Master of Strange Dao

"I'm not sure, but since I'm still here, it proves that they didn't die here but later on."

"Have you considered that everyone who comes to help you might die here, too?"

Ao Qing fell silent for a moment, nodded, then shook his head.

"I know that's why the key can be used freely; one can retreat at any time."

However, if they were to leave, they would not remember me. Their encounters with me would be buried here just like mine.

Indeed, some of them have left, but there are those who were willing to help me and failed.

The promises I made to them, I also gave in advance. I never forced anyone, nor could I."

"May I know why you are making a selection?" Yu Ziqing was quite curious about this.

Ao Qing found Yu Ziqing's question somewhat strange but answered it nonetheless.

"Those who have perfected their Cultivation won't covet the True Dragon Bloodline. Absorbing and refining the True Dragon Blood would only undermine their perfection, a loss far outweighing the gain, and a self-sabotaging path.

Similarly, those with perfected Cultivation aren't afraid of Possession by me.

If I were to force Possession, it's nearly impossible to succeed. Even if I did, I would have to abandon my own path.

I could only continue along the path they've perfected, which for me, too, would be self-sabotage. The following path of Cultivation would lack foundation. Even if I lived, I would be better off buried here without any trace of life."

It's difficult for both sides to reach trust; I can only prepare in advance to dissolve our worries beforehand."

"..."

Yu Ziqing fell silent. After all this time, was it his lack of knowledge that was to blame?

Since experiencing what happened with the White Sun Holy Mother, he has become particularly sensitive to matters like Possession.

"Can you tell me what has happened outside so far?" Ao Qing looked at Yu Ziqing, a hint of pleading in his eyes.

"What do you know has happened outside?"

"I know that I've died and entered the Mausoleum. My time may not be much longer."

"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Yu Ziqing thought about the situation outside and was unsure how to explain.

"The truth. I'm already like this; the worst-case scenario is just obliteration."

Yu Ziqing sighed deeply.

He told about the Evil Dragon devouring living beings to transform them into Blood Food, nurturing a sliver of life force. Living beings for tens of thousands of miles had all fled.

He also mentioned the Evil Dragon provoking the Heavenly Tribulation when it appeared, even recklessly breaking through the tribulation clouds, acting wildly and rampantly.

Ao Qing's expression turned grim, but after listening, he still thanked Yu Ziqing politely.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I feel my time is running out. His consciousness is about to shatter. He has not a hint of spirituality left.

The day he truly dies and is completely obliterated will be the day I forever bury myself here, without a trace of life."

Ao Qing spoke calmly, having anticipated such a day long ago.

He was just unwilling to accept why, from the moment he opened his eyes, he had to bear the Curse.

He didn't want that so-called True Dragon Bloodline at all.

He didn't even want to be part of the Dragon Clan.

From the moment he opened his eyes, he knew his fate.

He even understood how desperate that ending would be.

If he had been a human, he might have lived on in ignorance for some years, at least enjoying his childhood and feeling the world's kindness.

But he was not. He was born with full spiritual wisdom, more than most human Cultivators, more mature.

One month after birth, he began to think about how to bury himself, how to find a thread of hope for survival.

"I don't have much to offer, only my legacy and some treasures I prepared in advance. Except my current state, everything else can be considered your reward.

But I have to tell you in advance, the Curse in the bloodline is strong.

At one year old, the Curse was weak, and I could take care of it myself.

But at ten years old, I couldn't kill the power of those Curses anymore.

The next level is when I was twenty, there, my spirituality was suppressed by the Curse. At twenty years old, I can help and guide you, but I cannot kill anything the Curse turns into.

To be honest, although I don't know why you can kill those things transformed by the Curse, with your current strength, going to the next level will kill you."

"My physical body is already dead, and his consciousness is about to be obliterated.

I feel I can't wait any longer. If possible, I would like to ask you to take the one-year-old me out.

Just infuse his spirituality into any living being other than a dragon, at least let him live carefreely for one lifetime, whether a few years or decades."

Ao Qing's expression grew calmer, but his words became more and more desperate.

Yu Ziqing smacked his lips but didn't rush to agree. It wasn't that he was greedy for the legacy and treasures; he was considering something else.

What exactly was Yang doing here?

Because Yang had come, he felt the Evil Dragon probably wouldn't live much longer.

"Hold on a moment."

Yu Ziqing flipped through his things, took out a Jade Scroll, casually crushed it, and sent a message to Yang.

"Can you get in touch easily?"

On the other end, after a two-hour delay, Yang was struggling to move forward inside the Evil Dragon. The Death Qi here was too dense; even with the Formation suppressing it, the Death Qi was still enormously powerful.

He faintly sensed the breaking of a Jade Scroll, the feeling fleeting, and he couldn't even properly sense the number of the Jade Scroll.

After waiting a moment and not receiving a second one, he assumed there was no serious issue.

Yang closed his eyes, thinking for a bit, then his consciousness entered the Seventh Floor ring within his body and began contacting Yu Ziqing.

Yu Ziqing sensed the call, glanced at Ao Qing, and closed his eyes.

The expert who crafted the Seventh Floor ring was truly incredible.

To be able to contact under these circumstances.

Ao Qing said going out would bury everything that happened here. Once out, no memories would remain.

Apparently, he was not strong enough; the restrictions he set weren't enough.

There were stronger experts who could break through such restrictions.

Seeing Yang, Yu Ziqing immediately said.

"Yang, let me tell you something. You should remember it all because I might forget it later."