Chapter 197: Expedition

The Demon Heart, upon hearing Lu Fang's words, ceased its persuasion.

After so much time spent adapting to him, it had learned that whenever he said something like this, no amount of urging from it would make any difference.

This journey to the Scorched Earth was no different.

If Lu Fang hadn't thought this place ideal for the Invincible Army to establish camp and expand its influence, he wouldn't have come here so quickly.

Still, the Demon Heart was quite satisfied—this host was even better than it had imagined in every way, the only drawback being that he was too set in his own ways.

Having traversed it once before, Lu Fang exited the Poison Marsh quickly; when he emerged, he faced three people.

The trio consisted of one woman and two men; the woman was short, appearing no more than early twenties, and carried a heavy sword on her back longer than her own height, nearly dragging on the ground.

Her round, cute face was caked in dust, her large, round eyes fixed unblinkingly on Lu Fang as he emerged from the Poison Marsh, filled with curiosity.

The two men were both in their thirties—one dressed as a wandering ascetic, the other as a martial cultivator.

Lu Fang assessed their aura and determined they were all sixth- and fifth-rank cultivators; he exhaled in relief—unless they were vastly inferior, the three of them together couldn't match him.

After all, this was the Scorched Earth, where danger lurked everywhere, and banditry was common.

As long as they didn't provoke him, he wouldn't provoke them.

"Hey, you just came out of the Poison Marsh?"

The woman with the heavy sword looked at Lu Fang.

Lu Fang halted a short distance from them, glanced back at the Poison Marsh, and nodded. "I suppose I did. What do you want?"

The woman didn't answer him but lowered her voice to speak with the ascetic and the martial cultivator; after a brief discussion, she raised an eyebrow at Lu Fang. "Interested in joining us on an expedition?"

"Not interested," Lu Fang replied without hesitation.

He intended to seek out the aura of Fa, or perhaps return to the Invincible Army—where was the time to accompany these three on an expedition?

Besides, he had no idea who they were—how could he be sure they weren't plotting something?

Even if they had no ill intent, he had no desire to join them.

As he turned to leave, the woman called out: "Esteemed Confucian, please wait a moment—perhaps once you hear where we're going, you'll change your mind."

"Oh?" Lu Fang said, intrigued. "Then tell me."

The woman smiled. "I recently discovered an unknown small upper realm. Around it are many powerful monstrous beasts, and correspondingly, abundant exotic herbs and ores."

"We can form a four-person expedition team. Whatever we obtain there belongs to each of us individually—only mutual aid is required in moments of danger."

"An unknown small upper realm?" Lu Fang stared at the woman, trying to discern if she was lying.

The Demon Heart urged: "What's the harm? Since she invited you, go. If they have ulterior motives, kill them and take their treasures."

Lu Fang ignored the Demon Heart and turned to the woman. "Do you three know each other?"

To be honest, he was tempted.

Otherwise, he would have left already.

The allure of the Scorched Earth's depths lies in the existence of unknown small upper realms—places where one might gain a great opportunity and rise to the heavens.

Such unknown small upper realms are rare.

Before the woman could answer, the middle-aged martial cultivator spoke: "We three know each other, but don't worry—we won't gang up on you. In fact, we're merely acquaintances who've met a few times."

The ascetic nodded. "I came because these two are decent people."

The woman looked at Lu Fang and smiled. "If you don't trust us, you can keep your distance. If you sense anything suspicious, you can withdraw immediately."

Lu Fang frowned slightly. "I'm curious—why invite me? Aren't you afraid I'm a villain?"

The woman laughed lightly. "Believe it or not, I can sense you're a good person. I've had this perception only a few times in my life—and just now, I felt it from you."

"Oh?" Lu Fang met her gaze and nodded. "I'll temporarily accept that. But why me?"

Just because she sensed he was good, she invited him on an expedition.

That reason alone wasn't convincing to Lu Fang.

The woman nodded seriously. "I chose you because you emerged from the Poison Marsh—and because I sensed you're good. I believe this is fate's guidance, so I invited you."

"The outer edges of the unknown realm I found are filled with toxic exotic herbs and beasts—you're perfectly suited for that."

"To be honest, I hope you'll come with us."

"Because my perception rarely manifests, I want to spend more time with someone good. In this place, having one more friend is better than one more enemy."

Lu Fang fell silent. Though her words sounded absurd, he inexplicably trusted her—a strange feeling.

That was why he hesitated.

The Demon Heart urged again: "I truly think you should go with them. With your strength and my presence, you can gain immense benefits in that unknown small upper realm."

"Is it because of you? Did you influence this woman? I feel this strange trust toward her—it's too odd." Lu Fang mentally questioned the Demon Heart.

The Demon Heart fell silent for a moment. "Then I advise you not to go. This world holds too many extraordinary powers—of all kinds. Perhaps this woman possesses the same type of perception as Luo Sha."

"Or she might emit a sense of trustworthiness. If true, then she has designs on you."

The Demon Heart's warning put Lu Fang at ease—if it wasn't meddling, then fine. He looked back at the woman. "Won't you fear the location of the unknown small upper realm being exposed?"

The woman smiled. "I trust these two. Along the way, I've only told you about the unknown realm. Don't worry—only I can lead you there. No matter how strong you are, you can't enter without me."

Lu Fang nodded. "Alright. I'll join your expedition team."

After introductions, he learned the woman's name was Jiang Yuan, a resident of the Luo Sha Kingdom, who cultivated sword arts under the Three Teachings, at fifth-rank, second stage.

The ascetic went only by the dharma name Wu Jie, at sixth-rank, third stage.

The martial cultivator was Bei Tian, a rare fifth-rank, second-stage martial cultivator.