Chapter 11

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Inside the cave, the torches flickered.

Wujiao stood in place, silently observing Muxin and the three strangers. In such a cramped space, not only were there over a dozen corpses, but also several living people blocking the way, making it impossible to escape. Since that was the case, he decided to wait and see.

Muxin seemed to be too busy to pay much attention and explained to the others, "This is Daoist friend Wujiao, who came with me to collect gold and silver. Who would have thought that as soon as he stepped into the cave, a black wind suddenly rose from the ground. I was about to look for him when he had already vanished..." He wore a bitter smile and added, "As everyone knows, the Ten Thousand Souls Valley has always been very strange. I pretend to cultivate here, but in fact, I hide gold to deceive others. I am helpless against all the peculiarities! Look..." He gestured and continued, "I must warn you, behind the stone door might be a tomb or a treasure..."

As Muxin spoke, his eyes wandered. When he saw the half-open stone coffin and the mummy, his face changed slightly. He quickly took a few steps forward, bent down to examine it, and peered into the coffin. His chest heaved, but he quickly regained his composure. He then scrutinized the tear in Wujiao's clothes and said with a mysterious tone, "These are my three good friends, Gulì, Taozi, and Hongnü. Feel free to get acquainted..."

Gulì, the man holding the torch, was sturdy, with a square face and a slightly dark complexion, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, and carrying a short sword on his back. The one who led the charge into the cave was named Taozi, wearing a thin silk robe, with fair skin and a slender build, and sharp eyes. Hongnü was the only woman present, not dressed in red but in a simple blue dress, elegant and plain. All three were in their early twenties, carrying backpacks, dressed for a long journey, and introduced themselves one by one.

At this moment, Wujiao finally felt a bit more at ease. At least for now, there was no immediate threat to his life. From Muxin's lies, it was not hard to guess that he was not on good terms with the three.

"I am honored to meet the three Daoist friends unexpectedly! As the saying goes, the wise are teachers. Please take care of me in the future..."

"Hehe, likewise..."

"Daoist friend Wu is very refined, like a scholar..."

"Daoist friends are one family. Brother, you don't need to be so formal. I don't know how you ended up here, even Daoist friend Muxin is unaware..."

"About this... I am also confused..."

While they were making small talk, Gulì inquired about the situation in the cave. Wujiao seemed genuinely confused and did not mention anything about his experiences. The others did not press further and said, "Brother Muxin gathered us here to collect gold and silver, claiming that behind the stone door might be a treasure. Indeed, we had a strange encounter, but he didn't mention Brother Wu, which was not right... Hmm?"

Muxin smiled apologetically from the side, his eyes flickering.

Wujiao, however, remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

Gulì stopped mid-sentence, suddenly exclaiming and stepping forward with the torch, staring at the mummy in the corner of the cave. He said in surprise, "No wonder this place is so eerie; it must be the lair of a stiff corpse..." He gestured and added, "This stiff corpse is dead, which is hard to believe..."

Taozi and Hongnü were also stunned and hurried over to take a closer look.

"Brother Gulì, when I arrived here, it was already like this!"

Wujiao took the opportunity to step back, declaring his innocence, and shrugged at Muxin, looking very sincere and calm. Muxin's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes were slightly darker. Wujiao, seemingly unaware, turned around and looked around curiously.

What is this stiff corpse, and what is its significance?

Taozi asked, puzzled, "If it's a stiff corpse, how can it have life and death?"

Hongnü echoed, "Yes, among us, Brother Gulì has the highest cultivation and the most extensive knowledge. Please enlighten us..."

Gulì shook his head repeatedly, "A stiff corpse is a type of zombie. When a corpse transforms, it becomes a white stiff. When it is covered in black hair, it becomes a black stiff, capable of drinking blood and cultivating qi, similar to a wandering cultivator. Once the black hair falls off, it is like a foundation-building cultivator. After further cultivation, it can jump and fly, known as a flying zombie. When a zombie becomes a demon, it is called a ba, with countless transformations and astonishing powers. Finally, when it cultivates to become a demon king, it can challenge celestial immortals..." He sighed, "The stiff corpse here has the cultivation of a foundation-building cultivator. It must have encountered a natural enemy and had its essence and soul drained. Otherwise, it would be us who would die..."

Taozi and Hongnü, realizing the danger, turned pale.

Gulì turned to the eternal lamp on the ground and continued, "If my guess is correct, the lamp emits a green light and a yin aura, clearly made from the essence of a living person. Once lit, it is extremely difficult to extinguish and is very dangerous, capable of capturing souls!" He turned and walked out, calling, "We cannot stay here for long..."

Taozi and Hongnü did not dare to delay and hurriedly walked toward the stone door.

Wujiao was also startled and was about to move. But someone blocked his way, and he instinctively clutched his bag and became alert.

