Chapter 2, The Immortal Master

However, now, the Han has inexplicably died

The crowd nodded, and then two individuals, in perfect harmony, formed pairs and each made their way towards the summit of the mountain

If these few small stones were given to Fang Ling, he would not have to venture into the so-called perilous secret realm of Mount La to take risks

Fang Ling's words made the burly man burst into laughter. This laughter was filled with sarcasm. However, the burly man still smiled and said: "My name is Roger, remember it"

Deacon Zhang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and he respectfully said to Master Zhao, "Master, you have worked hard."

Lashan was visited by him and his team some time ago; the mountain is only over 100 meters high, so how could it be so tall? How could it be so majestic? However, standing at the foot of the peak, Fang Ling vaguely felt that this peak bore some resemblance to the Lashan he had visited before

What a mockery, Fang Lingxin understood it clearly. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly kicked a stone nonchalantly in the direction away from the path indicated on the tour map, yet not far from himself.

Although for a monk, three hundred taels of gold is truly not a significant amount, for an ordinary person, three hundred taels of gold is an astronomical figure

It is known that an ordinary person in Dingfang City only needs five taels of gold a year to live without worry about food and drink, and to have no concerns about clothing and sustenance

"This big brother, my name is Fang Ling, may I ask your esteemed surname?" Fang Ling said tentatively to the big man while walking forward.

The man in the group with the strong man cried out in a voice full of sorrow, yet he did not dare to move even an inch towards the position of the strong man

Regarding this phrase that has almost become commonplace, Fang Ling has gained a new understanding at this moment

Heaven and Earth are indifferent, treating all things as mere straw dogs

The medicinal herbs in the secret realm of Mount La are mostly used by cultivators, yet there are very few cultivators who come to harvest them

Then, Master Zhao glanced at Steward Zhang, who was indifferent, and took out a few small, crystal-clear stones from his sleeve

In Dingfang City, a cultivator can receive an annual stipend of three hundred taels of gold from the local government office, even if they do nothing at all

Ah!

A piercing scream suddenly rang out

At the moment the stone rolled out, Fang Ling felt a glimmer of anticipation rise within her heart

The man snorted and said: "I know your name is Fang Ling, focus on your own path and do not get distracted"

Before breaking through the seventh level of cultivation, one can only be an ordinary person, at best a master of martial arts. However, once one breaks through to the seventh level of Qi training, they become a cultivator

Although the second level of Qi training is not high, it allows one to lift a thousand pounds and move as lightly as a swallow. A distance of several meters can be easily cleared with just a slight jump

A master's degree is not only a representation of strength but also a symbol of status

Many people regard becoming a monk as a leap akin to a carp jumping over the dragon gate

After walking for a quarter of an hour, Fang Ling entered the mountain, covering a distance of several hundred meters. Within these several hundred meters, the mountain path was tranquil, without the slightest sound.

Because it is equally perilous here for the cultivators

Fang Ling turned her head and saw, twenty zhang away, the body of a strong man bizarrely splitting in half from the air

What is the significance of the light spots on this tour map

As he spoke, Master Zhao suddenly let out a long howl

If it were just a moment ago, Fang Ling might have boldly stepped forward, but now, he does not dare to walk casually.

"What are you so smug about? You're just an old fossil at the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Just wait until I break through to the Foundation Establishment stage in a couple of years; I'll make you pay for it!" Standing beside Fang Ling, the burly man, with a fierce expression, spoke disdainfully after Master Zhao had left.

Could it be that this mark indicates my location

Many people are watching the fallen strongman, and the faces of these individuals are similarly turning pale, as if the one who has died is themselves

After all, this is a path fraught with peril, and even the most skilled individuals cannot be one hundred percent certain that they will emerge alive.

Walking in front is naturally the most dangerous

Master Zhao nodded and said: "You have five days, make good use of it."

Accompanied by Master Zhao's long howl, a large gray eagle, flapping its wings that were half a zhang long, flew over from a distance

If it were the former Fang Ling, such a path would have been completely impassable. However, at this moment, these rocks could not hinder Fang Ling, who possessed a cultivation level of the second layer of Qi Refinement.

The man from the Han dynasty looked at Fang Ling, whose expression was stubborn. He was taken aback for a moment, but then a glimmer of brutal light flashed in his eyes. However, as if he had some reservations, he laughed heartily and said: "Kid, I am looking out for you, don't be ungrateful, hurry up and move forward."

They have chosen different paths

The wall that Fang Ling could not see before now appeared to ripple like water under the impact of the red light. Beneath this ripple, a door large enough for two people to pass through emerged before everyone's eyes

Fang Ling sneered coldly in his heart. Although he did not turn his head, he was aware that the burly man was equally tense. Of course, this tension was not due to Fang Ling himself, but rather because the secret realm of Lushan was shrouded in uncertainty, seemingly harboring dangers that could emerge at any moment

Regarding the spatial rift that just killed the great Han, even Master Zhao, who is at the seventh level of Qi training, had no room for resistance whatsoever

After a brief moment of contemplation, Fang Ling ultimately decided to follow the route depicted on the travel map in her mind

Fang Ling coldly regarded the burly man and said, "I will go my way, and you will go yours. We are on different paths, and we are not in the same group!"

