The sky over Golmud City was especially clear during winter, with cold winds blowing across the land. More than a hundred miles north of Golmud, in a mountainous area near a village called Taji Zi, nine Humvees slowly pulled over to the roadside. Shui Miao opened the car door and stepped out, gazing at the blue sky and taking a few deep breaths of the crisp, cold air before turning his gaze northward.
It had been three days since Shui Miao had comprehended the Dao of Feng Shui and obtained the essence of power from the stone tablet.
During those three days, Shui Miao had focused on cultivation and handling matters concerning the Xuan Group.
He had no interest in the affairs of the Xuan Group and only wanted to elevate his cultivation further and grasp the ultimate Dao.
The winter sky in Golmud was exceptionally clear, with a cold wind sweeping across the land. About a hundred miles north of Golmud, near the entrance of a village called Tajizi nestled in the mountains, nine Hummers slowly pulled over by the roadside. Shui Miao stepped out of the car, glanced at the blue sky, took a few breaths of the chilly yet crisp air, and then gazed into the distance toward the north.
It had been three days since Shui Miao comprehended the principles of Feng Shui and obtained the primordial power within the stone tablet.
During these three days, aside from cultivating, Shui Miao had been handling matters related to the Xuan Group.
Shui Miao had no real interest in the affairs of the Xuan Group; his sole focus was on further enhancing his cultivation and attaining the Great Dao.
Thus, after entrusting the Xuan Group entirely to Old Huang and King Kong, Shui Miao returned to the hotel with Hua Sheng and the twins, Da Da and Xiao Xiao. Upon learning that Shui Miao’s mastery of the Dao had reached an unfathomable level, Grandpa Xiong Ying abandoned his plans to continue cultivating alone and decided to stubbornly stick with Shui Miao from then on.
Shui Miao also met with Captain Lin and Chu Miaoyi. Hua Sheng contacted the relevant authorities and directly informed Captain Lin that the investigation into the cultural relics case was canceled. Shui Miao was now an important figure in a national confidential department, and local authorities were to cooperate fully with any future matters. Additionally, all past events were to be kept strictly confidential, as any information related to Shui Miao was highly classified. Upon receiving these orders, Captain Lin, Chu Miaoyi, and Lin Xue were utterly astonished. However, to their delight, Captain Lin was promoted under the care of the relevant authorities, while Lin Xue and Chu Miaoyi were reassigned to Shui Miao’s side, tasked with ensuring his security.
In truth, Shui Miao’s strength made it unnecessary for others to protect him.
Shui Miao’s intention to keep everyone around him was simple: he wanted to use his own power to influence his friends’ destinies, however slightly. When it came to his friends, Shui Miao never hesitated to help them become stronger if it benefited them. This was his dream.
In the past, Shui Miao feared that the thousand-year-old female ghost would harm his loved ones and friends, so he dared not gather them all together.
But now, having obtained the primordial power of Feng Shui, he was filled with confidence and no longer afraid.
His perspective had changed.
He also knew that, given his path of cultivation, he would not have much time or energy to care for everyone. Keeping them close was the only thing he could do.
The Dao of Feng Shui, the Dao of Nature, the Dao of Concealment, the Dao of Survival, and the Dao of Destruction.
Next, he would face the Dao of Nature.
The so-called Nature encompasses all things in the universe, everything under the heavens.
Of course, the most challenging to grasp is the human heart.
Thus, Shui Miao decided to travel far and wide, using the principles of Feng Shui to uphold justice in the name of heaven.
Since comprehending the Dao of Feng Shui, Shui Miao had often sensed a peculiar, oppressive energy that weighed heavily on his heart. He didn’t know what this energy was, only that it made him deeply uncomfortable and naturally stirred a strong urge within him to investigate its source and eliminate it.
So, early this morning, everyone drove three Hummers to the entrance of Tajizi Village.
Looking ahead, there was indeed a small village, with scattered grayish earthen houses seemingly haphazardly built among the mountains. These houses were all wooden structures, without bricks or tiles, giving off a primitive vibe.
During the day, the oppressive energy was relatively weak.
But Shui Miao could still sense it.
“It’s over there. If you want to go, come with me.”
Shui Miao pointed toward the area behind Tajizi Village, where the terrain was steep and impassable by vehicles.
Behind Shui Miao, several people gradually emerged from the cars: Grandpa Xiong Ying, Godfather Wang Yong, his three disciples Jiang Zhihao, and Chu Miaoyi, as well as Hua Sheng and the twins, Da Da and Xiao Xiao.
Seeing that they would have to traverse mountains and ridges, Jiang Zhihao quickly smiled obsequiously and said, “Master, should I rent a few helicopters? The mountains look close, but the journey is long.”
“No need. Walking is good.”
