Sometimes, Feng Yongrui and Zhong Weimin encountered cultivators who were looking for trouble. Those cultivators mostly wanted to rob them, but Feng Yongrui and Zhong Weimin didn't really have anything valuable on them.
Anyway, Feng Yongrui and Zhong Weimin hadn't taken any treasures or precious herbs, so those cultivators had no reason to rob them.
Even if some cultivators insisted on robbing them, Feng Yongrui and Zhong Weimin's cultivation levels were enough to take care of them.
It had been about 20 days since the two of them entered the Ancient Realm, and Feng Yongrui was tired of searching. They both didn't find anything, and the Ancient Realm would be sealed in 10 days.
After all, and Ancient Realm would only open once every ten years and would only stay open for 30 days. If Feng Yongrui and Zhong Weimin did not find anything during this time, then they could only return empty handed.
On the 25th day, the two of them found another cave. It was probably the 100th cave they had visited, but the two of them still went inside and looked for any gleaming stones or crystals.
As the two of the walked inside the dark cave, the humid air and the gloomy atmosphere made Feng Yongrui shiver unconsciously. No matter how many times he went inside a cave, he would still get goosebumps!
"...Master, I think there's something strange about this cave," Zhong Weimin spoke.
"Usually, we see some bats or nocturnal creatures inside the cave. But... I can't sense any living creature here..." he trailed off.
Feng Yongrui nodded in agreement. Usually, they would feel or sense something, be it bats, worms, or even snakes. Sometimes, they would even encounter a spiritual beast.
But here, they couldn't sense, see, or hear any living creature besides themselves. The only they could hear was their own steady breathing that echoed in the cold cave.
The two of them walked further, but Zhong Weimin abruptly stopped.
"Master! Look!" he pointed with his finger excitedly. Feng Yongrui followed Zhong Weimin's pointer and looked up.
Amongst the stalactites that adorned the ceiling of the cave, there was a small teardrop shaped stone that glowed like the stars in the sky. It was truly beautiful...
"Ding~ Congratulations, Host, for completing the hidden quest 'find the Crystal of Nirvana'. You have been awarded with 100 points and 5 lucky draws," the System said cheerfully.
Feng Yongrui couldn't stop the smile from growing on his face. This was too good to be true! He found the artifact that could hide Ma Bo's Demonic Constitution, and he also got 5 more lucky draws!
Now, in total, he had 7 lucky draws~
Feng Yongrui was so happy that he almost danced with joy. Without hesitation, Feng Yongrui reached out and grabbed the Crystal of Nirvana from the ceiling of the cave.
Immediately, the cave started trembling and shaking, as if it was about to collapse.
"I think the cave is going to collapse!" Feng Yongrui yelled over the grumbling stones.
"Let's get out of here! We have the artifact already!"
Zhong Weimin yelled in affirmative and the two flew out of the cave. Thankfully, no one seemed to have noticed the commotion.
When the two were outside the cave, Feng Yongrui looked at the artifact once again. It was truly beautiful and enchanting! Zhong Weimin was all smiles, and he couldn't help praising Feng Yongrui.
"Master, you're so awesome! We actually managed to find it!" he cried.
Feng Yongrui felt a bit embarrassed. All of this was actually thanks to the System, for giving him a hint about this artifact's location...
In any case, Feng Yongrui hid the Crystal of Nirvana and returned to the Immortal Pathway Sect with Zhong Weimin. Feng Yongrui only brought a few herbs back to the sect, to give to the Sect Master.
After that, Feng Yongrui and Zhong Weimin rushed back to the Mountain Peak and gave the Crystal of Nirvana to Ma Bo. Of course, Ma Bo was pleased and couldn't stop smiling.
Hou Renshu was also happy for Ma Bo, and thanked Feng Yongrui repeatedly.
Feng Yongrui's disciples went back to their simple and happy lifestyle. Cultivating., eating, talking and so on.
As for Feng Yongrui... this matter was settled, so he went to his room and sat on the bed. Feng Yongrui was silent for half a minute, and the System grew anxious.
"Host... what's wrong?" the System finally asked.
Feng Yongrui pursed his lips.
"System, tell me truth, and I won't be angry. You've found the information regarding this world, right?" he asked.
The System was stunned.
"Host, how do you know?"
It was simple, actually. The System's actions were really weird. At that time, when the Lang Qiang Sect arrived in the Hu manor, how could the System know who they are?
How could the System give him the hint regarding the location of the Crystal of Nirvana?
The System must've found the information regarding this world! This was Feng Yongrui's bold guess.
