Devour: Can you also draw entries from clone projection worlds?

Spring has passed and autumn has come. You have lived by Taihu Lake for more than half a year. During this time, your life has been simple and fulfilling.

Every morning, he practices swordsmanship by the lake; in the morning, he teaches Mu Wanqing martial arts; in the afternoon, he meditates and cultivates the Northern Darkness True Qi; and in the evening, he drinks tea and watches the stars under the osmanthus tree.

Under your daily guidance, Mu Wanqing's swordsmanship has also improved rapidly. She can now perform the swordsmanship you taught her with her eyes closed, and every move is smooth and perfect.

When you watch her practice swordsmanship, you often think of those years on the Cliff of Contemplation, alone with a sword, day after day, year after year.

Having someone with me now makes a completely different feeling.

But you know, those peaceful days won't last long.

You've been keeping an eye on the news in the martial arts world. Every few days, you'll go to the teahouse in town to sit and listen to the conversations of martial arts people from all over the country.

From their words, you can piece together the progress of the original plot: Qiao Feng was still the leader of the Beggars' Sect, his fame was at its peak; Murong Fu was still making friends with people from all walks of life, paving the way for his restoration of his kingdom.

Duan Yu returned to Dali and heard that he was forced to learn martial arts, causing chaos. Xu Zhu was still a little monk at Shaolin Temple, sweeping the floor and carrying water every day, knowing nothing (of course, this is a conclusion you deduced from the movement of the Drum Stone Chess Game).

Everything is still on track and running smoothly.

But you don't intend to wait like this forever. You're getting restless and want to go out for a walk.

It's not that I'm getting involved in the plot just for the sake of getting involved; it's that I want to do something I've always wanted to do.

For example, go to Shaolin Temple and take a look.

It's not that you're trying to steal martial arts skills; you're really not interested in the 72 Shaolin Arts. Those things require a foundation in Buddhism, which you don't have.

You want to visit the Sutra Repository and see that top-tier figure—the Sweeping Monk.

As the most mysterious figure in the world of Tianlong, his martial arts skills are absolutely unfathomable, and his realm is unattainable.

[It just so happens that you want to see what kind of person he is.]

For example, go and take a look at Leigu Mountain. The Zhenlong Chess Game hasn't started yet; Wuyazi is still waiting in that cave.

You don't want to change the plot. Xu Zhu solving the chess game and inheriting Wu Yazi's internal energy is an important point in the original work. You won't ruin it, and you have no intention of doing so.

But if you want to see that old man and have him talk to you, what a person who has been trapped in darkness for more than 20 years might need most is not inner strength, but someone to talk to.

For example, in the most exciting battle in the world of "Young Master", Qiao Feng, Xu Zhu and Duan Yu fought side by side in front of the heroes of the world, defeating Ding Chunqiu, Murong Fu and You Tanzhi.

That's the highlight of the original work, and you don't want to miss it.

But I can't take Mu Wanqing with me on these trips. It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't.

Those people are too dangerous. The Sweeper Monk, Wuyazi, Ding Chunqiu, Murong Fu, and You Tanzhi are all people you shouldn't mess with.

You have the Northern Darkness Divine Art, the Lingbo Steps, and a minor mastery of sword intent; if you can't win, you can still run away.

Although Mu Wanqing's martial arts skills have improved a lot, she is still far behind these people. Taking her there would be tantamount to sending her to her death.

So you made a decision: settle her in first, then go out for a walk yourself.

That night, the two of you sat under the osmanthus tree, and you told Mu Wanqing about it.

"I need to go out for a bit," you said.

Mu Wanqing was drinking tea when she heard this and paused, her teacup hanging in mid-air.

"Where to?"

"I'll visit Shaolin Temple, Leigu Mountain, and Shaoshi Mountain."

"how long?"

"It's uncertain; it could take several months, or it could take a year."

Mu Wanqing put down her teacup, lowered her head, and remained silent for a long time.

You could sense her fluctuating emotions—reluctance, worry, and a little bit of grievance—but she didn't try to stop you.

"When are you leaving?" she asked.

"In a few days."

"I'll go with you."

"No." You took her hand. "Those places are still a little too dangerous. I can't take you there and risk it."

Mu Wanqing raised her head and looked at you, her eyes glistening with tears, but they didn't fall.

"You promised me," she said, her voice a little hoarse. "You said you would never betray me."

"I haven't wronged you," you said. "I'm just going out to run some errands, I'll be right back. Wait for me here, okay?"

Mu Wanqing bit her lip and remained silent for a long time. Then she suddenly reached out, pulled a silver hairpin from her hair, and put it into your hand.

"This is mine," she said. "I've worn it since I was little. When you wear it, it's like I'm with you."

You look at the silver hairpin in your hand. The head of the hairpin is carved with a small orchid. The workmanship is not exquisite, but you can tell that it is hand-carved, and every cut is made with care.

You carefully put the silver hairpin away from your body, then reached out and pulled her into your arms, whispering in her ear, "Wait for me to come back."

Mu Wanqing didn't answer, but buried her face in your chest, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Three days later, you set off.

You didn't ride a horse; you walked north alone. You used the Lingbo Weibu technique to travel, which was no slower than riding a horse and was even more agile. You didn't need to detour through mountainous or waterways.

You travel during the day, find a place to meditate at night, eat dry food when you're hungry, and drink mountain spring water when you're thirsty.

You traveled from Suzhou to Henan in less than ten days.

First stop: Shaolin Temple.

Shaolin Temple is located halfway up Shaoshi Mountain, built against the mountain, and has a magnificent presence.

When you arrive, it is evening, and the setting sun has turned the entire temple golden red. The sound of bells echoes in the valley, distant and solemn.

Not wanting to disturb too many people, you didn't enter through the main gate, but instead climbed over the wall into the back mountain, followed a small path uphill, passed through a bamboo forest, and arrived at the back of the Sutra Repository.

The Sutra Repository is a three-story wooden building. In front of the building stands an old locust tree, under which lies a broom.

You crouch in the bamboo grove, looking at that broom, and suddenly a strange feeling arises in your heart: that broom must belong to the Sweeping Monk.

After you waited a while, it got dark, and the lights in the library came on.

Through the window, you can see a gray figure moving around in the building, the movements slow and steady, as if tidying up a bookshelf or wiping away dust.

You walked out of the bamboo forest, walked to the door of the scripture pavilion, and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and an old monk in gray robes stood behind it.

He looked to be in his sixties or seventies, thin and frail, with white eyebrows and beard, but bright eyes like two stars.

He was wearing a faded gray monk's robe and holding a rag in his hand; he looked like an ordinary, unremarkable old monk.

But you know, he's not an ordinary person, he definitely isn't.

"What brings you here so late at night, benefactor?" The old monk's voice was calm, without surprise or wariness, just like someone waiting for a guest.

"I'd like to say a few words to my senior," you said.

The old monk glanced at you, his gaze lingering on you for a moment, then nodded: "Come in."

You followed the old monk into the scripture pavilion. The building was very quiet, with only the sound of your two footsteps.

The old monk led you up to the third floor, where you sat down at a wooden table and he poured you two cups of tea.

"It is truly rare for someone so young to possess such profound inner strength." The old monk picked up his teacup and gently blew on it. "May I ask who your master is?"