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 mont, a series of booming sounds ca from outside the waterways.
Even without looking back, Ding Fan understood what those booming sounds were - it was Gui Luo hamring at the entrances of these waterways.
However, the entrances of the water paths were extrely solid. Despite being hamred 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 bombardnt, these waterways remained unmovable.
Could this place possibly hold so significant secret?
In the Cultivation World, the entrances of forbidden areas or Ancient Ruins are all ticulously 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 Elents and Eight Trigrams were already quite complex, and here they were reversed, which clearly indicated that this place was extraordinary.
After checking the reversed arrangent 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 erged 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 beca 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 unnad trees that emitted bursts of fragrance, calming the heart of anyone who slled it.
Through the trees, there was a Flower Field in the distance where birds and butterflies, whose nas 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 eting, 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 entanglent with Ding Fan.
"Have we t 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 ti 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.
"Soone is coming," at that mont, 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 so historical dramas on television, and their clothing appeared similar to that of Ming Dynasty people.
"Who are you, and how did you co to be here?" After sizing up Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian, one of them asked.
"We're not evildoers, rely 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 ntioned 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 sowhat peculiar, but Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian nodded in agreent.
Seeing Ding Fan and Zhang Shanliang confirm they were from the outside world, the two exchanged looks before one of them spoke.
"Gentlen, we have certain rules here. Please wait while I report your arrival, and we will later welco you into our village."
Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian had no objections. After all, it was imperative to follow the rules on soone 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 lifetis that Ding Fan managed to get inside.
The person who went to report didn't take long—after about fifteen minutes, they ca running back excitedly.
"Distinguished guests, please co 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 won and children wore the hairstyles of that era.
"I am Hua Baili, the elder. Welco, the two esteed 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 extrely 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 so refreshnts 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 so unfamiliar fruits, which, based on Ding Fan's experience, likely had been improved by the locals.
As the guests sat down, two young won 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 llow taste, with a comforting sensation lingering in the chest...
"Excellent tea..."
"Excellent tea..."
Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian couldn't help but praise the tea in unison.
"Esteed guests, the fruits on the table are unique to our location; please, try so..."
Thereupon, Ding Fan and Zhang Shanlian each tasted a fruit, finding it exceptionally sweet. They again lavished their praises.
"...As you both co from the outside, may this old one inquire about the outside world?" After so 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?"
Restoring the Ming?
Ding Fan suddenly felt a strong sensation of ti crossing. It seed the villagers had indeed not ventured outside for quite so ti.
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…
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