Chapter Seventy-Three: The Little Grudge in the Gray Robe Remains Unavenged

The ever-shifting nature of the secret realm truly caught everyone off guard. Those who arrived first barely had time to celebrate their advantage before being cut off, scattered into solitary figures or, at most, small groups of three to five. Wu Yue was no exception this time, especially since the team mostly consisted of ordinary people. Even with a head start, the outcome was difficult to change. At the forefront, the robot Lin Liu and Wu Yue exchanged helpless glances. Lin Liu, who prided himself on knowing the base inside and out, was at a loss; despite his concerns, all he could do was follow Wu Yue’s lead.

As the saying goes, “Foes meet on narrow paths,” a truth proven repeatedly. The world was small indeed, and Wu Yue caught sight of a familiar figure clad in white. He sighed—how was this person still alive? Yet, fortunately, the area’s ability to block divine perception revealed its infinite usefulness at just the right moment. Even better, Wu Yue spotted him first, thus gaining half a step of advantage.

At that moment, Lin Liu suddenly spoke, “I’ve found a place that should contain treasures.” Though his voice was a cold, mechanical tone, the words were clear and effortless to understand.

“I don’t know what’s inside, but finding them will surely benefit us!” Lin Liu cared most about two people: Lin Xiuxiu and Zhao Qingzhi. The former was expected, but the latter was intriguing. “However, I don’t know the password.”

Wu Yue remained silent but couldn’t help measuring the glasses when he heard the word “treasure,” a natural reaction. Lin Liu continued, “But that person knows the password. Some places can only be opened with it.” He gestured toward Zhang Xuandao, the man in white.

Hearing this, Wu Yue could only smile wryly. If it were anyone else, he might consider cooperating, but with this man, it would likely come down to life or death. Yet with the precious treasure so near, denying temptation would be self-deception.

More than just tempted—his heart wavered wildly. Whether it was repaying a debt in Luoyang, returning to Earth or the Primordial Realm, or even now seizing divine powers from the southern sect or offering aid in White Cloud City’s snowstorm—all required cultivation and strength to move faster than others.

In moments of crisis, sparks of wisdom often ignite. Zhang Xuandao began to approach step by step, and Wu Yue prepared to avoid confrontation. Then, in an instant, a sudden flash of insight struck him. He thought of a clever way, one without danger to himself, but beneficial to his cause.

Behind Zhang Xuandao trailed a gray-robed elder. They had fought their way here through fierce battles. Zhang Xuandao exhaled lightly; the journey, though seemingly calm, had been anything but. After many trials, they had finally arrived at a place containing a laboratory—complete, it should hold a treasure.

Winding paths often lead to corners. Before Zhang Xuandao’s palm could strike, it was withdrawn. A friendly robotic voice requested, “Please enter the password.”

The tall robot before him looked formidable, and Zhang Xuandao was unwilling to expend unnecessary effort, especially in this increasingly perilous place. Preferring not to fight if he could avoid it, he casually recited the password.

This four-winged intelligent robot was none other than Lin Liu, who performed the password deception flawlessly, without a hint of incongruity. The brainwaves received the complex password effortlessly.

“Beep. Password correct. Gene chain verification,” Lin Liu announced, a beam of light shining from his eyes. If not for the words “gene chain,” Zhang Xuandao might have attacked, but the light rapidly scanned him.

“Beep. Passed the first checkpoint. Please enter the core of the base before the next transformation.” Lin Liu stepped aside, cold and indifferent.

Zhang Xuandao’s eyes flickered with hesitation. The treasure was close, but the robot’s presence raised suspicion.

A sudden thought struck him, and he made a decision. He stepped forward, the gray-robed elder close behind, but Lin Liu blocked the elder’s path. As an intelligent machine, Lin Liu followed his programming without compassion. “Please enter the password.”

Ignoring the stunned elder, Zhang Xuandao relaxed; this was merely a test. Though seemingly useless, it was not superfluous. “Short-sightedness is not my way,” he declared, truly making his choice.

Hearing the robot’s repeated request for the password, Zhang Xuandao not only lowered his guard but also realized this place was not exclusive to him. If others knew the password, it could be troublesome.

“Wait here for me. If anyone comes, kill them,” Zhang Xuandao ordered. The gray-robed elder respectfully acknowledged, unwilling to disobey. Standing aside and facing the robot, he was destined to return empty-handed.

Following the path Lin Liu randomly indicated—a route longer and more dangerous—Zhang Xuandao pressed on.

From a distance, Wu Yue observed everything with mixed feelings. Fortunately, the password had been acquired without incident, and Lin Liu had not revealed any flaws, completely dispelling Zhang Xuandao’s suspicions. He had successfully drawn fire without harm.

But the gray-robed elder was naturally filled with worry. The very condition that had assisted moments ago had now become a burden, placing him in a precarious dilemma. Though his cultivation was unknown, it surely surpassed the elder’s own, and victory in Chang’an was uncertain. If he wanted to leave first, he would have to abandon Lin Liu and the treasure.

Only half an hour had passed when an unexpected yet unsurprising figure appeared—Wu Yue’s own breaker of deadlocks. Whenever misfortune befell Zhang Xuandao, Wu Yue seemed to grow luckier, at worst never unlucky.

Wu Xukong arrived empty-handed, his pace steady and unhurried. The gray-robed elder, unfamiliar with him, recognized him at once. Though unarmed, Wu Xukong possessed a venomous dagger capable of draining cultivation.

The elder’s mind raced, devising a countermeasure in a flash. He was no match for this strange man, but there was still the robot. If he could lure Wu Xukong over, revenge could be exacted.

Suppressing his anger, the elder cast a secret glance at the robot, his expression cold. But that glance was his undoing. The intelligent robot, possessing human memories and thought, recognized Wu Xukong and immediately sided with him.

The gray-robed elder died with regret, uncertain whether it was due to concern for his lord or frustration at his own incomplete cultivation. Wu Xukong’s white shadow pierced his energy sea, while other strikes targeted vital points.

The fight ended swiftly. Wu Xukong gained the advantage and vanished, ignoring Lin Liu completely. Perhaps this was his way of repaying a debt—no further killing.