Chapter 856: Chapter 856
The waterways inside were incredibly intricate, akin to a maze; a random turn at any junction could lead you in an entirely new direction, with dozens of junctions to choose from. Ding Fan felt that even if Gui Luo was highly skilled, it would be impossible for him to follow them into this maze.
By now, Ding Fan had already reached the Golden Core Stage of cultivation; although he had not reached the Realm of Fetal Breathing, breathing freely under water was hardly an issue for him. As for Zhang Shanlian, Ding Fan had already used his Divine Sense to check, and the latter was also able to breathe freely underwater.
Therefore, Ding Fan was not in a hurry. He kept shuttling through the waterways without stopping.
Boom... Rumble... At this moment, a series of booming sounds came from outside the waterways.
Even without looking back, Ding Fan understood what those booming sounds were - it was Gui Luo hammering at the entrances of these waterways.
However, the entrances of the water paths were extremely solid. Despite being hammered by Gui Luo, there was no damage.
Ding Fan was amazed. Knowing how terrifying Gui Luo's cultivation strength was, his Inner Strength could split mountains and crack stones. Yet, faced with Inner Strength bombardment, these waterways remained unmovable. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
Could this place possibly hold some significant secret?
In the Cultivation World, the entrances of forbidden areas or Ancient Ruins are all meticulously arranged. These waterways, intricate and robust, made Ding Fan suspect that this place was not ordinary.
After probing with his Divine Sense, Ding Fan quickly understood the layout of the waterways.
What surprised Ding Fan was that these waterways were arranged according to a reversed Eight Trigrams Great Formation. The Five Elements and Eight Trigrams were already quite complex, and here they were reversed, which clearly indicated that this place was extraordinary.
After checking the reversed arrangement of the Eight Trigrams Formation, Ding Fan carried Zhang Shanlian towards the location of the Life Gate.
In the Cultivation World, Formation setting and Alchemy are basic skills for Cultivators, so this was not a challenge for Ding Fan. He quickly found the exit based on the reversed Eight Trigrams chart.
Ding Fan walked toward the exit, and the terrain gradually rose. Eventually, his head emerged above the water surface.
Ding Fan carefully observed his surroundings and, seeing nothing unusual, he continued forward with Zhang Shanlian on his back as the water became shallower. Soon, Ding Fan walked onto the shore carrying Zhang Shanlian.
After reaching the shore, Ding Fan was quickly captivated by the scenery around him.
The area was filled with unnamed trees that emitted bursts of fragrance, calming the heart of anyone who smelled it.
Through the trees, there was a Flower Field in the distance where birds and butterflies, whose names were unknown, hovered. The peaceful setting with the setting sun resting on the hillside soothed the soul...
"Thank you, young man, for the rescue," Just as Ding Fan was admiring the scenery, Zhang Shanlian on his back spoke.
Ding Fan regained his composure and put Zhang Shanlian down. "It was the right thing to do, no need for thanks."
What Ding Fan said was true, considering that he had accepted the heritage from Wen Yizhou of the Spirit Sect, Ding Fan naturally couldn't ignore the Sect's troubles.
Zhang Shanlian was surprised upon hearing Ding Fan's response.
After all, it was their first meeting, and the other party saved his life without seeking thanks, even declaring it the right thing to do. Zhang Shanlian could not recall any past entanglement with Ding Fan.
"Have we met before?" Zhang Shanlian asked Ding Fan.
Ding Fan shook his head slightly. "I have significant ties with the Spirit Sect, and will explain everything once we're safe."
Zhang Shanlian nodded, understanding now was not the time for such conversations, as Gui Luo was still searching for them outside.
"Where is this place?" Zhang Shanlian looked around.
It was indeed quite curious to find such a place beneath the water.
"Someone is coming," at that moment, Ding Fan said calmly.
Zhang Shanlian used Telekinesis to probe, and indeed, two figures were swiftly approaching their location.
Zhang Shanlian was astonished; Ding Fan detected the approaching figures before him, showcasing a Telekinesis cultivation greater than his own.
The two figures quickly approached Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian.
The attire of the two individuals was quite ancient. Ding Fan had seen some historical dramas on television, and their clothing appeared similar to that of Ming Dynasty people.
"Who are you, and how did you come to be here?" After sizing up Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian, one of them asked.
"We're not evildoers, merely lost and accidentally stumbled upon this place. Please forgive any intrusion," Ding Fan replied.
The cultivation of these two didn't seem weak, having at least the strength of Earth Level Peak. Judging by this, the place might well be one of the Hidden Sects uninvolved with the Secular World.
Ruan Yuan of the Immortal Sect had once mentioned to Ding Fan that the sect was nothing more than a group of Martial Artists who had found a utopian land amidst war turmoil and had established the Immortal Sect.
These couple of individuals dressed as people of the Ming Dynasty indicated that they probably hadn't entered the Secular World for a long while.
