to suddenly quiet down, except for their breathing, there was no other sound.

  In this strange and unfamiliar house, he sat alone quietly by himself.

  Outside the window, the sunshine is beautiful.

  Surrounded by mountains, seven miles east of Qili Village, a range of high mountains stretches continuously. On top of one of the mountains, two people stand with their eyes fixed on the fertile land nestled in the mountains in the distance.

  "That's Qiliang Village!"

  The person standing in front said in a low voice, with deep emotion, anger and longing in his words.

  Under the sunlight, he was an extremely robust and tall man, wearing a leather jacket on top and pants made of fierce beast skin at the bottom.

  His skin was a deep, burnished copper from years of sun and wind. On his chest, a bear's head was emblazoned in vivid colors. Elsewhere on his body, massive scars crisscrossed, telling the tale of countless battles with ferocious beasts.

  "Yes, Chief," replied a man standing one step behind him. "That is the Seven Mile Fortress." His attire was similar to that of the person in front, but apart from wearing animal hide pants, he also wore fur clothing on his upper body, and appeared much smaller than the burly man in front.

  At this moment, he seemed to have a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, gazing forward and slowly saying: "There, is the fundamental place of the Miao tribe that has dominated the southern border for 200 years. At the same time, our Li tribe's town god artifact 'Bone Jade' is under the Miao people's evil dog carving in the Miao altar on the half mountain of Qili Ridge, and it has been suppressed for 200 years!"

  "Heh heh..."

  A shrill voice suddenly came from the sturdy man in front, and the person behind him looked over to see that it was the one he called the Li ethnic group leader, clenching his fists so tightly that his joints crackled with immense power.

  "Two hundred years! Two hundred years!" The strong man's voice was not loud, but it seemed as if he were shouting to himself.

  "Yes! Two hundred years have passed. Two hundred years ago, we were sneakily attacked by the despicable Miao people. Their evil shaman used poisonous magic to curse our warriors to death, robbed us of our sacred 'bone jade', and drove us to the most barren place in the southern border, where we lived a life of extreme hardship for two hundred years." The person behind him spoke with an icy tone, calmly recounting the unrelenting hatred.

  A strong mountain wind blew on the Li ethnic group leader's body, like a knife, but he didn't react at all. At this moment, in his eyes, there was only the hot land surrounded by mountains in front of him.

  "Losing the Bone Jade is the greatest insult and disrespect to the Bear God!" The person behind him continued, "That's why for these two hundred years, the Bear God has been angry and refused to take care of our Li tribe. Until today, as long as we defeat the Miao people and retrieve the Bone Jade, the Bear God will surely look after us again, and we can occupy this best land in the southern border, so that our tribesmen and descendants can live here for generations."

  His voice suddenly rose, saying: "Tribe leader, we absolutely cannot let our future children, like us, fight against the fire wolf and black tiger monsters that even the strongest warriors can't resist, just to grab some food."

  "We must live on! We want the best land!" he said fiercely.

  In front, the giant-like tribe leader did not turn his head back, but his angry and heavy breathing had already revealed his mood. After a moment of silence, he turned his head around and said, "The other three tribes, really no problem?"

  The man behind him immediately nodded and said, "Yes, the head of the clan. The Miao people have always been bullying others in the southern border, and the other three clans have long been dissatisfied with them. The Zhuang people are numerous and powerful, but they have to be inferior to the Miao people, and they have long been resentful; the Tu people have always been isolated, keeping a distance from the other four clans, and do not want to get involved in the disputes of other clans; finally, the Gaoshan people are few and weak, can only protect themselves, and have no power to expand."

  His face showed a hint of ambiguity, and he said in a low voice: "Tribe leader, as long as we defeat the Miao tribe with one blow, with the bravery that our Li tribe warriors have gained from fighting against the most ferocious beasts in the south for two hundred years, plus the blessing of the great bear god, the day when we dominate the south will not be far."

  In the eyes of the Li tribe's chief, a fierce and scorching gaze was suddenly emitted, and even the seven-li gorge in front of him seemed to make his whole body tremble slightly. That was excitement and longing, perhaps also the warrior's innate bloodthirsty instinct.

  But he was, after all, the leader of his tribe and not a reckless brute. After the initial excitement had passed, he fell silent, then turned around to stare intently at the man behind him, saying: "AheTai, legend has it that the evil Miao tribe's great shaman has lived for three hundred years and is still alive in the deepest part of the Miao people's altar. His dark magic is the most terrifying force in the southern border, can you really handle him?"

  The person called Ah Hua Tai by him, a mysterious smile appeared on his face and said: "Tribe leader, I have already shown you the divine law that the beast god in the ten million mountains taught me, plus the magical treasure he gave me. If the great witch doctor is dead, then it's over, otherwise even if he is alive, I can definitely defeat him!"

  The head of the Li tribe looked at him for a long time, nodding heavily. In fact, the shadow of the great witch doctor had always been a dark cloud hanging over the heads of all ethnic groups in the south, and it was an unforgettable nightmare for the Li people. But this tribesman, named Ah Hua Tai, who had gone missing since childhood, suddenly showed incredible magical powers after mysteriously returning from the 100,000 Great Mountains, and this power was so strong that it finally stirred up the hatred that had been buried deep in the hearts of the entire Li tribe once again.

  To live on, to live better!

  The Li tribe's chief gritted his teeth, and the giant bear tattoo on his robust body looked even more ferocious.

  "A two-hundred-year grudge will be avenged tonight!" He spat out these words from between his teeth.

  The sunlight shone through the bodies of him and Ah Hua, warmly illuminating the mountain range. Behind these two people, on the slope of the mountain that was facing away from the sun, countless Li tribe warriors suddenly appeared, their expressions solemn and stern, each one strong and robust. And on their chests, which were crisscrossed with scars, those ferocious bear head tattoos seemed to be roaring in the wind!

  Qili Village, a quiet little house.

  The demon sat quietly beside the table in the room, silent and speechless. Time seemed to slow down here, silently torturing.

  In such quiet moments, what will you think of?

  Perhaps it's just the past...

  The light of youth is like a sigh echoing in the distant years, gently rising and quietly falling, finally leaving no trace.

  His expression was indifferent, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

  The scenery outside the window is like a painting.

  Quietly...

  Until then, there was suddenly a sound that startled him out of his reverie.

  "Bang, bang, bang."

  A faint knock at the door suddenly echoed through the house.

  The ghost turned its head and looked towards the door of the house.