Chapter 271: Heavenly Talent

Landing at the foot of Xiaoyao Peak, Xu Yang and his group quickly found a valley entrance filled with mystical light. As they approached, they soon discovered that flying was impossible here; it was a true no-fly zone!

This indicated that the area around the valley was protected by an incredibly powerful Dao-level restriction!

“Oh! This aura…”

Before Xu Yang and the others could react, Xiao Tian, who had been the quietest among them, suddenly broke free from Bai Lianxue's embrace and darted into the valley, seemingly drawn by the aura.

Worried that the girl might act impulsively and get into danger, Xu Yang and the others quickly followed. Soon, they saw an ancient boulder, seemingly millions of years old, resting in the middle of the valley.

Xiao Tian was now quietly gazing at the stone, leaning in to gently caress it.

“I can feel it,” she said. “The aura of that old Daoist master from back then is exactly the same as yours! What’s going on?”

Tears welled up in Xiao Tian’s bright eyes, leaving everyone present stunned.

Finally, a green light slowly emerged from within the boulder, gradually forming the silhouette of an old man. He affectionately caressed Xiao Tian's body; although it was an ethereal touch, Xiao Tian could still feel his presence.

“It’s really you, Daoist master!!”

Xiao Tian looked up, and the benevolent face truly appeared. Tears of excitement streamed down her face as she hugged the old man’s ethereal form tightly, her profound happiness unspeakable.

Ordinarily, even within Xu Yang's group, Xiao Tian was quite aloof. Apart from Bai Lianxue and Little Tuantuan, she sometimes even dared to ignore Xu Yang, which was understandable given her unique background and independent nature.

Yet now, the girl had completely transformed into a docile little girl, playfully snuggling in her grandfather's embrace, utterly devoid of the mystical aura of the Nine-Petal Heavenward Plant.

“Little one, you've grown up! Hundreds of thousands of years, truly just the blink of an eye…”

Everyone was astonished, staring at the old man, who was merely a soul, with disbelief. They were too shocked to speak.

It was known that even the most powerful human cultivators could not sustain their souls for long without a physical body. Yet, this green soul-light before them had managed to remain here for hundreds of thousands of years, supported only by a boulder. This was truly terrifying!

“Grandpa Daoist, can you tell me why you’re like this now?”

The old man smiled kindly. “Because I have an unfulfilled mission, I must guard this place. A mortal human body is no longer sufficient for me to complete such a task, so I had no choice but to entrust my soul to this ancient, unyielding stone. This allows me to continue guarding the valley entrance. However, without a physical body, I cannot move, and so I haven’t been able to visit you all these years.”

Even Xu Yang, a peerless genius, couldn't help but nod repeatedly in astonishment.

Such profound mastery of creation—perhaps that phrase was coined to describe this old man…

Perhaps sensing a unique aura, the old man slowly turned, his gaze immediately settling on Xu Yang.

“A heart close to the Dao? Excellent. Little Tian, are these people your friends?”

Xiao Tian pouted, wanting to say something, but ultimately just sighed and nodded. “I suppose so.”

“Hahaha… If that’s truly the case, then perhaps my mission is not far from completion. You all came here to enter the Burial Mound of Cultivators, didn't you?”

Xu Yang pondered for a moment, then nodded gravely, not forgetting to cup his hands in a respectful salute to the old man. “Senior, may I ask if a group from Northern Jin also arrived here earlier?”

The old man maintained his benevolent smile, but this time, he didn't give Xu Yang a direct answer.

“To be frank, young friends,” the old man began, “this Burial Mound of Cultivators is a Daoist training ground of the Xiaoyao Sect. The Sect Master has decreed that any cultivators wishing to enter here do so at their own peril, and they shall not be hindered. If you manage to emerge alive, you will be qualified to become honored guests of the Xiaoyao Sect and pursue whatever you wish thereafter.

If you do not wish to take this risk, you may leave now. But if you forcefully intrude, you will face devastating consequences.”

From start to finish, the old man displayed no hint of sharpness. He truly seemed like an ordinary, ancient grandfather, as if even a gust of wind could scatter his soul.

However, Xu Yang and the others understood that this mysterious old man was likely one of the most formidable beings in the world…

If for no other reason, the mere fact that his soul could perfectly reside within a stone and live for hundreds of thousands of years was unfathomable to mortals. Such mastery of creation was beyond imagination.

“It seems the Xiaoyao Sect is far deeper than we imagined,” Xu Yang mused aloud. “Although the senior isn't willing to give us specific information, now that we’re here, wouldn't it be a pity not to go in and explore?”

Xu Yang turned to face his companions. “This place is extremely dangerous, and it’s not suitable for everyone to enter together. Even a slight misstep could lead to death and the dissipation of your Dao. If you prefer to stay behind, I believe that with this senior's aura protecting you, you would be safe, even if you encounter Tuoba Yun and his group.”

“Alright, boss!” Long Kun interjected. “Our lives were saved by you and the Empress. Without you, we would have been dead in the East Sea long ago. There’s no way we’re letting you risk it alone now, especially with how dangerous this place is and the great opportunities it must hold. Aren’t you stopping us from seeking our own fortune? Hahaha!”

Long Kun’s reasoning left Xu Yang laughing and crying at the same time.

Xu Yang, of course, understood that Long Kun, like the others, was determined to follow out of concern for him; the talk about seeking opportunities was just Long Kun’s playful teasing.

But from another perspective, did he truly have the right to decide others’ fates? A truly capable leader should lead everyone together and be able to protect them in times of danger. That was what he should do!

“Perhaps you’re right, young man,” Xu Yang said. “My role is to provide protection and support when you need it, not to close the door that might change your destiny from the outset. In that case, through mountains of blades and seas of fire, we shall walk side by side!”

This time, everyone's eyes lit up, not for the chance to gain some fortune, but because Xu Yang's words had thoroughly ignited a fervent passion within the entire group.

From beginning to end, the old man had been watching Xu Yang, never taking his attention off him for a moment. It wasn't until he heard Xu Yang speak those words that he finally revealed a satisfied smile.

“Hundreds of thousands of years of waiting may truly come to an end in the near future. This young man, Xu Yang, truly possesses a divine and extraordinary bearing.”