Muxin stood in front of the stone door, not taking the opportunity to make things difficult, but gave a cold smile and glanced at him, then walked out slowly.

Wujiao rolled his eyes, sighed in relief, and hurriedly rushed out of the stone door. When he finally returned to the cave he had come from, he saw the situation clearly.

The cave, several yards in size, was clean and dust-free, but had no bed or mat, not a place for cultivation. However, there were four or five wooden chests, with the lids open, filled with gold and silver.

Gulì said, "Brother Muxin, it's important to head to Tianshui Town as soon as possible..."

Muxin obediently replied, "My power is limited. Please help me collect the gold and silver." As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the two nearby small wooden chests disappeared.

Gulì followed suit, and the remaining three large chests vanished instantly.

Muxin praised, "Brother Gulì's sleeve technique is extraordinary. I must admit my inferiority!"

Gulì waved his hand, modestly saying, "It's a minor skill, not worth mentioning. The true masters can fit the universe and the sun and moon in their sleeves." He was curious and turned to ask, "Forgive my poor eyesight, but what is Brother Wu's cultivation level?"

"I am eager to cultivate, but I haven't even entered the door yet."

Wujiao, dazzled, responded. Sleeve technique? What a mysterious and practical skill, truly eye-opening. Why did they need to carry backpacks? It was unnecessary. In any case, cultivating was indeed fascinating!

Gulì's face showed a hint of disdain, and he complained, "Brother Mu, why did you bring a mortal along..."

At this moment, Taozi and Hongnü's eyes also showed a hint of suspicion.

Wujiao, suddenly feeling unwelcome, was somewhat embarrassed but not discouraged. So what if he was a mortal? Who was born a celestial seed? He needed to find a way to cultivate to be with Ziyun Fairy.

He wandered, perhaps with some hidden reasons. His sudden desire to cultivate was simple!

Muxin turned to the stone door and casually threw a beast skin talisman. In an instant, the cave was engulfed in flames. He closed the stone door, sighed, and walked out, glancing at Wujiao and saying meaningfully, "Daoist friend Wu, perhaps you are not as simple as you seem..."

Gulì said no more and followed Taozi and Hongnü out of the cave.

Wujiao did not pay attention to the changes in the three, only thinking about his own affairs.

After a series of unexpected events, the situation was unpredictable. Now, he had to travel with several cultivators and could not help but pay more attention to the path of cultivation. He remembered the talisman Muxin threw, which was also a piece of beast skin, slightly different from the ones Ziyun and Yezi used. When Muxin cast the spell, he moved his fingers. Was there a specific way to use talismans? Unfortunately, he had no one to ask, or he would have exposed himself. That guy, though devious, was also cunning. As the saying goes, a barking dog doesn't bite...

In a moment, the five of them arrived in the valley.

From the straightforward Gulì, he learned that he, Taozi, and Hongnü were heading to Lingxia Mountain. To get there, they had to pass through Tianshui Town. Tianshui Town was 300 miles away, and there was a Shangguan family that had produced immortals and owned a teleportation array. Using it once cost a fortune. Many aspiring cultivators, though eager to reach the mountain, were held back by their lack of funds. Fortunately, Muxin had saved enough gold and silver and invited Gulì and the others to travel together. Now everything was ready, and they were about to set sail...

Gulì led the way out of the valley, followed by Taozi and Hongnü. Muxin and Wujiao lagged a few steps behind, and the five of them walked in a line along the path.

At some point, a cloud of mist appeared in the valley. The air became humid, and raindrops began to fall.

Wujiao's umbrella was left at Ruyi Workshop, so he had to walk through the drizzle.

The three in front had different situations. Gulì and Muxin had an invisible barrier about three inches thick around them, and the rain and mist slid off before reaching them. Taozi and Hongnü were slightly weaker but still remained dry.

Cultivation, no fear of rain!

Wujiao wiped the rain from his face, feeling miserable, but his understanding of cultivation deepened.

At that moment, a familiar voice sounded in his ear, "You... killed my master?"

A few yards away, Muxin was still looking around but did not speak. It seemed he did not want to alarm Gulì and the others. How did he speak without moving his lips?

Wujiao looked at Muxin's back, feeling puzzled.

The voice sounded again, "Are you a foundation-building senior? Why are you toying with me? If I have offended you, please forgive me!"

Hmph, I have become a mysterious figure. No wonder that guy lied so much; he must be afraid!

Wujiao felt a bit more at ease, his eyes flashing, and he replied, "As a mortal, I am free. The world is full of troubles, but they are self-created!"

Muxin glanced back, his expression filled with suspicion and doubt. It seemed he thought Wujiao was mocking him. He paused, then said in a pleading tone, "Please return my master's remains. I will be very grateful!"

Wujiao grinned, "Hehe, I don't know who your master is or if I have seen him."

Muxin stopped, his face turning slightly angry...

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