"So, you are from the outside world?" One of them asked, eyes lighting up.
The term 'outside world' was somewhat peculiar, but Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian nodded in agreement.
Seeing Ding Fan and Zhang Shanliang confirm they were from the outside world, the two exchanged looks before one of them spoke.
"Gentlemen, we have certain rules here. Please wait while I report your arrival, and we will later welcome you into our village."
Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian had no objections. After all, it was imperative to follow the rules on someone else's turf.
As for concerns about Gui Luo catching up, neither Ding Fan nor Zhang Shanlian were particularly worried.
To know that entering here through the reverse Eight Trigrams is exceedingly ingenious; without decades of research on the Formation, it would have been completely impossible to enter.
It was only with the experience of living two lifetimes that Ding Fan managed to get inside.
The person who went to report didn't take long—after about fifteen minutes, they came running back excitedly.
"Distinguished guests, please come inside."
The fact that this person addressed them as 'distinguished guests' upon returning suggests that the other party probably harbors no ill intentions.
With the two guides leading the way, Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian followed closely behind them.
The two didn't walk long before they passed through a grove and arrived at Flower Field.
Waves of rich fragrance filled the air; breathing it in, the lungs felt remarkably comfortable.
Ding Fan used his Divine Sense to examine the varieties of flowers in Flower Field, noting that these flowers were carefully cultivated, and their scents nourished the lungs.
After passing through Flower Field, they arrived at the entrance of a village.
At the entrance, many people had gathered, their attire quite similar to that of the two guides—clothes from the Ming Dynasty period, even the women and children wore the hairstyles of that era.
"I am Hua Baili, the elder. Welcome, the two esteemed guests," said a short, old man with a walking stick, coming to stand before Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian amidst the crowd.
Hua Baili was certainly hundreds of years old. Ding Fan probed Hua Baili's condition with his Divine Sense and was perplexed to find that Hua Baili had no cultivation whatsoever.
A man without cultivation living for hundreds of years was not only unheard of on Earth but also extremely rare even in the Cultivation World.
"Ding Fan greets the elder," Ding Fan said, showing his respects with Martial Artist courtesy.
"The junior, Zhang Shanlian, greets the elder."
Zhang Shanlian looked to be in his two to three hundred years, but compared to the elder before him, he was still much younger, hence he referred to himself as junior.
"It has been hundreds of years since we had visitors in Hundred Flowers Village. We have prepared some refreshments in the village hall; please have a taste," Hua Baili said with great warmth.
The villagers' smiles were simple and sincere, genuinely so. Not wishing to reject their kindness, Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian accompanied Hua Baili, and the trio, under the watchful eyes of dozens of villagers, made their grand entrance into the village.
Ding Fan didn't find the situation strange, well aware that with no visitors for hundreds of years, people here naturally regarded them as curiosities.
The village hall was situated right in the center of the village.
The entire village was paved with cobblestones, giving it an old-world charm. They made their way there without much delay.
The village hall was a rather impressive building within the village, supported by thirty-two stone pillars.
The pillars were stalwart, whole, and seamless; Ding Fan wondered how they were transported there back in the day.
Inside the hall, two sets of tables and chairs were prepared according to host and guest protocol, with Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian seated at the guests' table.
The guests' table was laid with some unfamiliar fruits, which, based on Ding Fan's experience, likely had been improved by the locals.
As the guests sat down, two young women with teapots approached and served tea.
"This tea is brewed from flowers grown in Flower Field at the entrance of Hundred Flowers Village. Please, have a taste," Hua Baili gestured invitingly to Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian.
Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian each picked up a teacup and sipped the tea with care.
The floral tea was exceedingly fragrant and sweet. As it glided down the throat, it left a refreshing and mellow taste, with a comforting sensation lingering in the chest...
Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian couldn't help but praise the tea in unison.
"Esteemed guests, the fruits on the table are unique to our location; please, try some..."
Thereupon, Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian each tasted a fruit, finding it exceptionally sweet. They again lavished their praises.
"...As you both come from the outside, may this old one inquire about the outside world?" After some pleasantries, Hua Baili's tone shifted as he asked.
"Ask away, and we shall leave no question unanswered," Ding Fan replied.
Hua Baili nodded, then asked, "May I know, is there any hope for the Ming to be restored? Are the Tartars still ruling over our land?"
Ding Fan suddenly felt a strong sensation of time crossing. It seemed the villagers had indeed not ventured outside for quite some time.
Thereupon, Ding Fan narrated to the elder the history of Huaxia Country's modern era he had read from history books after the downfall of the Qing Dynasty.
While Ding Fan addressed the elder, all surrounding villagers listened; when they heard of Huaxia Country's century of being bullied by foreigners and ravaged by wars, they all sighed deeply.
Such earth-shattering changes had taken place outside during these past few hundred years…