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

Chapter 42 Really? Really.

You walked over and squatted down in front of the old man. His eyes were closed and his breathing was so weak that you could hardly feel it.

If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of his chest, he would have looked like a dried-up corpse.

"Senior," you called softly.

Wu Yazi's eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were cloudy, as if covered with a layer of gray, but when his gaze fell on you, his eyes suddenly brightened.

"Who are you?" His voice was hoarse and weak, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time.

"I called you here not to solve the Ingenious Chess Puzzle, nor to inherit the mantle of my predecessors. I just... simply wanted to come and see for myself."

Wu Yazi paused for a moment, then smiled. His smile was bitter, carrying an indescribable sadness.

"Just came to see?" he said. "In over twenty years, you're the first person to say 'just came to see.' Everyone else comes here for my martial arts, my internal strength, and my position as the leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect. Only you say you simply want to come and see."

You sat down next to me without saying a word.

Wu Yazi glanced at you, his gaze lingering on you for a long time.

"Your internal energy..." Wu Yazi's voice suddenly held a hint of surprise, "...you cultivate the Northern Darkness Divine Art?"

"Yes." You didn't hide anything, "I saw the secret manual in Langhuan Paradise."

Wu Yazi's eyes lit up: "You saw her?"

"I saw it, it's beautiful."

Wu Yazi was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Is she... alright?"

You know you're talking about that jade statue, not Li Qiushui.

"She's still the same, so beautiful she seems unreal," you said. "But senior, she's just a jade statue. No matter how beautiful, she's still an illusion."

Wu Yazi's body jolted violently. You stared into his eyes, your lips trembling slightly: "You... what did you say?"

"I said, it's just a jade statue." You repeated, "For her, Senior gave up Martial Uncle Qiushui, gave up the Free and Unfettered Sect, gave up his entire life. But she's just a jade statue. She can't speak, can't laugh, and can't love anyone."

"Stop talking..." Wu Yazi's voice trembled.

"Your senior waited for over twenty years, not for someone to inherit your mantle, but for someone to go and see her for you. But you see, even if someone went to see her for you, she would still be that jade statue, she wouldn't come to life."

Wu Yazi closed his eyes, and two streams of turbid tears slid down from the corners of his eyes, flowing down his withered cheeks.

You didn't say anything more; some things only need to be said once.

After a long while, Wu Yazi opened his eyes, looked at you, and asked with an indescribable look in his eyes: "What's your name?"

"Wei Wen".

"Wei Wen..." Wu Yazi repeated the name, "Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

You shook your head: "Senior, I don't need your internal energy, nor do I need your position as sect leader. But I can promise you one thing."

"What is it?"

"The person you're waiting for will arrive soon. His name is Xuzhu, a young monk from Shaolin Temple. He is ugly and dull-witted, but kind-hearted. He will solve the Zhenlong Chess Formation, inherit your mantle, and carry forward the Xiaoyao Sect."

Wu Yazi was stunned: "You...how did you know?"

"I know a lot of things," you said. "You just need to wait a few more years, and that person will come."

Wu Yazi remained silent for a long time, then nodded: "Alright, I'll wait for the person you mentioned."

You stood up, bowed deeply to Wuyazi, and then turned and left the stone chamber.

When you emerged from the cave, it was almost dawn. Standing at the cave entrance, watching the pale light of dawn appear in the east, you let out a long breath.

You spoke with the Sweeper Monk, you spoke with Wuyazi, and you did what you wanted to do. Your mind is clear.

After leaving Leigu Mountain, you headed east to Shaoshi Mountain.

Shaoshi Mountain is shorter than Taishi Mountain, where Shaolin Temple is located, but it is steeper and has a rugged terrain with cliffs everywhere.

When you reach the top of the mountain, it is sunset. The setting sun dyes the entire world in gold and red, and the Yellow River in the distance looks like a golden ribbon winding on the horizon.

Standing atop the mountain, gazing at the vast expanse of sky and earth, you suddenly feel a strange sensation within you.

In a few years, a world-shaking battle will take place here.

The three brothers, Qiao Feng, Xu Zhu, and Duan Yu, will join forces in front of all the heroes of the world and defeat Ding Chunqiu, Murong Fu, and You Tanzhi in a decisive battle.

That's the most exciting scene in the original story, and you don't want to miss it.

But right now, it's still early.

You found a flat rock on the mountaintop, sat down, and took out the silver hairpin that Mu Wanqing had given you from your bosom, placing it in your palm.

The orchid on the hairpin gleamed with a faint golden light under the setting sun, like a real flower.

You miss her. It's been almost two months since you left, and you don't know her...

You put the silver hairpin back into your bosom and stood up.

It's time to go back.

The way down the mountain is much faster than the way up; the Lingbo Weibu (a type of footwork technique) allows you to glide along the mountain path like a gust of wind.

You reached the foot of the mountain in less than half an hour, and then headed south towards Taihu Lake.

You walked back much faster than you came; on the way there, you walked and stopped frequently, and it took you almost two months.

On your way back, you traveled day and night, and it took you less than half a month.

That evening, you stood at the entrance of the village and saw the osmanthus tree in the distance.

The osmanthus tree is still the same osmanthus tree, but many leaves have fallen, making it look somewhat desolate.

The courtyard gate was ajar, and a wisp of smoke drifted out of the kitchen chimney, rising gently in the twilight.

You push open the door and walk into the yard.

The sound of spatulas sizzling and Mu Wanqing coughing came from the kitchen; she was choking on the fumes.

You stand at the kitchen doorway, watching Mu Wanqing wearing an apron and frantically stir-frying vegetables, and can't help but laugh.

"I'm back," you said.

Mu Wanqing's hand jerked violently, and the spatula fell to the ground with a crisp "clang".

She turned around, saw you standing in the doorway, paused for a moment, and then her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

"You still know to come back?" Her voice was trembling with tears, but she was smiling.

You walk over and pull her into your arms. She smells of cooking oil and scallions, but mostly she has a faint scent of soap.

"I told you I would come back," you whispered in her ear.

Mu Wanqing buried her face in your chest and said in a muffled voice, "You've lost weight."

"You've lost weight too."

"I haven't lost weight, my clothes are just too loose."

You smiled, tightened your arms, and said nothing more.

That evening, Mu Wanqing cooked a table full of dishes: braised fish, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, egg drop soup, and a pot of fragrant rice.

Her cooking skills have improved a lot; at least the dishes aren't burnt anymore. You ate three bowls of rice, drank two bowls of soup, and finished off the entire table of food.

Mu Wanqing watched you eat, her lips curled up in a smile, her eyes shining.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

"It's delicious," you mumbled, your mouth full of rice.

Mu Wanqing smiled and reached out to wipe the rice grains from the corner of your mouth.

After dinner, the two sat under the osmanthus tree drinking tea. The autumn night breeze was a bit chilly. Mu Wanqing leaned on your shoulder, pulled your hand over, and placed it in her own palm.

"Where did you go?" she asked.

"Shaolin Temple, Leigu Mountain, Shaoshi Mountain."

"What are you going to do?"

"Go see a few people."

"Did you see it?"

"I saw him."

Mu Wanqing didn't ask any more questions, but simply held your hand even tighter.

You took the silver hairpin out of your pocket and put it back in her hair.

"Next time, I'll take you with me," you said.

Mu Wanqing raised her head and looked at you, her eyes filled with an indescribable emotion.

"real?"

"real."