"Second Brother, did you discover something wrong?"
Seeing Zhang Qilin frown, Zhang Tian asked. The group slowed their pace, allowing for a brief rest.
"I sensed evil energy."
Zhang Qilin recalled their recent fight. His blade had touched the opponent, but there was no reaction. Clearly, it wasn't a physical entity.
"Boss, I have doubts too. Why was that Huang Daxian only casting sky thunder? Did it have no other techniques?" Hu Bayi also spoke, his voice quiet but questioning.
Just then, a weak voice emanated from Fatty's blood jade.
"That wasn't its true form, just a soul projection."
"Be careful, this place is very dangerous. I can feel strong Yin energy."
Wang Fei finished speaking, and her voice vanished, evidently greatly affected by the day's events.
"Feifei, how are you? Are you feeling any better?" Fatty spoke to the jade pendant, but there was no response.
Xie Yuchen, not understanding ghost language, looked bewildered.
"It seems what we dealt with was only a projection. The real Huang Daxian is likely not here."
Zhang Tian explained to Xie Yuchen and Hu Bayi. Upon hearing this, they both gasped.
"Young Master Zhang, it was already so powerful, and it was just a projection? If we find its true form, then..." Xie Yuchen dared not imagine. They could barely get past this, let alone reach the Medicine King's tomb. That place would probably be even harder.
Zhang Tian nodded.
"Based on what Second Brother said and the signs, it is indeed a projection."
"Let's be careful this time. Observe our surroundings beforehand. We can't be like before. If something feels wrong, we run." Zhang Tian's expression was serious. For a moment, he even considered returning to train further before coming back. This place was too dangerous.
Suddenly, Zhang Tian remembered the divination hexagram he had cast earlier. Only the "Xu Ri Shu" was a normal auspicious sign, likely already used in the village. Xu Ri Shu represented good fortune and auspiciousness, which mirrored the village's current state. What followed were sorrow and illness. These two might be difficult to deal with. Wang Fei's injury could perhaps be described as sorrow, but what about illness? Zhang Tian couldn't understand.
"Never mind, let's take it one step at a time." Zhang Tian shook his head, pushing the thoughts away.
The group walked through the snowy mountain forest. Because their clothes had been torn by the weasel, Fatty and the others were exposed to the wind and snow.
"Boss, thank goodness we cultivate. Otherwise, this temperature would eventually freeze us to death!"
"And thankfully, Boss is strong and healthy. You're fine after losing so much blood. Yes, Boss, you could go donate blood now." Fatty said with a smile. He felt sad about Wang Fei's injury, but he maintained his cheerful demeanor in front of everyone.
"Scram. Let's talk about something serious. The temperature here is naturally low. We need to find shelter from the wind and rain before nightfall." Zhang Tian rolled his eyes at Fatty and quickened his pace.
"Boss, this direction is likely east-west. Are you sure we should go this way?" Hu Bayi asked softly, his clothes riddled with holes.
"I'm afraid there are also graves to the east." Zhang Tian was even more cautious now.
Hu Bayi nodded, and no one else spoke. They all harbored a question: how powerful was the true Huang Daxian?
Meanwhile, as Zhang Tian and the others moved forward, countless weasels scurried madly underground, as if something catastrophic had occurred. Deep within a cave, a golden immortal statue began emitting black smoke.
Half a day later.
"Boss, do you think there really is a Qingfeng Mountain Daoist temple? I'm starting to doubt it." Fatty spoke. Ever since their previous deduction proved wrong, everyone had some doubts about the temple's authenticity.
"I have some doubts too. If the temple still exists, why are the spirits of the weasels in these mountains not being dealt with?"
"And that Daoist priest from before, if he was from the temple, with his cultivation, how could he have suppressed this Huang Daxian?" Hu Bayi elaborated. Zhang Tian nodded.
Just as Zhang Tian was about to speak, Zhang Qilin's voice rang out.
"Ahead, there's a Daoist temple..."
Hu Bayi and Fatty were stunned. Good heavens, the refutation came so quickly, catching them off guard. Zhang Tian wisely shut his mouth; if he had said something, he would have been proven wrong too.
"Damn it, did it have to be so quick right after I said it?" Fatty grumbled. Hu Bayi's expression was also grim. He looked into the distance. Indeed, on a small hill not far away, a temple-like structure appeared before them. From a distance, smoke seemed to be rising from inside.
"Someone's cooking? Is there anyone inside?" Seeing this, Zhang Tian didn't feel any warmth. Instead, he felt a sense of unease. Imagine, deep in the mountains, a dwelling suddenly emitting smoke, waiting for them to arrive, especially after they had just been attacked. In such a situation, anyone would be suspicious, right?
"Boss, why do I feel a chill?" Fatty's face was pale. This was like a blatant attempt to mislead them, treating them like fools.
"Boss, this is a bit strange. Is there still a Daoist priest living there? But if there is a priest, why are there weasels?" Hu Bayi frowned slightly.
"But we have no other way to go." Zhang Tian understood the problem. However, the question was, in which direction could they go? East might be a weasel trap, and west was where they came from, leading back. Southeast and south were the weasel graves. It was essentially a dead end.
"Daddy, Tuan Tuan doesn't sense any demonic energy, nor those stinky wolves. We can go and see." The little fox underfoot spoke. Zhang Tian and the others exchanged glances, then nodded.
"We can only go and take a look now." With that, they started walking towards the distant hillside.
"I'll draw a few talismans first. If there's any trouble, we'll retreat. We won't go in immediately. We'll set up traps outside first," Zhang Tian said. The others nodded. Then, they quickened their pace.
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, everyone was visibly taken aback. At the summit, a dilapidated Daoist temple stood. Looking closely, the entrance was almost completely ruined, the walls had collapsed, and the entire temple exuded a strong sense of decay. The temple was constructed from a combination of stone and wood. It was quite large overall. Outside the temple, a stone statue of a Qilin and another of a White Tiger were coiled. Unfortunately, both statues were cracked, clearly indicating they had been through a fierce battle.
"It seems like no one is here at this temple." Hu Bayi frowned slightly as he looked at the temple.
"But Old Hu, where did that smoke come from just now?" Fatty was confused.
"There's Yin energy inside, and it's very strong," Zhang Tian said softly, looking at the temple. A Daoist temple filled with Yin energy. It was clear what kind of events had transpired here in the past.
"Boss, should we go in?" Fatty asked.
"Since we're here, let's go in and take a look. But let's secure our escape route first," Zhang Tian said. Everyone nodded and began preparing their escape route.