The lake water fell from the sky, gradually converging into streams that flowed back toward the bottom of the lake. However, due to the deep craters, they could not fill the lake again, and the water poured into these deep pits. It was unclear when or if they would ever be filled again, perhaps remaining unfilled for a lifetime.
The middle-aged daoist rode atop the black ox, arriving at the lakeside. Looking at the deep craters, this middle-aged daoist holding an oiled-paper umbrella looked at the bottom of the lake. Looking at the traces of a major battle that had occurred previously, there was no emotion in his eyes. He naturally understood that the traces of this great battle were left behind by Chen Chao and Yun Jianyue previously. Yet, at the same time, he also realized that Yun Jianyue had not emerged victorious from that battle.
"The gap of a cultivation realm, but he still could not win. Senior Brother actually views such a person as a genius, that's a little blind."
The middle-aged daoist spoke calmly. With a casual beckoning of his hand, he caused something to emerge from the muddy lake bottom, radiating a faint, eerie light.
Once the mud fell away from it, the true form was revealed – a broken magic artifact, which originally seemed to be a demon subduing staff.
Looking at the sharp break on the staff, the middle-aged daoist said calmly, "Among the invading enemies, was there a formidable sword immortal, or was it buddhist cultivators that were the invading enemy?"
Without waiting for a response from the black ox, the middle-aged daoist continued, "In ancient times, did your sects not differentiate between different schools of cultivation? Whether it was martial artists, sword cultivators, or the buddhist, daoist, and confucian paths, could all these different cultivators coexist within one sect and debate on Dao?"
The middle-aged Daoist shook his head. He could not fathom how a group of cultivators with varying philosophies and schools of cultivation could coexist within the same sect.
Would that not be a chaotic mess?
In previous years, the buddhist, daoist, and confucian schools had organized a similar debate convention, aiming to provide a platform for cultivators of these three paths to study and integrate their differing cultivation philosophies. However, the results had been disastrous. It was like chickens trying to communicate with ducks, neither party could convince the other parties. Hence, the so-called debate convention ended hastily, never to be held again.
The middle-aged daoist came from the Infatuation Daoist Temple and received the best daoist scriptures and guidance from renowned masters from a young age. He progressed rapidly, achieving success very quickly. Later, he began to dabble in the cultivation methods of other schools of cultivation, but always felt that they were not quite suitable for him.
During his cultivation years, even though he was reluctant to appear in the world, he was, in fact, much stronger than the so-called young geniuses of that time. Precisely because he was too low-profile, when he became the Infatuation Daoist Temple's Chief Enforcer later on, it caused a great sensation in the cultivation world. However, what truly established his reputation in the world was a battle with a notorious big shot of the heretic path who had been infamous for years. That prominent figure of the heretic path had long become a powerful figure in the Nepenthe Realm. But because his cultivation secret technique was too cruel, he had been hunted down by the righteous path. But, it was also because his cultivation realm was too powerful, he fled for many years and no one could kill him at all.
All the way until later on, when this Chief Enforcer encountered that prominent figure of the heretic path, the two engaged in a great battle that lasted several days, during which they even leveled several mountains. When this battle ended, it spread throughout the world. From that point on, nobody dared to say anything about this Daoist Master Chief Enforcer anymore.
Even a genius powerhouse like him found it impossible to accept the idea of cultivators from different schools coexisting and cultivating together.
The black ox did not know what the middle-aged daoist was thinking. At this moment, it just looked at the broken demon subduing staff and felt a sense of nostalgia.
It had slept for many years, but many years ago when it was still awake, it had met many people. There was even a monk who would often visit it, spending entire afternoons together. At that time, the demon subduing staff was always hanging from the monk's waist.
Now that the demon subduing staff was broken, the monk had likely been dead for many years.
Thinking of this, the black ox let out a mournful moo.
The middle-aged daoist glanced down at the black ox and said calmly, "You're reminiscing about things you shouldn't. Don't be in a hurry to feel sad. If you can't find that place again, I'll send you to reunite with him."
The black ox suddenly felt aggrieved and said, "He has been dead for so many years. Even if I die now, how can I meet him?"
It had never spoken before, but that did not mean it could not speak.
