Chapter 96: I Must Go In
An elder kneeling to a junior.
Everyone around watched with expressions of utter shock.
However, what followed was an overwhelming wave of fear, and they soon followed suit.
Looking at the crowd of people kneeling and apologizing, Feng Shi felt, for the first time, the sensation of “bullying others based on powerful connections.”
Even if he had been forced into the role.
Aside from that elder, few in this group were people of high standing. Because they were the ones in the wrong to begin with, they didn’t dare to harbor any grievances.
Feng Shi couldn’t stand this feeling and waved his hand. “Let it go, Shizun.”
If they had truly threatened him, Feng Shi would have dealt with them himself just now, rather than waiting until now.
Shen Songhe obediently flicked his finger, and Yanluo returned to its sheath. However, his voice remained ice-cold as he scanned the crowd. “If anyone speaks a word of todayâs absurdities, they will be making an enemy of the entire Chongshan Sect. There will be no leniency.”
It wasn’t that he was being overly harsh; it was just that if such rumors truly spread, it would be no small matter.
Perhaps this baseless talk of a “secret manual” would bring a lethal disaster upon Feng Shi.
Everyone present understood this. With various thoughts in their minds, they nodded hastily.
Sheng Lan chimed in from the side, “Add the Yushui Immortal Sect to that.”
“If anyone dares to make an enemy of young friend Feng in the future, it means you don’t place me, Sheng Lan, in your eyes!”
Feng Shi: !
The crowd: !!
Feng Shi: I suddenly have a massive backer…
Now that Sheng Lan had spoken, whatever designs anyone might have had were crushed completely. They responded in a hurry, “Yes, yes, of course.”
With that, the crowd dispersed. However, after going through such an ordeal, a rift had formed in everyone’s heart.
Of the dozen or so people who had originally traveled with Feng Shi, aside from Xie Anhui, who only knew how to look for fights, the others didn’t quite know how to face Feng Shi.
Feng Shi was naturally embarrassed as well. He could only pretend he hadn’t heard those words.
It didn’t matter. A lifetime passes quickly anyway.
Besides, he had to go get the Huaihuan Grass later, and it wouldn’t be convenient to travel with others. Thus, he spoke up to bid them farewell.
Zhou Rurong had long since hidden in Xue Mei’s arms out of shame, looking like she was about to cry. Xue Mei was slightly better; although she was also embarrassed, she replied, “Alright, Feng-shidie, be careful.”
As they spoke, Feng Shi felt Xiao Yuhui’s gaze from the side. However, he couldn’t bring himself to talk to him as warmly as before. He could only stiffen his neck, turn around, and ignore him.
Seeing this, Xiao Yuhuiâs eyes darkened. He clenched his fists, lowered his head to think for a moment, and then, still unwilling to give up, sent a transmission: “Shidie, about… what Shixiong said before… could Shidie consider it?”
Receiving the transmission, Feng Shiâs whole body stiffened. He didn’t look back. “Shixiong, I…”
Seeing that Feng Shi wouldn’t turn around, Xiao Yuhui already understood his meaning. After a long while, he replied with difficulty, “Alright.”
Feng Shi had already flown quite far with Shen Songhe. A moment later, he still couldn’t help but steal a look back.
But by then, the mountain hollow was already empty.
Feng Shi, Shen Songhe, and Sheng Lanâwho insisted on followingâheaded toward the central region of the secret realm.
The heart of this secret realm was a scorching wasteland. It harbored many ancient monster beasts and demon beasts, but the artifacts and treasures found there were of the highest quality, drawing people to flock toward it.
When Feng Shi and the others arrived, they happened upon a group of rogue cultivators fighting over a fire-attribute artifact. Each of them was burnt to a bedraggled state, yet they still had smiles on their faces, coaxing the artifact as if it were a precious darling, desperate for it to choose them.
Looking at this scene, Feng Shi could only think of one word: simps.
At this moment, Sheng Lan spoke up. She asked Feng Shi with a beaming smile, “Young friend Feng, do you want it? Should Big Sister get it for you?”
Hearing her deliberately pinched, gentle voice, Feng Shi felt a shiver run down his spine. He smiled and replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Big Sister, but I don’t really have a use for it, haha.”
After hearing that, Sheng Lan stopped talking. She seemed to be doing all of this just for Shen Songhe to see.
Feng Shi couldn’t help but be curious about their relationship again, so he sent a transmission to Shen Songhe.
“Shizun, what exactly is your relationship with Immortal Sheng Lan?”
Hearing this, Shen Songhe tilted his head to look at the person beside him who was staring straight ahead. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he replied, “Before I had taken human form, I was once kept by her as a spiritual pet for a period of time.”
