Chapter 469: Past Memories Like the Wind
Lu Heng's faint smile and casual remark filled with emotion made Huo Feng shake his head with a hearty laugh.
"It seems there will be some spectacle to behold in the near future," Huo Feng said, "From what I gather, there have been significant movements in the demonic realm lately, and it appears that Sun Yan is brewing a grand plan. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Court is also mobilizing its forces. Without a doubt, another fierce battle is on the horizon."
Huo Feng provided some information, then curiously asked, "By the way, Senior Wolf God, have you previously appeared in Luoye City?"
Huo Feng recalled the previous visit from the Black and White Impermanences, who had warned him about a "demonic cultivator."
Lu Heng chuckled and said, "Wuyou and Wuyu were indeed referring to me as the demonic cultivator they spoke of. I encountered a minor mishap back then."
Therefore, Lu Heng proceeded to inform Huo Feng about the events that took place in Luoye City.
Huo Feng nodded with a smile and said, "I see, since it wasn't truly a demonic invasion, then Huo Feng can rest assured."
Lu Heng pondered for a moment and asked, "Brother Huo, do you have any plans for the future?"
For the sake of the oath made two thousand years ago, Huo Feng has been solitary guarding Hanyu Mountain for two millennia, all to protect the mature divine fruits within the All Souls Ancestral Root from being plucked by outsiders.
However, now that Lu Heng has returned, he naturally no longer needs to stay behind and continue the protectorship. Lu Heng will take care of the divine fruits himself.
Moreover, the Moluo Evil Spirit that nearly possessed Huo Feng back then has long been vanquished by Huo Feng, who turned the tables on it. Huo Feng no longer needs to be imprisoned and tortured. Therefore, Lu Heng inquired about Huo Feng's plans.
While Huo Feng pondered, he said, "If Senior Wolf God has no immediate plans to reveal your return, then I must continue guarding Hanyu Mountain. Otherwise, even if I don't say anything to anyone, Miss Xiao Ai would be able to deduce that the Wolf God has returned."
Lu Heng smiled helplessly and said, "Then I can only trouble Brother Huo to continue guarding this place for a while longer. Currently, I am in the shadows, intending to personally visit the North and see how Sun Yan is doing. Only by witnessing his current state can I determine how to proceed."
Huo Feng chuckled nonchalantly and said, "That is natural, the Wolf God need not worry. I have been here for over two thousand years and have long grown accustomed to every blade of grass and every tree in this place. To be honest, even if the Wolf God were to drive Huo Feng away now, I am afraid the younger generation would struggle to find another abode."
"However, does the Wolf God wish to go directly to the Northern Domain?"
Hesitatingly, Huo Feng asked, "Shouldn't the Wolf God pay a visit to the Heavenly Court side and see for yourself?"
Lu Heng shook his head and said, "I won't go to the Heavenly Court. After all, it was largely established by Xiao Ai, although she attributes most of the credit to me. However, I have no interest in power and even if I reveal my identity in the future, I won't interfere with the actions of the Heavenly Court. Moreover, didn't Brother Huo mention that there have been significant activities in the demonic path lately?"
"If the news is true, then on my way to visit the Northern Domain, I will probably encounter Xiao Ai and her companions."
Next, Lu Heng engaged in a lively conversation with Huo Feng, discussing numerous fascinating tales and anecdotes about the Eight Trigrams of various sizes in the Celestial Desolation Realm. They talked for three days and nights, until finally, Lu Heng bid farewell and took his leave.
However, before leaving, Lu Heng made a trip inside the trunk of the Divine Tree.
The legend of the All Souls Ancestral Root, which Lu Heng had once come across in ancient texts, but little did he expect to cultivate such a spiritual root by chance.
According to the legend, the All Souls Ancestral Root bears fruit only once in its lifetime, and each harvest yields abundant growth. However, in the end, only thirty-six fruit trees are able to fully mature. This number, thirty-six, is predetermined, as any excess fruit is either picked prematurely or withers and falls before reaching maturity.
Once the fruit reaches maturity, each individual fruit possesses tremendous power capable of reshaping heaven and earth.
When consumed by ordinary mortals, it enables them to attain enlightenment while sitting, elevate themselves to the realm of the innate, and transcend mundanity.
When ingested by top cultivators, it is even capable of refining essence, transmuting qi, comprehending the grand Dao, and experiencing a rapid surge in cultivation.
