Chapter 13

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Qi Sanren gave two animal skin talismans, both palm-sized, with strange, winding symbols drawn on them, looking almost identical. I thought he might have tricked me, but now I realize there's probably no deceit. However, I can't tell which one is the escape talisman and which one is the sword talisman. Even if there were differences, what could I do? I can't use them, so it's all in vain!

But, if they can scare people, that's good enough.

That Mu Shen is determined to stick with me. Since I want to go to Lingxia Mountain, I still need someone to show the way. In that case, I have no choice but to accompany him all the way! Let's see how a refined scholar and a fierce cultivator compete. Unfortunately, the future is uncertain!

Moreover, whether it's because of guilt, being alone and vulnerable, or being in a difficult situation, Mu Shen is quite wary of Gu Li and the others. If not, he would have already shown his true colors and killed them. But it's hard for me; I can only carefully navigate the situation by taking advantage of the circumstances.

While thinking about last night, Wujiao looked up at the house ahead, feeling a bit dazed and rubbed his swollen eyes. He didn't sleep well last night and was not in high spirits this morning. Not only are his worries hard to shake, but he also has to be on guard against any hidden attacks. It's not easy to travel outside...

"I will go with Brother Mu to make the arrangements. Please wait a moment!"

The nearby house made of blue stone is the residence of the Shangguan family. It is said that the Shangguan family has produced many immortals, and although they have declined in recent times, they are still a revered existence, especially within a thousand miles. The teleportation array left by the Shangguan elders is a shortcut to Lingxia Mountain.

After Gu Li signaled, he and Mu Shen went to register and pay respects.

Wujiao, Taozi, and Hongnü waited about ten zhang away from the main gate. At the same time, a few other cultivators were lingering nearby.

At this moment, the dawn was just breaking.

A ray of morning light enveloped the Tian Shui town, with a light mist and wisps of smoke drifting in the wind. The lush, continuous mountains were a pleasant sight. The blue stone house stood majestically on a high ground, overlooking the surroundings, exuding a solemn and mysterious aura.

Taozi and Hongnü waited quietly with a look of reverence, ignoring Wujiao. To them, this companion's behavior was strange and lacked the proper conduct of a cultivator, so it was better to keep a respectful distance.

Wujiao, on the other hand, was pacing around, looking bored. After a while, he took out a steamed bun and a piece of beef from his bag and started eating alone. Taozi and Hongnü, seeing him always eating and drinking, felt even more disdain.

After about half an incense stick's time, the tightly closed gate of the Shangguan residence opened silently. Gu Li and Mu Shen came out, accompanied by a middle-aged man with a beard. Gu Li smiled and gestured, "Fellow Daoists, please come and meet Senior Shangguan Yi..."

Shangguan is the surname, and Yi is the given name. As a senior, he must be extraordinary.

Wujiao did not dare to be disrespectful and, along with Taozi and Hongnü, bowed in greeting.

Gu Li continued, "Senior Shangguan, these are my fellow Daoists..."

The middle-aged man was reserved, his eyes scrutinizing, and he nodded slightly before turning to walk back, saying, "Young ones, follow me!"

Gu Li hurriedly gestured, leading Mu Shen, Taozi, and Hongnü to follow.

Wujiao followed behind.

The sign above the entrance of the Shangguan residence read "Yuntai Family" in golden characters. The front of the house was very quiet, with no one guarding it. Once inside the gate, a few sturdy men were seen guarding the back. After passing the screen wall, a beautiful garden with artificial hills, springs, and flowers came into view. Following the corridor to the right, there was an independent small courtyard about a hundred paces ahead...

"Look, Hongmei, such a beautiful garden is quite rare!"

"Indeed! The Yuntai Family, a residence of immortals, is truly deserving of its reputation..."

Taozi walked alongside Hongnü, unable to contain his admiration. Seeing someone behind them who seemed distracted, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Such a beautiful scene, a rare opportunity. Fellow Daoist Wu, why not take this chance to broaden your horizons?"

Wujiao was only looking at the small courtyard in the distance and replied, "It's just a garden, what's so special about it..."

Taozi stopped in his tracks, looking displeased, and shook his head at Hongnü, turning around, "Speaking insincerely, that's not the way of a cultivator!"

Wujiao also stopped, feeling puzzled.

I'm just speaking the truth, how can it be insincere? And from what I see, so-called cultivators are no better, not knowing what it means to be a cultivator, do they just look down on others casually?

Hongnü gently tugged at Taozi's sleeve, meaning it wasn't worth arguing, but her eyes clearly showed disdain.

Wujiao shook his head at the two of them and muttered to himself, "If I say I've seen more beautiful and grand gardens than this, no one would believe me..."

Taozi glanced back, "I don't believe it!"

Hongnü smiled, gentle and understanding.

Wujiao said nothing, following silently. Since we don't see eye to eye, why bother talking more! Fairy Ziyun, do you know my hardships and grievances?

In a moment, the group entered the small courtyard.

Compared to the beautiful garden, the walls and surrounding houses of the small courtyard looked somewhat dilapidated. However, the courtyard was paved with white jade, with strange symbols carved on it, and two men in similar attire were guarding it, bowing to the senior of the Shangguan family.

