Chapter 94

The pentagonal stone left by Master Feng Changshan was neither large nor small, fitting perfectly in one hand, but such a wound to the heart would be absolutely fatal.

This was also the reason why Feng Changshan was surprised. The terrifying wound on Gu Xuyao's chest was healing at a visible speed. Before Feng Changshan could react, the wound had vanished, leaving only the solid muscles on Gu Xuyao's chest.

"Heavens, what kind of Dao technique is this, that it can actually..." After a while, Feng Changshan finally closed his mouth. He had grown up following his master in an unremarkable small mountain in the Pufeng Mountain Range, and the farthest place he had ever been was the nearby city of Haili. Haili was just a small city, and there was no such marvel to be seen there.

"Hmm..."

While he was still pondering what had just happened, Gu Xuyao woke up.

"What happened just now..."

His body felt no weakness at all; it was as if he had just taken a nap.

"This, this... Brother Gu, I don't know what happened either!"

Feng Changshan recounted what he had seen to Gu Xuyao. As the person involved, Gu Xuyao was even more surprised than Feng Changshan.

"Brother Feng, do you know the origin of the object left by your master? From the layout of this villa, your master seems to be a refined cultivator who would never stoop to lowly deeds. However, that black-purple pentagonal stone, to be frank, even though I haven't examined it closely, I can still feel the evil emanating from it even from a distance."

Feng Changshan nodded slightly.

"What you say is true, Brother Gu. Every time I see this stone, I feel uncomfortable all over. Later, my master told me that this thing is extremely evil. If he passes away, I should place it on the spirit tablet and then leave the Pufeng Mountain Range. I should find a secluded place to activate the array that my master had already set up, destroying this place, including the black-purple pentagonal stone."

"An evil object, but why would it...?" Gu Xuyao muttered to himself. "Right, Brother Feng, according to what you said, your master must be very proficient in array techniques. Could your master be a Heavenly Prohibition Master?"

In the cultivation world, besides special cultivators like spirit servants, fire warriors, and talisman masters, there is another type of cultivator who specializes in array techniques, using various bizarre arrays to navigate the cultivation world. Such cultivators are called Heavenly Prohibition Masters.

In the history of cultivation, only Dao cultivators could become Heavenly Prohibition Masters. Strictly speaking, the cultivation of special cultivators depends more on talent, while Heavenly Prohibition Masters place more emphasis on understanding arrays and the subtle manipulation of thoughts. Therefore, physical cultivators are powerless in this regard.

"Heavenly Prohibition Master? My master never mentioned it, but he said I have some kind of talent. As for arrays, I know a bit. Most of the Dao techniques left by my master I cannot read, because he said I should go out and explore the world. If I could cultivate according to what he left, even if I gained cultivation, without experiencing the outside world, I would eventually be harmed by others. So he left the Dao techniques to me, but I can only read them after I have improved my cultivation."

Since becoming a cultivator, Gu Xuyao had been diligent and studious, mastering basic knowledge and geography. The Feng Changshan before him seemed to be quite content with his current situation, not even knowing what a Heavenly Prohibition Master was.

"Brother Feng, you mentioned Haili City just now. I think we should do this: since your master's intention was for you to leave this place and explore the world, and you have been waiting for the right moment, I think now is a good time. We met by chance and went through some experiences together. Now, we can consider ourselves friends. Why don't we go to Haili City together and see what kind of opportunities await us?"

The naive Feng Changshan had a kind heart, and in him, Gu Xuyao saw the shadows of many of his fellow disciples from Taiheng Sect. After the fall of Taiheng Sect, Gu Xuyao rarely initiated new friendships, even after spending so much time in Liowu Manor, he only had a connection with Rulimeng, whom he liked. However, in the cultivation world, one cannot do without a few close friends, and Feng Changshan was the ideal choice.

"Ah? Leave now? This..." Feng Changshan was rather conservative and enjoyed a comfortable life. He looked at the spirit tablet with no inscriptions, hesitating.

Seeing this, Gu Xuyao smiled slightly and grabbed Feng Changshan's shoulder.

"Changshan, since we are so compatible, why don't we swear brotherhood before your master's spirit tablet? As brothers, we will be equals, without regard to seniority. In the future, we will advance and retreat together, and this way, we can support each other, right?"

This suggestion struck a chord with Feng Changshan's weakness. Since childhood, he had been weak and preferred to rely on others. Although his cultivation talent was good, his personality flaws needed someone to guide him.

