Host, You Want to Set Long Aotian Up Again

If you wanted to go in, just go in. Who would stand in the middle of the crowd like Long Aotian and shout, "You don't dare go in, but I will!"?

He even stood there and soaked up every last bit of mockery from the people around him before going in.

Only Long Aotian could pull something like that off.

The System spotted Bai Lan and floated over from a corner. "Host, Host, you're finally here!"

"Host! Based on the plot description, I deduce that the place containing that soul cultivation technique is inside this cave." The System looked serious. "But..."

"But?"

"I don't dare go in," the System admitted honestly.

Bai Lan: "...Tsk."

The System was as cowardly as ever... no, cautious.

Her gaze turned to the cave before her.

It was a rather narrow cave entrance, one that ordinarily would never have drawn the attention of the cultivators training in this area.

Yet outside the cave was an ever-shifting formation, exceedingly strange. It did not resemble a Defense Array, nor did it resemble a Killing Formation—after all, Long Aotian had walked right through it with ease.

But the aura emanating from within the cave was actually like that of Thousand-Year Spiritual Grass.

Everyone in the cultivation world knew this bit of common knowledge: ten-year, hundred-year, and thousand-year spiritual herbs would inevitably have companion beasts nearby. The older the spiritual herb, the stronger the demonic beast guarding it.

When you discovered a spiritual herb with no demonic beast standing guard nearby, either it was not worth any Spirit Stones, or there was most likely a trick to it.

That was precisely why these cultivators, though coveting the spiritual herb, lingered outside the cave without daring to enter and investigate.

After all, the gun shot first was the one that stuck its head out.

The first to go in was often the first to die—except for the Child of Destiny, of course.

Patting the System on the shoulder, Bai Lan made a save.

"If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger cub? Your Host has a cheat in hand. What is there to fear?"

The System said, "That's right! You have a cheat that lets you reload!"

Under the astonished gazes of the people around her, Bai Lan said nothing and stepped alone into the formation.

Leaving behind a crowd staring at one another in bewilderment—another mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator had barged in.

Were all low-level cultivators this bold these days?

The System swallowed and hurried after her. One person and one System passed through the pale blue formation barrier in succession.

"Who's there!"

Hearing movement behind him, Long Aotian turned. The instant he saw who it was, his expression changed. "You!?"

Watching Bai Lan slowly walk in from beyond the barrier, Long Aotian's face turned ashen.

Judging by past experience, with this woman around, he was definitely going to suffer.

"Brother Aotian, she is..." The woman in blue beside Long Aotian frowned.

Long Aotian gritted his teeth. "Hmph, she's merely a fellow sect disciple's niece—a shameless outer sect menial."

"Mhm, a niece who beat you so badly you couldn't fight back at all." Bai Lan nodded casually, her gaze passing over Long Aotian and fixing directly on the depths of the cave.

This clearly did not look like the dwelling of a human cultivator. The cave was dark and damp, and the walls were smeared with viscous fluid that carried the aura of demonic beasts.

A demonic beast's nest...

Bai Lan frowned and pondered for a second.

There had to be a demonic beast in this cave, and it was certainly not weak.

And Long Aotian and his harem were standing here as well. If she wanted to obtain the opportunity, she had to outwit them. Anyone who chose a head-on clash was an idiot.

Can't find it by searching the book title? Try searching for the author instead—perhaps it was simply renamed!

Better to let Long Aotian deal with that troublesome demonic beast first. She would sit atop the wall and watch, observe for a while, then make her plans.

Let Long Aotian tangle with the demonic beast first. Once their spiritual power was exhausted and both sides were badly battered, she would sweep them all up in one net.

Turning her gaze toward Long Aotian, Bai Lan could not help smiling at that face that flew into impotent rage the moment it saw her. "Forget it. The aura in this place is far too dangerous, so I won't risk exploring it. Martial Uncle Long, don't go dying in there."

The words "Martial Uncle Long" were originally an honorific, but to Long Aotian's ears, he somehow felt like he was the one being mocked.

With that, Bai Lan smiled and cast Long Aotian a sidelong glance before turning to leave.

Yet the instant her figure passed out of the formation, Bai Lan pulled out the Invisibility Cloak from her Storage Bag and swiftly put it on.

It looked as though she had left, but in truth, she had concealed herself and hidden in the shadows.

As Long Aotian watched Bai Lan's figure gradually disappear at the cave entrance, surprise flashed across his face.

She left? Just like that?

He had already steeled himself for this woman to rush over, beat him senseless, and then snatch his Storage Bag before leaving!

Yet he still... inexplicably let out a breath of relief.

"Brother Aotian, you seem very afraid of that woman?" The woman in blue beside him looked puzzled.

Long Aotian gave a light cough, and the fear and alarm from moments ago vanished from his face, replaced by a touch of arrogance. "What are you saying, Xue'er? How could I be afraid of some outer sect menial? A Five Spirit Roots piece of trash like her? I could take on ten of her by myself!"

Bai Lan, dressed in the Invisibility Cloak, raised an eyebrow.

Fine, fine, fine. He could take on ten by himself.

If she did not beat him up ten times next time, would that not be letting those words down?

"Let's go. Let's head in and see what that demon beast looks like."

Perhaps afraid that Xue'er would press him further, Long Aotian swiftly changed the subject. Taking Xue'er's hand, he led her deeper into the cave.

"Host, you're planning to set Long Aotian up again." Watching Bai Lan sneak forward with her waist bent low, the system gave a sly chuckle.

Bai Lan halted, then decisively shook her head. "Nonsense. This is clearly a strategic plan—draining the enemy's spiritual energy while preserving our own combat strength."

The system said, "Yeah, yeah, sure."

Just as Bai Lan had expected, the instant Long Aotian stepped into the depths of the cave, an enraged demon beast's howl rang out from within.

A Crimson Serpent roared as it burst from the bottom of the pool, sending water splashing everywhere.

Just as everyone's expressions turned solemn, the Crimson Serpent shot straight toward Bai Lan.

Bai Lan: "???"

This snake had no martial virtue! Instead of chasing that huge Long Aotian, it actually came to kill her in the corner?

Though Bai Lan's robe could block divine sense and conceal her figure, it could not hide her aura.

Long Aotian, whose cultivation was still low, could not detect Bai Lan's whereabouts. But the Crimson Serpent, at the peak of the second rank, could sense that someone was hiding in the dark.

Using the Lesser Maze Steps beneath her feet, she dodged the serpent's sweeping tail strike. Having missed, the serpent grew even more furious and began roaring as it chased Bai Lan around the cave.

One ran while the other gave chase, but Bai Lan wore the Invisibility Cloak. Within the cave, only the Crimson Serpent could be seen charging wildly about.

To Long Aotian and Xue'er, the scene looked rather strange.

"Huh? Brother Aotian, is this snake sick in the head? Why is it charging around the cave like crazy?" Xue'er asked in confusion.

Long Aotian was equally puzzled. "Yeah. I've already gotten ready to fight."

"..."

Bai Lan turned and glanced at the enormous snake relentlessly pursuing her, grumbling inwardly, Yeah! They've already gotten ready to fight!

Was this what it meant to be a Child of Destiny? She finally understood why those who entered secret realms with Long Aotian had to face nine deaths for every chance at life.

Because their highest-level taunt was not on Long Aotian!!!