Seeing the situation, Zongzheng Huangyue furrowed her brows and stepped forward to teach it a lesson. To her surprise, Wangquan Sheng protected it and dodged. “Daoist Feng, please stay your hand. Little Black is a bit mischievous, but he isn’t malicious. I ask for your forgiveness; I will discipline him more strictly.”
It was clear he treated the black fleeceball quite well.
Zongzheng Huangyue’s face was cold. She glanced at Wen Li and, seeing her shake her head, could only relax her fists. “If there’s a next time, I’ll pluck all his fur.”
To dare show disrespect to her Master—it didn't matter how well he dug dog holes or how strange he was, he deserved to die.
Wangquan Sheng took the hint and stopped while he was ahead. “Thank you for your understanding, Daoist Feng.”
He patted the black fleeceball and took out a piece of candy for him. The fleeceball’s eyes lit up. He caught it with his claws and proactively rubbed against Wangquan Sheng’s shoulder to act spoiled, becoming a bit more restrained.
Wen Li turned her head away, unable to bear the sight. Now the fifth and fourth disciples had a grudge after fighting, and the fifth was being so intimate with the Chosen of the Heavenly Dao who was the fourth’s enemy.
What a complicated love-hate triangle. What a disaster.
She was in no mood to worry about Hua Cishu’s mission right now; she could only focus on the matters of the tomb before them.
After entering the city gate, the three of them walked straight and turned through three paths, finally arriving before a pond.
Strewn before them were the corpses of seven or eight young disciples. The scene was tragic and extremely bloody, showing signs of a violent struggle. A hint of mystery permeated the silence, as if something were hidden and watching it all.
There was an old man sitting in the pond with his eyes closed. From his waist down, he was submerged in the murky pond water, and in his arms was a seductive Equinox Flower.
“This is the center of Wangquan Wuho’s tomb. The entire grand hall behind it is the true tomb, filled with rare pills, magical artifacts, and piles of spirit stones used as burial goods. As far as I know, when this pond was built back then, it was all stagnant water; no plants should have been able to survive. Now, an Equinox Flower has grown here. You must be careful.”
Wangquan Sheng held his sword in front of him and carefully crouched down to check the neck of the nearest corpse.
He stood up, frowning. “This person died fifteen minutes ago. Logically, Wangquan Gusui and the five major factions are half an hour ahead of us. They shouldn't be moving this slowly.”
Earlier, when the skeletons were chasing them outside the city gates, they had seen a few fresh corpses, but the casualties were not as heavy or as bloodily horrific as here. This indicated that the pond leading to the grand hall had seriously delayed them.
There was a problem!
The moment this was said, the three of them retreated in unison back to the safe zone at the entrance. They moved into a single line, their actions quick and synchronized as if they possessed the tacit understanding of battle-hardened veterans.
Commonly known as being terrified for their lives.
“This person is Ouyang Ao of Danfeng Valley, a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.”
Wen Li stared at the motionless old man sitting in the pond. She recognized the sect robes on him as belonging to Danfeng Valley. Hadn't it been said that Danfeng Valley had come, and that their group was led by the familiar Fifth Elder, Luo Yuntian, and the Third Elder, Ouyang Ao? This man was in the Late-Stage Golden Core realm.
Luo Yuntian was in the Early-Stage Golden Core realm, so this person was clearly that Ouyang Ao.
Hearing this, Wangquan Sheng’s brows knitted together. Even a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator had fallen here; it was clear how perilous this place was. Had he known, he should have increased his strength further before coming.
He checked once more with the old man in the bone ring.
“Master, a Late-Stage Golden Core has fallen. Are you sure I, an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, can survive?”
“Rest easy. This place only looks intimidating. With me here, there won't be any accidents. Go ahead and charge in with confidence. If you die, I’ll have to fall into a deep slumber as well. Why would I lie to you? Look at the two Foundation Establishment cultivators beside you; aren't they still brave enough to come? They’re accompanying you, so what are you afraid of?” the old man’s voice had just spoken when…
“Daoist Mo, I just remembered I have a family emergency; my father is about to give birth. We’re leaving now. No need to see us out.”
Wen Li grabbed Zongzheng Huangyue’s hand and turned to leave.
“...” The voice in the bone ring went silent.
“Daoist Yin, are you serious?”
Wangquan Sheng’s face darkened. Listen to that; did it sound plausible? If she wanted to lie, couldn't she say something more respectful of his intelligence? Her father was about to give birth? She might as well have said her dog was giving birth.
She didn't even bother to put effort into the lie.
“Oh, I meant my dog is about to give birth. I need to go back and tend to its postpartum care.” Wen Li also knew this nonsense wouldn't fool him, so she simply changed her excuse with a look of pure honesty.
As if that nonsense would fool anyone either.
Even Zongzheng Huangyue couldn’t help her mouth from twitching. She turned her head away and pressed her lips together, staying silent.
Wangquan Sheng, who had just been grumbling inwardly, was struck dumb. He finally saw this person’s nonsensical style for what it was. He took a deep breath to calm himself.
“Daoist Yin, you should think carefully. Leaving is no easy task either. If the people inside triggered some mechanism, you might not be able to find the tunnel you used to enter even if you try.”
He knew Wen Li had felt regret after seeing that a Golden Core cultivator had fallen, but the arrow was already on the string. They had to go forward.
Rather than have the two of them say they were leaving only to hide like a mantis stalking a cicada, waiting to ambush him from behind, he would much rather they cooperate with him.
Wen Li pointed at Ouyang Ao sitting in the pond.
“Then do you dare go over and smell him?”
“...”
Wangquan Sheng ground his teeth. “I have no tastes for men. Daoist, mind your words.”
“Ptooie! Whatever thoughts you have are none of my damn business! I told you to smell if there’s a stench of death on Ouyang Ao. Go look for yourself; does he look like he's alive? A Late-Stage Golden Core died here. This place looks dangerous, but in reality, it's not safe at all!”
“That Wangquan Gusui guy knew to bring five sects to use as meat shields. You’re an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment; what the hell use are two Foundation Establishment cultivators like us to you? Do you think we’re some extra-thick shields that can block danger for you a couple of times? No matter what methods or grand expert protection you have, you’ve only got one life to gamble with. Do you think you’re a Soul Formation cultivator? This is the tomb of a Peak Nascent Soul cultivator! We don't know if we can get out, but staying here means certain death!”
Wen Li’s eyes widened as she spat out a long stream of words, not giving Wangquan Sheng a chance to cut in. His head buzzed as he listened.
“We’re gone. Good luck to you.”
After her outburst, she let out a long breath, her lung capacity showing improvement. She waved her hand and truly left, pulling Zongzheng Huangyue along while muttering to her.
“The dog is about to give birth. Should I buy duck legs, roast duck, or whole roasted lamb to reward it? Or should I buy osmanthus cake, grass jelly, steamed fish, spicy chicken, and beef skewers to nourish it? No, I think candied haws, fried rice cakes, brown sugar tangyuan, wontons, and meat buns should be on the menu too.”
Zongzheng Huangyue: “...” Aren’t those just the things you like to eat?
Although she didn't know why her Master was saying this, Zongzheng Huangyue thought for two seconds and decided to play along.
“I think we should also buy some twice-cooked pork, sugar-oil rice balls, spicy rabbit heads, roasted chestnuts, and stinky tofu.”
Master must have her reasons for doing this.
Wen Li turned her head, her eyes curving into crescents. She gently patted Huangyue’s head.
“You’re right. I’ll buy a portion for you too.”
Zongzheng Huangyue smiled, roughly guessing what was happening.
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