Chapter 268 Mocking
His voice was gentle and seductive, drawing listeners into the atmosphere he created.
"Gah?" Mu Jianjian tilted her head and made a dry, hoarse sound like a country duck. "Young Master Ouyang, I noticed that you've stopped coughing."
She felt relieved when she saw the man's smile freeze instantly.
Well, you're really bringing up a sore subject.
——
As the night drew to a close, Team Leader Sun led his group to the "Panmen" gate, following the blueprints provided by the Ouyang siblings.
The towering stone gate was carved with many ancient symbols and images of monsters. However, due to its long history, many of the symbols had been worn away by the dust and wind, making the patterns blurry and terrifying in the darkness.
The group encountered several caravans along the way, but most of them gave up and returned because the monsters here were terrifying, the caravans had run out of pills, and most of the cultivators were seriously injured.
By the time Mu Jianjian and the others stood in front of the "Panmen" (a gate in the moonlight), the moon was high in the sky, and it was already late at night.
She gazed into the pitch-black cave and quietly released the Illusionary Butterfly to guide her, but unfortunately, once the Illusionary Butterfly disappeared into the cave, it did not create even the slightest light.
Like a stone thrown into a bottomless pit, it will never reach the ground and therefore will not make any sound.
As Team Leader Sun stood before the "Panmen" gate and spoke, a man stepped forward from behind him and said, "Team Leader, let me go ahead and scout the way."
After receiving permission, the man entered the cave first, and his figure disappeared from sight in an instant. After a few moments, sounds came from inside.
"Team Leader Sun, this is just an ordinary cave. There's nothing dangerous here, it's just a bit dark and you could easily bump into the surrounding stone walls."
Hearing the echo from afar, Team Leader Sun raised his hand and led the group into the "Panmen Gate," slowly approaching the man who had entered first.
"Brother, be careful." Even though she had been scolded several times, Ouyang Wenni still put Ouyang Wenjin's safety first and went to support him.
"No need, just take care of yourself."
At this moment, Ouyang Wenjin had already stepped halfway into the "Panmen". After hearing Ouyang Wenni's voice, he turned his head and said, half of his face was hidden in the darkness and the other half was blended into the moonlight, making him look particularly eerie.
Seeing this, Ouyang Wenni tried hard to suppress the feeling that something was wrong in her heart. When she saw her brother enter the cave, she quickly followed.
Mu Jianjian didn't notice the interaction between the siblings. She raised her hand and gently touched the surface of the door, and in a daze, she felt as if two worlds were merging.
"If you're afraid, young lady, you can stay by my side." Seeing the girl lingering at the door for a long time, assuming she was afraid of the danger, a flat-topped cultivator approached and said with a smile.
"Thank you," Mu Jianjian hadn't felt the pure kindness of others for a long time, and her heart warmed upon hearing this. "But the atmosphere here is strange, and there are demonic beasts roaming outside. It's so dangerous, how can I not be afraid?"
"Sigh, every bounty we receive from the caravan is an easy task. Sect disciples and cultivators can rely on powerful figures for support, but those of us who are older and have mediocre cultivation can only make a living by accepting bounties. We've long been used to it."
The flat-headed monk's voice was full of vicissitudes, yet it was not without a touch of carefree joy.
"A little girl like you, why did you have to go through all these mountains? But don't worry, we have plenty of experience in escorting people, you'll definitely get out safely."
Mu Jianjian followed the flat-headed cultivator into the "Panmen" gate. It was pitch black everywhere she looked. Looking back at the brightly lit place she had come from, the feeling of being in another world became even more pronounced.
She leaned against the stone wall beside her and walked forward, only able to discern her location by the faint sound of her footsteps. Looking down, even the phantom butterfly was completely swallowed by the darkness.
Mu Jianjian frowned, a sense of unease rising in her heart.
"Ah—help me, save me—" Suddenly, a man's urgent cry for help came from afar, echoing in the cave and reaching people's hearts.
This is the first man to step forward and explore the way!
Before they could figure out what was going on, the cry for help abruptly stopped, as if a living person's life had been instantly extinguished.
A chill ran through everyone; the air was eerily silent, save for the faint, lingering smell of blood.
"Team leader, I've tried it. All the magical artifacts and true energy that emit light have no effect here. I don't know if they've been placed under a spell or if it's some strange secret technique." A male voice broke the silence.
