Chapter 14

At first, it was just a small-scale, covert spread, but later, seeing that the Great Alchemist did not take him to task, Gui Bu Gui began to exaggerate and spread the word to everyone, regardless of its truth. He even attributed some of his own affairs to Xu Fu. Finally, Xu Fu was provoked, and the Great Alchemist expelled Gui Bu Gui from the circle of alchemists. Thus, Gui Bu Gui decided to throw caution to the wind. Although he was out of the alchemists' circle, he still had many disciples and followers who showed him respect. With no worries about food and clothing, he made it his lifelong career to tarnish Xu Fu's reputation, starting to spread large-scale rumors that harmed the Great Alchemist's name.

Not long after, one day, Gui Bu Gui woke up from his sleep to find himself in the Miao territory, thousands of miles away from home. He was wearing his sleeping clothes and standing barefoot on a mountain. He tried to use the遁法 (Dunfa) to leave, but then he realized that the magic did not work, and the power in his body had been sealed while he was asleep. Over the years, Gui Bu Gui tried every method possible but still could not break this seal. Otherwise, he would not have been slapped by Wu Mian.

Gui Bu Gui also understood that Xu Fu was punishing him. With no choice, he gritted his teeth and started walking back step by step. However, when he reached the foot of the mountain, another bizarre thing happened—Gui Bu Gui could not leave the mountain. There was an invisible wall around the foot of the mountain, confining him within the mountain's range. Gui Bu Gui circled the mountain, but he was always blocked by the invisible wall.

While circling the mountain, Gui Bu Gui also encountered several Miao people. However, these Miao people acted as if they could not see him. No matter what strange poses Gui Bu Gui made, the Miao people did not respond at all. At this point, Gui Bu Gui finally realized that Xu Fu was truly angry and had used his powers to imprison him in another dimension within the mountain.

Day by day, Gui Bu Gui had completely given up on the idea of leaving the mountain by his own strength. He could only hope that one day Xu Fu would calm down and release him from the mountain. Even if he could not recover his original abilities, he would be grateful just to regain his freedom.

However, over a hundred years passed, and Gui Bu Gui remained on the mountain. One day, while he was still asleep, he suddenly felt a strange unease. When he woke up, he saw Xu Fu standing beside him, looking at Gui Bu Gui with a blank expression.

At this moment, although Gui Bu Gui was awake, his body was still immobilized. He could only watch Xu Fu, wanting to beg for his release but unable to utter a single word.

"Now you have two choices," Xu Fu said, looking at Gui Bu Gui. "One, you continue to stay here. Since your lifespan is endless, you can stay here and watch the flowers bloom and wither for a thousand or eight hundred years, which might help to temper your character. Two, in a few years, I will send someone over. This person will inherit my seed, and with the seed as a medium, he will release you. However, after you are released, you must follow him. I will give him several maps, and perhaps the method to unseal you will also be hidden in those maps. What do you think, which one will you choose?"

As Xu Fu said the last few words, he wiped Gui Bu Gui's face. Although his body was still immobilized, Gui Bu Gui felt that he could speak. Afraid that Xu Fu would change his mind, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Two!!!" The word was so loud that it made the Great Alchemist take a step back, and Gui Bu Gui himself was startled by his own shout. When he opened his eyes again, the sky was clear with stars, and there was no sign of Xu Fu.

Was it a dream just now? Gui Bu Gui could no longer distinguish between reality and dreams. But as he was about to get up, he suddenly noticed a pair of clear shoe prints on the ground beside him, which had not been there before he went to sleep.

From then on, Gui Bu Gui believed it. He wandered around the mountain every day, hoping that the person who could save him would come soon. When Wu Mian climbed the mountain, his snow-white hair immediately caught Gui Bu Gui's attention. For some reason, Gui Bu Gui suppressed his urge to leave and started observing the young man with white hair from his own space, which, of course, earned him two slaps in the end.

After hearing Gui Bu Gui's words, Wu Mian still had some doubts. He looked at Gui Bu Gui and said, "Then what about the map the Great Alchemist gave me? Why can't I find the location on the map? Did I remember it wrong, or has the terrain changed in recent years?"

Gui Bu Gui chuckled and said to Wu Mian with a sly look, "The map was fake from the beginning. There is no such place, so how can you find it? All you need to do is reach this area, and then I will decide if you are the one who can save me. It seems there should be no problem now."

Wu Mian glanced at the old and eccentric Gui Bu Gui and said in his unique tone, "Now what? How can we get out? What do I need to do?"

"For now, do nothing," Gui Bu Gui squinted his eyes and looked at the forest fire outside the space, saying, "The thief inside someone's body is almost at the end of his strength. Wait until he can no longer hold on and returns to the Miao village, and then I will tell you how to leave."

Almost as Gui Bu Gui spoke, changes occurred with Lin Huo. His body suddenly trembled, almost causing him to fall to the ground. Although he quickly recovered, sweat appeared on his forehead and temples, and his hands and feet began to shake involuntarily. White foam continuously dripped from the corners of his mouth.

"Waste! Waste!" Lin Huo shouted at the air, continuing, "Just hold on a little longer. You only need to hold on for the time it takes to light a torch, and I will find him immediately!" Unfortunately, his body was no longer under his control. As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly opened his mouth and vomited everything out. After vomiting, Lin Huo's body suddenly fell to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

As Wu Mian had guessed, Lin Huo's body and the soul of the witch ancestor began to strongly repel each other. A moment later, a thin figure separated from Lin Huo's body. The figure hesitated for a moment, circled the large banyan tree, and then disappeared into the air.

After the figure disappeared, Lin Huo struggled to stand up from the ground. He hesitated for a moment and then ignored the witch ancestor's demand to continue searching for Wu Mian. He turned and stumbled down the path he had come from.

"Done, the annoying guy is gone," Gui Bu Gui watched Lin Huo's back and said to Wu Mian, "You go out first, then pull me out."

Following Gui Bu Gui's method, Wu Mian went out first, then pulled the old man by the arm, dragging him out.

After regaining his freedom, Gui Bu Gui laughed wildly at the sky. Wu Mian waited for him to finish laughing and then looked at him sideways, saying, "Are you done? Now I will go settle the score with Lin Huo and the witch ancestor. Are you coming with me, or do you want to stay here and vent some more?"

Gui Bu Gui grinned and said, "I won't stop you from going anywhere, but it's best if you don't go anywhere for now. Find a place to hide first."

Wu Mian looked at Gui Bu Gui in confusion. Before he could speak, Gui Bu Gui pointed to a puddle on the ground and said, "Find a puddle to use as a mirror and look at your appearance first."

Wu Mian frowned and looked at the old man, saying, "What does my appearance have to do with anything? What are you trying to say... speak clearly..."

Seeing Wu Mian's puzzled look, Gui Bu Gui was taken aback and scratched his head, blinking his eyes, "Haven't you noticed anything different about your body? Like feeling tired or exhausted?"

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