Chapter 462 – My Master Is Not Human – A’Yi, Run! (09)
Cultivation could change a person’s temperament, making them appear more attractive. But not every cultivator looked ethereal or possessed breathtaking beauty. There were people like Pei Boyi, stunning enough to amaze anyone at first glance, and there were also those who looked rather unpleasant—like the lecherous cannon fodder currently staring at Bai Tang with drool-worthy greed.
This man was named Fan Le, the only son of the Enforcement Elder of the Qingshan Immortal Sect. Relying on his powerful father, he tyrannized others freely. Disciples of lower status within the sect dared to resent him but not speak out. What made him most detestable was that he preyed on both men and women alike. As long as someone was good-looking and lacked a strong background, they would almost certainly fall victim to him.
The tall man looked difficult to provoke, and Fan Le guessed he probably could not beat him. But the slightly shorter youth, fair and delicate-looking, was someone he could consider targeting.
This was not Fan Le’s first time entering a secret realm. He knew that after entering, everyone’s landing location would be random. Even teammates would usually be separated and would have to rely on communication methods to regroup. As the son of an elder, he possessed countless magical artifacts gifted by his father. Separating those two would be effortless for him. And once they were separated, he would have his chance to make a move.
A bug no larger than a fingernail jumped out of Fan Le’s pouch and hopped toward Bai Tang’s direction.
When he saw the bug land on the youth, Fan Le happily walked away. He had been staring at the two of them for far too long already. Even if he was attracted by their exceptional looks, staring for too long would inevitably draw attention. Too much was as bad as too little—he still understood that principle.
What Fan Le did not know was that the bug had never landed on Bai Tang at all. Just as it was about to stick to him, Pei Boyi caught it and crushed it to death between his fingers.
Looking at Fan Le’s departing figure, Pei Boyi’s expression darkened gloomily. What kind of trash dared to covet his Tang Tang?
Seeing Bai Tang still completely unaware, Pei Boyi chose not to tell him what had just happened. In any case, the two of them were not going to be separated.
The Sect Master cast a spell to amplify his voice so that everyone in the plaza could hear him clearly.
“Quiet. I believe all fellow Daoists are already aware of the situation regarding this secret realm. This Da Ji Secret Realm is far from ordinary. Whether it brings fortune or disaster remains unknown. There is only one thing I ask you all to remember: if you encounter danger you cannot resolve, crush the jade token you carry with you. The token will immediately send you out of the secret realm. However, once you leave, you will not be allowed to re-enter.”
The Sect Master looked with satisfaction at the reactions of the disciples below, a smile spreading across his face. But what pleased him even more was Bai Tang, quietly sitting nearby. What an obedient little junior brother—soft and adorable, thoughtful and lovable. If told not to enter the secret realm, then he truly would not enter it.
Every disciple entering the secret realm would have a Life Lamp lit for them. If the person died, the lamp would go out, allowing others to determine whether the disciple was safe or not through the flame.
Once the Da Ji Secret Realm opened, everyone lined up to enter.
After Pei Boyi and Bai Tang passed behind a large tree, only Pei Boyi emerged on the other side.
Originally, Bai Tang had planned to sneak in amidst the crowd, but the person guarding the entrance to the secret realm was Yue Xiyin, who was inspecting each disciple before entry to ensure no demonic cultivators had mixed in among them.
Bai Tang knew his cultivation was not yet strong enough to fool Yue Xiyin, so he had no choice but to give up his human form and turn back into a squirrel to enter alongside Pei Boyi.
Entering the secret realm took only an instant, and the line moved quickly. Pei Boyi slipped his hand into his pocket to play with the little squirrel, and before long, it was his turn.
When Yue Xiyin saw that it was Pei Boyi, he smiled and nodded at him. Pei Boyi turned slightly to return the greeting before stepping into the white circle of light.
The moment Pei Boyi entered the light circle, Yue Xiyin’s ears twitched, and his expression changed drastically. He tried to reach out to stop him, but it was already too late—the man had already entered the Da Ji Secret Realm.
