Chapter 367: As a Good Dog, You Can’t Just Disobey My Orders
Bai Feng was perched atop a tree branch, appearing as cautious as a ninja spy sneaking around in a comedy skit, peering cautiously at the distant figure.
“Talk about bad luck,” he muttered under his breath, thankful he had quick reflexes. Otherwise, he’d have been caught by the Child of Destiny and definitely wouldn’t be writing this story.
Judging by the guy’s robes, he looked like a disciple from some minor sect—probably Shui Yun Sect, if Bai Feng’s memories weren’t playing tricks on him. His outfit’s patterns matched exactly.
Bai Feng didn’t bother disturbing the Child of Destiny—no way, no how. Instead, he tossed a Illusion Art seed (with a flourish worthy of a magician) to distract him and then slipped away silently, making a beeline toward Zuo Qiu, who was probably waiting somewhere else.
On his way, he didn’t encounter any new Child of Destiny—phew! That was a relief. Though Bai Feng had illusion tricks to mask his presence, avoiding detection was always safer. He plucked a few spirit fruits, wiped his hands on his robes, took a bite, and bid farewell to the mischievous monkeys up in the trees. He also helped himself to some honey from a nearby beehive.
Despite the monkey armies and venomous bees that would normally give anyone a headache, Bai Feng was ignored entirely. Even after snagging half the spirits fruits and honey, none of the monkeys or bees paid him a second glance.
If it weren’t for the looming threat of the Child of Destiny, Bai Feng would’ve happily stayed inside this mysterious realm forever.
“Oh? The spiritual energy over there is pretty thick!” Bai Feng looked up from his honey and spotted an area where the spiritual concentration seemed elevated by three or four times—a prime spot for a treasure, perhaps?
But he didn’t rush over. Instead, he paused, sensing Zuo Qiu was about to arrive.
A few minutes later, Bai Feng saw a figure flying rapidly toward him.
“Master…” Zuo Qiu called out.
“Stop right there! When outside, you’re supposed to call me what?” Bai Feng cut her off before she could finish. He was in a joking mood, but also serious—just in case.
“…Young Master,” Zuo Qiu whispered, bowing her head.
“Uh-huh,” Bai Feng nodded. Her strange thinking pattern was a bit odd, but at least she followed orders—someone who was obedient was easier to deal with.
“Oh, Young Master!” Zuo Qiu suddenly remembered something important. “On my way here, I felt faint demonic energy seeping from underground or somewhere else. This realm isn’t quite right.”
“Demonic energy?” Bai Feng’s eyes lit up as he thought of the three from Holy Heart Sect he’d encountered before. The Divine Monarch’s target must be related to that energy.
He then asked, “Did you run into any Demon Path cultivators on the way?”
“No,” Zuo Qiu shook her head.
Bai Feng pondered for a moment—did the Demon Path folks not find this place yet? Or did they intentionally avoid it? If Zuo Qiu’s instincts were correct, what the Divine Monarch needed had yet to appear. Or perhaps there was an entry point meant solely for them.
Thinking about this, Bai Feng continued, “Is the demonic energy widespread?”
Zuo Qiu nodded. “Quite extensive, actually. I can faintly sense it even here.”
Bai Feng nodded slightly. He didn’t know what the Divine Monarch’s plan was, but he wasn’t about to let him succeed. After all, he’d held onto some grudges, and that made him quite motivated to interfere.
“Come with me. Tell me where the demonic aura is strongest—I’ll set up a few ‘toys’,” Bai Feng ordered, pulling Zuo Qiu along. He planned to lay some traps around the demonic energy zone to give the Divine Monarch’s team a surprise they wouldn’t forget.
Soon, with Zuo Qiu’s help, Bai Feng laid out several trigger array formations, confident they’d catch the target off guard.
“Over here—the magic energy concentration is the highest,” Zuo Qiu suddenly pointed.
Bai Feng followed her finger, realizing this was exactly the spot he’d sensed earlier. Could this be the entry? He hesitated, contemplating whether to investigate and possibly disrupt the Divine Monarch’s scheme.
Although he didn’t fully understand the purpose of the energy, based on his past dealings with the Divine Monarch—stealing and destroying the Immortal’s arm—he had every reason to believe the Divine Monarch’s people wouldn’t be pleased. He was probably on their k*ll list now, waiting for the right moment. They hadn’t struck yet, perhaps because they were saving their ammo or lurking behind a secret entrance.
He decided it was better to act now. Disrupt, interfere, and throw a wrench into their plans.
“Let’s go see,” Bai Feng said decisively, heading toward the cluster of spiritual and demonic energy.
From afar, it looked like a secluded valley surrounded by mountains, with only a narrow rocky crevice serving as a passage.
“Master, it’s inside,” Zuo Qiu said, strands of red hair falling over her forehead, looking alert as she eyed the crack.
Bai Feng examined the opening. His divine consciousness was suppressed inside; after about ten meters in, he couldn’t explore further.
He turned to Zuo Qiu—the Child of Destiny—and was about to ask her opinion. “What do you think?”
“I think we should go in and investigate,” she said seriously. “This is a Secret Realm, after all. If something dangerous is happening inside, we won’t escape either. Better for just me to go alone…”
“Hmm, you’re right,” Bai Feng nodded. “Let’s check it out.”
Suddenly, Zuo Qiu froze, then hurried forward to block him. “Master, it might be dangerous. Let me go first…”
“Do you have higher cultivation than me?” Bai Feng glanced at her—she was only at Core Formation early stage, despite her recent efforts and approaching mid-Core Formation. Still, she was a Child of Destiny, and with her special buffs, she might’ve caught up—maybe even matched his late Core Formation realm.
“But…”
Zuo Qiu still wanted to argue, but Bai Feng cut her off with a serious tone. “Listen, as my good dog, you can’t just disobey my orders randomly.”
“…Yes, Master,” she obediently nodded, eyes flickering with worry.
“Don’t worry too much,” Bai Feng explained with a smile. “Maybe we’re just overthinking it. Inside might be safe, or even full of opportunities. Who knows?”
Zuo Qiu nodded again, though her eyes flashed with something that looked like disappointment—almost as if she longed for him to be harsher. He might have been imagining things, perhaps.
“Alright, let’s go in,” Bai Feng said, shaking off his thoughts and stepping toward the rocky crack. Zuo Qiu hurried after him, leading the way.
It wasn’t long before a bright light shone from inside the valley.
Unlike the outside, the valley was lush with all kinds of colorful flowers. However, the sight was marred by a few sinister white bones scattered among the blooming blooms, giving this beautiful scene a strange, eerie vibe.
