"Chen Qingyuan, I give you two choices. One, become my Dao partner; two..."
In the depths of a forbidden zone called Tianyuan, a young woman in a red dress spoke coldly.
Her long dress trailed behind her, with several alluring flowers adorning its hem.
She was barefoot, revealing her ankles that were as white as snow and jade, completely flawless.
A dark veil covered her face, with only her star-like eyes visible. Her willow-like eyebrows flowed like spring water, her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, and every gesture exuded charm.
"I choose the second option."
Before the woman in red could finish speaking, a young man in green robes made his choice decisively.
Beautiful women are poison, especially those who have lived for countless years. Chen Qingyuan had been tormented by the woman in red for a hundred years and knew how terrifying she was. He would not be bewitched by her beauty.
Besides this reason, Chen Qingyuan had made a verbal promise to another girl to become her Dao partner and could not go back on his word.
"You brat, don't regret it," the woman in red glared at Chen Qingyuan and snorted coldly.
"I absolutely won't regret it."
Chen Qingyuan's resolve was firm.
"Then make nine agreements with me. Afterwards, I'll set you free and sever our karmic ties."
The woman in red took out a jade bracelet and passed it through the air to Chen Qingyuan's hand.
Chen Qingyuan took the jade bracelet and set off on his journey home. Having been trapped in Tianyuan for over a hundred years, he could finally leave this cursed place, feeling extremely excited.
...
North Wilderness, Fu Liuxing Region, Xuanqing Dao Sect.
"Master, the soul lamp of Little Martial Uncle has lit up."
Today, a core disciple on duty at the Soul Lamp Hall discovered something and hurriedly ran to the Elder's Hall.
"Nonsense, your Little Martial Uncle has been dead for over a hundred years," an old man inside was brewing tea and shouted sternly.
"It's true, if you don't believe it, come see for yourself."
This was a major matter - the core disciple only dared to report after confirming multiple times.
Hearing this, the old man choked on his tea and stared wide-eyed: "Really?"
At the Soul Lamp Hall, a soul lamp in the corner was emitting a faint light - it was indeed true.
The old man's body trembled slightly, both excited and somewhat anxious, afraid this possibility might vanish and he would once again suffer the pain of despair: "The soul lamp has reignited... is Little Martial Brother really still alive?"
"Master, what should we do?" the core disciple asked for instructions.
"Investigate!"
The old man's eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope, his hands tightly clenched, his expression serious. His name was Dong Wenjun, the Guardian Elder of the Xuanqing Dao Sect, holding an extremely high position and prestigious status.
Over a hundred thousand miles away from the Xuanqing Dao Sect, there was an ancient forbidden zone called Tianyuan.
A hundred years ago, strange phenomena appeared in the Tianyuan Forbidden Zone, with some claiming to have seen a heavenly treasure fall into the forbidden zone.
As a result, many sects from the North Wilderness entered Tianyuan.
The Xuanqing Dao Sect sent more than ten powerful elders and dozens of core disciples.
Among them was a newly appointed inner hall elder named Chen Qingyuan, young in age but extremely high in seniority.
After entering the Tianyuan Forbidden Zone, many powerful experts from various sects never returned, perishing within.
The Xuanqing Sect suffered worse than other sects, with their entire force wiped out.
A hundred years later, Chen Qingyuan's soul lamp lit up, causing excitement throughout the Xuanqing Sect.
"Finally made it out."
At the outer edge of the Tianyuan Forbidden Zone, Chen Qingyuan stood by a lake, letting out a long breath.
His clothes were covered in dirt, and there wasn't the slightest ripple of spiritual energy around him.
He was the last disciple accepted by the Xuanqing Sect's Supreme Elder before the elder's passing.
All the old men in the Xuanqing Sect had to address him as Junior Martial Brother, while disciples below had to call him Martial Uncle or even Grand Martial Uncle.
"Never want to go back in there again."
Chen Qingyuan looked back at the dark forest, where there was an ancient abyss containing a hidden realm.
Just as Chen Qingyuan spoke these words, an ethereal female voice reached his ears: "Boy, don't forget our agreement."
Hearing this, Chen Qingyuan shuddered and quickly fell silent.
The hundred years spent in Tianyuan left Chen Qingyuan with memories too painful to recall.
What still puzzled Chen Qingyuan was how he managed to survive - could it be because of his handsome looks?
Though unlikely, it wasn't impossible.
The woman in red had secretly informed him that the Xuanqing Sect would soon discover his trail and send people to search for him.
"Let me rest in some shade."
So, Chen Qingyuan didn't bother walking further and lay down under a large tree, falling into a comfortable sleep.
Notably, Chen Qingyuan dared to act so casually in this wilderness despite losing his cultivation. This suggested that although his cultivation was gone, he must still have hidden trump cards, otherwise he wouldn't dare act so boldly.
