Chapter 272: Entering the Burial Mound

“Alright, since you’ve made your decision, come in with me. The only thing I can warn you about is that inside the Burial Mound of Cultivators, you will encounter a myriad of colorful worlds. Don’t be surprised by anything you encounter, as everyone here poses a potential threat to your lives at any moment.

More importantly, once you enter, the concept of companions will cease to exist. Perhaps you may initially travel together, but as you delve deeper, the shifting paths of your destinies and changing circumstances may lead you to make different choices. Seize control of your own fate; that is the only guidance I can offer you.”

Xu Yang fell into contemplation. However, just as he had said, he was not qualified to make arrangements for others. All he could do was protect them as best as he could within his capabilities.

“Senior, I only have one question: How can we prove that we have successfully escaped and left this Burial Mound of Cultivators?”

The elder quickly provided an answer to Xu Yang’s question.

“It’s simple. When you see nine colors of light shining simultaneously and hear eighteen bell chimes, a mountain path leading to the Carefree Dao Sect will appear before you. That will signify you have passed the trial of the Burial Mound of Cultivators. Remember, everything inside the Burial Mound of Cultivators is real, including the magical artifacts you find and anything left behind by fallen cultivators. All will be your spoils of war.”

Everyone gradually understood that this place was a vast treasure trove, a tomb piled high with the corpses of countless senior cultivators. Temptation and danger coexisted, opportunity and death walked hand in hand. Only by demonstrating their strongest abilities as protection could they hope to successfully pass through.

If they could emerge alive, each person might experience a new growth and transformation. If not, it would simply be a dead end.

“We are ready, Senior. We appreciate your efforts.”

Although the elder was merely a soul body, his aura exuded an unfathomable depth and serenity. After a slight nod, his soul body radiated a brilliant golden light, and a portal appeared out of thin air at the end of the valley before them, emitting an incredibly powerful, devouring aura.

“Step inside and embrace the trial of your respective destinies. This Burial Mound of Cultivators has existed for hundreds of thousands of years, burying countless heroic figures from this continent. Again, I say, act within your capabilities and never be insatiably greedy.”

The group entered one by one. Xu Yang, following his usual custom, was the last to enter, acting as a rear guard.

Just as he was about to step in as the last one, the elder, whose soul light shimmered with gold, suddenly called out to Xu Yang.

“Young friend…”

“Senior?” Xu Yang turned his head calmly, as if he had already anticipated what the old man would say to him. Unbeknownst to many, this resonance wasn’t some special divine ability, but rather an innate insight possessed only after both individuals had reached the Dao level.

“Do you know what the higher realm beyond the Heart Approaching Dao is?”

Xu Yang shook his head helplessly. “To be honest, Senior, my so-called Heart Approaching Dao doesn’t seem as miraculous as one might imagine. The reason I can control the power of the Dao is related to my own cultivation method. It’s a Dao I created myself, and I can use it with equal ease.”

“No, you are mistaken! You cannot yet fully comprehend the function of the Heart Approaching Dao. After entering this battlefield, should you ever feel truly lost, remember that the rules of the myriad Daos of heaven and earth may provide you with the most accurate guidance. As long as there is Dao in your heart, Dao will be everywhere.”

These words sounded profound and mysterious; had the younger cultivators been present, they would surely have been bewildered. However, Xu Yang, who was at the same level as the elder, was greatly astonished by his words.

Even though he had now created the Dao of Creation and Yin-Yang, supplemented by near-Dao instincts like the Dharma Manifestation of Heaven and Earth, which clarified his previously chaotic cultivation path, Xu Yang still considered himself a beginner in understanding the laws of the Heavenly Dao. This was because, apart from his own Dao, he was still unable to control the Dao of Heaven and Earth, finding it difficult even to comprehend or communicate with it.

However, after hearing the mysterious elder’s words, Xu Yang instantly felt as if enlightened, becoming exceptionally clear-headed.

“Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I am enlightened!”

As Xu Yang stepped through the shimmering portal, the elder’s eyes momentarily glazed over, and he couldn’t help but sigh softly, “I hope he can overcome the difficulties I faced in my time and become the sole supreme master of myriad Daos, unmatched through the ages!”

Whoosh… His soul light flickered gently, transforming into countless golden specks of light that returned to the giant boulder.

When Xu Yang finally stepped into the Burial Mound of Cultivators, the sight that met his eyes utterly shocked him.

This was truly a graveyard!

There were no elaborate tombstones as one might imagine, and no one had left names for the countless scattered bones.

All they saw were countless magical artifacts shimmering with light on the ground, beckoning to Xu Yang and his team.

“Heavens… Could it be that we’ve struck it rich? There are at least tens of thousands of divine materials of heaven and earth here! Any random artifact is a top-grade item, Boss! We’re rich!”

Long Kun was so excited he nearly cried out, and the others were similarly overwhelmed with surprise. Only Xu Yang remained calm, gazing at the scene before him.

“Don’t forget, the senior just warned us not to be greedy. Remember my words: each person is only allowed to take one artifact, the one that suits them best. This is an order; no one is to be greedy!”

It was rare to see Xu Yang so serious. Although the others were somewhat reluctant, none defied their leader Xu Yang’s instruction, as they all knew it was for their own good.

“This sword, though it emits no light, clearly belonged to a supreme sword master. Perhaps it can help me forge my Sword Heart.”

Ling Yao’s thinking was indeed typical of an eccentric genius. She disregarded the multitude of shimmering lights on the ground, instead using her understanding of sword intent to pinpoint this ancient sword, which appeared to be the most ordinary.

The moment her hand clasped the sword, the ancient, rustic sword light, as if sealed in dust, awakened.

After gently wiping the blade, the dust fell away, revealing two characters engraved on the sword’s body.

“Kuyun!”

“What? This… this sword, is it the sword of the ancient Sword Saint Kuyun?”

Despite Ling Yao’s remarkably steady composure, seeing these two characters stirred immense waves deep within her.

Clang!

At that very moment, a noticeable change occurred in Ling Yao’s body, as if she were locked by the light emanating from the ancient sword. Immediately afterward, a similar golden radiance also appeared on Ling Yao’s forehead, confining her entire being within a special void space. It was like a unique method of reception after being chosen, except the space around this golden light was already restrained by an incredibly powerful force of law.