Chen Chao was stunned and immediately threw the pebbles in his hand like two throwing weapons piercing through the white mist and landing in two different directions.
A faint cry of pain came from one direction, while in the other, there was an extremely crisp sound. Chen Chao was very clear that it was the sound of the pebble colliding with a sword.
In the next moment, two swords, one from the left and one from the right, pierced through the white mist towards him. Although the two daoist cultivators were opponents just moments ago, their teamwork at this moment was remarkably seamless, as if they had lived and trained together for many years.
Both of them were disciples of Daoism, and their sword techniques were not vastly different; differing only slightly. Their cooperation that was done on a whim actually displayed no flaws or unfamiliarity.
If it were anyone else, they would probably have instantly lost their life under the joint attack of these two daoists.
However, what Chen Chao excelled at the most was seeking that glimmer of hope between life and death. Before the two daoists could completely close in with their swords, he used a single strike to fend off one of the swords, creating an opening.
The two swords clashed in mid-air, creating a series of sparks.
The two daoists exchanged a glance, their expressions turning rather solemn. This joint attack was not a spur-of-the-moment. Even when they had encountered each other earlier, they had already learned of Chen Chao's existence over here through secret arts. In the time that it took for sparks to fly off a piece of flint, the two exchanged glances and saw the complex yet uncomplicated emotions reflected in each other's eyes.
However, they had already made their decision within this short time frame.
But, the result was clearly not as they had hoped.
Their joint attack had failed to kill the martial artist right away. Then, they each withdrew their swords. But before they could regain their footing, a black figure suddenly charged towards You Sheng. He originally wanted to draw his sword, but in the blink of an eye, he changed his mind and held the sword horizontally in front of his chest while swiftly retreating.
On the other side, Tang He wanted to attack at the same time. But in the next moment, several glints of metal flashed across his eyes, aiming for his head.
He raised his sword and quickly severed one of the stars. Only then, did he discover that they were not weapons at all but mere pebbles.
However, when he raised his head, the young daoist opposite had already been sent flying by Chen Chao, like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground.
"You..."
Tang He widened his eyes, but before he could say anything, Chen Chao had already closed in and thrown a punch.
That almost brutish and unreasoning fighting style took Tang He by surprise. However, he still quickly drew his sword and tried to slash at the seemingly slender arm. But his sword never landed. Chen Chao's fist suddenly landed on his wrist. That punch with a force akin to thousands of pounds smashed down unhurriedly, causing him intense pain. He could not hold the magic sword in his hand anymore and let go of it just like that.
He was a daoist cultivator proficient in daoist techniques, but he had never focused on tempering his body. When facing a martial artist like Chen Chao, he had no advantage whatsoever.
Tang He retreated with rather unsteady steps, but he could not evade Chen Chao's next punch.
Chen Chao's second punch came swiftly. In the time that it took for sparks to fly off a piece of flint, Tang He only saw a lingering afterimage before his chest was struck heavily, causing his body to sway.
In the next moment, Chen Chao wanted to take advantage of the situation and attack the fallen Tang He, but his feet seemed rooted to the ground and he could not move an inch forward.
Lowering his head to look, some roots had grown from the ground at some point in time, entangling Chen Chao's ankles tightly.
Chen Chao frowned slightly, his entire body's muscles tensing. In the next moment, he exerted a sudden force, forcibly pulling his feet up. The tree roots that had penetrated deep into the soil were yanked up by him at this moment and crushed under his feet
This scene landed in Tang He's eyes and left him speechless in amazement.
However, Chen Chao had no intention of wasting words with him. After approaching Tang He, he simply raised his hand, placing the broken saber against Tang He's neck. In the next moment, Chen Chao slowly pulled the broken saber, and a blood line appeared on the neck of this daoist.
Due to the intense pain, Tang He's face gradually contorted. He clutched his neck, but blood still trickled through his fingers, dripping bit by bit.
His eyes were filled with disbelief, as if he could not believe that Chen Chao would actually kill him.
Although this exploration of the ancient ruin had no rules and everyone set their only goal as being able to walk out alive, neither Tang He nor You Sheng had ever considered that as cultivators of the Dao society, some would actually dare to killthem.
Furthermore, this person who murdered someone did not say a word.
He never seemed to care about their identities in his heart, as if all these was very simple.
You guys wanted to kill me, so I will kill you guys.
Chen Chao looked at Yang He collapse and did not say a word.
Then, he squatted down and searched all over his body, and found a broken bronze mirror.
Then, he started digging.
……
……
In front of the white mist, Distant Wanderer who was responsible for this exploration into the white mist was resting with his eyes closed. However, after a moment, he suddenly opened his eyes and looked into the distance. At the same time, a hint of confusion appeared in his eyes.
But just for a moment, his figure dissipated. When he reappeared, he was already in the mountains.
Sublime Bright Mountain was naturally a geographically favorable place that was very suitable for cultivation. Otherwise, the Sublime Bright founding ancestor would not have chosen to establish the sect here back then.
