Chapter 88

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Continuing forward, the surroundings were dark and vast.

Even with his divine senses, it was difficult to see far. It was as if he was moving through a thick night, unable to escape or tear apart the dust of time, and could only continue to trudge on, letting his lonely soul wander in the depths of solitude.

And at the moment of being lost, looking down, he would find the direction of the journey slowly extending between his faltering feet.

The path was right under his feet.

After an unknown period, a ray of dawn suddenly pierced through the layers of darkness. It was as if the chaos had just opened, and light spread everywhere.

Someone raised his hands again and knelt down. He seemed to be in awe of the unfathomable deity, worshiping the gift of creation, and with supreme piety, basking in the majestic power of the yin-yang cycle!

Wujiao simply followed with his hands behind his back, his originally restless mind suddenly filled with an unusual calm. Like the wind passing over an ancient pond, though the ripples were not disturbed, the autumn chill entered the water, and time gradually fell into silence.

Yuanling's actions seemed somewhat pedantic and ridiculous. But at this moment, he was so real. No matter who he was, he was just one of the countless humble creatures. Just like you, just like me. Perhaps you and I have already seen through the disturbances of the mortal world, tired of the deceitful struggles, and frightened by the unpredictable fear of life and death, only thinking of preserving our own well-being and living carefree, but he was still joyful and sincere, and held on with trepidation!

After the dawn, the sky was bright. But all around, there was still no sign of a stone. Only the path underfoot extended in the illusion, and a vast, white world appeared.

Two figures, one in front and one behind.

Yuanling continued to kneel and worship, but his steps were much lighter. His mind seemed to still wander beyond the heavens and earth, paying no attention to Wujiao behind him.

Wujiao followed silently.

A wind came through the void. Initially gentle and refreshing, it gradually became fierce and swift, carrying the primitive turmoil of the primordial era, wreaking havoc in the heavens and earth.

Then came the rumbling of thunder and the opening and closing of the clouds.

Rain began to fall, drifting through the ages. Initially light, it then swayed and drifted, like a heart that had been silent for a long time, suddenly opening up.

Even though the wind and rain were fierce, causing the heart to waver, passing through them left no trace.

After a while, the wind and rain ceased.

A rainbow slowly rose, and the world suddenly became colorful.

Yuanling knelt down again, his piety unchanged. When he got up, his dazed expression carried a faint smile.

Wujiao's steps were relaxed, his eyes flickering. Walking through the changing scenery, his once restrained mind seemed to follow the flow.

The rainbow arched, and the earth appeared.

There were mountains and rivers, vast expanses, lush greenery, bustling spring, and lonely frosty skies.

With each of Yuanling's kneels and rises, the world changed.

Beams of light descended from the sky, instantly transforming into various human figures. Familiar and unfamiliar birds and beasts appeared one by one. The world was full of vitality. Then some flew, some fell. There was the survival of the fittest, and thus the choice between life and death. The once peaceful earth gradually lost its tranquility, but gained the bloody greed and the entanglements of the mortal world!

When Yuanling knelt for the sixth time, the rainbow in the sky had already disappeared.

In the chaotic world, there was still chaos everywhere. Amidst the flood of desires, there were struggles, rises and falls, choices, and cycles of life and death!

Yuanling continued to kneel, while Wujiao continued to look up.

The earth was soaked in black blood, and the mountains and rivers were withered. Humans and beasts became even more疯狂, more ruthless and unrestrained. Unconsciously, the bright sky lost its color, and even the beautiful seasons gradually became filled with gloom.

All of this seemed far away, as if it did not concern him, yet it was within reach, making him feel shocked and alarmed!

When Yuanling stood up for the seventh time, the four corners of the world trembled. He was completely unaware, and his steps were as hurried as before.

Dark clouds rolled, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. It was as if the sky had been pierced, and a fierce storm raged. Then the earth shook, and the roaring floodwaters swept in all directions. Villages, towns, and fertile fields were destroyed, and even the once picturesque mountains and rivers were swallowed up. Countless creatures struggled and screamed in the surging waves, only to be annihilated one after another...

Wujiao stopped, his eyes wide with shock.

Was it an illusion, or a real past? Or a premonition, a sign of future calamity?

Perhaps it was overthinking, being a mere mortal, why worry about the sky? If the illusion became reality, what then? The destruction of the world, the extinction of all things, no one could escape!

And the terrifying and hopeless scene, was it a natural disaster, or a human disaster...

Yuanling remained unmoved, continuing to kneel and move forward.

His swaying figure seemed anxious, and his once light steps became heavy and unsteady.

At this moment, darkness descended. It was as if the world was cut off, and chaos arrived. Boundless coldness spread from all directions.

Wujiao felt as if he had fallen into a silent abyss, unable to extricate himself. He shivered, though he had regained his senses, he still felt a deep despair. He took a deep breath and hurriedly followed Yuanling. But soon, he lost sight of the other's figure, leaving only boundless darkness and the unpredictable void!

He was seized by panic, wanting to stop, but remembering the previous experience, he quickly lowered his head and focused on his feet.

