Chapter 225: Chapter 17 Wei Daoyou observes the subtle and understands the obvious, seeing with clarity!
 

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Traditional cultivation novels are like games where the growth in enemy power levels is an important aspect.

For instance, if the protagonist is at the Marrow Cleansing Rank, then most of the enemies encountered will certainly be at the next higher Refining Mansion Rank, allowing the protagonist to desperately fight and win against higher-ranked enemies.

After all, if the enemy is in the Golden Core Realm, the protagonist can usually only flee; if they’re even higher, in the Nascent Soul Realm, there wouldn’t even be a chance to run, and the novel could come to a premature end.

But reality, after all, is not a novel; the places you go can’t possibly hang a “High Rank Cultivators Not Allowed” sign.

In most cases, it’s about whether the location has value that would attract high-rank cultivators. If so, low-rank cultivators can only resign themselves to fate and pray they don’t run into high-rank enemies.

The Hundred Thousand Mountains is just such a place.

There are many benefits there that would move even Nascent Soul Realm cultivators; there are also many ruins that even Refining Mansion Rank cultivators may fully explore.

Therefore, on the day the miasma dissipates each year, a large number of cultivators enter the Hundred Thousand Mountains. The Shushan Sect, the Eastern Emperor, and many other allied cultivators, including loose cultivators… In short, it’s a mixed bag, and anything could happen.

If cultivators of the same rank encounter each other, they often avoid conflict after cautious probing, since fighting is detrimental to both parties;

Once there is a large gap in realms, it almost inevitably results in a one-sided massacre… It’s fine if an outer sect disciple perishes, but if it’s an elite seed from within the sect, of course, they cannot be allowed to die due to bad luck.

So this so-called expedition team is less about bravely entering high-risk areas and more about high-rank cultivators providing protection and training throughout the journey.

After listening to Jiang Liyan’s explanation, Wei Dongliu finally understood.

Alas, this character doesn’t have the trait of “understanding a thousand things upon hearing one”; quite unaccustomed indeed.

As for the response, of course, it was to decline the offer.

Although it’s tempting to have a powerhouse as a coach, what about the Synchronization Value of my mysterious character setting?

If I play coy here, and Jiang the Witch gets curious just as a big shot says an indifferent “just this”, won’t my mysterious character setting collapse right then and there?

“That is very well, but I, Wei Dongliu, will not be participating,” Wei Dongliu said indifferently, “Sorry, Brother Jiang, if you wish to join the expedition, we can part ways here.”

Jiang Liyan: ???

It was the first time that she couldn’t maintain her composure and showed a baffling expression of astonishment.

Isn’t this a perfect opportunity, with a sect senior offering full support and protection, ensuring safety from ambushes by high-rank Shushan cultivators while freely exploring ruins?

What are you thinking, Old Wei? To decline such a golden opportunity, has a Heart Demon gnawed away at your brain?

“Brother Wei.” She carefully weighed her words, saying, “Whether to join hands this time is, of course, up to each individual’s free will; we won’t force anything. However, I’m a bit curious, if you could share your reason why?”

Wei Dongliu smiled faintly and replied:

“I’m afraid it’s inconvenient to disclose, sorry.”

Jiang Liyan: ………

She immediately felt somewhat irritated.

This is just nonsense! Refusing the protection of a high-rank cultivator and instead insisting on exploring alone, I can’t think of any legitimate reason besides deliberately showing off… Wait a minute.

Jiang the Witch is indeed shrewd, and suddenly a thought emerged in her mind:

Hmm.

Could it be…

Within the group of sect seniors leading this expedition…

There’s an acquaintance that Old Wei knows and would prefer not to encounter?

Thinking this, it suddenly seemed very likely—she had long suspected Wei Dongliu was hiding his true strength; it’s just that she didn’t know his real realm, and therefore, didn’t dare to test him directly.

Although there’s no conclusive evidence, one must know that even the Qilin at the gate of the Eastern Emperor Divine Palace took a rare interest in Wei Dongliu!

Who would believe he’s a low-rank cultivator who hasn’t achieved Core Formation?

With this in mind, Jiang Liyan’s thoughts drifted towards a secretive insight:

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Wei Dongliu’s seemingly young body might be inhabited by an extremely old soul?

An ancient soul from the Nascent Soul Realm… or perhaps even from the Immortal Realm?

This speculation had no basis whatsoever, it simply arose suddenly from the depths of her heart, as if a miraculous intuition had appeared out of thin air.

