Yefutidaolu

Chapter 440 Fear
Gao Jian paused briefly at the door, took a deep breath, and tried his best to restrain the unconscious aura emanating from his body, thus reducing the invisible "vortex" feeling considerably. His gaze was calm as he raised his hand and knocked on the door with a light but firm touch.

"Boom, boom."

"The door is not bolted, Mr. Gao, please come in." Yuan Lu's gentle and familiar voice came from inside the house, with a hint of a smile.

Without further hesitation, Gao Jian pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside.

The interior of the school was simply furnished with a table, a few chairs, a row of bookshelves, and a landscape painting with profound artistic conception hanging on the wall.

At this moment, Yuan Lu was standing with his back to the door, by the window, seemingly admiring the few green bamboos outside. He was still wearing the simple, elegant robe he wore when lecturing, his posture upright and his aura profound.

Hearing Gao Jian's footsteps enter, he slowly turned around, a gentle smile on his face that was hard to decipher.

“Mr. Gao is indeed a man of his word, arriving very quickly.” He glanced at Gao Jian, then gestured for him to sit down, pointing to a chair in the room. “Please sit down, we can have a good talk.”

Gao Jian did not sit down immediately. He stood at the door, his gaze sharp as he carefully examined the "Yuan Lu" before him, trying to find any flaws in the slightest detail. The atmosphere inside the room seemed peaceful, but undercurrents were surging.

“Mr. Yuan,” Gao Jian began, his voice steady and devoid of emotion, “Now that I’m here, you can begin to explain… who you really are, and why you’ve come to see me?”

"Hey, don't be in such a hurry." Yuan Lu still had that calm and unhurried smile, and waved his hand. "How about this, to be fair, you ask one question, I ask one question, we take turns, no one loses out, how about it?"

Gao Jian's eyes flickered slightly, but he remained calm and composed: "Alright. Who wants to start?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of amusement flashed in Yuan Lü's eyes, as if he found the process quite amusing. He stretched out his hands, assuming a starting stance for a game of rock-paper-scissors, and casually said:
"Simple, rock-paper-scissors? Whoever wins asks first."

—Rock, paper, scissors?
These five words made his pupils suddenly contract!

wrong!

At this moment, Gao Jian's mind was on high alert!
In this world of the Divine Dynasty, children naturally also have similar games of rock-paper-scissors to determine who goes first and who wins. However, such games are usually called 'hiding lots', 'guessing numbers', or other more elegant names, and their specific hand gestures and rules are subtly different from those of "rock-paper-scissors".

"Rock, paper, scissors"—this is a name with a distinctly exotic flavor, or rather, a name that comes from the deepest memories of Gao Jian's previous life! It should never be spoken so naturally and casually by a "native" immortal from the Divine Dynasty!
This seemingly unintentional choice of words, like a flash of lightning in the darkness, instantly illuminated part of the truth!

The "Yuan Law" before us is definitely not something that exists native to the Divine Dynasty! It might even be... from the same "source" as Gao Jian, or at least, it has been exposed to information from that "source"!

Gao Jian forcefully suppressed the turmoil in his heart, showing no sign of it on his face. He simply followed the other party's words, making a similar "guessing game" gesture as well, responding in a calm tone, but deliberately using the terminology of this world:

"Okay. Then... let's decide who goes first by guessing."

He stared intently into Yuan Lu's eyes, trying to catch the other's reaction.

A strange tranquility settled over the courtyard.

A few slender bamboo stalks cast sparse shadows, swaying gently in the breeze and making a soft rustling sound.

The stone lantern in the corner, with its simple and unadorned design, exudes a timeless charm even when unlit. Sunlight filters through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled, shimmering patterns on the ground. A faint, fresh scent of grass and trees mingles with the subtle aroma of ink from inside the house, creating a tranquil and soothing atmosphere.

Beneath this tranquility, both Gao Jian and Yuan Lü appeared exceptionally calm. The turbulent waves of the moment before seemed as if they had never happened. All their emotions were perfectly contained beneath their calm faces, showing no sign of joy or anger.

After Gao Jian sat down at the table, Yuan Lü picked up an elegant ceramic pot, poured him a cup of clear fruit wine, and pushed it in front of him, saying in a gentle tone: "Tea is bland, try this. It's homemade fruit wine, mild and palatable, and tastes even better."

