Since it is an assessment with a target, choosing the route to take is very important. Zheng Tuo turned around and took out something like a magnifying glass from his backpack. It was a special magnifying glass that he asked a cultivator to make for him.
It functions just like a normal magnifying glass, except that the magnification intensity can be adjusted automatically. The highest level can reach a hundred times that of a microscope.
Zheng Tuo held a magnifying glass and looked for something on the ground frame by frame.
After a while, the target was finally found. There were rows of fresh footprints. It's obvious that a lot of people were heading in the same direction, since the footprints were very messy.
Following the path others have taken is definitely the safest and least dangerous method. It is quite comfortable to walk in other people's shoes and let others be your guide dog.
Zheng Tuo actually had a plan in place. His goal was simple, which was to complete the assessment intact and join the Luoxian Sect. As for the rest, it is not within his consideration. He followed the footprints and walked forward for a whole day.
Just as he guessed, he followed the footprints and did not encounter any danger. The road was smooth and it was as easy as traveling in a primeval forest.
Having said that, Zheng Tuo did not relax at all. He always has two wind-chasing talismans stuck on his thighs, ready to run away at any given moment keeping his mind highly focused and being alert to the surrounding mountains and forests at all times.
He was afraid that a ferocious beast would suddenly jump out and kill him. After all, it is the assessment period now, so it's always better to be cautious. Better safe than sorry.
Anyway, the sun is setting in the east and it is getting dark. Zheng Tuo had to stop. Traveling at night is dangerous, especially in this kind of primeval forest, the risk factor is at least multiplied. He'll make a hidden safe house before it gets dark. He was familiar with the process and made a safe house on the spot.
Then, Zheng Tuo took off his backpack. The backpack is not an ordinary backpack, it is a simple space storage device. Because he was not a cultivator, he can only use this simple storage device. Unlike immortal cultivators, he cannot carry a large number of items in a small bag.
He took out a hundred explosive talismans from his backpack and buried them carefully nearby. A first-level explosive talisman, powerful enough to injure a first-level Qi Refining Stage cultivator. It was the only offensive talisman that ordinary people can use.
After placing a hundred explosive talismans near the safe house. Zheng Tuo was still worried. He continue to take out a hundred alarm talismans from the backpack. The area within a hundred meters will be turned into a warning area. If any creature enters this area, he will receive a beeping alarm.
Zheng Tuo felt much more at ease after the alarm talisman was taken care of.
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Meanwhile on the other side...
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Meanwhile on the other side, In a primeval forest two days' journey away from him.
"Everyone, please rest here. It is too dangerous to travel at night. Let's travel again tomorrow morning." Wang Ze commanded everyone.
"Are we going to rest like this?"
"Yeah! How can we sleep?"
"Yes, there's grass all around, not a dry spot. We will catch a cold if you sleep like this."
"It's not just grass, there are all kinds of snakes, insects, rats and ants. I'm afraid I'll get sick if I sleep there for a night."
Everyone spoke one by one, expressing their dissatisfaction with the current situation. They didn't bring any tents or anything like that, and had very little food. The current situation is that they were hungry and sleepy, and they still have to take the assessment, which is like killing them slowly.
"Everyone, please overcome yourself. After all, this is an assessment, and it's normal to suffer a little."
'Damn it! If it weren't for winning people's hearts and laying the foundation for the future, I wouldn't bother with you. What a bunch of useless people! They complain about everything just because they are resting in the open air. How do they think they will cultivate immortality if they can't stand this?'
Wang Ze cursed in his heart.
The sound of wolf howling echoed in the forest, and everyone woke up in an instant.
"What's the point of sleeping like this? If I continue to sleep, I'm afraid I won't be able to see the sun tomorrow!"
"What kind of suffering is this!"
"Just bear with it for a while."
Everyone tried to stay awake, huddled together for warmth, and found it difficult to fall asleep.
.
