Chapter 352: Falsities

Chapter 352: Falsities

Li Xiang raised her hand and pointed.

Far in the distance stood another village, but so far that Hui couldnt make out any of the details. He squinted, focusing on the village. Li Xiang, what do you mean by here? Its way over there! Say here when we get there, okay?

I overlooked it at first, but now it seems so obvious. Could this be some sort of illusory realm, one that distracts the eye?

The longer he looked, the clearer the village became, until it grew so clear he could make out the stitching on the villagers clothing. Hui frowned. It almost feels like Im there, in the village

The sound of laughter sounded in his ear. He startled and jumped back. His back struck the wall of one of the village huts. A group of men pushed past him, joking amongst themselves. Beside him, Ying Lin looked around, equally startled as amazed.

An illusory array, Li Xiang explained, before Hui could ask. Or perhaps a spatial maze. I cant fully comprehend the principles of this place. However, if we took another step into the field, we would have found ourselves lost eternally in an endless field, forever unable to reach its edge.

Hui shivered, running his hands up his arms. We were that close to death? And worse, the kind of death that even faking my death wont work against! Li Xiang, say something sooner! This small cultivator doesnt want to die a dogs death, trapped in some kind of spatial array! Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Whoa Ying Lin breathed. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling.

Hui frowned. Ying Lin! Dont take an interest in such dangerous things. Your Master is going to die of fright if you start learning inescapable traps like that.

No, no. Let Ying Lin find her own path. Even if its such horrifying constructs, I have to support her!

Hui swept his mental energy through the village, checking if these villagers were constructs as well. Unlike the figures earlier, the people walking around the village exuded faint pressure. Likewise, they wore fine robes and carried the weapons and ornaments of cultivators. Although some of the houses, especially those around him, were simple huts, others were ornate, over-the-top complexes, palaces, or even immortal caves shimmering with qi, each with their own flavor and style. It made the village a bit of a hodgepodge, but then, it was a village of rogue cultivators, bound together for a moment. He let out a breath. It seems that this is truly an ordinary cultivator village, rather than another village full of constructs.

As he peered around, he sensed the cultivation of most of them. The strongest two reached the fifth stage like himself, while the weakest had only just stepped onto their paths. Most of the cultivators were at third or fourth stage, and there was only one figure whose cultivation he couldnt sense at all. He narrowed his attention toward that figure, only to find his perception blurring as he grew closer. Frowning, Hui strengthened the push of his mental energy. The image grew slightly clearer, but not by much. He focused again, intending to put the entirety of his mental energy into the push.

A cool hand caught his arm. Hui looked up, drawn out of his reverie.

Li Xiang shook her head. She wishes to be left in peace.

Hui nodded, understanding. He retracted his mental energy.

A second later, his eyes widened. Ah! What was I doing? Peeping at someone whose cultivation outweighs mine? I might as well have been poking a dragons invert scale, or pulling a tigers tail! Why didnt I take the hint when my perception blurred? Its not like it happened on accident, Hui! Truly, Ive been negligent lately, and less paranoid, when I should always be paranoid around this dangerous world.

Its all the fault of this heart-demon, this damn heart-demon!

Li Xiang led the way through the village. As they passed, the other cultivators turned and greeted Li Xiang. A few peered at Hui and Ying Lin curiously, but no one spoke up and greeted them or asked after them.

If thats the case, so be it. But If not, we should allow them to heal each other, then kill Chen Xigui the moment shes healed, Hui suggested.

Which means the first order of business is to find this woman and speak with her, Li Xiang said.

Hui nodded. You should send some of your men. After all, you have all these fellow cultivators! We might as well take a rest.

Li Xiang shook her head. I need to go myself. I must discern the truth.

Ah yes. I shouldve expected it. In any case, shes correct. If Li Xiang isnt there, its very possible well be fed lies, Hui thought, nodding.

A thought came to him, and he looked at Li Xiang. The senior in the heart of this place is she

Li Xiang shook her head. Although she hates All-Heaven Sect, she will not be our ally. She has seen enough of blood, death, and war. She does not wish to leave this place, and I respect her wishes. It is enough that she allows us to stay here.

Hui nodded. It was too much to hope for that this reclusive senior might destroy Chen Xigui for us. After all, if she wished to, she would have already attacked.

Hmm come to think of it, this is the second eccentric senior Ive encountered whos hiding in a secret realm. Rather than not wanting to go out, I wonder if shes the same as Chen Wuya, locked away by Fen Long? Ha, itd be funny if Fen Long turned out to be an ancient eccentric cultivator with a hobby of locking people in secret

A bolt of lightning struck Hui from sunny skies. He stumbled backward and collapsed, playing dead on instinct. Ying Lin caught him, her eyes as wide as dinner plates. Master!

Li Xiang frowned, slightly confused. Did you think something impolite toward the senior whos allowing us to stay here? She doesnt often exercise her strength.

Hui came back to life. He felt the top of his head, where a gaping wound split his head nearly in two. Soot streaked his forehead and twisted down his body. He circulated his life qi, and the wounds slowly healed. Senior! If I had an ordinary body, Id be dead right now!

Wait, does that mean my guess was right

Thunder rumbled overhead.

No, no, no, Senior, this small cultivator understands! Or rather, I dont understand. I havent realized anything. Nothing at all! Hui shouted, cowering. Wary of further punishment, he pushed away from Ying Lin, afraid shed get caught up in it on accident. The senior seems to be calculating her blows not to kill me, but if Ying Lin gets caught up by accident, a fifth-realm level attack will kill her!

Hui, dont lie to the senior, Li Xiang scolded him.

A second bolt of lightning seared through Hui. A chunk of his chest exploded and blasted over the ground, splattering soft green mush everywhere. He fell to his knees, unable to hold himself upright. He looked up at Li Xiang with pleading eyes. Li Xiang, please its enough, this is enough punishment

Ah, I wanted to ask Senior if she knew Chen Wuyaah, I really want to ask it now! But more than that, I dont want to get struck by lightning. Endure, Hui, endure! Later, once shes in a better mood, I can try again. Yes, yes. Lets strive to be good cultivators who dont get punished by lightning, everyone!