However, Jiang the Witch was a person who very much trusted her intuition, as it had saved her from danger on numerous occasions in the past.

For instance, during her last visit to Wuzhi Islands, it was an ominous premonition that emerged out of nowhere that allowed her to escape an ambush by a cultivator from Yuqing View.

If her intuition proved to be correct this time, then inside Wei Dongliu… resided an old monster who had possessed a new body?

Wei Dongliu, unaware that his identity had already been romantically reimagined by Jiang Liyan, only noticed that the synchronization value of his mysterious persona had skyrocketed and excitedly said to the Kunlun Mirror:

“Ah Jing, you see? I told you that you were prejudiced against Jiang Daoist. Look, isn’t this girl quite adorable!”

“Quite good,” the Kunlun Mirror didn’t want to bother with him and responded noncommittally, “If you want to become close with this witch, I can only say that as long as you’re happy, it’s fine.”

“Ah Jing, cut the sourness. I’m merely doing this for identity synchronization. Don’t be too jealous,” Wei Dongliu said proudly.

Kunlun Mirror: ………

“So, what do you plan to do?” she changed the subject and asked, “If you’re not joining the expedition team, then you can only explore and hunt.”

“It seems that’s the only choice,” Wei Dongliu sighed and said, “As long as I don’t encounter high-rank Sword Immortals or old acquaintances, I can handle the other Shushan Sect disciples.”

“In that case,” Jiang Liyan finally settled on a thought and then smiled again, “let’s go and discuss with Brother Wen and Gu Lie.”

Wei Dongliu raised his eyebrows in surprise.

He had already expressed his refusal so decisively, yet Jiang the Witch was not giving up. Was she intending to keep him around?

Moved!

“What do you think, Xiaoqi?” Jiang Liyan turned her head and asked.

“I’m fine with either,” Long Xiaoqi said leisurely. After all, the Sect Leader had only asked his willingness, not made it mandatory for him to join the expedition team.

“Very well, then let’s go find both Daoists and have a discussion together,” Jiang Liyan clapped her hands in laughter.

Since it was Long Xiaoqi who had brought them in, the guest rooms of Wen Yang and Gu Lie were not far away, and they were quickly summoned.

“Not joining the expedition team?” Wen Yang also showed the same surprised expression. “Why is that, Daoist Wei? Could you explain if convenient?”

“There’s no need for Daoist Wei to explain, I’ll say it,” Gu Lie sneered. “To join the expedition team, was it the elders of the various sects’ wish, or was it Sect Leader Shi who suggested it?”

“Of course, it was the Sect Leader’s intention,” Long Xiaoqi said calmly.

“So Sect Leader Shi proposed it because of the immortal beast Qilin speaking to Daoist Wei in front of the palace gates, right?” Gu Lie continued to sneer.

Long Xiaoqi didn’t reply, just slowly shook his head. It was unclear whether he meant “it’s not”, “I don’t know”, or “it’s not appropriate to say”.

“If it’s the sect elders who want you to join the expedition team, it’s certainly a good move,” Gu Lie didn’t mention the Qilin anymore, but said coldly, “But if it’s Sect Leader Shi’s idea, then it’s not a matter of the elders valuing you, but rather just giving face to Sect Leader Shi.”

“Although that’s the case, when the news gets back to the sect, what will your fellow disciples, brothers, and sisters think?”

“They won’t know that it’s Sect Leader Shi’s face at play; they will think that you were exceptionally valued by the sect elders, which will lead them to become wary and hostile towards us… After a while, when they realize that the elders do not actually value us that much, they will begin to doubt whether we have lost favor.”

“In such a situation, do you think most of them will drop their caution, or try to kick someone when they are down to see if they can squeeze out any benefits the elders gave us earlier?”

“Naturally, the latter,” Wen Yang also smiled coldly, “Daoist Wei’s keen observation and Daoist Gu’s understanding of human nature have truly opened my eyes. I am enlightened.”

“To exploit an opportunity is of course the best,” Gu Lie concluded, “But if you exploit it under everyone’s scrutiny and don’t have the strength to dispel the subsequent covetousness, then you must weigh whether it’s worth it!”

“I see,” Jiang Liyan sighed and said, “In that case, indeed, we cannot join the expedition team. It’s merely a pity that a tall tree catches the wind. I’m not as perceptive as Daoist Wei. Thank you, Daoist Gu, for the clarification.”

Wei Dongliu smiled on the surface, remaining silent, but inwardly chuckled:

You guys… what are you imagining?