Shangguan Yi raised his hand and pointed, "This is the teleportation array left by my ancestors. It can transport you a thousand miles in an instant. Please take your positions, and I will activate the array!"

Gu Li bowed and agreed, calling the others to stand in the center of the array.

Wujiao was secretly excited and couldn't help but look around.

This three-zhang square area is the famous teleportation array. It doesn't look particularly magical, but can it really transport us to Lingxia Mountain in an instant? I don't know how it works, but it's really exciting!

Wujiao slowly walked into the jade array and suddenly felt a presence, quickly moving a few steps to hide beside Gu Li, glaring at Mu Shen, who just smiled innocently and ambiguously.

Shangguan Yi stood to one side, his sleeves spread, and his fingers moving. Soon, a light flashed from his fingertips, forming a hand seal. Then he pushed his hands, and the light scattered. The jade around the array shot up with colorful light, connecting and converging into the sky.

Wujiao watched the array activate, feeling his horizons broaden. Before he could fully understand, he was enveloped by a blinding light. In that instant, an invisible weight suddenly descended, like a massive stone rolling over, making his bones feel like they were about to break and his breath hard to catch. Then the wind howled, and the world spun...

After an unknown amount of time, perhaps just a breath, all the noise suddenly stopped, and the scene before him was completely different.

This should be a cave, with the center also paved with jade, showing the shape of an array but looking worn and old. A few paces away was a cave entrance, leading to an unknown place. As the light slowly faded, the surroundings gradually returned to darkness, and a few figures appeared, looking around, some staggering and spitting blood.

Gu Li led the way out of the array, surprised, "Brother Wu, you can't handle it at all..."

Taozi was also surprised, "The teleportation array is a marvel, capable of breaking through the void. During the teleportation, one must use spiritual power to protect oneself from the forces of heaven and earth. Fellow Daoist Wu doesn't know how to use spiritual power to protect himself, like an ordinary person." He said this with a mocking look, "If the teleportation were over ten thousand miles, Fellow Daoist Wu would have been crushed into meat paste and ashes, ha ha!"

Hongnü nodded in agreement, whispering, "Perhaps he hasn't even entered the realm of cultivation?"

Mu Shen said nothing, silently watching the person's plight.

Wujiao staggered a few steps, fell to the ground, and took a deep breath before leaning against the cave wall, wiping the blood from his mouth, and awkwardly smiling, "I said, I'm an ordinary person, how can I have the power to protect myself, but..." He glanced at Mu Shen and continued, "Slaying demons and evil is a righteous duty. With a green sword in hand, I won't let ghosts and demons run rampant! Ow..."

He spoke the truth, and the last sentence was said with a serious expression, seemingly hinting at something, but the groan that followed immediately revealed his true state.

After all, he is a mortal, unable to withstand the crushing and binding of the teleportation array. To reach the sacred mountain sooner, he had to endure the hardship. Gain and loss, the heavens are always fair!

Gu Li crossed his arms, scratching his short beard, and said dismissively, "Everyone wants to cultivate, but it's not wise to act on impulse. If what Brother Wu said is true, it's not advisable to travel far. The journey is dangerous, and a slight mistake can cost one's life..." He thought for a moment and added, "Why don't you return here to avoid causing trouble for yourself and others!" He didn't want anyone to be a burden, so he directly expressed his concern.

Taozi and Hongnü agreed, nodding slightly.

Wujiao, lying on the ground, struggling to breathe, was suddenly abandoned and quickly said, "Brother Gu... I've never been a burden to anyone, why say such things..."

At this moment, someone laughed, "Ha ha, perhaps Fellow Daoist Wu's cultivation is abnormal due to his cultivation method. Since we are fellow cultivators, we should help each other. Moreover, the teleportation array here cannot be reversed, so it's inconvenient to leave him here!"

Mu Shen unexpectedly spoke up and walked to Wujiao, taking out a jade bottle and offering it, "Fellow Daoist, please take these few Spring Return Pills to restore your strength. I will help you adjust, and you will be full of energy in a moment! Ha ha..." He smiled warmly and gestured to Gu Li and the others, "Please, Brother Gu, take the two fellow Daoists ahead, I will catch up shortly."

Gu Li said no more, walking towards the cave entrance, praising, "Without Brother Mu's generosity, this journey would not have been possible. I didn't expect you to be such a righteous person, ha ha, we will wait outside..." Taozi and Hongnü followed closely, and the three were about to leave the cave.

Wujiao became even more anxious, struggling to his feet, and dodged the jade bottle as if it were a snake, staggering towards the cave entrance, shouting, "Please wait, wait for me..."

What Spring Return Pills, more like deadly poison, and helping to adjust, probably to kill me. So-called generosity is just using money to buy favor, and speaking kindly is just with ill intent. Over the past two years, I've seen enough deceit and life-threatening dangers. Such schemes won't work on me!

Mu Shen maintained his posture, but before he could move, the figure in front of him disappeared. He was slightly surprised, a flash of anger in his eyes.

Wujiao directly passed the three people ahead, dashing out of the cave, and stretching his arms, chanting, "Lingxia Mountain, I'm coming. Fairy Ziyun, I'm coming!" But in a moment, he was surprised, "This is..."

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PS: I have to travel out of town today and will be back in the evening. Mobile users, please visit http://m.piaotia.net

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