"Sworn brothers? Great idea! Brother Gu... no, Big Brother Gu, I think you have more experience than me, so I'll call you Big Brother. Since you respect Changshan so much, I can't refuse!"

Feng Changshan smiled happily, and Gu Xuyao, seeing this, also smiled. In his heart, he admired the decision of Feng Changshan's master. Feng Changshan's personality truly needed to be honed in the cultivation world; otherwise, even with high cultivation, he would not be able to survive.

The swearing of brotherhood has always been simple. After kneeling and making vows, the ceremony was complete. Feng Changshan smiled throughout, having no reservations about Gu Xuyao. Such a cultivator is rare in the cultivation world, but it could also be said that Gu Xuyao's luck was good, as Feng Changshan met a cultivator who would not harm him.

After everything was done, Feng Changshan packed all the things he needed to take, filling an entire treasure gourd. The two quickly left the secluded small villa.

The Pufeng Mountain Range is located to the west of Dixiang Marsh, consisting of 121 mountains. Such a mountain range is common in the Lingxiao World. According to Feng Changshan, about 300 scattered cultivators chose to cultivate in the Pufeng Mountain Range, but Feng Changshan's master never had any contact with others.

"This person is so reclusive, there must be something he is hiding. This mountain is so desolate, with no cover at all. Why would anyone choose to cultivate here? I suspect the other 300 scattered cultivators probably don't even know that someone is cultivating on this mountain."

Gu Xuyao pondered in his heart, forming new theories about Feng Changshan's master. Indeed, Feng Changshan had to navigate through many arrays to enter the secluded small villa. At the time, Gu Xuyao's cultivation was restricted by the ropes, and he couldn't feel the power of the arrays. Now, following Feng Changshan through the numerous arrays, he marveled.

"From the power of these arrays, the cultivation of that predecessor must be unfathomable."

As they marveled, the two had already left the small villa. Although there was an array inside that transmitted sunlight, it couldn't compare to the real sunlight outside, which felt much more refreshing.

"Big Brother Gu, this mountain has no name, but it is in the middle of the Pufeng Mountain Range. Don't worry, my master, who didn't like being seen by others, set up a fixed teleportation array in another secluded place on this mountain. We just need to go there to teleport to near Haili City."

After swearing brotherhood, Feng Changshan truly opened his heart to Gu Xuyao, not hiding anything. For such a friendship, Gu Xuyao felt deeply warmed and nodded heavily, deciding to tell Feng Changshan about his own affairs at an appropriate time.

"Hmph, boy, you hide well, even I can't find you!"

A fierce voice came from the sky, and Gu Xuyao knew who it was without thinking.

"Big Brother Gu, is that the bad person you mentioned?"

At this moment, Zhenxuezi's people had not yet appeared, but his voice could already be heard.

"Yes, Changshan, this person's cultivation is too high. Even if we work together, we are no match for him. You should go back first. Your master's array can block him. This is my personal grudge, and I cannot involve you."

What Gu Xuyao did not expect was that Zhenxuezi's recovery from his injuries was so quick. He thought it would take several months, but unfortunately, as soon as Zhenxuezi recovered, all their efforts would be in vain.

"How can this be, Big Brother Gu? Since your master's array can interfere with him, it means his cultivation is either on par with or even lower than your master's. If that's the case, there's no need to fear. Big Brother Gu, follow me!"

Saying this, Feng Changshan activated his flying technique and began to sprint across the mountain.

Gu Xuyao wanted to stop him, but Feng Changshan, like Gu Xuyao, was a man of deep feelings and righteousness. Gu Xuyao was now the only person he could trust and his newly sworn brother. How could he abandon Gu Xuyao and hide alone?

Without further ado, Gu Xuyao activated his flying technique and followed Feng Changshan. The more they left the array that led to the small villa, the more accurately Zhenxuezi could lock onto their positions. Soon, Zhenxuezi's figure appeared in the sky.

In fact, Zhenxuezi was already at the end of his strength. The forced use of the Fallen Disaster Sutra during the battle with Phoenix Yi had a significant impact on him. He had only taken a day to rest, which was far from enough to heal his damaged immortal jade.

But as the saying goes, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse. Even in this state, Gu Xuyao could not defeat Zhenxuezi. Initially, Gu Xuyao was bound by ropes, and Zhenxuezi could always track his position. So even when he sensed Gu Xuyao fleeing, he did not care. However, once the ropes were cut, he had to stop healing and start searching.