Chapter 736: See You at the Bound of Universe!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Dugu Chou's words were vile, but he loathed Feng Xiange's impostor to the core, thus the barbed, scathing words.
There was still no reply from the opposing party. The seventeen people rose in unison, swiftly disappearing after a brief moment. While they were incredibly furious, jaws clenched tight from rage, they still had to leave.
Tiantang City was not a good choice of venue to fight with Ling Xiaozui and his group.
Other than their individual capabilities, timing and location were factors that could significantly affect the final outcome of a battle among pinnacle forces. Facing Ling Xiaozui's trio, they had lost the element of surprise and the advantage of location; not only was the chance of victory slim, but there was also the mysterious Residence of Nine Supremes – the Residence of Nine Supremes could retaliate and kill them all at any time. Seeking their own deaths once was one time too many; no one wanted to be the next Liang Canghai!
Watching the Four Seasons Tower's men leave, Ling Xiaozui scoffed before he shifted his gaze to Gu Chaliang. "Brother Gu, can you explain what's happening now?"
Dugu Chou looked over as well.
The matters of the Residence of Nine Supremes, the purple jade flute and others were already beyond the pair's knowledge. Even when the two of them had gained considerable benefits from the incident, they still felt the need to comprehend the entire story behind the episode.
Gu Chaliang coughed, meticulously sorting through what he knew in his mind, and said, "Actually, I'm not entirely sure about this matter. At most, I am half conversant with the situation."
"Back then, I was just an ordinary youth, originating from an insignificant school. One day, I went out to manage some tasks, but when I returned, the sect was already wiped out. Not a single person survived. Despite the luck of temporarily escaping extermination, I wasn't exempted from the fate of being pursued. I fell over a cliff then, being at the most critical point of my lifetime… but it was then that…"
A glimpse of memory colored Gu Chaliang's eyes as he recounted his history, "It was this purple jade flute that appeared out of the blue before me. Then, I was falling down the cliff and the purple jade flute asked me, 'Do you want to die?'."
Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou were speechless for a moment, too stunned to say anything.
The man was already falling down the cliff in midair – who would want to die? How critical must that instant have been? Was there really time to think or even answer this question?
A hint of a humorless grin fled across Gu Chaliang's face as well. "Back then, I was only a youth who'd just started his cultivation journey not too long before. Out of an instinctual greed for life, I shouted without even thinking – I don't want to die, I don't want to die… Then, the purple jade flute began to glow brightly, bringing me up and leaving me on the ground unscathed. I was forced down a cliff then – when I finally landed safely, I was this close to losing my mind. Only a single, crystal-clear thought stayed within me; the purple jade flute was extraordinary…"
"After that, the purple jade flute passed to me an inheritance; the cultivation method I've cultivated all my life. Still, the voice did not consider things complete after handing me the cultivation method but continued to carefully instruct me on how to cultivate. The whole month of teaching allowed me to widen my horizons, but after that single month, the voice told me that my lack of talent had disabled me from inheriting the legacy."
"Nonetheless, what I learned in that one month was sufficient for me to take the martial world by storm and create a legend out of myself… Then, the voice made me promise in all seriousness that one day in the future when I complete an assignment, there will come a subsequent method that could continue the cultivation method I learn. By then, my cultivation journey would have hope for an advancement and come closer to the nine heavens."
"Cultivation method? Nearer to the nine heavens?" Dugu Chou asked carefully.
"Yes, this is my story. Unfortunately, I can't tell you the name of the cultivation method," Gu Chaliang said apologetically.
"Of course," Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou expressed their understanding and said, "We're more interested in the voice's assignment to you."
"The voice assigned a total of two tasks to me. The first is when the restoration happens, I am to return the purple jade flute," Gu Chaliang said, "This task is completed now, but it's a pity that I didn't return it with my own hands. If it had been me personally, the following benefits that came from the Residence of Nine Supremes would have belonged to me and me alone."
Gu Chaliang looked regretful while Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou chortled, a little embarrassed. Indeed, it should have been Gu Chaliang's personal destiny, but it was now shared among the three of them.
Dugu Chou asked curiously, "What about the second task? Is it related to what you mentioned about being closer to the nine heavens?"
"Perhaps. The second task is for me to… assist a person in confidence. I've already told you my biggest secret. Now, I have to bid farewell to the both of you. If fate so decides, we shall meet again," answered Gu Chaliang.
Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou looked thoughtful for a short moment before their gazes turned grateful. The information Gu Chaliang had disclosed to the two of them was indeed significant.
"Farewell? Where are you going?" asked Ling Xiaozui.
"The worldly affairs of Tianxuan are done now. I am heading to the Bound of Universe to wait for the arrival of my next destiny," Gu Chaliang chuckled and said, "For things to unfold up to this point, there's no more room for alteration in Tianxuan's set path. Even when there should be some ruffles and bumps, they won't take up too much time. Maybe the both of you should plan in advance as well."
"Bound of Universe…" Dugu Chou mumbled.
He glanced at Ling Xiaozui and said, "Back in the day, I actually had the opportunity to enter the Bound of Universe, but I've given up on it myself."
"Why?" Gu Chaliang was aware of the answer the moment the question slipped out from him.
By virtue of a soulmate, halted a step before the clouds – this was most probably the case that had taken place in the past.
"I was afraid that my late wife would be lonely, thus I decided to keep her company for five hundred years," Dugu Chou sighed after a humorless chortle.
Gu Chaliang and Ling Xiaozui sighed as well, exchanging knowing glances. The world knew of Dugu Chou's devotion. Even after a few centuries had passed, a few hundred rotations of seasons had gone by, his dedication still remained unflinching.
Such a man, such faithfulness and romance, was absolutely worthy of the world's admiration and would cause any other man to feel remorseful.
"The Bound of Universe is not entirely a stranger to me, but I wanted to go only after some more improvement. Despite the progress I gained from this episode, the advancement came too abruptly. I have to digest and thoroughly absorb it as my own before I can go further."
Ling Xiaozui laughed dryly and said, "The Bound of Universe is a whole new world, ranking above Tianxuan. The plethora of experts and proficient cultivators, the amazing talents, could be seen everywhere. While we can summon a part of the world in Tianxuan Continent, even if we aren't ordinary characters in the martial world, when we've gone to the Bound of Universe, we're no longer considered pinnacles. It would be better to make certain of our own abilities first."
Dugu Chou nodded in agreement since his thoughts mirrored that of Ling Xiaozui's.
Gu Chaliang's gaze shifted from one man to another and he spoke with a grin, "What happened to our initial intention of entering the martial world? Could there be no more courage to start over again after going to the Bound of Universe? What does it matter if we aren't the peak forces anymore?"
The pair was shocked and somewhat moved by Gu Chaliang's words.
"I will now depart for the Bound of Universe first. I shall anticipate both of your arrivals." Gu Chaliang beamed. "By then…"
He let out a hearty laugh and left with a quick. He had actually left without even finishing his sentence!