Mu Jianjian shifted her gaze to the stone wall she was touching. If her divine sense and true energy could not detect any array, then the problem lay in the stone wall beside her.
"Investigate further. Zuo Yi and Wan Zi, your secret techniques are related to space. Probe ahead first," Team Leader Sun's deep voice gave the people in the darkness a sense of security. "Find out what's inside first."
Mu Jianjian heard two footsteps around her and knew that the two cultivators whose names she had called had gone there.
With two cultivators leading the way, the group moved slower than before, seemingly wary of any sudden appearances of demonic beasts or monsters.
In such a place where sight is deprived, the enemy will have more initiative, and the cultivators will be relatively at a disadvantage.
"Leader! There's true energy here!" A male voice rang out from ahead, followed by the "sizzling" sound of true energy cutting through the air and the distinct sound of blood spurting out, sending chills down the spines of those who heard it.
"Wan Zi! Team Leader Sun has something here—" another male voice exclaimed, but before he could finish speaking, he too vanished.
One voice after another disappeared, so quickly that no one had time to react!
At this moment, the caravan was deathly silent. After seeing that three powerful cultivators had died, and that there was almost no chance of resistance, no one wanted to be the first to stand up. Even if the reward was generous, the prerequisite was that they had to be alive to enjoy it.
Mu Jianjian tightened her grip on the stone wall.
True Qi?
It's neither a monster...nor a human?
She keenly noticed the description, but before she could think about it, a cold hand grabbed her wrist.
A chilling coldness rose from the moment she made contact, catching her completely off guard.
“Miss Lin just told me that she has found a solution,” Ouyang Wenjin’s voice fell into my ears. “That’s how Miss Lin escaped from the clutches of the demon beast, isn’t it?”
To outsiders, the deep, weak voice sounded like a dying gasp, yet it carried a gentle expectation and prayer. But to Mu Jianjian, it was a death knell she couldn't bear to hear.
When did she say that?!
Without batting an eye, he used her as a shield, even refraining from coughing to feign illness...
As soon as she said this, Mu Jianjian could feel everyone's eyes on her.
She naturally knew what kind of "good intentions" Ouyang Wenjin had—
If we don't acknowledge the existence of a method, then we can't explain disappearing in full view of everyone. If we do acknowledge the existence of a method, then we're being forced into it and having to face the unknown alone.
"I...I...I..." Mu Jianjian tried to make her voice sound aggrieved, "I just happened to be there at the time, I didn't have any other way, but if Young Master Ouyang asked me to go and scout ahead, I would definitely be willing. You have helped me so much, I can definitely...I can do my best to help you."
These words could reverse the previously delicate situation, making others think that Ouyang Wenjin was afraid of death and bullied the weak, pushing a weak woman out to "take the fall".
“Miss Kelin told me for a long time about how she escaped the beast’s claws. She said that you have learned the sense of space and that you can see that it is because the stone wall absorbs light that you cannot see the way ahead,” Ouyang Wenjin’s voice paused, “cough cough…that’s why I recommended that you go and try, so that the cultivators in front of you don’t die in vain.”
“Hey, Young Master Ouyang, don’t let such a little girl try it. She was scared to death when the demon beasts came before, what does she know about spatial awareness?” Before Mu Jianjian could speak, the flat-headed cultivator beside her said, “I have completed quite a few reward orders before, let me go and take a look.”
Mu Jianjian listened as the flat-headed cultivator continued, "My secret technique is to refine my hearing, so I'm not afraid of these things. Don't worry about fighting; if anything comes at me, I'll definitely be the first to hear it."
“Let her go with you,” Ouyang Wenni said sarcastically. “I already said she can sense the other world, otherwise how could this useless person with no cultivation escape? You’re both so powerful, surely you can handle it together?”
Just as the flat-headed cultivator was about to refuse, Mu Jianjian readily agreed.
"Yes, Miss Ouyang."
Since Ouyang Wenjin was determined to have her take the lead, she readily agreed, effectively silencing Ouyang Wenni's many prepared arguments.
"Just follow behind me," the flat-headed cultivator said helplessly, speaking in a low voice to the person beside him.
"Okay." Mu Jianjian nodded, and the two walked side by side to the front of the caravan. In the dark and silent environment, she slowly closed her eyes.
Without the guidance of the Illusionary Butterfly, then we'll use the art of fragrant poison.
Both are essentially the fusion of true qi and secret techniques.
The world seemed to have returned to black and white, the stench of blood turning into the red of the world, adding a heavy, sorrowful touch.
