Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

Chapter 542 Naughty Child

While some may still have a vague understanding of Lu Wensheng's occasional, almost obstinate, persistence, they have no doubt that Lu Wensheng's actions must have their reasons.

They never questioned the motives behind any of Lu Wensheng's actions.

Lu Wensheng is just that kind of person.

Even when facing someone with a conflicting stance, someone considered a "villain" by the world, he never completely denied the slightest bit of goodwill that might have existed in that person, nor did he ignore the injustice and struggle that they might have suffered.

When someone is willing to affirm those persistence and beliefs that may seem ridiculous to others and that you yourself have begun to waver, isn't that enough to stir up ripples in the depths of your heart?

It often takes only a single thought or a single step for a person to fall into the abyss; however, it is as difficult as ascending to heaven to make a ghost regain people's hearts.

But Lu Wensheng possesses the magical ability to turn the rotten into the miraculous and to hear thunder in silence.

When you think you've become a stagnant pool, sinking into a mire of despair and coldness, he can easily, with an almost tyrannical attitude, knock on your tightly closed heart, making you feel again the long-dormant pulse of "life" in your chest, and realize that beneath your body, there still lies a vibrant life force that has not been completely extinguished.

You will suddenly realize that I am still a "person", a truly living person.

----

The ancient formation that concealed the cave entrance, having endured the erosion of countless years and demonic energy, has greatly diminished in power and is no longer as profound as it once was. However, its remaining strength still influences the surrounding area.

Stepping into the cave felt like being instantly thrown into eternal nothingness.

As far as the eye could see, there was an intense, dense darkness. It was not the usual dimness, but a living, inky black that seemed to devour all light. The blackness was so deep that even looking into it felt sluggish and gloomy.

Even if someone tries to activate spiritual power or offer up lighting talismans or pearls, the light source appears unusually lonely and restrained. The light it emits seems to be greedily devoured by an invisible giant mouth, barely illuminating a small area. The light cannot reach far, let alone dispel the pervasive and chilling darkness.

Fortunately, the system within the sea of ​​consciousness could still barely discern directions in this chaos thanks to its unique perception.

Lu Wensheng had no choice but to lie through his teeth again, succinctly stating that he could lead the way.

Having weathered many storms and grown accustomed to the incredible aspects of Lu Wensheng, his companions were now happy to cast aside their doubts and follow him with complete trust.

After all, delving into it will only cause more trouble, so it's better to save your energy.

In the presence of this leader, it seems that anything incredible becomes perfectly normal.

To prevent anyone from getting separated in such extreme darkness, Lu Wensheng reminded everyone to take turns holding the scabbard of the person in front of them. Once this method was used, everyone, like kindergarten children, carefully formed a winding "human chain" one after another.

When Lu Wensheng reminded everyone to "hold hands and not get separated," he did not pay attention to how the people behind him were specifically "connected."

The instant he finished speaking, Liu Jiqian beside him lowered his eyelashes and reached out with remarkable ease, precisely grasping the wrist of the hand holding his sword. His movements were so swift and natural, as if he had practiced them a thousand times, carrying an undeniable intimacy.

Liu Jiqian's movements were so fluid as to seem perfectly natural. Lu Wensheng paused for a moment. Apart from his ears feeling a little hot and a strange sense of guilt, the steady touch from the cool fingertips and palms brought him a strange sense of peace in this unknown darkness.

However, the nature of these young people has always been that, unless there is a clear external danger, they themselves are the biggest source of "trouble".

Even in absolute darkness that swallows up light, some people's keen senses and vigorous energy remain undiminished.

First, there was Wei Xun, who, for some reason, was still able to keenly perceive the subtle movements between Lu Wensheng and Liu Jiqian in such a dark environment.

In the midst of chaos, he slightly turned his head, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through the darkness, precisely locking onto the location of Yan Qingshu beside him.

Immediately, this eldest disciple of the Lingxiao Sect, with a touch of the awkwardness and cunning typical of young people, quietly reached out and tried to take Yan Qing Shu's hand, which was hanging by her side.

