Chapter 1003: Chapter 617: Hao Datong Enters the Poison Swamp, Lu Lin Is Deceived (2)

Even with such a stable and secure idea and plan, Hao Datong did not retract the avatar that he had previously cut off contact with.

After this incident, Hao Datong not only gained insights on the stability aspect but also placed more importance on his contingency plans.

From now on, unless there’s a special situation, Hao Datong would not easily utilize that avatar.

Just like this, after flying continuously for three days, Hao Datong estimated that he had distanced himself from the Soul-droplet Ancient Tree by at least two thousand kilometers. Even if everyone from General Mountain came to search for him in a carpet-style search, it would be impossible to find any clues.

Not far away, there happened to be a swamp.

Emitting waves of peculiar stench, Hao Datong’s eyes lit up — this was it.

Swamps were places that ordinary people were unwilling to approach, and this swamp was surrounded by the white bones of various demon beasts, clearly deceased not long ago, with a greenish-yellow mist rising from the swamp, the odor piercing.

Luckily, Hao Datong was now in the form of a tree branch, without senses of smell or taste, otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten this close.

This place was simply a natural, ideal hideout that would absolutely not draw anyone’s attention.

Normally, people would avoid hiding here at all costs, or it would be seeking death.

Hao Datong controlled the tree branch to slowly descend, the bronze branch sunk into the pitch-black mud of the swamp, and only after the whole branch was covered in mud did Hao Datong reveal a small section of the branch.

This kind of concealment, absolutely no one could find.

Even a toad, covered in red bumps and obviously laden with poison, passed by Hao Datong without noticing anything amiss.

After staying for some time, some small, unknown poisonous insects crawled over Hao Datong, yet they did not notice anything, as if there was naturally a tree branch there.

Perfect.

Hao Datong displayed a smug smile.

Lu Lin, haha, it would be fine if you were dead, but if you’re not, you’d never find me, Hao Datong, in this lifetime.

As Hao Datong embedded himself in the swamp, Lu Lin energetically emerged from the tree hole.

After three days of hard work, he had completely stripped the Soul-droplet Ancient Tree bare.

Inside the trunk, not a drop of Soul-dripping Tree Sap, not a single Soul-dripping Tree Crystal.

The inside of the trunk looked like it had been devoured by locusts and termites, truly not a drop left.

Only Lu Lin, being prepared with a large number of Storage Rings and food and water supplies, often rescuing thousands or more people during his time in the federation and Exotic Battlefield, could carry away so much Soul-dripping Tree Sap even if someone else stumbled upon such a fortuitous find.

Feeling in high spirits, Lu Lin exited the tree hole, feeling like he’d forgotten something.

Utilizing the Four-Change Peak Soul Power, Lu Lin recalled the events from three days ago — he was supposed to bring Hao Datong back to the Demon Slaying Sect.

However!

Where was Hao Datong?

He escaped again?!

This guy must be forgetting past lessons, thinking Lu Lin found him purely by luck.

No wonder he remained the same despite spending years at General Mountain and the Demon Slaying Sect, it was because he lacked brains.

Lu Lin was speechless, but since Hao Datong ran away, he’d have to figure out a way to catch him again.

"Guide."

Opening the Guiding Star Skill, two arrows, golden yellow, appeared in front of Lu Lin, nearly blinding him.

What’s going on?

It was Lu Lin’s first time encountering a situation where there were two guiding arrows.

He sensed something and realized that Hao Datong was quite cunning; perhaps he made another avatar while escaping.

Having never encountered someone with avatar skills before, Lu Lin was intrigued.

He decided to first follow the arrow pointing to the right.

After flying for a bit, Lu Lin suddenly thought of something.

Hao Datong had escaped, and Lu Lin was sure he could find him again, but at the Four-eyed Spirit Monkey Tribe, there were still many things he hadn’t seized; should he go back and raid the tribe?

This thought only lasted a moment before Lu Lin dismissed it.

No need.

Really, no need.

He now possessed a vast amount of Soul-dripping Tree Sap, an extremely immense fortune, and once the federation developed over some time, he could have someone open the Two-Realm Passage, making it incredibly convenient for the warriors of the federation to enter the Exotic Battlefield like from the Alien World.

And his Soul-dripping Tree Sap could be kept in part for himself, with the rest packaged entirely for General Mountain.

Having spent so much time at General Mountain, both Saint Lord Lv Potian, the seven Great Elders responsible for guiding Lu Lin, and some good friends and brothers, all made Lu Lin feel that General Mountain is a nice place.

One shouldn’t always think about taking; when it’s time to give back, one shouldn’t be stingy; otherwise, over time, people would feel that helping Lu Lin was like giving a dog a meat bao, and who would want to befriend him in the future.

Lu Lin decided that even if he suffered some losses in the transaction with General Mountain, it didn’t matter.

Sometimes, a loss is a blessing.

In the future, every cultivator using the Soul-dripping Tree Sap provided by Lu Lin would indirectly owe him a favor; when the time comes to seek help to look after the federation’s warriors, providing the federation sufficient time to adapt, develop, and cultivate, it would be a breeze.

Yes, that’s the plan.

Though the time spent traveling in the Northwestern Domain wasn’t long, Elder Cheng Yu couldn’t always remain outside; he had to return to headquarters to manage affairs. Lu Lin, after returning with him, would report this matter at the first opportunity.

Doing good deeds, naturally, should be done sooner rather than later.

Having understood his upcoming plans, Lu Lin quickly followed the guide to a wilderness area.

The golden arrows pointed underground.

Lu Lin did not go underground; instead, he used his Earth Control to reveal Hao Datong’s other avatar.

Seeing this small tree root and its rootlets, Lu Lin had to admire how cautious Hao Datong was.

If it wasn’t for encountering this situation a few days ago, Lu Lin might have been fooled by Hao Datong.

After all, he had already warned about pulverizing the Soul-droplet Ancient Tree, and yet Hao Datong still had such an idea. Truly not bad.

A cautious person.

In future encounters with such people, Lu Lin thought he should also be more vigilant.

Over these years of cultivation, Lu Lin’s ability continually rose; now, even if facing a Star Emperor Level master, as long as it wasn’t above a Star Dust General’s level, Lu Lin was confident he could easily overcome them.

Facing a Star Dust General, Lu Lin didn’t know what kind of methods they had, so he dared not give a definite answer.

However, the increase in combat strength is a good thing but also a bad thing.

The disadvantage being the speed of progress was too fast; before, with Elder Long, Lu Lin mainly cultivated in the Holy Land, rarely leaving Elder Long’s other courtyard, hardly going down for experiential learning.

In this world, the most terrifying thing is not a powerful opponent, but a sinister heart.

Lu Lin felt he was still too kind and lacked experience, always prone to assuming the best in people.

Even when seeking to elevate his cultivation, he sought out demon beasts to kill, unlike in the federation where he killed Alien Race wantonly, never slaying the strong of Longyuan World.

Lacking experience, the issue of insufficient interpersonal experience would be exposed.

After this return to General Mountain, Lu Lin contemplated whether to temporarily halt his cultivation and first go down the mountain for a few years or so of practical experience, otherwise, continuing cultivation would render him akin to the bookish students he heard about in news reports from his previous life—those who, despite being college students, didn’t know how to wash clothes or peel an egg, which would be a bit ridiculous.

Having understood this, Lu Lin relaxed—a failure once or twice isn’t troubling; what’s worrying is not recognizing one’s flaws.

Fortunately, he had Hao Datong as an opponent, allowing Lu Lin to reflect on himself at this time.

Mere strength makes one a reckless man.

Only strength coupled with clarity of wisdom makes one strong.