A chill ran through me.
In fact, I was on my guard, and Si Yan was also on her toes.
Although we were talking, we didn't ignore any sign of wind or grass moving.
Old Gong wouldn't knock when he came back. Who was it outside, and yet there was no sound at all, and they were already at the door?
Considering the dangerous appearance and the fact that Lao Gong had no prior warning, he struck the woman without mercy. I didn't immediately go to open the door but instead asked in a low voice, "Who is it?"
Meanwhile, I took out the female Jade Scriptures and held them in my palm.
Inside this appearance, killing Jia Jin isn't enough to establish authority. If trouble arises, I'll need to use thunderous measures to make people dare not look at us.
The female Jade Scriptures are the most clean and tidy.
"My name is Xu Shengbao. I saw you kill Jia Jin just now with such ferocity. I have something to discuss with you and would like to enter and speak with you." The steady voice entered my ears, and just by hearing it, I could tell that the speaker was likely a middle-aged man.
"Step back five meters."
"My tone is cold and stern."
The footsteps sounded and grew farther away.
It was only then that I went to open the door, and five meters away, stood a person dressed as a Taoist. His head was covered with scabs, and his mouth was filled with blisters, making him look extremely repulsive.
Si Yan beside me slightly furrowed her brow.
"Ha ha, Mr. Xu greets you." Xu Shengbao bowed and raised his fist.
"What is it?" I asked without expression.
Actually, I'm wearing a mask, and no matter what expression I have, he can't see it.
Xu Shengbao pointed to his face before saying, "I am seeking medicine. This face of mine was poisoned by Jia Jin when I came here. He was too good at putting on an act and playing the role of a friend, which led me into a trap. He threatened me, saying I needed to offer him an item every now and then as tribute in exchange for some antidotes."
"You had people collect the remains of Jia Jin, and those remains have been taken by me. Everything on him was taken by you, and quite a few people who entered Jia Jin's room to look for things have been poisoned."
"I think that the things that are useful should be in your hands."
"Why should I help you?" My tone remained the same.
Xu Shengbao coughed before saying, "Of course, I wouldn't ask for help without a reason. In the past few days, I've joined a small team of close friends. They discovered some secrets about this immortal cave mountain, and this appearance also holds some mysteries!"
"We don't know if the Tianxiu Daoist Temple knows about this place, but since the appearance has no rules and we've discovered it, it's reasonable to explore it."
"Moreover, the Tianxiu Daoist Temple has no Yin-Yang Master, which is because my friend learned some geomancy techniques before he became a Daoist. He noticed the anomalies! If you're willing to provide me with the antidote, I can invite you into our team and work together to obtain treasures."
Xu Shengbao spoke with firmness and clarity.
My heart slightly contracted.
Are the "secrets" they mentioned about the appearance the same as what Lao Gong discovered, the tomb beneath the appearance?
For a moment, I didn't speak.
Si Yan also didn't show any hints.
In the bottom of my heart, I was pondering about some methods and the anomalies I had noticed.
Lao Gong's abilities are definitely higher than theirs, so we should be able to take a step ahead.
However, if they had explored in advance and discovered the same thing as us at the same time, or if we met them on a narrow path, we would have to fight to the death.
Is it necessary?
Moreover, our goal is to use the chaos here to stir up changes within the Tianxiu Daoist Temple, even their attention.
Goods, there is no need for them to pass through.
If we can use these people to achieve our objectives...
I delved deeper in my contemplation, and Xu Shengbao grew restless instead. The next moment, as if he had made up his mind, he whispered, "I'll come closer to avoid being overheard by others. After you've heard me out, you can make your decision."
I understand now. He desperately needs the antidote.
Therefore, I contemplated that he couldn't see my expression, but instead grew anxious.
"But there's no harm in speaking." I nodded.
He walked to a close proximity, maintaining a distance of about one meter, and didn't move forward.
I was wary of him, and he was wary of me as well.
"Do you know that there was once a hidden secret in the Immortal Cave Mountain? Why is this place called the Immortal Cave Mountain?" Xu Shengbao cautiously looked around left and right.
"I shook my head."
He took a deep breath before saying, "Legend has it that the Immortal Cave Mountain was not called by this name originally, but as Lei Ping. Lei Ping once had a spring, called Tian Gong. Drinking it could expel the three zhi bugs!"
At the mention of the word "three zhi bugs," my face slightly changed color, but no one saw it due to the mask.
Si Yan didn't manage to control her expression.
In fact, any Daoist would probably struggle to control themselves.
After all, the three zhi bugs are a great chasm that a Daoist must cross; failure means death, and even after death, they can be haunted by the three zhi bugs.
"Many years ago, there was a Daoist who successfully eradicated the three zhi bugs and became a messenger of the White Day army. His soul ascended to heaven, leaving only his physical body behind. It is said that if one person attains enlightenment, all living beings around him will be elevated as well. The other Daoists who had contact with Tian Gong Spring after this dream of the divine path, waiting for their time to ascend together."
"But they had to hide Tian Gong Spring, so it would no longer appear in the world."
"Later on, Lei Ping was renamed to Immortal Cave, and those Daoists disappeared without a trace. Ancient books record that they had ascended to heaven."
"It's very likely that we can find Tian Gong Spring at the place we discovered. It can make an obvious spring disappear, so it must be eradicated. The spring's opening would be underground, and the remains of many Daoists who ascended in ancient times would certainly be buried there."
The more he spoke, Xu Shengbao's face became more and more excited.
"You all know about this, right? Can't the Tianxiu Daoist Temple not know?" I narrowed my eyes, trying to maintain composure.
"Maybe, the Tianxiu Daoist Temple knows about it. However, they're enjoying it themselves. They certainly can't move Tian Gong Spring and take it away. Letting them keep it openly and tell the Yin-Yang realm there are problems here."
"The appearance built here actually serves a purpose." Xu Shengbao looked intensely at me and spoke in a low but firm tone, "If we find Tian Gong Spring, we are bound to be taken in by the Tianxiu Daoist Temple. It's a win-win situation for both sides!"
My breathing became slightly heavier.
What if we destroy Tian Gong Spring?
Or, alter the feng shui here?
Did that ancient Daoist really have dreams to take away all the Daoists, raising them and their households to enlightenment?
My experience at the Tianxiu Daoist Temple has taught me that there's no such thing as ascending to heaven. It's just a deception.
The events from long ago came from the annals, and no one knows exactly what happened.
And one more thing, if I could take some of the water from Tian Gong Spring, I could bring the body of Old Qin's head from behind the mountain of Lao Guai Village!
After nurturing me for ten years, Old Qin would now be exposed to the sun and rain, and even his soul would have been split into several parts.
Tian Gong Spring could rid him of the three zhi bugs in his body, allowing him to eliminate the impurities in his soul and become one whole again?
Ascending to heaven is a deception, but it's better than being confused and foolish as a ghost when I regain consciousness.
