Accompanied by the boy's screams, the group of four entered the dense forest.
The forest looks huge from the outside, but it is actually just an illusion. Once the road is cleared, it will only take a dozen minutes to pass through.
After leaving the forest, there is a wide mountain view in front of you. Next to the intersection of a thousand-foot staircase leading up the mountain stands a stone tablet with the three words "Ancient Martial Arts World" written on it in a calm and ancient style.
The line of small regular script below warns: If you are not an ancient martial artist, enter at your own risk.
It sounds like a tourist attraction that you can't visit without a ticket.
The youngest, who had only lived on the island and had never seen a mountain, didn't bother to go back. Instead, he came over to take a look at the stone tablet, then pointed at himself and said arrogantly, "Hey, I, who doesn't know any ancient martial arts, managed to get in here, didn't I?"
He wanted to say that the monument was just for show, but the next second he was slapped on the back of his head.
"You ignorant boy, if you're careless, you might as well lose your life." The old cripple not only patted him, but also lifted his ear and pointed at the peaks ahead, saying, "Our ancestors suffered because the ancient warriors brought outsiders in, which ultimately led to disaster. That's why this ladder not only has tens of thousands of steps, but is also filled with poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, and countless traps. There are countless bones buried beneath the wildflowers on the mountain path."
The youngest, who was originally joking, was immediately frightened when he heard this and begged for mercy with a sad face, "Then I'd better not go in. Otherwise, I can wait for you here."
He was indeed curious about Lao Guaizi's hometown, but he didn't expect it to be more dangerous than the mysterious island. Now he regretted following him.
But the old beggar, who had always been doting on his son since childhood, was particularly tough this time. Without saying a word, he grabbed him and walked towards the ladder. No matter how the latter struggled, it was useless.
The mountain road is winding and the forest is filled with fog. The air becomes thinner as you go higher.
After walking up about a thousand steps, the youngest child felt a little exhausted.
"This is just a trick. The terrain isn't that high. It's just an illusion created by a man-made barrier."
The old man tried to explain, but the youngest, who was already exhausted, didn't believe it at all.
In the end, Wu Heng, who was in better physical condition, had to carry him on his back.
After a long pause, he got off and continued walking, but he sighed with emotion: "Old Crook, no wonder you said your sect is poor. Even if a Daluo immortal lived in such a deep mountain forest, the private jets and luxury cars of those wealthy people could not drive in."
What he saw the most on the mysterious island were rich people, and he was also most aware of the laziness of the rich.
The old cripple felt a poke in his sore spot, and for a moment his face was filled with worry. He touched his adopted apprentice and sighed, "Don't worry, even if I stay, I will save my rations for you to eat in the future."
After hearing his plan, the youngest child lowered his head and curled his lips.
He would not steal the old man's food. If he did, he would rather not come out of the cave.
Ye Lan, who was following behind, listened to the conversation between the two and was in deafening silence.
At this moment, Wu Heng beside him hesitated and asked, "Is the Wu family you mentioned earlier also that poor?"
Ye Lan: “…”
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Wu Heng seemed to have figured out the answer in his mind. He pursed his lips and said, "If that's the case, I don't want to go back either. Can I follow you? I can hand out flyers and clean up."
Ye Lan: “…”
She really wanted to know what TV series the three of them watched yesterday and why they were so obsessed with handing out flyers and cleaning?
But fortunately, Wu Heng listened to her advice, so she mentioned it, "I haven't seen the Wu family for a long time, but their living conditions are probably not too bad."
After all, they're a great family with a history of thousands of years. Even if they were to remain in seclusion, they wouldn't send their heirs out to distribute flyers...
Upon hearing this, Wu Heng's expression softened.
Like the master and apprentice before him, he had suffered from hunger in the mountains since childhood and attached great importance to the issue of food.
However, "Is it true that no outsiders come in here? What if they have something to ask for?" He was a little curious. After all, people have to make a living. Even in the fairy mountain, there are many people waiting at the entrance every day for the master to allow them to send patients for treatment.
Ancient warriors are very powerful, so those in higher positions should ask for a lot.
Now that the young mathematician is from the same school, Ye Lan will answer every question he has, "The superiors naturally have a secret code for communication. They can't come in, but the ancient warriors can go out."
There is no rule that you can only go in and not go out. After all, money makes the world go round. The rich use money to roll out the red carpet to invite ancient martial artists to come out of seclusion, and few people can resist being tempted.
"..." Wu Heng realized that he had asked a stupid question and was silently embarrassed for a moment.
“In the past, there were also rich people who didn’t believe in evil and brought elite teams into the mountains, hoping to see the scenery of the ancient martial arts world and explore the secrets of the place. However, before they climbed halfway up the ladder, everyone was dead.” Ye Lan calmly spoke about some of the history of the ancient martial arts world, and he spoke with such familiarity that the old cripple in front couldn’t help but look back.
"These are all old stories. I also heard about them from my master. I didn't expect that Young Master Ye also knew about them." He became more and more curious about the young girl in front of him with unfathomable strength. Even during the heyday of the ancient martial arts world, which was once known for its numerous geniuses, he had never seen such a unique temperament.
"I've heard a little bit about it." Ye Lan didn't intend to hide it, but the situation was delicate now, and she didn't return to the sect in order to find out who wanted to get involved in the ancient martial arts world.
The two people's simple test was not noticed by others.
To divert attention, the youngest joined the discussion, "Then there's no need to set up identity checks. Rich people and those with ulterior motives can't get past the ladder anyway."
"That's right." The old crook turned around and said with a hint of pride, "Not to mention the Cloud Staircase, even the mountain forest at the entrance is insurmountable for those without dedicated cultivation. Outsiders often have weak foundations and cannot possibly cross the Cloud Staircase, let alone the wealthy who live a life of luxury. So once you've passed the Cloud Staircase, your sect status is the only thing that matters, and no one will care."
A different set of rules operates here.
When Wu Heng and Yao'er heard this, they finally understood why Ye Lan dared to bring two outsiders in so openly.
However, "Aside from being a bit tiring and lacking oxygen at high altitude, there's nothing special about this ladder." The youngest looked at the lush, fairy-like jungle and thought it was quite beautiful. He didn't sense any danger, so he grinned and said, "By the time I'm halfway there, I'll be better than the elite bodyguards of the rich."
Having said this, he took two steps forward, pretending to be the leader.
Then, it felt like he kicked a stone, and his body suddenly felt empty, and a feeling of weightlessness instantly came over him.
"careful."
Fortunately, the old cripple was not far away. He took two quick steps and grabbed him by the collar to stop his body from falling.
Snore...
The kicked stone seemed to fall into a very distant space, and even emitted a faint echo.
The youngest child slowly lowered his head and was so scared that he almost fell to his knees.
Suddenly, the ladder ahead broke, revealing a dark canyon with an unfathomable depth. A faint mountain breeze blew up from below, bringing with it an eerie chill.
You can imagine how miserable his death would have been if he hadn't braked and fell off the car.
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