The Lord of Void and Real

Chapter 76: Chapter 75 A False Alarm

Even though they were at a considerable distance, Shen Luo was able to clearly make out the features of the old man and the young lad.

The younger one was dressed in the uniform of a disciple of the Spring and Autumn Pavilion, his black long hair not tied up in the usual topknot of a Taoist, but instead wound up tightly into a bun, casually held in place with a wooden hairpin.

With a lean figure and extremely handsome features, it was one of the three Inner Sect Disciples, Gu Hualing.

Standing opposite Gu Hualing was an elderly man, tall in stature with a complexion as dark as dusk. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Around his lips was a well-kept ring of greyish-white whiskers. He wore a seamless Taiji Daoist Robe and on his head was a Lotus Crown identical to that of Master Fengyang. He appeared meticulous, with an imposing aura.

This man was also known to Shen Luo, he was Gu Hualing’s Master, Wang Qingsong.

Shen Luo had seen him several times before on lesson days at the San Qing Temple. He always gave very detailed lectures, even clearer and easier to understand than Master Luo or Master Fengyang, but he was so strict and solemn that the disciples were somewhat wary of him.

“Are they in the middle of a transmission of power…” Shen Luo paused, a nagging suspicion forming in his mind.

If it truly was elder Master Wang teaching Gu Hualing certain techniques, then his current actions may have strayed into the realm of stealing forbidden knowledge.

However, Wang Qingsong cast him a glance, seemingly recognizing this uniquely positioned Registered Disciple of his, and with a cold huff, turned away and walked into the distance.

Gu Hualing, however, revealed a smiling face, he waved from afar, as if to say a brief hello.

Shen Luo, feeling embarrassed, waved back at him, his opinion of this rarely-seen Senior Brother Gu becoming slightly more favorable.

After greeting Shen Luo, Gu Hualing turned around and chased after his Master, soon walking side by side with him.

When the two had walked a fair distance, Shen Luo turned his gaze elsewhere, looking towards a farther away place in hope of finding a different location.

However, at that moment, his ears twitched, his expression changed, and he again turned his attention to the disciple and his master who were gradually departing.

“Does his presence here mean he heard what we were talking about? Shall we just kill him and bury him here? It’s a perfect spot since hardly anyone comes here.” While pacing, Gu Hualing said.

Shen Luo’s heart skipped a beat, and disbelief glinted in his eyes.

Even if he had heard any secret techniques, it wasn’t necessary to commit murder and dispose of the body, was it?

“How could he have possibly heard our conversation from so far away, especially since he is an Outer Sect Disciple whose mana has not yet opened? Your reaction might be a little extreme. Next time, we should select a more hidden location.” Elder Master Wang shook his head and spoke.

“Still, it’s better not to leave any loose ends. No one would care about a guy who is not even considered an Outer Sect Disciple. I know plenty of places around this back mountain that are suitable for burying bodies.” Gu Hualing’s face maintained a gentle smile as he spoke, yet his words were chillingly ruthless.

“Don’t complicate things. Although he’s only a registered disciple of Daoist Luo, this makes him special in the Pavilion. Moreover, he is well-liked by Bai Xiaotian. His sudden and inexplicable disappearance might attract unwanted attention.” Master Wang stopped in his tracks and talked seriously.

“Alright, I understand the priorities.” Seeing this, Gu Hualing had no choice but to let the matter lie, while expressing his regret.

At this point, he turned around suddenly and looked towards Shen Luo again. Seeing that Shen Luo was still looking at him, he smiled and nodded.

Shen Luo felt a tightening in his chest. His face, however, remained calm. He responded with a fist and palm salute from afar, as if bidding farewell to his elders.

It was not until the two had completely receded into the distance and out of his line of sight that Shen Luo truly relaxed, a sudden chill running down his spine.

He had simply come out to find a path and almost ended up in a disaster. That was a close call!

If it had been the less perceptive Shen Luo from the past who had not come to understand the Dao or possessed superior sensory abilities, he might have still considered Gu Hualing as someone benevolent, and wouldn’t have known even if he had been sold. As it turns out, the world is indeed dangerous, and one always has to be on guard!

These two certainly have some great secret; otherwise, they wouldn’t go about burying people willy-nilly. Should I find an opportunity to secretly inform Luo Daoist? Regardless, I must avoid this master-disciple pair as much as possible in the future.

Shen Luo’s face fluctuated between darkness and light for quite a while before finally calming his thoughts and continuing his search for a suitable place to cultivate.

To his surprise, he found a quiet valley. The place wasn’t big, but it was very secluded, situated between two towering ridges with a winding brook inside.

From a high vantage point, only the upstream part of the brook was visible, with the middle and downstream areas hidden from sight, making it difficult for others to discover.

Shen Luo hurriedly descended the cliff and sprinted towards the valley.

He entered the valley and followed the brook uphill. After about three or four li, he stumbled upon a shallow pond created by the rushing stream, flanked by boulders about a zhang high, acting like two natural barriers concealing the pond inside.

Unless viewed directly from above, it would be impossible to see inside.

“What a great place!” Shen Luo couldn’t help but exclaim.

Instead of jumping in, he sat cross-legged on the shore, closed his eyes, and manipulated the magic spell. A cool energy emanated from his Dantian, circulating through his meridians.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and extended his index and little finger with the other fingers curled. He began to manipulate the scattered spiritual energies in the water as if controlling a talismanic instrument.

Upon pointing his finger towards the surface of the pond, the calm surface immediately rippled.

These ripples differed from normal waves created by the wind. They presented an inwards circular pattern, as if a stone had fallen into the water, creating a wavy shape.

The circular ripples expanded evenly from the center. After spreading about four feet, they disappeared.

Seeing this, Shen Luo quickly flicked his wrist, and his hand shot upwards.

The water at the center of the ripples churned and a water ball the size of a head emerged from the surface. It rose up to a height of about a foot before falling back into the pond.

There was a ‘dong’ sound.

When the water ball hit the surface, messy ripples were created, quickly disturbing the original waves.

Shen Luo immediately stood up, a joyous smile forming on his face.

Previously, he was already able to control a bit of water with his natural water techniques, and had once used a similar method to teach Senior Brother Niu a lesson. However, this was the first time he had managed to control such a large amount of water at once.

Now, rather than continuing to sit and meditate, he raised his hand to manipulate the spell with the same posture. However, the mana circulating inside his body had suddenly and dramatically increased twofold.

“Rise,” he muttered, as his hand raised upwards.

“Splash, splash…”

The once calm water surface started to churn like boiling water.

A giant water ball the size of a car wheel emerged from the center of the waves and hung in mid-air, not coming down for a long time.