Ding Huan was already very clear that his previous understanding of the few-level monsters was incorrect.
The seventh-level Cold Horror is the top-level guy, and the mythical dragon on Earth is at best just stepping into the second-level monster category.
Gong Senior said:
"In fact, the first Bao came from zombies through cultivation, and the conditions to become a Bao are extremely strict."
Bao also comes in many varieties, and the one we encountered today might be a Cold Bao. This kind of monster releases a type of illusionary toxin, which is why we treat the jungle like a major road."
"Thank you very much for your guidance, Gong Senior." Ding Huan sincerely thanked.
If it weren't for Gu Youchang's reminder, he really wouldn't have understood what a Cold Bao was.
Gu Youchang smiled:
"You are very intelligent. Even if your spiritual root is a bit weaker, it's still possible for you to join a sect."
Upon hearing this, Ding Huan was overjoyed. Could it be that Gong Senior was going to recommend him to join the YanYue Sect? That would be great news indeed!
To Ding Huan's disappointment, Gong Senior did not comment on his joining the YanYue Sect, but instead turned the topic to another matter.
Ding Huan didn't know that Gu Youchang actually wanted to make a promise and let him join the YanYue Sect.
Gu Youchang greatly appreciates Ding Huan's abilities.
However, he does not have this authority. He is only a protector elder.
It's not a simple matter to allow someone with substandard qualifications to join the YanYue Sect.
Even if a person with substandard abilities joins the YanYue Sect, they might be accused of using their power for personal gain within the sect.
So he planned to return to the sect and report this matter to the sect master, and recommend Ding Huan join the YanYue Sect. Then the decision would be made by the sect master or senior elders responsible for recruiting disciples.
Seeing that Gong Senior had no intention of discussing joining the sect, Ding Huan boldly said:
"Gong Senior, I admire your ability to set up formations. Could you tell me if it's easy to learn?"
Since he cannot join the sect, he will learn the art of formation.
Saving Gu Youchang's life should be enough to earn the right to learn about formation techniques, shouldn't it? If he doesn't agree to this, don't expect him to save this old man next time.
Gong Senior laughed and handed an emerald jade to Ding Huan:
"This is an array method jade tablet I obtained early in the year. My array method was also gained from it. Now I'm giving it to you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me at any time."
He is straightforward; receiving a favor from Ding Huan, he feels uncomfortable in his heart if he does not repay it.
He also likes Ding Huan's straightforward personality.
Ding Huan was overjoyed. He didn't expect such a reward and quickly accepted it, expressing his gratitude:
"Thank you, Gong Senior. This is something I've always dreamt of."
"Alright, I won't disturb you while you study the array method jade tablet. Remember to ask me if you have any questions, and I'll be patrolling outside at night."
Gong Senior left a word and went out.
Ding Huan couldn't help but feel admiration. This was truly a person of upright and honorable character. He made his gratitude known promptly and didn't hesitate. In contrast, that Qiong Servant was so indecisive, always hesitant to take what he could get, but never returned the favors.
If that Qiong Servant could return alive, he would definitely want to get the Ning Xing Bamboo back in the future.
Even a meat bun thrown to a dog can earn the dog's affection, but giving the Ning Xing Bamboo to that Qiong Servant might not even make a sound.
The array method jade tablet is something Ding Huan has long desired.
As soon as Ding Huan obtained the jade tablet, he immediately immersed himself in it.
Gong Senior anticipated that Ding Huan would soon come out to ask him, as the array method was different from others. It was a profound and complex discipline, and without someone to guide him, it would be difficult for him to make progress.
However, he didn't know that Ding Huan was not short of various basic knowledge.
As soon as Ding Huan had a foundation to build upon, he could fully immerse himself in the vast sea of array knowledge.
Any questions he didn't understand would automatically surface in his mind once he stepped out, along with detailed answers.
Ding Huan was actually quite grateful for that scroll at this moment, it was truly like an encyclopedia.
In just one night, Ding Huan had initially understood the structure of arrays and the first-level relationship between flags, directions, spells, space, and formations.
However, Ding Huan also knew that he couldn't continue his research. It was almost dawn, which meant they would have to continue their journey.
Although they were now on a safe road, they still needed to leave the Great Chasm Valley as soon as possible.
As soon as Ding Huan stepped out of the camp, he saw ten or so people with disheveled hair rushing towards him.
This scene was too familiar to him. Two days ago, Han Weicheng also came rushing over like this.
"Elder Liu?" Gong Senior recognized that the person in the lead was the Liu Yinzhu from the Zi Xua Valley.
Liu Yinzhu was already somewhat dazed. Seeing Gu Youchang, she seemed to be given a bucket of cold water and woke up instantly.
"Elder Gong……" Liu Yinzhu was so excited that she almost cried.
She felt a sense of being reborn into the light.
Seeing that the rest of the people looked somewhat dazed, Gong Youchang sternly shouted:
"Stop right now."
Under Gong Youchang's fierce shout, all the people were momentarily stunned and then slowly came to their senses one by one.
