Chapter 778: The Meaning of cultivation

"Let's understand the situation first."

Han Jue frowned as he thought to himself. If Demon Ancestor Lu Yuan happened to be Han Tuo's Master, wouldn't he be cursing his own family to death?

Han Jue directly sent a Dream Message to Han Tuo.

The dream world was a picturesque landscape of mountains and rivers.

Han Jue noticed that Han Tuo had changed.

Besides his frame becoming sturdier, his face looked a bit weathered. His white hair was tied behind his head with a blood-red tendon, leaving only two thin strands of hair in front of his forehead.

It seemed Han Tuo had suffered quite a bit over these years.

Han Jue originally wanted to demand why he had severely injured the Evil Heavenly Emperor, but upon seeing his current appearance, his heart couldn't help but soften.

He must have had reasons beyond his control.

Han Tuo snapped his eyes open. Upon seeing Han Jue, he froze for a moment before hurriedly standing up to salute. However, he was no longer as excited as before; his entire being appeared very calm.

He had indeed grown up.

Han Jue asked, "How have you been lately?"

Han Tuo hesitated for a moment but still truthfully recounted his experiences—from being trapped in the Infinite Abyss to being subdued by Demon Ancestor Lu Yuan, and recently following Demon Ancestor Lu Yuan through Chaos to find a way to help the Demon Ancestor restore his original Physical Body.

Han Jue narrowed his eyes and asked, "This Demon Ancestor has not yet restored his true body?"

Han Tuo nodded and said, "His Physical Body was slashed into oblivion by Pangu, and his soul was suppressed within the Ancient Desolation by the Dao Ancestor for countless eons. He needs time to recover his strength."

He hesitated to speak, a worried look in his eyes.

Han Jue asked, "What do you want to say?"

Han Tuo took a deep breath and said, "I injured the Evil Heavenly Emperor, but it wasn't an ambush. It was just that he and Zhou Fan wanted to bring me and Yi Tian back. I feel ashamed toward Your Majesty, but I want to try following the Demon Ancestor. I hope Father can forgive me."

He knew about the relationship between Han Jue and the Evil Heavenly Emperor, which was why he had concerns.

Han Jue asked, "Why do you want to follow the Demon Ancestor?"

Han Tuo looked up at Han Jue, his gaze incredibly firm, and said, "To find the meaning of my existence. I followed Your Majesty and fought constantly, killing countless people. Although the Heavenly Court has been growing stronger, I cannot find my own meaning. By following the Demon Ancestor, perhaps I can find it."

Han Jue was speechless.

Looking for meaning?

He must have too much free time on his hands!

Continuing to live is the greatest meaning!

However, seeing Han Tuo's gaze, Han Jue found it hard to criticize him directly.

To each his own. The path Han Jue walked in the past was also not understood by others. Those around him thought he was cowardly and afraid of trouble, but he used his powerful strength to prove he was right.

At least at the beginning, Han Jue was very firm.

Han Tuo had experienced all walks of life and all seven emotions and six desires. He had experienced the ultimate sense of achievement and near-collapsing frustration. Having reached his Realm, it was already difficult to encounter opponents, so it was indeed easy to feel lost.

Han Jue asked, "Then can you tell me why the Demon Ancestor wants you?"

Han Tuo did not hide anything.

Upon learning that the Demon Ancestor actually wanted to restart Chaos, Han Jue did not panic. Instead, he felt somewhat amused.

The Fate Faction, the Demon God race, the Demon Ancestor, the Great Dao Spirits, and so on—more and more major factions were beginning to organize and take the stage. For Han Jue, this was actually a good thing. The more chaotic Chaos became, the harder it would be for his identity to be exposed.

The fact that Han Tuo could speak of the Demon Ancestor's intentions showed that the Demon Ancestor had not used some method to brainwash him; otherwise, he would definitely have kept the Demon Ancestor's secrets.

"Have you really made up your mind? This path will be very arduous, and you will encounter many troubles," Han Jue asked.

