This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 255 Viewing the Picture
To truly adapt to this era, a few days, or even the ten days or so that Xiong Xuguang and his team had planned in advance, are not enough.

Xiong Xuguang and his team's purpose was simply to carry out the verification plan, but Liu Hongyu, as their nominal companion, could not just do that. He hoped that Xiong Xuguang and the dozen or so soldiers from the reconnaissance platoon could learn more about this place.

Although the Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations and even the Great Yan Dynasty are still cautiously speculating about contact with cultivators, the basic tone of Hidden Immortal Valley has already been set, so cooperation will inevitably deepen sooner or later.
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With such a major incident occurring at the Wuling County wharf in the morning, the government's notices were naturally posted everywhere by the afternoon.

However, the group of more than 20 people continued to wander around Wuling County.

With Liu Hongyu and the others by their side, the illusion was so strong that even officers who had met the soldiers directly that morning would not notice anything amiss as they walked by.

At first, everyone was still nervous, but they gradually adapted. After half a day, their gait and other aspects finally began to become natural.

People can't teach others, but things can be taught by others.

Although the soldiers in the reconnaissance battalion are called reconnaissance soldiers, they have been in peacetime for decades and have mostly been engaged in rigorous daily military training. They rarely have any training of the nature of espionage, so they must change their identities.

These tasks were done with the help of Liu Hongyu and others, but they were also remembered by Xiong Xuguang and the other soldiers.

As evening fell, a group of people stood outside Wuling County, and behind them came the sound of the county gate slowly closing.

"I suppose you all already have a basic understanding of Kuching?"

Hearing Liu Hongyu say this, the dozen or so people were left with a strange feeling.

"However, what follows should be something you're good at. Come with me into the mountains, but it won't be very comfortable!"

Liu Hongyu was going to follow in his master's footsteps and lead these dozen or so people directly through the mountains to see what skills they had.

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Hongyu had already vanished in a blur, disappearing directly into the mountains.

Mu Hongwen and Gao Ran immediately understood.

"Hurry up and catch up with the senior brother!"

After saying that, the two of them also ran along the road towards the mountains and forests, but their speed was not as exaggerated as Liu Hongyu's, so as not to make it impossible for the people behind them to catch up.

"Follow up quickly!"

Xiong Xuguang shouted and took the lead in chasing after him. After all, he was also a cultivator, and even though it hadn't been long, he was already far beyond what ordinary people could do.

However, the soldiers in the reconnaissance platoon were no ordinary people. They quickly realized what was happening and, led by their platoon leader, gave chase.

The trek through the mountains felt like a forced march, and also like a replay of the time I chased after two students in Shennongjia.

But this time it was actually easier because they didn't need to carry equipment and weapons, and the soldiers in the reconnaissance platoon had been training in Hidden Immortal Valley for more than a month, so their physical fitness had obviously improved significantly.

At midnight, Liu Hongyu and the others were already waiting at the foot of that small cliff.

Xiong Xuguang arrived a step later, followed by a dozen or so soldiers from the reconnaissance platoon.

Wu Le'an was naturally the first soldier to arrive. He rushed to the edge of the cliff, braced himself against his legs to catch his breath for a while, and then looked back.

A rustling sound filled the forest as the soldiers arrived one after another.

"Hehehe, count off!"

Wu Le'an called out in a low voice, and the arriving soldiers responded one after another.

"Zhao Dayou has arrived."

"Guan Yu Dao"

"Hehe. Hehe. He Guide has arrived."

The soldiers were panting heavily, but they reported in one after another. Some arrived in groups of several, while others arrived alone. However, the intervals between them were short, only a dozen or so breaths, and everyone was present.

No one fell behind, and no one even complained of being tired or needed a break along the way.

Moreover, it is obvious that they must have helped and supported each other along the way, which is why the time interval between their arrivals was so short.

Liu Hongyu stood quietly on the edge of the cliff, watching. These people were more resilient than he had imagined. Their performance was even comparable to that of Lu Jing and his group of four, whom his master had described. Those four had practiced martial arts for many years, and even though most of them had not yet developed internal energy, they were still very strong.

And this was the second time I witnessed the tacit understanding between these people.

The first time was during the morning at the dock where a large-scale brawl broke out. Nearly twenty people faced a larger number of Wuling officials. In the ensuing chaos, they fought back with short daggers against long weapons.

Moreover, these soldiers are definitely not best at close combat; their forte is handling firearms.

"Young master, everyone is here, no one is missing!"

Wu Le'an reported to Xiong Xuguang, panting, but Xiong Xuguang seemed slightly nervous at the moment.

"Young Master, what's wrong?" Xiong Xuguang looked around at the surrounding forest, then at Liu Hongyu, who had a calm expression.

"There's a strange smell, it seems to be demonic energy?"

