THESE NORTHERN TERRITORY fellows actually took the initiative to provoke them, much more him. Amused, he grinned at them. It seemed like the Eastern Territory had always been looked down on for decades already as Wang Lao said.
This was why Wang Lao was desperate for him to join the Annual Death Ceremony. He was their hope to regain the prestige the Eastern Territory had once earned. However, it wasnât that easy to rise from the rubbles. That would only be the case if the variable, Yang Lujia himself, would not interfere with this matter.
âLook at that idiot! Heâs actually smiling! Hahaha! Has he gone crazy?â one of three mocked.
However, this amused Yang Lujia more. His grin unexpectedly made them misunderstand what he was thinking.
Lin Diyu wanted to fight after sending a voice transmission to his master. However, he was directly rejected and stopped. But his gaze was fervently drilling into these three fellowsâ souls.
They felt cold.
However, thinking about how weak their enemies were, they ignored that instinctual feeling and continued to thrash the Eastern Territoryâs reputation. More people listened even when Wang Lao and the rest of the group already retreated to their building. Even ordinary citizens seemed to not support them any longer, afraid that if they did, the other territories would find trouble with them. Although their City Palace Lord was strong, they would not always be there to save them. They knew that fact.
âCao Nima, are you there?â Wang Lao knocked on their room door. âI have some matter to speak with you.â
Stretching his body outward, Yang Lujia felt annoyed that his sleep was disrupted. However, he told this Wang Lao to never find him unless some serious trouble came about. Also, he knew about the strongest person in the city. This person was actually the one who once spied on him.
âWhat is it?â Rubbing his eyes, he opened the door and saw the sorry figure of their territoryâs very own City Lord. He forgot that he especially made one array formation outside their door with at least 10 layers. It seemed like even Wang Lao could break through it. He had to strengthen it later, lest another trouble would come to disrupt his peaceful life.
Sometimes, he really wondered how his principles in life often contradicted one another. It happened ever since he started moving and giving his disciples a hand. At certain times, he felt like showing off. There were also times he would overthink and become overly cautious. He noticed this at the moment..
It might have something to do with the newâ¦
As though Fortuniel heard his doubts, it answered, âThe host doesnât need to worry. Every time a host accepts a disciple, his strength would also soar.â
âThereâs such an effect? But how is it related to him being confused about his own principles?â Yang Lujia isolated himself and stopped time within their range, so Wang Lao wouldnât notice some abnormality.
âDue to the hostâs previous life being plotted against, a subconscious feeling of the host has developed. When the host arrived in the Eucharistic War Battleground, it further stimulated the feeling and was then fostered more by exercising this subconscious feeling.â
Yang Lujia frowned, as though his understanding of it opposed his. âWhatâs this subconscious feeling?â
âItâs the feeling of fear of being hunted or schemed by others. Hence, the host subconsciously tries to keep his identity low profile. Because the host felt the need to expose himself, this feeling was trying to keep the host grounded. However, this need was due to the hostâs rational thinking, not by any subconscious feeling, causing the hostâs principles to conflict against one another.â
He then understood. It seemed like they had gone psychological on this part. He then furrowed his brows and replied, âHowever, what does getting stronger after accepting disciples got to do with this?â
âNothing.â
ââ¦â
âWhat do you mean by nothing?â Yang Lujia clicked his tongue.
âEven if the host wants to know, Fortuniel also doesnât know for the time being.â
Yang Lujia was furious at the little boyâs response. âThen, are you just trying to piss me off?â
âNo, Fortuniel only thinks that itâs something related to the host. However, Fortuniel doesnât know about the relationship in the meantime.â
With his mind, Yang Lujia racked his brain about possibilities. âCould it be my rational mind was triggered because of some certain situations? All along, I was always provoked, but I never stood up and always hid in the dark because my subconscious was telling me that something bad would happen if I would do it in the open. On the other note, my rational mind keeps on pestering me to take action because, in my previous life, I hate being threatened or looked down? And my rational mind was further triggered because of my journey in helping my disciples? But what about me getting stronger? Whatâs the relationship between them?â
Fortuniel was silent for a while Yang Lujia was inwardly conflicted. Then, it said, âHostâs conjectures are possible.â
âI donât know if I should ever talk to you anymore,â Yang Lujia said as he smiled helplessly. Getting back to Wang Lao, he waited for the other partyâs answer.
