Chapter 82 Astrologers and Defiant Ones (Part 11)
================================
The blood passed through the seemingly indestructible barrier, dripping onto the door and spreading out harmoniously, as naturally as water droplets flowing into a river or the sea.
Following the invisible engravings on the door, streaks of red appeared, forming a peculiar pattern that exuded a familiar aura.
Before Lingyan could recall where she had seen this pattern before, a tiny red light began to flicker, gradually increasing in intensity with the frequency of the flickering.
It grew stronger and stronger, more and more dazzling, until it finally formed a burst of red light that shot straight up into the sea of fog at the top of the dome.
The once peaceful and serene mountain forest began to tremble, as if the earth had awakened, letting out a thunderous roar, and began to shake and undulate violently, with soil and rocks excitedly flying everywhere.
The spot where the two stood collapsed without warning, and an inescapable suction force pulled them downwards.
All Lingyan could do was hold onto Gu Zhong's hand tightly and try her best to prevent them from experiencing separation again.
The underground was completely silent and dark, like a smooth road leading to hell. They kept falling and falling in this black vortex.
This time, she didn't travel through the sea of thunder for so long. Soon, Lingyan felt her shoes step on a patch of soft mud.
The complete darkness, which even cultivators could not see, was deeply unsettling.
She subtly cast a spell, drawing out a ray of starlight from her fingertips to surround herself, barely enough to make out Gu Zhong and the surroundings.
Despite being held tightly by Ling Yan, Gu Zhong showed no sign of panic, as if he knew what was going to happen.
This place doesn't seem to be a dangerous place at all; it's just an underground cave with nothing but soil and a narrow path.
"We should move forward."
Gu Zhong spoke softly, then tried to lift his foot and walk forward.
"Ah Chong, you seem a little off."
Lingyan pressed down on her shoulders, turning her around to face her, and looked at Gu Zhong with concern.
"Master, I..."
Gu Zhong was stunned for a moment, speechless. She couldn't describe to Ling Yan the sense of familiarity this place gave her, or the irresistible guidance deep in her soul.
It was as if she was calling to herself, guiding her without hesitation to where she was meant to be.
“I saw it, I was here.”
In the end, that was all she said.
Gu Zhong didn't actually understand Ling Yan's worries.
What Lingyan wanted to say was that Gu Zhong's current feeling towards her had become very mysterious.
She seemed to be a different person, but she had not lost her thoughts and soul. However, some strange changes were gradually developing within her, stripping away some of her original characteristics.
Gu Zhong himself was unaware of this change.
Lingyan suddenly began to doubt what this so-called opportunity was all about.
In the cultivation world, the art of possession is difficult to guard against. What if one's physical constitution is reshaped, but the person who leaves is not the original one?
"Guard yourself."
Ling Yan said something lightly and released her grip on Gu Zhong.
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhong was only stunned for a moment before realizing that his master was worried about possession.
That innate sense of trust that arose from the soul instantly sent chills down her spine.
Is there really some secret method that can make someone offer up their soul without reservation?
For a fleeting moment, Gu Chongsheng had the thought of backing down.
However, there is no turning back now; they can only keep moving forward.
Besides... she wants to become stronger!
Only in this way can I stand upright and without question beside Lingyan, no longer suffering from others' cold stares, pity, or trampling.
If this is the only chance, even if there is only the faintest hope, she must not back down even a single step.
Having made up his mind, Gu Zhong continued walking forward.
However, the previously relaxed and confused thoughts became clear and tense.
What was not a very long journey began to feel infinitely long.
Because of the unknown and fear.
As they walked along the narrow path, they were greeted by a light that was the complete opposite of the pure darkness.
A blindingly white light suddenly appeared, causing people to unconsciously raise their sleeves to shield their eyes.
After their eyes adjusted to the brightness of the white expanse, they opened them and finally saw what made this place so bright, like the eternally bright heavens.
The domed cavern, shaped like an arc, is inlaid with white beads from left to right and from top to bottom, from which all the light comes.
Ling Yan was astonished and wide-eyed. The object adorning the light was a mirage pearl, something that would never exist in this cultivation world!
This item is possessed only by the gods.
It is her divine realm, her home, that vanished ten thousand years ago.