Yue Xiyin cultivated through music, and his hearing was exceptionally sharp. He knew he had not heard wrong. Just now, there had clearly been the sound of an animal. If he was not mistaken, it had even been a squirrel.
He instructed the disciple beside him to bring the Sect Master and Bai Tang over. The sound of a squirrel did not necessarily mean it was Bai Tang, but unless he saw it with his own eyes, he would not be at ease.
The disciple hurried off at once. Thinking some major discovery had been made, the Sect Master did not dare delay and immediately brought Bai Tang over.
“Xiyin, did you discover something?” the Sect Master asked.
The moment Yue Xiyin saw Bai Tang, his already grim expression turned ashen. “Senior Brother, haven’t you noticed that Xiao Tang has been far too quiet?”
After Yue Xiyin pointed it out, the Sect Master turned to look at Bai Tang, who stood there obediently with a sweet smile. It really was somewhat abnormal. Ever since Bai Tang appeared today, he had not said a single word. Could it be…?
The Sect Master suddenly struck out with a palm attack toward Bai Tang.
Bai Tang neither dodged nor blocked. He collapsed to the ground at once, his body transforming into a straw dummy the size of a normal person.
The disciples of the Le’an Immortal Sect who witnessed this all screamed “What the hell?!” inwardly at the same time. Since the disciples assigned to organize the Da Ji Secret Realm all held positions of some status, they naturally knew about Bai Tang’s passionate declaration in the main hall earlier—that he wanted to enter the secret realm to protect the disciples.
Daoist Heyi was fake—so where had the real one gone?
The Sect Master’s expression became just as awful as Yue Xiyin’s.
“Junior Brother, Xiao Tang, he…”
“He got in. I heard a squirrel’s cry. I was careless.”
The two fell silent, speechless. How could their little junior brother be so mischievous? The inside was extremely dangerous.
But things had already come to this point, and saying more was useless.
They instructed the disciples who knew the truth not to spread the matter before hurriedly rushing to Fengxian Hall. Inside the hall was Bai Tang’s Life Lamp. Only by seeing its flame still burning brightly could they feel at ease.
Fu Maiwen, who had been drawing talismans, was suddenly informed of the news. His hands trembled in shock, ruining the talisman that had been only one stroke away from completion.
Dangerous. That was the only thought that arose in Fu Maiwen’s mind. Like the Sect Master and the others, he rushed toward Fengxian Hall. Aside from the elders responsible for monitoring the secret realm, nearly all the elders who had watched Bai Tang grow up had gathered there.
“Sect Master, is it confirmed? Xiao Tang really snuck in?”
The Sect Master nodded heavily. Fu Maiwen felt the world spin around him. He had actually allowed their adorable, soft-natured little junior brother to place himself in danger. He had failed the instructions their master entrusted to him.
“Since Xiao Tang managed to enter, I should be able to as well. How about I go in—”
“No.”
Before Fu Maiwen could finish speaking, the Sect Master interrupted him. The immortal sect was already missing one Peak Master; they could not afford to lose another. In the days leading up to the opening of the Da Ji Secret Realm, activity from the Demon Realm had been growing increasingly restless. Bai Tang was important, but protecting the Le’an Immortal Sect was even more important.
Although Fu Maiwen’s suggestion was tempting, and the Sect Master himself wished he could personally enter the realm to search for Bai Tang if circumstances allowed, as Sect Master, he also had to ensure the safety of the thousands of disciples within the sect.
“Xiyin, guard the Life Lamps. Maiwen, come with me to the main hall…” After issuing a series of instructions, the Sect Master led the others away from Fengxian Hall, leaving only Yue Xiyin behind.
Inside the Da Ji Secret Realm—
Just as Fan Le had said, many people who had arranged to form teams ended up separated after entering. Only those who had held hands remained together.
Among the separated groups, however, Pei Boyi and Bai Tang were not included. The little squirrel had stayed safely inside the pocket the whole time. Only after they landed safely did he crawl out, climbing along Pei Boyi’s arm until he reached his shoulder.
“Squeak squeak squeak—” A’Yi, I feel dizzy… bleh, bleh…
Pei Boyi poured some water into his palm, allowing the little squirrel to drink from it in tiny sips.
