Chapter 145: Isn’t This Nonsense?

The three of them traversed through the dim and chilly mist of the Void Realm. Everything around them was a vast expanse of gray, and they could only determine their direction using the Positioning Compass in their hands.

"Found it, look over there!"

Suddenly, Zhuang Qingyun's spirits lifted, and he pointed excitedly toward a certain direction in the distance.

Qi Yuan and Tu Ruoxu followed his gaze and saw a faint glow floating in the darkness. It looked like an invisible vortex slowly revolving, appearing just like a profound gateway.

As the three flew closer, they immediately felt a dilapidated and decaying aura emanating from the depths of the vortex.

Seeing this, Qi Yuan, who possessed all of the Killing Life Daoist's memories, showed a smile and nodded, saying:

"It looks like this is the true entrance to the Immortal Cave. Let's head in now."

He not only knew this was the entrance but was also well aware that a powerful Formation was laid out inside. Combined with those Blood-Fiend Puppets specifically cultivated by the Killing Life Daoist, entering alone might be risky.

That was why he decided to go with the flow and bring along these two enthusiastic individuals, Tu Ruoxu and Zhuang Qingyun, to serve as helpers.

In any case, these two were very interested in the Killing Life Daoist's Legacy. If they didn't go in to take a look, they certainly wouldn't be satisfied.

Of course, with Qi Yuan being a "cheater" who had full-map vision, these two guys were just along for the tour, and to help block a few hits if they encountered danger.

"Wait, don't be in such a hurry to enter, you two."

Tu Ruoxu solemnly pulled out several copper coin-like objects from his sleeve and said seriously, "Let me perform a divination first."

As he spoke, he tossed the copper coins into the air with a serious expression, chanting under his breath.

As the copper coins fell back into his palm, Tu Ruoxu examined them carefully for a moment, but his brow furrowed:

"The Treading Hexagram. Heaven above, Lake below. The gentleman treads on the tiger's tail; it is not favorable for travel. This hexagram…"

"Senior Brother Tu, what does the divination say?"

Zhuang Qingyun, standing beside him, grew anxious upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Is it very dangerous inside?"

Tu Ruoxu narrowed his eyes, and after pondering for a long while, he shook his head and said:

"It's not exactly 'Great Ill-fortune,' but rather 'Minor Ill-fortune' with a hint of 'Minor Good-fortune.' It indicates that this journey will be filled with many obstacles and must be taken step by step. Only by acting cautiously can one turn misfortune into a blessing."

"I see."

Zhuang Qingyun immediately breathed a sigh of relief and volunteered:

"We've made so many preparations this time and have been cautious enough already. That makes the divination a good sign. In that case, what are we waiting for? I'll go in first."

As he spoke, he made a move to rush inside, but Tu Ruoxu grabbed him. "Wait, Junior Brother Zhuang. Before we left, I performed a divination that indicated it's best to travel with companions on this trip."

"Moreover, this gateway is situated in the exact West. Today, the Seven Red Army Breaker Star presides over this direction, making it a highly inauspicious position. We must absolutely not enter from this direction."

Upon hearing this, not only was Zhuang Qingyun completely confused, but even Qi Yuan was somewhat stunned and couldn't help but speak up:

"Fellow Daoist Tu, the Killing Life Daoist's Immortal Cave has only this one entrance. If we don't enter from here, where else can we enter?"

Tu Ruoxu pondered for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and saying:

"Since the direction is unfavorable, we'll simply do the opposite. Since we have Mind's Eye Talismans on our backs that allow us to see clearly behind us, why don't we face outward and fly in backward?"

"That way, we can turn danger into safety and perfectly avoid the malevolent aura of the West…"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhuang Qingyun immediately praised, "As expected of Senior Brother Tu, to be able to think of such a strategy. Impressive!"

Entering backward?

You really are a freaking Genius!

Qi Yuan's mouth twitched slightly as he began to doubt whether his decision to team up with these two was a bit hasty… Although he felt they were unreliable, he just wanted a quick resolution now and didn't feel like wasting more time, so he directly agreed:

"Fine, let's do as Fellow Daoist Tu says."

