Mutated Tao

“Lord Zhuge said that you’ve executed the Cang-Qiang Ascension three times. May I ask if it's true?”

Li Huowang stared coldly at the young man in front of him and asked, "So what? What is it to you?”

“So it’s true?!” Xia Rusheng exclaimed and immediately knelt on one knee. “I pay respects to the Grand Elder!”

Li Huowang stood up and sidestepped. “I’m not a Grand Elder or anything! You’ve got the wrong person!”

“You're the Grand Elder! You definitely are the Grand Elder! Anyone capable of executing the Cang-Qiang Ascension three times using the Profound Records is undoubtedly a Grand Elder of the Ao Jing Sect!”

“At your level, you can forgo the Profound Records and directly feed the master with your flesh[1]! And that is the ultimate symbol!” Xia Rusheng exclaimed with extreme excitement.

Goosebumps broke out all over Li Huowang. He wasn't that knowledgeable about the Ao Jing Sect, so he had no idea that they had such a concept.

“You’re mistaken! Zhuge Yuan lied to you. I've never executed the Cang-Qiang Ascension!” Li Huowang retorted. Then, he turned around and walked away, ignoring Xia Rusheng's response.

What’s going on? The Cang-Qiang Ascension ritual involves exchanging extreme agony for power with Ba-Hui, right? According to him, is this ritual a symbol of some status within the Ao Jing Sect? Li Huowang knew about the so-called Grand Elders of the Ao Jing Sect, even though those Grand Elders had all been impersonated by the Sitting Oblivion Dao members.

Even if there were people higher in status than Grand Elders, those with the Grand Elder title definitely had a high position in the Ao Jing Sect.

Wait, I can now sacrifice myself to Ba-Hui without using the Profound Records? What does that mean? Does that mean I’m getting closer to Ba-Hui? Li Huowang pondered, but he didn’t think that it was a good thing at all.

It seemed that the Cang-Qiang Ascension had hidden dangers that weren't mentioned in the Profound Records. Li Huowang pondered for a bit more and decided to give it a try. He glanced at the others in the distance and into the nearby woods.

Li Huowang took off his red Daoist robe once he was deep enough in the woods. Then, he held the bronze coin sword horizontally in front of his chest.

"Li Sui," Li Huowang uttered.

Li Sui’s tentacles emerged, wrapping around the hilt of the bronze coin sword before slicing open Li Huowang's skin, which had just healed. As time went on, more and more tentacles reached out and wrapped around the embedded Profound Records.

Moments later, the tentacles gave the Profound Records a forceful tug. Li Huowang ignored the pain and forcefully lifted the corner of his index finger's fingernail. With a swoosh, a deep blood mark appeared on a tree trunk ten meters away.

Can I really do without the Profound Records? Li Huowang wasn't so sure. Is this a good thing? It should be a good thing, right?

Li Huowang stood in place, staring blankly at the falling tree in the distance. The old problem had yet to be resolved, but new problems had already popped up. Li Huowang felt annoyed.

In the end, Li Huowang was still a bit reluctant to give up his advantage. At least, he could be considered without a weakness. Something similar to what Peng Longteng had done would never happen again.

I’ll take it step by step. First of all, I have to get rid of the Strayed One's maladies. The rest will follow along. Ah... Why is life so exhausting? Li Huowang made up his mind and returned to the group.

After a short rest, Li Huowang and the group continued on their journey.

Qin Lao stood at the helm and led the way. Qin Lao had chosen to go off the beaten path for the sake of avoiding any ambushes. However, Li Huowang didn’t really care. His task was to wait around Zhuge Yuan until the members of the Sitting Oblivion Dao appeared to attack Zhuge Yuan. With that in mind, Li Huowang wasn’t exactly afraid of getting involved in a fight.

Meanwhile, Xia Risheng clearly didn't believe Li Huowang’s words of denial earlier, as his attitude toward Li Huowang changed radically.

Xia Risheng walked into a dilapidated roadside inn and wiped the stool and table clean with his sleeves. Then, he turned to Li Huowang and gestured for him to come in, saying, "Grand Elder, please sit here!”

Li Huowang sat down, and Xia Risheng immediately poured tea for him. Xia Risheng even stopped the waiter to order dishes for Li Huowang.

Xia Risheng's strange behavior made Li Huowang feel extremely uncomfortable. He neither needed a servant nor needed someone to wait on him.

“What do you want?” Li Huowang asked, sounding impatient.

“Nothing! It’s my honor to serve you, Grand Elder!” Xia Risheng replied.

Xia Risheng appeared humble on the outside, but he had some ulterior motives. It'd be great if you could tell me how you successfully performed the Cang-Qiang Ascension!

"Okay, I’m the Grand Elder, right? Good. I order you to go far away! Don’t appear in front of me until we've reached the capital!” Li Huowang said.

“Um, yes, sir!” Xia Risheng replied and left.

Li Huowang sighed in relief. Then, he glanced at the Miao woman sitting with her companions. Strange, it’s been so long, but there’s been no movement from the Sitting Oblivion Dao. This is different from what I thought.

The members of the Sitting Oblivion Dao were supposed to attack Zhuge Yuan like moths to a lamp once they caught wind of Zhuge Yuan's activities.

However, there had been no attacks at all since the incident on Xing Island. The Sitting Oblivion Dao was silent. The only encounter they had related to the Sitting Oblivion Dao was the encounter with a low-ranking soldier whose identity as a member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao had been completely exposed.

Perhaps they're thinking that any minor disturbances won't harm Zhuge Yuan at all, so they’re planning on doing something major? Li Huowang thought. He couldn’t help but think about the worst-case scenario.

Of course, Li Huowang wasn’t afraid. He was alone, so he genuinely had nothing to fear. His only concern was if Bei Feng would get involved. Fa Cai has died, so Hong Zhong and Bai Ban will definitely come. To kill Zhuge Yuan in one fell swoop, the Four Joys should come too, right?

　　

While Li Huowang was busy contemplating many scenarios, Zhuge Yuan appeared and sat down in front of him.

“Brother Zhuge, where did you go?” Li Huowang asked.

“Oh, I bought a carriage. I want the interior to become more comfortable for Qin Lao.”

“You handle that kind of matter, too? I'm curious, Brother Zhuge. How did you get to know Qin Lao?” Li Huowang asked, picking up the teapot and pouring a cup of tea for Zhuge Yuan.

“I was in You Capital one day, and I saw Qin Lao playing chess under a tree with someone. Qin Lao’s playstyle was outstanding, and he won every game in an upright manner. I couldn’t help but approach him and make friends.”

“You got to know him just like that?”

“How about you, Brother Li? I don't really consider the identities or status of my friends. I only value fate and mutual affection.”

“Brother Zhuge, your character is admirable.”

“Admirable? Shouldn’t that be the norm? Nowadays, I think people tend to overthink and complicate things, and that is exactly why they can’t make true and trustworthy friends. Nowadays—”

The waiter approached with a tray of dishes, interrupting their conversation and allowing Li Huowang to break free from Zhuge Yuan's endless chatter, which had gotten quite a bit annoying these days.

“The dishes are here~ Stir-fried lamb, stir-fried water spinach, and an eight treasures duck. Please enjoy your meal,” the waiter said.

1. a figurative expression that suggests a deep level of commitment or sacrifice, often used in a spiritual or ritualistic context. It seems to imply a significant and profound connection between the individual and a higher power or entity. ☜

Chacha and Char's Thoughts

Oops. I forgot about the Muddled Ones. Luckily I carved out a note on my arm so I didn't forget in the end. Credits to 格子的乱七八糟 on douyin

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