Han Tuo said with a determined face, "At first, I refused. Later, the Demon Ancestor let me see many things, and only then did I decide to follow him. If the Demon Ancestor truly possesses the cultivation to overturn everything, I will have him preserve the Hidden Gate lineage. If the Demon Ancestor fails, I will sever my relationship with you and never cause you trouble."

This could indeed be considered an investment. No matter what, Han Jue wouldn't lose.

Han Tuo had lost too many people in this life; Han Jue was his only remaining relative. Yet Han Jue was too powerful, and Han Tuo simply had no ability to repay him. Instead of that, it was better to follow the Demon Ancestor and strive for a slim chance of survival for Han Jue.

Han Jue fell silent. He could feel Han Tuo's sincerity.

It's just that this kid is looking down on me way too much!

Han Tuo lowered his head slightly and said softly, "Although you have been protecting me, in your heart, you actually have no expectations for me."

Han Jue said, "If I had no expectations, why would I save you?"

Han Tuo said, "It's only because I am your son. The expectations I'm talking about have nothing to do with family affection. Just like you, you've protected so many people but have always cultivated bitterly. Isn't that because you don't trust anyone and only trust yourself? In your heart, you never expect others to be able to save you; you only believe that you can protect yourself."

Han Jue fell silent again.

It had to be said, this kid had truly seen through him.

Han Jue indeed did not place much expectation on anyone. He nurtured the Demon God Legion only in the hope that they would help him reduce trouble in the future. He never expected the Hidden Gate or the Demon God Legion to save him in a time of crisis.

Because he would absolutely never let himself fall into a desperate situation.

This was also the reason why he remained in Seclusion despite already being so powerful.

"Father, let me try."

Han Tuo stared at Han Jue and said each word distinctly.

The images of the two did indeed look like father and son, though Han Tuo appeared older.

Han Jue said, "Fine, I respect your choice. However, if the Demon Ancestor dares to threaten me, I will not show him any mercy. I hope you won't plead for him when the time comes."

Han Tuo said helplessly, "How could I plead for him? I am only doing this for myself; I have no fondness for him."

Han Jue left behind one last sentence before dissolving the dream:

"If you truly encounter a deathly situation, summon me at any time."

…On a desolate land, looking up revealed a brilliant starry sky.

Han Tuo sat meditatively atop a hill. He opened his eyes, feeling both moved and bitter. "You still think I'm not capable enough…"

A cold wind blew past, and Han Tuo's white hair fluttered with it.

Yi Tian suddenly walked over. Like Han Tuo, his appearance had changed. He wore a set of ferocious black armor, his black hair reached down to his heels, and his face was wild and unrestrained. Even when he didn't speak, he gave off a very arrogant feeling.

"What are you thinking about? The Demon Ancestor should be finishing up soon. That guy is really disgusting, eating the corpses of ancient Chaos Demon Gods raw," Yi Tian said as he sat down beside Han Tuo.

Han Tuo asked, "Yi Tian, have you ever thought about why you Cultivate? What is this life for?"

Yi Tian was stunned, then laughed. "Of course I have! I want to become the most powerful existence! Just like the Great Sage Equal to Heaven you told me about!"

Han Tuo said gloomily, "The Great Sage Equal to Heaven eventually became the Victorious Fighting Buddha."

Yi Tian laughed confidently. "That's because he failed. If I succeed, even the Tathagata will have to kneel before me!"

Looking at his smile, Han Tuo couldn't help but space out.

Yi Tian seemed to be forever optimistic and carefree.

Yi Tian sensed Han Tuo's mood and patted his shoulder, laughing. "Don't spend all day thinking about these useless things. You damn well have a father to rely on. Is it because you know you can't possibly die that you want to look for trouble for yourself?"

Han Tuo laughed and scolded, "What the hell do you know? I am contemplating. Contemplating, do you understand?"

Yi Tian grinned and said, "Wait until I surpass you and trample you under my feet. You won't even have the energy to contemplate; you'll only be able to think about how to surpass me!"