Chapter 718 - 725: Buddhist Practitioner Tian Li’s Secret

"What do you mean?"

Song Wanning stared intently into Tian Li’s eyes.

Besides herself, he was the first person to bring up the invaders.

"It’s exactly what you think."

Tian Li, with that same nonchalant look on his face, said grimly, "All invaders deserve to die."

A cold glint flashed in Song Wanning’s eyes, but she didn’t let her guard down.

’This man’s appearance is too strange.’

’He seems to know everything.’

Yet she knew nothing about him. The feeling was deeply unsettling to Song Wanning.

Tian Li seemed to see through her thoughts and sneered.

"Don’t worry, I mean you no harm."

"After all, our goals are the same."

The corners of Tian Li’s mouth lifted slightly. "Let me introduce myself again. I come from another Great Thousand World."

"You’re not the only one chosen by the Heavenly Dao."

At these words, Song Wanning’s heart sank once more.

She remained skeptical of Tian Li’s words. Even though he had been very clear, she still wouldn’t trust him so easily.

"What, you still don’t believe me?"

Tian Li clicked his tongue, expressing his displeasure with Song Wanning’s suspicion.

"The moment I saw you, I knew we were the same kind of people."

"That’s why I took the liberty of following you until I could confirm our identities, and only then did I approach you."

A glint shone in his eyes, reflecting Song Wanning’s doubtful gaze.

"It’s fine. It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe me for now. One day, you will."

With that, Tian Li rose to his feet and leisurely departed.

Song Wanning remained seated, motionless, watching as Tian Li walked out from downstairs, blended into the crowd, and gradually disappeared from sight.

She stared after his receding figure, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.

"Sister, do you think what that monk said is true?"

The Golden Small Sword sat on Song Wanning’s shoulder, somewhat displeased.

That stinking monk was far too arrogant, and his cryptic manner was thoroughly unlikable.

"I don’t know either."

Song Wanning heaved a long sigh, feeling quite puzzled herself.

’Logically speaking, no one else should know about this matter.’

Even Mo Yang Immortal Venerable and Daoqing only found out because she told them.

’That monk is definitely not right.’

But she didn’t dare to rashly trust Tian Li, so she could only decide to take things one step at a time.

Song Wanning sent a Communication Talisman to Daoqing to get information on Tian Li, hoping it might help.

’But the lives Tian Li has taken... were they really invaders?’

Song Wanning remained suspicious.

For the next few days, Tian Li came to see Song Wanning daily.

He no longer mentioned his invitation, but instead shamelessly freeloaded off her for food and drinks, acting as if he and Song Wanning were old friends.

The people around them couldn’t help but give him a few extra glances whenever they saw him.

Song Wanning also learned some news from Daoqing. Tian Li had indeed ascended from another Great Thousand World, and it had probably been several decades by now.

Although he hadn’t aligned himself with any Sect, he had made a name for himself in the Immortal Realm.

However, because Buddhist Practitioners are supposed to cultivate merit, Tian Li’s bloodthirsty nature and the countless lives he had taken earned him widespread criticism.

Daoqing urged Song Wanning to stay away from Tian Li and be careful, lest something happen.

Song Wanning agreed, adding another layer to her defenses against Tian Li.

But with the questions in her heart still unanswered, she didn’t rush to drive Tian Li away. Instead, she slowly became more familiar with him.

The relationship between the two was extremely delicate, but since both knew what the other was thinking, it was strangely harmonious.

On this day, Tian Li once again proposed that Song Wanning follow him to a secret location.

"Why do you need me to go?"

Song Wanning asked, her expression nonchalant as she sat in a bamboo chair.

’This guy really can’t sit still, after all.’

"Heh heh, to be honest with you, that secret location requires an extremely strong power of merit. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been so shameless as to keep following you."

Tian Li didn’t hide it, grinning as he moved closer to Song Wanning.

"Song Wanning, there are clues about the invaders there. Are you really not interested?"

"Or are you afraid of me?"

Tian Li stared intently into Song Wanning’s eyes. An obscure look, along with a hint of incomprehensible melancholy, flashed through his bright pupils for an instant.

Song Wanning blinked, chuckled softly, and reached out to push Tian Li’s head away.

"If you put it that way, then I suppose I really have to go."

’She also wanted to see what he was really up to.’

"Heh heh."

Hearing this, Tian Li smiled, and the aura around him fluctuated faintly.

"Believe me, that place definitely won’t disappoint you."

He rose leisurely, gathered his things, and led Song Wanning out of the pavilion.

Although his movements seemed slow and unhurried, Song Wanning could still sense a hint of impatience in them.

’She secretly raised her guard as killing intent flashed through her heart.’

’If Tian Li dared to plot against her, she definitely wouldn’t let him off easily.’

’It was just...’

’She had to find a way to figure out the secret of the invaders.’

...

「A few days later」

Tian Li brought Song Wanning to a stop before a stretch of sea.

The sea was vast and boundless. As far as the eye could see, the azure water met the sky in a single line. A pale mist gave the sea an ethereal aura of Immortal Qi.

In the distance, at the edge of the sea, the faint shadow of a mountain could be seen—it was likely a small island.

And Tian Li’s target was that very island.

"See that? That’s it!"

He pointed at the island, a flicker of Evil Qi in his eyes.

"That island is filled with Evil Qi. Only someone with immense merit can approach it safely."

He gave Song Wanning a furtive glance, his envy for the merit she possessed palpable.

’If only all this merit belonged to him...’

Song Wanning took in his expression and asked directly, "Since we’re both the same, what about your merit?"

Her question also carried the intent of probing him.

As if he didn’t notice, Tian Li replied, "Just killing a few invaders won’t get you this much merit."

"You must have had some other fortunate encounter."

As he spoke, he took out an Immortal Boat and led Song Wanning aboard.

Song Wanning didn’t press the matter. Tian Li did seem to know a lot about this.

’But even if their goals were the same, it didn’t necessarily make them allies.’

The guard in Song Wanning’s heart didn’t lessen; it grew stronger, and she remained constantly vigilant.

Soon, the two were flying toward the island in the middle of the sea on the Immortal Boat.

Passing through layers of mist, the island ahead became increasingly distinct.

Waves of frigid air washed over them with the sea spray, and the salty, damp smell made Song Wanning furrow her brow.

’No wonder Tian Li said the power of merit was needed to come here. The aura of this island is definitely off.’

As the Immortal Boat drew closer, an even more foul stench assaulted them, accompanied by a thick wave of Evil Qi.

In that instant, the killing intent in Song Wanning’s heart was stirred, and a strange red glint appeared in her eyes.

Fortunately, the power of merit on her body rippled, suppressing the Evil Qi.

Song Wanning’s heart tightened, and she glanced to the side.

A flash of blue light flickered across Tian Li’s body.