She quickly looked ahead and saw a huge pond in the middle, with pavilions, waterside terraces, and winding corridors. A beautiful divine lotus bloomed proudly in it, never fading.
A few wisps of mist rise up, making the fairy pool appear and disappear, creating another heavenly realm.
Looking at the scene before her, Lingyan's thoughts drifted back to the past, and some fragments buried deep in her memory surfaced from her mind without her permission.
——
“Ayan, let me tell you—during this campaign, I unexpectedly discovered a wonderful place.”
The God of War sat down next to Ling Yan with his legs bent, his irreverent tone and voice as always.
"Gu Zhong, do you know you almost died there?! And you still have the leisure to explore some desolate wilderness?"
Anger and worry filled the air as she bombarded Gu Zhong with questions, her still somewhat childish face contorted with rage.
"I didn't expect Ayan to be so worried about me! Look, I'm alive and kicking now, aren't I?"
He chuckled softly in Lingyan's ear, watching his beloved blush with embarrassment, and a warmth and smile unconsciously filled Gu Zhong's eyes.
"You! Who's worried about you, you bastard? Where are we?!"
To avoid Gu Zhong's teasing, Ling Yan could only go along with her and steer the conversation back on track.
"A beautiful paradise. There, spiritual energy abounds, and springs gurgle, making it an auspicious place for cultivation."
When I was recovering from my injury, I had nothing to do, so I built a replica of a celestial pool and filled the surrounding area with mirage pearls. It was as bright as the divine realm, but without the noise of it.
"When I have some free time, how about I build a few more Wuji Palaces and move the Divine Palace there?"
Gu Zhong carefully described Ling Yan's masterpiece to her, and also earnestly sought her opinion on the next steps of construction.
"You... you always act so recklessly, aren't you afraid that the Heavenly Emperor will suspect you of having treasonous intentions?"
Despite her complaints, Ling Yan couldn't help but smile, both because this person was interesting and because her ideas were always whimsical.
"I humbly decline the position of Heavenly Emperor. I only wish to be with my Ah Yan, doing all the joys of the world..."
As he spoke, Gu Zhong approached with a grin.
"Who's yours?!"
Lingyan awkwardly retorted, but did not resist her closeness at all.
"I'll take you to see that place next time, okay?"
"good…"
——
The promises and agreements made were never fulfilled; destruction and chaos came so swiftly and unexpectedly.
However, no one could have predicted that she would unexpectedly arrive at the place Gu Zhong had once mentioned.
They arrive together with the person they once made a promise to, in an unexpected identity and manner.
I wonder if this is some kind of divine intervention or arrangement.
Taking a deep breath to conceal the sadness and longing in her eyes, Lingyan slowly stepped onto the jade bridge, her slender hands gently caressing the relief carvings in the shape of constellations.
Every brick, stone, blade of grass, and tree here is so similar to the divine realm, yet completely different.
Gu Zhong is a free spirit. When she makes imitations, she can't possibly replicate them perfectly. Everything here carries her shadow and aura.
"Master..."
Gu Zhong keenly sensed Ling Yan's emotional change, and followed closely behind her, calling out to her with concern.
Looking back at the face that was exactly the same as the one in her memory but with a personality so different, Lingyan suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
Being in a familiar environment, she began to wonder again whether the Gu Zhong of today was the same person as the Gu Zhong of the past.
After all, she knew nothing about the past and was completely different from before.
Let's go...
Knowing that this place was built by Gu Zhong, Ling Yan put aside her concerns and shed her timidity.
Like tourists admiring the scenery, they are completely immersed in it.
Passing through the pavilions and terraces of the fairy pool, and turning a corner, a huge floating jade platform comes into view, with only a stone tablet standing on it, and the rest is empty.
Gu Zhong felt an irresistible pull emanating from the stone tablet, constantly calling to her.
Her mind was disturbed, and even with all her willpower, she could not resist the temptation deep within her soul.
"Master..."
She gritted her teeth and called out again with difficulty.
Lingyan was not unaware of Gu Zhong's difficulties, but she chose to let it go.
If this was left behind by Gu Zhong himself, then all of this must be the source calling upon the scattered souls.
The current concerns are irresistible and need not be resisted; accepting them is the best choice.
“Ah Chong, go... Perhaps, this is your destiny.”