"Ahem... that's right... Actually, that day when I fainted, I found the information about this world when I woke up..." the System said.
The System sensed that Feng Yongrui was angry and quickly explained everything that it knew.
In the original timeline of this world, the protagonist of this world was Ma Bo. However, the real villain was not Hou Renshu, it was Zhong Weimin -- or, in reality, Luo Xie'e.
In the original timeline, Ma Bo and Hou Renshu were best friends who grew up together. Ma Bo was born with a demonic constitution, so he and Hou Renshu were constantly living in fear.
One day, the two of them were accepted into the Immortal Pathway Sect and cultivated in the orthodox path. Like all protagonists, Ma Bo was bullied by other disciples because he was quite talented and his Master favored him the most.
Ma Bo's demonic constitution was eventually revealed, and Ma Bo's Master was furious. Ma Bo and Hou Renshu were kicked out of the sect, and Ma Bo's master even sent assassins to kill Ma Bo.
However, the assassins failed to kill Ma Bo. Instead, they ended up killing Hou Renshu. Ma Bo was furious and heartbroken.
It was around this time that he met Luo Xie'e, who was still in his dog form. Luo Xie'e was a greedy and evil person who wanted to use Ma Bo for his own gains.
Therefore, Luo Xie'e instigated Ma Bo, who finally succumbed to his hatred and became a Demonic Cultivator. Together, Luo Xie'e and Ma Bo became great demons who killed, slaughtered, and harmed anyone and everyone.
In the end, the whole world was destroyed, and the two of them reigned as kings of the world. However, the two did not see eye to eye, and things soon reached a breaking point.
The two finally fought each other for three days and three nights, before dying under each other's sword.
...That was the fate of the original Ma Bo and Luo Xie'e. Luo Xie'e never even changed his name to Zhong Weimin. As for Hou Renshu, he was nothing but a supporting character who died so that Ma Bo could embark on a path of evil and loneliness.
But that was the original timeline. Now, with Feng Yongrui's intervention, everything was different. Ma Bo was fine. Hou Renshu was still alive. Luo Xie'e had turned a new leaf...
As for Feng Yongrui...
"You are an idiot, System," Feng Yongrui concluded.
The System was silent and did not reply.
"...The villain was actually Luo Xie'e, not Hou Renshu! All this time, you had me fooled... I must've been so silly, trying to make sure the Ma Bo and Hou Renshu stayed as best friends..." Feng Yongrui sighed.
"Host... you can't blame me for this... I only remember that the villain has black hair and black eyes..." the System said pitifully.
Feng Yongrui gave a small, sarcastic smile. :)
Hm.
How many people in this world have black hair and black eyes?
Feng Yongrui drew a shaky breath and calmed his emotions. His blood pressure... he had to remember his blood pressure...
Thankfully... oh, thankfully, his task was okay...
Speaking about his task, Feng Yongrui checked the progress bar. Both tasks were 98% completed. He felt that it would only take a few days for him to finish his tasks.
"System, if I'm finished with my task, will I go to the next world?" Feng Yongrui asked.
The System answered. "Yes, Host."
"...What about this world? I mean, will I die or something?" Feng Yongrui inquired.
"Yes, Host. You will no longer exist in this world."
"...What about my disciples?" Feng Yongrui was worried.
"They'll be okay. After you die, they will probably stay in the Immortal Pathway Sect. Even though their Master is dead, it's not like the sect will kick them out, right?"
Well, that was right. Feng Yongrui had mixed feelings. He was glad he was going to complete his task soon, but he was worried that his disciples would be upset when he died.
The System comforted him and told him it would be fine. Feng Yongrui could only hope so.
A few days later, Feng Yongrui's task was completed. He gave a small smile, hoped his disciples would be okay, and closed his eyes.
End of Arc One
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Dun dun dun~ End of arc one!
What did you think of this arc? As an author, I write so that my readers can empathize with my characters, become immersed in a world, and, of course, enjoy my stories.
This arc was definitely not perfect, but I sincerely thank all the readers who have supported me and read this story thus far. I hope that all my readers enjoyed this arc. The next arc will be set in a modern setting, so look forward to it~
Special thanks to @Foxcut and @MaiaTheReincarnate. Your comments have brightened up my day and motivated me to write more~
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Things to Ponder:
-This arc never mentioned Feng Yongrui's spirit root.
-Did Ya'er really die?
-What will happen after Feng Yongrui disappears from this world? Will it really be happily ever after?
-What happened to Little Nine (Hu Zemin's servant, introduced in chapter 17)?
-Will Zhong Weimin stay as a good person? And... what if someday, Ma Bo's constitution is revealed?
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