There was a small stream on the mountain that flowed out from the rocks. It was exceptionally clear and sweet.
By the side of the stream, a middle-aged daoist sat on a rock with his feet immersed in the water, and his shoes and socks casually placed beside him.
Distant Wanderer arrived here and saw this scene. At the same time, he also saw the middle-aged daoist in gray daoist robes. His expression changed slightly.
"... ..."
Distant Wanderer tried to speak, but as soon as he opened his mouth, no sound came out. The words had already dissipated into the air before leaving his mouth, and no one could hear them.
Then he furrowed his brows. However, when he looked around again, he realized that everything in the surroundings was suddenly still.
The slowly flowing stream stopped, and there was no more wind blowing around. Everything between heaven and earth had become very quiet at this moment.
This was absolute stillness.
Distant Wanderer was deeply immersed in this frozen world, unsure of what to say.
Of course, even if he wanted to speak, he would not be able to say anything if that person did not want to listen.
Distant Wanderer who already had half a foot into that profound realm had naturally heard many rumors about it. Among those rumors, it was said that when those in the Nepenthe Realm reached the end of the path, they were called Great Liberation. Great Liberation cultivators could hide between heaven and earth, and could even affect a region of heaven and earth.
There were many Nepenthe cultivators in the world, but cultivators who were truly able to step into this realm were very rare.
Which one of them was this middle-aged daoist in front of him?
It was unknown how much time had passed. Suddenly, the middle-aged daoist spoke with a clear voice, like the flow of a mountain spring, "Distant Wanderer, you appear carefree, but in reality, your heart bears too many burdens. Even if you continue to cultivate for another sixty-year-cycle, it will probably be difficult for you to enter the Nepenthe Realm. Nepenthe, to forget worries, the essence of it is to forget worries. It's the state of mind and not something else."
The middle-aged daoist seemed to have said it casually, but had directly exposed Distant Wanderer's greatest secret. He had remained stagnant and never succeeded in becoming a true Nepenthe cultivator because he still had numerous attachments in his heart and many things that he could not let go of.
"Who are you, Senior?"
Distant Wanderer could but help but speak up. At this moment, his voice managed to transmit out.
The middle-aged daoist looked at Distant Wanderer and said calmly, "I hail from the Infatuation Daoist Temple."
Distant Wanderer was stunned and his expression immediately changed drastically. After a while, he regained his composure and said softly, "So, it's Temple Master."
The middle-aged daoist shook his head and directly denied it, "This impoverished daoist isn't Senior Brother Temple Master."
Although he did not explicitly state his identity, his words had pretty much revealed it.
Hailing from the Infatuation Daoist Temple and he was also the junior brother of that Temple Master, the middle-aged daoist's identity was now evident.
Even if it was the Infatuation Daoist Temple, they would not have too many of such powerhouses as well.
Distant Wanderer said rather apologetically, "So, it's Daoist Master Chief Enforcer."
The middle-aged daoist did not refute this time and just acquiesced to this form of address.
"The Infatuation Daoist Temple already has cultivators at the scene, why has it alarmed Daoist Master Chief Enforcer?"
Distant Wanderer looked at the middle-aged daoist in front of him, his expression somewhat grave. For Distant Wanderer, this person was undoubtedly a prominent figure of the cultivation world. Furthermore, he was one of the most important individuals among them. Such figures rarely left their sects for even the most significant events, let alone appear in a place like this. Yet, he encountered him here. This raised many questions in Distant Wanderer's mind.
The middle-aged daoist replied, "The Temple Master doesn't know that this impoverished daoist came to the Sublime Bright Mountain."
A sudden gust of wind accompanied his words.
Distant Wanderer understood the implication and fell silent.
The middle-aged daoist did not display any other emotions, but there was much hidden meaning within his words.
Distant Wanderer furrowed his brows and said, "Daoist Master Chief Enforcer's cultivation realm is like the clouds in the sky; drifting wherever they please, and few can witness their movements."
There was a special meaning in his words, which he believed the middle-aged daoist could understand.
The middle-aged daoist looked at him, naturally understanding Distant Wanderer's implied meaning.
"You need to know that I came to Sublime Bright Mountain. But, others can't know."
The middle-aged daoist spoke up again and did not beat around the bush, becoming much more direct.
Distant Wanderer asked, "Why?"
The middle-aged daoist smiled slightly and said nothing. Distant Wanderer's brows furrowed and his expression was unsightly.
Just as he had said, this person's cultivation realm was so high, he could naturally go wherever he wanted. There was no need to say anything or do anything, nor did he need anyone to keep it a secret for him.
But what did he deliberately show up here for?
"With so many people requesting me to oversee this matter, this junior must ensure it is done properly," Distant Wanderer finally voiced his thoughts after a long silence.
The middle-aged daoist shook his head and said, "You're thinking too much. There's no point in it."
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