An hour later, Dong Wenjun arrived with a group of people.
When Dong Wenjun saw Chen Qingyuan lying in the tree's shade, he trembled with excitement, his lips quivering, wanting to cry out. However, Dong Wenjun feared this was just his imagination, standing frozen in place as ripples appeared in his eyes.
"Little Martial Uncle, please wake up."
Some disciples quickly went forward, calling out to him.
Chen Qingyuan slowly opened his eyes and saw everyone.
The next moment, Chen Qingyuan met eyes with the gray-haired Dong Wenjun, his face lighting up with joy as he softly called out: "Senior Brother Dong."
Hearing that familiar voice, Dong Wenjun seemed to return to reality. He flashed to Chen Qingyuan's side and carefully reached out, grasping Chen Qingyuan's arms: "Junior Brother, is it really you?"
"It's me," Chen Qingyuan laughed, "Senior Brother, be gentle, that hurts!"
Dong Wenjun immediately released his grip and looked him over carefully.
"Little Junior Brother, your cultivation...?"
Dong Wenjun hadn't noticed earlier, but now upon careful inspection, he discovered that Chen Qingyuan had no spiritual energy fluctuations whatsoever, and not a trace of cultivation remained.
"It's gone, but it's not a big deal," Chen Qingyuan replied without much emotion, a smile constantly on his face.
Normally, a cultivator becoming powerless should feel worse than death.
However, Chen Qingyuan appeared completely unconcerned, as if it wasn't important.
The hundred years in the forbidden zone hadn't been entirely without gain.
"Ah? This..." Dong Wenjun was quite shocked and felt somewhat heartbroken.
"Let's not talk about this now, let's head back first!"
Chen Qingyuan waved his hand, cutting off the conversation.
"Alright."
Dong Wenjun nodded firmly, agreeing this wasn't the place for such discussion.
So, Dong Wenjun took out a Dao treasure to protect Chen Qingyuan's mortal body as they headed toward the Xuanqing Sect.
The Xuanqing Sect had been able to find Chen Qingyuan by following the guidance of the soul lamp.
Soon, Chen Qingyuan finally returned to the Xuanqing Sect.
Mountains stood tall, wrapped in clouds and mist.
Looking at this beautiful scenery, Chen Qingyuan's face showed deep joy.
"Finally home."
Chen Qingyuan had grown up in the Xuanqing Sect since childhood, but unfortunately, just after being accepted as the Supreme Elder's disciple, his master had passed away due to reaching the end of his lifespan.
Thus, Chen Qingyuan had cultivated under the guidance of his many senior brothers and sisters, developing deep bonds with them.
The Assembly Hall was full of people, all elders of the Xuanqing Sect.
This meeting was so important that even core disciples weren't qualified to attend.
Chen Qingyuan was brought to the Assembly Hall, and seeing all the familiar faces, he cupped his hands in greeting: "Greetings to all Senior Brothers and Sisters."
The sect leader of Xuanqing Sect was named Lin Changsheng, Chen Qingyuan's eldest senior brother.
"Little Junior Brother, how did you survive?"
Lin Changsheng sat in the main seat, already knowing the general situation.
"Ah, it's a long story, not easy to tell."
Chen Qingyuan stood in the center of the hall, feeling uncomfortable under the gaze of dozens of eyes.
"We have plenty of time, tell us slowly."
Lin Changsheng's expression was serious.
Seeing this, Chen Qingyuan had no choice but to slowly say: "That day, we entered Tianyuan..."
Then, Chen Qingyuan recited his prepared explanation.
In summary, the group had entered Tianyuan, encountered various restrictions and unknown dangers, and all died except for Chen Qingyuan. Because he had used a secret technique, he was able to fake his death and escape, taking a hundred years to find his way out.
Although he survived, the backlash from the secret technique destroyed his cultivation and broke his spiritual root.
Everyone listened and fell into deep thought. They didn't know the situation inside Tianyuan, so naturally they couldn't tell if Chen Qingyuan's words were true.
"Only you survived, alas."
Lin Changsheng sighed.
Everyone had held onto a sliver of hope that others might have survived like Chen Qingyuan, faking their deaths to escape.
"Tianyuan must not be entered."
Chen Qingyuan's face showed grief as he recalled the tragic deaths of his fellow disciples.
The laws within the forbidden zone were terrifyingly brutal - touch them and death was certain. That Chen Qingyuan could escape disaster might have been luck, or perhaps destiny.
"Little Junior Brother, for safety's sake, we must examine your physical condition."
Lin Changsheng said seriously.
"I understand, go ahead!"
The Xuanqing Sect was worried that Chen Qingyuan's body might have been taken over by someone else. If not handled carefully, it could bring harm to the sect.
Usually, body snatchers could only possess the physical body but not access its memories. Of course, there was a very small possibility that some body snatchers could obtain the memories of their previous host.