Their luck was not particularly good. They had landed at the edge of a desert.
The cool water suppressed the discomfort in his body. The little squirrel was happily drinking when a fierce gust of wind suddenly swept through, sending yellow sand flying everywhere. In no time at all, both man and squirrel were covered in dust, turning into “yellow people.”
The little squirrel spat out sand with several “ptoo, ptoo” sounds and stopped drinking. If he kept going, he would end up eating sand instead.
A large hand covered the little squirrel’s head. Having lost his vision, the squirrel cried out uneasily, “Squeak squeak squeak—” A’Yi, I’m scared.
“That way TangTang won’t get sand in his mouth,” Pei Boyi said with a smile in his voice, though the situation before him was anything but optimistic.
As the sandstorm raged, an enormous snake head emerged from beneath the yellow sands. Pei Boyi’s first reaction was to cover Bai Tang’s eyes.
“TangTang, why don’t you stay inside the pouch to avoid the sandstorm? I prepared your favorite roasted tea pine nuts.”
Roasted tea pine nuts had recently become Bai Tang’s favorite snack. The moment he heard there was something delicious to eat, there was no reason for him to refuse, so he obediently agreed.
After the little squirrel returned to the pouch, Pei Boyi drew his sword—the one Wen Leng had given him years ago. After years of refinement by Pei Boyi, its power was now extraordinary.
Where there were exotic beasts, there were usually rare treasures nearby. Pei Boyi’s luck was hard to describe. On one hand, the moment he entered the secret realm, he encountered the Giant Mu Snake, ranked eighth among the realm’s dangerous beasts. On the other hand, the instant he landed, he had already found the location of a treasure.
Pei Boyi patted the spot where the little squirrel rested. The bulging pouch shifted slightly—the squirrel was happily nibbling on pine nuts inside.
The Giant Mu Snake was enormous, its dark yellow scales blending perfectly with the desert sands, allowing it to hide without a trace while moving swiftly.
With outsiders invading its territory, the Giant Mu Snake issued a warning. Yet the man still refused to leave, so the beast no longer held back.
Its massive tail, concealed beneath the sand, swept violently toward Pei Boyi. Pei Boyi leapt into the air and vanished from the Giant Mu Snake’s sight.
Sensing that its target’s heat signature had disappeared, the Giant Mu Snake was momentarily confused. Suddenly, pain exploded across its back. Instinctively, it curled backward and angrily lashed its tail at Pei Boyi. Unexpectedly, this move suited Pei Boyi perfectly, shortening the distance between him and the snake’s fatal weak point.
With a single strike, Pei Boyi drove his sword into the Giant Mu Snake’s vital spot. The snake raised its head and let out a mournful cry so piercing that it seemed to change the color of heaven and earth.
The Giant Mu Snake’s greatest strengths were its speed, concealment, and ability to track enemies. No matter where an opponent hid, it could easily locate them. Yet before Pei Boyi, those advantages meant nothing.
At the snake’s vital point was a single eye used to observe enemies lurking behind it. Now, Pei Boyi’s sword had pierced and blinded that eye, causing foul-smelling black blood to gush out.
Once the violent shaking finally stopped, the little squirrel cautiously poked his head out. A revolting stench immediately assaulted his nose. Bai Tang’s brain seemed to shut down on the spot; his paws loosened, and he slid helplessly down to the bottom of the pouch along the fabric.
Pei Boyi took the opportunity to finish off the Giant Mu Snake. After casting a cleansing spell to remove the dirt from himself, he finally called out, “TangTang.”
He called several times without receiving any response, so Pei Boyi pulled out the wilted little squirrel from the pouch and blew a breath of spiritual energy onto his mouth. The moment the squirrel woke up, he scrambled around frantically, trying to flee in panic. Too scary, too scary… I’m going to die, I’m going to die…
“Tang Tang,” Pei Boyi called again.
The little squirrel froze mid-motion and looked up at Pei Boyi. Then he burst into tears with a wail and desperately burrowed into the crook of Pei Boyi’s neck.
“It was too scary! A’Yi, r-run!”