Chapter 309: Plans Have Changed

For the first three hundred li, the group did not encounter any trouble.

After passing the pass guarded by the two black tigers at the very beginning, the road ahead was completely clear; the Demon Beasts did not seem to have spent much energy stationing patrols in this worthless area.

For these one hundred li, there were only some small beasts with undeveloped minds wandering and playing back and forth on the road, and from time to time, one could see several equally weak groups confronting each other.

Weak, yet full of vitality; everything looked novel, peaceful, and harmonious.

Moreover, the natural scenery here was quite good, counting as a world of its own, with a feeling of exploring a mysterious cave.

Of course.

All of the above was merely from Ren Yidao's perspective.

In the eyes of the others, the scene here was not so beautiful at all!

In fact, they had no mood at all to appreciate the beauty in the eyes of their companion Ren Yidao.

Although the air in Death Valley was circulating, it was still filled with a heavy stench of wild beasts, which was nauseating and made one want to retch uncontrollably.

But this was still fine; as long as one blocked their sense of smell, this level of hardship was not a problem.

What truly made the few of them feel uncomfortable was the pervasive Demon Qi in the valley, which made the four people other than Ren Yidao miserable!

This, however, could not be blocked by merely shielding one's senses.

The omnipresent Demon Qi swirled around their bodies, trying every possible way to drill into them.

Especially some of the more fragile Qi apertures, or places capable of exchanging breath with the outside world, were specifically targeted by the Demon Qi.

For example, the seven orifices, or the navel, or the anus, er... the gate of the soul.

Therefore, although these four looked calm and composed on the surface, each looking like a proper person, in reality, they were all clenching their buttock muscles tightly behind the scenes, terrified of being "developed" by that Demon Qi.

Added to the sinister nature of the surrounding environment, besides concealing their own aura, they also needed to divert a portion of their energy to sense the outside world and avoid potential crises that might expose them.

With several factors combined, the group simply had no energy or inclination to experience the joy of a field trip with Ren Yidao.

Although Hu Wanwan had a portion of Demon Race bloodline in his family, it was mainly Human Race bloodline, with Demon Race bloodline as a supplement, so he could not easily absorb Demon Qi.

Absorbing some for a short time was fine and would even refine his strength, achieving a mutually reinforcing effect.

But if one used Demon Qi as the root of their cultivation for a long time, it would inevitably produce some irreversible changes—becoming a half-human, half-demon monster.

Therefore, Hu Wanwan was the most nervous of the four, terrified that a moment of carelessness would cause some changes that would be noticed by others.

The joys and sorrows of people are not connected; Ren Yidao only felt that they were too lifeless and not noisy at all.

After trying to strike up a conversation with the others several times and being rejected, Ren Yidao had no choice but to shut his mouth quietly and continue enjoying it alone.

Everyone is awake, but I alone am drunk.

Not only did he not find the Demon Qi uncomfortable, but on the contrary, he let those auras that others avoided like the plague run wild in his body, enjoying it immensely.

This journey was like a fish entering the vast sea, or a bird soaring into the blue sky; he was not bound by the cage or the net!

And his current calm and composed appearance, when falling into the eyes of the others, appeared exceptionally unfathomable.

"I don't know how Daoist Ren manages to avoid the Demon Qi from entering his body; he is actually so relaxed."

"Ren Yidao, he might be the biggest variable in this trip. My choice to let him act alone at that time was indeed correct."

"He is worthy of being the collaborator I recognized..."

"Just like A Yue, she really has a unique Secret Technique! She even lied to me back then saying it couldn't be passed on to others! Look, your disciple has already learned it! You stingy person!"

Ren Yidao did not know what they were thinking; after admiring the scenery for a while, he suddenly noticed something different.

"Eh? This aura... why does it feel strange?"

A faint aura, which he had almost failed to notice, was permeating the air.

Pressure?

He had long known that there was a Heaven Realm Great Demon here, so this did not make Ren Yidao curious.

What he was feeling at this moment was a sensation he had never experienced before.

A faint attraction made him want to get closer, but there was also a slight resistance in his soul, making him subconsciously want to stay away.

And most importantly, the point that made his eyes flicker:

"My Dao God, it moved?"

Although it was only for an instant, and although it was a very subtle tremor, Ren Yidao still sensed the abnormal movement of his Dao God.

"... So, is there a hidden treasure here that makes my Dao God react?"

"A Spirit Plant? A spirit material? Or some kind of opportunity?"

Since Ren Yidao obtained the Dao God, there had been three such abnormal movements in total.

The first time, he found his clay idol in Xianhu Temple, which allowed him to be reborn, completely breaking free from the cage of faith and casting the negativity onto the Dao God.

