Gou in the world of comprehension

Chapter 1599 The Silent Ruins
Upon hearing this voice, Su Fan's hair stood on end instantly, his heart sank, and he immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

He never expected that this old monster, who had been asleep for countless years, would awaken at such a time.

Despite the chill running down his neck and making his scalp tingle so badly it felt like it was about to explode, Su Fan didn't even flinch, still holding Wei Xiaomo's body firmly with his posture taut.

"Thank you, senior..."

At this moment, Wei Xiaomo in her arms spoke slowly again, her voice losing its usual softness, leaving only a chilling indifference and coldness, like icy water in a desolate pool, devoid of any warmth.

"You've gone astray. If you want to make further progress on the path to immortality, it will be as difficult as ascending to heaven..."

Upon hearing this, Su Fan couldn't help but curl a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth.

Of course I want to walk the right path, but I'm forced by life's circumstances.

Who wouldn't want to cultivate steadily and diligently, step by step, to solidify their foundation and move steadily toward the pinnacle of the Great Dao?

But ever since he transmigrated to this world of cultivation, he has been struck by lightning and nearly lost his soul.

What followed was fraught with peril, plunging them into countless life-or-death situations.

Su Fan wanted to take the right path, but fate didn't give him any chance at all, pushing him to the edge of the cliff time and time again.

It's either fight to the death or perish.

Su Fan sighed softly, his voice tinged with helplessness and exhaustion.

"Senior...it's a long story..."

"Hehe... Although the hidden dangers in your body have been temporarily resolved, your meridians and internal organs are now in complete disarray. You probably can't even find the direction of the Great Dao anymore..."

He's a wise old fox who's lived for countless years; his insights are truly sharp.

Every word he said struck a chord with Su Fan; they were absolutely right.

Despite Su Fan's current strength far surpassing that of other cultivators of the same level, and his ability to crush his peers with a mere wave of his hand, the chaotic state within his body has severely hampered his path to immortality, almost cutting off any possibility of him advancing further.

Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it.

His situation was so bizarre that no other similar example could be found in the entire cultivation world, and there wasn't even a single clue to refer to.

Fortunately, although he took the wrong path, it unexpectedly saved him from thousands of years of arduous cultivation.

Compared to other cultivators of the same level, his lifespan was exceptionally long, far exceeding that of ordinary people.

If one can calm down and diligently study the hidden dangers within the body, and slowly find a way to resolve them, the future is not entirely hopeless. It is not impossible to break through the shackles and find another way.

"Senior...you are wise..." Su Fan cupped his hands, his tone carrying a mixture of respect and relief.

"Don't be so discouraged. You possess the demonic seed, which makes you different from others. The ways of heaven are unpredictable, and there are countless paths to follow. There is no end to the road..."

Hearing what the other person said, Su Fan sighed inwardly.

Of course, there are endless paths to take, but every time he fights his way out, he has to risk his life. Every time, it's a near-death experience.

Now, Su Fan has long been accustomed to this kind of life of surviving in desperate situations.

Anyway, what's coming will come, and there's no escaping it, so just accept your fate.

After that, the old witch didn't speak again, as if she had fallen asleep again. Wei Xiaomo in her arms also returned to her usual calm, her breathing even and gentle.

After a while, Wei Xiaomo in my arms suddenly let out a soft moan and slowly opened her eyes.

She sat up slightly, her eyes still somewhat unfocused, looking at Su Fan with a bewildered expression.

"I...when did I fall asleep..."

Looking at her innocent appearance, Su Fan felt the bitterness on his lips lessen.

"You just slept for a little while, you're still weak, do you want to sleep a little longer..."

Wei Xiaomo shook her head, sat up straight from Su Fan's embrace, stretched out her arms, wrapped them tightly around his neck, pressed her burning face against his cheek, and spoke in a soft and dependent voice.

"It's so good to have you by my side..."

Su Fan couldn't help but roll his eyes. It would be even better if you didn't wake up.

The rest of the journey went smoothly without any further incidents.

Su Fan spends almost every day in his personal secret realm, either studying ancient books and classics to find a way to resolve the hidden dangers within his body.

The four enormous flying ships of the "Demon Sun Palace," carrying thousands of trial disciples, traversed the starry sky for more than two months before finally arriving at the destination of this trial, the "Silent Ruins of Annihilation."

As the flying boat slowly swooped down from the sky, breaking through layers of hazy, turbid air, Su Fan was sitting cross-legged by the pool in his personal secret realm, holding a thick ancient book in his hands, studying it carefully, his expression focused and calm.

Hearing the slight tremors from the outside world, he slowly put down the book in his hand, and in a flash, he left his personal secret realm and appeared in the luxurious cabin of the flying boat.

Su Fan waved his hand, and the concealment array set up around the cabin was instantly dispelled. Then he sat down cross-legged and waited for Song Yuanze and the others to come and report.

