Chapter 68 The Witch's "Good Intentions" and the Straight Man's Difficulty in Choosing a Path
The witch's "good intentions" and the straight man's difficulty in choosing the right path
The "surprise" brought by Xingtong made everyone who had just escaped from the danger of Heart Tomb feel heavy again.
The Immortal Sect's Punishment Hall was no joke. Each of its inmates possessed profound cultivation and ruthless tactics, answering only to the Immortal Lord and several reclusive elders. They specialized in handling the sect's most thorny "internal affairs." Their dispatch signaled that the sect's higher-ups had deemed Jiang Xuelan a "traitor" or "dangerous threat" who must be eliminated.
"The deacon of the Punishment Hall... I think his name is 'Iron Punishment'?" Man Gu scratched his head, trying to recall the records of the immortal sect master in the demon clan intelligence. "It is said that he is a man with a heart of stone, and his cultivation is close to the peak of the state of forgetfulness. He is very difficult to deal with."
The peak of the Forgotten Situation! A realm even higher than Jiang Xuelan’s heyday! Not to mention that Jiang Xuelan is still seriously injured and has not recovered.
Li Jiuyou scratched his hair in annoyance, his scarlet eyes full of hostility: "What are you afraid of! If one comes, I will kill one, if two come, I will kill a pair!" Having said that, he also knew that in their current state, the chances of winning a head-on confrontation with the elite of the Punishment Hall were extremely low.
Jiang Xuelan's icy blue eyes flashed coldly as he quickly analyzed the situation. "Tie Xing is an exceptional tracker. Now that he's approaching the Cliff of Life, he'll surely find the entrance to the Heart Tomb and Bai Zhi and the others soon." He glanced at Xingtong. "How valuable is your information?"
He didn't believe that this witch would be so kind as to provide such important information for free.
Xingtong covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled softly, her eyes flickering. "Oh, Lord Immortal is so direct! I was just kind-hearted, but you made it sound like I had ulterior motives." She shook her finger. "But... if you really feel bad and want to repay me... I do know a 'shortcut', huh?"
"A shortcut?" Li Jiuyou raised an eyebrow, his face full of disbelief. "Can a woman like you tell the truth? Who knows if you're leading us into another trap!"
"Your Majesty, you've truly wronged me!" Xingtong said, her face grieved. "That road is a little... well, unusual, but it's definitely the fastest way to avoid those mad dogs in the Punishment Hall. Otherwise, once they close in on us, it'll be difficult to escape." As she spoke, her eyes flickered between Jiang Li and the other man again, "Or... do you two want to stay and experience the thrill of being caught in adultery?"
"Shut up!" / "Nonsense!"
Jiang Xuelan and Li Jiuyou both frowned and scolded.
Through the Heart-Killing Contract, the simultaneous anger and embarrassment were clearly conveyed to each other, making their faces even darker.
Xuanjia coughed, interrupting the strange atmosphere: "Xingtong, what is the situation on that road? Explain it clearly first." He was also quite wary of this witch.
Xingtong shrugged, pointing a delicate finger in a certain direction of the forest. "Over there, there's an ancient 'Missing Forest.' The terrain is complex, the spiritual energy is chaotic, and it can greatly interfere with tracking spells. Passing through the Missing Forest can lead directly to the edge of the Blackwater Swamp, saving several days of travel."
Blackwater Swamp? Everyone's expression was a little awkward. It wasn't a good place. Rumor had it that the swamp was filled with miasma, full of poisonous creatures, and inhabited by ancient and strange creatures.
"Is there something 'special' in the Lost Forest?" Jiang Xuelan keenly caught the hint of excitement hidden in Xingtong's tone.
Xingtong's smile widened, as if she had been waiting for him to ask this question. "The Immortal Lord is indeed perceptive. There aren't any powerful monsters in the Lost Forest, but there's a very interesting little mushroom called the 'Truth Mushroom'."
Truth Mushroom?!
This name sounds unreliable!
Xingtong explained with interest: "That kind of mushroom will emit an invisible spore. After inhaling it... it won't cause poisoning, but it will make people become particularly 'frank' and can't help but want to say what's in their heart~ Of course, fellow Taoists with strong willpower will definitely have no problem!" As she spoke, her eyes clearly said, "I'm rooting for you."
Li Jiuyou: “…” I don’t believe you at all!
Jiang Xuelan: “…” His brows furrowed even tighter.
This was clearly another trap! And it was likely even more socially destructive than Echo Valley and Mirror Lake!
"Is there no other way?" Ache asked in a low voice. He was a little afraid of the mushroom that made people speak the truth.
Xingtong spread his hands: "Yes, we can either return the same way, with a high probability of running into the elite of the Punishment Hall; or take a longer route, which will take five or six more days, and we might be caught up during this time... hehe."
There was almost no choice. The long route would take too long and involve too many variables. In their current state, they could not withstand a protracted war or frequent encounters.
Li Jiuyou and Jiang Xuelan looked at each other and saw the same frustration and helplessness in each other's eyes.
They are obviously two powerful bosses, but now they are being controlled by a witch using this evil "shortcut"!
"Lead the way!" Li Jiuyou practically gritted his teeth as he spat out the two words. He would rather face the poisonous miasma than waste any more time with the people from the Xianmen Punishment Hall. As for that stupid mushroom… Li Jiuyou was determined and didn't fear it!
Jiang Xuelan was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. There really wasn't a better choice right now. He secretly activated his inner energy, deciding to hold his breath the entire time, determined not to inhale any of the suspicious spores.
"That's right~" Xingtong smiled with satisfaction, swirling her skirt and leading the way gracefully, "Follow closely~ I won't be responsible if you get lost~"
So, led by a strange witch, the group walked towards the famous "Lost Forest" with a tragic mood as if they were going to the execution ground (and a hint of imperceptible tension).
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