Pei Ling could not wait to chat longer as he hurriedly replied, “I would appreciate further details.”
“Cough, cough, cough…” Wu Tingxi coughed again. Taking the opportunity to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, he swallowed another pill and continued without batting an eye,” My master is an outer sect elder of the Deep Sea Sect, a Core Formation cultivator. In the outer sect of the Deep Sea Sect, he used to be free and unfettered. It was just that my master’s aspiration was firm and he wanted to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. Not long ago, my master coincidentally obtained a high-grade cultivation technique and planned to switch cultivation… It was supposed to be a good thing.
As he spoke up to this point, his expression darkened. “I didn’t expect that the third disciple, Lu Xuan, that Master took in was actually a spy planted by his enemy. He took the opportunity while Master was in a weakened state to leak the news secretly. As a result, my Master was ambushed in his seclusion spot and died on the spot.”
What followed was logical. The Deep Sea Sect had always believed in the law of the jungle.
If that Elder Luo was still alive and had successfully changed his cultivation, then everyone in his faction would naturally be happy. However, when he died, his disciples had not yet matured and were not powerful to protect the interests of his faction. Therefore, the other outer sect elders of the Deep Sea Sect, and even inner sect disciples like Zheng Jingshan, flocked to snatch the resources.
Wu Tingxi was the latest disciple of Elder Luo and his strength was the lowest. He did not even know about his master’s seclusion. Only when Elder Luo died and everyone attacked did his senior brother bring him away in a panic.
It was because he was the weakest that everyone neglected him and helped him to survive until now.
“I didn’t expect that the Deep Sea Sect that called itself the Holy Sect to be so despicable in private.” Pei Ling said righteously, “Thank you for telling me, Fellow Daoist Wu. I had originally looked forward to the Deep Sea Sect, but now it seems that it’s no different from a tiger’s den or a wolf’s den! It’s really despicable to treat an elder like this.”
These words were spoken sincerely. After all, even an outer sect elder of the Deep Sea Sect was still living in danger. The Demonic Sect was the Demonic Sect after all. The damned place was too unfriendly to people of the Gou Dao!
His only desire was to escape immediately.
However, before he did that, there was something he needed to clarify. “Oh yes, may I ask about the problem with that painting?”
“Have you ever consumed any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the past?” Wu Tingxi asked instead of answering. “Or is there something special about your body?”
An idea popped up in Pei Ling’s mind. “I’ve been suppressed by my stepmother since I was a child. How could I get my hands on any treasure? As for how my body is different from ordinary people… I wonder which part of it do you mean?”
Hearing his words, Wu Tingxi thought that this boy must have a unique physique. Jealousy flashed through his heart as he said calmly, “That’s hard to say. After all, fate is magical. There are as many kinds of special physiques as the Ganges River sands. Even the records of the Deep Sea Sect might not be complete. I believe that your physique is somewhat abnormal after seeing your humble background and that you’re in such a dire situation prompting you to steal from Zheng Jingshan. On top of that, you can even cultivate supreme-grade iron bones. Otherwise, you would not have been able to withstand the suction of the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting.”
He explained, “That painting was obtained by chance from some ruin when Zheng Jingshan was on a mission. It’s said to be rather strange, and there are even late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples who got fooled. As for the details, Zheng Jingshan kept it a secret, and I’m not too sure. However, with your cultivation, since you’ve seen that painting yourself, you must have been remembered and targeted by it.”
“Generally speaking, unless Zheng Jingshan takes the initiative to undo it for you since the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting has remembered your aura, it will follow you like a shadow and suck your essence, breath, and spirit… Anyway, I have never heard of a cultivator in the Qi Refinement Stage who could survive after being targeted by the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting.”
Seeing Pei Ling’s gloomy expression, Wu Tingxi thought of something and said, “No wait, there’s one.”
“He’s also a disciple of the Deep Sea Sect. He fled over five thousand kilometers away in a short period of time and stayed outside for a year and a half before returning to the sect. By then, the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting could no longer tolerate its hunger. So it turned to its next target and gave up on that person.”
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wu.” Pei Ling was skeptical of his words. He was deep in thought when he suddenly saw Wu Tingxi speak with a faint smile, “Kid. Since you and I are going to avoid Zheng Jingshan, how about I make a deal with you?”
