Mount Laoshan is located on the bank of the East China Sea and was once known as the "Fairy Mountain on the Sea".
Its name originally came from "The gradual stone is still high; the mountains and rivers are far away, so it is laborious" - it is said that this poem describes the scene of the hard march of Emperor Taizu of the Qi Dynasty during his expedition to the Yaksha Kingdom in the East China Sea.
However, since Kongxuan Sanren ascended, this mountain no longer has any fairy spirit. Instead, it is shrouded in gray mist like a shroud.
Coupled with the cold and humid air and the howling cold wind, this place looks like the underworld.
Gu Xu had learned that because the Kongxuan San people had set restrictions on their retreat, not only were there no stairs or plank roads on Mount Laoshan, but it was also impossible to build them.
Only when the ruins are officially opened on the first day of the first lunar month will the mysterious climbing passage on the steep hillside be revealed inadvertently.
"Kongxuan Sanren always doesn't like ordinary people disturbing his tranquility," Shi Lei once explained, "but as a high-level practitioner, sometimes he also needs to find his own ordinary mind - after all, he has an anchor point. , in order to avoid losing the direction on the path of spiritual practice.”
At this time, there are still about a day and a half before the ruins are opened.
It can be said that it is more than enough to get to the foot of Laoshan Mountain.
But Shi Lei still repeatedly told everyone not to act alone - those ghosts called "tapir?" especially like to attack lone passers-by.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
After stepping into the gray fog, everyone was extremely alert.
Not just for "tapir?"
More importantly, they are wary of each other.
…………
"Fellow Daoist Gu, are you sure you don't want to cooperate with me?" At this moment, Shangguan Jin appeared next to Gu Xu without warning and whispered in his ear.
Because she was so close, Gu Xu could hear her breathing clearly.
"Fellow Taoist Shangguan, haven't I already given you the answer to this question?" Gu Xu took a step back and said calmly.
"Actually, Fellow Daoist Gu, there has been a lot of talk before, but I still have an important piece of information that I haven't told you," Shangguan Jin chuckled and winked at him, "Master Sishou said that the Kongxuan disciples are within the scope of Laoshan Mountain. The restrictions set up can block the secrets of heaven.
"In other words, no matter what happens next in the Laoshan ruins, no one outside will know."
Gu Xu did not respond immediately.
Not long ago, after he solved the case of Lu's murderous house, Luo Sishou did say something to him - "With my current secret deduction skills, I can't see what's in there."
And he also understood the implication of Shangguan Jin's words.
The ruins of Laoshan Mountain can shield the secrets of heaven——
This undoubtedly means that as long as the evidence can be erased, anything can be done in the ruins.
If she was telling the truth, then the trip to Laoshan might be more dangerous than he imagined.
Not only does he have to deal with the "tapir?" and the obstacles set by Kongxuan Sanren, he may also encounter backstabbing from his companions.
Although the "Shenji Camp" order prohibits its members from killing each other.
But you must be on guard against others.
In the absence of evidence, someone may indeed be cruel to their colleagues in order to gain inheritance.
"Besides you, does anyone else know this information?" Gu Xu asked again.
"His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince, Jiange Su Xiao, and that boy from the Zhao family should all know about it." Shangguan Jin said with a smile.
Hearing her answer, Gu Xu couldn't help but complain in his heart: Since everyone is a decent person with a prominent status, it would be too boring if we continue to engage in the same murderous and treasure-grabbing routine as the bandits, right?
However, Gu Xu still didn't trust the woman in front of him.
In his view, interpersonal communication usually begins with the exchange of interests.
Other people in the "Shenji Camp" took the initiative to make good relations with him, usually "asking for something".
For example, Du Jingjing hopes to get advice on Fu Dao.
For example, Chen Yanping hopes that he can become an assistant to the Chen family in Xiangyang.
But he didn't know exactly what Shangguan Jin wanted to get from him when he chose to cooperate with him.
…………
While Gu Xu was concentrating on his thoughts, Shi Lei at the front of the team suddenly called him:
"Gu Xu, come here, I have something to talk to you about."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xu said "Sorry" to Shangguan Jin, and then immediately came to Shi Lei's side.
"I received a letter from Xiaohan before," Shi Lei said lightly, "She said that she was recently in retreat at the 'Mingzhi Hall' in the Yishui Exorcism Department. Do you know anything about this matter?"
