Chapter 174 - 169 Elder Liu's Apology

Ding Huan had already become very clear that his previous understanding of the levels of Demon Beasts was mistaken. The seventh level Hanbai was the top-tier fellow, the Demon Dragon on Earth was at best just stepping into the rank of a Second Level Demon Beast. Elder Gu said, "In fact, Hanbai originally came from the cultivation of zombies, and the conditions to form a Hanbai are very stringent. There are also many types of Hanbai, and the one we encountered this time is most likely a Hanbai that releases Illusion Poison, which made us see the jungle as a main road." "Thank you very much for the guidance, Elder Gu," Ding Huan sincerely thanked. Had it not been for Gu Youchang's reminder, he would really not have understood what a Hanbai was. Gu Youchang smiled, "You are very intuitive, even if your Spirit Root is a bit inferior, but joining a sect is still possible." Hearing this, Ding Huan was overjoyed. Could it be that Elder Gu was going to recommend him to join the Yanyue Sect? That would be a great thing. To Ding Huan's disappointment, Elder Gu did not express any views about him joining the Yanyue Sect but shifted the topic elsewhere. Ding Huan didn't know that Gu Youchang also really wanted to make a promise to let him join the Yanyue Sect. Gu Youchang greatly appreciated Ding Huan's abilities. But he did not have that authority, as he was only a Guardian Elder. To let someone with inadequate qualifications join the Yanyue Sect was not a simple matter. It could even lead to being accused of using one's position for personal gain by other members of the sect. So he planned to report this matter to the Sect Master after returning to the sect and recommend Ding Huan to join the Yanyue Sect, then the decision would be made by the Sect Master or Elder Pin who was in charge of recruiting disciples. Seeing that Elder Gu had no intention of discussing the matter of joining the sect, Ding Huan straightforwardly asked, "Elder Gu, I really admire your ability to set up Arrays, is learning Array Dao simple?" Since he couldn't join the sect, he might as well learn Array Dao. He saved Elder Gu's life, so asking about Array Dao should not be too much, right? If this was not assented to, he would not consider saving the old man next time. Elder Gu laughed heartily, took out a Jade Scroll, and handed it to Ding Huan: "This is an Array Dao Jade Scroll I obtained in my early years, and I acquired my Array Dao from it. Now, I'm giving it to you. If you have any questions, you can ask me anytime." He was a straightforward person. Having received a favor from Ding Huan, he would feel uncomfortable if he did not reciprocate. He also found Ding Huan, who didn't beat around the bush, to be quite to his taste. Ding Huan was overjoyed; he had not expected such a gain and quickly accepted it, thanking him, "Thank you, Elder Gu, this is something I have long dreamed of." "Alright, I won't disturb your study of the Array Dao Jade Scroll. Remember, if you have any questions, you can come to ask me anytime. I will be patrolling outside tonight." Elder Gu left these words and walked out. Ding Huan was full of admiration. This was truly a straightforward and upright person. Understanding the grace and repaying it unlike Steward Qiong who was evasive and expected to take things without returning the favor. If Steward Qiong still managed to survive and return, he would definitely reclaim that Condensing Star Bamboo. A steamed bun thrown at a dog might gain the dog's favor, whereas giving this Condensing Star Bamboo to Steward Qiong might not even elicit a response. The Array Dao Jade Scroll was something Ding Huan had long craved. As soon as he got the Jade Scroll, Ding Huan immediately became engrossed in it. Elder Gu anticipated that Ding Huan would come to ask him questions shortly because Array Dao was different from others; it was a profound and complex field, difficult to enter without guidance. Yet, he did not know that what Ding Huan lacked the least was the various foundational knowledge. Once he had the key, Ding Huan was completely immersed in the ocean of knowledge of Array Dao. Any questions he didn't understand would automatically bubble up in his mind with detailed answers as soon as they arose. At this moment, Ding Huan was indeed very grateful for that leather scroll; it was truly a comprehensive encyclopedia. Time passed quickly overnight, and Ding Huan initially understood the structure of Arrays as well as the first layer of relationships between Array Flags, positions, Magic, space, and Array formations. However, Ding Huan also knew that he could not continue studying as daylight approached, indicating it was time to move on. Although they were currently on a safe main road, they needed to quickly leave the Great Ravine Canyon. As Ding Huan had just left the camp, he saw a dozen disheveled people rushing towards them. He was too familiar with this scene; just two days earlier, Han Weicheng had charged over in the same way. "Elder Liu?" Elder Gu recognized the person leading from the front as Liu Yinzhu from Purple Mist Valley. Liu Yinzhu seemed somewhat groggy, but upon seeing Gu Youchang, she instantly sobered up like having cold water splashed over her. "Elder Gu...," Liu Yinzhu almost burst into tears with excitement. She felt as if she had seen daylight once again. Seeing that the rest of the people were somewhat groggy, Gu Youchang shouted sternly, "Stop now." At Elder Gu's stern shout, everyone grew still and then gradually