bdsm-fiction Page 268
Page 268
Just as Zhao De and his companions were about to enter the forest, a ragged old beggar blocked their way. The old beggar had a cunning look in his eyes and chuckled, "Young friends, if you wish to enter Yunyin, you must first pass this old man's test."
Zhao De frowned slightly, about to ask a question, when the old beggar waved his hand and continued speaking to himself: "Although I am an unknown nobody, I have done quite a bit of research on the affairs of Yunyin Mountain. If you can answer one of my questions, I will give you a precious fragment of a map, which will be of great benefit to your treasure hunt."
"Please ask," Lin Wan stepped forward, her attitude sincere.
The old beggar smiled slyly and posed his question: "Deep in the Cloud Hidden Mountain, there is a living spring whose water can cure all diseases, but it also contains a deadly poison. How can one tell whether this water is a blessing or a curse?"
Zhao De pondered for a moment and replied, "Water itself is neither good nor evil; the key lies in the user's heart. For the wise, water is like sweet rain; for the foolish, water becomes poison. Is this answer satisfactory, sir?"
The old beggar laughed heartily upon hearing this, nodded approvingly, and pulled a yellowed piece of paper from his pocket, handing it to Zhao De: "Young man, you have insight. This fragment is a gift to you; it will guide you to a crucial clue."
Chapter 548 Danger
Chapter 548 Danger
Taking the fragment, Zhao De pondered to himself what awaited them ahead. They continued forward, each step bringing them closer to the legendary manual, but also plunging them deeper into a vortex of the unknown and danger.
Lin Wan looked at the fragment of the map in her hand, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement: "The route drawn on this fragment is so complicated. It seems that we are about to step into not only the unknown of geography, but also the intertwining of history and legend."
Just as the two were about to follow the map, a passing woodcutter stopped and stared at the fragment in Zhao De's hand for a long time. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Where did you two get this treasure? I've been chopping wood in these mountains for decades and I've never seen a map like this before."
Zhao De smiled slightly, but instead of answering directly, he asked, "Brother, are you familiar with this Cloud Hidden Mountain?"
The woodcutter scratched his head and chuckled, "I wouldn't say I'm familiar with it, but I've heard a bit about it. The older generation says that there are rare and exotic animals in the mountains, and mysterious mechanisms and formations guard secrets that no one knows."
Lin Wan's eyes lit up, and she asked, "Then, brother, do you know who this person is, the one marked on this map?"
The woodcutter leaned closer to examine it closely, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Huh? This... isn't this the entrance to the legendary 'Hidden Valley in the Mist'? I've heard that ancient wisdom is hidden there, and mortals can't easily enter."
Upon hearing this, Zhao De's curiosity and desire grew even stronger. He bowed to the woodcutter and thanked him, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, brother. We will certainly be careful."
The two bid farewell to the woodcutter, and as they ventured deeper, the surrounding scenery gradually became strange and ever-changing. One moment they were shrouded in mist, the next, wildflowers bloomed everywhere, as if they were traveling through a dream world. Just then, they encountered a young girl drawing water by a stream. She glanced at the fragment of the map in Zhao De's hand, a strange light flashing in her eyes: "Have you two come for that long-lost martial arts manual?"
Lin Wan was taken aback, then asked warily, "How did you know, Miss?"
The girl smiled gently, like a spring breeze blowing across a lake: "In this Hidden Cloud Mountain, few do not come for the legendary secret. However, the journey is treacherous, and the secret manual is imbued with spirit; only those with unwavering will and noble character can obtain it."
Zhao De stepped forward and said solemnly, "Although Wan'er and I dare not claim to be noble, we are righteous and determined to uncover the truth behind this and save the world from suffering."
Upon hearing this, the girl's eyes flashed, and she handed over a small jade bottle: "The water in this bottle is specially made by my secluded valley. After drinking it, it can temporarily enhance your physique and give you an advantage. Remember, true power comes from the purity and strength of your heart."
Grateful, the two continued their journey. Every mark on the map seemed to guide them through hardships and dangers until they reached a hidden cave. The entrance was entwined with vines, like a natural barrier, concealing an unknown secret.
Just as Zhao De and Lin Wan were about to enter the cave to explore, a low voice faintly came from inside, causing the two to stop in their tracks.
"If this 'Cloud Concealment Technique' falls into the hands of outsiders, the consequences will be unimaginable..."
"But those two seem to be blessed with destiny; perhaps they can be our turning point..."
Zhao De and Lin Wan exchanged a glance, their eyes reflecting each other's determination and unwavering resolve. They knew that once they stepped into this cave, they would be met with the torrent of fate, and the outcome would be determined solely by their own hands.
Chapter 549 Cloud Concealment Technique
Chapter 549 Cloud Concealment Technique
“Let’s go. No matter what lies ahead, we will fight side by side,” Lin Wan said softly.
Zhao De clenched his fists and nodded firmly: "Yes, for the truth, for the well-being of more people, we have no way out."