"Either is fine." Gao Jian didn't even glance at the cup of fruit wine, his gaze fixed on the other person. He extended his hand, ready to begin.

The next moment, the two attacked almost simultaneously.

A simple game of rock-paper-scissors, one round decides the winner.

Gao Jian produced scissors, while "Yuan Lü" produced stones.

Gao Jian lost.

"You flatter me." Yuan Lu smiled slightly, withdrew his hand, leisurely picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip, then put it down, looked at Gao Jian, and asked his first question. His tone was still calm, but it went straight to the point:

“Mr. Gao, I’m very curious. The Divine Dynasty has treated you well, granting you the opportunity to study at the Imperial Academy and providing you with a place to settle down and make a living. Why… do you insist on going against the Divine Dynasty at every turn?”

Gao Jian remained expressionless, as if he had expected this question, and answered succinctly and decisively: "I just couldn't stand it."

He paused, not giving the other person a chance to press for further questions, and immediately took the initiative according to the rules: "Hmm... isn't it my turn to ask?"

Yuanlu seemed unsurprised by Gao Jian's almost perfunctory yet irrefutable answer. He simply nodded slightly and murmured, "Can't stand it?... Fine, I'm just confirming what I'm thinking." He then gestured, "Please ask, Mr. Gao."

Takashi leaned forward slightly and asked the question he had been preparing for a long time:
"What are the people behind the Divine Dynasty thinking? What is their purpose in establishing such an order and maintaining this desolate world?" This question revealed a clear look of surprise on Yuan Lu's face. He raised an eyebrow slightly: "You know that there are people behind the Divine Dynasty?"

Gao Jian raised his hand to stop the other party from going any further, and calmly said, "That's the next question. According to the rules, Mr. Yuan, please answer mine first."

“Alright.” Yuan Lu, unfazed by Gao Jian’s almost blunt question, nodded and began to answer, his tone becoming more solemn, as if stating an unquestionable truth:

"Actually, all of this is for more people, for a better future." His gaze was distant, as if penetrating the walls of the schoolhouse and looking at some grand vision.

"For a better future?" Takami frowned. "With these... methods?"

"Hehe," Yuan Lu chuckled softly upon hearing this, instead of being displeased. He shook a finger and said, "Mr. Gao, don't forget the rules. Your question is quite a new one."

Gao Jian took a deep breath, suppressing the surging sarcasm in his heart, and nodded: "Okay, ask away."

Yuan Lu then repeated the question that had just been interrupted: "It's the same question—how do you know there's someone else behind the Divine Dynasty? What's your basis for that?"

Gao Jian answered in greater detail and with clearer logic this time: "Within the Divine Dynasty, there are multiple paths to reach the seventh rank, including incense offerings, deities, earth immortals, and even martial arts... This is by no means a system that can naturally evolve or be independently created in this desolate world. It must have been inherited from a more 'complete' era or existence."

He paused, then continued, "Furthermore, maintaining that 'living world' within the Purple Palace Enclosure, isolating it from the dead silence of the outside world, and even distorting the earth's veins and gathering spiritual energy... such a feat is beyond the capabilities of ordinary Earth Immortals. Behind it must stand a being of higher status and greater power. A little thought is all it takes to deduce that."

Yuanlu listened carefully, a glint in his eyes, as if confirming the truth of Gao Jian's words. After a moment, he nodded: "Your observation and deduction are very sharp. You are not lying. So, continue, it's your turn to ask."

Gao Jian immediately picked up where the interrupted question left off, his tone even sharper: "Why? Why do you believe that maintaining such a rigid and cruel hierarchical structure, sacrificing the well-being of countless people in the present, can bring about a so-called 'better future'? What is the logic behind this?"

Yuanlu seemed long accustomed to Gao Jian's aggressive questioning, and calmly replied: "The essence of the universe and all living beings in society is a hierarchical structure. With ups and downs, there is order; with flow, there is vitality. Downwards, layer upon layer of exploitation extracts resources and variables; upwards, layer upon layer of support gathers strength and wisdom."