Shui Miao didn’t turn around and replied directly, “Cultivation isn’t just about sitting in meditation. The purpose of meditation is to calm the mind, focus the spirit, and practice breathing. But true cultivation is about integrating into nature. To integrate into nature, you must immerse yourself in it, endure all kinds of hardships, travel thousands of miles, and then comprehend nature. Only then will you gain unique insights. Of course, this journey is arduous. For ordinary people, it is both a challenge and a tempering. But if anyone doesn’t want to go, I won’t mind. As the saying goes, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.”
Shui Miao spoke lightly, but his final words—”those who walk different paths cannot make plans together”—frightened everyone.
To be precise, including Chu Miaoyi and Lin Xue, everyone present wanted to follow Shui Miao in cultivating the Dao.
For everyone, this was Shui Miao’s test.
“No, no problem. I’ll go, I’ll go.”
Jiang Zhihao was startled and paused before asking, “Should we bring bags and food?”
“Of course. If you follow me, I’ll only ensure your safety. I won’t take care of your food, drink, or sleep.” Shui Miao frowned. Because Grandpa was in the group, some things were hard to say outright. So, without turning around, Shui Miao headed straight toward Tajizi Village.
“Wait for me, wait for us!”
Lin Xue and Chu Miaoyi exchanged glances, quickly fetched their bags from the car, and hurried after Shui Miao.
Last night, Shui Miao had already instructed everyone to prepare the essentials for wilderness survival, so each person had their own pack.
Jiang Zhihao, Jiang Tao, and Sun Hao each had bodyguards, who promptly shouldered their large and small bags and followed behind Shui Miao.
Wang Yong grabbed his backpack from the car, raised an eyebrow, and grinned at Xiong Ying. “Old bro, how does it feel to be a grandpa following his grandson around?”
“…”
Shui Miao had undergone a complete transformation, bearing no resemblance to his former self. Xiong Ying’s face paled with silent frustration. Despite feeling profoundly unbalanced, there was nothing he could do. He simply picked up his small bag, waved at Wang Yong, and trailed behind Jiang Zhihao’s bodyguards.
Bringing up the rear were Hua Sheng and the twins, Da Da and Xiao Xiao, all three of whom were Yi Tianwen’s trusted aides.
Hua Sheng pulled the twin sisters aside and whispered, “Da Da, Xiao Xiao, do you think this Shui Miao is still our former team leader? I feel like he’s nothing like our original team leader.”
“I feel the same. His tone, his gaze, his behavior—none of it matches our former team leader,” Da Da said, furrowing her brow.
Xiao Xiao nodded in agreement. “I noticed it too.”
Hua Sheng frowned deeply. “I think our former team leader might already be dead. This person must be Shui Miao.”
“Then… what should we do?”
Da Da and Xiao Xiao spoke in unison, looking anxiously at Hua Sheng.
Hua Sheng took a deep breath and thought for a moment. “So far, he’s treated us fairly well. It seems we don’t have any other options for now. Let’s just follow him and see what he plans to do. If he really isn’t our former team leader… when the time comes, I’ll discuss it with you both.”
“Okay…” Xiao Xiao quickly nodded.
Da Da then asked, “If he really isn’t, should we kill him to avenge our team leader?”
“Is there even a question? How can we not repay our team leader’s nurturing kindness?” Hua Sheng said with unwavering determination. He picked up his backpack and turned to leave.
※※※
Approximately one hundred and seventy miles to the north of Tajizi Village lay the boundary where the mountains met the desert.
In a valley within the mountains, two minivans were parked.
The minivans had appeared in the valley around midnight.
At this moment, two young men were sleeping in each minivan, while outside stood two young women, about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with ponytails, wearing denim jackets and jeans. One was carrying a large bucket of water, and the other held a washbasin and other toiletries.
The two young women looked particularly innocent—neither fat nor thin, neither beautiful nor ugly, just ordinary.
They carried the water bucket about twenty meters away behind a large rock and began pouring water, washing up, and brushing their teeth.
The slightly taller girl complained as she undressed to wash up, “I’m exhausted, filthy, and stinking. I’m so fed up! They brought us to this godforsaken place where even birds don’t crap, and we haven’t bathed for three days. Xiao Fang, why don’t you fetch another bucket of water so we can properly wash up? We’re out of the desert now anyway. When they wake up, they can go find more water.”
The girl called Xiao Fang had fair skin and a shy personality.
Xiao Fang quickly shook her head and said softly, “No need. There’s not much water left. I’ll just brush my teeth and wash my face. You can use the rest of the water, Sister Rong. If I fetch another bucket and they wake up to find no water, they’ll scold us again.”