Gu Xu nodded in affirmation.
"That girl Shi Xiaohan has lived a carefree life since she was a child," Shi Lei smiled, and then said, "With her talent, breaking through the realm shouldn't be a big problem; but I am very worried that she will suffer because of her inability to awaken. Feeling distressed by magical powers.
"To be honest, as her father, I don't actually expect her to become a strong person. As long as she is safe and happy, I will be satisfied. As for the magical power to take things...it really doesn't matter.
"Oh, it's just that that girl has been lying in her letters to me lately, and even the servants at home have been instigated by her to lie together. I can no longer believe what she says.
"So, Gu Xu, I want to ask you to do something - after you return to Yishui, write me a letter about her condition. I want to know if she is okay."
"No problem." Gu Xu agreed readily.
Shi Lei glanced at him and said nothing.
At this moment, he couldn't help but think of the letter he sent to Shi Xiaohan a few days ago:
"Your colleague Gu Xu is a very good person. Please help him more in the future!"
And Shi Xiaohan’s reply turned out to be:
"Don't worry, father! I will work hard to practice and develop powerful magical powers. I will definitely protect him well in the future!"
When he saw this reply, Shi Lei could almost guess that his daughter was completely hopeless.
Fortunately, after a few days of observation, he found that Gu Xu was indeed a consistent and determined person.
Even if the female monks in the "Shenji Camp" often stare at him, and even if the extraordinary Shangguan from the Exorcism Department headquarters often hangs around him, he can take the initiative to keep a distance from them.
However, the better Gu Xu became, the more complicated Shi Lei's mood became.
I thought I would have an excellent son-in-law.
Who would have thought that this kid had done some evil and aroused the jealousy of God?
He thought again and again, and finally said to Gu Xu: "I have nothing else to say. I wish you success in finding your destiny on Mount Laoshan!"
"Thank you, Master Shi!" Gu Xu responded with a smile.
…………
As the team gradually moved forward towards Laoshan Mountain, the surrounding gray fog became thicker and thicker.
In the chilling wind, a low wailing sound could be faintly heard.
In the hazy fog, Gu Xu saw the village that was massacred twenty-three years ago.
The house is dilapidated, the walls are half-collapsed, and the uneven stone steps are covered with gray-green moss.
The ground was overgrown with weeds, rubble, and tangled with thorns and wild vines.
It can be said that it is full of desolation and desolation.
Facing this gloomy scene, even the geniuses of Daqi's "Shenji Camp" found it difficult to remain completely calm.
Especially young people like the fourth prince Xiao Shangzhen who lacked actual combat experience, their faces turned pale, and their hands tightly clutched the bag filled with magic weapons and talismans that their sister had prepared for him overnight.
"Bi Fang" Chu Wei also broke into a cold sweat inadvertently - this trip to Laoshan seemed obviously more dangerous than all the tasks he had taken on before.
As for "Qingluan" Du Jingjing, she grabbed the talisman in her pocket with one hand and repeatedly recited words such as "Teacher, I will never let you down" - it seemed that she hoped to use psychological suggestion to keep herself calm.
However, Gu Xu remained calm and calm.
After experiencing the weird and unpredictable Lu family's haunted house, the atmosphere of this place is no longer scary.
At this moment, a gust of wind whistled past.
A black shadow jumped out of the gray mist and suddenly rushed towards the crowd.
Although the vision is extremely blurry.
But with his extraordinary spiritual perception, Gu Xu was still able to tell that it was a humanoid ghost, wearing tattered clothes and having tiger-like claws.
"Tapir?" appeared!
However, before Gu Xu could take action, Su Xiao, who was not far ahead, pulled out his wooden sword and struck at "Tapir?" without saying a word.
A cold light flashed.
Before the "tapir?" could resist, it was split in half and turned into black ashes.
The entire process happens in the blink of an eye.
"So fast!"
"As expected of the Master of the Sword Pavilion, he is a close disciple!"
"The speed at which the sword is drawn is simply too fast for anyone to react!"
"..."
Seeing such a scene, everyone in the "Shenji Camp" couldn't help but sigh in their hearts.
Even though they knew that "White Tiger" Su Xiao had always been ranked first on the list of fourth realm monks, even Chu Fengge and Shangguan Jin were no match for him.
