Although Ni Xueming was not from the direct line of descent and was only part of the five-generation system’s branch, he was still an elder in the clan. Based on his cultivation base of Yang Grade, he had a place in the Ni family.
As such, as long as he gave the orders, Ou Yangming could have a comfortable stay here.
“Thank you for your kindness, senior, but I’m very satisfied with his room,” Ou Yangming quickly said, then asked after a moment of hesitation, “May I ask when I’ll be entering the Chaos Cave tomorrow morning?”
Ni Xueming was stunned, but he quickly understood that it was an instruction given by the great ancestor.
He chuckled and answered, “Just get some good rest for now, and try your best to replenish your lost energy. As for what will happen tomorrow, the great ancestor has made arrangements, and you definitely won’t be disappointed.” Ou Yangming nodded slightly. Even though he wanted to seize every minute and second by entering the so-called Chaos Cave right away, since the Ni family did not allow him to, he could not be too proactive or they might be suspicious, which would not be good. Ni Xueming turned around, but just as he was about to leave, he could not help but ask, “Ou Yangming, do you really not know?” Ou Yangming’s heart skipped a beat, and he thought, ‘It’s finally here.’
Fortunately, he was well-prepared, thus he asked in reply to the elder as if he was confused, “Know what?”
Ni Xueming stared at him closely, but could not notice anything strange from his face, so he let out a hollow laugh and said, “Nothing, I’ll be leaving. Please have a good rest.” Following that, he turned to leave in a hurry. The elder was feeling rather gloomy because he failed to see if Ou Yangming really had no idea or if he was simply pretending.
Ou Yangming turned to close the door, and he exhaled deeply as soon as he did.
Though he had pulled it off earlier, his back was already drenched in a cold sweat. If Ni Xueming had stayed any longer, perhaps he would be able to notice a clue.
Ou Yangming slapped his forehead and thought, ‘Ni Yinghong is indeed…’ Subsequently, he suppressed the thought as he dared not think about it in detail.
Suddenly, Ou Yangming was alarmed. It was a feeling of extreme danger, as though he was being eyed by something powerful.
Despite that, he was glad that the powerful being was not powerful enough to fight him.
As Ou Yangming breathed steadily, he swayed his body a little. Each time he swayed, his body seemed to be interacting with his surroundings on a certain level, allowing his body to blend in with the environment around him.
It was the integration of Heaven and man, and this was the most mysterious thing about it.
If he fully released the energy, it would be when he would counterattack.
That said, a dog’s bark was heard out of the blue.
“Woof!”
Ou Yangming instantly stopped the aura from the integration of Heaven and man because he quickly figured what was spying him.
After all, he was in the Ni residence. How could other powerhouses sneak in easily to spy on him? It must be someone or something from the Ni family.
A sound of the wind was suddenly heard coming from behind Ou Yangming, and he flashed to hide without thinking.
The big yellow dog had arrived in an aggressive manner, and it opened its mouth after seeing Ou Yangming hide.
Its mouth seemed to have turned into a fearsome bloody mouth at that instant, which was way beyond the extent a normal dog could open its mouth to. Besides, its large mouth seemed to be generating something as it released a hair-raising aura. Ou Yangming immediately widened his eyes. He was highly focused and felt nervous.
This was because he sensed a strong crisis that seemed to be a few times more dangerous than what he felt before, and he was certain that the big yellow dog’s mouth was not a bluff, but mighty energy that was similar to a killing weapon.
However, Ou Yangming could not identify it due to his limited knowledge.
The big yellow dog left its mouth open, but was clearly hesitant. At last, it glared at Ou Yangming before closing its mouth. Ou Yangming sighed a breath of relief when the dog closed its mouth, and he seemed as if he had just survived a huge crisis.“Woof!”
The big yellow dog barked at Ou Yangming once more, then took two steps outside. Seeing as Ou Yangming was indifferent, it could not help but bark again.
This time, as dumb as Ou Yangming was, he understood it.
He asked in shock, “Are you asking me to follow you?”
The big yellow dog nodded like a human.
