A Century Early in the Battle of Dou Qi

Zhao Li stood in front of Bengbuzu, his tone flat but leaving no room for argument.

Looking at the tips of his feet less than a handspan away, Bengbuzu had absolutely no thought of hiding or deceiving anything. Still slumped on the ground, he spilled everything out like beans, rattling off the entire story from beginning to end.

The matter was simple. He was originally from the neighboring Bolo Empire. By chance, he obtained a tattered map with a Cave Dwelling marked on it. After years of searching, he finally pinpointed its location near Wuxuan City.

He concocted a plan, took control of Wuxuan City, and spread rumors of evil spirits, hoping to reduce the number of outsiders during this period to prevent someone else from snatching the prize.

Unfortunately, even with the help of many people in Wuxuan City searching for several months, they still couldn't find the Cave Dwelling on the map. After that, Zhao Yannian came knocking.

Bengbuzu was quite cooperative. He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out the tattered map, carefully presenting it to Zhao Li. Zhao Li took it and indeed could see a small reference point around Wuxuan City.

But the map was incomplete after all, and who knew how many years it had existed? It was indeed a bit difficult to pinpoint the so-called Cave Dwelling.

Zhao Li didn't have the patience to search slowly. His vast Soul Power spread out, sweeping from Wuxuan City with the City Lord's Mansion as the center, all the way to a thousand li southwest of the City. Only then did he see a broken cliff in a mountain range. His Soul Power condensed into a form and went down to investigate, confirming there was indeed a Cave Dwelling.

Zhao Li withdrew his gaze and looked at Bengbuzu, who was prostrate on the ground. He flicked a finger, and a wisp of bone-white Flame landed on Bengbuzu, instantly reducing him to ashes.

Immediately, he looked at the people within the City Lord's Mansion. Seeing a powerful expert far surpassing themselves disappear just like that, they all trembled, fearing they would be the next to vanish.

But Zhao Li merely glanced at them and made no other moves.

He wasn't particularly bloodthirsty and naturally wouldn't kill everyone in one sweep. They were also forced into this. Even if some had lost their true nature while acting as accomplices, not everyone was evil.

But he didn't have time to distinguish them one by one. After a slight pause, Zhao Li said:

"As for the rumors of evil spirits, you yourselves go clarify and dispel them. From now on, put your minds to good use and restore peace to this place."

After speaking, Zhao Li waved his sleeve, cutting off the Space where Zhao Yannian was. With a flicker of his figure, he left the area.

Seeing him leave, everyone in the City Lord's Mansion felt a sense of surviving a disaster, their faces showing relief. But a few people's eyes flickered, looking at their former companions with full vigilance, afraid that they would be the unlucky one pushed forward to take the blame for everything. Although those things were by no means unjust when it came to them, at this moment, no one wanted to be a scapegoat.

Zhao Li's figure flashed, and he was already a thousand li away, standing in the air before the mountainside of the cliff, looking at the nameless Cave Dwelling in front of him, which was the place he had previously investigated.

He investigated again for a while, feeling no threat from it, and made a judgment in his heart:

"It shouldn't be the Cave Dwelling of some powerful expert."

Just as he was about to walk in, he suddenly stopped and looked at Zhao Yannian, who was still adjusting his breathing in the Space interlayer beside him. He decided to wait and let him experience a treasure hunting trip.

With a thought, he released Zhao Yannian from the Pocket Dimension. A wisp of Dou Qi supported him, letting him slowly land at the entrance of the cave, and then he also waited on the side.

Two hours later, with the help of the Dou Qi Zhao Li had infused, Zhao Yannian's injuries were completely healed. He found that Zhao Li's wisp of Dou Qi was of exceptionally high quality and even began to align his own Dou Qi with its quality. Although he was far from reaching that level, his strength had improved significantly.

He opened his eyes and immediately looked around. The light was dim, and the environment was somewhat unfamiliar. Seeing Zhao Li, his face lit up with joy again. He scrambled up, happily saying:

"Master, how did things go? Where is this?"

