Kunlun's Perilous Grounds

At the foot of Kunlun Mountain, green grass carpeted the land, lush and verdant. Ancient trees towered overhead, blotting out the sky and sun.

It was Bai Ze's first time stepping out of the cave abode. His eyes shimmered as he could not help looking around in every direction.

He remained constantly alert for the danger of grave injury that the compass had deduced for today.

His cautious manner piqued Duobao's curiosity. Deliberately slowing his pace, Duobao teased:

"Brother Bai Ze, what's wrong? You're wound up so tight."

Bai Ze smiled awkwardly, his gaze still fixed on a swamp not far away:

"You may not know this, Brother Dao, but my innate talent can sense fortune and misfortune. The moment I left the cave abode, I sensed dangerous auras coming from all directions."

Following Bai Ze's gaze, Duobao looked over, then shook his head with a laugh. "Brother Bai Ze, you're too nervous. Though Kunlun Mountain is littered with forbidden formations, as long as you are careful, nothing will happen."

Bai Ze smiled without saying more. He merely followed closely behind Duobao, silently memorizing every place where formation patterns flowed.

He remembered these formations partly out of vigilance, and partly so that when he became stronger in the future, he could return to explore and comprehend them.

His Insight Divine Ability seemed exceptionally effective at comprehending formations. Thus, he did not wish to give up a single opportunity to strengthen himself!

Especially after encountering someone like Duobao, who possessed the talent to ignore formations, he became even more determined to comprehend Primordial Forbidden Formations.

Primordial Forbidden Formations were unlike the Primordial Concealment Formation he possessed, which left traces to follow.

They were called forbidden formations because they contained the laws of the Heavenly Dao, making them immensely powerful.

Like the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation and the Twelve Heavenly Capitals Formation, they could easily slaughter Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals and even destroy the incarnations of Quasi-Saints.

More importantly, they could evolve autonomously along with the laws of the Heavenly Dao, even giving birth to formation spirits.

They could even seal space away, forming independent minor worlds or forbidden lands that devoured those who entered the formations, and could even be nourished in return.

Aside from the few well-known ones, such forbidden formations would nearly vanish in later generations after the Primordial World shattered and was reforged.

They were nothing like the abundance seen now.

Thus, he greatly coveted these forbidden formations as well. His strength was weak, and he possessed no particularly powerful divine abilities.

Only these extraordinarily powerful forbidden formations, which no one currently cared about, suited him perfectly.

The only pity was that his cultivation was still too shallow for him to approach and comprehend them.

Following behind Duobao, Bai Ze silently recorded the locations of these Primordial Forbidden Formations.

Because these forbidden formations were autonomously evolved from the laws of the Heavenly Dao, they took all kinds of forms.

Some were swamps, some were scorched lands, some were lush ancient trees, and some were jagged mountain rocks.

Yet without exception, their outward appearances were covered in all manner of flowing law-patterns.

However, because he insisted on memorizing these forbidden formations, his journey became exceedingly slow.

Duobao, who led the way ahead, seemed to notice. Turning back toward Bai Ze, he asked, "Brother Bai Ze, are you interested in these forbidden formations?"

Bai Ze nodded. "The way these forbidden formations operate is extremely peculiar. If one could comprehend and master them, they might become powerful means of slaughter."

Duobao was rendered speechless. "These forbidden formations are merely incomplete formations. Only after a formation spirit is born can they become complete forbidden formations.

Precisely because they are only incomplete formations, the degree of danger within them is impossible to estimate. Some may hold no danger at all, while others may be certain death.

They are not worth much study. If you like them, once we reach the mountain, I'll take you to see the real good stuff!

There's no need to waste time here."

A trace of surprise flashed through Bai Ze's eyes. "Brother Dao, are you saying there are complete forbidden formations on the mountain?"

Duobao patted his chest and threw back his head with a laugh. "Naturally! My master's attainments in the Dao of formations are unrivaled throughout the ages!

Even Eldest Uncle-Master praises them without end, while Second Uncle-Master has no choice but to admire them.

The formations he has collected are countless. He even has several complete Primordial Forbidden Formations!"

Bai Ze was overjoyed, but then another thought struck him. These forbidden formations were so precious; he was neither kin nor acquaintance of Venerable Lingbao. Would Venerable Lingbao truly allow him to study them?

After calming down, he looked at Duobao Daoist. "Brother Dao, forbidden formations are so precious. Would the Venerable truly permit an outsider like me to comprehend them?"

The corners of Duobao's lips lifted slightly. He slung an arm around Bai Ze's shoulders and waggled his brows at him.

"My master is utterly obsessed with formations. If others wished to comprehend them, they would basically have no hope—but don't you possess the Primordial Concealment Formation?"

Bai Ze abruptly raised his head to look at Duobao. He had never imagined that this thick-browed, big-eyed fellow could be so sly and shrewd. A faint smile appeared on his face as he cupped his hands.

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Dao. But if we do this... won't the Venerable punish you and implicate you as well?"

Duobao stroked his chin and pondered for a moment.

"It's fine. Once we return, I'll go into seclusion—directly into seclusion for several decades or even a century. By then, even if there is punishment, it will have to wait until I emerge. Who knows? The old master may have forgotten all about it by then."

Bai Ze's face twitched. Good fellow, he was simply going to play dirty. I thought he had some brilliant plan.

So he was planning to act like an unyielding rogue.

Shaking his head, he said, "Brother Dao, there is no need for this. Though I enjoy forbidden formations, I cannot let you be punished because of me."

Duobao froze slightly and studied Bai Ze for a long while. At last, he bared his teeth in a smile.

"Brother, your heart is so pure—it is truly a rarity in the Primordial World.

But leave this matter to me. It is only comprehending a few forbidden formations. If anything goes wrong, this old brother will cover for you!"

Bai Ze was deeply moved. In his time with Duobao, he had seen everything—from his arrogance at their first meeting, to his cautious shrewdness during their trade, to the loyalty and righteousness he now displayed. Bai Ze had seen it all and remembered it in his heart.

He truly could not bring himself to let Duobao suffer punishment because of him.

"Brother Dao, every person has their own karmic destiny. Let this matter end here. I cannot allow Brother Dao to be punished because of me."

Duobao frowned, but before he could speak, Bai Ze declared firmly:

"I know your temperament, Brother, but I cannot let you alone bear punishment simply for my own preference!

If you insist on doing this, then I would rather not go up the mountain."

Duobao looked at Bai Ze's solemn, stubborn, utterly unyielding expression. His brows drew tight, yet the admiration in his eyes only deepened.

In the Primordial World, apart from his master, uncle-masters, and fellow disciples in that little courtyard, who did not stop at nothing for their own interests?

After wandering the Primordial World for so many years, this was the first—and only—time he had encountered an outsider willing to give up his own interests merely to keep Duobao from being punished.

How could that not move him?

"Phew—"

"Fine, we'll do as you say." Duobao let out a long breath, then suddenly laughed. "Who would have thought that beneath your quiet and refined appearance, you would have such a stubborn temper?"

Bai Ze smiled without confirming or denying it. "Those who treat me sincerely, I repay with my heart; those who deceive me with falsehood, I cast aside like worn shoes.

Put yourself in another's place. Brother, you have treated me so well—how could I let you risk yourself?"

Duobao laughed loudly and patted Bai Ze on the shoulder.

"Well said—put yourself in another's place. Those words sound good to hear!

Come, let's go up the mountain!"