May I seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, and live a long and prosperous life.

Meng Ji shook his head and explained to Li Heng in detail: "Fellow Daoist Li, you rarely leave your home, so you probably don't know that a mysterious secret realm has appeared in the outer area of ​​Chixia Mountain recently, which can only be entered by those below the fifth level of Qi Refining."

This secret realm contains many rare and precious materials. The first cultivator to enter this secret realm successfully brought out some of these materials and became rich overnight.

For the rest of their lives, that cultivator will never have to worry about cultivation resources once they reach the Foundation Establishment stage. To be honest, I'm quite envious myself. Currently, many low-level rogue cultivators have already made plans to venture into that mysterious secret realm.

Therefore, I would like to invite Fellow Daoist Li to explore the secret realm together. If we're lucky, we could become rich overnight and never have to worry about paying protection fees again. Moreover, with the vast cultivation resources available, we might even be able to glimpse the Foundation Establishment realm. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Li is interested?

Li Heng was not moved at all after hearing this.

Even if this secret realm has rare and precious treasures, so what? He can still cultivate by consuming discarded pills, so he doesn't have to worry about cultivation resources.

Moreover, venturing into mysterious realms is not in line with his path of cultivation.

He adheres to the principle of seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, practicing self-cultivation in a low-key manner, avoiding taking action as much as possible, and avoiding offending others as much as possible.

He will only choose to completely nip the trouble in the bud if he can no longer tolerate it or if his bottom line is crossed.

Therefore, Li Heng refused decisively:

"Fellow Daoist Meng, this mysterious realm is destined to attract countless low-level rogue cultivators. With far more monks than porridge, neither you nor I may be able to obtain those rare and precious treasures inside. Moreover, with so many people, fighting and killing are inevitable."

"A moment's carelessness could lead to my demise, which is not in accordance with my cultivation. I regret that I cannot agree to explore the secret realm with you, Fellow Daoist. You should also think carefully before acting, lest you needlessly lose your life."

Meng Ji wanted to persuade Li Heng again, so he said:

"Fellow Daoist Li, are you really unwilling to go? You should know that there are countless rare and precious treasures inside. Obtaining just one of them would be enough for us lowly cultivators to turn our lives around. This is our only chance to defy fate."

Taking some risks is normal. How can you expect a windfall if you don't strive? Fellow Daoist, do you really want to spend your life doing menial tasks, hard labor, being bullied, and never being able to hold your head high?

Li Heng shook his head, his attitude resolute, and said, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to persuade me any further. My mind is made up. If you have nothing else to say, please leave."

Seeing the displeasure on Li Heng's face and his order to leave, Meng Ji had no choice but to return to his cave in frustration.

The next day, early in the morning, Meng Ji packed his bags and left the cave.

He ultimately decided to travel alone; the allure of this mysterious realm was too great for him.

He really didn't want to live that kind of life of tightening his belt anymore.

As he left, he glanced back at Li Heng's cave and spat:

"Li Heng, you coward and wimp, you'll regret this. When I return with the rare treasures, you'll realize how much you missed this opportunity."

This is the most serious mistake you've ever made in your life! I will show you that the meaning of spiritual practice lies in striving, in seizing that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not in wasting your life.

After saying that, Meng Ji transformed into a streak of light and vanished in an instant.

Li Heng stepped out of the cave and saw the streak of light that had flown away from Meng Ji, and sighed:

"Meng Ji, our paths are different. You have neither extraordinary talent nor a powerful background, nor any cheat code to help you. Knowing that exploring mysterious realms carries a certain risk of death, you still insisted on going. I can understand and admire your courage."

This is the tragedy of the lower-level cultivators of Crimson Cloud Mountain. Although I sympathize with them, I cannot change anything at the moment. I can only protect myself first, and only when I have the strength can I do something for you. I hope you can achieve your wishes on this journey, and take care!

Six months later, Meng Ji never returned. The entrance to his cave was now overgrown with wild grass and vines that were half a meter tall.

Li Heng knew that Meng Ji must have died in the secret realm.

Over the past six months, Li Heng has occasionally kept track of the situation in this secret realm.

It has been learned that many low-level cultivators who entered the secret realm never came out again, and the mortality rate is actually quite high.

However, there were simply too many low-level cultivators eager to make a name for themselves by pursuing this path.

Even if the probability of death is not low, it cannot deter them. After all, every secret realm carries the risk of death. Cultivating immortality is a defiance of the heavens. If you don't fight desperately, how can you have a chance to change your fate?

Moreover, some people have indeed returned from the secret realm intact, bringing with them many rare and precious natural treasures, which has spurred many low-level cultivators to explore this secret realm one after another.

Another month passed, and Li Heng believed that Meng Ji would never return, so he erected a cenotaph for him in front of his cave, next to Su Changsheng's tomb.

The wooden tombstone is inscribed with the words "Tomb of my late friend Meng Ji".

Li Heng still lit three incense sticks for him and poured him a cup of wine.

"Alas, Su Changsheng is not destined for immortality, and Meng Ji is not destined for good fortune either!"

"Fellow Daoist Meng, although we have not known each other for long, we have gotten along quite well. It is a pity that you did not listen to my advice and insisted on exploring the secret realm. Alas, I hope your cultivation path will be smoother in your next life. Farewell."

……

Four months later, the new year arrived, and the wild grass and vines in front of Li Heng's cave completely covered the entire cave, growing incredibly lush.

Li Heng had no intention of clearing them away, as the vines and weeds did not significantly affect his access to and from the cave.

On this day, Yan Bao appeared in front of Li Heng's cave as a streak of black light.

Yan Bao frowned slightly when he saw the dense weeds in front of Li Heng's cave. Then he shouted into the cave, "Is Li Heng here? Another year has come, it's time for you to pay your protection fee, sixty spirit stones in total."

Li Heng was cultivating in his cave when he heard Yan Bao's voice. He got up and walked out of the cave, clasped his hands slightly to Yan Bao, and then took out sixty spirit stones from his pocket and threw them to Yan Bao.

Yan Bao deftly took the spirit stone and chuckled at him, saying:

"Fellow Daoist is indeed straightforward, unlike those poor rogue cultivators who chatter on and on, either throwing tantrums or crying for their parents, yet they can't pay a single coin, forcing me to take action. Our Black Fiend Gang is responsible for maintaining basic order in the outer area of ​​Crimson Cloud Mountain, which is no easy task. Who will show us some consideration?"

Li Heng remained silent.

Yan Bao then casually asked, "Is Meng Ji alright?"

Li Heng pointed to Meng Ji's grave not far away.

Yan Bao was taken aback and quickly flew over to take a closer look.

"The tomb of my old friend Meng Ji? Does that mean Meng Ji is dead?"

"Damn it! I told you last year to watch out, watch out, or I wouldn't be able to collect my protection money! You didn't listen to a word! You died after only one year of paying protection money. You're not even as good as Su Changsheng! Two short-lived bastards, you're infuriating!"

Yan Bao cursed and danced around in front of his grave for a while before returning to ask Li Heng, "How did Meng Ji die? Did his enemies come seeking revenge?"