The second time, he found the remnant soul of the Demon God in the Treasury of the Northern Qian Li Family, gaining a "grandpa" who followed him around with unknown intentions.

And now, it was the third time.

The first time was a blessing, the second time was probably a curse, and this third time... it is unknown whether it is a blessing or a curse.

"..."

After discovering this, Ren Yidao pondered for a moment and did not choose to leave, but instead pretended that he had discovered nothing and continued to go deeper with the group.

"If it is a blessing, it is not a curse; if it is a curse, it cannot be avoided."

"No matter what lies ahead, I, Ren Yidao... will not avoid it."

Ren Yidao's Dao Heart was clear; he understood that while avoidance could temporarily circumvent risks, it could never completely solve the problem.

Moreover, he was no longer the powerless little fox in the mountains who could only be slaughtered by others.

No matter which Shenzhou, which dynasty, or which place he was in, he was now an existence that could not be ignored.

His strength might not yet be enough for him to run rampant, but at least he possessed the qualifications to explore the truth.

"I hope this truth will not disappoint me too much."

Suppressing the thoughts and the abnormal movement in his heart, Ren Yidao smiled and began to strike up a conversation with Hu Wanwan:

"Your Highness Hu, I have one thing I don't understand; I wonder if you could clear it up for me?"

Hu Wanwan:?

Why have you come over again?

Didn't I tell you not to communicate easily while inside Death Valley!

Hu Wanwan had originally intended to ignore Ren Yidao, but after looking into those demonically strange eyes that were exceptionally bright in the darkness, he still decisively chose to follow his heart's choice.

"... Daoist, what is it you wish to ask? Speak freely."

Seeing his earnest expression, it must be something very important.

Hmm, no other reason; I just want to see what kind of question you actually want to ask!

"Since Your Highness Hu has said so, then I will speak plainly."

"Mm, please go ahead."

Ren Yidao did not open his mouth, but instead spoke with a solemn expression via voice transmission to Hu Wanwan:

"Your Highness, why are you clenching your buttocks so tightly?"

Hu Wanwan:???

Are you sick!

Don't you do the same?

Just as Hu Wanwan was about to lash out, Ren Yidao's second voice transmission arrived.

"Why does it look like you are... tucking your tail?"

!!!

Tail!!?

Could it be that I have grown a tail?

After being stunned for a split second, Hu Wanwan's pupils shrank, his expression changed uncontrollably, and he whipped his head around to look behind him.

Then, he saw...

His own unchanged buttocks, and the confused gazes of the other three who were looking over because of his strange movements.

Jiang, Chu, Gongsun:?

Hu Wanwan:???

Ren Yidao's lips moved, and then he began to talk nonsense with a straight face:

"Ahem, I saw you looking so serious, which isn't good, so I thought I'd crack a joke with you to help you relax a bit."

"How is it? Do you feel much more relaxed?"

?

Relaxed?

Relax your grandfather!

Hu Wanwan could no longer hold it together, and regardless of anything else, he was about to burst into a tirade:

"You!!!"

But when he lost his composure and prepared to speak, he neglected his defense against the Demon Qi due to his agitated state of mind.

And so...

Pfft.

A particularly nimble strand of Demon Qi did not give up this opportunity and charged directly into the weakest acupoint beneath Hu Wanwan.

In an instant, Hu Wanwan's expression turned to horror; unable to care about scolding anyone, he cried out in a loss of composure:

"No! Don't! Hiss!"

"Oh!!!"

"Oh—ahem!"

"Wait, wait, wait! Listen to my explanation!!!"

"Don't look at me with those eyes—"

"You... well, that was a bit wicked."

Listening to Gongsun Changshou's voice transmission—who wanted to laugh but felt embarrassed to do so—Ren Yidao shrugged imperceptibly.

"I just wanted to liven up the atmosphere; I didn't know he would have such a huge reaction."

Hmm, I really didn't expect it.

Who could have guessed his back door was so poorly guarded...

"Look at that reaction; can you blame it all on me?"

Looking so dazed, he was almost rolling his eyes back.

He has no sense of male virtue at all!

Everyone, join me in condemning him!

"Pfft, ahem."

Gongsun Changshou almost failed to keep his expression in check; he gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and sent a voice transmission:

"Heh, even the excuses you use when doing things like this are almost the same as what your master says; you really are her good disciple!"

Hearing this, Ren Yidao raised an eyebrow and pressed further:

"I've wanted to ask for a while, but my Senior Sister and Senior Brother are not very willing to mention matters concerning my master. I would like to confirm with Senior Uncle Gongsun again: am I... really that similar to my master?"