However, according to the legend, each time a divine fruit appears, it triggers upheaval in heaven and earth, and no one has ever been able to solely enjoy all of the divine fruits.
If it were not for Xiao Ai's intervention from the Heavenly Court, preventing the influence of the demonic path and the presence of familiar friends and acquaintances like Lu Heng ensuring stability in the killing field, as well as the solitary vigilance of the top cultivator Huo Feng for a millennium, it is feared that the peach fruits that matured two thousand years ago would not have been preserved until today.
As Lu Heng approached, the majestic tree didn't resist his presence, allowing Lu Heng to confidently step inside.
However, the sight within the tree's trunk left Lu Heng astounded.
Underneath the azure sky and fluffy white clouds, Hanyu Mountain stands tranquilly amidst the vast wilderness.
The seemingly colossal divine tree trunk is, in fact, nothing more than a virtual barrier, designed to conceal and obstruct the outside world's living creatures.
The scenery within, still maintains the appearance of the former Hanyu Mountain.
And such a scene, perhaps even Huo Feng himself had never anticipated.
After all, it remained unknown to anyone until Lu Heng stepped into the trunk that such a grand divine tree was nothing more than a hollow illusion.
Even Huo Feng himself believed that the tree had truly grown countless times larger…
In the air, there wafts a rich aura of spiritual energy.
Every breath is so refreshingly invigorating.
And within this enchantment of Hanyu Mountain, astonishingly, there exists living beings!
Upon the vast wilderness, mountain creatures roam, while birds soar across the sky.
If it weren't for the desolate Luoye City nearby, Lu Heng could hardly believe he was actually inside the realm of the divine tree.
Without resorting to flight, Lu Heng descended directly onto the ground, stepping firmly on the stems of the wilderness, journeying towards the distant Hanyu Mountain.
Within a gentle radiance, a man dressed in white robes gradually transformed his figure as he continued to move forward.
His head bowed down, his waist elongated, and silver-white fur gradually emerged.
Ultimately, wandering alone in the wilderness was a majestic silver-white wolf, standing several meters tall.
With golden animal eyes, it gazed upon the familiar sights within its field of view, observing the mountains, rivers, and vegetation that remained unchanged despite the long separation. A nostalgic expression washed over its features as it beheld these scenes.
Under the divine authority of the mountain deity, with each stride it took, the distance covered extended several meters beyond, as if defying the constraints of mere earthly measurements.
Such velocity, for mortals, is unimaginably fast.
However, for the present Him, it is merely a leisurely stroll in the courtyard.
Soon, he arrived at the outskirts of the vast mountain range.
Here, there lies a colossal town.
Here, in the plains, formerly stood Shuisheng Village. In His memory, the village was inhabited by many ignorant mortals, while outside the village, rice and crops swayed in waves. Although desolate and remote, it also possessed a hint of tranquil seclusion akin to a utopia.
However, nowadays, the small village has vanished, and in its place, there exists a vast and secluded dwelling.
The outermost milestone is inscribed with the words "Shuisheng Institute".
It appears that in the days following Lu Heng's departure, the former Shuisheng Village gradually transformed into the Shuisheng Institute, a place dedicated to nurturing cultivators. Xiao Ai, born here, eventually bestowed her care upon this remote village.
However, it remains unknown how many of the ignorant villagers from that village achieved immortal cultivation and obtained a position among the ranks of the Heavenly Court in the present day.
The nonsensical babbling Wang Laoliu, the cunning and self-serving old village chief, and those blood relatives who share a kinship with Xiao Ai…
How many of these familiar faces from my memories have managed to survive?
The colossal white wolf stood outside the former gates of Shuisheng Village, gazing at the elegantly refurbished architectural complex within. With a hearty laugh, it reveled in the sight.
Back in those days, it only set foot in Shuisheng Village once, and that was for the purpose of vanquishing demons.
The demon seed from the Green Hell Cave that once caused Xiao Ai's demise, now, upon recollection, seems as if it were just yesterday.
"I am a disciple of the Green Hell Cave! You cannot kill me!"
The dying screams of the demon seed echoed in a sharp and sorrowful wail, faintly reverberating in the ears of the white wolf.
He couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, unexpectedly feeling a sense of warmth.
Recalling that demonic creature from back in the day, it's somewhat silly and cute, hahaha…