But when they actually saw him take action, everyone still couldn't help but gasp.
"What if I face Su Xiao face to face in the future, will I be killed instantly without even seeing his sword clearly?" This thought popped up in their minds in unison.
Gu Xu also narrowed his eyes slightly.
At this time, he realized that Su Xiao, an ordinary-looking, taciturn guy, might be the real ruthless character in the reserves of the "Shenji Camp".
Then, Su Xiao took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the front and back of the wooden sword several times until no more dust could be seen on its surface before putting it back into its sheath.
"I didn't expect him to be a severe mysophobia!" Gu Xu complained silently.
…………
But the number of "tapir?" is obviously far more than one.
After the first "tapir?" was killed, three or four more "tapir?" howled and bared their teeth and claws in front of everyone.
This time it was Shangguan Jin who took action.
After seeing "White Tiger" Su Xiao's extremely fast sword, she, who was also a fourth realm monk, was naturally not to be outdone.
In addition, Gu Xu successively rejected her cooperation invitations, which made her a little unhappy.
So she wanted to take this opportunity to show her true strength - to let the guy know what a stupid choice it was to give up traveling with her.
Following a flash of cyan light, a short sword with a length of two feet and a slender blade appeared in her hand.
Among the monks of the Daqi Dynasty, the sword was the most popular weapon.
the reason is simple--
One word, "handsome".
After all, as long as "sword" is mentioned, the first thing people think of is usually the swordsman with fluttering clothes and refined and refined swordsmanship; but if "sword" is mentioned, people will think of a powerful and powerful martial artist.
It's the same as Chu Fengge's "Tiankui" sword.
Shangguan Jin's natal sword is also named after the stars in the sky, called "Tian Yue".
According to astrology, the "Tianyue Star" is the Ziwei auxiliary star, known as the "Night Noble", "Yin Noble", also known as the "Yutang Noble Star" and "Female Star". It is gentle, kind and wealthy. Sympathetic, likes to help others secretly; charming, knowledgeable, powerful, and likes to be in the limelight.
Compared with "Tian Kui", "Tian Yue" is more peach blossom in nature and is easily trapped in love.
Of course, Shangguan Jin had always disdained astrology.
Coming from a humble background, she was able to climb to where she is today thanks to her talent, scheming, skill, and ruthlessness in taking advantage of all available people.
Helping others secretly?
Lovesick?
For her, that was simply impossible.
She stepped forward, raised her sword and stabbed at the ghost, as fast as a phantom.
Behind her, the shadow of a bright moon clearly emerged, shrouding her whole body in a silver-white halo, like a goddess in the moon palace.
The fourth form of "Cloud Sea Galaxy Sword", "Tianxiao Yue Shift"!
Gu Xu immediately recognized Shangguan Jin's sword style.
Because not long ago, Chu Fengge also used this trick on him in the "Realm of Discussing Tao".
It's just that Shangguan Jin's proficiency is much higher than Chu Fengge's, and her understanding of "Tao" is much deeper, so her swordsmanship is naturally superior.
In the blink of an eye, the "tapir?" in front screamed again and turned into black ashes.
…………
When the third wave of "tapir?" struck, Shi Lei finally took action himself.
He gently raised his right hand, and the gravel on the ground lit up with bright fire and floated into the air.
Then, he pointed forward, and the gravel floating in the air flew straight towards the pile of ghosts, like pops falling from the sky.
One after another, shrill screams rang out in the gray mist.
But the cry lasted only a few minutes.
Soon, everything fell silent again.
…………
Gu Xu stood in the team, watching the big guys take the lead in dealing with the ghosts.
He is not a person who loves the limelight.
Compared to appearing holy in front of others, he prefers to hug other people's thighs and be a happy lying dog.
Just like teaming up with Shi Xiaohan to kill ghosts.
It's just that he hasn't enjoyed this kind of fun of lying down for a long time.
I experienced it again today and missed it very much!
PS: Please vote for a 4000-word chapter!
PS2: The astrology in this book refers to Ziwei Dou Shu (but the astrology does not completely represent the direction of the subsequent plot).
…………
Note:
(1) "The Stone of Graduality is high; the mountains and rivers are far away, and it is hard work." - "The Book of Songs·Xiaoya·The Stone of Graduality"