"There was a sound coming from the left front, but it suddenly disappeared." The flat-headed cultivator suddenly spoke. The next moment, he raised his hand to block a wave of true qi, and then mixed the true qi into the air to transform it into his own power.
Even with only the strength of the Foundation Establishment stage, his reaction speed and reaction time were still quite impressive.
"It doesn't seem like a demonic beast."
Because no unfamiliar smells appeared.
Mu Jianjian raised her hand and gently stroked the stone wall beside her, pondering what Ouyang Wenjin meant by "the stone wall absorbs light."
"Brother, if more true energy comes at us, don't block it. Just dodge it and let it hit the stone wall."
Feeling the strange warmth emanating from her palm, Mu Jianjian said this.
The flat-headed monk was somewhat surprised to see the seemingly weak girl beside him suddenly transform into a calm and decisive person, but having no other choice, he decided to believe her.
"good."
Ouyang Wenni snorted coldly and muttered, "Three people have already died. What can we do with these two? At most, we can feed the monster inside and make it eat its fill and then eat less."
Upon hearing this, even Team Leader Sun frowned.
"Wen Ni, don't talk nonsense," Ouyang Wenjin rebuked sternly.
“What nonsense am I talking about?” Ouyang Wenni raised an eyebrow. “If I were in front, I could have killed those things long ago. Unfortunately, I didn’t want to.”
Mu Jianjian felt a little ashamed when she heard the brainless words behind her.
Originally, Ouyang Wenjin was using moral blackmail to force her to stand up; wasn't this person saying such things just slapping her brother in the face...?
How could Ouyang Wenjin have such a younger sister?
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, but the situation was too critical for her to think about it carefully.
"Sizzle sizzle—"
Mu Jianjian couldn't dodge in time, but fortunately, the cultivator next to her pulled her back, so she only suffered a cut on her arm.
At this moment, the true energy suddenly rushed to one side, striking the stone wall, and a light suddenly rose from the chaotic darkness.
Mu Jianjian, being closest, was instantly blinded by the light, but this confirmed her earlier suspicions—
As expected, the stone wall was fake, but the otherworld was real!
"Team Leader Sun! Just use your true energy to break open this stone wall!" The flat-headed cultivator shouted happily upon seeing progress, and then raised his hand to unleash his true energy towards the wall.
The stone wall was like a thick tortoise shell that had reached its breaking point. When it was struck, it shattered instantly.
Everyone in the caravan stared with delight at the approaching light, except for Ouyang Wenni, who rolled her eyes, her jealousy growing stronger.
She turned to Ouyang Wenjin and heard him say, "I knew she could do it, didn't I, Wen Ni?"
What should we do?
What this woman can do, she can do too!
"Wait a minute, the temperature outside the stone wall is not right, everyone be careful!" Mu Jianjian was the first to sense the abnormality. After she shouted, the stone wall shattered, and what came into view was a rolling orange-red lava.
No wonder she felt the temperature of the stone wall was off earlier; beneath this "Gate of Rocks" lies magma!
Looking down, the air was thick with heat, and any falling rocks were instantly melted inside, making a sizzling sound—it was terrifying.
Ouyang Wenni looked up and saw the girl's beautiful face, which was already covered in sweat. Suddenly, she hardened her heart and raised her hand to unleash a surge of true energy, aiming straight at the girl's face.
"Miss Ouyang, what do you want to do!" The flat-headed cultivator was shocked, but the suppression of cultivation levels was still there. Facing a cultivator five levels higher than him, he was willing but unable to do anything.
"Ouyang Wenni!" Ouyang Wenjin noticed her movement and his aura instantly tensed up. He raised his hand to unleash his true energy, even disregarding the fact that he was faking illness.
Mu Jianjian turned her head, and the phantom butterfly, now back in the light, danced gracefully in the air. Even though the heat blurred her vision, she could clearly meet the intense tension and anger in Ouyang Wenjin's eyes.
Faced with Ouyang Wenni's onslaught, she almost burst out laughing—
Ouyang Wenjin wanted nothing more than to kill her, so why would he be nervous?
Mu Jianjian met Ouyang Wenjin's eyes without flinching. Although she dodged the attack of true energy, she had no choice but to fall into the lava. She slowly raised her smile, like the look of a butterfly with its wings gone and its dying expression of shrewdness and mockery.
Ouyang Wenjin's pupils suddenly contracted.
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