Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Elder with the Broad Eyebrows

The path ahead appeared exceedingly complex, and the restrictive formation limited a cultivator’s spiritual perception, making it nearly impossible to investigate. One could only rely on fortune to navigate it.

Li Mu held Li Ying’s hand as they wandered back and forth within the formation. Several times, it seemed they were just about to pass through, only to be inexplicably blocked by an invisible wall, forcing them to turn back.

After repeating this process a dozen times, with much of their time spent in vain, they still could not find the way out and returned once more to the starting point.

Li Mu felt a tinge of frustration, but Li Ying, on the contrary, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself, her curiosity keen as she gazed at the passageway ahead, as though pondering something.

An aged voice drifted over, “If you will not come, then return. Since fate is not with you, there’s no need to meet again.”

Hearing the calm and placid voice, Li Mu immediately understood: this small shop was likely established by a reclusive cultivator, who had intentionally set up an illusory formation to choose his guests.

He felt no further interest and bowed respectfully toward the passage, “Senior, I shall take my leave.”

He turned to go, but Li Ying tugged at his sleeve.

“Brother, don’t leave yet. This time, let me try.” Her cheeks flushed crimson, giving her a different kind of radiance.

Such a puzzle seemed to delight her; she played at it with genuine joy.

Li Mu nodded, “Alright, Ying’er, you try.” He knew that although the maze was intricate and confounding, it was not truly dangerous—merely the playful challenge of a hidden master.

Li Ying clapped her hands twice and gently pulled Li Mu, “Brother, this way.”

“Didn’t we just try here?” Li Mu shook his head slightly.

“It’s different this time,” Li Ying insisted, heading resolutely in that direction, and Li Mu had no choice but to follow.

After a short while, they reached a particularly convoluted stretch. Li Mu had been here before; the path split into two, then each into four, and then into eight—at a glance, it seemed endless. Every time Li Mu tried, he would walk dozens of meters only to find himself back at the start, forced to turn around.

Li Ying showed no hesitation, stepping left. “Left,” she said.

Li Mu followed silently behind.

“Right, left, right, right, left, left, left.”

After making several choices in succession, Li Ying seemed to think nothing of it, her steps unhurried and smooth.

Suddenly, the misty road lifted, and the passageway ahead reappeared; the formation had clearly been breached.

Li Mu was amazed and asked, “Ying’er, how did you do that?”

Li Ying tilted her head in thought. “I’m not sure. I just felt I should go that way, so I did.”

“But there were so many paths. How did you get them all right?” The choices within the formation were not easy; even a single misstep would send one back to the beginning. Yet Li Ying had made all the correct choices in a row, which was simply unimaginable.

Li Ying laughed, delighted. “Truly, I don’t know why. I just felt very strongly—if I didn’t go a certain way, it would be unbearably uncomfortable.”

Li Mu shook his head, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Now that you’re here, you may proceed inside, little one,” the elderly voice grew much gentler.

Li Ying let out a soft “Oh,” and stepped forward toward the end of the passage.

Given all they’d experienced, Li Mu remained cautious, preparing his ice crystal ring and spells, ready for anything.

But upon entering, he instantly relaxed, only shaking his head in bittersweet relief.

The old man before them had an unremarkable appearance and a restrained aura. Li Mu could not discern his cultivation, but he sensed this elder was likely on par with Madam Wang—a cultivator at the Vein-Training stage. Such a figure gave him no desire for conflict, nor did he sense any malice.

The old man was dressed in gray robes, his hair white and face clear, with eyebrows so long they nearly touched his shoulders. He sat with a gentle smile behind a table.

On the table were three jade-colored cups of spirit brew, a fragrant aroma wafting through the air. Just a single whiff was enough to fill one with comfort.

“Tired? Try my newly crafted Hundred-Spirit Wine,” the old man said to Li Ying with a warm smile, gesturing towards the spirit brew as though welcoming an old friend he hadn’t seen in ages.

“Thank you.”

Li Mu did not stand on ceremony; with a wave of his hand, a cup drifted toward him. He took a sip and immediately felt a surge of spiritual energy flow from his throat through his body, a sensation akin to post-cultivation serenity; his true power and spiritual strength both increased noticeably.

This single cup was worth three days of secluded cultivation.

“Is this really spirit brew?” Li Mu was astonished. A drink that could directly increase one’s cultivation was unheard of.

“A few dragonguard fruits were used,” the old man nodded.

Li Mu was even more surprised. Dragonguard fruit! That was a third-grade divine fruit, containing even more spiritual essence than redfruit. While not as expensive as redfruit, it was still worth dozens of mid-grade spirit crystals.

To use such a divine fruit for brewing—what extravagance! Clearly, this elder was no ordinary cultivator.

“Why won’t the young lady try some?” the old man asked with a gentle smile, watching Li Ying as a cup of spirit brew slowly drifted toward her.

Li Mu quickly reached out to stop her. “Senior, such spirit brew that increases cultivation power—my little sister shouldn’t drink alcohol.”

Li Ying pouted, whispering, “Grandpa, I won’t drink it now. Could you please keep it for me so I can have it later?”

The old man chuckled. “It’s no matter. Even ordinary folk can safely drink my spirit brew, and it is of even greater benefit to them. You, little one, are especially fated with me—to pass through the Hundred Illusions Maze in one try! How could I bear to harm you?”

“Truly?” Li Ying’s face lit up with joy. She turned to Li Mu. “Brother, may I drink it?”

Li Mu nodded.

With all his life’s experience, he could not discern any ulterior motive from the old man before him, and at such a cultivation level, the elder was above petty schemes.

“Thank you, Grandpa,” Li Ying said, smiling as she took the Hundred-Spirit Wine, sipping it slowly. Her face showed a look of genuine pleasure.

“It’s wonderful, Grandpa.”

She gently placed the cup on the table and bowed respectfully.

Li Mu followed suit, “Thank you for your generosity, Senior. I, Li Mu, and my sister Li Ying, are most grateful.”

The old man waved a hand, ignoring Li Mu. “It’s nothing. Simply coming to my Oddity Pavilion is fate enough. Now, tell me—what brings you here? What do you wish to purchase?”

Li Mu shook his head. “I merely saw the entrance to your shop, was curious, and came in. In truth, I had no intention of making a purchase.”

“Hmm.”

The old man’s great eyebrows suddenly bristled, nearly standing on end, and his tone grew stern. “To come to my Oddity Pavilion and not buy anything—is that a reason? Young man, if you don’t buy something, if you don’t spend some spirit crystals, don’t even think about leaving.”

Li Mu’s body tensed. So, he wasn’t entirely benevolent after all.

He carried nearly several hundred mid-grade spirit crystals in his pouch—almost all the profits from a month at Woodjade Hall.

The atmosphere grew tense and oppressive.

Yet Li Ying seemed utterly unbothered. Her bright eyes roamed around as she asked in a clear, crisp voice, “Grandpa, you hardly have anything here. What exactly do you want to sell us?”

The room wasn’t large, but it was crowded with dozens of strange, weed-like plants, taking up nearly half the space. Other than that, there was little else to see.