Where his feet landed steadily, the lost path reappeared and extended.

When there was no path, there was no need to search everywhere. Just lower your head, that's all...

Suddenly, a faint beam of light descended from the sky, white and hazy, as if a door had opened in the world. The stone array, which had been invisible, reappeared. The heavy black stones formed a large open space. In the center was a square black stone, about four to five zhang long and wide, and more than three chi thick. A broken round stone was placed on top, enveloped by the light, creating a mysterious and solemn scene that made one hesitate to approach, yet couldn't help but feel a sense of awe!

Yuanling had arrived first, sitting softly at the base of the stone platform.

Wujiao surveyed the surroundings and slowly moved forward.

Is this the Heavenly Altar in the ancient sacrificial site? Does the beam of light passing through the altar lead to the next realm, the Longshi River...

"I have practiced all my life, focusing inward, but neglected the realm beyond. I now realize that the Dao is born from nothingness and dies in form; wisdom is clear in the heart but is lost in delusion and illusion. So it is, so it is, hehe..."

Yuanling, who had been silent on the journey, suddenly burst into laughter, a laugh that was both comfortable and tinged with a sense of沧桑.

Wujiao approached and looked at him.

The old man, as if he had traversed thousands of mountains and rivers, appeared extremely weak, and muttered to himself with the jade slip in his hand, "After a lifetime of effort, I have gained a little insight. Now I can depart without regret!"

Wujiao didn't understand, and didn't care, so he turned and started to walk away. There were still three more realms to cross, and he shouldn't delay.

But Yuanling continued, "Thanks to my junior brother's enlightenment, I have achieved my goal. Please accept my gift..."

Wujiao turned back, surprised and confused.

Yuanling, still sitting on the ground, extended a jade slip, his wrinkled face showing a sense of relief, and said slowly, "This is the Immortal Dao Handbook, the result of my lifetime of cultivation..." His words were sincere, his eyes full of expectation, as if he were entrusting his legacy, and his whole person exuded a sense of desolation or resignation.

Wujiao was stunned, his mouth twitched, and he quickly took two steps back, shaking his head, "Brother, you're too polite, I don't want it!"

If it were a magical technique, he might be curious, but the so-called insights and experiences held no interest for him. And this old man was acting strangely, trying to pass on his Dao!

Yuanling seemed a bit disappointed but still insisted, "This is the result of my two hundred years of effort. It would be a pity to let it go to waste. Why not let my junior brother carry it on, so that future generations can have a smoother path..."

Why can't you find someone else to pass it on to, and why are you relying on me!

Wujiao was unmoved, stepped onto the stone platform to leave, but heard a "thud" behind him and turned around, his eyes wide with shock.

Yuanling's arm slowly fell, and the jade slip dropped to the ground. At the same time, a cold aura emanated from his body, his beard moved, his robe slightly inflated, and then quickly deflated. His face turned ashen, and his once bright eyes gradually lost their light. His appearance of decline clearly indicated the end of his life!

Wujiao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly knelt down, stunned, "No illness, no disaster... why is this happening..." Seeing the old man's eyes on the ground, he picked up the jade slip. The old man nodded weakly and said, "I could have lived for two more years, but I expended too much in the Canglong Valley, and further exerted my mind, which shortened my lifespan... Now my time has come, and I must end it here, hehe... My junior brother is right, to save oneself and others..."

I remember that Yun Shengzi of Lingxia Mountain exhausted his lifespan and fell into the cycle of rebirth. I didn't expect to encounter another one. No wonder the old man was acting strangely in the Longxin Marsh!

Wujiao quickly said, "Take some elixirs and rest for a few days, there might be a chance..."

Yuanling shook his head slightly, "Heaven has not granted me more time, so there is no chance. Even with the power of elixirs, it would only prolong my life for a short while..." He took a deep breath and said, "Time is running out, I hope my fellow Daoist will see me through this!"

How to see you through?

Wujiao was about to ask but hesitated.

Yuanling's eyes became even more dim, but he seemed to see through everything. He paused and said understandingly, "Though I cannot see your cultivation, the method you practice is not from the Ancient Sword Mountain lineage... We met by chance, and I ask you to cremate me into ashes..."

To see you through like this?

This old man was indeed entrusting his legacy, asking to be burned to ashes. And he had keen eyes, already seeing through my true nature.

Wujiao stood up suddenly, surprised, "Even if you are still alive, if there is an accident, you should leave your remains to show that you have lived..."

I remember that Yun Shengzi wanted to be buried when he died, but this old man is different.

Yuanling's face suddenly showed a hint of redness, and he said calmly, "We come from nothingness and return to nothingness. The space between existence and non-existence is the life of the Immortal Dao; the moment of silence is the cycle of the world. Since the wind leaves no trace, why should we care about the blooming and withering of the world after us..."

Wujiao was confused and didn't know what to do.

As Yuanling spoke, he suddenly looked up at the beam of light on the stone platform. His eyes, which had not yet sparkled, went dark, and he fell forward, kneeling as usual, still devout...

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