Chapter 416: On the Path
Lu Heng's account was neither exaggerated nor overly detailed.
He concealed some significant information, such as Sister Yuanjun's affairs. He primarily highlighted the terrifying nature of the Earthly Behemoth and the constant devouring of life essence from the Celestial Desolation Realm by the behemoth.
After finishing his rough narration, Lu Heng turned his gaze towards the Candle Dragon, awaiting the response of this ancient living fossil.
Upon hearing Lu Heng's account, the Candle Dragon's brow remained furrowed.
He said, "This formidable beast is truly terrifying, even rendering the cultivation of my dear friend feeble as that of a mere child in its presence. Moreover, it incessantly consumes the life essence of beings in the Celestial Desolation Realm… No wonder there are no immortals left in the world after the collapse of the ancient Heavenly Court."
The Candle Dragon murmured, "This mysteriously unknown colossal beast may have accompanied those supreme beings who descended during ancient times. While those formidable adversaries were vanquished by the Emperor, this beast remained behind, ceaselessly extracting the life essence of beings in the Celestial Desolation Realm."
"It is precisely for this reason that the lifespan of beings in the Celestial Desolation Realm greatly diminished."
"In the ancient era of the Heavenly Court and even earlier, cultivators who opened the heavenly door could easily live for thousands of years. If they achieved the Three Blossoms Convergence and the Five Energies Convergence, stepping into the realm of innate perfection, they could attain immortality and near-indestructibility, with endless longevity."
"Ever since the collapse of the Heavenly Court, cultivators in this world have experienced a significant decline in their lifespan. It is no easy task to live for thousands of years, and even the divine beasts and demon clans, who can live longer, suffer from the depletion of their life essence… So, it turns out that there is a colossal beast outside devouring the source of life for beings?"
The Candle Dragon murmured, "Before, we thought that the diminished lifespan of cultivators was due to the turmoil and the damage to the world's source within the Celestial Desolation Realm… Now it seems there is another reason."
Lu Heng shook his head and said, "My friend, you are mistaken. Although that creature indeed incessantly absorbs the life essence of beings in the Celestial Desolation Realm, the decrease in cultivators' lifespans may not necessarily be directly related to it."
"Is it possible that such a terrifying monster has been entwined around the outer edges of the world, and yet my dear friends, have you never sensed its presence?" Lu Heng voiced his slight confusion.
Regarding this, the Candle Dragon sighed and said, "As for the current state of the Celestial Desolation Realm, it has been sealed off by several other worlds, combined with the damage to the world's source. We are like turtles trapped in a net, struggling to break free from this world, let alone venture beyond the outer barriers to gaze upon the true essence of the heavens and earth."
"The black dead sea at the end of the South Sea, which is the barrier we cannot surpass."
"Although every time the Earthly Catastrophe descends, those foreign enemies from beyond the realms invade the Celestial Desolation Realm, the beings of the Celestial Desolation Realm also have opportunities to break free from imprisonment and escape to the outer realms."
"But the remaining few worlds of the World of Eight Desolations have now joined forces to seal off the Celestial Desolation Realm. If the beings of the Celestial Desolation Realm were to venture into these worlds, they would have no place to rest in peace. Even if they were to forcibly escape, it would only be from one lifeless place to another lifeless place."
"And if they were to flee to those fragile worlds within the chaos and emptiness, although there would be no enemies to hunt them down there, the chaos is boundless and elusive, and ordinary cultivators simply cannot traverse through its realms. Even the most powerful cultivators would find it extremely difficult to successfully escape to other worlds by traversing through the chaos and emptiness."
"But the spiritual essence origins in those worlds are far inferior to the World of Eight Desolations. If we, cultivators from the World of Eight Desolations, were to go to those worlds, we would lack the replenishment of spiritual essence. With every bit of our divine power and spiritual essence used, there would be a corresponding decrease."
"Having survived in such a world for a long time, exhausting all spiritual essence origins, one will completely fall into the mundane. Although living in such a way without fearing being killed by the enemies of the World of Eight Desolations, one would lead a pitiful existence."
