Yan Wu seized the opportunity to break free from the engulfing wind spheres, finally darting into the wind tunnel at the last moment and escaping danger.
"Many thanks to Senior Yu for saving my life."
Yan Wu appeared rough and straightforward, but he was indeed someone who remembered favors. With an expression full of gratitude, he gave a deep, formal salute to Yu Kong, stopping just short of weeping and throwing himself to the floor.
It seemed a bit exaggerated, but since his life had been saved, everyone could understand it.
After this incident, the wariness in the others' eyes when looking at Yu Kong diminished by several degrees.
The words Luo Xingnan and Sheng Yuanzi had spoken earlier had planted a few seeds of discord to varying degrees, but those were mostly dispelled now. For a time, the atmosphere within the group eased considerably.
Having finally crossed the grand formation without disaster and entered the cave dwelling, the party calmed their nerves and hurriedly surveyed the scene before them.
Howling winds raged, and torrential rain poured down.
The gales were fierce and the rain freezing cold. Even though they were all cultivators, they found it somewhat unbearable and pushed their spiritual power to protect themselves one after another.
Curiously, after these raindrops struck their bodies or hit the ground, they vanished without a trace. They seemed like illusions, yet truly existed—one could distinctly feel the raindrops striking them with a certain destructive force.
These winds and raindrops were actually the manifestations of chaotic spiritual energy. The entire cave dwelling was not solely engulfed in downpours; in other areas, heavenly fire rained down, while elsewhere yellow sand filled the sky.
Various bizarre phenomena abounded, too numerous to count.
The overlapping anomalies obstructed their vision, leaving the group able to make out only the shadow of the tall mountain ahead, unable to see the people or buildings upon it. Most prominent was the Ancestral Master Hall at the mountain peak, and even that was visible only as the silhouette of an ancient hall.
The mountain rose precipitously, piercing toward the firmament like a sword.
A man-made stone staircase began at the foot of the mountain and stretched upward until it disappeared into the murky distance.
At this time, scattered specks of light shone through the curtain of rain in some areas of the mountain—those were flashing escape lights. Quite a few people had entered the cave dwelling ahead of them and begun their search for treasures.
"These sights are scenes of chaos caused by the power leaking from the protective grand formation. Right now, the formation is at its low ebb; as long as you protect yourselves with spiritual power, it won't be much of a problem. However, it is best to climb the mountain on foot. Flying too high will easily draw you into the turbulent spiritual eddies, and it will take considerable effort to break free..."
Yu Kong was in no hurry to ascend. Instead, he repeated the precautions needed within the cave dwelling to warn everyone, then turned around, pointed behind them, and said:
"Everyone, remember the spot where we entered. Before the low-ebb period ends, the grand formation will not undergo major shifts. If we exit from this starting point, what we encounter will still be that wind formation from before. Everyone is already familiar with the variations inside it, and getting out is far easier than getting in, so there is no need to worry about being trapped inside the grand formation."
Behind them, boundless clouds formed a chaotic expanse, resembling a colossal eye of the storm.
Everyone followed his instructions and committed their entry point to memory.
These were all common knowledge after entering a cave dwelling, but Yu Kong patiently gave reminders so that no one would overlook anything.
"There are still a few fellow Daoists who have not given Yu an answer." Yu Kong's gaze swept over the Xiu sisters, Old Man Muteng, and the others. "Now that we have entered the cave dwelling, I wonder what your plans are. Will you accompany me to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion behind the mountain, or act on your own?"
Qin Sang had long agreed to Yu Kong's invitation; he stepped forward and stood behind him. Yan Wu also stepped over without hesitation, followed by Shangguan Lifeng.
The others looked at one another, hesitating.
Old Man Muteng coughed softly and asked solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Yu said earlier that once we enter the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, whichever treasure a person finds first belongs to them, and no one else is permitted to vie for it. If someone is overcome by greed upon seeing a treasure and violates this rule, what will Fellow Daoist Yu do?"
