Dual Cultivation God Returns

The large shadow of the flying creature sped forward on the ground below, lit by the pale moonlight.

For a week this beast traveled, stopping only for short periods of time to cross the World Stone links, the wind-breaking arrays and formations allowing the passengers to freely visit open decks and balconies of the vessel that the beast was carrying despite the tremendous speed.

But now for the first time, the speed at which it flew started slowing down not to pass through a World Stone, but because the terrain ahead was covered by a massive stone jungle of tall, slender rock formations resembling huge stone columns stretching high into the sky.

"If they are using this route often, why not break down these mountains?", Feng Yi spoke looking at the terrain ahead, which looked like a natural impediment to the travel through this continent.

"They would have done it, if they could. This area is called the Ancient Labyrinth. Ordinary rocks and greenery are merely a sign of time, sediment built up over eons. Underneath all of it are great Ancient Era ruins, thought to be indestructible, though in some parts, where entrances to intact passages buried underground could be found, some of the ruins are laid bare, as cultivators try their luck exploring the ruins generation after generation", Wu Long calmly explained, his eyes showing a sign of nostalgy at seeing a part of the Boundless Profound World that experienced almost no change since the last time he saw it.

"Ancient ruins?", Cao Mei's eyes shined with excitement for a moment, before a realization appeared on her face, "I guess after so much time everything that could be explored was explored…"

"Hahaha, perhaps, and perhaps not. Many people still try, though I don't know if anyone was successful, I certainly wasn't", Wu Long chuckled, recognizing that first look, and the subsequent expression of being brought down to the ground by rational thinking.

"You just had to try didn't you?", Ye Ling smiled, shaking her head, not really surprised that he tried looking for something even if the chances of discovering something new in such a thoroughly examined area were extremely low.

"Who knows? You miss every chance that you don't take", Wu Long shrugged his shoulders with a playful look, and then spoke to Cao Mei, "Don't be discouraged even before taking a look. We can come back some time later if you want to try"

Seeing her daughter's eyes light up with excitement again brought both a warm and at the same time a bittersweet feeling to Cao Xiang, since to her it seemed that it wasn't good to feed unrealistic expectations, even if she wanted her child to be happy.

She then caught Wu Long's gaze on her, an acute feeling of being seen through overtaking her as she shyly smiled.

"If you're really planning to explore these ruins, I'd be interested to go along at that time as well", Lian Zhiqiu spoke up, causing quite a few surprised gazes toward her. After all, showing such eagerness toward active participation in travel or exploration wasn't something she was known for, let alone going on an adventure in some old ruin.

"Haha, intrigued?", Wu Long chuckled, knowing that Lian Zhiqiu's interest was in the ancient formations that kept this ruin intact for such a stupendous amount of time, as well as impervious to damage and destruction by the cultivators inhabiting Boundless Profound World in modern times.

"Of course", the latter simply nodded, not really bothering to explain herself or concerned with the perception of her.

"As am I", Nie Xiwang chimed in, her Truth Seeking Eyes intently watching the surroundings.

"Sounds like a plan", Wu Long smiled triumphantly toward Ye Ling who smiled with an expression that seemed to say 'All right, all right, you win'

"Hmm, so it's impossible to clear… and since no one tried to avoid this area completely by making the way around it, it seems the World Stone is somewhere within?", Feng Yi narrowed her eyes, focusing her gaze past the giant rock pillars the beast was maneuvering around at lower speeds.

"Yes, in the center of the ruin, which is quite expansive, we will be seeing this scenery for another three to four days. And to top it off this World Stone is a bottleneck connecting two clusters of worlds, so to choose a path around it you will lose several months of travel", Wu Long added.

"Hah, no wonder they have a pirate problem, it is the perfect spot then", she nodded, "But, is there some kind of danger in staying here for long?"

Wu Long smiled with appreciation at arriving at that conclusion, "Yes there is. As you guessed, no one can establish a permanent base here to mitigate the problem with pirates or bandits. Ancient Ruins in general come with dangers, but this one in particular…"

As he was talking, he suddenly stopped, prompting almost everyone to look at him.

He then turned to the only other four people who also reacted similarly to him: Fen Baihu, Cai Yin, Hong Ye and Hong Yue.

"This… is this…?", Hong Ye turned her crimson eyes up to look at Wu Long.

"Mm, this place might be connected to the Bahshi Legacy…", Wu Long nodded, as he felt the Ghost Core he recently obtained reacting very subtly to something within these ruins.

"So the danger in these ruins comes from the Ghost Dao…", Feng Yi nodded, finishing Wu Long's earlier thought.

"Yes… last time I was here I had no connection with the Bahshi Assassins whatsoever, so this didn't mean much… there're many ruins all over the Seven Boundless Worlds that have a danger of the Ghost Dao…this being one of them", Wu Long nodded, returning to his usual demeanor.

However, even if there were no indications, some among the ladies surrounding him could feel that his level of alertness and attentiveness went up significantly.

"We probably shouldn't…", Cao Mei started speaking, but Wu Long shook his head before she could finish.

"If we shrink back every time there's danger, we're never going anywhere. Besides, it seems there's really something to explore here yet", he spoke softly and then smiled.

"Though", he then added, turning to the twins, "it might be a good idea for you two to not directly participate, at least until I find the source of this reaction"

"If Darling says so", Hong Ye's reply was swift. Though she didn't like spending time apart from him much, she didn't want to go against his wishes. On the other hand her curiosity toward the ruin was mild at best, so it did not really mean much to her.

"That seems best", Hong Yue also nodded fast, though on her part it was a rational calculation of dangers involved.

"It's decided then", Ye Ling nodded, to the surprise of a few ladies around her, since it seemed she was subtly including herself on the side of those not going.

"Hehe, don't worry Honey, I will help Sister Ye Ling while you're out exploring", Wu Mengqi also enthusiastically raised her thumbs up while Wu Long's shoulders started shaking from laughter.

He could see their faces -very subtle in case of Ye Ling and quite obviously in case of Wu Mengqi, Bi Rui and Gong Cui - pale at the mention of Ghost Dao.

And just as he expected, Gong Cui's figure very subtly appeared behind Ye Ling and Wu Mengqi, trying hard to look nonchalant, as if she always stood in that spot, while Bi Rui didn't even try to hide it, joining her while pulling the slightly confused Yu Huan with her.

"Haha, I'll be counting on you", he chuckled, roughly guessing from the lowered enthusiasm even from those who didn't show as obvious a reaction, that the group exploring the ruins would be quite small indeed.

Though of course, this expedition was still far off in plans. They still had a lot to do in the Wei Dynasty, and the quiet winter that fell over the Soft Meadow Continent they left behind - which kept the embers of the conflict at bay - was not going to last forever.