Chapter 197: Friction Friction

Hmm?

It's flat.

It's soft.

What is this thing?

"…Mehh?"

A slime?

Ren Yidao lowered his head; although he wasn't sure exactly what he had stepped on.

But this texture gave him an ominous premonition.

"It couldn't be... that I stepped in poop, could it?"

Hmm, surely not, right?

At the very least, with Ren Yidao's vast knowledge, he had never heard of anything that could be this color...

Besides, surely no one would be so uncouth, right?

*Rustle. *

Retracting his right foot, Ren Yidao wiped it against the ground in disgust, wanting to forget that sensation.

However, that Purple Qi was unexpectedly stubborn; a portion of it had actually stuck firmly to the sole of his shoe.

"Ah, this."

His cheek twitched; Ren Yidao didn't know if he should stop now or continue wiping it clean...

Well, obviously he had to wipe it off!

Who pulls up their pants halfway through wiping something?

"Hah!"

Stomping his foot, he wiped it vigorously against the ground, and that stubborn Purple Qi eventually spread out and smoothed over the floor as his sole moved.

Smoothed, it smoothed it out...

*Rustle! Rustle! Rustle! *

After successfully wiping off the Purple Qi, Ren Yidao strode over the puddle beneath his feet and stepped into the room.

The experience at the doorway was just a small interlude; Ren Yidao didn't take it to heart.

What he was more concerned about now was this mysterious Cave Abode located beneath the pool water.

Although he hadn't had a real meeting with that person, he could infer a thing or two from the various displays earlier.

Top-grade Purple Crystal, Purple Crystal Creation Liquid, the Sword Qi and Evil Qi in the pool water...

To be able to turn this area into their own restricted zone not far from Wentian and secretly pull off such things.

The owner of this Cave Abode was by no means an ordinary person.

And there was one most important point: this good brother was quite generous and lavish.

Aside from being a bit socially anxious and unwilling to show their true face, they were a very understanding rich brother.

As for the social anxiety or whatever, that didn't count for anything at all!

I, Ren, actually like social anxiety, no!

I am socially anxious myself!

I don't even dare to talk to others when I go out; I'm on pins and needles all day long, and in the middle of the night, when I think of mistakes I made during the day, I shed little pearls in my blanket.

*Sob sob sob. *

Therefore, we must have many, many topics to chat about; you should just come out openly.

Let us huddle together for warmth and lick each other's wounds!

Thinking this, Ren Yidao looked around the circle, but found nothing.

Inside the room, there was nothing except for a worn-out meditation cushion and a Bronze Lamp.

"Eh, no one? That shouldn't be."

Recalling the Purple Shadow that had intruded into his Consciousness Sea earlier, as well as the angry shout that had rung out by his ear later, Ren Yidao didn't think the other party was a hallucination of his own.

If there was still no reaction after coming all the way here, the answer was simple: they likely didn't want to meet.

The other party was even shyer than he had imagined.

Otherwise, it couldn't be that the place was haunted, right?

"Many thanks to the senior for the assistance; Ren is deeply grateful."

No one responded.

The room was empty, with only faint Purple Qi drifting about and the sound of Ren Yidao's own breathing.

Quiet.

It wasn't just simple silence; this place gave Ren Yidao a strange feeling.

There was no vitality.

It was somewhat similar to the Sect Leader's courtyard, but it was far more desolate than that.

It was as if no living person had resided here for a very long time, and it was filled with an ancient aura.

Ren Yidao waited for quite a while, but he never received a response from the other party.

Too disdainful to speak?

His brows arched slightly; Ren Yidao felt a bit strange inside.

Logically speaking, since he had already entered this place, even if they wanted to drive him away, they shouldn't be silent.

The other party should either directly take action to throw him out or speak up to drive him away; these were both reasonable ways to resolve it.

But what was the situation now?

Neither speaking nor making a move, what is the meaning of this?

What? Do you want me to be sensible and leave on my own?

The corners of his mouth curled up, Ren Yidao gave a proud smile and straightened his back.

Heh...

That is certainly fine!

Ren Yidao followed the flow, his smile sincere and earnest, and he respectfully cupped his hands in a salute.

"Since the senior does not wish to see me, then Ren will not disturb you any further."

Since the other party did not wish to see him, Ren Yidao had no intention of fawning over them.

I have indeed received quite a few benefits from you, and I wanted to express my gratitude, while also continuing to ask for a little more.

But since you disdain to see me...

Then if we don't meet, we don't meet, what of it~

Ren Yidao did not feel the disappointment of being snubbed; on the contrary, his mood was quite good.

Ha!

Isn't it just a hot face pressed against a cold butt? I thought it was something novel!

They gave money readily, and now that they are telling me to leave, then I shall just leave.

Regarding such matters, Ren Yidao was very open-minded.

Ren Yidao did not have the pathological pride of those heaven-gifted geniuses who need others' respect to maintain their self-worth.

He did not care about this situation at all.

As long as it does not involve matters of principle, you may do as you please here.

It's just that, if you were willing to pay more, that would be even better.

After Ren Yidao finished speaking, seeing that the other party remained silent, he happily turned around and walked away.

What secrets are hidden here is not important.

Those belong to others; it is useless to covet them.

Only when things are truly in one's own hands does it matter.

Anyway, he had already made a killing this time, so the attitude of others was not important at all.

Ren Yidao had actually never been able to understand the logic of those bitter and deep-seated heaven-gifted geniuses.

As long as one lives happily, why care about the eyes of others?

Isn't it tiring?

Change your way of thinking, and you can make your life much happier, so why not do it?

Life is short, my friends.

Remember to enjoy yourself while you can!

But soon, Ren Yidao could no longer be happy.

Click.

Push, it won't push open.

Click.

Pull, it won't pull open.

"... Oh my, this is awkward."

He looked at the door that remained firmly shut no matter how much strength he used, and thought about it seriously.

Not letting me leave?

What is the meaning of this?

It couldn't be, another 【Room you can't leave unless you do ××】, could it?

Even if it is, you could at least give me a partner!

How is one supposed to do it alone?

"... Oh, alone, that doesn't seem impossible?"

Time passed, and the evenly smeared Purple Qi moved slowly, struggling through great hardships, and finally pieced itself back together.

Xue Sui woke up slowly.

"... That Evil, how is it?"

He raised his eyes to look at the Bronze Lamp, but saw a person sitting on a meditation cushion.

!!!

A living person!

"General! You... no, that's not right!"

For a moment, Xue Sui truly thought the General had returned, but he quickly realized the problem.

That is not the General!

Who is it!!?

Who dares to show disrespect to the General's remains!!?

That person was sitting on the meditation cushion with their back turned, their posture looking somewhat strange.

It seemed to be trembling slightly...

Xue Sui:???

What are you doing?

"Go to hell!!!"

Sad news, I caught a cold and have a fever; I've been groggy all day after taking medicine, and I've only just finished writing this chapter since waking up.

I'm updating now, and there will be another update later; rest assured, there definitely will be, it will just be a little late.

(Yesterday's bonus update ultimately failed because I collapsed from feeling unwell, wuwu, I am guilty!)