Ou Yangming furrowed his eyebrows as he was hesitant. Ni Jingtong had asked him to rest before entering the forbidden area, yet the big yellow dog-a half-spirit beast—that had human feelings was asking him to follow it.
It was a difficult choice for Ou Yangming. The big yellow dog eventually looked displeased, so much so that its fur was about to stand up.
Ou Yangming smiled bitterly as he finally decided. “Don’t be mad, I’ll go with you.”
Chapter 119 - The Yellow Dog Breathes
Ou Yangming figured that while he urgently needed the Life-prolonging Golden Pill to save Old Craftsman, the Ni family valued their ancestor’s legacy just as much. Therefore, at the very least, before he walked out of the Chaos Cave, he would be safe and sound in the residence.
Even if someone wanted to stir up trouble, Ni Jingtong, the Supreme Great Ancestor, would certainly disallow it.
‘If that’s the case, why should I hesitate? No matter who the big yellow dog is bringing me to, I’ll just meet that person once.’
The big yellow dog seemed to not want to attract any attention because it avoided the main road when it led the way, and opted to go through the garden instead. Ou Yangming shook his head, but could only follow it. In actual fact, he was somewhat worried along the way. If they were noticed, the other people would be displeased even if he carried the big yellow dog out.
Nonetheless, the dog seemed to be extremely familiar with the guard stations in the Ni residence, be they covert or open ones. It led Ou Yangming past the guards and arrived at a big courtyard.
Even though the Ni family had a huge territory, a person who owned a courtyard of this scale in the prefecture was surely not an ordinary person.
The big yellow dog turned to look at Ou Yangming, then stuck its tongue out as though it was looking at him indifferently.
Ou Yangming furrowed his eyebrows and wondered, ‘Are all half-spirit beasts this annoying?’ Following that, three figures slowly walked out from the courtyard, and they seemed to have been aware of Ou Yangming’s presence for a long time. One of them was Ni Jingtong, who waved at him and said, “Ou Yangming, come here.”
Ou Yangming finally sighed a breath of relief. He could guess who the other two figures were, and was quite certain that he was right.
There could only be one reason the Ni family’s Three Great Ancestors were present at the same time and kept it a secret from the rest.
They must have extra instructions for Ou Yangming’s trip to the Chaos Cave tomorrow, and were the only ones in the clan who knew about it.
Nevertheless, Ou Yangming was not happy after realizing this, and he frowned instead as he sensed, from the bottom of his heart, a deep crisis.
‘My Blood Flight Art can be used against a Yang Grade powerhouse, but what about Supreme Great Ancestors?’
Ou Yangming sighed, but quickly cast away the thought. In any case, he had neither acquired the Life-prolonging Golden Pill nor the Ni family’s ancestor’s legacy, so he would take one step at a time.
He paced forward and greeted respectfully, “Greetings, great ancestors.”
The first person was the oldest elder, who had white hair and beard. He nodded and said, “So, you’re Lil’ Ou. Not bad, heroes are truly made from youngsters. Third Brother, what do you think?”
“Uncle, you’re right, the fella has a bright future,” the person who was addressed as Third Brother answer
ed with a smile. He was a middle-aged man who seemed to be around Ni Xueshu’s age.
Ou Yangming was startled, and he looked at the three men with a questioning look. Ni Jingtong chuckled and said, “Young fella, let me introduce you to my big brother, Ni Jingshen. He’s also the oldest Supreme Great Ancestor alive in the Ni family.”
“Second Younger Brother, look at what you’re saying. Do you despise me because I’ve lived too long?” Ni Jingshen scolded jokingly. Ni Jingtong laughed out loud and continued, “This is our Third Brother, Ni Xuetian. He’s a peer of Ni Xueshu and the others, but has advanced to Extreme Grade and comprehended the integration of Heaven and man. As such, he’s considered the Ni family’s dragon.”
Ou Yangming trembled a little and looked at Ni Xuetian as if he wanted to ask for advice.
Ni Xuetian could not help but laugh, and he asked, “Do you have something you’d like to ask?”
“Yes,” Ou Yangming answered in a serious manner, “I’m confused about how I achieved the integration of Heaven and man, so I’d like you to clarify some of my doubts.”
