Chapter 177 - 172: Elder Qu Drinks Foot-Washing Water

The only remaining newly recruited disciple of the Dual Soul Sect rushed over and hoisted Elder Qu onto his back when he saw Qu Yueshan's condition. Not only that, but he also cautiously approached Ding Huan, "Brother Ding, Elder Qu is currently incapacitated, may I carry him and follow along with everyone?" A trace of mockery and a bit of pity flickered in Ding Huan's eyes. This poor guy probably didn't know that he was recruited by the Dual Soul Sect to be possessed? Elder Qu ignored him when he was walking away earlier, and now he's behaving like a fawning dog; serves him right. "The road is meant for everyone to travel on, of course, you may follow, why ask me? Besides, you are carrying an injured person." Ding Huan said, his tone laced with a smile, appearing as if there was no conflict with Elder Qu at all. Yet, Mo Huaping, who had been watching Ding Huan from a distance, felt a jolt in her heart. Ding Huan, just as her master had speculated, showed understanding to the Dual Soul Sect disciple instead of kicking him when he was down after seeing Elder Qu severely injured. Just then, Liu Yinzhu's gaze swept over, and Mo Huaping subconsciously lowered her head. Was it true what her master said — that being in Ding Huan's position would lead to a quicker death for herself? Regardless of what everyone was thinking, the group continued to move forward. Unusually, Ding Huan, the chef, was still leading the team. Even Steward Qiong treated Ding Huan with added consideration when speaking with him. He was secretly frightened. If it hadn't been for Elder Gu insisting on following Ding Huan into the forest, he would have reluctantly followed along, and who knows what his fate would have been by now? He might have ended up like Elder Qu, possibly losing both legs, or even more likely, losing his life. The group remained silent throughout the day, and nothing significant happened. At night when they camped, Elder Gu and Elder Liu were in charge of guarding, and the injured Elder Qu could only rest and recover inside a tent. Ding Huan, as usual, spent his time in the tent studying Array Dao knowledge. Basic Array knowledge emphasized the combination of position, momentum, technique, and space, and it also related to the atmosphere. This insight made Ding Huan think — what if it combined with the symbols on a talisman? No, it should be Array Patterns that combine with Array... He had never seen Array Patterns, but he had seen Array Flag before. Ordinary Arrays like those Elder Gu set up with Array Flags are easy for a skilled individual to understand immediately, identifying the Array and also easily breaking it. Like the invisible patterned wall he encountered when he first traveled from the Mortal World to the Taoist Realm, was that also set up by an Array? If that was an Array, it would be a top-tier Big Array, likely related to Array Patterns. How to understand Array Patterns? A feeling as if the answer was on the tip of his tongue hovered in Ding Huan's mind, yet he could find no answer. Ding Huan vaguely felt that if he could uncover the relationship between Array Patterns and Arrays, his own understanding of Array Dao might surpass that of Elder Gu as soon as he grasped the basics. Haha, he hadn't even learned to walk yet, and he was already thinking of running. Better to earnestly study how to set up Arrays with Array Flags first. "Brother Ding, may I come in?" Just as Ding Huan wondered how long it would take him to set up a level-one defense Array, a somewhat familiar voice came from outside. Ding Huan instinctively wanted to extend his Divine Will, but he quickly restrained himself and stood up to open the tent door. "Is it you?" Ding Huan said in surprise as he recognized the person. It was indeed the last remaining disciple of the Dual Soul Sect, who had been ingratiating himself during the day and asked if he could carry Qu Yueshan and walk with them. "Come in," Ding Huan didn't mind, the other was just a newly selected Dual Soul Sect disciple and posed no threat to him. After the disciple entered, he quickly closed the tent door and then bowed deeply: "Brother Ding, my name is Yan Mei. I came here today specifically to ask for your guidance." Ding Huan was somewhat surprised, "Yan Mei, we're just traveling together. If you have a problem you can't solve, I'm afraid I can't help either. If you really have a tough question, you might better ask the two elders." Yan Mei earnestly said: "Brother Ding, I'm not like you. I'm just a newly initiated Outer Disciple; I don't have the qualifications to ask the elders. Moreover, this is a problem I can only ask you about." "Then tell me," Ding Huan didn't mind. He could talk to the two elders because everyone's survival depended on him right now, Yan Mei indeed couldn't speak to the elders. Yan Mei lowered his voice, "Brother, when I asked during the day if I could walk with you, I saw a look of pity in your eyes. I know you and Elder Qu bear a grudge and would never pity Elder Qu, please show me a clear path." After finishing, Yan Mei was about to kneel. Before Yan Mei could kneel, Ding Huan quickly grabbed him and pulled him up. His heart was shocked, those who could survive indeed weren't lucky. At that moment, he indeed pitied Yan Mei, who was about to be possessed; after all, it's too cruel to join a Great Sect with beautiful aspirations only to be possessed. Such a subtle expression, and the other party noticed it; this guy's observational skills were simply minutely meticulous. But Ding Huan didn't really want to speak; the grievance between him and Elder Qu wouldn't involve the Sect, even if Elder Qu still wanted to kill him, it was Elder Qu's will. If the matters of the Dual Soul Sect were to be exposed, then the Dual Soul Sect wanting to kill