Immediately after, the three turned their backs to the vortex and flew in backward with synchronized movements.

After a brief moment of world-spinning dizziness, the three appeared in a dim, yellowish valley.

Looking around, everything was deathly silent and desolate. Aside from the cracked sandy soil and gray hills, there wasn't a hint of color, presenting an apocalyptic atmosphere of decay.

Before Qi Yuan could even react, Tu Ruoxu quickly pulled a thick notebook from his sleeve and began flipping through it, while muttering unclearly to himself:

"The Spiritual Qi in this Immortal Cave space is thin, suspected to have been left unattended for a long time."

"No Formation attacks were encountered upon entry, indicating that this is not the core area of the Immortal Cave. In that case, the next step should refer to Plan Seven."

"Plan Seven, Plan Seven…"

After repeating it a few times, he finally found the page where the plan was recorded and said with bright eyes:

"According to the seventh plan I prepared in advance, we should first find a suitable campsite and quickly set up tents before dark. We must also set up at least three layers of warning Formations outside the tents to prevent sneak attacks."

"Of course, to confuse potential enemies, we will set up a total of seventy-two tents according to the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams positions. By mixing the real with the fake, the enemy won't be able to figure out our target."

"Once the area around the base is completely secure, we can slowly explore outward from there until we figure out the location of the Immortal Cave's core area…"

What kind of ridiculous plan is this?

Qi Yuan was stunned and couldn't help but interrupt:

"Fellow Daoist Tu, according to your plan, when will we be able to explore that core area?"

Hearing this, Tu Ruoxu tilted his head and pondered for a moment, saying somewhat uncertainly:

"That depends on the progress. If everything goes smoothly, we should be able to reach the outskirts of the core area in about two or three years."

Before Qi Yuan could speak, Zhuang Qingyun was also startled and asked in shock:

"Why will it take so long?"

Tu Ruoxu shrugged and explained solemnly:

"According to the information I have, this place is extremely dangerous. Any slight carelessness could result in death. Of course we must be extremely cautious."

"Only by advancing step by step and playing it safe can we ensure the absolute safety of the three of us."

"Three years is already very short. I've prepared enough recovery Medicinal Pills to last ten years. Even if there isn't a shred of Spiritual Qi here, we don't have to worry about our cultivation regressing due to a lack of Spiritual Qi."

Zhuang Qingyun nodded repeatedly:

"Senior Brother Tu is far-sighted and prudent. I am impressed!"

Two or three years?

And that's just to reach the outskirts?

Qi Yuan's face turned green upon hearing this. Isn't this nonsense?

I set aside my tasks specifically to come and collect the Killing Life Daoist's inheritance, and these two are planning to move in here… Damn, even a snail would be faster than you!

Forget it, it seems these two little geniuses really can't be relied upon. As expected, one must rely on oneself.

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan sighed inwardly and immediately activated his Escape Art, flying off without looking back, leaving behind only a faint sentence:

"You two stay here and don't move. I'll go get some oranges for you."

"Fellow Daoist Qi!"

Seeing Qi Yuan leave alone, Zhuang Qingyun hurriedly tried to chase after him, but was stopped by Tu Ruoxu.

"Senior Brother Tu, how can we let the Dao Child of Tai Xuan go off on an adventure alone?"

Zhuang Qingyun frowned and said, "He was invited by us. If anything happens to him, how will we explain it to the Taixuan Holy Land?"

Tu Ruoxu smiled calmly and said with a certain tone:

"Fellow Daoist Qi is young and vigorous, so it's inevitable he'd be a bit impetuous. But since he could attain the position of Dao Child, he's definitely not a brainless brute."

"Once he realizes it's impossible, he'll surely come back obediently. You and I should set up camp here first, so he'll have a place to stay when he returns."

Zhuang Qingyun nodded as if realizing something and sighed:

"You're right. Young people always need more experience; otherwise, they won't know the heights of the heavens and the depths of the earth when doing things, and they'll suffer a great loss sooner or later."