"I, Candle Dragon, am disdainful of such feeble ways of survival," said Candle Dragon with a indifferent expression. "If truly pushed to the ultimate desperation, with no way to avoid it, I would not hesitate to engage in a fierce battle with those insignificant foreign enemies, sparing no effort to annihilate them. Only then would my existence in this world be justified."
On the heights of the Cliff of Dao, the narrative of the Candle Dragon caused a temporary silence to befall upon the three individuals.
Even Xiao Ai, who stood nearby, had a slightly solemn expression.
The truth of this world is so dark, so despairing, that it leaves one's heart in shock.
Prior to today, Xiao Ai had never imagined that the true nature of the world she lived in would be shrouded in such darkness.
In the ethereal realms beyond, there exists a group of fiercely terrifying enemies who harbor hostility towards this land. Once the opportune moment arrives, they shall descend upon this thriving world, reaping life and extinguishing all vitality. Only when the entire world is reduced to a barren wasteland, devoid of even a single blade of grass, will they depart.
Then, in the celestial realm, they patiently await the next harvest of life…
As Xiao Ai, who possesses a reserved disposition, contemplated this, she couldn't help but furrow her brows and let out a gentle sigh.
However, her sigh brought forth hearty laughter from the three individuals on the Cliff of Dao.
"Hahaha… I must say, it is the first time I've seen Xiao Ai with such a expression," Jiu Mie chuckled, "It seems Xiao Ai is also concerned about the future of the Celestial Desolation Realm."
Lu Heng, on the other hand, burst into laughter and said, "I actually believe that Xiao Ai is contemplating how to maximize the extermination of the enemies from beyond the realm when the day of counterattack arrives."
Speaking of this, the three individuals exchanged glances and burst into another round of carefree laughter.
Finally, amidst Xiao Ai's bewildered and puzzled gaze, Lu Heng and the other two simultaneously raised their wine glasses with smiles, toasting to one another.
Lu Heng smiled and said, "I hope that when the day of counterattack arrives in the future, my two dear friends won't stand in my way and allow me to indulge in a satisfying killing spree."
Jiu Mie laughed and said, "You're being narrow-minded and picking on others unjustly old wolf Lu. Last time, I uttered a simple phrase about the benevolence of the heavens and the avoidance of needless bloodshed. You still remember it to this day, truly demonstrating a petty disposition. Rest assured, when the day of counterattack comes, this old ascetic cultivator will never impede you. You may command the divine thunder to vanquish all evil, while I remain indifferent."
On the perpetually gloomy face of Candle Dragon, a smile emerges as he says, "My esteemed friends, with such fervor, you mustn't leave me behind. However, I am unlike both of you. I have endured the Earthly Catastrophe nine times, accumulating a total of nine lifetimes' worth of cultivation… Don't let our current positions deceive you; the three of us are equal."
"Once the day of counterattack arrives, I, Candle Dragon, will instantly harness the accumulated cultivation from countless lifetimes, effortlessly surpassing both of you. At that time, my dear friends, you shall roam the battlefield under my protection, slaying enemies without restraint."
"As long as I, Candle Dragon, remain undefeated, my dear friends can defy death."
Candle Dragon burst into hearty laughter, exuding an unparalleled sense of pride.
Jiu Mie widened his eyes and retorted, "Well, you audacious Candle Dragon. Truly shameless, I must say. Although you possess nine lifetimes of cultivation, the old ascetic cultivator, I have endured the trials of mortal existence, living not as long as you, but my level of cultivation may not necessarily be lower than yours."
"The Emperor Fu Xi's ability to dominate all realms within a mere hundred years proves that strength doesn't necessarily correlate with age… Haha… At that time, it remains uncertain who will be protecting whom."
On the Cliff of Dao, as these three individuals conversed, a momentary pause permeated their discussion.
They exchanged a brief glance and burst into laughter once again.
Laughing with unparalleled delight.