Blood is flowing, yet amidst these cries, the strong man has already fallen silently.

As they entered through that door in single file, the mountain range appeared before everyone. Although this secret realm of Mount La has a similar shape to the Mount La that Fang Ling visited, it is desolate within, consisting only of wild grass and rocks. Not to mention the stone-paved paths, there are not even traces of footsteps left by people.

Is this a diamond

The concept of the celestial stone was derived by Fang Ling from the memories of the main subject. The main subject has such a vivid recollection of this concept because a single celestial stone can be exchanged for a thousand taels of gold

The voice of Master Zhao was long and resonant, making Fang Ling feel as if his ears were slightly ringing

When the red dot and the mountain entry route overlapped, Fang Ling began to step forward. He walked very slowly, almost stopping to observe his surroundings with each step.

Fang Ling did not speak again, but his heart was growing cold. Although he was certain that it was the first time he had met this burly man, he had a feeling from the man's earlier words: that this burly man was coming for him!

If the Han truly does not care about himself, then he should take action at this moment, rather than appearing so hesitant now

"Brothers, I hope to see you all here in five days." The man known as the Thin Monkey said, cupping his fists in salute to the crowd

The yellow symbol eerily floated in mid-air and, in an instant, emitted a red light, rushing towards the Lasha Secret Realm

Fang Ling did not know how many of these people had a connection with the deceased man; he only knew that just a moment ago, that man had still been clasping his fists, saying they would meet again in five days.

His farewell still echoed in Fang Ling's ears

Fang Ling looked at the somewhat brutal face of the man, and her worries deepened. This person was certainly not a good-natured individual; he had no good intentions in mind as he grabbed her.

The once easygoing Master Zhao now wore a serious expression. He carefully took out a yellow talisman from his sleeve and said "Offer" to the point of light where the pale white glow was gathering

The man from the Han dynasty saw Fang Ling hesitating to move forward, and reached out his hand towards Fang Ling, saying: "Kid, what trick are you playing?"

According to the travel map, the area that was supposed to be a plank road now bears no resemblance to other places, filled instead with rocks and a variety of plants

After all, having undergone tour guide training and being somewhat familiar with navigation systems, Fang Ling made a judgment after a brief contemplation

Elder brother, elder brother...

The reason Fang Ling said that just now, apart from the stubbornness in her heart, was more to test the reaction of this big man

While determining the connection between the current La Mountain and the La Mountain from before his time travel, Fang Ling suddenly discovered that in his mind's map of La Mountain, there was actually a red light spot at the foot of the mountain.

"Everyone, please make the most of your time; I wish you all smooth sailing here." Deacon Zhang said in a deep voice while standing beside the corridor

"Kid, let's go, you lead the way!" The fierce-looking strong man stood beside Fang Ling, watching him with a grin, as if he were a cat toying with a mouse.

Just now, everyone was chatting and laughing, but upon seeing the door to the passage open, they lost all interest in conversation.

Then, Master Zhao moved his fingers and uttered the word "Rise," causing several celestial stones to form a strange pattern in the void, with specks of light flying up from the stones and converging in midair

Master Zhao, please open the gate to the Secret Realm of Lasha. Just now, the loud-voiced Steward Zhang spoke respectfully to a short-statured man dressed in a light yellow Daoist robe.

Fang Ling looked at the towering mountain before her, which stood over one thousand meters high, filled with doubt in her heart

Master Zhao gazed at the door, a smile once again appearing on his face

Since nothing is certain, it is better to follow the route on the tour map and give it a try

What is there to be sad about? Since you have become a picker, you must keep your head tied to your belt!" The burly man with a grim expression said as he forcefully pushed Fang Ling's shoulder and added, "Hurry up!"

As the Master Zhao approached on the gray eagle, he gently soared to a height of over five zhang, landing on the gray eagle's back like a withered leaf.

Therefore, no monk is willing to come here in person; they use money to compel ordinary mortals to struggle here, exchanging the lives of these mortals for the things they need

Is this really that Mount La?

The seventh level of Qi cultivation is a significant hurdle for the majority of practitioners in this world

Fang Ling was able to see the shape of the stones clearly because she was close by. These stones were only the size of a fingertip, crystal clear, and appeared even more beautiful than crystal when viewed in the sunlight

The only sounds that Fang Ling could hear were his own footsteps and those of the burly man behind him

In such a deep mountain forest, with only the two of them, it is indeed the best choice for murder and burying the body

However, from his expression, Fang Ling knew that he was actually filled with jealousy towards the departing Master Zhao.

Brother, we are in the same group, it is also fate. If I don't know your name, it would feel awkward to address you. Moreover, when we leave this Mount La, if others ask me who I ventured into the secret realm with, and I say I don't know, they will laugh at me to death

But it doesn't quite seem like it, could it be that this is the immortal stone

The more reservations one has, the more it indicates that there is a problem