Chapter 7 - A Mysterious Place

As the sun began its ascent, warm morning sunlight shined down on the City of Great Zhou, brightening the place.

Zhou Yuan along with his father and royal guards began their Journey toward the ancestral land.

Today was Great Zhou's ancestor offering ceremony

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The Great Zhou royal clan's ancestral land was also where the Great Zhou royal tomb was located. Although the royal tomb was about a hundred miles from Great Zhou City, given their pace, they would reach their destination in four hours.

Under a lofty green mountain, Zhou Qing and Zhou Yuan got off their horses while the imperial guards spread out and positioned themselves at the various entry points. Even a bird would be killed if it neared.

"This is where the tomb of our Great Zhou royal clan is located."

Zhou Qing pointed at the majestic green mountain before their eyes. After being silent for some time, he slowly said, "Back then, this was where our Zhou clan began and after much hard work, we eventually created the Great Zhou Empire. I just never imagined that our forefathers' efforts would be beaten back to their original shape at my hands."

Zhou Yuan looked at Zhou Qing's somewhat dejected face and resolutely said, "Father should not blame himself, the Wu clan were scheming and heartless and no one could have predicted that they would plot for a hundred years. The fault does not lie with father."

The stone steps led to the peak. There were nine thousand and ninety-nine steps which reached straight into the clouds.

The two wore solemn expressions as they slowly ascended. An incense stick of time later, they finally reached the peak where a black shrine stood. The shrine was ancient and seemed to have bathed in the rays of countless moons.

These three mountain ranges snaked along the ground like hidden dragons. They surrounded and protected the green mountain below Zhou Yuan's feet like three dragons coiling around a pearl. A majestic aura seemed to rise spontaneously when one watched them.

In the end, Zhou Qing's steps paused before a memorial tablet at the deepest part of the shrine. This was the first emperor of their clan that had founded Great Zhou. After Zhou Qing paid his respects, he reached out and lightly turned the tablet.

Rumble.

A rumbling noise was immediately heard when the tablet was turned. Zhou Yuan watched as a thick and heavy set of secret stone doors slowly cracked open on the wall behind the memorial tablet.

The interior of the stone doors was filled with a deep darkness and appeared rather mysterious.

Zhou Qing's expression was somewhat complicated as he gazed at the stone doors and said, "Whether or not you will be able to open your meridian channels and start cultivating will depend on this place."

Zhou Yuan nodded lightly.

Zhou Qing glanced at Zhou Yuan before walking past the stone doors. Behind them was a long stone corridor. Lamps burned on the floor of the corridor, giving the place a dusky lighting.

The two did not speak. Only the faint sound of footsteps filled the corridor.

After walking for about a dozen minutes, Zhou Qing's and Zhou Yuan's footsteps finally stopped. They had reached the end of the corridor, and a vast ancient cavern had appeared before their eyes.

At the end of the cavern stood a stone platform.

Zhou Qing headed straight for the stone platform. Only at this moment did Zhou Yuan discover that the numerous ancient Genesis Runes were carved onto the surface of the stone platform. These Genesis Runes formed a certain picture.

With Zhou Yuan's current understanding of Genesis Runes, he was completely unable to recognize what grade these Genesis Runes were. He was only able to gain a certain understanding of these Genesis Runes before his spirit got exhausted, which indicated that these runes were at least above Grade 7 Runes.

Zhou Qing's expression grew more solemn as he gazed at the ancient Genesis Runes on the stone platform and said, "A certain secret saying has been passed down in our Zhou clan. It says that a great destiny is hidden in this secret room that can help our Zhou clan truly flourish for ten thousand years."

"The key to this great destiny is the blood of our Zhou clan's successor. However, although every successive emperor has come here in an attempt to unlock the great destiny with his blood, every single one of them ultimately failed."

At this point, he looked toward Zhou Yuan before continuing. "That is why I have brought you here to see if you can unlock this great destiny. If you are successful, solving the problem of your eight meridian channels should not be hard."

"Go on." Zhou Qing said as he patted Zhou Yuan's shoulders.

Zhou Yuan nodded and walked onto the stone platform before seating himself amongst the many ancient and mysterious Genesis Runes.

He decisively took out a small sharp knife and moved it across his wrist. Fresh blood immediately flowed out and spread along the groves of the Genesis Runes.

In the short span of several breaths, the Genesis Runes on the stone platform had taken on the color of fresh red blood.

Outside the stone platform, Zhou Qing watched this scene with eyes filled with anxiety as his fists subconsciously clenched tightly.

In a split second, Zhou Yuan's body seemed to shake violently, as if a furious and unresigned dragon roar was echoing from the deepest recesses of his body.

Buzz buzz!

It was at this very moment that blinding light exploded from the bloodied ancient Genesis Runes. The light converged like silver water and rapidly swallowed Zhou Yuan.

This sudden turn of events caused Zhou Qing to be stunned. He hastily looked towards Zhou Yuan and watched in shock as Zhou Yuan vanished into thin air...

.