“Who cares? I’ve had enough!” Sister Rong waved her hand impatiently, already having removed her shirt and now pouring water over her bare upper body. She kept muttering, “Just thinking about it makes me furious. I was a respectable office worker, and yet I let those fools convince me to go tomb raiding, coming to this western desert city in search of treasure. We wandered in the desert for three days and suffered for nothing. If they don’t find any treasure, just wait and see how I handle them.”
Sister Rong had darker skin. She had attended martial arts school as a child and was quite skilled.
Xiao Fang glanced at Sister Rong’s chest—wrinkled skin but with firm muscles on her abdomen—and sighed softly. “Sigh! We all wanted to get rich. The money from work isn’t enough to live on, and we’re not pretty. What else could we do but come out here with them to search for treasure?”
“Don’t even mention money! Just hearing about it makes me furious!” Sister Rong waved her hands irritably.
Washing up often made her wet her pants. Seeing that no one was around, Sister Rong simply took off her pants and underwear and began washing herself openly.
Xiao Fang worried for Sister Rong and quickly stood guard, peeking out from behind the rock to keep an eye on the minivans…
But to her surprise, when Xiao Fang looked out, she saw a massive castle emerging from the desert in the distance!
“The Sand City!”
“Sister Rong, look! It’s the Sand City?!”
Shui Miao also met with Captain Lin and Chu Miaoyi. Watson contacted the relevant authorities and directly informed Captain Lin that the investigation into the cultural relics case was canceled. Shui Miao was now an important figure in a national secret department, and local authorities were instructed to cooperate fully with any future matters involving him. Additionally, all events that had transpired were to be kept strictly confidential, with any information related to Shui Miao considered top secret. Upon receiving these orders, Captain Lin, Chu Miaoyi, and Lin Xue were all greatly surprised. However, the good news was that Captain Lin had been promoted thanks to the attention from the authorities, while Lin Xue and Chu Miaoyi were transferred to serve as Shui Miao’s personal bodyguards.
In reality, Shui Miao didn’t need anyone to protect him.
He intentionally kept everyone close to him for a simple reason—he wanted to use his own strength to influence his friends’ destinies in some way. When it came to his friends, whenever there was something beneficial, Shui Miao never hesitated to help them grow stronger. This was his dream.
In the past, Shui Miao had feared that the thousand-year-old female ghost might harm his loved ones and friends, so he dared not gather them all together.
But now, having obtained the essence of Feng Shui Dao, he felt full of confidence and no longer feared anything.
His mindset had changed.
He also understood that continuing to cultivate at this pace would leave him with little time or energy to care for everyone. Bringing them all along was the only thing he could do.
Feng Shui Dao encompassed the Dao of nature, concealment, survival, and destruction.
Next, he would face the Dao of nature.
Nature referred to all things in heaven and earth, to everything in the vast universe.
Of course, the most difficult thing to grasp was the human heart.
Therefore, Shui Miao decided to travel across the land, using the Dao of Feng Shui to uphold justice.
Ever since he had comprehended the Dao of Feng Shui, Shui Miao had been sensing some unusual, oppressive energies. He didn’t know what they were, but he knew they made him feel deeply uncomfortable. Naturally, a strong urge arose within him—he had to go there, find the source of the oppressive energy, and eliminate it.
So early this morning, everyone had taken three Humvees and arrived at the entrance of Taji Zi village.
Looking ahead, there was indeed a small village. A few scattered, earth-toned wooden houses stood randomly among the mountains, giving off a primitive vibe.
During the day, the oppressive energy was weaker.
But Shui Miao could still sense it.
“That’s the place. If you want to go with me, then come.”
Shui Miao pointed toward the mountains behind Taji Zi village, where the terrain was steep and impassable by vehicle.
Behind him, one by one, several people got out of the cars—Grandfather Xiong Ying, Godfather Wang Yong, Jiang Zhihao and his three apprentices, Chu Miaoyi, Watson, and the twins.
Seeing that they would have to hike through the mountains, Jiang Zhihao hurriedly smiled and suggested, “Master, maybe I should rent a few helicopters? It looks close, but walking will take forever.”
“No need. Walking is fine.”
Without turning his head, Shui Miao replied, “Cultivation isn’t just about sitting in meditation. Meditation is for calming the mind, focusing the spirit, and controlling breath, but true cultivation lies in merging with nature. To merge with nature, one must immerse oneself in it, endure hardships, travel thousands of miles, and then gain insight. That is where true understanding comes from. Of course, this journey will be difficult. For ordinary people, it’s both a challenge and a test of endurance. If anyone doesn’t want to come, I won’t force them. After all, those who walk different paths cannot walk together.”
Shui Miao spoke lightly, but his last sentence—”those who walk different paths cannot walk together”—startled everyone.
