Shen Muzhi was speaking with great delight, as meeting Liu Buli and the others meant an increased guarantee of safety on their journey ahead. Whether they encountered encirclement by cultivators or invasion by the Ghost Tribe, they would at least have a better chance of winning, which was an absolutely tremendous piece of good news.
However, for Lu Wuming, this was not something to be happy about at all.
Because as they drew closer, he saw everyone present clearly, and the last shred of hope he had vanished completely—
He had indeed not misheard outside; the acquaintances in this cave were not just Shen Muzhi and You Siqi.
Besides those two, Li Qingcheng and her husband, Tan Wu, were also standing nearby. Upon seeing Liu Buli and his group arrive, Li Qingcheng even proactively and warmly greeted them.
According to her, she and Tan Wu were among the luckier ones. The moment they sensed the alternation of spiritual energy between the inner and outer layers, they had gone together to the entrance. After descending from the entrance, they had arrived directly near this cave.
Neither of their cultivation bases was high, so even though they discovered this blessed land, they had no intention of entering it directly to explore.
They had initially planned to wait for a while, hoping to encounter some other cultivators and explore together as a group. They hadn't expected to wait for Shen Muzhi and You Siqi, which was like adding icing to their already excellent luck.
"I already felt very lucky when I met Physician Shen and the others. I didn't expect Liu Buli, you all to come too. This truly puts my mind at ease," Li Qingcheng said with some emotion. She then noticed Lu Wuming's unfriendly gaze and quickly raised her hand to signal, explaining, "But don't worry, if the situation in this cave is too dangerous and exceeds what my husband and I can handle, we will leave immediately and will not be a burden to you!"
Perhaps due to past experiences, even after gaining freedom and their own lives, Li Qingcheng still habitually observed others' reactions so cautiously.
She was very sensible.
So sensible that it made one want to sigh.
Seeing her like this and hearing her words, Liu Buli finally couldn't help but sigh softly. He said, "It's fine if you follow. It's no big deal. As long as you can protect yourselves, it's just two more people, there's no such thing as being a burden."
Upon hearing this, Li Qingcheng immediately smiled with delight.
And naturally, Lu Wuming's expression turned even uglier.
He knew his Master was habitually gentle.
This gentleness was the same towards everyone. Although it deepened when directed at him, it was never much less towards his other friends.
For example, You Siqi often enjoyed this treatment.
Now that Li Qingcheng was another recipient of this treatment, Lu Wuming felt increasingly uncomfortable, so much so that he was on the verge of throwing a tantrum with Liu Buli.
However, this was just a thought.
Because his Master disliked him being unreasonable and throwing tantrums.
So, without Liu Buli needing to say anything, Lu Wuming had already managed to comfort himself internally.
Yet, the little person in his heart, holding his little black pen, had fiercely noted down Liu Buli in his little notebook. When they returned, and when his Master was completely back to normal and fine, he would definitely make his Master compensate him properly for these things that his Master had initiated.
Unaware of what he was thinking, Liu Buli on the other side had already begun discussing the next steps with You Siqi and the others. After all, Li Qingcheng had acted with them once before. She had witnessed You Siqi's peculiar abilities, so there was no need for further explanation.
Now that Liu Buli had arrived, the two exchanged a glance, and You Siqi knew what he was going to ask. He immediately spread his hands in a helpless gesture and said, "Looking at me is useless. I don't know how to detect the mechanisms this time either. Don't you remember clearly? Then you should know what method to use, no need for me to explain in detail, right?"
Just like the mental preparation Liu Buli had given Lu Wuming at the very beginning, this cave was indeed filled with all sorts of mechanisms. But the problem was that in the novel, the protagonist did not arrive at this place alone.
He had many cannon fodder cultivators with him.
Sensing the powerful spiritual energy fluctuations in the cave, those cannon fodders couldn't help but rush forward bravely. They accidentally triggered all the mechanisms, and it was precisely because of this that the protagonist discovered the precise locations and attack patterns of the mechanisms, and found a way to break them.
The specific details of how to break them and their locations were naturally not written in detail in the novel. It was precisely because of this that they were at a standstill.
Everyone present was on the same side, so naturally, no one would be asked to intentionally trigger the mechanisms. Although Lu Wuming possessed immortality, immortality did not mean immunity to pain. Triggering the mechanisms would result in deadly attacks, and the extreme despair and suffering, even if Lu Wuming himself felt indifferent, Liu Buli would absolutely not allow him to try.
Everyone understood this situation clearly, so You Siqi didn't even mention it.
Liu Buli stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, then frowned and asked, "Do the mechanisms only trigger if a person steps on them?"
"If you can find the Ghost Tribe members who are on our side to step on the mechanisms, that would certainly work," You Siqi replied seriously. "There is also another method, you can trust your luck. Just walk forward, and if your luck is good enough, you won't get hurt."
His words were utterly irresponsible.
Liu Buli couldn't help but want to hit him.
However, just as they were agonizing over what to do, Tan Wu, who had remained silent, suddenly raised his hand.
Drawing everyone's attention to himself, Tan Wu pursed his lips and then softly asked, "If I understand correctly, what we need now are expendables specifically to trigger the mechanisms?"
Liu Buli and You Siqi exchanged a glance, then nodded in succession.
Seeing their response, Tan Wu slowly smiled and said, "If that's the case, then perhaps I can help."