Chapter 672: 551 – Peer_1 Dawn had broken. Amidst the verdant mountains and rivers. The sky was azure and vast, the forests lush like a screen. A brook babbled along. Two figures, one leading the other, walked onward. The person in front, tall and thin, wore an ill-fitting Taoist robe stained with blood, moving stiffly and oddly like a marionette pulled by strings. The one behind, petite with picturesque eyebrows and eyes, stepped lightly. These two were none other than Gui Tao’s people and Mo Hua. They had been walking all night and now into the morning. Gui Tao walked slowly, seemingly in no hurry. Mo Hua had no choice but to follow at his pace, calmly and steadily. He was following Gui Tao… Gui Tao was cruel and unpredictable. Deeply scheming, adept at beguiling the hearts of men. The Big Demon, Feng Xi from Tongxian City, and the Corpse King, the Taoist Demon from South Yue City, both stemmed from Gui Tao’s plotting. Just now, twenty Golden Core Demon Cultivators had also fallen to his “Planting Devil in Taoist Heart,” slaughtered to the last man. Mo Hua followed behind him, initially tense and uneasy at heart. But after half a day and a night of walking, he had grown numb, found relief, and gradually adapted. He thought about it and felt that he should be safe, at least for the moment. Although uncertain of Gui Tao’s intentions, as long as he intended to bring him to his master, it was inevitable that he wouldn’t kill him before they met. Moreover, it seemed unlikely that he would be subject to “Planting Devil in Taoist Heart.” If he were, his master would surely detect it, knowing he was no longer his little disciple, leaving Gui Tao without leverage. Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief. At least before he saw his master, he should remain “unharmed.” As for what might happen after that… well, that was yet to be seen… But first, he must meet his master. Mo Hua heaved a long sigh. He wished to see his master one more time; otherwise, he feared he might never see him in this lifetime… 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂 But he didn’t know what secret burdened his master, how many people, how many powers, were plotting against him. Now the Demon Sect had laid out a killing scheme. An old ancestor from the Feather Transformation Realm had taken action. The Golden Cores, once thought unattainable, now cropped up everywhere like leeks. His “Uncle,” Gui Tao, had reaped over twenty with “Planting Devil in Taoist Heart.” In such a situation, those at Foundation Establishment were mere ants. Let alone him, a mere Qi Refinement cultivator. With Demon Sect cultivators everywhere in Dali Mountain, he, on his own, couldn’t go back to Li Mountain City, break the Soul Refining Banner, enter the Five Elements Mountain Guarding Formation, and see his master. Only by following Gui Tao could he sneak in. Mo Hua nodded slightly. Gui Tao wanted him to lead the way and find his master. He, too, wished to have this “Uncle” “protect” him as he went back to see his master once more. Although his Uncle might also kill him, As it stood, as long as he stayed by his side, no one else could harm him. After all, he was a “Taoist” of the Demon Sect who could nurture a Taoist Demon… The thought of seeing his master again Made Mo Hua’s steps considerably lighter. The Gui Tao walking ahead, however, narrowed his eyes slightly. He didn’t know what Mo Hua was thinking. Initially, there had been a trace of insecurity in Mo Hua’s expression. But after walking a while, he seemed to come to some realization, easing into a relaxed demeanor, swaggering behind him. As if… he was on his way to make a casual visit? This youngster… quite bold… Didn’t he know who he was dealing with? Gui Tao remained silent, continuing to lead the way. Mo Hua, with hands clasped behind his back, followed. Walking along, Mo Hua began to feel bored. His “Uncle” was limping, walking too slowly… At this rate, getting to Li Mountain City would take forever. Mo Hua wanted to ask but didn’t quite dare; he feared provoking his Uncle’s ire. Yet, after some time, he could no longer restrain himself and moved closer, whispering: “Uncle, aren’t you in a hurry?” “Aren’t you walking, just a bit too slow…?” “At this rate, my master will end up caught by those Demon Heads…” “Won’t you walk a bit faster?” … Gui Tao’s pace faltered, but he did not respond, simply continuing forward. Seeing no reaction but no anger either, Mo Hua felt reassured and grew bolder. “Probably I haven’t struck the right chord, so my Uncle couldn’t be bothered to answer…” Mo Hua then picked some other topics to inquire about: “Uncle, what do you want to do when you find my master?” “Uncle, are you on bad terms with my master?” “Uncle, are Taoists really powerful?” “Uncle, does everyone who undergoes ‘Planting Devil in Taoist Heart’ surely die?” “Uncle…” … Chattering non-stop like a little chatterbox, Mo Hua talked incessantly. At last, Gui Tao couldn’t stand it anymore, stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and looked at Mo Hua with his pitch-black pupils. Mo Hua immediately fell silent. Afterward, the remainder of the journey was silent; they passed through a small mountain village. The village was sparsely populated, usually inhabited by poor Loose Cultivators living off Spirit Plants, secluded and undisturbed. On the right-hand side of the road, there was a small noodle shop. Amidst the green mountains and rivers, the aroma of noodles wafted out. Mo Hua halted. Gui Tao walked on, then noticing Mo Hua had stopped, turned back with a vacant and cold gaze. “I’m hungry, I can’t go any further…” Mo Hua stated truthfully. He had been walking for a day and a night now. He was not a Body Cultivator, and with little strength, he had sustained himself on the tension of the journey and hadn’t felt fatigued. But now that he had relaxed and smelled the enticing fragrance, he felt ravenously hungry and couldn’t walk another step. Gui Tao looked at Mo Hua, his expression becoming complex.