If it were any other matter, Liu Buli would have followed Lu Wuming's instructions obediently.
But now, it was clear that Liu Buli intended to venture out alone. Without a second thought, Lu Wuming immediately shook his head and said, "Either we go together, or neither of us goes. This is the principle you taught me, Master. Why aren't you following it yourself?"
Liu Buli's lips twitched.
Because there were too many onlookers around, and the ghost race were completely brainless. He was particularly worried that if he took Lu Wuming with him, those fools might see them and unhesitatingly shout "Young Master," which would lead to uncontrollable chaos.
As for wanting to go out alone, it was because Liu Buli was somewhat curious about the "powerful ghost race" that Lu Wuming had mentioned. After all, the ones encountered at the previous martial arts tournament were too weak. If all the ghost race in the world were in that state, they wouldn't be worthy of being the biggest bosses in this novel.
As he hesitated and debated how to persuade Lu Wuming, the group who had dealt with the ghost race had already started arguing.
Some were filled with unease, while others were vigilant of their surroundings.
Some even directly pointed the finger at Shen Muzhi, roaring and questioning him, "Shen Muzhi, why is it that every time there's a large gathering in Yaoshi Valley, there's a ghost race invasion? You still claim you have no connection to those ghosts? It's already so obvious, do you really think we'll still listen to your sophistry!?"
"Yes, why haven't other people's homes been invaded by ghosts? So much time has passed, and it's happening in Yaoshi Valley! Have you in Yaoshi Valley committed some offense, wanting the entire cultivation world to suffer for you!"
"Shen Muzhi! I never thought you were this kind of person! You usually wear a hypocritical facade, as if you care about the world. But in reality, all you think about is harming others and making them take the blame for you! You're truly disgusting!"
"Let us leave here quickly! Are there still guards of yours outside!? I'm telling you, if you don't want to be enemies with the entire cultivation world, stop pretending!"
...
Although those who spoke such abusive words were a minority, the majority of people at this moment chose to remain silent, as if they hadn't heard anything, silently watching this farce.
Just like this Dao Companion Ceremony.
Humans are inherently creatures who don't care about things that don't concern them. The longer they live, the more so they become.
Fortunately, Shen Muzhi himself was long accustomed to this. Surrounded by those people, he maintained his previous demeanor, holding You Siqi in his arms. As for those pointless questions, he acted as if he hadn't heard them, offering no response.
As the insults from those people grew harsher, Shen Muzhi hadn't made any move, but You Siqi, whom he was protecting, was the first to become displeased.
Staring at those people with wide eyes, You Siqi gritted his teeth and said, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Why would Muzhi collude with the ghost race? If it weren't for Shen Muzhi's karma fire red lotus protecting the viewing stands during the last martial arts tournament, with your trash-level strength, you might have died then and wouldn't have the energy to bark at us here now! You were clearly saved by us, yet now you're biting the hand that feeds you, claiming we harmed you. If you're so capable, why don't you walk out yourselves! I'm going to spend my wedding night in this room today. When the sun sets tonight and the ghost race invades this hall in full force, let's see what you'll do then!"
What You Siqi said was, in fact, what everyone was worried about.
A ghost race invasion would definitely not be just one individual.
Therefore, the one who had just entered the hall was more like a vanguard. He was merely there to scout the number and strength of the people inside, so that those still ambushing outside would be informed, and their chances of victory would increase.
Using the lives of their own kind to scout the enemy's situation, it had to be said that the ghost race was truly terrifying.
But correspondingly, they had indeed achieved their objective.
Now, the enemy was in the open, and they were in the dark. The cultivators inside the room didn't even know how many enemies were outside. If it truly dragged on until night, it was highly likely that there would be a bloody massacre and countless casualties.
However, understanding this point in their hearts did not mean they were willing to beg or plead with Shen Muzhi because of it.
After all, they were all cultivators, possessing a sense of arrogant pride. Moreover, this was their Yaoshi Valley's territory. Even for their own sake, Shen Muzhi would absolutely not stand by and watch the ghost race wreak havoc.
Everyone's thoughts were roughly the same. It was precisely because of this that, upon hearing You Siqi's words, someone immediately responded, saying, "He protected us last time only because he also had to protect his Yaoshi Valley. It's the same this time. If it drags on until the end and his Yaoshi Valley is destroyed, how could he bear it?"
You Siqi was immediately amused by the logic of these people.
Shaking his head, he said, "Since you know Shen Muzhi values Yaoshi Valley so much, what nonsense are you spouting now? If he values Yaoshi Valley so much, he wouldn't have led the ghost race here! What would be the point? To actively invite the enemy and destroy his most important home? Only fools like you would do something like that!"
You Siqi was, after all, a writer. Although he was usually timid and fearful, when he truly decided to argue, he was definitely logical and coherent.
Liu Buli listened from the side, unable to stop laughing.
As for the cultivators who were refuted by him, their faces were all ugly at this moment, and they were speechless.
However, just as everyone thought this farce should end here. Leng Qingxue, who had finally recovered from her shock and fear, spoke again.
Her gaze fixed directly on Shen Muzhi, she said, "Perhaps from the very beginning, neither this cultivation world nor Yaoshi Valley held any importance in your eyes, Shen Muzhi. What you want is people, right? The ghost race eats people. If they want to grow, they need to eat more people with higher cultivation. This is something everyone understands. As a physician, you should know more than us."
Hearing her theory, Shen Muzhi found it amusing.
Shaking his head, he said, "According to Miss Leng's meaning, you're saying I'm a ghost?"
"Not exactly," Leng Qingxue shook her head, her gaze shifting to You Siqi beside him, and said, "After all, Physician Shen has been in the cultivation world for so many years. His background, his sect, and his life trajectory afterward are all very clear. There are many things that prove he was born human, so others cannot doubt him too much. But some people, they appear in this world as if from nowhere. No roots, no home. If he is a ghost, and you, Physician Shen, are harming all of us for his sake, then this matter would be quite reasonable, wouldn't it?"