Feng Shiâs eyes widened.
So that was it.
No wonder Sheng Lan always seemed to have an overflowing sense of maternal love toward Shen Songhe. It turned out Shen Songhe really was a “cub” she had raised…
When Shen Songhe was small…
Then isn’t Sheng Lan already one or two hundred years old?
So it’s not a “Big Sister,” but a “Great-Grandmother”?
After hearing the explanation and looking at Sheng Lan again, that sour feeling in Feng Shiâs heart finally vanished. He couldn’t help but laugh.
[Host, the Huaihuan Grass is in the Sanji Mountains ahead.]
Feng Shi looked up and indeed saw a continuous mountain range in the distance. The mountain bodies were pitch-black and desolate, and one could see the demonic and spiritual energy soaring into the sky.
The two types of energy were intertwined like black ink mixed into clear water, becoming exceptionally murky.
[Host, the Huaihuan Grass is guarded by demon beasts. At the same time, demon and monster cultivators have been detected in the Sanji Mountains. The danger level is high. Please stay alert and ‘keep your skin tight.’]
Feng Shi: “…” Thanks, itâs already very tight.
Sheng Lan watched as Feng Shi headed straight for the black mountains. A moment later, her brow knit slightly. She reached out and grabbed his wrist, asking:
“You’re going there? Do you know how dangerous it is? The last time the secret realm opened, countless people died in there. A little kid like you dares to go in?”
Feng Shi was pulled to a stop, a stunned expression on his face.
Upon hearing this, Shen Songheâs expression changed slightly as well.
Feng Shi hadn’t mentioned before that he was going to the Sanji Mountains.
Seeing that Feng Shi didn’t deny it, Shen Songhe grabbed his other wrist with a serious expression. His eyes were clouded with mist, yet he softened his voice. “Does Xiaoshi really want to go there?”
The Sanji Mountains did indeed have top-tier immortal artifacts, but they were guarded by demon and monster beasts. Most of those who went in were desperate outlaws.
“If you want immortal artifacts, I have plenty. I don’t mind giving you some.” Sheng Lan spoke with a frown, her finger sliding along her belt. Several top-tier immortal artifacts immediately floated before Feng Shi.
A stormy sea of shock rose in Feng Shiâs heart.
He wasn’t short on artifacts. Although he didn’t have immortal-grade ones, he didn’t strictly need them. He hadn’t expected Sheng Lan to be so generous.
“I…”
He didn’t take them.
He also had no way to explain.
Could he say that he wasn’t going in for some artifact, but to retrieve a blade of grassâand that this grass was meant to extend Shen Songhe’s life?
“Iâm sorry, Shizun, and Immortal. I… I must go in.”
Feng Shi lowered his head, clenching his fingers. “Don’t come in with me. Itâs too dangerous.” He had the system, so he wouldn’t die, but the same couldn’t be said for others.
Looking at Feng Shi, it was clear he was determined to go.
The aura around Shen Songhe instantly turned cold. The hand on Feng Shi’s wrist gradually tightened as his attitude became forceful. He squeezed out a stiff sentence: “I won’t allow it.”
In that place, even with him and Sheng Lan there, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t lose their lives.
“Whatever you want, Shizun can give it to you. You are not allowed to go.”
Feng Shi looked up, meeting Shen Songheâs angry eyes. He thought to himself: I want you to live well. Can you give me that?
He couldn’t.
So…
“Shizun, Iâm sorry.”
Feng Shi wrenched his hand away, his expression turning resolute.
Seeing this, Sheng Lan hurriedly moved, wrapping Feng Shi in spiritual energy. She said angrily, “Kid, what are you being so willful for!”
Feng Shi didn’t struggle. He directly opened the system panel.
Before he could even ask, he heard Qingqing say:
[Host, it is recommended that you purchase the ‘Space Cage.’]
Feng Shi clicked the link.
[Item: Space Cage.]
[Details: Splits an independent parallel space based on the current space.]
[Function: Hiding oneself or controlling enemies.]
[Validity: Two days.]
This was the one.
Feng Shi clicked purchase and silently recited the activation in his mind.
In the blink of an eye, a transparent cage precisely covered Shen Songhe and Sheng Lan.
The two immediately vanished from the spot. From the outside, nothing unusual could be seen.
Feng Shi broke free from Sheng Lan’s spiritual restraint, smiled toward the void, and performed a bow. “Rest assured, Shizun. Feng Shi won’t die. Iâll come back as soon as I get what I want.”
With that, he steered Wucheng and headed toward the Sanji Mountains without looking back.
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