Chapter 1968: Lights Dim, Ancient Dao Mountain Peak’s Bells Resound

The dao ancient tribal land, the hidden valley in the mountains, the deep pool in the plains, and the massive underground burial ground constructed in an unknown era—these three places, containing immense good fortune, were prepared by Xuan Luo for his Disciple, for Wang Lin.

In the mountains, there was Wang Lin and Xuan Luo's presence; outside the deep pool, within the burial ground, the figures of these Master and Disciple always existed.

Within the deep pool on the plains, a dense aura of slaughter permeated, and Wang Lin immersed himself in meditation there for three months!

Xuan Luo remained outside the pool, protecting Wang Lin while silently observing his Disciple, a benevolent smile on his face.

On the cliff walls surrounding the secluded valley in the mountains, numerous rune marks were carved. Each rune contained a Formation Restriction, and over the long years, this valley gradually became the renowned Valley of Forbidden Formations within the Dao Ancient Lineage!

Ordinary people were forbidden from entering. Moreover, several hundred years ago, Xuan Luo sealed it, making it a place specifically prepared for his Disciple to comprehend the Origin of Restrictions.

In this Valley of Forbidden Formations, Wang Lin meditated for three months.

Beneath the dao ancient burial commandery, there also existed an extremely mysterious underground burial ground. However, what was buried here were not corpses, but discarded Magic Treasures. These Magic Treasures were no longer usable, and had even lost their value, yet in some unknown era, they were deeply buried here, as if in a memorial.

Due to the presence of these Magic Treasures, this place was enveloped by the power of the Five Elements, and with the accumulation of years, the Five Elements became increasingly dense, slowly developing an Origin aura.

In this burial ground, Wang Lin also meditated for three months. Though reluctant, he decisively stopped absorbing the Five Elements Origin and departed with Xuan Luo.

In the Primeval Land, Wang Lin saw the Great Heavenly Venerate of the Primeval Lineage, and in three places within the twelve commanderies of Primeval, he meditated and comprehended for five months.

In the Ancientmost Land, Wang Lin did not meet the Great Heavenly Venerate of the Ancientmost Lineage, but he similarly comprehended in several places within its twelve commanderies for nearly half a year.

Time flew by, and a year and a half had passed since Wang Lin and Xuan Luo left the Dao Ancient Imperial City.

During this year and a half, Wang Lin faced no danger, nor did he have to struggle for life or death. All he had to do was absorb more Origin power and increase his cultivation at the fastest speed.

He didn't need to consider too much; everything was handled by his Master, Xuan Luo!

Wang Lin could feel that Xuan Luo truly regarded him as a Personal Disciple, not perfunctorily, nor with any schemes. The gaze that watched him during his meditation contained warmth, like a home.

Wang Lin had not experienced such a feeling many times in his life, but the rarer it was, the more he cherished it—cherishing this time, cherishing Xuan Luo's Master's grace towards him, cherishing this happiness that he longed for but rarely found in his life.

In his heart, he wished for such a time to last forever, so much so that he could even disregard the forbearance in front of the dao ancient Palace and the pressure from the Dao Ancient Imperial Venerate.

"Master treats me so well… I must protect the Dao Ancient Lineage…" Wang Lin murmured to himself once again.

He valued gratitude and sentiment. Xuan Luo had shown him kindness in the Immortal Cave Realm, and Master-Disciple affection in this Ancient Race. He saw all of this and remembered it in his heart.

He didn't want to disappoint Xuan Luo.

The year and a half of travel ended on this day. After their figures had been seen in various places of the Ancient Three Races, Xuan Luo brought Wang Lin to Ancient Dao Mountain!

Ancient Dao Mountain is the boundary of the Ancient Three Races, the dwelling place of Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate!

This mountain is also called Holy Mountain, Holy Land, all because of Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate.

At the foot of Ancient Dao Mountain, even Xuan Luo's expression showed reverence. He didn't fly or teleport up, but instead led Wang Lin, like a Mortal, walking up the steps at the base of the Holy Mountain.

These steps led all the way to the heavens. From afar, clouds and mist swirled, obscuring their end, but a vague outline could faintly be seen, and an invisible majesty enveloped the area.

"If Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate meets you, remember to be extremely respectful. Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate is a Senior; even I, your Master, must bow when I see him." On the steps below the mountain, Xuan Luo walked ahead, then turned back to look at Wang Lin kindly, admonishing him.

"Master, rest assured, Disciple understands." Wang Lin's expression was solemn, and his heart was very warm. Along the way, Xuan Luo had given many such admonitions, like a true elder who didn't want his Junior to make mistakes, even though Xuan Luo's appearance looked like a youth, not much different from Wang Lin.

"Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate is a Senior from the same era as the Ancient Ancestor, and furthermore, he is the Protector of our Ancient Race. If not for him, our Ancient Race would probably have been annexed by the Immortal Race and ceased to exist throughout these endless years." Xuan Luo looked up at the Peak of Ancient Dao Mountain, his expression filled with heartfelt respect.

"When Disciple was in the Immortal Race, I also saw descriptions of Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate in some ancient texts. It was said that Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate's cultivation had already surpassed the Great Heavenly Venerate level, and he was the only one who had slain multiple Great Heavenly Venerates of the same rank. Disciple holds such a powerful expert in high regard." Wang Lin spoke softly as he ascended the steps, his gaze fixed on the Peak of Ancient Dao Mountain.

