Chapter 152: Who on Earth Seeks to Destroy the World

After hearing this, Yushang suddenly had no idea how to deal with those two old fellows. He only felt abruptly that everything he was currently experiencing was predestined, as if all matters had already been properly arranged, waiting solely for him—the protagonist—to arrive so that the conclusion could be fulfilled. However, Yushang was not very fond of this kind of life mapped out by the heavens in advance; he felt that living thus reduced him to nothing more than a chess piece in the hands of the higher powers. Once he reached the position designated for him, his utility would cease, leaving him discardable at any moment, gradually forgotten by the world until a sorrowful death.

Yet sometimes life is exceptionally ridiculous and contradictory; the more you wish to avoid something, the fiercely it draws near to you. No matter how much Yushang detested treading that pre-paved path, he still had no other choice. Countless responsibilities were heavily pressed upon his shoulders, compelling Yushang to walk forward helplessly without the possibility of turning back. Even if an endless abyss or a mountain of blades and a sea of flames awaited him ahead, he would still press forward decisively without even furrowing his brow. Even if the painstaking efforts he exerted were ultimately not for his own sake, Yushang would still walk on without hesitation, because from the very moment he descended into this world, it had already been decreed that he could never turn back nor lead a peaceful life once more. As it turns out, sometimes one has no choice but to admit that everything is indeed a matter of fate, beyond the control of mortals!

Seeing Yushang's expression so desolate, Xiaoyin already guessed what was passing through his mind. In truth, how could he himself be exempt from feeling the exact same way? It was simply that no matter how formidable one's strength or how profound one's cultivation might be, one ultimately remained powerless against the heavens and the sorrow brought by these so-called cyclical reincarnations. Even if you were mighty enough to rival those ancient deities, what of it? You would still be nothing more than a vessel condemned to eternal, inescapable imprisonment. Heaven is Heaven; regardless of the extent of your abilities, you can never reverse the order to control it. Perhaps Xiaoyin's perspective was overly pessimistic, but it was a conclusion forged from countless trials of despair, failure, and disappointment.

Perhaps one day someone would truly arise to stand equal to the heavens or even surpass them, but Xiaoyin was certain that person would not be him, for he had long since passed the age of seeking to break free from destiny or attempting to master his own past and present lives. Who would not wish to live unhindered, carefree, and true to oneself without any obstacles? Yet who can genuinely transcend the boundaries of these realms and cast off the shackles of the heavens? Perhaps that rascal—burdened by so many bizarre occurrences and harboring countless unfathomable mysteries—could make another desperate gamble and become the newborn leader of this world. Yet Xiaoyin did not know whether Yushang possessed the capability to devour and subvert the mandate of heaven. Although Xiaoyin held no high expectations and simply believed it would suffice for Yushang to do as he pleased and live happily, he was still willing to go to any lengths to help him accomplish his desires.

For from the very moment Xiaoyin entered Yushang's body, he had already acknowledged this young man as the faith of his latter half of life. Though full of boundless arrogance and swagger, as a crimson serpent spirit, he at least understood the principle that a drop of water received in need should be repaid with a gushing spring. Furthermore, through all these years of inseparable companionship, Xiaoyin had long since regarded Yushang as his closest kin and dearest sworn brother whom he could least bear to lose. Therefore, even if the path Yushang wished to walk was a road Xiaoyin himself vowed never to tread again, he would still suppress his grievances, cast aside his fears, and accompany him all the way. For Xiaoyin believed that wherever Yushang was, there also existed the most incredible miracles and the most deeply cherished warmth in this world.

"Regardless of what lies ahead, I am still deeply grateful to both seniors for setting aside your reluctance to impart this news to me, allowing this junior to find the Weeping Spirit Grass and the Ancient Tears early on to cure this stubborn ailment. However, since these matters have now been settled, there is no longer any need to keep my friends confined within; it is time to release them. After all, the experience of being a caged bird is hardly a pleasant one!" Gazing at the group staring blankly at him from within the barrier, Yushang felt a sudden surge of bitterness and sorrow in his heart. He simply felt that at this moment, he shared their exact sense of helplessness—wanting to escape yet unable to do so, left to gaze upon the colorful world outside with a heart turned to ash, longing for the day he might step out of this prison and soar into the vast, azure sky.

Upon hearing this, the First Elder merely nodded slightly and waved his hand. The barrier vanished into thin air, finally allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief and regain their freedom. Truth be told, they were not truly worried about their own safety; after all, these two old fellows were their seniors and would never deal such ruthless blows to make them suffer excruciating agony. Yet they remained oblivious to what those two had been discussing with Yushang and Xiaoyin, sensing only that the atmosphere between them had grown increasingly tense, ultimately causing even Yushang—usually impervious to external influences—to become desolate. Yet no matter how worried the group felt, they knew that some matters were not for them to participate in; rather than solving problems, interference would only breed further trouble and complicate the situation.

"I am tired after all this tossing about and should return to get some proper rest. The rest of you juniors may do as you please, just do not forget that in a few days, you must engage in a hearty and decisive battle with the standout contenders who have emerged victorious from among hundreds of cultivators!" The First Elder said to the crowd with a hint of fatigue, as if he had genuinely just undergone an exhausting ordeal. Yet Yushang understood that this old fellow was simply weary at heart. Since the deadline had arrived and he had entrusted certain matters, it was indeed time to properly relax himself and welcome the doom that belonged exclusively to their small number.