The middle-aged daoist did not look at it, but some of his aura overflowed, the meaning rather obvious.
The black ox sensed it and, in a fit of pique, said, "I've already lived for so many years, even if I die now, it doesn't matter! After all, my sect has been destroyed. What's the point of me being alive?"
The middle-aged daoist said indifferently, "Is sleeping for so many years considered living?"
The black ox let out a dissatisfied moo and asked, "But if you want me to do that sort of thing, will I still be considered human if I do it?!"
"You're just an ox. Furthermore, that place has been in ruins for many years. Are any of your acquaintances there alive?"
The middle-aged daoist said calmly, "Why hold on to memories of the past instead of letting them go?"
The black ox remained silent and let out another moo.
"I can see that you have some wisdom. When we're done here, come back to the sect with me. Cultivate in the temple, talking less might help you live a few more years."
The middle-aged daoist sat on the back of the black ox, slowly speaking.
"No, I'm not going! They deceived me like this in the beginning! God knows how many years I've been trapped in this place!"
The black ox had a look of lingering fear on its face. It actually had a lot to say, but it did not quite dare to say it. After all, once he said it, he did not know what this daoist would think. Would he tear him to shreds in a fit of rage?
As if understanding the black ox's thoughts, the middle-aged daoist said, "If I were constantly thinking of killing, would that young martial artist still be able to walk out of here?"
"Oh, by the way, besides that skeleton, are there any sword immortals here?"
The middle-aged daoist inexplicably remembered that aura and felt rather curious.
Hearing this, the black ox also thought of someone for no reason and its hair stood on end.
Its fur was very hard, especially when it stood on end. However, the middle-aged daoist who was sitting on the ox's back had no reaction. He sensed the black ox's emotions but did not say anything.
……
……
Chen Chao headed towards a certain place with determination. The white mist grew denser, but he did not feel uncomfortable. In fact, he had been like this from the beginning. Apart from being unable to use his cultivation like other cultivators, he felt different from them in another way - he had never felt discomfort. When walking through the white mist, he did not need to expend much effort. Chen Chao had actually long understood the reason behind it.
Several years ago, the white mist had already infiltrated his body and coexisted with his body for so many years. When he returned, it naturally could not cause any more damage to his body.
So, no matter how thick the white mist was, Chen Chao was not too concerned about dying at its hands. However, he needed to be cautious and consider the hidden dangers within the fog.
But, he still needed to go to that place.
He even heard its calling.
There was even a voice deep within him continuously calling, urging Chen Chao to get closer, to reach that place, to find that place.
Chen Chao did not hesitate, he felt that feeling from several years ago.
Hence, he continued walking forward, passing through a dense forest, crossing a small stream, and proceeding through an open field.
These were all places he had never been to before. Naturally, they were scenes he had never seen before either. This ruin was once again expanding his understanding.
It was really too vast.
It could not possibly be the size of a mountain.
Chen Chao even felt that this mountain pass gate was something concealed within a certain formation. From the outside, it appeared as nothing more than the back of the mountain, but inside, the space was enormous.
Such an array formation would require the expertise of top-notch formation masters to set up. The materials and resources needed to power such a formation would likely be beyond the reach of ordinary people. Even for the most prominent sects of the time, they would have to weigh it over too.
However, the sect had been extinct for countless years, so why was the formation still active?
Could it be that the resources contained within that mountain pass gate were enough to keep the formation running for thousands of years?
Or perhaps there was no so-called magic artifact, there was only a spatial magic artifact.
If it was a spatial magic artifact, it must be a priceless treasure.
Because no sect in the current era possessed such a magic artifact with such a vast space.
As Chen Chao pondered these matters, he continued moving forward. He lost track of time until the open field in front of him came to an end. A thick white mist blocked his path, so dense that Chen Chao could not see what lay beyond.
The mist had accumulated to such an extent that it seemed like a solid white wall.
Looking at this scene, Chen Chao was silent for a long time.
Then, he walked straight into the white wall.
The white mist did not scatter, but Chen Chao had entered.
However, the next moment, Chen Chao was dumbfounded because what he saw exceeded his wildest imagination.
Behind the white mist was a mountain.
At this moment, Chen Chao was standing at the foot of the mountain.
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