UGB Chapter 715 Hope for Leaving! January!
Chapter 715 Hope for Leaving! January!
Chen Fan paused slightly, holding his teacup, and looked up at Huoyuan Daoist: "The deepest part?"
"Not bad." Daoist Huoyuan nodded, a solemn light flashing in his slender eyes. "Deep within this underground space lies an area where the spatial rifts are so dense that they are almost impassable. Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators who venture into it face a near-certain death. However, I once used a secret technique to explore the edge of that area and sensed faint fluctuations of spatial laws within it. These fluctuations were of an extremely ancient and complete spatial law, completely different from the chaotic spatial rifts on the outside."
Therefore, I suspect that at the end of that area, there is very likely a spatial passage leading to the outside world, or the remains of an ancient teleportation array. Either way, it could be our only hope of leaving this place.
Chen Fan remained silent for a long time after listening.
He certainly knew what lay deep within this underground space.
On Yuan Lingzi's map, several blood-red skull markers were placed over that area, each signifying extreme danger.
Even in the memories of the Scattered Demon Master, that area was a taboo subject. That mad demon cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage preferred to live by eating people on the outskirts rather than approach that area.
More importantly, the Xuan Gu Shangren, who was wearing ancient armor and was at the half-step Void Refinement Realm, whom he had encountered before, came from that direction.
If that area truly had an exit to the outside world, with Xuan Gu Shangren's cultivation level, he should have left long ago. Why would he have been trapped here for thousands of years?
Huoyuan Daoist seemed to sense his hesitation and quickly added, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to worry. I don't mean for you to rush into that area with me right now. That area is extremely dangerous, and for the two of us to recklessly enter would be tantamount to suicide. However, I have been operating in this place for three thousand years and have made several like-minded friends. My idea is to first gather enough manpower, then make thorough plans, and explore that area together."
He pointed outside the stone building: "The two fellow Daoists guarding the door, one with the Daoist name Qingmu and the other with the Daoist name Shiyan, are my sworn brothers. In addition, there are two fellow Daoists at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage who are searching for new comrades in the outer area. If we can also gather them here, along with Fellow Daoist Guimu, our chances of success will be much greater."
Chen Fan picked up his teacup and took another sip, his face still showing a calm expression, but his mind was racing.
At first glance, the words of the Taoist Huoyuan seem reasonable.
Having been trapped here for thousands of years, possessing an intimate knowledge of the surrounding area, and able to peacefully coexist and form alliances with other trapped cultivators, this in itself demonstrates that he is cautious in his actions and has a decent reputation. Moreover, his initiative in offering the rare Fire Rock Tea as a treat, coupled with his frank tone and sincere attitude, suggests that he is not lying.
But Chen Fan never easily trusts anyone.
The Fire Source Daoist said he had been trapped here for three thousand years, but although his robes had a few scorch marks, they were still quite clean overall, and his complexion was rosy and healthy, unlike the withered and mad appearance of the Scattered Demon Master after struggling in a desperate situation for a thousand years.
The two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators treated him with utmost respect, their attitude even displaying a degree of obedience from subordinates to their superiors, rather than an equal alliance.
More importantly, when Huoyuan Daoist mentioned the depths of this underground space, a very subtle glint flashed in his slender eyes, in addition to anticipation.
The thing appeared for only a moment before being suppressed, but Chen Fan had cultivated the Fixed Word Technique for many years, and his perception of details far surpassed that of his peers. He caught the change in that instant.
greedy.
That fleeting glint of light was greed.
The Fire Source Daoist's interest in that area probably goes beyond simply wanting to leave. There might be something hidden there that he desperately desires, and Chen Fan is merely a pawn he's used to increase his chances of success.
Chen Fan gently placed the teacup on the low table, his expression remaining indifferent, but he had already made up his mind.
He couldn't refuse Huoyuan Daoist's suggestion for the time being, since in this perilous underground space, an ally at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage was indeed more valuable than an enemy at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage.
But he would never entrust his life to someone he had only known for less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick.
"What Fellow Daoist Huoyuan says makes sense," Chen Fan said slowly, his tone tinged with caution. "However, if that area truly has an exit, why has no one ever left through it before? You've been here for three thousand years, have you ever seen or heard of anyone successfully leaving this place?"
Huoyuan Daoist sighed and spread his hands: "To be honest, fellow Daoist, I have indeed never seen anyone leave this place. But this does not mean that there is no exit in that area. It only means that those who tried to explore that area before were either not strong enough or had bad luck. I once explored it with a fellow Daoist who was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. We encountered an extremely terrifying spatial turbulence at the edge. In order to cover my retreat, that fellow Daoist was swept into the spatial turbulence and his fate is still unknown."
Is their fate unknown?
Chen Fan's expression remained unchanged, and he subconsciously picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Upon seeing this, Huoyuan Daoist's eyes flashed with a hint of sadness, and his tone lowered slightly: "That's precisely why I'm even more cautious, and why I need more manpower. Going alone is suicide, going with two people is an adventure, but if we can gather more than five Nascent Soul cultivators, set up a combined attack formation, and have a fellow Daoist with a special sensitivity to spatial rifts lead the way, we might not be unable to pass through. Fellow Daoist Guimu, I can see that your sword intent is extraordinary, and your sensitivity to spatial rifts far surpasses those of others at the same level. If you are willing to join me, I swear by my inner demons that I will never do anything to harm you during the exploration. If I break this oath, I will suffer the backlash of my inner demons and have my soul scattered."
Chen Fan gently put down the teacup.
It should be known that the oath made by one's inner demons is one of the most serious oaths in the cultivation world, especially for Nascent Soul cultivators. The consequences of breaking the oath by one's inner demons are extremely serious. At best, one's cultivation will stagnate; at worst, one's inner demons will erupt, leading to death and the dissipation of one's cultivation.
Since Daoist Huoyuan dared to propose swearing an oath with his inner demons, he must either be genuinely sincere in forming an alliance or be absolutely certain that he can circumvent the constraints of the oath.
Chen Fan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I have seen Fellow Daoist Huoyuan's sincerity. We can discuss the alliance, but I also have a few conditions."
Huoyuan Daoist's eyes lit up: "Fellow Daoist, please speak."
"First, we must know the number of people in the exploration team, their identities, and their cultivation levels beforehand; there can be no concealment." Chen Fan held up one finger.
"Second, the exploration route must be jointly decided by our family and fellow Daoists. If there are any disagreements, safety should be the priority; it is better to take a detour than to venture recklessly. Third, if any treasures or inheritances are discovered during the exploration, they will be distributed according to the amount of effort contributed, and no one may keep them for themselves. Fourth, if we can find an exit, we will go our separate ways after leaving this place and will not interfere with each other."