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Somewhere

Blinding light flooded the eyes, followed by a barbaric pulling force. Zhou Yuan was hit by vertigo as if he had fallen into a whirlpool.

Fortunately, the pulling sensation did not last for long. Zhou Yuan felt a huge force rush towards him and his body was flung into the air.

Bang

Fortunately, Zhou Yuan was able to balance himself at the last moment which saved him from eating a mouthful of soil.

Zhou Yuan was relaxed and patient as he looked around. The cavern had long since disappeared, and in its place was a quiet and peaceful ancient forest. Giant trees thrust into the sky, while their dense leaves covered the heavens.

A clear stream flowed by the side, emitting the sounds of running water. It was a tranquil sight.

There was no need for hyper-vigilance as a second lotus saint expert was in this place, and there were not many things that could threaten him.

Just as Zhou Yuan was casually looking around, he seemed to sense a gaze on him, which caused him to turn around.

Just as he looked sideways, he discovered a beautiful figure under one of the giant trees.

Just looking at her beauty and figure caused him to be in a daze, but due to his mental resilience, he quickly recovered.

The girl seemed to be of similar age to himself, yet she had such a figure and curves that could make even older women feel envious.

"Miss, may I know where this place is? My name is Zhou Yuan"

Even though he knew who this girl was Zhou Yuan still had to remain ignorant, if not he would arouse the suspicion of Cang Yuan and that would not be a great thing at all.

The girl had snow-white skin. Her fine black hair was lightly bundled up, while her simple green clothes outlined her wonderful curves. She had a very exquisite set of facial features. In particular, her bright eyes seemed to contain a certain aura of mysteriousness, causing them to appear both unpredictable and distant.

At this very moment, the girl seemed to tread on shards of sunlight against the backdrop of towering ancient trees. A gentle breeze blew past and lifted her fringe, allowing one to catch a glimpse of an extremely ancient rune between her brows, a sight that gave off an aura of indescribable mysteriousness.

However, the mysterious girl in green did not seem to take any notice of Zhou Yuan's Introduction.

Her slim and fair hand pulled back a strand of black hair in front of her forehead before she walked towards Zhou Yuan.

"Miss?"

She inquisitively sized up Zhou Yuan for a moment before muttering, "Grandpa Hei was right, someone came here today."

Saying this she turned around and headed towards the ancient forest. As she passed by the giant tree from before, the girl called out.

"Tuntun, time to go home."

At her call, the small gray creature that was lying under the giant tree stood up and followed the girl in green while still shaking its tail.

When the girl in green walked into the forest, she tilted her head back a little, slightly raising her snow-white chin at Zhou Yuan.

"Come along if you want to find your great destiny."

After speaking, she walked into the forest, her pretty figure flashing between the gaps in the trees.

Huu.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and readied himself. Without any further hesitation, he opened his stride and quickly caught up to the girl and little beast.

A boy, girl, and beast traveled within the ancient forest, a lush green forest that was full of life. From time to time, ferocious beast howls could be heard in the distance. But every time that happened, the little Tuntun at the girl in green's side would emit a bark. Although the bark was not loud, the entire forest seemed to fall silent, as if they were afraid of this small creature.

Zhou Yuan could not help but take another look at the Taotie. Sure enough, this little beast lived up to his sacred beast bloodline.

It was clear that the girl in green had no intentions of speaking with Zhou Yuan. Hence, Zhou Yuan could only maintain his silence as he closely followed behind.

They advanced in this manner for an hour, before Zhou Yuan finally sensed the girl in green's footsteps come to a stop.

"We're here."

The girl's voice echoed from the front. Zhou Yuan's heart jumped slightly as he raised his head and peered through the greenery of the forest. A clearing had appeared within the forest where a cottage peacefully stood.

There were three fences around the cottage. Zhou Yuan's gaze ultimately paused on a recliner in front of the cottage where an old man in black was peacefully resting as he gently rocked back and forth.

As if he had sensed Zhou Yuan's gaze, the old man opened his eyes and looked at the former.

Zhou Yuan's heart faintly trembled when he saw the old man's eyes. Those eyes were filled with an indescribable ancientness as if they had experienced countless eons.

Even though he had been prepared for this movement Zhou Yuan still felt fear when he saw Cang Yuan, those eyes made him feel that all his secrets were laid naked before the latter's eyes.

This feeling was very uncomfortable, but Zhou Yuan put this feeling behind him, he was able to feel a thick declining, and decaying aura cloaking the old man.

"Hehe, a little fellow who possesses the sacred dragon blessing has indeed come." The old man in black slowly withdrew his gaze as a raspy voice was heard.

"However it's a pity that the sacred dragon blessing has been stolen, and even the sacred dragon root has been damaged. Oh, is this the Dragon's Resentment Poison?"

"Tragic, truly tragic."

"But you do have some excellent talent in Soul Cultivation".

The girl in green walked to the old man's back and glanced at Zhou Yuan who was still perfectly calm, this caused the girl to raise her eyebrows.