The moment they stepped into the cave, the light dimmed abruptly, and a chilling, damp air rushed towards them. Zhao De took out a tinderbox, flicked it gently, and the flickering flame barely illuminated the winding stone path ahead. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the silent cave, each step feeling like they were treading on the edge of the unknown and adventure.
As they walked, Zhao De suddenly noticed ancient totems carved on the cave walls. These totems emitted a faint blue light, as if they contained some kind of mysterious power. "These totems seem like guidance, yet also like warnings," he murmured, his eyes filled with curiosity and caution.
Lin Wan reached out and touched one of the totems. The moment her fingertips touched it, the totem shone brightly, followed by a deep humming sound that seemed to shake the entire cave. "This is..." Before she could finish speaking, the ground suddenly cracked open, and the two jumped back in alarm. A bottomless pit appeared before them, filled with a chilling aura.
Just then, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows. It was Zhao De, with white hair and beard, holding a dragon-carved cane, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. "Outsiders, your ability to break the thousand-year seal proves you are extraordinary. But the secrets of the 'Cloud Concealment Technique' are not something ordinary people can bear."
Zhao De and Lin Wan exchanged a glance, their attitudes resolute. "Senior, we have no intention of vying for any secret manuals; we only hope to unravel the mysteries that plague the world and restore peace to humanity," Zhao De said sincerely.
Zhao De's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "What a young man with the world in his heart. Since that's the case, I will give you a test. There is a trial ground deep in the cave. Those who pass will know everything."
Guided by Zhao De, the two ventured deeper into the cave and finally arrived at a spacious underground space. This space was filled with intricate mechanisms, and in the center floated a crystal-clear jade slip, emitting a gentle light—clearly the location of the "Cloud Concealment Technique."
Just as Zhao De reached out to grab it, the sound of mechanisms activating suddenly filled the air, and countless arrows flew in from all directions. The two moved nimbly, relying on their ever-improving physique and teamwork to escape danger time and time again, causing Zhao De, who was observing silently from the sidelines, to smile with satisfaction.
After a fierce battle, the rain of arrows ceased, and Zhao De finally obtained the jade slip. Just as he was preparing to study its mysteries, a loud noise suddenly came from the top of the cave, as if something was about to burst out of the ground.
"Quick! We have to get out of here!" Lin Wan shouted anxiously, pulling Zhao De along the way they came.
The moment they escaped the cave, a deafening roar echoed behind them as the cave collapsed completely. Zhao De's figure vanished with the wind, leaving only a faint whisper: "You must walk your own path in the future."
Having escaped, Zhao De and Lin Wan sat on a boulder, speechless. The jade slip in their hands seemed to silently speak of the challenges and opportunities to come.
"What should we do next?" Lin Wan asked softly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and unease about the unknown.
Zhao De gripped the jade slip tightly, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination: "No matter what lies ahead, as long as we uphold justice and forge ahead bravely, light will always await us. Moreover, the secrets of the *Cloud Concealment Technique* might just be the key to our fight against darkness."
Chapter 550 Gods Fighting
Chapter 550 Gods Fighting
Just as the two were about to get up and continue their journey, in a village not far away, several villagers sat together, whispering about the strange and unusual things that had happened recently.
"I heard that there are gods fighting in the mountains, and the sky and earth are shaking. The power of that battle is incredible!"
"A deity? I think it's some hero ridding the people of evil."
"A hero? What kind of person must they be to stir up the world? I really want to meet one!"
"Hey, have you heard? The two who escaped that night, I heard one of them is incredibly skilled. He brought a girl with him, and the two of them disappeared in the blink of an eye." A young villager interjected excitedly, his face full of admiration.
"Are you telling the truth? If those two came out of that chaos, they must be extraordinary." An elderly villager stroked his beard, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "I've lived most of my life and heard a lot of strange things in the mountains, but seeing heroes with my own eyes is a first for me."
"Indeed, when has our little town ever seen such remarkable figures? The man was incredibly handsome, and the woman was exceptionally beautiful, like they stepped right out of a painting." A woman gestured as she spoke, and the people around her listened with rapt attention.
As the villagers discussed and imagined what heroes and valiant men might look like, Zhao De and Lin Wan quietly approached the village. They decided to stay there first, gather information about the outside world, and rest.
"Brother, is there any news around here lately? Like rare treasures or the appearance of a master?" Zhao De politely asked a man who was repairing farm tools, deliberately concealing his identity.
The man looked up, paused for a moment, then his eyes lit up, and he laughed, “Oh, you two friends from out of town, you’ve come to the right people. I heard that the commotion a few nights ago was caused by two experts like you. Everyone in the village is saying that a deity descended to earth and punished the demons in the mountains.”
Zhao De and Lin Wan exchanged a smile, secretly relieved that their whereabouts hadn't been completely exposed. Lin Wan asked curiously, "Brother, have you heard of the 'Cloud Concealment Technique'? Or do you have any information about ancient cultivation methods?"