It wasn't that Ren Yidao hadn't seen his master's portrait; his appearance and the other person's had absolutely no similarities, and even the brows and eyes bore no resemblance.

Perhaps Ren Yidao and his master share similarities in personality, which might be the reason Jing Yueqin has been deliberately cultivating him.

Yet, according to Gongsun Changshou, he seems to have almost become a replica of his own master.

This should not be something achievable solely through subtle, imperceptible cultivation.

Where, exactly, do the similarities lie?

If it were merely Gongsun Changshou's one-sided opinion, Ren Yidao would not take it too much to heart; perhaps it is just this old woman's self-hypnosis, thinking he looks more like her the more she looks at him.

However, after carefully recalling various details from the past and combining them with her repeated emphasis, he discovered that it did not seem to be the case...

Perhaps, besides his temperament, there are other places where he is very similar to her, who knows?

Upon hearing these words, Gongsun Changshou's gaze flickered; she looked up at Ren Yidao's profile, then lowered her head, continuing to maintain her persona.

"It is very similar, but you need not overthink it."

She said:

"If it weren't for the fact that you two have no similarities in appearance, I would have suspected you were her offspring; you are practically carved from the same mold..."

"However, it is precisely because of this that you and your master are even more fated, are you not?"

Clearly not the child of an old friend, yet possessing the bearing of an old friend—is this not fate?

Fearing that Ren Yidao might form too many associations, Gongsun Changshou added:

"Do not overthink it; you are just yourself. Although you are your master's disciple, you are not your master's replacement."

"Do you understand?"

"Yidao naturally understands." Ren Yidao shook his head slightly and replied with a light laugh, "... Heh, Senior Uncle is joking. How could Yidao not understand such a simple principle?"

Having replied to Gongsun Changshou with a chuckle, Ren Yidao took the initiative to stop the conversation.

His gaze was profound, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, wondering what he was thinking about.

Although Gongsun Changshou did not have a deep relationship with this Junior Martial Nephew, she still felt that his words seemed insincere.

"As a disciple, shouldn't one be happy to be similar to one's master? His appearance... could it be that there is something I do not know?"

She wanted to advise him a few more words, but Hu Wanwan, who was walking at the front of the group to keep his distance from Ren Yidao, had already raised his hand to signal everyone to stop, so she had to give up.

At this moment, Hu Wanwan had already adjusted his state, as if nothing had happened; he took out a map, spread it on a large rock, and said sternly to everyone:

"Everyone, we have arrived at the secret passage indicated on the map."

Death Valley, at the three-hundred-mile mark!

"After we pass through this secret passage, we will arrive at the most dangerous place of this trip."

Hu Wanwan took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth:

"Please! Absolutely! Definitely! Do not do anything that might expose us again!"

Although Hu Wanwan did not look at that person, nor did he mention a specific name, everyone except Ren Yidao knew who he was referring to...

One by one, they kept their eyes on their noses, their noses on their mouths, and their mouths on their hearts, all maintaining silence at the appropriate time.

Seeing that no one, including Ren Yidao, spoke, Hu Wanwan's face twitched slightly, and then he continued:

"Since no one has any questions, I will continue."

Following the instructions on the map, he searched silently in the surroundings for a long time and soon discovered the mark noted on the map.

"Good!"

Hu Wanwan's spirits lifted; he rushed to a seemingly unremarkable rock wall and slowly pressed his palm against it.

Boom...

Accompanied by a subtle tremor, the rock wall slowly receded, revealing a pitch-black, lightless tunnel inside.

"Good!"

Hu Wanwan was also here for the first time; seeing the secret passage for the first time, he could not help but get excited and clenched his fist tightly.

Although there were some small episodes on the way, since there were no errors regarding the secret passage, success was only one step away!

Just a little more patience...

"However, why didn't my clan uncle leave a mark for me in the secret passage?"

After looking back and forth in the secret passage for a long time, Hu Wanwan could not find the family mark that should have been there.

But just as Hu Wanwan was in a dilemma, the Jade Pendant in his bosom trembled slightly; he hurriedly probed his divine sense into it to check the message his clan uncle had sent him:

【The plan has changed, continue deeper.】

I arrived home yesterday. The temperature difference between the two places is over twenty degrees. I slept very little to catch my flight yesterday, so I felt very uncomfortable after arriving home and went to sleep early. I wrote this after getting up today.

I will save up some drafts these two days to make up for the extra chapters I owed last month by the end of the month. There will be two days of ten thousand words, and I hope everyone will give some Monthly Tickets then~ There will be double points!

Love you—