Before long, the cabin door was gently pushed open, and Song Yuanze and the others bowed and walked in, their expressions respectful and not daring to be the slightest bit negligent.

"Reporting to Senior Brother, the flying boat is about to land and has arrived at a temporary airport in the Silent Heavenly Ruins..."

“Junior Brother Yuanze, you are fully responsible for all matters concerning the upcoming trials. You do not need to report to me anymore; you can make all decisions on your own…”

He was too lazy to deal with these tedious matters, so he simply handed everything over to Song Yuanze to handle, so as to avoid getting annoyed.

"I will obey my senior brother's decree..."

Song Yuanze and the others responded in unison, bowed again, and then slowly withdrew, gently closing the cabin door behind them.

After Song Yuanze and the others left, Su Fan stood up from the jade couch in the hall, walked slowly to the porthole, and gazed intently at the scenery outside.

That was his destination, "Silent Ruins of Heaven".

Looking down from high above, all that can be seen is desolation and barrenness, with countless fragments of different planes floating in the gray starry sky.

Like abandoned ruins, devoid of any life.

The fragments varied in size and shape, some as majestic as mountain peaks, others as tiny as pebbles.

The surface of the fragments was covered with jagged cracks, as if it had been cut by countless sharp blades or had undergone a devastating impact, exuding a chilling stillness.

Legend has it that hundreds of thousands of years ago, two powerful cultivators engaged in an earth-shattering battle here. The clash of their supernatural powers was so terrifying that they accidentally shattered a corner of "Zhengyuan Heaven".

Those shattered remnants of heaven and earth formed this desolate land floating in the starry sky.

For hundreds of thousands of years, it has been suspended alone in the starry sky near "Zhengyuantian", with only death and desolation spreading in this place.

This place is also the training ground for all the disciples of the various sects of the "Zhengyuan Heaven" demonic sect.

This is because the fragments of the Silent Heavenly Ruins are countless and densely packed, and the vast majority of these fragments have never been explored.

Not only does it contain lost treasures, but it also harbors various deadly dangers, making it perfect for the cruel trials of the demonic sect disciples.

The growth of disciples of the Demonic Sect has always been tempered in blood and fire, and the trials of each sect have always been known for their cruelty and ruthlessness.

Each trial requires disciples from various sects to venture into unexplored dimensional fragments to conduct pioneering work.

No one knows what dangers lurk within the fragments. Exploring such a harsh environment is inherently perilous. The disciples not only face the unknown dangers within the fragments, but also the open and covert struggles and brutal battles between disciples from different sects.

The Demonic Sect has always been a place where the strong prey on the weak. It is common for members of the same sect to kill each other for treasures and resources, not to mention disciples from different sects.

Therefore, the casualty rate in each trial of the Silent Heavenly Ruins is astonishingly high, and the disciples who can return alive have often gone through countless near-death experiences.

"Boom..."

A deep, heavy thud resounded, causing the entire airship to tremble slightly.

The massive airship landed steadily on a barren expanse of black gravel, stirring up clouds of dust and pebbles.

A pungent odor permeated the air outside, seeping silently into the cabin through the cracks in the window.

Su Fan frowned, turned and left the luxurious cabin, walking slowly along the passageway towards the cabin door of the airship.

At this moment, the hatch slowly opened, and a large number of trial disciples filed out, each with a tense expression.

Their eyes held a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, as well as a hint of apprehension about the unknown dangers.

Su Fan blended into the crowd, concealing all his aura and suppressing his cultivation to a level comparable to that of an ordinary trial disciple.

In addition, his ordinary stature and plain appearance did not attract the attention of the disciples in the sect. Everyone thought that he was also an ordinary disciple who came to participate in the trial.

As Su Fan slowly stepped off the flying boat with the flow of people, a pungent and unpleasant smell hit him as soon as his feet touched the ground of the Silent Heavenly Ruins, making him grimace and cough.

The smell was a mixture of burnt and dusty, sandy odors, with a faint hint of decay.

It smelled like the ash from a burnt-out furnace, or the stench of a desolate place that hadn't been cleaned for years. It stung my nose and made my throat hurt, making it difficult to breathe.

Looking up, the sky above this place was so dark and oppressive that it seemed as if the entire sky was shrouded in a thick layer of coal smoke and dust.

There was no light of day, no sun, moon, or stars, no wind or clouds; only a gray, lifeless silence.

The light was as dim as dusk, yet it carried an even more chilling and desolate atmosphere.

Fine black dust and grit still floated in the air, drifting gently in the wind. When they landed on the skin, they caused a rough, stinging sensation.

If inhaled, it will damage the meridians. If ordinary cultivators do not circulate their spiritual power to protect themselves, it will not be long before their bodies are eroded by this dust and smoke.