"When the pressure on the lower classes reaches its limit and becomes unsustainable, the sparks of change will naturally emerge. These sparks will impact the upper classes, disrupt the old balance, and give rise to a new order, new technologies, and new powers. This cycle repeats itself, constantly changing, and society can gain endless momentum for expansion through repeated destruction and construction. Only in this way can civilization thrive and continuously transcend its own limitations."

He looked at Gao Jian: "This is the most effective path to a stronger, more distant future."

"The changes of mortals, birth, aging, sickness, and death, the rise and fall of dynasties—how much meaning do they hold from such a grand perspective?" Gao Jian asked rhetorically, his tone detached. "They are merely repetitive cycles; what benefit do they bring to the 'future'?"

“Yes, it is of great significance,” Yuanlu affirmed. He gave an example to help Gao Jian understand: “It’s like the natural world. Nowadays, no creature can compare with the self-proclaimed ‘crown jewels’—humans or dragons—in terms of pure ‘strength.’ However, the ferocity of lions and tigers, the sharpness of eagles and falcons, the diving ability of fish and turtles, the resilience of plants… their very existence embodies a certain ‘truth’ of natural evolution, a ‘principle’ that primates themselves do not possess.”

“And when the ‘most intelligent beings’ use their own wisdom to observe, learn, and ultimately regain mastery of these ‘principles’ from other creatures and even from nature,” his voice carried a hint of mystery, “those seemingly insignificant biological specialties will transform from the mundane into the extraordinary.”

He concluded by glancing meaningfully at Gao Jian: "The symbolic fist techniques you practice, the various visualizations that condense the divine intent of different living beings, and even the formations and feng shui that utilize the terrain—all these follow the same principle. The myriad forms of life and the myriad phenomena of nature are all resources and mirrors for our cultivation. The same principle applies to the stratification and changes in society. The changes and suffering at the bottom are also the soil that propels the whole forward, giving birth to new 'principles' and forces."

Gao Jian remained silent, processing the other person's words, his gaze growing increasingly profound. He was not convinced by these words; instead, he sensed a deeper, almost inhuman, indifference within them.

A brief silence flowed between the two, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves clearly audible.

After a while, Gao Jian took the initiative to speak, breaking the silence: "Just now, I was so emotional that I asked one more question. According to the rules, it counts as me asking one more question. When it's your turn next time, you can ask one more question as compensation."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Lu smiled nonchalantly, his demeanor relaxed: "It's nothing, just a small matter, no need to worry. Let's proceed as normal." He picked up his teacup, took an elegant sip, then put it down, his gaze refocusing on Gao Jian, "Well then, it's my turn next."

"Please." Gao Jian made a gesture of complete agreement, but his mind was already highly focused.

Yuan Lu leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharpening as he asked his next question:
"Your cultivation path is completely different from any system known in the Divine Dynasty. It allows you to possess combat power that surpasses that of ordinary tenth-level cultivators, and even threatens Earth Immortals, even though you are only at the seventh level, but your acupoints remain unchanged. I am very curious, where exactly did you obtain this unique inheritance?"

After asking his question, he didn't stop immediately. Instead, he added in a seemingly casual but actually pressure-filled tone, "Remember, Mr. Gao. This conversation between us is based on a certain 'honesty.' If I detect any lies in your answers... then this conversation will end immediately."

This is both a reminder and a warning, implying that he possesses some ability or reliance to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Gao Mian's expression remained unchanged, but countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. He met the other's gaze, his tone frank, even with a hint of indifference: "Don't worry, I won't lie. There's nothing to hide." He stated clearly, "My cultivation path originates from the Desire Realm."

He deliberately slowed his speech, observing the other person's reaction:
"I once entered the Desire Realm by chance."

The moment the words fell—

The composed smile on Yuan Lu's face suddenly froze!

His pupils contracted suddenly and uncontrollably! Although this loss of composure lasted for less than a moment before he forcibly suppressed it and returned to his outward calm, Gao Jian keenly captured the fleeting fear and disbelief, as well as the almost tangible fear that swept through the depths of his pupils!

Something is wrong!
What is he afraid of?
When true dragons and celestial beings hear about the 'Desire Realm,' they mostly react with surprise, curiosity, or solemnity. But 'fear'... this is the first time I've ever seen such an emotion!
What does this 'Yuanlu' know? Why does it have such intense fear of the 'Desire Realm'?

(End of this chapter)