Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 245 - 193: Shadow Following!

Chapter 245: Chapter 193: Shadow Following!

But why did he arrange for Wang Tianran and me to be together? To let the two of us fight like two tigers, using Wang Tianran’s hand to kill me?

This isn’t right either. The rules here prohibit murder, so why did he assign Wang Tianran and me to the same group?

"This old fellow really is insidiously cunning. It looks like I need to be cautious today!"

Li Ping’an muttered softly to himself, while keeping an eye on Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect with his peripheral vision.

The Ghost Taoist, however, couldn’t help but curse:

"Li Ping’an, look at these cultivators with their deceptively respectable appearance, each one preaching benevolence, righteousness, and moral virtue while their behind-the-scenes actions are filthier than the next. If it weren’t for me, would you have known? Hmm?"

"Today, I’ve really had my eyes opened...as if a knife were slicing across my ass."

Now, Li Ping’an had no good feelings left for the cultivators of the world’s sects, especially these seemingly upright leaders of the Taoist sects.

"One by one, they condemn me as a demon and an outcast, yet they are the truly hypocritical scoundrels!"

The Ghost Taoist then scornfully swept his gaze over the cultivators from the minor sects and said:

"Look at these fools, just like monkeys being played with yet clueless about it! It is only because you met me that you won’t be undoubtedly defeated in today’s first round of competition..."

"I just want to lose, big brother! Why are you everywhere, bothering me all the time?"

Of course, Li Ping’an didn’t say this aloud, but in his mind, he cordially greeted the entire family of the Ghost Taoist.

The Ghost Taoist once again placed his severed limb on Li Ping’an’s shoulder, earnestly advising:

"Child, remember this phrase, whether it’s the Taoist sect or the Buddhist Community, we are all sinners. We appear high and mighty as cultivators, but in reality, we are all deceptively respectable-looking scoundrels. In the future, you must be very careful with these Taoist sect people and not show any mercy. You must never believe their lies! Not a single word, otherwise, you will be beyond redemption!"

After remembering this, Li Ping’an asked back:

"Then why should I believe what you say?"

The Ghost Taoist, helpless, shook his head:

"If you weren’t a disciple of Mount Longhu, I wouldn’t be spilling my guts to you. I’m already beyond forgiveness. I was born an evil man, destined to bring misfortune to the Human Realm. As it is said, only with darkness can there be light, only with evil can there be good, only with demons can there be Buddhas. This is my fate!"

"And what about my fate?"

Looking at the Ghost Taoist, whose face was seven parts ghost and three parts demon, Li Ping’an felt a flicker of unease:

Will I end up like him in the future?

...

The morning passed, and the top four competitors from groups A, B, and C were decided, mostly as expected. Figures like He Zudao, the eldest disciple of the Kunlun Sect, Dan Chenzi, the sixth senior brother from Mount Shu, the Yanyue Sect, the Joyous Sect, and so on, but unexpectedly, Nangong Zhidao from the Orthodox Zhengyi Temple, who had made it into the top eight of Group B yesterday, had made it again into the top four of Group B.

Furthermore, this person had won the competition effortlessly with just a few simple techniques, drawing the sideways glances of all cultivators present. Aside from the cultivators of The Four Great Noble Paths, everyone felt wary of him.

The Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master was in full swing by noon when Immortal Fei He, the Observatory Master of Moyun Temple, said to all cultivators:

"Everyone has had a tiresome morning competing. It is now Wu Hour, so let us pause the trials. Our temple has prepared vegetarian meals for you. Those who wish to eat here, please go to the dining hall. Those who do not, feel free to eat outside. Let’s gather back here in half an hour, hoping that everyone can make the most of the time and determine the top four in Group A before sunset!"

"Good!"

The cultivators dispersed, with most heading to the dining hall of Moyun Temple. Wang Tianran continued to lie down and sleep. Li Ping’an wanted to invite Zixia to eat outside, thinking they could enjoy each other’s company, but the Ghost Taoist kept following him, preventing Zixia from daring to join him.

With no choice, Li Ping’an eventually left Moyun Temple with the ever-present Ghost Taoist and entered a nearby restaurant.

As soon as Li Ping’an entered, the Ghost Taoist at his side scared away all the diners in the restaurant, even the shopkeeper who was frightened into hiding behind the counter, not daring to show his face.

Seeing the situation, Li Ping’an didn’t know what to say about the Ghost Taoist but bluffed:

"Bring this lord one jin of soy-sauce beef, one plump chicken, four side dishes, and a pot of good wine, and be quick about it. We’ll leave after eating, or else I’ll let this zombie next to me eat you all up!"

"Understood, my lord. We’ll do as you ask right away!"

The shopkeeper crawled from behind the counter to the kitchen to relay the order and did not dare to come out again.

Li Ping’an headed toward a street-facing spot, but mid-way, the Ghost Taoist behind him asked out of the blue:

"Li Ping’an, are you really a Taoist?"

"Isn’t that obvious?"

Li Ping’an casually seated himself, poured a cup of tea, and started to drink on his own, watching the passersby outside the window.

The Ghost Taoist sat quietly opposite Li Ping’an and then asked again:

"Are you really a cultivator from the Orthodox Zhengyi Master Sect of Mount Longhu?"

"Are you out of your mind?"

Li Ping’an replied impatiently:

"Haven’t I already told you that I am a Taoist from the Orthodox Zhengyi Master Sect of Mount Longhu?"

"Really?"

Banging the table, the Ghost Taoist demanded:

"The Orthodox Zhengyi Master Sect of Mount Longhu allows the consumption of meat and marriage, but beef is forbidden. Don’t you even know that? Are you truly a disciple of the Orthodox Zhengyi Master Sect of Mount Longhu?"

Only then did Li Ping’an realize that the Ghost Taoist was waiting for him after asking a barrage of questions and began to suspect his identity.

What alarmed Li Ping’an the most was that the magic artifact in the Ghost Taoist’s chest buzzed ominously, indicating that if his answer displeased the Ghost Taoist, the Ghost Taoist would make a move against him.