Ni Jingshen and Ni Jingtong were envious. They thought, ‘He grasped the integration of Heaven and man in confusion, whereas we’ve cultivated for so many years yet we’re still bewildered and have gained nothing. Ah, constant comparisons will only make us angry.’
“Honestly, I can only describe the way I achieved the integration of Heaven and man in one word,” Ni Xuetian replied to him and giggled.
Ou Yangming’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, “What word?”
He knew how important the integration of Heaven and man was, and he vaguely sensed that the state was exceptionally important for him.
“Confusion,” Ni Xuetian replied smilingly
Ni Jingshen and Ni Jingtong had already known the answer, hence they smiled at Ou Yangming too.
“What?” Ou Yangming was surprised and in disbelief.
Ni Jingtong sighed. “Ou Yangming, those who achieve the integration of Heaven and man can’t say how they managed to do it. No matter who you ask, you’ll only get the same answer.”
“That’s right. The integration of Heaven and man is a mysterious state that can’t be replicated. Everyone has their own opportunity and apprehension in advancing to the state, but one’s opportunity and apprehension aren’t very helpful to another person,” Ni Jingshen explained helplessly and sighed. “If it wasn’t because of that, we would’ve fathomed the state as well.” Ou Yangming pouted his lips and said, “I see, thank you for your advice, seniors.”
Though he was told the reason, he was not happy at all. The feeling of being confused was unquestionably an irritating one for someone like him, who always liked to get to the bottom of everything.
Ni Jingshen later cleared his throat and asked, “Lil’ Ou, do you know why we’ve summoned you here?”
Ou Yangming answered without hesitation, “The Chaos Cave.”
There was no need for him to hide anything from the three masters. After all, his mind was set on obtaining the Life-prolonging Golden Pill, so he was not willing to waste any time or energy.
Ni Jingshen smiled. “That’s right, but while you remember our conversation, please keep it to yourself.” Ou Yangming responded in all seriousness, “I’ll listen well and remember well. If another person knows what we talked about…”
Before he finished his sentence, Ni Jingshen cut him off. “Lil’ Ou, you don’t have to say that. Since we’re willing to tell you, it means that we trust you. Besides, the future is unpredictable. If we’re able to become family in the future, these taboos will mean nothing.”
Ou Yangming was moved, and he could not help but blush.
The three great ancestors looked at each other with smiles on their faces, and the atmosphere seemed to have been lightened.
Ni Xuetian said, “Ou Yangming, I believe that your mental power is very powerful already.”
Ou Yangming was taken aback. “Senior, why do you say that?”
“Hehe, I heard Second Uncle say that you passed the fourth level with ease, and did not get affected by the pressure,” Ni Xuetian said with a deep voice, “The fourth level is a place that tests one’s mental power and potential. Unless your mental power is able to suppress the restriction there, you couldn’t have passed the level so effortlessly.”
Ou Yangming hesitated as he did not know if he should be honest.
However, Ni Xuetian quickly dispelled his worry. “Lil’ Ou, don’t think about deceiving us because it’s closely related to whether you can find our ancestor’s legacy.”
“I did achieve something with my mental power, but the specifics…” Ou Yangming quickly looked up to reply to him, but was helpless. “I don’t have a reference, so it’s hard for me to say.”
Ni Xuetian’s eyes glowed as he told him, “That’s easy. We’ll get a rough idea if your mental power can be manifested in a form to shift Heaven and Earth’s power.”
Ou Yangming was puzzled. ‘What exactly are the Ni family’s great ancestors saying?” Ni Xuetian grinned. “Lil’ Ou, it looks like you fumbled about on your own to acquire mental power.”
“Yes, I’m also very confused about it…” Ou Yangming nodded.
Ni Jingshen and Ni Jingtong shook their heads, and were so envious that they were almost resentful.
“If that’s the case, I suppose you don’t know the right way to release mental power?” Ni Xuetian questioned. Ou Yangming was struck dumb. “Senior, what do you mean?”
Ni Xuetian explained, “When humans like us cultivate, we can also cultivate spiritual secret techniques other than martial arts. That said, secret techniques are difficult to understand, and clans that actually possess a similar legacy are like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns; they’re very rare.”
