Chapter 484: The Past (Part 2)

Even the creator of that Immortal Sect had to spend a great deal of energy and countless years of research to barely achieve the fusion.

But according to the Nether Dragon’s judgment, that ancestor had long since gone mad, his mind utterly twisted by the Source Demon Blood.

Therefore, if Han Yuan wanted to enter the Bronze Immortal Sect, he still had many problems to solve.

First, he had to break through the Nirvana Realm and reach a new state of existence.

Then, he had to adapt to the radiation of the Ancient God Stone. Otherwise, his body would mutate from its corrupting influence and collapse.

With this in mind, Han Yuan didn’t hesitate. He immediately left the Great Demon Palace and headed for the Great Vajra Temple.

With his current Cultivation, a journey that once took over half a month now required only half a day.

He had completely mastered the Earth Evil Power, allowing him to use Divine Powers akin to Earth Escape. A single thought could carry him several miles.

And just like that, he arrived at the Great Vajra Temple and entered the Ninth Layer of the Demon Suppression Tower.

Monk Xu Hai was still guarding the sealed Source Seed Shredded Meat, motionless as a withered tree.

But when he sensed Han Yuan’s presence, he slowly opened his eyes.

“Donor Han… I have heard of your deeds.”

“All the people under heaven will remember your meritorious service.”

Monk Xu Hai placed his palms together and nodded slightly.

“You are too kind, Master… I was only trying to survive.”

Han Yuan shook his head and added, “I’ve come this time to retrieve those two items.”

Monk Xu Hai said softly, “The two items Donor Han left with me are right where you left them. They have not been touched.”

“Thank you for watching over them, Master.” Han Yuan bowed with his fists clasped.

He walked to the corner and picked up the wooden box sealing the Ancient God Stone, as well as the stone statue of the Fat Thief.

“Master… what do you think lies beyond the Nirvana Realm?” Han Yuan asked suddenly, just before he left.

Monk Xu Hai pondered for a moment. “In the Buddhist Sect, one becomes a Buddha after Nirvana.”

“The Taoist Sect has a similar concept: ascending to immortality.”

“So, after transcending Nirvana, one may transform from a human into another kind of being… an existence akin to an Immortal Buddha.”

“Beyond that, I have no further insight to offer you, Donor Han.”

Han Yuan listened, lost in thought. He bowed solemnly with clasped fists. “Many thanks for your guidance, Master.”

Then, he glanced at the Dark Red Wooden Box. “Do you need me to destroy that Source Seed Shredded Meat?”

With his current Cultivation, it would be a simple matter to destroy the Source Seed Shredded Meat sealed inside the red wooden box.

But Xu Hai shook his head. “As long as I am here… nothing will go wrong.”

“For me, guarding this Source Seed Shredded Meat is also a form of cultivation.”

“If it becomes necessary, I will contact you again, Donor Han.”

Han Yuan was somewhat surprised, but he respected Monk Xu Hai’s decision.

Besides, the Source Seed Shredded Meat had been kept in the Great Vajra Temple for many years without incident. Under the current circumstances, as long as Monk Xu Hai was present, nothing was likely to go wrong.

After discussing the matter of Nirvana a little more with Xu Hai, Han Yuan left the Demon Suppression Tower and headed to his next destination.

‘There’s less than a century left… I wonder if I can surpass the limits of my predecessors, break through Nirvana, and forge a new path.’

‘According to Monk Xu Hai, after Nirvana, one becomes an Immortal or a Buddha…’

‘In my understanding, it’s a quantum leap in life itself. After taking that step, you become a completely different form of being.’

‘As for how to actually break through… I’ll need to give that some serious thought.’

Han Yuan’s gaze was profound.

Just then, he pulled a letter from his robes. He seemed to recall something, and a wistful look entered his eyes.

‘Perhaps I should go back for a visit.’

「…」

「Qingshui County.」

「Wang Mansion.」

“Today is the anniversary of your grandfather’s passing. You two little ones, you’d better be on your best behavior.”

“Understand?”

A beautiful woman was with two children, both around five or six years old, reminding them in a soft voice.

The two children were a boy and a girl.

