Chapter 461 - 460: Communication
Yi Tianyun’s arrival didn’t cause much of a stir. Only two teams invited him to join; the rest couldn’t be bothered. The other teams had decent cultivation levels and already seemed to be established groups, so it was perfectly normal that they wouldn’t extend an invitation.
Ren Liangchen’s party was a cohesive group, but they were short on numbers, so they were looking to recruit. As for Liu Long’s team, they seemed to accept anyone, resulting in a motley crew.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Yi Tianyun felt awkward just standing around and wanted to see if they needed a hand.
"Just stay put. We’ll handle this," Leng Hu said. "You just need to conserve your energy and be ready for a fight when we head out. We have no use for cowards who cling to life. If you’re afraid of dying, I suggest you leave right now. Otherwise, this Nether River will become your tomb!" His voice was as cold as ever, devoid of any emotion.
It was a warning, and more than that, the truth. It was just a rather harsh truth. No wonder people said Leng Hu wasn’t good with words. His tone was grating, as if he was personally displeased with Yi Tianyun.
"Leng Hu, don’t be so abrasive," Ren Liangchen said, shooting him a glare. "Who comes here not knowing the danger? Anyone with a poor cultivation level couldn’t even make it through the outer areas, let alone get this far. I’m sure Yi has some real ability." He was signaling Leng Hu to be a bit more tactful; speaking so bluntly was bound to offend people.
"Ren, I’m just speaking the truth. It’s not like this hasn’t happened before. People show up acting all high and mighty, but it turns out they have no ability, only a talent for getting others in trouble." Leng Hu ignored even his own leader’s advice, turning to Yi Tianyun to warn him directly. "When the time comes, I hope you’re sharp. I’m just a blunt person. I’m not asking you to be the strongest, but at the very least, don’t stab us in the back or drag us down. Only then can we trust you to watch our backs."
"None of us have ever crossed this Nether River, so we have no idea how dangerous the journey will be. What we do know is that we must be able to trust one another. I don’t know what faction you’re from, but now that you’ve joined us, you need to swallow your pride and follow our lead!"
Leng Hu continued his barrage of warnings. After finishing, he tossed a small bottle to Yi Tianyun. "These are Antitoxic Pills, made specifically for the Nether River’s deadly poison. The moment you touch its water, you must take one immediately. The consequences of failing to do so are unimaginable."
Yi Tianyun accepted the Antitoxic Pills, studying Leng Hu with narrowed eyes. ’So, he has a sharp tongue but a kind heart.’ He had only just joined, and already he’d received a barrage of warnings and now even these pills. It was obvious that Leng Hu considered him a true teammate who needed to be looked after.
"That’s just Leng Hu’s personality. Don’t mind him, Yi," the man building a boat nearby said with a smile. "I’m Yang Zhiwen. We’re brothers, heading to the Netherworld to try our luck together. It’s too restrictive to stay here."
He kept working on the boat as he spoke. The vessel they were constructing was rudimentary—little more than a few logs lashed together.
Yi Tianyun smiled. "Of course. I know Leng’s warnings come from a good place. I’m just happy you all were willing to have me."
Yi Tianyun wasn’t the type to resent honest, even if harsh, advice. Besides, everything Leng Hu said was essentially correct. If people didn’t follow orders, the whole plan would fall apart.
"It’s good that you understand, Yi." Ren Liangchen smiled, then lowered his voice. "And it’s a good thing you didn’t join Liu Long’s group. Liu Long has a terrible reputation. He’s a treacherous man who often betrays his friends. We tried to warn the people with him, but they wouldn’t listen. It seems they’ve been duped by him. My guess is that Liu Long has made so many enemies that he’s been cornered with nowhere left to run but the Netherworld."
Ren Liangchen shrugged helplessly. They had tried to warn them, but if they refused to listen, there was nothing more to be done.
Yi Tianyun nodded. That confirmed his own suspicions; Liu Long had struck him as completely insincere. It was a good thing he hadn’t joined that group.
"Ren, I have a question, though it might be a bit forward of me to ask," Yi Tianyun said after a moment’s thought.
"It’s fine, go ahead and ask," Ren Liangchen said.
"You’re planning to build a future for yourselves in the Netherworld. Are the restrictions here really that severe? Have you never considered joining a major power, or an Empire?" Yi Tianyun asked.
"Ah, that question. We’ve certainly considered it. As for Imperial Influences, there are a few decent ones right now. For example, the new Celestial Cloud Mansion—I hear they’re preparing to establish their own Empire, which sounds very promising. There are other imperial powers that are alright, too. But the three of us are Loose Cultivators, and we don’t like the idea of joining factions like that. They’re too restrictive," Ren Liangchen said with a smile. "If that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t be heading to a perilous place like the Netherworld on a whim. None of us knows the way; we just want to blaze our own trail. The Netherworld has stronger powers and more resources!"
"Ren is right," Yang Zhiwen chimed in. "The three of us are used to a life of wandering. Joining a faction is out of the question for us. If we were part of some power, would we even be allowed to go to the Netherworld? Most of the people here are Loose Cultivators unaffiliated with any faction, which is why they choose to make the journey. Either that, or they’re here to gather Spirit Medicine, or they’ve offended some powerful group and are fleeing to the Netherworld to hide."
Yi Tianyun nodded. ’That’s true,’ he thought. ’They’re either unwilling to build a life here or they’re on the run from their enemies.’ It was no wonder the people around them looked so fierce and paid him no mind. Unless an old enemy caught up to them, they couldn’t be bothered to lift a finger.
"What about you, Yi? Are you not a Loose Cultivator?" Yang Zhiwen inquired.
The other two men also turned to look at Yi Tianyun, awaiting his answer.
"I’m not a Loose Cultivator, but I might as well be. I’m just planning to go to the Netherworld and see what it’s like." Yi Tianyun smiled. It wasn’t exactly a lie. ’Right now, there’s not much difference between me and a Loose Cultivator. I’m a completely hands-off Mansion Master, after all.’ So, in a way, he wasn’t wrong.
They exchanged glances but didn’t press the matter. It was a private topic, and besides, whether he was a Loose Cultivator or not had nothing to do with them. They were just forming a temporary team for the journey. Once they entered the Netherworld, they would all go their separate ways with little interaction thereafter.
Soon, their boat was nearly complete. Other groups had already finished theirs and were launching them onto the water, paddling away one after another. Ren’s group had finished as well. In fact, they had built several boats at once, with each member storing a few spares in their Storage Ring.
They had no idea how dangerous the journey would be, so they had to prepare extra vessels. If their boat was destroyed, swimming was not an option. The Nether River’s poison was so potent that prolonged exposure to the water would be a death sentence.
"Yi, we’re about to head in. Are you ready?" Ren Liangchen asked, his expression serious.
"I’m ready. We can leave anytime," Yi Tianyun replied with a nod.
"Alright then. We’re officially setting off now!" Ren Liangchen led his men aboard the boat, and they began to sail into the Nether River.