"Senior Brother, I shall accompany you." Following closely behind, the Dean addressed the First Elder with utmost respect. To those ignorant of the truth, this scene was indeed somewhat baffling; why treat a peer with such profound deference? Yet from the perspective of those who had grown up in the Yanlan Academy, it did not seem particularly strange, as if it were merely a matter of course. However, intuition told Yushang that these people were completely oblivious to the truth. The only ones who knew the real story were those two old fellows, Xiaoyin, and himself. Though he knew not whether bearing this secret was a blessing or a curse, it nonetheless gave Yushang the impression that the two old fellows had been unusually candid with him.

"Farewell, two seniors." "Farewell, Senior Uncle, Master." Seeing this, the crowd quickly and respectfully called out to the two figures walking further and further away. Perhaps it was because this parting might mean never seeing each other again, but Yushang unexpectedly offered a farewell to the two old fellows, and even Xiaoyin joined the others in speaking with utmost earnestness. It seemed as though an invisible trace of sorrow had touched them both—emotions genuinely emanating from the depths of those two old fellows' hearts. Suddenly, a sense of reluctance welled up within them. Without these two old fellows constantly matching wits with them, would days ahead appear far more desolate than usual? Would they truly find it difficult to let them go?

At this thought, Yushang heaved a helpless sigh and gazed blankly at the crowd, lost in thought, yet his expression revealed deep internal conflict. A moment later, a hardened determination entered his eyes, as if he had found an answer to the matter that had previously shaken his resolve. He then spoke to the group with profound solemnity: "There is a matter which I knew I ought not to share with you, yet I still could not hold it back, because I realized that if you were to learn of this last of all, it would prove to be a cruel ending indeed. I cannot bear to watch my friends harbor lifelong regrets and unyielding grievances to their dying graves simply because they missed the truth."

"What kind of matter could lead to consequences so grave? Could it be related to what you discussed just now? Or has Yanlan Academy truly fallen into the irremediable crisis we previously feared, even implicating those within the institution?" Meng Youyuan was truly a person of exceptional intellect; having heard merely a few words from Yushang, she had already deduced roughly what had transpired. Although her guess was not entirely accurate, it came close enough. This was indeed a great tribulation for Yanlan Academy, and simultaneously a calamity for several of its most venerable elders.

"Although the two seniors did not explicitly state what will happen, they did intentionally or unintentionally reveal several crucial pieces of intelligence. They seemed deeply reluctant to part with Yanlan Academy, repeatedly charging me to protect this place and prevent its destruction. They also warned that a massive upheaval would soon strike this world, during which some might perish inexplicably, and the disaster might even spread further. Yet no matter what, this academy must be guarded and preserved across generations." Yushang truthfully divulged his reasoning, feeling that these individuals deserved the right to know. Others should not make decisions on their behalf without authorization, ensuring that whatever path they chose in the future, they would be spared any lingering regrets.

"Brother Yu, when you mentioned that some would perish inexplicably, were you hinting that Master and the others will face a tribulation in this upheaval—one from which they cannot escape, which is why they gave you such earnest admonitions to safeguard Yanlan Academy in their stead so they may rest in peace?" Catching Meng Youyuan as she nearly collapsed from weakness, Lan Bingxian anxiously questioned Yushang. From his gaze, it was evident that Lan Bingxian desperately hoped this was merely his own conjecture, that the truth was entirely untroubled, that no calamity would befall anyone, and that Yanlan Academy would continue to stand proudly through the ages.

"None of us truly understand what this is all about, but there is no denying that those two old fellows genuinely sounded as though they were issuing final instructions before death, even forcing this rascal to swear a toxic oath. If nothing were going to happen, why would they compel him to protect Yanlan Academy? With several veterans like them holding the fort, who would dare to act rashly? Unless circumstances prevent them from remaining here any longer, forcing them to entrust the task to an outsider whose loyalty remains unproven, binding him with a lethal vow to defend this place in their stead." Hearing this, Xiaoyin felt a sudden knot in his stomach. Did he not usually wish for those two old fellows to suffer misfortune? Why, when trouble truly found them, did he feel no gloating satisfaction whatsoever, but instead grew deeply worried for fear they might encounter real peril?

"Regarding the cultivation levels of Master and Senior Uncle, they are simply beyond comparison with ordinary people. As long as the two of them join forces with the remaining elders, they should be entirely capable of withstanding any aggressive assault. They might sustain heavy injuries, but their lives would certainly not be threatened! What on earth could have caused them to surrender psychologically even before launching a resistance? Who could possibly instill such terror and despair in them that they have abandoned even a final counterattack and prepared to capture themselves without a fight?" Leng Huaiyi's complexion was exceptionally grim at that moment; his brows were knit tightly together, and his eyes revealed a chilling coldness none of the others had ever witnessed before. Clearly departing from his usual gentle and amiable demeanor, he now radiated a hint of danger that caused the rest to involuntarily step back, reluctant to provoke this familiar yet utterly unfamiliar Leng Huaiyi.

"If we must name someone capable of striking such profound terror into those two elders, it could only be the ancient deities dwelling in the otherworldly realms. Yet that is utterly impossible! What reason would they have to harass mortals of an entirely different plane? Such behavior does not befit ancient deities. Yet aside from such colossal figures, I can think of no one else capable of standing as an enemy to Yanlan Academy while possessing the means to destroy several of its elders." Yin Boxuan racked his brains yet failed to formulate a convincing explanation. The matter had arrived too abruptly and felt far too surreal.