Supreme Master - Chapter 53: Peculiar

Translator – Misty

Chapter 53: Peculiar

Jumping into the cave dwelling, Gu Qingfeng found himself in a vast hall.

Perhaps due to the earlier collapse of formations, the hall appeared somewhat damaged. Cracks covered the walls, and scattered stones lay everywhere.

The moment he entered, Gu Qingfeng released his spiritual sense to probe the entire cave dwelling. It was far larger and more complex than he had expected. Though the central formation core had dried up and all the formations had collapsed, the cave dwelling held more dangers than mere formations—there were also various mechanisms hidden throughout.

Soon, Daoist Qingning, Mu Zibai, Li Qiandong, Huang Yao, and the others followed, leaping down one after another.

“Who is he?” Mu Zibai asked, glancing at Gu Qingfeng.

“He’s…” Daoist Qingning didn’t know his identity, so she explained the earlier events outside.

Upon hearing how Gu Qingfeng had saved them with his timely warning, Mu Zibai let out a soft hum and asked, “I am Mu Zibai of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect. May I ask for your name?”

“Just a traveler!” Gu Qingfeng replied calmly as he continued probing the layout of the cave dwelling with his spiritual sense.

“Senior Brother, this man doesn’t know what’s good for him. Why don’t we just drive him out?” Huang Yao sneered.

Daoist Qingning glared at him and scolded, “Huang Yao, how could you say that? If not for him, we might all have died back there.”

“I…” Huang Yao wanted to retort, but Mu Zibai waved his hand, signaling that the cave dwelling took priority.

Daoist Qingning spoke up, “Let’s follow the usual rules—act together and look after each other. If we find any cultivation resources in the cave dwelling, we’ll divide them equally.”

This was indeed the customary rule and the safest approach. No one could predict what dangers lurked within. Acting alone might allow someone to claim resources for themselves, but it also meant facing peril alone. Preserving one’s life was more important.

“Anyone have objections?” Daoist Qingning asked.

Huo Yong from the Wind and Fire Sect voiced no objections, nor did Mu Zibai and the other disciples of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect.

Unexpectedly, Gu Qingfeng raised an objection.

“You all go ahead. I’ll explore on my own.”

Explore on his own?
A cave dwelling isn’t a place to wander aimlessly!

Daoist Qingning thought she had misheard. “Fellow Daoist, you won’t join us?”

“No.”

With that, Gu Qingfeng strode away without hesitation.

“Hey, fellow Daoist…!” Daoist Qingning called out, but Gu Qingfeng had already disappeared from sight.

“Hmph, ignorant fool. How does someone like that show up everywhere?” Mu Zibai smiled faintly. Though proud of his Colorful Foundation, he was not arrogant and knew well how dangerous an ancient cave dwelling could be.

“Exactly, Daoist Qingning. If he wants to seek death, let him. Hmph! Acting like he can claim all the treasures himself? What a fool!” Huang Yao sneered. “Wandering aimlessly? Such arrogance! He’s clearly an inexperienced novice!”

Inexperienced? Arrogant?

As she watched Gu Qingfeng disappear, Daoist Qingning frowned deeply. Though she sensed no spiritual qi from him, she doubted he was some reckless novice. After all, he had detected the hidden formation core that even she couldn’t sense. How could someone like that be a fool?

“Qingning, forget about him. Our time is precious. Though I’ve concealed the entrance with a formation, let’s proceed quickly just in case,” Mu Zibai urged.

Daoist Qingning nodded, dismissing her doubts for now, and led the group deeper into the cave dwelling.

…

The cave dwelling was enormous, akin to a labyrinth.

Gu Qingfeng moved swiftly, his eyes reflecting faint curiosity.

He was no stranger to excavating ancient treasures. In his past life, while cultivating in this realm, he often engaged in such ventures. After ascending to the Heavenly Realm, he even excavated immortal caves and demonic pits. His understanding of cave dwellings was profound.

Usually, by examining the structure of a cave dwelling, one could determine its age. The layout could reveal the methods used to create it, and even small clues could hint at the cave’s original owner.

However, this particular cave dwelling puzzled him. Both its structure and layout were extraordinarily intricate and refined—far beyond what ordinary cultivators could create. Even great immortals in the Heavenly Realm might not have the skill to construct something so profound.

As he walked, Gu Qingfeng carefully examined every detail.

Most of the formations inside had already collapsed, but some remnants remained—plenty of them. Upon closer inspection, he realized that these formations were set up across various periods: some were a thousand years old, others two thousand, three thousand… he even discovered a formation dating back five thousand years.

Moreover, these formations were crafted by different people, with a wide range of purposes: defensive formations, offensive formations, and even trap formations meant for battle.

Who knew what had transpired within this cave dwelling over the ages?

Opening a stone door, Gu Qingfeng entered another hall.

Inside, he found numerous skeletal remains. Scattered across the floor were broken flying swords and damaged treasures. The passage of time had rendered most of them useless. Without a second glance, he waved his hand, collecting all the relics—he could study them later; if they were salvageable, he’d refine them. If not, they’d be treated as scrap.

After wandering the cave dwelling for some time, he opened yet another stone door and found himself in another hall.

This one was different. There were no skeletal remains or broken treasures. Instead, he found several familiar faces.

The disciples of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect and the Wind and Fire Sect—Li Qiandong, Huang Yao, and Huo Yong—stood there.

Surprised by his sudden appearance, they reacted with alarm.

“How did you get here?” Li Qiandong demanded.

“I walked,” Gu Qingfeng replied casually, noting the absence of Daoist Qingning and Mu Zibai. “Where are those two?”

“My senior brother and Daoist Qingning went ahead to scout,” Li Qiandong answered.

That explained it.

Gu Qingfeng examined the hall and quickly noticed a hidden mechanism embedded in the wall.

“Did you find any treasures?” he asked.

Gu Qingfeng shook his head.

“I’m asking you a question! What’s with the silent nod?” Huang Yao snapped. “You’d better answer properly!”

Ignoring him, Gu Qingfeng continued studying the hidden mechanism.

“How dare you ignore me! You must be tired of living!”

(End of Chapter)