Walking with a Monk, Bizarre Little Village

On this official road, Shen Bai didn't want any trouble. He just wanted to smoothly reach the location of the massive Sophora Tree, then find the Malevolent Qi, preparing for any eventuality.

But from the current situation, it seemed the monk in white was heading towards him.

Thinking this, Shen Bai placed his hand on his waist, gripping the longsword there, his gaze gradually sharpening.

At this moment, the monk in white had already walked up to Shen Bai, put his palms together, and bowed slightly in a Buddhist salute.

"This humble monk, Wuhua, greets benefactor."

Shen Bai raised an eyebrow, his hand still gripping the longsword. "Master, we've never met before, why are you suddenly speaking to me?"

Although the official road was remote, in this situation, even a normal person would be very wary if someone suddenly approached them to talk.

Wuhua offered a gentle smile, still holding his palms together. "Benefactor has a strong aura of blood and vitality, indicating a fellow practitioner. This humble monk wishes to ask benefactor, which way is Liuyun Lake?"

Shen Bai's face remained expressionless upon hearing this. "Master, what business do you have at Liuyun Lake?"

He understood now why this monk in white had come to find him.

Due to cultivating the Divine Ability, Blood Sword Dance, his vital energy, through constant depletion and replenishment, had become exceptionally robust—far more so than other cultivators.

When a person's vital energy is strong, there will be a significant difference in both their appearance and demeanor.

It was normal for the monk in white to notice this.

Wuhua slowly said, "Monks do not lie. Liuyun Lake involves a Bizarre Entity matter, and this humble monk has been ordered to go to Liuyun Lake to resolve it."

"Oh?"

Shen Bai instantly became interested. "May I ask, Master Wuhua, which sect do you belong to? Could this Bizarre Entity be related to Master Wuhua's sect?"

A monk suddenly appearing to resolve a Bizarre Entity, and from the looks of it, already knowing about it beforehand—Shen Bai guessed that the massive Sophora Tree was connected to Wuhua.

Wuhua nodded and said, "This humble monk is from Xuanxin Temple in Maple Forest Province, a disciple of Xuanxin Temple. To be honest, there's a huge Sophora Tree at Liuyun Lake in Ascending Cloud County, and that Sophora Tree is connected to Xuanxin Temple."

Shen Bai didn't speak but listened patiently.

He knew Wuhua hadn't finished, and there was more to the story.

Sure enough, after Wuhua finished that sentence, he paused briefly before continuing to explain.

"In an unknown era of the past, a certain abbot of Xuanxin Temple planted a Sophora Tree within the temple. Over time, the Sophora Tree grew taller and taller."

"Influenced by the Buddhist teachings in the temple, the entire Sophora Tree transformed from yin to yang, becoming a landmark within the temple."

"However, not long ago, villains from the Upper Evil Gate polluted and dug up the Sophora Tree."

"According to secret intelligence from Xuanxin Temple, the Sophora Tree landed in Liuyun Lake, has taken root, and transformed into a Bizarre Entity."

Shen Bai rubbed his chin after hearing the story.

He didn't ask how Xuanxin Temple obtained its intelligence.

In fact, for a force in a provincial-level city, having its own intelligence network was normal.

Don't let it being a temple fool you; this was a temple of cultivators.

In this day and age, who doesn't prioritize intelligence?

However, something else puzzled Shen Bai.

"Xuanxin Temple is a force in Maple Forest Province, but why did they only send Master Wuhua alone?" Shen Bai asked.

According to Wuhua, the Sophora Tree originally belonged to Xuanxin Temple but was taken by the people of the Upper Evil Gate and transformed into a Bizarre Entity.

Shen Bai knew about the Upper Evil Gate, as he had dealt with enemies related to them not long ago.

For this force to survive in the cracks of Maple Forest Province, it must not be weak.

Shen Bai felt it was somewhat inappropriate for Xuanxin Temple to send only Wuhua.

Wuhua nodded and said, "Benefactor is absolutely right, but Xuanxin Temple has its difficulties, which this humble monk cannot elaborate on."

Shen Bai hummed. "If you want to go to Liuyun Lake, Master, you've gone the wrong way. Keep going straight along this official road, then turn off at the eighth intersection, and go straight."

After understanding the full story, Shen Bai didn't want to say much more.

After all, they were just acquaintances, and saying too much would be counterproductive.

Of course, Shen Bai felt that his trip to Liuyun Lake seemed to have taken an unexpected turn.

After all, his destination was also Liuyun Lake.

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

Wuhua performed another Buddhist salute, then turned to leave.

Shen Bai watched Wuhua's retreating figure, deep in thought.

A moment later, before Wuhua had gone far, Shen Bai spoke.

"Master Wuhua, please hold on."

Wuhua stopped, turned, and looked at Shen Bai strangely, a look of confusion in his eyes.

"I also need to go to Liuyun Lake on this trip. Perhaps I could accompany Master Wuhua," Shen Bai said.

Wuhua's confusion deepened.

But after a moment, his doubt began to fade.

"Could it be that you, too, are going for that giant Sophora Tree?"

Shen Bai nodded. "That's right, I'm also going for the Sophora Tree Bizarre Entity this trip. This trouble has recently found its way to me."

Just a moment ago, Shen Bai had made this decision.

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

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

This journey was dangerous, especially with the giant Sophora Tree. Without knowing what they were up against, Shen Bai didn't want to risk it alone.

This was the difference between imagination and reality.

If it were a protagonist in a storybook, they'd probably just go and slaughter everything themselves.

But reality is always reality, and Shen Bai just wanted to play it safe.

Excitement gleamed in Wuhua's eyes. "If you accompany me, benefactor, that would certainly be a good thing. This journey will definitely be foolproof."

These words came from Wuhua's mouth, and there was no exaggeration in them whatsoever.

When he first met Shen Bai, Wuhua felt that Shen Bai's vital energy was as vibrant as the sun, making him feel the urge to retreat a good distance.

He was definitely a master hidden in Ascending Cloud County.

With Shen Bai's help now, the journey would undoubtedly be even more secure.

Shen Bai nodded and said, "Since that's the case, let's set off."

He was never one to dither. Once he made a decision, he walked side-by-side with Wuhua toward Liuyun Lake.

The sky was gradually darkening, and their figures slowly disappeared on the official road.

Huaixi Village was a small village beside Liuyun Lake.

Most of the villagers made their living by fishing.

At this moment, two strangers arrived outside the village.

Shen Bai and Wuhua stood outside the village, observing the desolate village, and both frowned simultaneously.

It was completely dark now, with only the afterglow of the sunset lingering in the west.

Shen Bai turned his head and said, "At this time, there should be cooking smoke rising, but the village is lifeless. There must be a problem."

Wuhua nodded. "Benefactor Shen, let's go in and take a look."

Shen Bai gripped the long sword at his waist and entered the village with Wuhua.

As soon as he entered the village, Shen Bai noticed a corner of it and frowned.