Chapter 5: Withered Wood (Part 2)

“Those two mutated talisman beasts are gifts for you!”
Tan Laoxi immediately became excited. He whispered, “Damn it, I’m going to make a fortune now. As long as I get the essence of one of those mutated talisman beasts… hehe, hehe… I’m really lucky!”
Guo Shier said, “You’re not getting any share!”
“Huh?”
Tan Laoxi opened his mouth to curse but stopped himself in time. He suddenly realized that Guo Shier and the others were all frustrated. Acting now would only anger them, and he might end up dead with no chance of burial. Though he was annoying, he wasn’t stupid.
Sure enough, Qi Nanshan’s sharp gaze swept over him. Tan Laoxi believed that if he dared say anything offensive, Qi Nanshan would act immediately. It was clear the guy was on the verge of exploding and had no one to vent on. He lowered his head and didn’t dare make a sound.
Guo Shier said, “Master, take care. Be sure to wait for Shier to return. Grandpa Nanshan, take care. Uncle Xiaofeng, Uncle Luo Jing… you all take care.” He repeatedly bid farewell to each person, ignoring Tan Laoxi completely.
One by one, everyone stepped forward to say goodbye to Guo Shier. Guo Shier added, “Master, when returning to the Northern Talisman Gate, take Tan Laoxi with you.” He didn’t call him Mr. Tan or Uncle Tan but used his name directly. The meaning was clear: Luo Jie was to keep Tan Laoxi under control, preventing him from leaving or revealing any information that could cause trouble.
Tan Laoxi’s face paled. He said, “Shier, you can’t…”
Guo Shier replied calmly, “I can! If you don’t go with the master, I guarantee you won’t be able to leave the secret realm. You’ll stay there forever!”
Everyone understood what “stay there forever” meant—it meant he’d be killed and unable to escape.
Withered Wood stepped forward and clapped. “I’m increasingly satisfied. That’s a good plan!”
Tan Laoxi was terrified. He kept saying, “Boss Luo, Lord Luo, I’ll follow you… I’ll follow you… Damn it, I’m so unlucky… Why did I have to run into this little brat…” He wished he could slap himself.
Withered Wood stepped closer and asked, “Have you reached an agreement?”
Guo Shier nodded. “We’ve agreed. He and I will go with you.”
Withered Wood sized up Eagle Demon and said, “Well, though his strength is a bit weak, it’s good to have someone to take care of you.”
Eagle Demon was both amused and annoyed. He had roamed the vast grasslands for centuries, and no one had ever said his strength was weak.

Guo Shier said, “Master, Grandpa Nanshan, I’m off.”
Luo Jie was on the verge of tears. He said, “Shier, good boy, take care of yourself. Don’t worry me. Fang…” He meant the altar. Guo Shier understood. He held back his tears and nodded, saying, “I remember!”
Luo Jie took out two talisman bags from his clothes and tied them to Guo Shier’s belt, whispering, “Shier, take these with you. Figure it out on your own later.”
Guo Shier took a deep breath, forcing back his tears.
A faint smile appeared on the lifeless face of the withered man. With a wave of his hand, a small talisman gate appeared. He said, “There are seventy-two snake pearls in the spine of that mutated talisman snake. Don’t miss them. They’re valuable. If you’re lucky enough to meet someone like me, you can use those pearls to exchange for higher-grade talismans.” With that, he led Guo Shier and Eagle Demon through the talisman gate.
The moment Guo Shier entered the gate, he turned around and gave his master a big smile, but he could no longer hold back his tears, which streamed down his cheeks.
The talisman gate gradually dimmed and disappeared after a while.
Luo Jie let out a long sigh. In an instant, he saw the timid Tan Laoxi, and his anger erupted.
“Tan Laoxi!”
Tan Laoxi trembled in fear. He forced a smile and said, “Ah, Old Master Luo, hehe, don’t get angry. It’s my fault. I’m a bastard, a fucking human being, just a stupid ass—a complete idiot!” He cursed loudly, but this time at himself.
Luo Jie and Qi Nanshan, who were about to act, were stunned. Seeing Tan Laoxi keep cursing himself, Qi Nanshan sighed and said, “When it comes to shamelessness, Tan Laoxi, you’re the best in the world…”
Tan Laoxi hurriedly pledged loyalty, saying, “Yes, yes! I’m shameless, I’m a bastard, I’m a fucking human being!”
Luo Jie shouted, “Enough!”
Tan Laoxi said, “Yes, yes! If the old master says enough, then it’s enough. If the old master says east, I’ll never dare go west. If the old master says kill, I’ll never dare set fire…”
Qi Nanshan snapped, “The old master wants you to eat shit!”
Tan Laoxi quickly replied, “…If the old master wants me to eat shit, I’ll never dare drink urine…”
Everyone was stunned, their faces filled with disbelief. Tan Laoxi was not only thick-skinned but also shameless. How could he be a master? He was disgusting.
Luo Jie couldn’t stand it any longer and shouted, “If you say one more word, I’ll kill you!”
Tan Laoxi covered his mouth in fear, looking at Luo Jie pitifully.
Qi Nanshan said, “Forget it. Don’t bother with this guy. Old Master, let’s get ready and head back to the Northern Talisman Gate.”

