Dashing Student

The mummified corpse suddenly spoke, startling Chen Nan. He quickly stepped back two paces, mana surging forth from within him, with the Heaven-Burning Flame and Thunder Power poised to strike.

He feared the corpse might suddenly attack, for even mere skeletons can turn into undead creatures, let alone a mummy.

Fortunately, the mummified monk did not transform into an undead creature; he didn't even open his eyes, still sitting on the stone platform, hands in a prayer position, like the clay statues in temples.

Even though he had been dead for a long time, a faint trace of Vajra Qi lingered on his body.

"What exactly are you?"

Chen Nan summoned his courage and asked.

The mummy reacted again, lips slightly parted, almost imperceptible.

"Fated one, I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Fated one? Me?" Chen Nan furrowed his brows, somewhat puzzled.

How could he possibly be connected to a monk, especially given his own good luck with romance?

"Yes, for thousands of years, only you have come here, so you are my fated one."

"My dharma name is Cheng Ming."

"Cheng Ming? Never heard of you." Chen Nan shook his head, having been in the small world for less than a year.

The only powerful figures he had heard of were well-known Nascent Soul cultivators like Master Xuanming. A person who had died hundreds of years ago was even less likely to be known.

"It seems people have indeed forgotten me."

The mummy showed no signs of emotion, but his voice carried a hint of sadness, and he began to tell his story.

"About thousands of years ago, during the great battle between the Demon Clan and human cultivators, countless powerful beings from both sides fell. I received the decree to descend the mountain and subdue demons."

"A group of elite demons was chased here by me. To suppress them, I sacrificed myself to become a seal. I succeeded, yet failed."

"This elite group was sealed here, but slowly I discovered this place was unusual, filled with Yin Energy, corrupting them over time."

"They transformed into undead creatures, unable to leave yet immortal. I fought desperately and eventually escaped to this small cave where I gradually sat in meditation."

"Fortunately, once they transformed into undead, they feared Buddhist Techniques greatly. Hence, using all my cultivation, I conjured a Demon Suppression Seal to preserve this peaceful area."

Chen Nan felt moved after hearing the story; this monk seemed extraordinarily noble, sacrificing himself for humanity.

"Senior, your righteousness is admirable."

He bowed sincerely.

Meanwhile, he pondered whether the strongest beings in the Nine Provinces were now at the Nascent Soul Realm due to the ancient battle that wiped out those above Nascent Soul level.

"By the way, Senior, if you've already sat in meditation, what is this now?"

His worry was that the old monk had also transformed into an undead creature; otherwise, how could he still speak after being dead for millennia?

"Hehe, there's no need to worry. What's speaking to you now is merely a remnant soul of mine, my obsession."

"At the time, my meditation was too abrupt. I couldn't bear for my Buddhist Law to be lost, hence an obsession formed, and a remnant soul persisted till today."

"Were it not for your arrival, this remnant soul wouldn't last much longer."

"I see." Chen Nan slowly nodded, apologetically bowing again, "I'm sorry, Senior, I'm not interested in Buddhist Law and cannot accept your inheritance."

The old monk seemed surprised by Chen Nan's refusal. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Won't you accept my inheritance? Accepting it means soon you could surpass my strength during my lifetime!"

There was urgency in his voice.

Chen Nan shrugged helplessly, "Senior, besides the inheritance, even if I accepted it, there are still undead creatures outside the cave eyeing me."

"They should be the elite demons you suppressed; do you think I can escape?"

"Hehe, if that's your worry, there's no need. I possess a Transmission Array Plate that can help you escape!" The old monk chuckled lightly.

The Transmission Array Plate is essentially a disposable teleportation array, engraved onto a stone plate, a high-level use of array techniques.

Currently, array masters capable of making transmission plates are scarce, making them rarer; Chen Nan had only heard of them.

Once the excitement subsided, a bigger question rose in Chen Nan's mind.

"Senior, if you had a Transmission Array Plate, why didn't you just leave, instead of meditating here?"

The old monk paused abruptly and took a while before speaking again.

"I was severely injured, knowing survival was impossible, and wished to continue suppressing the demons."

"But if you left to alert external experts, the righteous sects might send strong figures to directly eliminate these undead creatures." Chen Nan continued to inquire.

The question seemed to fluster the old monk, his tone becoming somewhat hostile.

"No more questions about why. In short, I have an inheritance now. If you accept, you'll soon become a powerful figure. Do you accept?"

Chen Nan waved his hand repeatedly, feeling the old monk was strange, and even took two steps back.

"No need, Senior. Leave your inheritance for someone more suitable; I hope to find a Dao companion one day and can't be a monk."

"Even if you accept my inheritance, you don't have to be a monk!" The old monk was almost at the brink of eruption.

"Still, no thanks." Chen Nan responded awkwardly, nearly retreating to the cave entrance, "I don't like Buddhist Law."

The old monk finally couldn't hold back anymore; things weren't developing as they should.

A weak cultivator escaping death should accept a strong inheritance joyfully. Why was this kid's guard so high?

"If you don't accept the inheritance, I'll disperse the Demon Suppression Seal now!"

Chen Nan glanced at the undead creatures outside, knowing without the seal, they'd tear him apart. Ultimately, he approached the old monk.

"Senior, I'm willing to accept the inheritance!"

"Hehe, isn't it better this way? Amitabha, I was too anxious, but my inheritance will surely not disappoint you."

The old monk sighed, and from his robe, a grayish bead slowly floated out, landing before Chen Nan.

"This relic contains my inheritance. Refine it here so I can rest in peace. After refining, I'll use the Transmission Array Plate to send you away."

With no other options, Chen Nan took the bead, sat down, and began refining.

He hadn't noticed the mummified monk's mouth had formed an exaggerated smile.

Appearing like a demon!