Chapter 119: The Power of Chaotic Clubs and Spirits

However, this mysterious ox-drawn cart was clearly a great opportunity. They were unwilling to share it freely with strangers. So, they simply called upon their friends to explore its mysteries. Chen An was one of them.

Even though more people came to explore, the outcome remained the same. They were all beaten out with clubs. This continued for over half a month, yet they were still at a loss. Clearly, this group of people wasn't smart enough.

Meanwhile, the moving white mist inevitably attracted the attention of other cultivators from outside. Every day, new cultivators discovered its secrets and entered. Although they tacitly agreed to keep the situation secret after learning about it, they couldn't prevent the crowd around the ox-drawn cart from growing.

It was clear that if this continued, the matter would eventually become common knowledge throughout the Cloud Sea. By then, even if there was indeed some opportunity here, it wouldn't be their turn. Thus, they decided to seek outside help—smart outside help. Li Fan, who had left a deep impression on Chen An at the Cloudwater Heavenly Palace that day, naturally became one of the targets for external assistance.

“If you are interested, fellow Daoist, you can come near Yutang Island in the Cloud Sea. Someone will guide you here then.”

“An ox-drawn cart, huh? Interesting.” Li Fan had never heard of this in his previous life. However, as he had nothing else to do, and since there was no life-threatening danger involved, there was no harm in taking a look.

After making some preparations, Li Fan arrived at Yutang Island via a teleportation array. The island's guardian's eyes lit up when he saw Li Fan. “You must be Fellow Daoist Li Fan, right? I am Zhou Ningchang, a good friend of Chen An. Please follow me.” This person wasted no time, directly leading Li Fan and flying towards the location of the ox-drawn cart.

As they flew, Zhou Ningchang updated Li Fan on the latest developments. “Fellow Daoist Li Fan, Chen An must have already told you about the general situation. This ox walks on water without stopping. Although its pace isn't fast, it is constantly moving forward.”

Zhou Ningchang looked a bit troubled: “The ox's path is a straight line. Based on our deductions, it seems to be heading directly towards the Cloudwater Heavenly Palace in the center of the Cloud Sea.”

“At its current speed, the ox will enter the Cloudwater Heavenly Palace in about another month at most. That place is riddled with anomalies. It's really hard to say what changes will occur once the ox enters. So, we'd best find a way to enter the thatched hut before then.”

“Otherwise, no matter how unwilling we are, we'll have no choice but to give up,” Zhou Ningchang said.

“Cloudwater Heavenly Palace, huh…” Li Fan's gaze sharpened. He hadn't expected this ox-drawn cart to be connected to a sect that had been destroyed thousands of years ago.

After the situation was explained, the two remained silent for the rest of the journey. After flying for most of the day, they spotted a large mass of white mist slowly moving on the distant sea surface.

“We're here!” Zhou Ningchang exclaimed, then took the lead and flew into the white mist. Li Fan had already locked onto Zhou Ningchang with his Formless Killing Intent. He activated his Heaven-Sight and Earth-Hearing technique, saw the situation beyond the white mist, and only after confirming there was no ambush, did he slowly fly into the fog.

Around seventy or eighty people had gathered around the ox. Most of them were bruised and battered, looking quite disheveled. Seeing another person arrive, they paid little mind. They continued to discuss loudly. Chen An, however, waved, signaling Li Fan to come over.

Li Fan approached Chen An, listening to the group's discussions. “That mouthless monster is easy to figure out. You can't speak, not even communicate with divine sense. Otherwise, it throws you out.”

“Exactly. The key is the one with the club.”

“Even though getting beaten isn't life-threatening, it hurts like hell!”

“You've only been here a few days? I've been beaten up over a dozen times already.”

“Don't even mention it. Now, if I don't get a beating once a day, my whole body feels a bit off.”

Chen An explained with a wry smile to Li Fan: “Since we haven't found a way to enter the thatched hut for so long, everyone can only find joy in their suffering.”

“It still depends on Fellow Daoist Li.” Chen An looked at Li Fan with hopeful eyes.

Li Fan shook his head: “So many people haven't been able to come up with a solution for so many days; how could I be an exception? Fellow Daoist, you overestimate me.”

“I can only give it a try, but Fellow Daoist, don't hold out too much hope.”

Chen An nodded: “I naturally understand that principle. It's just a matter of doing our best.”

Li Fan then focused his attention on the thatched hut ahead. Just then, a newcomer stepped forward to try. Li Fan narrowed his eyes, observing carefully. With the experience shared by the group, the person walked silently and stealthily to the front of the thatched hut. Then, before he could make a move, the muscular monster holding a wooden club suddenly glared at him furiously. The wooden club in its hand transformed into an arc of light, smashing down heavily on him. The cultivator only managed a scream before being sent flying, utterly powerless to resist. He only managed to steady himself awkwardly after flying beyond the range of the ox-drawn cart. However, judging by the pained expression on his face, the blow was truly severe.

“What was this person's cultivation level?” Li Fan asked.

“Late Foundation Establishment,” Zhou Ningchang replied. “There's also a Mid-Core Formation cultivator here, but like the Qi Condensation cultivators, they have no power to resist that wooden club.”

“As for higher levels, we wouldn't dare invite them,” he added.

“Treats all cultivation levels equally, then.” Li Fan narrowed his eyes. This characteristic couldn't help but remind him of anomalies.

“Is this place also an anomaly?” Li Fan couldn't help but wonder aloud. “If so, then why doesn't this anomaly harm people?” Pondering this, Li Fan decided to try it himself. So he quietly flew closer, landed in front of the thatched hut, and slowly stepped forward. The mouthless monster ignored him, but the one with the wooden club grew increasingly enraged as Li Fan approached.

Li Fan frowned and retreated. The club-wielding monster's expression gradually returned to normal. Li Fan thought for a moment and continued forward. This time, his steps were even slower, but the monster was no longer playing this game of probing with Li Fan. The wooden club flew from its hand and violently smashed into Li Fan. As if kicked hard in the stomach, a strange force struck, and Li Fan flew out uncontrollably.

“Hiss…” Li Fan gasped. That really hurt.

Seeing Li Fan's attempt fail, the others didn't pay it much mind. Instead, they continued discussing in small groups how they should approach it again tomorrow. Li Fan, meanwhile, recalled the recent scene, deep in thought.

The next day, everyone started trying again. One by one, they were all successively knocked flying. The scene was quite comical. When it was Li Fan's turn, it was no exception.

The third day. The result remained unchanged. Days passed, and with the Cloudwater Heavenly Palace drawing closer, everyone seemed to be slowly losing their patience. Fewer and fewer people attempted it each day. Observing the cultivators who had tried every method, all to no avail, Li Fan, however, had a faint guess in his heart.

So, when the next day arrived, Li Fan spoke loudly to the crowd: “Is there any fellow Daoist at the early Qi Condensation stage who wouldn't mind dissolving their cultivation and giving it a try?”