CH 254

“We’re here!” Shang Lubing’s voice came from the front as the five behind him snapped back to reality. They got ready to meet the legendary Patriarch Kou Chongxue of the Tongyou Institution they heard so much about.

Among the five, Shang Xia felt the most at ease. It wasn’t just because of his status. Instead, his cultivation had more to do with it.

After all, not even Shang Lubing’s disciple, Dou Zhong, could hold his composure like that.

When Shang Xia saw how Shang Lubing took two steps forward, he did the same and he couldn’t help but gasp in shock.

When the others heard him, they ran over in unison. Noticing the beautiful scenery, they were completely taken aback.

Since it was already late autumn, dried up leaves were falling from trees and they made up most of the foliage as the group of six made their way deeper into the Thousand Leaf Mountain Range.

However, the region before them was nothing like that. They were greeted with a sigh of lush greenery and the region was full of life!

“Is this really the Thousand Leaf Mountain Range we know?” Zhang Jianfei asked.

He wasn’t the only one who was confused. There were others who found it inconceivable.

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Regardless, Meng Tianzi found it unbelievable. Kou Chongxue’s act of hiding in the Thousand Leaf Mountain Range might be surprising, but there had to be someone who guessed as much. It didn’t make sense for no one to check the Thousand Leaf Mountain Range when they were looking for him.

The region before them might seem special, but it wasn’t exactly a separate space. It didn’t make sense for no one to locate it. Naturally, that was only applicable if they were truly in the depths of the Thousand Leaf Mountain Range. Earlier, they left the institution without even knowing it. The same situation might be happening right now.

Unlike the others, Shang Xia’s thoughts weren't focused on the region in front of them. Instead, he was thinking about how the institution managed to create a spatial tunnel to the depths of the Thousand Leaf Mountain Range. He knew that the institution’s foundations were sufficient for them to do something like that. Otherwise, the institution wouldn’t have started their conquest for the Coral Forest after twenty long years. 

It was obvious they were focused on something else before.

Regardless, that couldn’t explain how Kou Chongxue’s hiding spot was undetectable by the outsiders.

Like what Meng Tianzi thought, the various powers would definitely send their experts to scour every inch of the lands. It didn’t make sense for them to miss the Thousand Leaf Mountain Range.

A possibility flashed through Shang Xia’s mind all of a sudden. He couldn’t resist the urge to speak up, “Is this… Is this another entrance to the battlefield between the two worlds?” 

Zhang Jianfei snapped at him the moment the words left his lips. “How is that possible? The only entrance to the battlefield is located at the main entrance of our institution!” 

Shaking his head slowly, Shang Xia muttered, “Did you forget how the Rose Party entered the battlefield between the two worlds?”

“Could there be more than one path into the battlefield between the two worlds?” Tian Mengzi muttered to himself.

Mu Qingyu, Zhang Jianfei, and Dou Zhong turned to look at Shang Lubing as they anticipated his reply.

A gentle voice rang in their ears before Shang Lubing could say anything. “I didn’t think that you would be able to think of this. Impressive. You’re not exactly correct, but you’re close.” 

Creaks came from a small wooden hut nearby as a middle aged mad clad in loose white robes emerged.

His appearance was pretty clean, but there was a weary look in his eyes. A short stubble remained on his chin and the roots of his hair were starting to turn gray. His appearance was unassuming, but from the moment they laid eyes on him, he seemed to turn into the heavens and the earth. Nothing else mattered other than that middle aged man.

Zhang Jianfei nudged Shang Xia slightly and he muttered in a soft voice, “Did you… Did you see that wooden hut earlier?” 

Shang Xia whispered in response, “Nope. But I can confirm that the wooden hut has been there all along. It’s not covered by any sort of camouflage formation. Seems like we didn’t notice it.”

Perhaps that was the reason no one was able to locate Kou Chongxue’s tracks? 

“Haven’t you kids been thinking about meeting your patriarch? Why are you acting like fools now that he’s standing right in front of you?” Shang Lubing chuckled after nodding towards the middle aged man that just appeared.

Shang Xia and the others felt their bodies trembling violently as they snapped back to reality. They greeted Kou Chongxue hastily.

From the look on Kou Chongxue’s face, it seemed like he had just woken up from his afternoon nap. He led the group into the courtyard and towards a small table carved from an entire chunk of wood. Gesturing for everyone to sit, he poured out a cup of tea for everyone.

The several disciples were naturally too awkward to respond. Only Shang Lubing downed the entire cup of tea the moment Kou Chongxue was done pouring his tea. Narrowing his eyes, he smacked his lips before muttering, “What great tea! If not for the fact that I’ll get to drink this, I wouldn’t bother bringing these kids all the way here.” 

When he was done, he ignored the bitter smile that was forming on Kou Chongxue’s lips. Turning to the five disciples, he continued, “There’s no need to stand on ceremony with him. Your patriarch’s Illusory Tea is good stuff. It’s really famous outside the You Continent too. You have to drink it while it's hot. Otherwise, it will lose all its effects.” 

Hearing what he said, the five disciples quickly raised their cups to their lips. Even though they drank it like Shang Lubing, their reactions were different. They didn’t narrow their eyes to savor the taste like the old expert. Instead, their gazes turned hazy and they seemed to fall into some sort of illusory world.

Kou Chongxue addressed Shang Lubing when he saw their reactions. “How was it? Did anyone follow you here?” 

Shang Lubing shook his head in response. “We might have thought about things too simply. The members of the Rose Party and the other powers wouldn’t choose to follow me at this time.” 

Kou Chongxue wasn’t surprised by that at all. Instead, he laughed softly in amusement. “Of course they won’t. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t make a move on the kids when you return. It won’t take long for them to figure out where I’m hiding after this too.”

“Are you really planning to leak this location out?” Shang Lubing frowned.

The smile on Kou Chongxue’s face remained, but he didn’t give a proper answer.

A trace of irritation appeared in Shang Lubing’s heart. “You can’t! Your injuries…” 

The smile on Kou Chongxue’s face faded and he turned serious. “There’s no time. If we don’t do this, how can we merge the Coral Command into the Tongyou Institution?” 

Shang Lubing wanted to continue his persuasion, but Kou Chongxue raised his eyebrows slightly and gasped in shock before turning to look at the five disciples. “Wow, these kids are really talented. Practically every one of them managed to gain some enlightenment from my tea.” 

The words barely left his lips when Shang Xia’s consciousness trembled. His eyes snapped open and he glanced all around him. It was a force of habit after encountering so many dangerous situations in the past, and when he was sure that it was safe, his taut nerves finally relaxed.

“I embarrassed myself in front of Patriarch Kou and Instructor Shang…” 

Shang Lubing spoke before Kou Chongxue could say anything. “It’s alright. You should think about what you just comprehended. Otherwise, you’ll waste the effects of the tea.” 

Shang Xia nodded before closing his eyes once again to think about what he just experienced.

Soon after, the other four disciples also started to awaken.