One person said: "If I make you a holy child, will you be granted godhood through the art of Gu

Wang Dashan glanced at Jiang Mo through the rearview mirror and nodded with a smile.

"Yes, my ancestors have lived in this area for generations. Mr. Jiang, please feel free to ask anything you'd like to know."

"What legends surround the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley?"

Upon hearing this question, Wang Dashan's smile stiffened slightly: "Mr. Jiang, you're here to investigate those strange events, aren't you?"

Jiang Mo didn't answer directly, but just looked at him calmly.

Wang Dashan sighed: "Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley has never been a good place since ancient times."

"The older generation says that it's a place heavy with yin energy, with constant rain all year round, and ordinary people who go there are easily 'possessed by evil spirits.'"

"Possessed by an evil spirit?" Jiang Mo raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, in short, people who go in are more likely to get into trouble."

Wang Dashan's voice lowered, "Recently, quite a few people have died, all of them outsiders with special abilities. It's said that something drained their life force."

Jiang Mo nodded thoughtfully: "Do you know that cave known as the 'Snake Cave'?"

"Snake pit!" Wang Dashan exclaimed in surprise, nearly slamming on the brakes. "How does Mr. Jiang know about that place?"

"It was mentioned in the company's documents."

Wang Dashan swallowed nervously: "The snake pit is the most taboo place in our area."

"It is said that this place was once a sacrificial site of an ancient tribe, specifically used to worship the 'Gu God'."

"The God of Gu?" Jiang Mo's eyes sharpened.

"Yes, legend has it that the Gu God controls all living things and can manipulate all kinds of insects and snakes."

"Every year on the summer solstice, the shamans of the ancient tribes would perform a sacrifice in the snake cave, using living people as offerings, to pray to the Gu god for favorable weather and abundant harvests."

As Wang Dashan spoke, he couldn't help but shudder: "Later, that tribe disappeared for some reason, but the snake den has always remained."

"The locals believe that the retinue of the Gu God still lives there, so they never dare to approach."

A glint flashed in Jiang Mo's eyes: "Interesting."

The car continued on its way, and the road became increasingly narrow.

The trees on both sides grew taller and denser, blocking out the sun and making it almost impossible to see any sunlight.

About two hours later, the car stopped at a makeshift parking lot.

"Mr. Jiang, the road ahead is impassable by car; you'll have to proceed on foot."

Wang Dashan pointed ahead and said, "Follow this path for about half an hour, and you'll reach the entrance to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley."

Jiang Mo nodded, picked up his backpack, and got off the bus.

Chen Jing also got out of the car, taking out a small backpack: "I'm going with Mr. Jiang."

Jiang Mo glanced at her: "Are you sure? It's very dangerous there right now, especially for someone who doesn't understand Qi."

Chen Jing nodded firmly: "President Zhao instructed me that I must accompany Mr. Jiang throughout the entire process and record the relevant information."

Jiang Mo didn't try to persuade him further, but simply reminded him, "No matter what happens later, stay close to me and don't wander off."

"Understood!" Chen Jing replied solemnly.

Wang Dashan stayed in the car to wait, while Jiang Mo and Chen Jing walked along the path towards Twenty-Four Valley.

The trees on both sides of the path grew denser, and the ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, which felt soft and made a rustling sound when stepped on.

A damp, musty smell filled the air, making one feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Jiang Mo walked ahead with steady steps, seemingly unconcerned about the environment.

Chen Jing was a little nervous, glancing around every now and then, afraid that some danger might suddenly appear.

"Mr. Jiang, can you really control the Gu worms?" After walking for a while, Chen Jing couldn't help but ask.

Jiang Mo turned to look at her: "Are you scared?"

Chen Jing nodded honestly: "A little. I've heard that Gu magic is extremely terrifying, capable of making life worse than death."

Jiang Mo smiled faintly: "The art of Gu itself is not frightening; what is frightening is the user's heart. Like a knife, it can be used to cut vegetables, or it can be used to hurt people."

"How does Mr. Jiang view his own abilities?"

Jiang Mo did not answer immediately, but continued walking forward.

Just when Chen Jing thought he wouldn't answer, Jiang Mo suddenly spoke up: "To me, Gu is a wondrous life form, worthy of respect and understanding. I don't treat them as tools, but as partners."

Chen Jing nodded thoughtfully, and was about to ask something else when Jiang Mo suddenly stopped.

"arrive."

The woods ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a huge valley.

The valley is lush with vegetation and shrouded in mist. In the distance, several steep peaks can be vaguely seen, like the fingers of a giant pointing straight to the sky.

This is the Twenty-Four Solar Terms.

"What a peculiar place!" Chen Jing exclaimed. "No wonder it's become a sacred ground for extraordinary individuals to cultivate."

Jiang Mo didn't speak, but quietly sensed the atmosphere around him.

He could sense a peculiar energy fluctuation permeating the entire valley, seemingly influencing all life forms around him.

"Where are the people from the company now?" Jiang Mo asked.

Chen Jing took out a small locator: "According to the last contact, their temporary base is on a high ground in the middle of the valley, about five kilometers away from us."

Jiang Mo nodded: "Let's go, we need to get there before dark."

The two walked forward along the path in the valley.

As they ventured deeper into the valley, the fog thickened, and visibility gradually decreased.

Jiang Mo sensed something was wrong; there seemed to be some strange aura mixed in with the mist, which made him feel a little uneasy.

He stopped, took a small bottle out of his backpack, poured out a small black insect, and placed it in his palm.

"The Detective Gu, remove."

The insect flapped its wings and transformed into a black shadow, flying into the mist.

A moment later, the little insect flew back and landed in Jiang Mo's palm.

Jiang Mo frowned slightly: "There's definitely a problem."

"What's wrong?" Chen Jing asked anxiously.

"This fog contains a special kind of spores that have an corrosive effect on Qi."

"If an ordinary person with supernatural abilities were exposed to this environment for a long time, their internal energy would gradually weaken."

Chen Jing's expression changed: "Then the people from that company..."

“They may have already been affected.” Jiang Mo took out two masks and handed one to Chen Jing.

"Wearing this will filter out most of the spores."

Chen Jing quickly put on her mask, then asked in confusion, "Isn't Mr. Jiang wearing one?"

Jiang Mo shook his head: "Spores of this level have no effect on me."

The Gu within his body had formed a complete ecosystem.

It can automatically purify most harmful foreign substances.

The two continued on their way, and after about an hour, they finally saw faint lights ahead.

"It's the base!" Chen Jing exclaimed excitedly.

Jiang Mo's expression turned serious: "No, there's danger!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the lights in front of him suddenly flickered violently before going out completely.