Zhao Li smiled and said:

"Don't worry, with Master taking action, how could that old fellow continue to be so arrogant?"

As he spoke, he pointed towards the depths of the Cave Dwelling and continued:

"This is the secret that old fellow mentioned, and it's what he was plotting for by controlling a City. Let's go, Master will take you treasure hunting."

A warmth rose in Zhao Yannian's heart. This place didn't look like it had anything that could attract Zhao Li, but he had specifically waited until he woke up, just as he said, to take him treasure hunting.

"Master is mighty."

He quickly flattered him, then waited for a long time and saw that Zhao Li was still in the same spot. He asked in confusion:

"Master? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, let's go."

"Then you should go first."

"How about you lead Master and show me how much you've improved over the years?"

"..."

Zhao Yannian was speechless for a moment, but he still obediently walked in front.

Thinking of the Mechanisms and Traps in the stories, he became vigilant. He took out a Glowstone, illuminating the cave, and then proceeded cautiously.

Zhao Li leisurely followed behind Zhao Yannian, finding it somewhat amusing to see him occasionally jumping left and right, advancing and retreating. He asked:

"What are you doing?"

He had already investigated. The master of this Cave Dwelling would not exceed Dou Sect at most, and there were no Mechanisms and Traps around. Letting Zhao Yannian lead the way was indeed just to see his progress during this time.

In the past year or so, although he occasionally paid attention to Zhao Yannian, as long as he confirmed that his character hadn't drastically changed, he wouldn't pay further attention. More time was spent pondering Cultivation Techniques. To be honest, he didn't know what he had experienced or how much he had changed. Now was a good time to see.

Zhao Yannian didn't know this and naturally replied:

"I'm Probing! Master, let me tell you, the masters of these Cave Dwellings and Ruins are very wicked. They often set up Mechanisms and Traps just in case someone digs up their grave. I don't have your strength, Master, and I might fall into their trap if I'm not careful."

After speaking, he muttered again:

"Really, they still try to trick people even after they're dead."

Zhao Li smiled and casually picked up a round stone, throwing it forward:

"You're usually quite clever, aren't you? Why, knowing there might be danger, are you still Probing with your own body?"

Seeing this, Zhao Yannian slapped his head, imitating him, and said sheepishly:

"Hehe, with Master by my side, I feel secure and not afraid."

Zhao Li lightly patted his head and chuckled, scolding him.

"Then why didn't you just charge through? Come on, there's no danger."

With that, he simply walked ahead of Zhao Yannian.

Zhao Yannian followed, complaining inwardly.

You said you wanted to see how much I've improved. Would it look right if I just charged through? But how did I not think of that? Did that old guy's big hammer make me stupid? Hmph, consider yourself lucky you ran into Master, otherwise, if you ever fall into my hands, I'll hammer you to death.

Amidst his grumbling, the two steadily advanced. It wasn't long before they reached the end of the cave. Before them was a stone wall covered in moss. Under the passage of time, it gave no indication that there was anything hidden behind it.

Zhao Yannian knocked on the wall, got no response, and looked around, trying to find any Mechanisms and Traps.

Whoosh—

The sound of stone sliding on the ground reached his ears. He turned back and saw Zhao Li gently placing his hand on the stone wall, casually pushing it forward.

After it had moved back about two meters, the path on either side of the stone gradually widened until it was wide enough for one person to pass. Zhao Li stopped and turned to call out to Zhao Yannian.

"What are you standing there for? Come on."

Zhao Li called out, then turned sideways and entered behind the large stone first.

Hearing this, Zhao Yannian quickly followed.

"Master, how did you find the mechanism?"

"Huh? What mechanism?"

"This stone wall!"

"Oh! Why bother looking for a mechanism? Wouldn't it be easier to just push it in? If I wasn't afraid of damaging what's behind it, smashing it would be even faster."

"..."

Zhao Yannian was speechless again. After a long pause, he finally managed to blurt out, "Master, you're amazing."

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