him would be an entirely different matter. "You're lucky, eh? The whole Dual Soul Sect was annihilated, yet you managed to survive," Ding Huan changed the subject. Yan Mei sighed: "After joining the Dual Soul Sect, I felt that I might have picked the wrong Sect. Rumors said the Dual Soul Sect desperately desires new disciples and fully supports them, but during these ten-plus days of walking with the Sect's elders and Stewards, I haven't felt that at all." The first time Brother Ding left the group alone, I actually wanted to go with him. But I didn't dare because I knew once I did, Elder Qu would certainly kill me. So, during the night when we camped, I took the opportunity to leave the Dual Soul Sect's camp and approached the Purple Mist Valley side, engaging in idle chatter with a disciple there under the guise of randomness. Later, as expected, trouble arose. I saw Elder Qu abandoning his disciples and fleeing first, so I immediately followed Elder Liu of the Purple Mist Valley in escape, fortunately saving my own life." Ding Huan looked at Yan Mei in surprise. This guy was impressive, no wonder he could read his expression. No, this guy was speaking behind Elder Qu's back to find out what he was thinking. Cunning and scheming. But it was useless, at least against him. "Brother Ding, I know Elder Qu is injured and poses no immediate threat to you, but I understand Elder Qu's character, always vengeful. He might not deal with you personally but that doesn't mean he doesn't have friends, and I doubt Elder Qu would let me go either..." Because it was none of his business before, Ding Huan had been too lazy to think about it. Now that Yan Mei said Elder Qu wouldn't let him, a new member of the Dual Soul Sect, go easily, Ding Huan quickly understood. Yan Mei was inquiring humbly in front of him, a cook, behind Elder Qu's back. If Elder Qu didn't kill this Yan Mei afterward, then he wouldn't be Qu Yueshan. "You know Qu Yueshan will not let you go, yet you dare to do this?" Ding Huan questioned. Yan Mei clenched his fists: "Brother Ding, from the moment I decided to speak to you behind Qu Yueshan's back, I resolved to kill Qu Yueshan." Ding Huan was startled. This guy wanted to kill Qu Yueshan? Was he that bold? Even if Qu Yueshan lost his legs, for Yan Mei to attempt to kill him would be like an egg striking a rock. He wasn't even up to being the egg. Yan Mei's tone became even more earnest: "I have no means to kill Qu Yueshan, but I'm sure Brother Ding does. I came here today for two things. One was to ask why Brother Ding looked at me with pity, and the other is to ask Brother Ding for this favor. If Brother Ding can't do it, I'll leave the group and enter the wilderness to fend for myself. Continuing to bear the old thief Qu Yueshan, he's not worth that much face." Ding Huan gave a thumbs up: "Brave." Regardless of what Yan Mei thought, killing Qu Yueshan would only benefit him. Without hesitation, Ding Huan pulled out a sprayer of Genetic Poison Fog: "This sprayer, just one spray and everyone in the room is gone, including yourself. Take it, how you handle Qu Yueshan is up to you now. If you survive, return the item to me, and I'll tell you the answer." Ding Huan didn't mention what would happen if Yan Mei died, but Yan Mei understood. "Thank you, Brother Ding. I just hope you can send me a message later." After speaking, Yan Mei handed a Communication Bead to Ding Huan. Holding it in his hand, Ding Huan knew immediately how to use the Communication Bead. "Alright, I'll send you a message after a while." After thanking Ding Huan again, Yan Mei quickly left with the Genetic Poison Fog. Ding Huan was quite curious to see how Yan Mei would manage to kill Qu Yueshan and survive himself. He could spray others with Genetic Poison because he was immune, but Yan Mei clearly was not. ... Qu Yueshan in his tent was grinding his teeth in rage. Just as Yan Mei guessed, he would definitely not let Ding Huan go. Did he think he could escape just because he lost his legs? Heh, wishful thinking. Just then, noise came from next door in Yan Mei's tent, indicating Yan Mei's return. For this Yan Mei, Qu Yueshan was equally determined to kill. A new disciple who went to beg Ding Huan for mercy without consulting him first had completely disgraced their Sect. Not only that, but the disciple's attitude when throwing him into the tent showed no deference at all. He hadn't even asked him before going out, completely disregarding him. Thinking of this, Qu Yueshan's Divine Will landed on Yan Mei. When he saw Yan Mei taking out something he had never seen before and playing with it in his hands, seemingly surprised and excited, "This Spiritual Liquid sprayer, can it really purify the Spirit Root? And remove the yin energy from the body?" Yan Mei was muttering to himself while carefully examining the object in his hands. At that moment, his Communication Bead suddenly lit up. "Hmm, what does Elder Gu want with me?" Yan Mei looked at the Communication Bead, puzzled. He quickly stuffed the object into his bag and then hurriedly left. Almost the moment Yan Mei left, Qu Yueshan's Divine Will swept over, and the sprayer Yan Mei had put into his bag landed in his hands. And the tent they were in now had an extra hole. It looked like it was made of glass, able to purify the Spirit Root and remove yin energy? Where did this guy get it from? Items that purify the Spirit Root were incredibly valuable; could they really be packed in mere glass? Removing yin energy? That lined up with his own injuries. Qu Yueshan snorted, pressed a button, and a mist sprayed out. He immediately held his breath and grabbed a Detoxification Pill to swallow. He quickly determined that it wasn't poison. He sprayed a few more times, a hint of disdain in his eyes. This thing could purify the Spirit Root? Heh.