Most people in this world wouldn't think like Qin Yi, especially since he has Liusu and the method for immortality right in front of him. Unlike many who desperately seek a chance at becoming immortal, willing to face all kinds of dangers, even in desolate places.
The skeleton sea he crossed before, whether or not you believe in this so-called "evergreen bones," at least proves that there is definitely an "immortal" who understands many techniques living ahead, or at least some related ruins.
This is what they call fate with the immortals.
Qin Yi can comment on it like he’s reviewing a product, but few can keep a calm mind in front of such fate.
"Looking at it this way, the skeleton sea ahead might not be a guard. Instead, it seems like a display of immortal techniques, attracting people to move forward," Qin Yi pondered. "Is this a way for the immortal world to find fated successors? If you don’t move forward, does that mean this stone tablet is just a gift of fate?"
Liusu replied, "There are indeed some who like to put on a show like this, and some enjoy creating various tests. But doing it in a place like this would just be for their own amusement, right? It would be a miracle if someone like Dong Huazi fell down here, let alone expecting anyone to see it."
"From this perspective, what lies ahead is either a demon refining formation or some curse. Dong Huazi managing to pass three trials is probably his limit," Qin Yi suddenly reached out and grabbed the retreating Ye Ling. "I’m focusing on the stone tablet, not some stick. What’s with that expression?"
"N-no..." Ye Ling swallowed hard. "There’s something familiar ahead, and I’m scared."
The demon refining formation, without a doubt.
Qin Yi crouched in front of Ye Ling and said softly, "A demon refining formation is just a trashy evil formation. If you can break it once, you can break it a second time. What’s there to fear?"
Ye Ling said, "This formation is definitely stronger than Dong Huazi's."
"But this time, I’m here too," Qin Yi paused, feeling like he had heard this before. Could it be that she thought it would be a bit easier because he was a burden?
Ye Ling replied, "Then I’ll follow behind you. If something happens, I’ll just run away..."
Qin Yi had to say, "You need to believe that you are actually stronger than the owner of this place. In a place where even Dong Huazi could leave, how strong could it be?"
Ye Ling knew it wasn’t that simple because Dong Huazi would never continue to risk his life in truly dangerous places, while they might, since their goal was to find a solution, not just to explore.
After hesitating for a moment, she reached out her small hand. "Let me use the giantization talisman again."
"…It’s gone. There’s only one. Who made so many useless things?"
"But I think out of all your talismans, this one is the most useful."
Qin Yi said expressionlessly, "If it’s truly big and not just looks big, then I agree with you."
Ye Ling’s eyes sparkled. "Is there really something that’s truly big?"
"There is, but I can’t make it yet," Qin Yi explained excitedly. "If I practice more, if I can establish a foundation, then I might be able to..."
Liusu sighed, "I say, are you taking a child out for a picnic? Can’t you show a bit of the tension and pressure that comes with adventure?"
"Cough, cough." Qin Yi realized and pulled Ye Ling’s hand. "Let’s go, who cares about the formation? Watch me smash it to pieces."
"I heard you’re only sixteen, and you’re calling yourself uncle without any shame."
"What else should I call myself?"
Ye Ling replied naturally, "Brother."
Qin Yi blinked. "Say that again."
"Brother."
Qin Yi felt delighted, and his steps became lighter.
Liusu really wanted to hit these two on the head.
So, it did just that.
With a wolf fang club in Qin Yi's right hand, it quietly turned toward the back, aiming to hit Qin Yi on the backside.
Qin Yi didn’t even notice his right hand was moving, suddenly becoming serious and stopping. "Ye Ling, do you smell that?"
Liusu’s action froze, the spikes on the club barely half an inch from Qin Yi's rear.
Ye Ling sniffed. "There’s a fishy smell."
There were no trails on this mountain, and they were moving up a slope without a path. After a while, the mountain wind blew, and the air smelled increasingly strange. There was a fishy scent mixed with the smell of blood and the stench of wild animals. Though faint and far, it was quite unpleasant.
It became more and more unbearable.
Faint roars echoed from a distance. Ye Ling listened closely and whispered, "It’s on the other side of the mountain. Let’s go around."
Qin Yi stepped forward.
With the movement, the wolf fang club pricked a little and quickly retracted.
"Hiss..." Qin Yi was distracted by what was happening behind the mountain, thinking it was just his mistake, feeling unlucky as he carried the club and walked around.
Liusu felt relaxed, completely forgetting that it was actually her who was treating this adventure like a picnic.
This hill didn’t look big, but it was quite expansive when they ran. When Qin Yi and Ye Ling finally made it around to the back, the sight before them made both of them gasp, even Liusu became serious.
Ahead was a vast slope where countless demons were fighting. There were foxes with two tails, giant wolves with three eyes, eagles with four sharp claws, centipedes thicker than snakes, mosquitoes larger than balls, flowers opening like giant mouths, and trees with branches like tentacles... all kinds of creatures were there.
This wasn’t a showcase of demon creatures; it was a battle, with corpses littering the ground and blood flowing down the slope, pooling into a deep pit, forming a terrifying blood pond. In the center of the blood pond was a black lotus, eerily blooming.
But the demons weren’t fighting for the lotus; instead, they seemed to avoid it. Their target was a giant tree, bare of leaves, but at the top of its highest branch grew a peach.
A four-clawed eagle swooped down, heading straight for the peach. Below, arrows thicker than door bolts shot up, piercing into its chest and belly. The eagle screeched and fell far away. Following the direction of the arrows, a hedgehog as big as an elephant was laughing strangely.
Ye Ling watched the scene without blinking, searching for her kind among them, but after a long time, she sighed in disappointment.
There were snakes, and quite a few kinds, including giant pythons much thicker than her, but none had wings.
Qin Yi remained alert, pulling Ye Ling to hide behind a rock, not daring to get closer. With so many demons, each one felt strong to him... In this place, it was hard to tell if they were spiritual or transformed, because even those above the transformation level wouldn’t act like humans here; they all used their true forms.
This meant that among the thousands of demons in battle, none were weaker than him, and the stronger ones were probably on par with Ye Ling...
So, if the two of them charged in, it would be like sending themselves to death.
Better to watch and see what would happen as they fought among themselves.
Just as he was thinking this, a small grass slowly grew in the sand behind Ye Ling, and it kept getting bigger. A face appeared on the grass, grinning wickedly.
(End of Chapter)