"As for Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate's true cultivation, even your Master cannot guess. It's just that in front of that elder, your Master feels like a Mortal…" Xuan Luo shook his head, sighing lightly.

"Aside from the Great Heavenly Venerate, Senior Ancient Dao rarely summons members of the Ancient Race. Only when each generation's Ancient Emperor is chosen will they be summoned here to receive blessings." Xuan Luo walked silently on the steps, his heart filled with some unease.

"This time, I brought Wang Lin here, and I don't know if Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate will meet him. I once informed Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate about Wang Lin obtaining ten drops of Ancient Ancestor Blood, and also reported that the tenth drop was Soul Blood. I imagine Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate should meet my Disciple." Xuan Luo fell silent along the way, and the closer he got to the mountain Peak, the stronger his unease became.

"If Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate summons Wang Lin, then Wang Lin's task of protecting the Dao Ancient Lineage will proceed smoothly, and his identity will be confirmed by Ancient Dao. In the dao ancient Race, Wang Lin will immediately become transcendent, and even if Ye Dao harbors jealousy, he wouldn't dare to speak much in front of Wang Lin.

But if Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate doesn't summon him…" Xuan Luo sighed inwardly. In fact, bringing Wang Lin here this time was also at the risk of displeasing Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate, as he brought him privately without a summons.

Everything he did was for the Dao Ancient Lineage, and similarly, it was to allow his Disciple to protect dao ancient without humiliation.

On one side was the tribal lineage he had guarded his entire life, and on the other was his extremely satisfactory, even beloved as a son or nephew, only Disciple. Xuan Luo wanted to do his utmost to keep these two sides in balance.

Wang Lin followed behind Xuan Luo, looking at Xuan Luo's back. This back was not particularly tall, but it made Wang Lin feel a rare warmth, a warmth that had accompanied him for a year and a half.

"Ancient Race, I have no sense of belonging. The reason I came here is for Master Xuan Luo. The reason I want to protect the Dao Ancient Lineage is also for Master Xuan Luo…" Wang Lin walked silently.

Their footsteps were silent, seemingly blending into the quietness of Ancient Dao Mountain. Slowly, as they reached the Peak of this mountain, Wang Lin saw a tall pagoda!

This pagoda had nine stories, with four massive pillars around it. Iron chains were fastened to them, connecting to the top of the pagoda, and many bells hung from these chains. As Wang Lin and Xuan Luo arrived, a breeze seemed to blow, causing the bells to sway and emit clear, clanging sounds.

The sound was very pleasant, entering one's mind, capable of dispelling all distracting thoughts, making one's mind clear, and even the Ancient Race power within one's body quickly circulated.

Standing there, Wang Lin's face was slightly pale. He clearly perceived that his cultivation within his body was severely suppressed, yet only the Ancient Race power, instead of being suppressed, exuded a vibrant sense of vitality.

The suppressed cultivation and Origin made Wang Lin feel as if he was carrying several great mountains, making him subtly breathless, but he gritted his teeth and endured, standing behind Xuan Luo.

On the four massive pillars, four people sat cross-legged. These four individuals all appeared to be middle-aged, with gaunt bodies, dressed in gray robes. In the wind, their robes fluttered, but they consistently kept their eyes closed, never opening them.

It seemed that even Xuan Luo's arrival could not make these four open their eyes.

Wang Lin's face was pale, but his gaze swept over the four individuals. His expression was slightly surprised; to him, these four looked like Mortals, possessing no Ancient Race power whatsoever.

"Junior Xuan Luo respectfully requests an audience with Ancient Dao Great Heavenly Venerate." Xuan Luo clasped his hands and bowed towards the tall pagoda.

Wang Lin, behind him, also clasped his hands and bowed his head.

The surroundings were silent, with only the clear sound of the wind blowing the bells echoing, never ceasing. The clanging sound seemed to emanate a strange power, suppressing Wang Lin's Origin and cultivation even further, causing cold sweat to bead on his forehead.

After a long while, the door on the first floor of the tall pagoda silently opened inward. From within the pagoda, a person walked out. This person was a young boy, bald, also wearing a gray robe. After stepping out, he bowed to Xuan Luo.

"Ancient Lord is currently wandering in spirit; please wait for a moment, Great Heavenly Venerate Xuan Luo." The young boy's expression was calm, and his demeanor respectful.

"No matter, I'll just wait here." Xuan Luo didn't mind in the slightest, nodding with a smile.

The young boy glanced at Wang Lin, then retracted his gaze and bowed to Xuan Luo again, retreating back into the pagoda, and the pagoda door slowly closed.

Time slowly flowed, and three days passed in a flash. During these three days, Xuan Luo stood there steadfastly, without the slightest impatience, maintaining his initial respect. Wang Lin stood behind Xuan Luo, and these three days felt like three years, like three hundred years to him!

Because the sound of the bells persisted, continuously ringing and entering Wang Lin's mind, as if intending to melt his Immortal Race cultivation and his entire Origin.

It was as if forcing him to disperse his Origin and cultivation, leaving only Ancient Race power within his body, causing the hidden drop of Soul Blood to dissolve into his entire Bloodline.