It was clear that this whole situation of the azure ox pulling a cart hid a fortuitous opportunity. They had no desire to share this discovery with strangers. So, they only invited their close friends to help unravel the mystery.
Chen An was one of them.
But even with more people exploring, the results remained unchanged. One after another, they were driven out with the club. This continued for over half a month, yet they remained completely stuck. Clearly, this group wasn't clever enough.
The moving white mist inevitably drew the attention of other cultivators. Every day, new cultivators discovered its secret and entered. Upon learning of the situation, they all tacitly chose to keep it confidential. But they couldn't stop the crowd around the azure ox and cart from growing larger and larger.
Obviously, if this continued, the matter would eventually become known to everyone in the Congyun Sea. By then, even if there truly was some opportunity here, it wouldn't be theirs anymore.
Thus, they decided to seek external help. Smart external help.
And Li Fan, who had left a deep impression on Chen An during their time at Cloudwater Palace, naturally became one of the candidates for assistance.
"If you are interested, Fellow Daoist, you can come to the vicinity of Yutang Island in the Congyun Sea. Someone will guide you to our location when the time comes."
An azure ox pulling a cart? Interesting. Li Fan hadn't heard of this matter in his previous life.
But since he had nothing better to do, and there seemed to be no life-threatening danger, it wouldn't hurt to take a look.
After making some preparations, Li Fan arrived at Yutang Island via a teleportation array.
The island guardian's eyes lit up upon seeing Li Fan.
"You must be Fellow Daoist Li Fan. I am Zhou Ningchang, a good friend of Chen An. Please follow me." Without wasting any time, he led the way toward the azure ox and cart.
As they flew, Zhou Ningchang briefed Li Fan on the latest developments.
"Fellow Daoist Li Fan, Chen An has likely already explained the general situation to you. This azure ox walks on the water, never stopping. Although its pace isn't fast, it is always moving forward."
Zhou Ningchang's expression turned somewhat troubled. "The ox's path is a straight line. Based on our observations, it seems to be heading directly toward Cloudwater Palace at the center of Congyun Sea.
"At its current speed, it will enter Cloudwater Palace in a month at most. That accursed place is overrun with Oddities. Once the ox enters, it's hard to say what changes might occur. So, it's best if we find a way into the thatched hut before then.
"Otherwise, no matter how unwilling we are, we'll have no choice but to give up," Zhou Ningchang said.
Cloudwater Palace... Li Fan's gaze sharpened. He hadn't expected this azure ox and cart to have any connection to the sect that had been destroyed thousands of years ago.
After the briefing, the two flew in silence for the better part of the day until they saw a large mass of white mist moving slowly across the sea in the distance.
"We're here!" Zhou Ningchang said, then flew ahead into the white mist.
Li Fan had already locked onto Zhou Ningchang with Formless Killing Mechanism. Activating Heaven Watches and Earth Listens, he looked within the white mist, confirming it wasn’t an ambush. Only then did he slowly fly into the mist.
Around the azure ox, roughly seventy or eighty people had gathered. Most of them were bruised and battered, looking thoroughly disheveled. They paid little attention to the new arrival, continuing their loud discussions.
Chen An, however, waved to Li Fan, signaling for him to come over.
Li Fan approached Chen An and listened to the group’s chatter.
“That mouthless monster is easy enough to figure out. You just can’t speak, not even communicate through thought. Otherwise, it’ll throw you out.”
“Exactly. The real problem is that guy with the club.”
“Even though getting beaten up isn’t life-threatening, it hurts like hell!”
“You’ve only been here a few days. I’ve been clobbered over a dozen times already.”
“Don’t even say it. I’m starting to feel weird if I don’t get beaten up at least once a day.”
Chen An smiled wryly and explained to Li Fan, “No one has figured out how to enter that thatched hut after all this time. Everyone’s just trying to make the best of a bad situation.
“We’re counting on you, Fellow Daoist Li.” Chen An looked at Li Fan with hopeful eyes.
Li Fan shook his head. “All these people haven’t found a way in after so much time has passed. Why would I be any different? You overestimate me, Fellow Daoist. I can only give it a try. Don’t set your hopes too high.”
Chen An nodded. “I understand. We simply do what we can.”
Li Fan then turned his attention to the thatched hut ahead.
Just then, a newcomer stepped forward to attempt an approach. Li Fan narrowed his eyes, observing carefully.
Armed with the collective wisdom of the group, the man moved in complete silence, creeping up to the front of the hut. But before he could make a move, the muscular monster holding the wooden club glared at him furiously.
The club swung in a blazing arc, smashing hard into the cultivator’s body. The man managed only a single cry of pain before he was sent flying, utterly powerless to resist.
He only managed to stabilize himself awkwardly after being flung beyond the range of the azure ox cart.
Judging by the pained expression on his face, the blow had been anything but light.
“What was that man’s cultivation level?” Li Fan asked.
“Late-stage Foundation Establishment realm,” Zhou Ningchang replied. “There’s even one mid-stage Golden Core cultivator here. But just like those at the Qi Refinement realm, none of them can put up any resistance against that club.
“As for anyone stronger... we wouldn’t dare to invite them,” he added.
Treating everyone equally, regardless of cultivation level. Li Fan narrowed his eyes. This peculiar trait reminded him of an Oddity.
Could this place also harbor Oddities? He couldn’t help but wonder. If it really is one, then why doesn’t this Oddity harm anyone?
Puzzled, Li Fan decided to test it himself. He flew forward quietly, landing in front of the thatched hut and advancing slowly.
The mouthless monster ignored him completely, but the one holding the club grew increasingly angry as Li Fan drew closer.
Frowning, Li Fan retreated. The club-wielding monster’s expression gradually returned to normal.
After a moment’s thought, Li Fan moved forward again. This time, his steps were even slower, but the monster wasn’t interested in playing games. The club flew from its hand and slammed hard into Li Fan’s body.
It felt like a powerful kick to the gut. An unseen force surged, and Li Fan was sent flying uncontrollably.
“Tsk...” Li Fan sucked in a sharp breath. That really hurt.
The others watched Li Fan’s failed attempt with mild indifference, quickly returning to their small groups to discuss how they might approach the challenge anew the following day. Li Fan, however, replayed the scene in his mind, turning it over and over in deep thought.
The next day, they tried again. One by one, they were sent flying.
The sight was almost comical.
When it was Li Fan’s turn, the result was no different. No exceptions.
The third day arrived. Still, nothing changed.
As days slipped by and Cloudwater Palace drew ever nearer, a collective impatience began to fester. Fewer and fewer cultivators stepped forward to make attempts each day.
Watching his fellow cultivators try every conceivable method—only to fail without exception—Li Fan felt a suspicion slowly crystallize within him.
So when the next day dawned, he raised his voice and addressed the gathered crowd, “If there are any among us in the early-stage Qi Refinement realm... would you be willing to disperse your cultivation and give it a try?”