Chapter 3: Traveling with a Monk, an Eerie Small Village

On this main road, Shen Bai had no desire to cause trouble. He only wanted to reach the location of the enormous locust tree without incident, then find the Evil Qi to have on hand, just in case.

But from the look of things, the monk in white seemed to be heading straight for him.

At this thought, Shen Bai’s hand went to his waist, gripping the hilt of his longsword. His gaze sharpened.

By now, the monk in white had reached Shen Bai. He put his palms together and gave Shen Bai a slight Buddhist bow.

"This humble monk is Wuhua. Greetings, Donor."

Shen Bai arched a brow, his hand not loosening its grip on his longsword. "Master, we have never met. Why are you approaching me now?"

The main road was remote, and in a situation like this, anyone would be wary of a stranger suddenly striking up a conversation.

Wuhua offered a gentle smile, his palms still pressed together. "Donor, you are shrouded in an aura of blood, and your Qi is exceptionally potent. You must be a fellow cultivator. This humble monk would like to ask, which way is Liu Yun Lake?"

Hearing this, Shen Bai’s expression remained neutral. "Master, what business do you have at Liu Yun Lake?"

He now understood why this monk in white had sought him out.

Due to his cultivation of the Blood Sword Dance, a Divine Power, his Qi and blood had been constantly depleted and replenished until they had become exceptionally potent—far more so than that of ordinary cultivators.

When a person’s Qi and blood become this powerful, it makes a great difference in both their appearance and their aura.

It was only natural that the monk in white was able to tell.

Wuhua said slowly, "Monks do not tell lies. There is a bizarre matter concerning Liu Yun Lake, and this humble monk has been ordered to go there and resolve this phenomenon."

"Oh?"

Shen Bai’s interest was instantly piqued. "Master Wu Hua, may I ask which order you hail from? Surely this bizarre phenomenon isn’t related to your sect?"

A monk had appeared out of the blue to deal with this bizarre phenomenon, and he clearly knew about it in advance. Shen Bai guessed the enormous locust tree was connected to Wuhua.

Wuhua nodded. "This humble monk is a disciple of Xuanxin Temple in Fenglin State. To be perfectly honest, there is an enormous locust tree at Willow Rhythm Lake in Shengyun County. That tree is connected to Xuanxin Temple."

Shen Bai didn’t speak, listening patiently for him to continue.

He knew Wuhua hadn’t finished his story.

And sure enough, after a brief pause, Wuhua continued his explanation.

"Long ago, in a time forgotten, a certain Abbot of Xuanxin Temple planted a locust tree on the temple grounds. Over the years, it grew taller and taller."

"Influenced by the Buddhist Teachings within the temple, the entire tree’s nature was transformed from yin to yang, becoming one of the temple’s scenic landmarks."

"But not long ago, villains from the Upper Evil Sect defiled the locust tree and dug it up."

"According to a confidential report received by Xuanxin Temple, the locust tree ended up at Liu Yun Lake. It has taken root and sprouted, transforming into a bizarre phenomenon."

After hearing the whole story, Shen Bai stroked his chin.

He didn’t ask how Xuanxin Temple had obtained its intelligence.

In fact, it was normal for a State-level faction to have its own intelligence network.

It may have been a temple, but it was a temple filled with cultivators.

In this day and age, who didn’t prioritize intelligence?

However, what did confuse Shen Bai was another question.

"Xuanxin Temple is a faction in Fenglin State, so why would they dispatch only you, Master Wu Hua, to handle this?" Shen Bai asked.

According to Wuhua, the locust tree originally belonged to Xuanxin Temple. It had only been stolen by the Upper Evil Sect and turned into this bizarre phenomenon.

Shen Bai knew of the Upper Evil Sect; after all, he had recently dealt with an enemy connected to them.

For that sect to survive among the major powers of Fenglin State, it couldn’t be weak.

Shen Bai felt that Xuanxin Temple sending Wuhua alone seemed rather unwise.

Wuhua nodded. "You are quite right, Donor Shen. But Xuanxin Temple has its reasons, which this humble monk is not at liberty to discuss."

Shen Bai grunted in acknowledgment. "If you want to get to Liu Yun Lake, Master, you’re going the wrong way. Keep following this road, get off at the eighth intersection, and then just go straight."

Now that he understood the situation, Shen Bai didn’t feel the need to say anything more.

After all, they had only just met. It would be unwise to say too much.

Of course, Shen Bai felt that his trip to Liu Yun Lake had just taken an unexpected turn.

After all, his destination was also Liu Yun Lake.

"In that case, this humble monk will take his leave."

Wuhua gave another Buddhist bow, then turned to leave.

Shen Bai watched Wuhua’s retreating back, lost in thought.

A moment later, before Wuhua had gone too far, Shen Bai called out.

"Master Wu Hua, please wait a moment."

Wuhua stopped and turned, giving Shen Bai a curious look, his eyes filled with confusion.

"I’m also heading to Liu Yun Lake. Why don’t we travel together, Master Wu Hua?" Shen Bai said.

The confusion in Wuhua’s eyes deepened.

But a moment later, that confusion began to fade.

"Could it be that you are also going for the enormous locust tree, Donor?"

Shen Bai nodded. "That’s right. I’m also heading there because of the bizarre locust tree. You could say this trouble has found its way to me recently."

Shen Bai had made the decision just a moment ago.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Although he and Wuhua were complete strangers, since they shared a common goal, it would be more convenient to work together.

The journey would be dangerous, especially with the enormous locust tree. Not knowing what he would be up against, Shen Bai didn’t want to take the risk alone.

This was the difference between fiction and reality.

The protagonist in a story would probably just go and slaughter his way through everything alone.

But reality was reality, and Shen Bai preferred to play it safe.

A gleam of excitement appeared in Wuhua’s eyes. "If you accompany me, Donor, that would be wonderful! Our success will be guaranteed."

These were not empty words from Wuhua; there was not a hint of exaggeration in his statement.

When he first laid eyes on Shen Bai, Wuhua had felt that his Qi and blood were as vibrant as the sun, so much so that it was almost intimidating.

’He’s definitely a hidden master in Shengyun County.’

Now, with Shen Bai’s help, this trip would be even safer.

Shen Bai nodded. "In that case, let’s set off."

He was never one to dawdle. Once the decision was made, he fell in step beside Wuhua, and they headed toward Liu Yun Lake.

As the sky gradually darkened, their figures slowly vanished down the road.

Huaxi Village was a small village next to Liu Yun Lake.

Most of the villagers made their living from the lake’s bounty.

At this moment, two strangers arrived outside the village.

Shen Bai and Wuhua stood outside, surveying the lifeless village. Both of them frowned.

Evening had fully set in, with only the last afterglow of sunset lingering in the west.

Shen Bai turned his head. "At this time of evening, there should be cooking smoke, but the village is completely still. Something is definitely wrong."

Wuhua nodded. "Donor Shen, let us go in and take a look."

Shen Bai gripped the longsword at his waist and stepped into the village alongside Wuhua.

As soon as they entered, Shen Bai saw something in a corner of the village that made him frown.