Pei Ling was vigilant, but he played along, “I wonder what deal you are talking about?”
“This is the cultivation technique that my master had planned on switching cultivation paths.” Wu Tingxi took out a jade slip and waved it in front of Pei Ling. He said, “It’s also because the Heavy Sea Sect is relentlessly pursuing a Qi Refinement cultivator like me. To be honest, I’m already at the end of my rope. If you can help me escape from Yuanlao Mountain, I’ll get this cultivation technique copied for you. How about it?”
“Ding-dong!” Pei Ling was about to answer when a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind. “I have discovered an unknown cultivation technique in the outside world. The system is recording…”
Pei Ling was overjoyed. As he was afraid that the system would not be able to record it after Wu Tingxi took it back, he hurriedly said, “So this is the jade slip. This is actually the first time I’ve seen one. Daoist Wu, may I ask how such jade slips are used?”
Wu Tingxi was slightly startled as an unnatural expression flashed across his face. “When you and I manage to escape, I’ll teach you naturally. Why? You don’t believe me?”
“No, no, no. Fellow Daoist Wu, you are mistaken.” Pei Ling racked his brains to stall for time. “However, I have never seen a jade slip before… Oh right, Fellow Daoist Wu, which direction do you think is suitable for us to head in after we escape from Primal Mountain? To be honest, I have never left Deer Spring City in my life. If I need to flee far away, I really don’t know where to go.”
Seeing that he did not pursue the matter about the jade slip, Wu Tingxi secretly sighed in relief. As he kept the jade slip, he said casually, “Let’s head west first… When the time comes, I will tell you then.”
Pei Ling watched his movements and was simply burning with anxiety. He was just about to find an excuse to ask him to slowly put away the jade slip when the system sounded. “Ding Dong! The unknown cultivation method has been recorded. Host, please name it!”
“Just call it the Nameless Divine Art.” Pei Ling was in no mood to name it. He dismissed the system quickly and said to Wu Tingxi, “Alright, I’m familiar with this mountain. Fellow Daoist Wu, don’t worry. I will get you out safely for sure!”
Wu Tingxi smiled slightly and said weakly, “Then you’d better be quick. Otherwise, it’ll be hard to say when Zheng Jingshan arrives in person. Right, my injuries are heavy now, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to help me up.”
“Don’t worry, Fellow Daoist Wu.” Pei Ling happened to have recovered some strength. He struggled to get up slowly and said while panting, “We’re all on the same boat now. Fellow Daoist Wu’s business is my business.”
He stood up confidently and loosened up his limbs. He felt that there was no problem for him in the short term. Without hesitation, he turned around and ran!
“?!”
A tinge of viciousness and surprise flashed across Wu Tingxi’s face. He hurriedly withdrew the Five Poison Finger that he had been accumulating strength for and stood up to chase after Pei Ling.
Pei Ling ran step by step in the unfamiliar dark pathway, praying silently that Wu Tingxi’s injuries were more serious than his or that he was afraid of Zheng Jingshan and did not dare to chase after him. However, things did not go according to his wishes. After a while, he heard quickened footsteps behind him.
“Fellow Daoist Wu, I’m going to find someone to save you. Since you’re so badly injured, it’s better if you don’t move!” His gaze flashed as he turned around and shouted, running even faster.
Wu Tingxi sneered. “Do I look like a fool? What a little brat. So despicable and vicious at such a young age. No wonder you’re a lackey of the Deep Sea Sect!”
Pei Ling did not say anything else and continued to run.
However, a moment later, he discovered that there was a fork in the road up ahead!
At the critical moment, Pei Ling did not have the time to think. He randomly picked the side that seemed to have wind and ran in. However, not long after he entered, he heard Wu Tingxi’s cold laughter from behind.
He quickly understood the reason. Not long after he ran through this path, there was a mountain wall in front of him!
The wind that he felt previously was blowing from several holes that were not much bigger than a fist.
It was a dead-end!
Pei Ling’s heart sank. He quickly turned around and saw Wu Tingxi chasing up to him with a mocking expression. Greenlight sparkled on his fingers as he grinned. “Come on! Keep running! Why aren’t you running anymore?”
Before Pei Ling could answer, Wu Tingxi had already pointed at his glabella!