Upon hearing this question, the villagers who had been chatting quietly fell silent, casting expectant glances at him. The man thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I haven't heard much about this 'Cloud Concealment Technique.' However, Old Man Li at the east end of the village has a large collection of ancient books; perhaps he knows something about it."
Having obtained the clue, Zhao De and Lin Wan thanked everyone and decided to visit Old Man Li at the east end of the village. When they stepped into Old Man Li's simple yet scholarly courtyard, they saw an elderly man with gray hair but sharp eyes flipping through a yellowed book.
"What brings you two young people here?" Old Man Li put down his book and asked with a gentle gaze.
Zhao De explained his purpose and showed the jade slip in his hand. Old Man Li's eyes lit up. He took the jade slip and examined it carefully. After a moment, he sighed softly: "This thing is extraordinary. If you can unlock its secrets, you will definitely be able to make further progress on the path of cultivation. However, the Cloud Concealment Technique is an ancient lost art. Although I have heard of it, I have never seen it."
Just as everyone was immersed in regret, Old Man Li suddenly smiled mysteriously: "However, I have a fragmented ancient book here, which contains some clues related to the 'Cloud Concealment Technique,' which may be of some help to you."
Chapter 551 Clues to Rewriting Fate
Chapter 551 Clues to Rewriting Fate
Upon hearing this, Zhao De and Lin Wan's eyes rekindled with hope. Old Man Li slowly unfurled the tattered scroll, and as line after line of ancient text came into view, a forgotten history seemed to gradually awaken…
"Remember, the path to immortality is long and arduous; what matters most is willpower and perseverance. The jade slips and this tattered scroll in your hands may be the key to unlocking a new world, or they may become the seeds of destruction," Old Man Li said earnestly.
As the sun set, Zhao De and Lin Wan bid farewell to Old Man Li, holding the clues that could potentially rewrite their fate, their hearts filled with both excitement and trepidation.
"It seems our journey has only just begun." Zhao De gripped Lin Wan's hand tightly, his eyes gleaming with unyielding spirit.
As night fell, the village returned to tranquility, broken only by the occasional bark of a dog. Zhao De and Lin Wan walked back to the inn, their excited yet nervous faces illuminated by the sparse lights on either side. Passersby cast curious glances and murmurs of conversation filled the air.
"Look at those two, holding hands. I wonder what treasure they've gotten from somewhere?" muttered an uncle carrying firewood, a hint of jealousy flashing in his eyes.
"Yes, especially that man. I heard he's a cultivator! It's rare to see such an important person in our small town." A woman selling vegetables nearby covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes full of envy.
"Cultivators? Is that really true? Sigh, that's all we'll ever be in our lives, how can we compare to them?" A ragged old beggar shook his head, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.
Zhao De and Lin Wan ignored the reactions of the passersby, their minds already preoccupied with the adventure that was about to unfold. Back at the inn, the two eagerly began studying the tattered ancient book by the dim candlelight, trying to find any clues to the "Cloud Concealment Technique."
“‘Clouds hide in the sky, their form unseen; wind moves without a trace, only the heart's direction remains…’ This passage feels like the beginning of a cultivation technique, but the specifics of how to practice it are not detailed.” Lin Wan read softly, her brows furrowed.
Zhao De pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "Wan'er, I remember Old Man Li said that the path to immortality lies in willpower and perseverance. Perhaps this 'Cloud Concealment Technique' is not just a set of martial arts skills, but also a mental cultivation method that requires us to cultivate both internal and external aspects and to unite our mind and will."
"You mean..." Lin Wan looked up, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes.
“Yes, we need to practice this principle in our daily lives, letting our hearts move with the wind, hide in the clouds, and not be disturbed by external things. In this way, perhaps we can gradually understand its true meaning,” Zhao De said firmly.
In the days that followed, Zhao De and Lin Wan became frequent visitors to the village, and their words and actions gradually attracted more attention. They helped the villagers chop wood and carry water, but they would always appear and disappear unintentionally, drawing gasps of amazement from passersby.
"Look, Young Master Zhao and Miss Lin seem to be practicing some strange martial arts again." An old woman carrying a bamboo basket stopped and pointed in surprise at Zhao De, who was carrying timber but always seemed to leave a faint shadow in the sunlight.
"This isn't strange, it's profound! Maybe they really can become immortals!" The child next to him blinked his big eyes, his face full of admiration.
One morning a month later, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the thin mist and shone on Zhao De and Lin Wan, the two of them, in full view of everyone, completely merged into the breeze, leaving only a soft hem of their clothing fluttering gently.
Chapter 552 Cultivators
Chapter 552 Cultivators.
"Is...is this really a cultivator?" A low exclamation arose from the crowd, their surprise and shock evident.
Just then, Zhao De's voice seemed to come from all directions: "Thank you all for your care during this time. We still have a long way to go, and the unknown world is waiting for us to explore."