The girl, who seemed slightly older, wore her hair in two cute buns. She shook her head and said, “Don’t worry, Mother! I’ll keep a close eye on my little brother and make sure he doesn’t cause any trouble!”

The boy beside her overheard and immediately piped up in a small, childish voice, “I don’t need you to watch me! Mother, I’ll be good, I promise.”

A man in his late thirties walked out. Hearing this, he couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s rare to see you two little rascals being so obedient.”

“Of course! Grandpa always loved me the most,” the little girl said.

“No! Grandpa loved *me* the most!” the little boy retorted, not wanting to lose.

“No! Grandpa loved *me* the most…” the little girl’s voice rose.

The man quickly intervened, “Alright, alright. He loved you both.”

“Grandpa loved both of you.”

After some placating, the two little ones finally settled down.

Seeing this, the woman gave her husband a helpless smile.

“Let’s go… the carriage is ready outside,” the man said with a gentle laugh.

Each carrying a child, the couple walked out of the mansion.

A carriage was already waiting outside the mansion.

Once the family had boarded, the driver immediately flicked the reins.

The carriage made its way out of Qingshui County Town and stopped by a small grove on the outskirts.

The man led his wife and two children into the woods.

Deep within the woods stood a grave, marked by a stone tablet.

It read: “Tomb of the Beloved Father, Wang Changbai.”

The man took out the offerings they had prepared.

Then came the lighting of incense and candles, and the burning of joss paper…

“Father, times are better now.”

“That good brother of yours has taken care of all the Source Evil Seeds and Evil Demon Seeds.”

“I’m sure you can finally rest in peace.”

The man murmured as he burned the joss paper.

His name was Wang Xu, the son of Wang Changbai.

To be precise, his adopted son.

Wang Changbai never married and lived his whole life without starting a family of his own.

He adopted a homeless orphan and raised him as his own son.

That child was Wang Xu.

At that moment, the man suddenly heard the sound of footsteps.

He looked back to see a plain-looking man he had never met before walking over, carrying two jars of wine.

“You are…”

Wang Xu was taken aback when he saw the man.

“Are you Brother Wang’s son?”

“My name is Qi Hong. I once received a great kindness from Brother Wang.”

“I came here hoping to have a drink with him, but when I asked around in Qingshui County, I was shocked to learn that he had passed away.”

Qi Hong sighed.

“I see.”

Hearing this, Wang Xu had no reason to be suspicious.

That was just the kind of man Wang Changbai was—he would always help someone he saw in trouble.

As he used to say, it was to accumulate good karma.

After putting down the wine jars, Qi Hong respectfully offered three sticks of incense, then took his leave.

“Husband… I feel like that Mr. Qi resembles someone,”

the woman said softly.

“Who does he resemble?”

Wang Xu asked.

“The person in that portrait Father always kept.”

“His features aren’t the same… but I feel his aura is somewhat similar,” the woman said, voicing her thoughts.

“That’s impossible… Why would the man in that portrait ever come back here?” Wang Xu chuckled.

“You’re right… I’m probably just overthinking it,” the woman said with a nod.

「…」 After leaving the woods, Qi Hong returned to Qingshui County.

The place was completely different from the Qingshui County he remembered.

Due to the fall of the Great Ling Dynasty, even Qingshui County had suffered some destruction.

The newly rebuilt Qingshui County was completely transformed.

Yet Qi Hong felt like a stranger here.

He arrived at his former residence.

It too had been completely destroyed, replaced now by a blacksmith’s forge.

A burly, bare-chested young blacksmith was hammering away at a piece of iron, sweat flying from his brow.

Qi Hong merely smiled at the sight and turned to leave.

This was no longer the Qingshui County he knew.

As he walked out of Qingshui County, he couldn’t help but look back one last time and sigh softly, “Times have changed, and nothing is as it was…”

In the next moment, Qi Hong reverted to his true form as Han Yuan.

Han Yuan had come to Qingshui County this time to pay his respects to Wang Changbai and to see his old home again.

Since Qingshui County had changed so much, he no longer felt any lingering attachment to the place.

As he left Qingshui County this time, he knew he would likely never return.