Tuntun started to jump with the intent of throwing itself into her arms but was instead ignored as she picked it up and offhandedly threw it into a water jar.

Tuntun appeared a little upset, but since it knew of the girl's obsession with cleanliness, it could only obediently start to wash itself. It was an exceptionally comical scene.

Zhou Yuan took a moment to watch this comical scene before calmly shifting his gaze to look at Cang Yuan, he cupped his hands together and spoke respectfully, "This junior one is known as Zhou Yuan. Greetings elder."

The old man nodded and replied, "It is indeed someone from the Zhou clan."

The old man eyed Zhou Yuan, who seemed to desire to speak. It was as if the old man knew what Zhou Yuan was thinking in his heart as the former smiled strangely and said, "I know what you're thinking. You're not wrong, I can indeed help you solve your eight meridians problem. However, why should I help you?"

"Given Junior's current state, I have nothing that could move elder. However, I can tell that elder has likely been… waiting for me, right?"

In the split second that the elder had looked at him earlier, Zhou Yuan was able to ascertain with his sharp senses that a strange light had flashed in the depths of the old man's eyes.

The slowly rocking recliner finally slowed to a stop at this moment as the old man's eyes faintly narrowed. It was impossible to tell if he was furious or pleased as he stared at Zhou Yuan and said, "Little child, your words are rather bold. Do you believe that you have anything worth my waiting?"

In response to the old man's words, Zhou Yuan merely smiled as he shook his head. "I do not know the answer to this question, as I am a mere child but elder you who could see my circumstance at a glance should be perfectly aware of it."

This was not a question but rather a statement that was clear to both the girl and the old man.

The old man in black stared at Zhou Yuan with eyes that were filled with ancientness. Although the former did not give off a terrifying aura, a pressuring feeling had emerged, causing the entire ancient forest to become deathly silent.

Outside the cottage, the tactful youth wore a slight smile as he looked straight at the old man without any fear like a newborn calf.

The oppressive feeling akin to billowing thunderclouds lasted for a rather long time until a helpless smile surfaced on the old man's expressionless face. He lay on the recliner and sighed, "Looks like I have grown old. Can't even scare a little boy."

Behind the old man in black, the girl in green's bright eyes swept across Zhou Yuan as her clear voice sounded indifferent, "He's not acting, he's truly calm and patient but his body is in a tense state"

"Aih." The old man withdrew his aura, looked toward Zhou Yuan, and said, "I can solve the problem of your eight meridians, however, I have one condition."

"Elder I promise to fulfill any condition as long as it does not cross my bottom line."

The old man softly sighed, tilted his head, and looked at the elegant standing girl beside him as he slowly said, "I want you to leave this place with Yaoyao, and protect her."

"So this miss is named Yaoyao", Zhou Yuan nodded it was a good match for her pretty and tender look.

"Grandpa Hei." The girl in green bit her red lips as a look of unwillingness and resistance was revealed on her aloof and pretty face.

The old man lightly patted the girl's hand as he gently said, "Yaoyao, Grandpa Hei has something to do and will have to leave for some time, I cannot continue staying by your side."

The crystal clear eyes of the girl called Yaoyao dimmed. She looked at Zhou Yuan and softly said, "Grandpa Hei, he is too weak."

"Miss Yaoyao, I will have to stop you right there", Zhou Yuan stated his voice resolute and full of belief, "while I may be currently weak, this is not the case for the future, I will take back what was stolen from me, and miss Yaoyao I have to remind you that even a Dragon in its infancy is weak but the same could not be said when they grow up".

The old man could not help but chuckle upon hearing this. His gaze swept over Zhou Yuan as he said, "What the kid is saying is true Yaoyao although this kid is weak now, it is hard to say what he will become in the future."

"Grandpa Hei, will I still be able to see you in the future?" Yaoyao asked in a low voice. As an intelligent girl, how could she not sense that the old man's actions were similar to entrusting her to someone else? It was evident that he was going to do something extremely dangerous, so dangerous that he might even pay with his life.

The old man in black did not reply, but instead gently patted Yaoyao's little hands.

He then turned his head, looking towards Zhou Yuan as he smiled and said, "So how about it?"

A serious expression covered Zhou Yuan's face. He first respectfully bowed to the old man and then raised his head to meet the eyes of Cang Yuan, "Although I do not have much power now, I can promise elder that if anyone wants to hurt Miss Yaoyao, he will have to first go through my fists and then my corpse to even touch a strand of her hair".

Although the youth's voice sounded rather immature it was full of determination and contained a fierceness, that could make anyone raise their brows.

Upon hearing this, a satisfied smile was revealed on the old man's face.

"Since that is so…" The old man chuckled as he stared at Zhou Yuan and said, "I'll now solve the problem of your eight great meridians…".

A strange smile emerged from the corners of the old man's lips when he saw Zhou Yuan's resolute gaze before the former suddenly waved his sleeve.

Boom!

The earth shook and an enormous crack opened below Zhou Yuan's feet, forming a deep abyss. With a single gulp, it swallowed Zhou Yuan.

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END

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