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Meanwhile after entering the safe house, Zheng Tuo took out the prepared bacon, bok choy, green onions, soybean paste, large white steamed buns and clean water from the backpack. The food is pretty average, so his stomach just had to bear with it.
After all, it is the assessment stage and we can't ask for too much. He'll make up for it by eating something good after I pass the assessment. Eat and drink enough.
Zheng Tuo then took out clean bedding and laid it out. Using a preheating talisman to warm the quilt and then lie in it comfortably. Well, he has to admit, after walking all day, he was indeed a little tired.
However, just to be cautious, on the left side of the pillow, there is a smoke talisman. And to the right of the pillow, there was a sharp dagger.
After finishing everything, Zheng Tuo fell asleep peacefully.
No words were spoken that night.
On the second day, Zheng Tuo got up early, yawning. Maybe he is used to sleeping in the safe house and his mental state is good.
First he check the traps set around him. After confirming that the traps are not activated, it is a simple matter of putting away all the traps and using them the next time. According to yesterday's plan, we continued to follow the footprints left by the people ahead.
On the other side, Wang Ze and his group, who had not slept all night, forced themselves to get up. They looked listless, like eggplants hit by frost, with their heads drooping, and clearly looked unwell.
"Everyone, work harder. When we reach Sunset Mountain, even if we have completed the assessment, we will be disciples of the Luoxian Sect and at least an immortal."
Wang Ze continued to give everyone some words as chicken soup for the soul.
There was nothing anyone could do and having chicken soup was better than having nothing at all. With dark circles under their eyes and with tired body, they continue to explore the road ahead.
At the same time, two days' journey behind them, Zheng Tuo walked lightly, admiring the wild flowers and appreciating the mountain scenery. He felt the beauty and harmony of nature along the way, and was indescribably happy.
He has to say that the air quality in the Eastern Region is much better than in the previous life. When he inhaled it, it tasted sweet. Thank God, thank mom and dad for this chance.
In this way, Zheng Tuo traveled during the day and rested after setting traps at night.
The journey was smooth and there was no danger.
That was until the fifth day of the assessment. Zheng Tuo had a serious expression on his face, and was troubled by the messy footprints in front of him.
The road ahead diverged, and roughly estimated, there were six routes.
He did not know which to choose.
Among the six routes, which one is the safest?
After much thought, there is only one most cautious approach. That means walking every route. Although it is a bit time-consuming, it is worth it compared to being able to complete the assessment successfully.
Zheng Tuo did not choose any of the six routes randomly. Instead it took nearly an hour. Using a magnifying glass to analyze which road has the most people traveling on it. Relatively speaking, the more footprints on a road, the safer it is.
After determining the route to take, Zheng Tuo saw that it would be dark in less than eight hours. To be safe, he will leave tomorrow.
Whatever he does , he reminded himself to not be impatient and take it step by step steadily. How could the road to immortality be that easy?
If one is not careful, one might die for no apparent reason at any time.
With this thought in mind, Zheng Tuo finished his dinner with a gusto. Then, in a good mood, he climbed up an old tree, lay on its branches, sipped tea, and admired the beauty of the sunset.
The end of life is like the sunshine before our eyes, which will eventually disappear into darkness.
So the result is not important, what is important is every minute, every second, every bit, every trace of experience.
Those painful and happy days are proof that he is alive.
He knows that one day he will forget that he once stood here, watching the last dance of the sunset.
But he believe that something has left an indelible mark on his soul.
Zheng Tuo wrote down the following words in his diary.
Carefully put the diary away and carry it close to him back into the safe house, he lay in the comfortable bed and fell asleep peacefully.
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"How far is that damn Sunset Mountain?"
Wang Ze on the other hand looked disheveled, and the originally handsome young man had turned into a veteran beggar. Behind him was a group of guys who looked even more listless.
No danger was encountered.
The mere journey alone had exhausted the group.
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Zheng Tuo got up early the next morning. He stretched my muscles, washed his face, went to the toilet, and had breakfast. After wards, there was more preparation and he went ahead.