To be precise, including Chu Miaoyi and Lin Xue, everyone here wanted to follow Shui Miao in his cultivation.
To them, this was a test from him.
“N-no problem! I’ll go, I’ll go!”
Jiang Zhihao was startled, paused, then asked, “Should we bring backpacks and food?”
“Of course. I’m only responsible for your safety. I won’t take care of your eating, sleeping, or anything else,” Shui Miao frowned slightly. Since his grandfather was among them, he didn’t want to say too much, so without turning back, he started walking toward Taji Zi village.
“Wait for me! Wait for us!”
Lin Xue and Chu Miaoyi exchanged glances, quickly ran back to the cars to grab their bags, and hurried after Shui Miao.
Last night, Shui Miao had already asked everyone to prepare for wilderness survival, so each person had their own backpack.
Jiang Zhihao, Jiang Tao, and Sun Hao each had bodyguards, who quickly picked up the luggage and followed behind Shui Miao.
Wang Yong took his backpack from the car, raised his eyebrows, and grinned at Xiong Ying, saying, “Old buddy, it must feel great following your grandson around, huh?”
“…”
Shui Miao had completely changed—he was no longer the person he used to be. Xiong Ying’s face darkened, feeling speechless and deeply resentful, but he had no choice. He simply waved at Wang Yong and followed behind Jiang Zhihao’s bodyguards with his small bag.
Bringing up the rear were Watson and the twins, the three trusted aides of Yi Tianwen.
Watson pulled the twin sisters aside and whispered, “Do you think this Shui Miao is still our old team leader? He doesn’t seem like the same person at all.”
“I don’t think he is either. His tone, his eyes, his actions—they’re completely different from our old leader.”
Da Da frowned.
Xiao Xiao nodded in agreement, “I noticed it too.”
Watson furrowed his brows, “I think our old team leader might already be dead. This person must really be Shui Miao.”
“Then… what do we do?”
The twins asked in unison, anxiously looking at Watson.
Watson took a deep breath and thought for a moment before saying, “So far, he’s treated us well. We don’t have much of a choice right now. We should follow him and see what he’s planning. If he really isn’t our old team leader… then we’ll talk again later.”
“Okay…”
Xiao Xiao quickly nodded.
Da Da asked, “If he really isn’t him, should we kill him to avenge our old leader?”
“Of course! How could we not repay the kindness our old leader showed us?”
Watson said firmly, then picked up his backpack and walked away.
※※※
About one hundred and seventy li north of Taji Zi village was the border between the mountains and the desert.
Inside a mountain hollow, two minivans were parked.
The vans had appeared in the hollow during the night.
Inside each van, two young men were sleeping, while outside, two girls in their early twenties stood. One carried a large bucket of water, and the other held a basin and other toiletries.
The girls looked very pure and ordinary—not fat, not thin, not particularly beautiful, not particularly ugly.
They carried the water bucket twenty meters away to behind a large rock and began pouring the water, washing their bodies, and brushing their teeth.
The slightly taller girl, while taking off her clothes to wash, grumbled, “This is so tiring, dirty, and smelly! I’m so angry! Who brought us to this godforsaken place? And for three days, no bath! Xiao Fang, why don’t you go get another bucket of water? Let’s take a proper bath. We’re out of the desert now. They can find more water after they wake up.”
The girl called Xiao Fang had fair skin and a shy personality.
She quickly shook her head and whispered, “No need. There’s not much water left. I’ll just brush my teeth and wash my face. You can use the rest. If I go get another bucket, they’ll wake up and find no water, and then they’ll scold us again.”
“Who cares? I’m sick of this already!”
Rong Jie impatiently waved her hand, already taking off her top, bare-chested, and pouring water while grumbling, “Just thinking about it makes me mad. I was a normal office worker, and those idiots tricked me into grave robbing, going on this Western Sand City treasure hunt. We wandered in the desert for three days, suffering like hell. If they don’t find any treasure, just wait and see what I do to them.”
Rong Jie had darker skin and had trained in martial arts as a child, with excellent skills.
Xiao Fang looked at Rong Jie’s chest, wrinkled but with firm abdominal muscles, and sighed softly, “Sigh! We just want to get rich too. Our office salaries aren’t enough. We aren’t pretty either. What else can we do besides going treasure hunting with them?”
“Don’t even talk about money! Just thinking about it makes me angry!”
Rong Jie waved her hand in frustration.
Since washing might get her pants wet, Rong Jie, seeing no one around, simply took off her pants and underwear together and began washing herself openly.
Xiao Fang, worried for Rong Jie, stood guard behind the rock, looking toward the minivans…
But suddenly, Xiao Fang saw a huge castle appear in the distant desert!
“The Sand City!”
“Rong Jie, quick! Look! Is that the Sand City?!”
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