Just as his fingertips were about to touch her, a thin blush crept onto his ears before his will could even register.

Immediately afterwards, a small commotion arose from Cang Ligge and Yan Zhaoming's side.

Even in the darkness, the seemingly innate "incompatibility" between the two did not diminish in the slightest.

Then Yan Zhaoming's voice, with its usual arrogant tone, rang out, sounding somewhat abrupt in the enclosed cave: "Hey, you in front, can you move over? I feel a chill on the back of my neck; someone must be up to something behind my back!"

Although he didn't name names, the direction he was referring to was clearly Cang Lige standing to the side.

Cang Ligge immediately let out a cold sneer, her ethereal voice full of undisguised disdain: "Heh, you were so burned out by the firebird's breath that you're not thinking straight? The air in this cave is as stagnant as dead water, where is the cool breeze? I'm afraid some people are just looking for excuses because they're feeling guilty and short of breath."

Walking alongside you makes me feel uncomfortable; I'd love to be in your shoes!

The two exchanged barbs, and although they couldn't actually fight due to the circumstances, the subtle tension in their words stirred up the silence and darkness, making it a bit more lively.

What's even more ridiculous is what happened next: Wang Yanzhi and Yu Shuoyang.

With his vision obstructed in the darkness, Wang Yanzhi reached out and groped forward, intending to grab the former's sword sheath, but unexpectedly, the touch he made was not cold metal, but a piece of flexible fabric—it was Yu Shuoyang's belt!

Yu Shuoyang jolted, and with a swift backhand, he precisely grabbed Wang Yanzhi's "improper" wrist, his face flushed red, and he scolded in a low voice, "Wang Yanzhi! Where are you touching?!"

Wang Yanzhi, whose temper was never mild, was taken aback when his wrist was suddenly grabbed. He then retorted angrily, "I'm looking for the scabbard! Who told you not to hold your sword properly?!"

In the darkness, Yu Shuoyang seemed to feel another hand unintentionally brush against his buttocks, which made him even more furious. The two almost started fighting in the dark, but fortunately, the people in front and behind them stopped them, and the misunderstanding caused by the "feel" was temporarily suppressed.

As for Gu Jinzhi, he perfectly exemplifies what it means to "scare yourself."

Faced with complete darkness, scenes from numerous tales of the strange and terrifying legends he had read in the past uncontrollably surfaced in his mind. He felt as if countless demons and monsters were lurking in the darkness, waiting for their chance to strike.

He no longer cared about his manners or image, and like a frightened fledgling, he almost turned into an octopus, clinging tightly to Ning Rongrong, who was closest to him.

Ning Rongrong's voice, a mix of helplessness and amusement, rang out: "Those are vines hanging down from the stone wall! Gu Jinzhi, get down here!"

Even Wu Feipeng, at this moment, showed a rare mischievousness that was inconsistent with his usual serious image, and started making small movements.

He sensed that Duan Jiashu beside him was slightly tense due to the environment, and under the cover of darkness, he reached out and squeezed Duan Jiashu's hand with great precision.

Duan Jiashu already had an instinctive discomfort with such absolute darkness, and was so startled by this sudden appearance that he almost jumped up: "Who?!"

Wu Feipeng then slowly responded in a low, teasing voice, "Brother, it's me. I was just checking if you were still there. I didn't mean to." He was only doing it because Duan Jiashu couldn't see him clearly; otherwise, his deliberate act would have been written all over his face.

What should have been a quiet, tense, and secluded cave, where you could hear a pin drop, was now as noisy as a bustling street due to the various small actions, whispered arguments, and exclamations of the young people—it had suddenly turned into a kindergarten opening ceremony.

Lu Wensheng walked at the front, listening to the various noises behind him, feeling the subtle but frequent pulling and shaking from the connected sword sheaths, and felt as if the veins on his forehead were throbbing faintly.

A strong sense of déjà vu arose in his mind, as if he were facing a group of energetic and unruly "bratty kids." Despite his helplessness, this feeling strangely diluted the oppressive and heavy atmosphere of exploring this desperate situation.

With these lively characters around, the long road ahead is unlikely to be lonely.