Luo Jie said, “Hmm, we need to return to Beifu Gate as soon as possible.” He was extremely depressed. Guo Shier was his precious treasure, yet someone had snatched him right under his nose. The old man was filled with hatred and for the first time felt a strong desire to improve his strength. Kuumu’s strength made him realize how inadequate his once-prideful abilities really were.

Tan Laoxi dared not make any more demands. He knew the old man was seething with anger; even the slightest provocation could make him explode. He deeply regretted following Luo Jie’s team into the secret realm. He had intended to gain an advantage, but instead, he only ended up suffering losses.

Luo Jie steadied himself and sorted out his thoughts, which were in chaos. Since Guo Shier had taken over team management, things had been much easier for him, but now the burden had returned. He said, “First, take care of those two mutated talisman beasts. Tan Laoxi, act as my assistant. Dashan, lead some people to dissect the corpses. Also, assign a few people to keep watch—this place is still very dangerous.”

……

Guo Shier stepped into the talisman gate. Although he also had a talisman gate of his own, he had never used it before and didn’t know what awaited him on the other side.

As soon as he stepped in, it was as if he had stepped off a cliff, plummeting rapidly downward. Guo Shier’s heart pounded in fear as countless silver threads flashed around him. Even though he kept his eyes wide open, he couldn’t see anything clearly. After about a minute or two, his body stopped falling slightly. He felt he had landed on solid ground. Taking a step forward, suddenly everything became bright before his eyes. Looking back, he saw a talisman gate glowing with silver light right behind him.

Kuumu said expressionlessly, “This is the Talisman Continent where I am from. From now on, you will learn real talismans under my guidance.”

Guo Shier asked in confusion, “Real talismans?” He turned around and quietly wiped the tears from his face.

Kuumu replied, “That’s right—real talismans! The talismans you learned before were the lowest level. Fortunately, you’re still young, so you can change.”

Guo Shier asked, “Is this place the Advanced Talisman Continent?”

Kuumu said, “Advanced Talisman Continent? No, it isn’t.”

Guo Shier explained, “If what we have there are low-level talismans and the talismans here are real ones, then can’t this place be called the Advanced Talisman Continent?”

Kuumu shook his head. “No, we’re not considered an Advanced Talisman Continent. If we follow your classification, your place is a low-level talisman continent, while ours can only be called a Talisman Continent. There’s an even more advanced one… I know of one where the people are even more powerful.”

Guo Shier said in surprise, “Even more powerful than you?”
Kumu didn’t mind Guo Shier’s words. He replied, “Yes, more powerful than here. I’m talking about the top tier… Just like your master—top-tier in your world, but quite ordinary here.”
Guo Shier was secretly shocked. There really was a more advanced continent of talismans.
Kumu said, “Come with me. Stay still.” His hands moved swiftly, and countless tiny talismanic patterns emerged from his fingertips, quickly connecting to form ten purplish-red chains that wrapped around Guo Shier and the Eagle Demon. He shouted, “Relax. These chains won’t hurt you.”
Guo Shier curiously watched the chains wrapped around him. He didn’t feel bound; the chains were about ten centimeters away from his skin, and a gentle force seemed to hold him in place. Then Kumu said, “We’re about to fly. If you’re scared, close your eyes.”
Kumu suddenly took off, lifting the two of them into the air.
The Eagle Demon couldn’t help but scream—he had never tried flying before. Remembering Kumu’s instructions, he tightly closed his eyes and didn’t dare move. Guo Shier, on the other hand, was unfazed. He had jumped out of a parachute in his past life and knew what it was like in the air.
Kumu observed secretly. He noticed that Guo Shier appeared very relaxed, even staring around wide-eyed. As for the Eagle Demon, his expression was far from that—his face was filled with fear, his lips tightly pressed together, and his hands clenched into fists, but he could still hold on. Kumu was both surprised and satisfied. This child had extraordinary talent; he was truly unique.
Kumu flew at great speed, leaving quickly after ascending.
The three of them formed a triangle in the air. Guo Shier was amazed to find that the talismanic chains could completely block the wind coming head-on. He felt neither the wind nor the cold. He asked, “Elder, where… where are we going?”
Kumu’s stiff face moved slightly as he said, “Can you still talk?”
Guo Shier replied in surprise, “Sure. Why not?”
Kumu sighed inwardly. He had seen many people who were so scared on their first flight that they wet themselves. This child was too indifferent. Was he not afraid at all? He said, “Very good!”
Guo Shier thought to himself, “Very good? What does that mean?”
Kumu continued, “Our sect is called Chenxiao Sect, a famous talismanic sect on this continent. Follow me and join the sect… This is your luck.”

Guo Shier thought to himself, “I did it against my will… I was forced… Where did any luck come from?” But out loud, he said obediently, “Yes.” When under someone’s roof, one must bow one’s head.
Ku Mu said satisfactorily, “We’ll be there in a moment.”
At that moment, two faint white lights appeared in the distance, and two figures emerged, flying toward Ku Mu and the others.
Guo Shier asked, “Huh, who are they?”