Outer Ruins, Niu Manor.
As dusk approached, the farmstead by a small river was eerily silent—no billowing smoke from cooking fires, no bustling farmers or village women.
Not even the common chickens and dogs were in sight.
Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats grew closer, and a lone rider appeared on the path leading to Niu Manor.
Neigh～～
As the Cyan Horse neared the farmstead entrance, it suddenly reared up, letting out a distressed whinny.
It seemed to sense danger.
Above it, a majestic black crow flitted by in an instant.
Zhang Yuan dismounted from the horse.
His gaze turned towards the deathly silent farmstead ahead, and his right hand gently brushed the back of his left hand.
Even without entering, Zhang Yuan already felt the eerie aura!
Earlier, when he went to the Celestial King Hall to complete a Daoist Merit task, he encountered a group of anxious farmers at the door.
These farmers were all residents of Niu Manor.
