Chapter 402

Chapter 402: Who is Fishing Without a Hook?

The blind man, the emperor, the farmer, and the poison girl.

At some point, the four had already surrounded Li Hui in the center.

The blind man spoke, “Meeting is fate. Since the Miao Jade and ores do not catch this young man’s eye, he must be here for the treasures in the inner courtyard. Good, now that we have five, we should head in.”

“Less talk, let’s enter the inner courtyard,” the emperor replied, somewhat impatiently, stepping forward.

As the light and shadow flickered around them, they heard a loud “bang,” as if passing through some barrier, entering a space of immense warmth.

Though they had entered the Green Copper Hall, they found themselves in a courtyard.

A small bridge with flowing water welcomed them, where spring flowers blossomed. Under the bridge, many golden lotuses swayed gracefully, and a rainbow fell, revealing dozens of Awakening Grasses.

With the sound of wind chimes in the air, they approached another Green Copper Hall, looking just like the one they had seen outside. Yet, despite entering, they realized the hall was hidden within another.

Even surrounded by rare flowers and odd herbs, the five merely glanced around before walking forward, soon standing once more in front of the grand door of the Green Copper Hall.

Li Hui felt puzzled; these four all exuded an air of strangeness. Could they, like him, perceive the changes in fate? Were they purposely squeezing him in the center, as if handsome men were simply more likable? That was nonsense.

Once again, the man in the dragon robe was the first to step through the door; previously, it had been fully open, but this Green Copper Hall was only half ajar. Upon entering, they heard another loud “bang,” and instead of warmth, they were met with cold.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”

In the depths of winter, snow blanketed the ground, as if they had suddenly stepped from spring into the harshest winter. A small bridge still led to the Green Copper Hall, flanked by ice spikes that held precious icy jade marrow.

Li Hui cast a glance around and noticed many rare items of ice, even rarer than the golden lotuses and Awakening Grasses he had previously seen; any one of them could be a treasure for a cave dwelling.

The other four remained undeterred as the blind man continued, “This time the Green Copper Hall arises, after the Spring Hall comes the Winter Hall. If the lower Green Copper Hall is the Summer Hall, then we should be cautious, for the Autumn Hall will surely guard the threshold. Perhaps the Great Treasure Dragon Celebration Tree will appear; acquiring those treasures in the inner courtyard will be at least ten times more challenging.”

“Indeed,” the farmer smiled, seeming quite familiar with the blind man.

As predicted, passing through winter, they entered the third Green Copper Hall, finding a blistering summer. The heat felt like being scorched by the sun, yet it produced treasures rich in Yang energy, with pure Yang Qi wafting forth; if they could locate the source to take out, it could turn into soil that kills ghostly creatures.

The five moved through the scorching summer, crossing the half-open great door once again, this time encountering a desolate autumn.

Suddenly, the blind man stopped; ahead stood a six-zhang tall ancient tree, its branches hanging only a few dry yellow leaves, and its trunk was black.

The tree stood strong and imposing in the autumn wind, as an old man sat on a thick branch, fishing with a rod that intriguingly lacked a hook, merely some fishing line drifting in the air.

“Tree demon?” Li Hui lifted his guard; the old man emanated a vast amount of demonic energy and did not intentionally conceal his cultivation, likely on par with a late-stage Bosa practitioner. Without the suppression of the Green Copper Hall, he might possess strength rivaling that of someone in the All-Manifestation Realm.

The man in the dragon robe stepped forward and greeted, “Lord Longqing, may I pass? I only seek one item from the inner courtyard; my master has praised you for years, claiming without your assistance, he would not have survived entering the Green Copper Hall, as it is a treacherous place.”

“Oh? The last time the Green Copper Hall appeared, the Autumn Hall was first. I amusingly saved a few young ones. Human cultivation progresses quickly; even the disciples of those little ones have grown up. You five should heed this: connections mean nothing; this time, with the Autumn Hall guarding the threshold, it’s simple to enter the inner courtyard, just leave marks on the tree trunk,” the old man said, his gaze fixed on the fishing line, not glancing at the five at all.

Li Hui understood; the four beside him had likely received help from the tree demon earlier, perhaps having entered the Green Copper Hall before and knowing some of its layouts and treasures. When the Green Copper Hall emerged again, they wished for their disciples to try their luck.

“Then I must offend you.” The man in the dragon robe slowly drew his sword, magic flames rising from his body and gathering at the blade’s edge, suddenly unleashing a myriad of sword images.

“Clang, clang, clang…” Tiny sparks flew from the large tree’s trunk, which immediately fell silent, failing to inflict any damage. The old man shook his head, still focused on the fishing line, saying lightly, “Your Demon-Slaying Dragon Emperor Sword has yet to be fully cultivated; retreat.”

“How is that possible?” The man in the dragon robe was alarmed; he was very confident in his skills, or he wouldn’t have attacked first, never expecting he would fail.

The chubby girl stepped forward with laughter, “Haha, now it’s my turn; old man, be careful! My poison is quite formidable.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the tree trunk made a popping sound, transforming into brilliant colors as if trying to leave marks. However, moments later, everything returned to normal, and instead, the chubby girl turned red in the face.

The blind man sighed, “No need to try; the Great Treasure Dragon Celebration Tree is indestructible. You few will find it exceedingly hard to inflict any harm. However, every matter in the world has room for negotiation. You are fishing without a hook, presumably observing the changes in fate. Speaking of which, the Green Copper Hall is truly dangerous, yet you are the most benevolent. Currently, facing a great calamity, the human world is akin to a den of ghosts; we cultivators must strive against the current and need some assurance to protect the path. Therefore, I sincerely request that Lord Longqing provide some leniency.”

“Your tongue is a weapon, indeed the path of persuasion,” the old man remained unruffled, shaking his head, “What happens outside has nothing to do with me; my duty is to refrain from excessive speech.”

“Predecessor…” the blind man attempted to continue persuading, but suddenly, a cloud of dust enveloped them, and he, the man in the dragon robe, and the chubby girl vanished without a trace.

Only the farmer and Li Hui remained in front of the tree.

“Lord Longqing!” The farmer said with utmost respect, “My master knows you favor Tianyi run-off water, and thus has instructed me to collect a basket, which only the cloud-lan dragon-roosted bamboo can create.”

“Oh?” The old man shifted his gaze for the first time from the fishing line to the bamboo basket.

Sensing the pull of energy, Li Hui fixated on the fishing line, his heart racing: “This old demon is measuring fate with his fishing rod; he seems to have good intentions, not wanting people to lose their fortune for no reason.”

“Barter allows entrance into the inner courtyard to select one treasure, only one.” The old man waved his hand, and the farmer made a graceful bow before disappearing.

Li Hui stepped forward, ignoring the tree’s obstruction, swiftly slipping inside.

“Eh?” The old man nearly fell from the tree, quickly focusing back on the fishing line, growing increasingly astonished, murmuring to himself: “After waiting for years in the Green Copper Hall, has a suitable candidate finally arrived? I am threatened by that Evil God, and now I can’t help myself. This child possesses immense fortune, already to the point of distorting national fate, yet it remains dangerous here; I must keep an eye on him, lest he not know depth…”

As they talked, the ancient tree swayed a few times and disappeared, following a faint trace. Meanwhile, Li Hui had already entered the inner courtyard, where thousands of treasures gleamed with radiant colors, shining everywhere, a sight difficult to find in heaven or on earth. It seemed that no place could possibly hold treasures like this Duobao Bay.