“Senior, what about your clan?” Ou Yangming was moved.
“We have it,” Ni Xuetian answered firmly.
Ou Yangming’s eyes instantly shone. If he had the chance to grasp a bit of mental power’s release method or cultivation method, it would be a bonus.
He had long sensed that mental power was unusually powerful energy. While he possessed the power, he could neither cultivate nor release it. It was similar to being exceptionally wealthy but having nowhere to spend his money, and it was a frustrating feeling. “Senior, I wonder…”
“No, you can’t.” Ni Xuetian immediately interrupted him.
Ou Yangming was slightly angry, but was not truly indignant. It was normal for the elders to disagree because it would only be weird if they agreed.
Despite that, Ni Xuetian added, “It’s not that I’m not willing to teach you, but because the spiritual secret technique is part of our ancestor’s legacy, I can’t actually teach you.”
an
Ou Yangming widened his eyes and thought, ‘I see, he’s only feeding on illusions, and is making something out of nothing.’
Ni Xuetian chuckled as if he perceived Ou Yangming’s look. “But I can show you the exact might if mental power is released.”
He shouted, “Big Yellow.”
The big yellow dog wagged its tail and moved forward, but it was displeased.
Ni Xuetian reprimanded it jokingly, “You little wimp. If you do well this time, I’ll ask Yinghong to make you a good meal.”
The big yellow dog’s eyes lit up at once, and saliva was seen dropping out of its mouth.
“If you don’t do well, you’ll get nothing!” Ni Xuetian pulled a long face.
Subsequently, the big yellow dog roared and turned around before opening its mouth again into the size of a sacrificial bowl.
A vague yellow light was then emitted.
Next, within a few meters in front of the dog, over ten sharp giant stalagmites emerged from the ground without warning, and only stopped when they were roughly the height of a person.
Chapter 120 - Luster Everywhere
Ou Yangming gasped as he was in disbelief.
‘What ability is this? It’s simply a mira
cle…’
Ou Yangming flashed to the side of the stalagmites, then smiled bitterly after observing them for a while. “The stalagmites’ toughness were in no way inferior to steel. I really wonder how the big yellow dog managed to do this.
He suddenly wondered, ‘If it didn’t breathe at the empty ground, but directed its ferocious and huge mouth at me instead, what would have happened?’
Ou Yangming shook his head and felt a chill down his spine because he somehow felt that he had escaped death.
If he was caught off guard, even if he had fathomed the integration of Heaven and man, he might not be able to avoid the stalagmites that suddenly emerged.
Ou Yangming could not believe that the half-spirit beast possessed such a mighty ability.
In comparison, the beast that he encountered in the dense forest in the past was inferior to it.
Ni Xuetian smiled when he noticed how shocked Ou Yangming was. “Lil’ Ou, you’ve finally seen it. This is the right way to use mental power’s secret might.”
Ou Yangming’s face changed as he asked, “Senior, Big Yellow’s a half-spirit beast, so it’s probably gifted to be able to execute it. How are humans like us going to do the same?”
“Everything is recorded in our ancestor’s legacy.” Ni Xuetian sighed, then assured after a pause, “The three of us promise that we’ll pass on the knowledge to you if you find the legacy and bring it out.”
“Yes, thank you, senior,” Ou Yangming responded with a serious face.
If he could really grasp a power like that, it would be an indescribably delightful thing. Feeling moved, he questioned, “Senior, is it helpful to have mental power before seeking your clan’s Land of Inheritance?”
“Yes, it’s extremely helpful,” Ni Jingtong answered sternly, “but we’ve only found some clues from our clan’s inherited books. If the seeker has especially mighty mental power, he or she can sense the Land of Inheritance’s position. That said, once you enter the forbidden area, you’ll have to probe and face anything you encounter on your own.”
Ni Xuetian touched the big yellow dog briefly and ordered in a solemn manner, “Oh right, Big Yellow will journey into the Chaos Cave with you. I hope you’ll coordinate with each other along the way. Remember, you must bring Big Yellow into the Land of Inheritance.”
Immortal Path to Heaven c1-725 Page 71