When the Demon-Sealing Rock was activated in the back mountain of my hometown, the demonic aura was very obvious, and many ordinary people present could smell it.

The scent was slightly different this time, but it felt somewhat similar to Xiong Xuguang's, yet it also had a hint of sandalwood. He had experienced various demonic energies in his dreams several times, so he was a little unsure about this one.

But in any case, something is definitely coming, or rather, it's been nearby all along.

"It is indeed demonic energy, but there's no need to be afraid. Come out!"

Liu Hongyu glanced at Xiong Xuguang. The spirit aura guarding the Innate Diagram was actually well concealed, so Xiong Xuguang's perception was relatively strong.

Liu Hongyu's first half of the sentence was directed at Xiong Xuguang, while the second half was clearly directed at someone else.

The ground seemed to tremble slightly the next moment, and Xiong Xuguang and the soldiers almost reflexively dodged to the side.

The ground in that area began to rise continuously, and then a huge object the size of a house rose up from the ground.

"Ugh."

A low, whistling sound followed, and a faint aura spread out.

However, Xiong Xuguang and the soldiers of the reconnaissance platoon couldn't care about anything else at this moment. They stared in astonishment at the huge monster that had risen from the ground, and their steps involuntarily slowed down as they retreated.

Some soldiers couldn't resist drawing their daggers, but looking at the daggers in their hands and the enormous monster, they realized that weapons probably wouldn't even provide psychological comfort.

"Don't be afraid, it won't harm you, it's just protecting the Primordial Diagram!"

When Liu Hongyu said this, Mu Hongwen, who was standing next to him, added with a smile.

"He is considered the mountain god of this mountain, and the local villagers have long been worshipping him. He would never harm a good person!"

As Mu Hongwen spoke, the enormous mountain spirit slowly lowered its body, its giant hands made of earth and stone bowing downwards.

Not to mention Xiong Xuguang, even the soldiers in the reconnaissance platoon could see that the monster was actually saluting Liu Hongyu and the others.

"You have cultivated diligently, and it is truly remarkable that you have achieved what you have today. You have also made a contribution by guarding the Innate Diagram and by protecting the order of the surrounding mountains and rivers and safeguarding the region. Today, since we have the opportunity, I will lend you another helping hand."

As soon as Liu Hongyu finished speaking, he took out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve, uncorked it, and activated it. Three drops of spiritual liquid shimmering with purple light flew out.

"Your origin is close to the essence of plants and trees, and you have gathered the spirit of earth and wood. These three drops of Purple Cloud Dew can help you pass the first major hurdle of the Transformation Aperture."

"Hahaha, that's great! Now that we've passed this hurdle, we don't have to whine anymore!"

"That's true!"

Xiao Wen and Gao Ran chimed in, while Xiong Xuguang paused for a moment before realizing what was happening.

I've learned this at the academy during this time. Some spirits and animals cultivate in slightly different ways, but as long as you pass this stage, you'll also have the same ability as those who have refined their transverse bones—they can speak.

As the Purple Dew flew onto the spirit, a faint purple light rose from its massive body. Then, it sat cross-legged on the ground like a human, seemingly beginning to cultivate.

The dozen or so soldiers stared blankly, and then couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

Hearing about it is one thing, seeing it is another. Although I had seen the rooster in Hidden Immortal Valley, seeing the monsters outside was still quite exciting.

"Alright, come and take a look at the innate chart. It won't be a wasted trip."

Liu Hongyu said something and then sat down cross-legged on the side, while Xiao Wen and Gao Ran took over the task of introducing him.

Xiong Xuguang and the others gathered around, listening to Xiao Wen and Gao Ran talk about the origins of the Innate Diagram, sometimes seriously and sometimes embellished, while they looked at the Innate Diagram one after another as they listened to the explanations.

Some people felt dizzy looking at it, while others were completely absorbed. However, with Gao Ran and Xiao Wen casting a little spell to help them, everyone became completely engrossed in looking at the Innate Diagram.
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I was so engrossed in gazing at the painting that the whole night passed by in a flash.

When everyone woke up the next morning, they were still in the same place, but the giant monster had disappeared.

It was here that the personnel were divided into three groups, with each of the three classes forming one group, and each group heading in one of the three directions to their original destination.

However, after Xiong Xuguang and Xiao Wen's group had gone far away, he realized that after they had rushed to the small cliff where the Innate Diagram stone wall was located under Liu Hongyu's leadership, they were not only there to see the so-called Innate Diagram, but also to see the real spirits and monsters.

It was a mountain spirit or stone monster the size of a house, making "woo-woo-wah-wah" noises. It looked quite frightening, but it showed no signs of aggression. Instead, upon seeing Liu Hongyu and the others, it emerged from underground and bowed.

So-called demons can be good or bad.

(End of this chapter)