CH 402

"Listening to Zhuge's words, have you really climbed the Cangqiang steps three times?"

Hearing this, Li Huowang looked coldly at the young man in front of him. "So what if I did or didn't? What does it have to do with you?"

"So, it's true?!" Xia Risheng immediately knelt down on one knee, his expression extremely excited. "Greetings, Elder!"

The moment he knelt down, Li Huowang stood up and moved aside. "I am not an Elder, you've mistaken me for someone else!"

"You are! You are! You are undoubtedly the Elder of the Ao Jing Sect, who has climbed the Cangqiang steps three times using the Great Thousand Record!"

"At your level, you can now become the host without using the Great Thousand Record! This is the ultimate symbol!"

The other person said excitedly, which made Li Huowang shudder. Li Huowang didn't know much about the Ao Jing Sect before, and he never expected such a thing to happen.

"You're mistaken. Zhuge Yuan deceived you. I have never climbed the Cangqiang steps!"

After saying that, Li Huowang walked away, regardless of whether the person believed him or not.

"What's going on? Isn't the Cangqiang ceremony performed by enduring double pain and exchanging it for power with the Ba Hui? According to this person, is this ceremony a symbol of a certain status within the Ao Jing Sect?"

Li Huowang knew about the so-called Elders, although those Elders were all impersonating members of the Taoist sects that deceive beings.

Regardless of whether there were other higher-level figures above the Elders, the title of Elder in the Ao Jing Sect was definitely not low.

"And now I can directly sacrifice to the Ba Hui without using the Great Thousand Record? What does this represent? Does it mean that I am getting closer to the Ba Hui?"

Li Huowang didn't think this was a good thing. Climbing the Cangqiang steps seemed to have some other hidden dangers that were not mentioned in the Great Thousand Record.

After thinking for a while, Li Huowang finally decided to give it a try. He glanced at the others in the distance, walked into the nearby woods, and began to take off his red Taoist robe.

"Li Sui." Li Huowang held the copper coin sword in his hand, and Li Sui's tentacles wrapped around the hilt, reaching behind and cutting through Li Huowang's newly healed skin.

More tentacles reached out and wrapped around the Great Thousand Record, which was almost embedded in his flesh, and forcefully pulled it out.

Ignoring the pain, Li Huowang grasped the left corner of his index finger nail and lifted it forcefully. With a "whoosh," a deep blood mark appeared on a tree trunk three zhang away.

"I can really do it without the Great Thousand Record?" Li Huowang didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Is this a good thing? Should it be considered a good thing?" Li Huowang stood still, staring blankly at the tree falling slowly with a creak in the distance.

The old problem was not solved, and new problems arose, which made Li Huowang feel overwhelmed.

But if he wanted to get rid of this advantage, Li Huowang was a bit reluctant.

At least now he no longer had a weakness. The incident where Peng Longteng ambushed and stole the Great Thousand Record, preventing him from using his blood and flesh abilities, would never happen again.

"Let's take it step by step. Let's deal with the troubles at hand first, and leave the rest for later. Why do I feel so tired?"

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

Leading the way was an old man named Qin, and it seemed that they deliberately chose a secluded path to avoid being followed.

Li Huowang didn't care, his task was to guard Zhuge Yuan's territory and wait for the Taoist sects that deceive beings. He wasn't afraid of wasting time.

However, a young man named Xia Risheng seemed to not believe Li Huowang's denial at all, and his attitude towards him changed dramatically.

"Elder! Please sit here!" Xia Risheng walked into a dilapidated roadside inn and wiped the chair and table with his sleeve, respectfully inviting Li Huowang to sit down.

Just as Li Huowang sat down, Xia Risheng immediately poured tea for him, and then stopped the waiter, personally ordering dishes for him.

The strange behavior of the other person made Li Huowang feel very uncomfortable. He didn't need or want someone to serve him like a servant.

"What do you want?" Li Huowang asked impatiently.

"I don't want anything! Elder, it is an honor for me to serve you!" Xia Risheng appeared very humble, and then added, "It would be even better if you could reveal the technique for successfully performing the Cangqiang ceremony!"

"Fine, I am the Elder, right? Okay, as the Elder, I now order you to stay away from me until we reach the capital city!"

"Yes, understood!"

Seeing Xia Risheng finally leave, Li Huowang felt relieved.

Glancing at the Miaojiang woman sitting with her companions, Li Huowang thought to himself, "Strange, it's been so long, and there has been no movement from the Taoist sects that deceive beings. This is different from what I speculated before."

According to Li Huowang's previous speculation, Zhuge Yuan would appear openly on the streets, and the Taoist sects that deceive beings would definitely swarm around like flies smelling dung.

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However, since the time when Xing Island disguised himself as Li Huowang, the Taoist sects that deceive beings had been silent, and the only encounter was with a completely exposed pawn.

"Could it be that these guys think that small tricks won't harm Zhuge Yuan, so they are planning something big?" Li Huowang couldn't help but think of the worst possibility.

If he was afraid, Li Huowang was now alone and not afraid at all. His only concern was whether Beifeng could be involved.

"If Fa Cai was killed, Hong Zhong and Bai Ban will definitely come. In order to kill Zhuge Yuan in one fell swoop, Xiao Si Xi and the others should also come, right?"

While Li Huowang was pondering over this, Zhuge Yuan, who had left for a while, came and sat down in front of him.

"Zhuge, where did you go just now?"

"Oh, I went to buy the carriage at the inn and made some arrangements inside the carriage to make it more comfortable for Qin Lao to lie down."

"Do you have to do this yourself? Zhuge, how did you meet Qin Lao?"

Li Huowang picked up the teapot and poured a cup for him.

"When I was in Youdu, I saw Qin Lao playing chess under a tree. His chess skills were outstanding, winning every game with great skill. I couldn't help but go up and make friends."

"That's how you met?"

"What do you think, Brother Li? When it comes to making friends, I never consider one's status or position. I only care if we get along and are pleasing to each other."

"Brother Zhuge, you are truly genuine. I admire that."

"Isn't that how friendship should be? I think many people nowadays overthink and complicate things, which is why they can't make true friends. Speaking of the world today..."

Just then, a waiter carrying a tray of dishes approached, providing Li Huowang with a way out of the conversation. He was relieved from the incessant chatter and nagging from behind.

"Here are your dishes - stir-fried lamb, three fresh vegetables, sautéed reed shoots, and a Peking duck. Enjoy your meal."

(End of Chapter)