came to their senses. Steward Qiong recovered, his eyes turning red as he rushed to Elder Gu and said, "Elder Gu, I have failed the sect; because of me, many disciples have died or been injured." Elder Gu needed no reminder from Steward Qiong to notice that only two Yanyue Sect disciples remained behind Steward Qiong. One was sent by the Yanyue Sect to assist Deacon Qiong in recruiting disciples, while the other was a newly recruited disciple. Looking at these disciples who were in a sorry state and had even almost lost their lives, those who had earlier chosen to follow Gu Youchang and left the main team felt a sense of relief. If they had not followed Elder Gu, they might have died by now. "Mr. Ding, I regret not listening to you," a familiar voice came from behind Deacon Qiong. Ding Huan saw Han Weicheng walking over with a disciple, staggering along. He thought to himself, this guy really has a long life. Despite two encounters with the cold specter, it hadn't killed this guy; he must really have the luck of the gods. Oh well, given his current state, more like the misfortune of the gods. Ding Huan then looked toward Purple Mist Valley, where, aside from Elder Liu, six others had come out. There were five newly recruited disciples and one woman who must have been an original disciple of Purple Mist Valley. Sure enough, those under the protection of an elder had a higher chance of survival. The last disciple who followed might not be from Purple Mist Valley but possibly from the Dual Soul Sect. Elder Qu of the Dual Soul Sect was missing, and Ding Huan could only wish that he would soon fall into the mouth of the cold specter. From the group of sixty or so people, only about ten had managed to escape to this place. Ding Huan actually felt they were lucky; based on his understanding of a sixth level cold specter, none should have escaped. The fact that six escaped indicated this sixth level cold specter also had its own issues. "Elder Gu, I regret not having come with you," Elder Liu couldn't help but blame herself. This time, not only did Purple Mist Valley lose its newly recruited disciples, but the sect also lost all its elders except for the direct disciple Mo Huaping and another steward. Elder Gu could only sigh, "This matter isn't your fault; after all, we were misled by the illusion poison of the cold specter, completely unaware that we were in the jungle before." "Cold specter?" Elder Liu from Purple Mist Valley exclaimed in surprise. Elder Gu nodded, "Yes, according to my careful speculation, the trouble we encountered along the way was due to the cold specter, and its level isn't low." "I see," Elder Liu suddenly understood, obviously familiar with the cold specter. After speaking, Elder Liu walked towards Ding Huan, "Mr. Ding, I did not heed your advice before, and I apologize." Ding Huan was startled; this didn't seem right. After all, the other party was a sect guardian elder. How could she apologize to him, a mere chef? Thanking him would make some sense. Because if they hadn't camped here, even if Elder Liu had passed along the correct road, she would have rushed through and entered the depths of the canyon on the other side. So being grateful to him was appropriate. Elder Gu laughed and said, "Mr. Ding said he had a strong sixth sense. At that time, he was also confused, and after arriving here, I was the one who realized it." Ding Huan instantly understood that Elder Gu was explaining on his behalf. The implication was that initially, Ding Huan didn't know he was deceived by the illusion poison and could only rely on his intuition to arrive here. Besides, the first to realize the truth here wasn't him but Elder Gu. This was to prevent others from suspecting Ding Huan, as Gu Youchang had clearly seen that there were secrets about Ding Huan that were definitely not as simple as just a sixth sense. Elder Gu was still good, worth befriending. Elder Liu said with emotion, "We were arrogant, thinking our cultivation surpassed Mr. Ding's and thus we were better in every aspect. I apologize for my arrogance, and please, Mr. Ding, don't mind." Ding Huan now understood; this woman was going to continue with them, meaning she needed to rely on his sixth sense. So she lowered her stance to apologize for her previous behavior. Ding Huan also pressed his hands together in salute, "Elder Liu is too kind. Our ability to reach here, my sixth sense did have some part to play. Primarily though, it was Elder Gu leading us all this way. Without Elder Gu, we probably wouldn't have been much better off than Elder Liu." Elder Gu laughed, "Let's not be too modest. Mr. Liu, do you need to rest? If not, we can hurry along now." Elder Liu immediately said, "This place is surrounded by dangers. We better leave now; the longer we linger, the more perilous it becomes." After saying that, she also glanced at Ding Huan. Before, she had never taken Ding Huan seriously. A mere chef – who would care? Now, she would take anything Ding Huan said seriously. Seeing that both Elder Liu and Elder Gu were looking at him, Ding Huan also said, "I also think it's better to leave now." Ding Huan had already made some calculations; although still vague, he could faintly see that leaving now would be safe for half an hour. As for after half an hour, the scenes he calculated were no longer vague, but blank. This made Ding Huan suspect that the journey after half an hour held some oddities, so he planned to turn into the woods after half an hour, make a detour, and then see how things went.