Wang Lao felt strange after the time between them flowed again. Nevertheless, he ignored this and directly faced Cao Nima. âCao Nima, tonight is the welcoming banquet for tomorrowâs commencement of the Annual Death Ceremony. However, I am afraid we will be messed with the other territories.
âI came to you, especially because I want you to represent tonightâs sparring session. You donât have to worry. The others would only try to probe against one another.
âHowever, I really canât stand that the Eastern Territory would always be bullied. If not for the relationship we have with the Southern Territoryâs City Lord, I would have found myself a hole to hide. Soâ¦â
Wang Lao looked at Yang Lujia expectantly.
âNo, Iâm not going. Itâs troublesome,â Yang Lujia directly rejected.
âPlease?â
âNo, Iâm only going to sleep for tomorrowâs event.â
Wang Lao cursed Cao Nima in his mind. âWhat sleep? You already slept for the entire journey and yet you still need to sleep more? Besides, youâre a fucking cultivator. Why do you need to sleep like a pig?!â
âWhy are you not going now?â Yang Lujia wondered what this Wang Lao was still up to by staring at him in a daze. âGo now. I wonât go. If itâs only for reputation, donât waste my time. What if Iâd offend someone stronger than me? What if Iâd offend a Saint or someone even stronger?â
When he said, Yang Lujia frowned. His subconscious feeling led him to this kind of situation where he would chicken. This was not like him on Earth. It might be helpful for him to stay low profile in this world of jungle, it wouldnât always be possible to stay like this.
On the other hand, Wang Lao was stunned speechless. âArenât you someone strong enough already?!â
Thinking of it, however, Wang Lao thought this Cao Nima actually made sense. He had to submit to someone stronger in order to survive. Otherwise, he would be hunted to the ends of the earth.
âAlright,â Wang Lao finally said and sighed. âYou can sleepââ
Feng Huang suddenly interrupted their conversation from the back. She jumped from the back of Yang Lujia and sat on his one arm. It made him speechless. âNo, there must be food in the banquet, right?â Her eyes sparkled brightly. âRight? Right? Lots of them, right?â
When she said that, Yang Lujiaâs eyes also glimmered. âFood!â he subconsciously uttered. âThereâs food in the welcoming banquet?â
Wang Laoâs jaw had long been dropped, shocked. Earlier, this Cao Nima was still afraid to offend someone. However, at this moment, he forgot all of those and like a ferocious beast, coveted the food in the banquet.
Scratching his head while wryly smiling, Wang Lao said, âOf course, of course, thereâs food. Although cultivators donât need food, there are still times when we need to gratify ourselves.â
âDonât explain anymore! Letâs go!â
ââ¦â
âExplain your ass!â Wang Lao complained in his ass.
On the other hand, Long Guang was sleeping in Lin Diyuâs arms when they marched outside. This even made Wang Lao more speechless. He then hurriedly stopped them and said, âNo! The banquet will be happening this evening! Donât be too rash!â
Yang Lujia felt enlightened and uttered, âOh.â
âWhat do you mean by Oh?!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Then, ignoring Wang Lao, they went back to their room and shut the door.
ââ¦â
POW!
Wang Lao couldnât take it anymore. His emotions exploded. Afterward, he heaved a sigh and took a deep look at the already closed door before leaving.
Night blanketed the sky so fast. Yang Lujia and the group excitedly stood up and walked outside the doorway. When Wang Lao saw them, however, he slapped his forehead and gave them a set of robes that were green in color.
For the Eastern Territory, their color code is green. Red for the Northern Territory, blue for the Southern, yellow for the monks in the Western Territory, and black for the Central Domain.
The robes disappeared from Wang Laoâs hands and magically, the group already wore them in a flash. They didnât even how they did it.
Who would, anyway? Yang Lujia was an existence who could control the rules. Of course, they wouldnât notice it.
âCome on! Letâs go! Food is already waiting for us!â Yang Lujia seriously said.
Long Guang woke up from his loud voice and said with a dazed expression while salivating, âPudâ¦â (Foodâ¦)
Everyone, ââ¦â