Chapter 113: Narrow Escape

On a night so dark that one could not see a hand before their face, Yaoye dared not rest for a moment. Bearing the warning of his ancestors firmly in mind, he neither bid farewell to anyone nor secretly sought out a visit.

As he ran, Yaoye kept a watchful eye on his surroundings. The scenery grew increasingly familiar, prompting him to whisper softly, “Old Ding, look here—this place feels like somewhere I’ve been before.”

“Yaoye, you’re right,” Old Ding replied. “Back when you were ambushed, you searched for this spot but couldn’t find it. It’s your ancestor’s contingency plan.”

Yaoye shook his head in puzzlement and pressed on, following the map’s directions until he reached the edge of a cliff. He halted, staring intently.

“The red dot marked on the map—is this the place? Where exactly is it?”

“Yaoye, hide quickly! Someone’s chasing after you!”

At Old Ding’s urgent voice, Yaoye furrowed his brow and looked toward the familiar cliff. He recalled having hidden there once before and began carefully climbing down the cliffside.

Fortunately, branches clung to the sheer rock face, allowing him to steady himself. With immense effort, Yaoye reached the cave where he had first healed. As he stepped inside, voices echoed from above.

“He can’t have gone far without his power. He must be hiding nearby! Search everywhere!”

Inside the cave, Yaoye’s expression darkened, anxiety gnawing at his heart.

“Where exactly is it? Am I to be captured again?”

Muttering to himself, he ventured deeper into the cavern. After about fifteen minutes, a pearl hidden within his body suddenly flew out on its own, radiating a strange light. An invisible energy dissipated around them.

The pearl’s glow intensified as it slowly drifted further into the cave. Surprised, Yaoye quickened his pace, following it. Turning a corner, he came upon an altar—the pearl hovered above it.

Clutching the pearl, Yaoye examined the altar and couldn’t help but admire his ancestor’s wisdom and far-reaching methods.

“I’ve investigated this place before but never expected my ancestor’s contingency to be hidden here.”

Old Ding emerged as well, scrutinizing the altar with awe.

“Yaoye, your ancestor was truly extraordinary. This altar is incredibly mysterious—I’ve never encountered anything like it.”

“Old Ding, now is not the time to marvel. We must leave quickly!”

“Hmm, Yaoye, do you see that? That must be the spot where the pearl fits, serving as the energy source to activate this.”

Following Old Ding’s finger, Yaoye noticed a circular groove at the altar’s edge. Placing the pearl into the indentation, he found it fit perfectly.

As the pearl settled in, the entire altar blazed with dazzling light, and the surrounding spiritual energy surged toward it.

Startled, Old Ding shouted, “No good! Yaoye, enter the altar at once! The pursuers are almost here!”

Yaoye dashed to the altar’s center. The patterns inscribed around it began to spin rapidly, activating one after another. At that moment, a threatening voice rang out from afar.

“Yaoye, where do you think you can run this time? Prepare to meet your end!”

The menace ignited a surge of urgency within Yaoye’s heart as he silently urged the altar to work faster. Figures appeared in the distance, closing in. Suddenly, a pillar of light shot from the altar straight into the sky, and Yaoye vanished within it.

“Rumble…”

With a thunderous sound, the altar shattered. The pursuing forces cried out in alarm and fled desperately.

The altar’s self-destruction caused the entire cave to collapse, leaving no trace of the attackers.

A portion of the altar’s energy shielded Yaoye completely from harm. Yet as the spatial distortion of the teleportation continued, Yaoye gradually lost consciousness.

He awoke in a remote village alive with the laughter and joy of children. Women hummed unfamiliar songs by a small stream as they washed clothes.

Clutching his head, Yaoye sat up painfully, wincing from a throbbing headache.

Hearing the noise, a delicate young girl hurried in. Seeing him half-sitting on the bed, she exclaimed happily, “You’re awake! Lie down for a moment—I’ll fetch the village elder!”

Before Yaoye could call after her, she had already dashed out.

“Where am I?” he wondered aloud, rubbing his forehead as he rose and stepped outside.

Children playing nearby surrounded him, eyes wide with curiosity.

“Uncle, where do you come from? Are you a beggar? Are you a god?”

Their questions tumbled out all at once. Yaoye responded with a gentle smile, unsure how to answer.

“Kids, go play elsewhere and don’t disturb our guest’s rest!”

At the elder’s voice, the children scampered away gleefully. Yaoye bowed gratefully to the old man.

“Thank you, sir. Where exactly am I? Did you save me?”

The elder glanced at Yaoye before entering his home. After a moment, he returned with a set of clothes, handing them over while pointing toward the distant river.

“I know you have many questions, but first, wash yourself in that river and change into clean clothes. I’ll be waiting inside.”

Yaoye nodded and hurried to the stream. After washing, he ran back to the cottage.

“Big brother, come quickly, it’s time to eat!”

A girl about his age pulled him to the table just inside the door. The elder smiled kindly and gestured for Yaoye to sit.

“Child, I know you have many questions. Eat first. Later, I’ll take you somewhere, and all will become clear.”

Yaoye nodded and began eating eagerly. The girl beside him laughed and kept adding food to his bowl. Gratefully, he nodded and continued to eat heartily.

After the meal, Yaoye let out a satisfied burp, rubbing his belly with contentment.

“Wow, big brother, you sure can eat! You finished what Grandpa and I were supposed to have for lunch!”

“Ah, sorry, I didn’t realize!” Yaoye lowered his head, cheeks flushing with rare embarrassment.

The elder waved it off and motioned for Yaoye to follow.

“Come, I will take you somewhere. Once there, all your questions will be answered.”

Yaoye nodded, and the two walked deeper into the village, one following the other.