Yu Kong glanced around and said flatly, "I, together with our other fellow Daoists, will execute them on the spot. I trust everyone disdains such petty, villainous conduct just as I do. If I violate this rule myself, none of you need show any restraint!"
Hearing this, Old Man Muteng's eyes flickered. He nodded and walked over to Yu Kong's side.
Wu Chen wrestled with his thoughts for a moment, then came over as well.
Only the three women remained. Crescent Fairy let out an alluring laugh and leaned close in a delicate, pitiful manner. "This humble woman is all alone. To receive Senior Yu's care and the help of you fellow Daoists—I couldn't be happier, so how could I refuse?"
The Xiu sisters conferred for a moment, then bowed to Yu Kong together and said apologetically, "We sisters have a different objective, and unfortunately it does not lie in the rear mountain. We cannot travel with Senior Yu, so please forgive us, Senior."
Yu Kong took no offense. Gesturing forward openly, he said magnanimously, "I stated from the beginning that all of you are free to come and go. Ladies of the Xiu family, please do as you wish. May you fulfill your desires."
"Many thanks, Senior!"
The Xiu sisters cupped their hands in parting and left, vanishing into the curtain of rain under everyone's gaze.
Yu Kong smiled and said, "Although we have lost two fellow Daoists and the power of the Guiyuan Formation is greatly reduced, all of you possess remarkable strength, so surely we can return fully laden with spoils this time. Let us head up the mountain as soon as possible. Follow me."
With that, Yu Kong's figure flashed as he dashed into the curtain of rain. The others hurriedly raised their escape lights and followed closely behind.
The stone steps were steep, and many sections were heavily damaged, but these were no obstacle to cultivators. Tightly trailing Yu Kong, the group sped toward the peak. Whenever they encountered others along the way, both sides yielded to each other; no one would pick a fight here.
Before long, the group appeared at the summit. Just as everyone thought Yu Kong would bypass the Offering Hall and head straight for the rear mountain, he walked directly up to the Offering Hall and stepped inside.
This astonished everyone immensely, leaving them wondering why he would linger in a place already confirmed to be a ruin.
The Offering Hall had long been turned upside down; no one would waste time here, and not a single soul was inside.
Outside, torrential rain poured ceaselessly; the ancient hall was reduced to rubble.
The only clay sculpture stood askew, having been shifted from its original place. Its colors had long since peeled away, bearing every mark of age, yet one could tell it depicted a Daoist.
Yu Kong stood within the hall, gazing up at the tilted clay sculpture in a posture that seemed almost like a pilgrimage.
The crowd followed him inside.
Yu Kong looked at the clay sculpture and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoists, there is no need to find this strange. I merely remembered words spoken by a friend: having received someone's kindness, one must always harbor a bit of gratitude, and I deeply agree with this. Last time, I obtained a spirit pill here that helped me break through to the mid-stage. Alas, the master of this cave dwelling is long gone, nor do I know his name, leaving me with no way to offer my thanks. Now that I have returned to this abode, I have come inside to pay my respects; it will not take long."
As he spoke, Yu Kong walked over to the clay sculpture, reached out to gently set it upright, brushed away the dust upon it, and then stepped back to stand firmly ten feet in front of it.
His feet came together, his arms hanging naturally at his sides.
Tucking his chin and pressing his tongue to his upper palate, he drew in his chest and straightened his back.
After assuming this formal posture, Yu Kong actually performed the solemn ritual of three bows and nine kowtows before the clay sculpture!
Everyone exchanged glances, but seeing Yu Kong's earnest demeanor, no one spoke to disturb him.
Qin Sang's eyes flickered, a lingering sense of bizarre unease refusing to dissipate in his heart. He could not tell at all whether Yu Kong was truly being sincere, or if this was the height of treacherous deceit masking itself as upright piety!
Chapter 285