Su Fan subconsciously stomped his foot on the ground. The ground beneath his feet was lifeless, composed entirely of fine black gravel, soft and rough.

Each step leaves a shallow footprint, and lifting the foot raises a fine cloud of dust.

Looking around, all that could be seen was an endless wasteland.

There wasn't an inch of green, not a single blade of grass, and not even a trace of life could be felt.

Looking out, all that could be seen were endless black sand and gravel, jagged rocks, and distant fragments of other planes floating beneath the gray sky, all exuding a sense of despair and desolation.

What a lousy place.

Su Fan silently complained to himself.

To be honest, he didn't like this place at all, and even loathed this desolate, barren, and dangerous environment from the bottom of his heart.

In a place where even breathing feels suffocating, staying for even a second longer makes one feel irritable.

He discreetly squeezed through the crowded throng and approached Song Yuanze and the others, standing at a distance.

Su Fan watched calmly as they methodically organized the disciples, counted the number of people, and explained the precautions for the trial.

They then led their disciples toward the outside of the temporary airport, where they would find a place to stay.

A few days later, the disciples of the sect will travel to those unexplored dimensional fragments to begin this trial.

Song Yuanze turned his head unintentionally and happened to see Su Fan standing not far away.

A hint of respect flashed in his eyes, and he was about to step forward to greet Su Fan when he was stopped by a look from Su Fan.

Song Yuanze felt a chill run down his spine and immediately stopped. He turned his face away without making a sound and continued to organize his disciples to set off, as if nothing had happened.

He knew that Su Fan didn't want to reveal his identity and only wanted to keep a low profile.

Su Fan didn't say anything more and silently followed the group of trial disciples inside the Demon Sun Divine Palace. Under the cover of the crowd, he walked along the barren black gravel towards the distant place where he would settle down.

Before each trial in the Silent Heaven Ruins, the various sects of the "Zhengyuan Heaven" would resupply at this stop.

This place serves as a base for disciples to settle down, rest, and replenish supplies, as well as a temporary gathering place for disciples from various sects to exchange information.

Although it is nominally just a "stopover", after years of construction, it has long since shed its initial simplicity and has become a rough town embedded in the barren gravel.

The buildings inside the town are not exquisite at all; they are all stone houses built with the black rocks unique to the Silent Heavenly Ruins.

Its design is rugged and heavy, with sharp edges and corners, exuding a unique austere and simple charm characteristic of the Demonic Sect. It can resist the erosion of dust and smoke in the air and also cope with the spatial turbulence that occurs from time to time.

On ordinary days, this town also receives independent cultivators who come from all over "Zhengyuan Heaven" to explore and search for treasures in the Silent Heaven Ruins.

Therefore, the town's streets are always crowded with people and bustling with noise, forming a stark contrast with the desolate and lifeless Tianxu surrounding it, making it appear exceptionally lively.

The town has a well-organized layout, consisting of four main streets arranged in a grid pattern, which divide the town into several sections.

The streets are lined with all sorts of shops, offering a wide variety of businesses, all designed to meet the needs of cultivators for survival and exploration in the Heavenly Ruins.

All the major demonic sects in "Zhengyuantian" have their own exclusive residences in this town.

The residences are mostly independent courtyards with strict walls, which can not only provide a place for disciples to settle down and rest during their trials, but also serve as a place for communication and discussion between sects.

Su Fan followed discreetly, walking with Song Yuanze through bustling streets, avoiding dense crowds, until they finally arrived at a secluded courtyard.

The courtyard was surrounded by high walls made of black rock, and two disciples of the Demon Sun Divine Palace stood guard at the entrance.

Su Fan stepped into the courtyard. The furnishings were simple and unpretentious, with only a spacious hall in the center. Inside the hall were several stone tables and benches, which exuded a sense of coldness.

As the group entered the hall, Su Fan took the lead and sat down cross-legged on the stone bench in the main seat.

Song Yuanze and the others stood respectfully below, not daring to overstep their bounds in the slightest.

"Reporting to Senior Brother... Tomorrow morning, all the sects participating in this trial will hold an exchange meeting to discuss matters related to the trial. As the leader of our Demon Sun Divine Palace in this trial, you must attend in person..."

Upon hearing this, Su Fan's brows furrowed with obvious impatience, and he casually waved his hand.

"I won't go. You'll take full responsibility and handle things accordingly. Don't bother me unless it's something important..."

Upon hearing this, Song Yuanze and the others all showed a bitter expression on their faces.

They had anticipated Su Fan's reaction, but they had no choice but to report the truth.

Song Yuanze and the others knew Su Fan's personality well; since he had already spoken, any further persuasion would be futile.

The group could only exchange helpless glances, their eyes filled with bitter smiles.

"I will follow my senior brother's instructions."

After they finished speaking, they turned around quietly and slowly left the hall.

(End of this chapter)