Chapter 286: Three Bows and Nine Kowtows

Yan Wu seized the opportunity to escape the engulfing wind vortex, finally entering the wind tunnel at the last moment and getting out of danger.

“Thank you, Senior Yu, for saving my life.”

Though seemingly crude, Yan Wu was a man who knew gratitude. With a face full of thanks, he bowed deeply to Yu Kong, almost prostrating himself and weeping. While it seemed a bit exaggerated, given that it was a life-saving act, everyone could understand. After this incident, the others looked at Yu Kong with less wariness. The words spoken earlier by Luo Xingnan and Sheng Yuanzi had, to varying degrees, planted seeds of discord, but these were now largely dispelled. Immediately, the atmosphere within the group lightened considerably.

After finally traversing the grand formation without significant incident and entering the cave abode, everyone's initial apprehension subsided, and they eagerly began observing the abode before them.

Fierce winds howled, and heavy rain poured down. The biting wind and chilling rain were so intense that even cultivators found it difficult to endure, prompting them to activate their spiritual energy to protect themselves. Peculiarly, these raindrops vanished upon contact with their bodies or the ground. They seemed to be illusions, yet they felt real, striking with a noticeable destructive force. These winds and raindrops were, in fact, manifestations of chaotic spiritual energy. The entire abode was not uniformly subjected to heavy rain; other areas experienced falling heavenly fire and swirling yellow sand. Various anomalies of this nature were rampant.

These intertwined phenomena obscured their vision, allowing them only to glimpse the silhouettes of the mountains ahead. They couldn't clearly make out the people or structures on the peaks, though the most prominent feature, the Patriarch's Hall at the summit, could be identified by its ancient outline. The mountains were steep and dangerous, piercing the sky like a sword. A man-made stone staircase began at the foot of the mountain, extending upwards to a point where it became indistinct to their sight. At this moment, scattered lights flickered through the rain curtain in some parts of the mountain — these were escape lights, indicating that many had already entered the abode ahead of them and begun their treasure hunt.

"These phenomena are chaotic scenes caused by the leakage of power from the guardian formation," Yu Kong explained. "The formation is currently in its weakest phase, so as long as you protect yourselves with spiritual energy, there won't be a major problem. However, it's best to ascend on foot. Flying too high can easily lead to being swept into the chaotic spiritual energy, making it quite a struggle to get out."

Yu Kong was not in a hurry to climb the mountain. Instead, he reiterated the important precautions for navigating the abode, warning everyone. Then, he turned and pointed behind them. "Everyone remember where we entered from. Before this low-activity period ends, the grand formation won't undergo significant changes. Exiting from the same point will lead you back to the wind formation we just passed. You are already familiar with the changes within that formation, and leaving is much easier than entering, so there's no need to worry about being trapped within the grand formation." Behind them was a chaotic expanse of boundless cloud energy, resembling a colossal eye of the storm.

Everyone noted their entry point as instructed. These were all basic facts for navigating the abode, and Yu Kong tirelessly reminded them to prevent any oversights.

"A few fellow daoists still haven't given me a reply," Yu Kong said, his gaze falling on the Xiu sisters and Old Man Muteng. "Now that we've entered the abode, what are your plans? Will you follow me to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion behind the mountain, or will you act independently?"

Qin Sang had already accepted Yu Kong's invitation and stepped forward to stand behind him. Yan Wu also joined him without hesitation, followed by Shangguan Lifeng. The others exchanged glances, all hesitating.

Old Man Muteng coughed lightly and asked seriously, "Fellow Daoist Yu mentioned earlier that upon entering the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, whoever finds a treasure first claims it, and others are not permitted to contend for it. What will Fellow Daoist Yu do if someone, upon seeing a treasure, becomes greedy and violates this rule?"

Yu Kong surveyed the group. "I will eliminate them along with the other fellow daoists," he stated calmly. "I believe the other fellow daoists, like myself, disdain such despicable acts. And if I were to violate it, you all need not hold back!"

Upon hearing this, Old Man Muteng's eyes flashed, and he nodded, walking over to Yu Kong's side. Wu Chen struggled for a moment before also joining them.

Only three women remained. Crescent Moon Fairy offered a charming smile and leaned over pitifully. "This humble one is alone and helpless. To receive Senior Yu's care and the assistance of several fellow daoists, I'm too overjoyed to refuse. How could I possibly decline?"

The Xiu sisters conferred for a moment, then bowed to Yu Kong together, saying with a hint of apology, "Our sisters have other objectives, which, unfortunately, are not on the back mountain. We regret that we cannot accompany Senior Yu. Please forgive us."

Yu Kong was not offended. With a gesture, he said frankly, "I already stated that you are all free to come and go as you please. Misses Xiu, please proceed as you wish, and I hope you achieve your goals."

"Thank you, Senior!"

The Xiu sisters cupped their hands and departed. Under the gaze of the group, they vanished into the rain curtain.

Yu Kong smiled. "Although we've lost two fellow daoists, which significantly reduces the power of the Guīyuán Array, all of you are exceptionally strong. I'm sure this trip will be fruitful. Let us ascend the mountain quickly now. Everyone, follow closely."

With that, Yu Kong's figure flashed, and he surged into the rain curtain. The others hurriedly activated their escape lights and followed closely behind.

The stone steps were steep, and many sections were severely damaged, but these were no obstacles for cultivators. Everyone followed closely behind Yu Kong, speeding towards the mountain peak. Along the way, they encountered others, but everyone kept their distance, as no one would initiate conflict here.

Not long after, they appeared at the summit. Just as everyone expected Yu Kong to bypass the Hall of Offerings and head straight for the back mountain, he instead walked directly to the front of the Hall of Offerings and stepped inside. This left everyone utterly surprised, wondering why he would linger in a place already confirmed to be a ruin.

The Hall of Offerings had already been thoroughly ransacked; no one would waste time here. There wasn't a single soul inside. Outside, the heavy rain persisted, and the ancient hall lay in ruins. The sole clay statue stood askew, having been moved from its original position. Its colors had long peeled away, showing its age, but it was clearly the figure of a Daoist.

Yu Kong stood within the hall, gazing up at the crooked clay statue, his posture as if in pilgrimage. The others followed him in.

Looking at the statue, Yu Kong smiled. "Fellow daoists, there's no need to be surprised. I merely recalled something a friend once said: when one receives kindness, one should always harbor a trace of gratitude. I deeply agree with this. Last time, I obtained a spiritual pill here, which helped me break through to the mid-stage. Unfortunately, the owner of this abode is long gone, and I don't even know their name, so I have no one to thank. Now, returning to the abode, I've come in to pay my respects. It won't take long."

Saying this, Yu Kong walked to the statue, gently straightened it, brushed off the dust, then stood ten feet in front of it. He brought his feet together, let his hands hang naturally, tucked his chin, touched his tongue to his upper palate, drew in his chest, and straightened his back. After performing these ritualistic gestures, Yu Kong actually performed the grand ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows to the clay statue!

The others exchanged glances, but seeing Yu Kong's serious demeanor, no one dared to speak and disturb him. Qin Sang's eyes flickered, an unsettling feeling lingering in his heart. He couldn't discern whether Yu Kong was genuinely sincere or simply a master of deception masquerading as loyalty.