Qiong Servant realized what was happening and immediately rushed to Gong Senior in front of him, tears in his eyes:
"Elder Gong, I'm sorry to the sect. These disciples died or were injured due to me."
Without needing Qiong Servant to remind him, Gong Senior also noticed that only two disciples of the YanYue Sect were following behind Qiong Servant.
One was a disciple sent out by the YanYue Sect to help with the recruitment of disciples, and the other was a new recruit.
Looking at these disheveled and even almost lost their lives disciples, the disciples who had chosen to follow Gong Youchang to leave the main group, all felt relieved.
If it weren't for following Elder Gong Youchang here, they might have died by now.
"Ding Dao Friend, I regret not listening to you." A familiar voice came from behind Qiong Servant.
Ding Huan saw Han Weicheng with one of his disciples, staggering and staggering over.
He thought to himself, this guy really has a long life.
He secretly thought, this guy really has the luck of the gods. Twice against the Cold Horrors and he still survived. Alright, let's say he's a hopeless case.
Ding Huan looked over at the Zi Xua Valley and saw that, in addition to Elder Liu, there were six other people following them out.
There were five newly recruited disciples, and there was also a woman who should be an old disciple from the Zi Xua Valley.
Indeed, with the protection of the elders, more people would survive.
The last disciple following should not be from the Zi Xua Valley, but from the Shuang Hen Sect.
Elder Qiu from the Shuang Hen Sect was nowhere to be found, so Ding Huan could only wish for him to enter the mouth of the Cold Horror sooner rather than later.
Out of the original 60-plus people, only a dozen or so were left who managed to escape here.
Ding Huan, however, thought they were lucky. Based on his knowledge of the six-level Cold Horror, all of them should have been killed.
Now that they've managed to escape with six of them, it seems that the six-level Cold Horror also has some issues with itself.
"Elder Gong, I regret not following you and the others to join the main group." Elder Liu couldn't help but feel guilty.
This time, it wasn't just the newly recruited disciples from the Zi Xua Valley who fell; several old disciples who came from the sect also perished. Only Elder Mo Hua Ping's direct disciple, Miss Moke, survived, along with a Qiong Servant.
Gong Senior could only sigh:
"It's not your fault. We were disoriented by the Cold Horror's hallucinogenic poison and had no idea we were in the forest all along."
"Cold Horror?" Elder Liu of the Zi Xua Valley exclaimed in surprise.
Gong Senior nodded:
"Yes, based on my careful calculation, the trouble we've encountered along the way has been caused by the Cold Horror. This Cold Horror's level should not be low."
"Oh, now I see." Elder Liu seemed to understand, obviously having knowledge of the Cold Horror.
After saying that, Elder Liu walked over to Ding Huan's side.
"Ding Dao Friend, I regret not listening to you before. I apologize."
Ding Huan was taken aback. The style of this scene didn't seem right at all. After all, she was a sect enforcer elder, how could she apologize to him, a chef?
Thanking him is understandable.
If it wasn't for them setting up camp here, Elder Liu would have rushed straight into the forest and into the opposite valley, regardless of whether this was the right path or not.
So, it was appropriate to be grateful to him.
Gong Senior laughed and said:
"Mr. Ding said he has a strong intuition. Even when he was confused, he woke up to the reality here, and so did I."
Ding Huan immediately understood that Gong Senior was explaining on his behalf.
What it means is that Ding Huan didn't know he was also affected by the hallucinogenic poison back then. He could only rely on his intuition to guide him to this place. And it was Gong Senior, and not Ding Huan, who woke up first.
This was a way of telling others not to suspect Ding Huan, and it was clear that Gong Youchang had noticed that Ding Huan had secrets, and they couldn't be as simple as intuition.
Old Gong is quite good; he's worth making friends with.
Elder Liu sighed:
"We were too arrogant, thinking our cultivation exceeded that of Mr. Ding. We thought we were superior in everything to Mr. Ding. I apologize for my arrogance, and please don't take it personally."
Ding Huan now understood that this woman was going to follow them, which meant she wanted to rely on his intuition.
So, he lowered his status and apologized for his previous behavior.
Ding Huan also bowed and said:
"Elder Liu, you're too harsh. My intuition played a small role in us reaching here."
"Actually, it's Gong Senior who led us all the way here. Without him, we might not have fared much better than Elder Liu."
Gong Senior laughed and said:
"Don't be so polite, Elder Liu. Do you need a rest? If not, we should continue our journey now."
Elder Liu immediately said:
"This place is full of dangers. Let's move on quickly. The more we stay, the more danger we're in."
After saying this, she also glanced at Ding Huan.
Before, she had never paid much attention to Ding Huan. As a little cook, who would care about her?
Now, she would take everything Ding Huan said seriously.
Ding Huan saw that Elder Liu and Elder Gong were looking at him, so he also said:
"I also think it's best to move on now."
Just now, Ding Huan had already done some calculations. Although it was still vague and he could barely see that they would be safe for half an hour if they left now.
As for half an hour later, the scene he calculated was not vague but completely blank.
This made Ding Huan suspect that something was strange about the journey half an hour later, so he decided to turn into the mountains half an hour later, circle around first, and then decide on the next step.
