“Strange Old Man, how did you know I am a cultivator?”
The Old Man looked at Chu Canyuan with some disdain.
“If you were an ordinary person, who would bother keeping you here?”
“With your current strength, going there would be useless.”
Hearing this, Chu Canyuan tested, “Do you know where I am going?”
The Old Man spoke faintly, “The Sacred Hall.”
Before Chu Canyuan could speak, the Old Man spoke again.
“It’s not just the Selection; you have other matters to attend to at the Sacred Hall, but I cannot discern what they are.”
Chu Canyuan was somewhat surprised, “Strange Old Man, are you perhaps a fortune teller?”
“It’s just that the Weight of Karma entangled with you is too great.”
“If you wish to sever it completely, then follow me obediently and cultivate.”
Chu Canyuan was somewhat confused but still nodded, as Qi Wanxi had also said that with his current strength, he absolutely could not pass the Sacred Hall Selection.
And he certainly could not avenge his parents.
Seeing that the Old Man possessed such ability, Chu Canyuan felt that cultivating under the Strange Old Man for a few years wasn't entirely a bad thing.
“In that case, Strange Old Man, you are also a cultivator. What is your current realm?”
The Old Man pondered for a moment, looked up at the sky, and slowly replied.
“Eighth Realm is trading injury for a kill; Heaven-Man Realm is trading life for life.”
Chu Canyuan, however, looked disgusted, “If you were truly that powerful, you could be a venerated elder at the Sacred Hall. Why would you live in such a remote place?”
The Old Man laughed heartily, “This Old Man is merely a Loose Cultivator, accustomed to freedom and leisure. Living in such a quiet little place is quite nice.”
……
The two returned indoors. The dishes on the table were the simplest fare, yet Chu Canyuan, tired from the whole day, ate with great relish.
“Finish eating, then come with me to cultivate.”
“Strange Old Man! I’ve been tired all day, and you won’t even let me rest at night!”
Chu Canyuan protested vaguely, food stuffed in his mouth.
The Old Man threw a Tree Branch onto the table. Seeing this, Chu Canyuan immediately quieted down.
“Cultivate!”
Having eaten his fill, Chu Canyuan flopped onto the bed.
Just as he was sinking into the comfort of the bedding, the Strange Old Man waved his large hand, and in the next second, the two appeared beneath a waterfall.
Standing before the waterfall, one could feel the curtain of water, like the most intense life force between heaven and earth, constantly scouring the rocks.
The waterfall danced like a silver snake, plunging toward the heavens with astonishing speed and power, the diffused mist making the surrounding scenery appear and disappear.
A massive rock was situated right in the center of the waterfall.
Before Chu Canyuan could complain, the Strange Old Man spoke first.
“Go, meditate on that rock.”
Although Chu Canyuan was reluctant, he eventually took off his clothes and walked over.
With a vigorous leap, he jumped onto the rock, quickly sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to feel the cascading waterfall.
“I didn't expect such a surging waterfall could wash away the fatigue of the entire day for me.”
Feeling the changes in his body, Chu Canyuan couldn't help but be a little surprised.
The Strange Old Man was also somewhat surprised after sensing the change in Chu Canyuan’s physical state.
“Although the efficacy of this spring water is extraordinary, isn't this kid absorbing it a bit too fast?”
Seeing that Chu Canyuan had returned to his optimal state, the Strange Old Man slightly raised his hand and brought Chu Canyuan to his side.
“Use him to attack me. Give it your utmost effort; don't hold back.”
The Old Man produced a Wooden Sword and handed it to Chu Canyuan, while he himself pulled out that Tree Branch again.
“Strange Old Man, are you sure you’re only using this small Tree Branch?”
Chu Canyuan looked at his Wooden Sword, then at the thin branch in the Old Man’s hand, and immediately felt a burning desire for revenge.
The Old Man said nothing, shaking the Tree Branch slightly to signal Chu Canyuan to attack.
Chu Canyuan held the Wooden Sword, assumed an attacking posture, Spiritual Power swirling around his body, and thrust straight toward the Old Man’s chest. The Old Man calmly raised the Tree Branch and swung it in from the side.
The Wooden Sword was instantly knocked aside upon impact with the Tree Branch. Chu Canyuan was deeply shocked; a small Tree Branch could deflect his full-force thrust.
Deflected, Chu Canyuan spun around and slashed horizontally toward the Old Man.
The Old Man held the Tree Branch vertically in front of his face, blocking the slash.
No matter how hard Chu Canyuan tried, the Tree Branch remained unmoving, blocking everything.
“Stinky brat, you said not to hold back, yet your moves are truly vicious.”
The Old Man exerted slight force, and Chu Canyuan was knocked back several steps.
“Again!”
Chu Canyuan leaped up and brought his sword down. Just as the sword was about to strike his shoulder, the Old Man extended the Tree Branch and placed it directly against Chu Canyuan’s chest.
Struck by the impact, Chu Canyuan was sent flying backward.
Clutching his chest in pain, he complained, “Strange Old Man, you are already so strong, can’t you ease up a bit and let me win?”
The Old Man laughed upon hearing this, “Stinky brat, if I had used my strength, that Tree Branch would have poked a hole in you just now.”
“However, your sword forms and transitions are very clever. Have you practiced the Sword Dao before?”
Chu Canyuan said proudly upon hearing this, “No, it’s just that whenever I was unhappy before, Mother would perform sword dances for me to watch. After watching so many times, I naturally picked up a little.”
The Old Man asked doubtfully, “Sword dances?”
“Yes, Mother’s sword dances were truly beautiful.”
“After watching them, all grievances and worries would disappear, as if they were wiped away by that sword dance…”
As he spoke, Chu Canyuan became choked up. He thought that as long as he didn't dwell on it, didn't show too much sadness or longing, he could emerge from the grief.
But no matter how indifferent or unconcerned he appeared, as long as a single thought surfaced, his heart would still ache.
“Sword dances require an extremely high attainment in the Sword Dao to be displayed…”
The Old Man was puzzled in his heart but ultimately could not resist his curiosity.
“What is your Mother’s name?”
“Xia Liuli.”
Boom, the Old Man’s heart trembled upon hearing the name.
Xia Liuli, one of the Sacred Hall’s Twin Prodigies from ten years ago.
“Your surname is Chu?”
Chu Canyuan asked doubtfully, “How did you know?”
Boom, the Old Man was startled again in his heart.
But immediately, the Old Man became confused again. Chu Wanqing and Xia Liuli had defected from the Sacred Hall ten years ago, so why was Chu Canyuan going alone?
Even if Chu Wanqing and the other had not mentioned this to Chu Canyuan, they certainly would not let him take such a risk.
“When this Stinky brat from the Chu family mentioned Xia Liuli, his eyes were filled with sorrow and grief. Coupled with the Weight of Karma upon him, could it be…”
The Old Man already had the answer in his heart, but he did not show it.
“Strange Old Man, do you know my Mother and Father?”
The Old Man avoided Chu Canyuan’s gaze and shook his head, “No.”
Chu Canyuan became agitated, “Then how did you know my surname is Chu?”
“Strange Old Man, just tell me, what exactly is the relationship between my Mother and Father and the Sacred Hall?”
Chu Canyuan was certain the Old Man knew something, so he laid everything out.
“The Sacred Hall sent people to our home… I personally buried Father… Mother’s whereabouts are still unknown.”
Boom, the Old Man’s voice trembled upon hearing this, “Indeed…”