Chapter 732: Twenty Years
Chapter 732: Twenty Years
Those who have entered the Dao, their hearts harmonize with heaven and earth, and they can perform actions far beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
For example, they can stand there without being seen by others, using the power of the mind to create illusions that influence and deceive enemies.
This is a simple use of mental power, and its pure might is not very great.
Moreover, those who have entered the Dao can use mental power to channel the power of heaven and earth, which is their most powerful offensive technique.
It is enough to make ordinary martial artists despair.
Do not be fooled by the fact that ordinary Dao Entrants tremble before the Great Feng Dynasty.
Apart from such a peak dynasty, there is almost nothing in the world that can make Dao Entrants fear or be wary.
During the peak of the Red Lotus Sect, there were only a dozen or so Dao Entrants.
Even so, they stirred up storms across several provinces.
As for Dao Mages and Dao Celestials, they are even more transcendent.
At the level of a Dao Mage, they disdain to participate in rebellions.
A Dao Mage, as long as they join the Great Feng Dynasty, will receive benefits and treatment almost equivalent to that of a prince.
If they are unwilling to join the Great Feng Dynasty, they can easily retreat into some of the small countries surrounding the Great Feng.
With the strength of a Dao Mage, they would have absolute authority in those small countries.
Opposing the Great Feng Dynasty? Dao Mages are not fools.
Of course, becoming a Dao Entrant is incredibly difficult.
The Great Feng Dynasty provides unified cultivation, with the best resources and guidance.
Even so, the number of Dao Entrants they can cultivate is very few.
It is even fewer in the civilian martial arts world.
Now, the hunched-back old man saw Lin Yuan's mind drawing in the power of heaven and earth, recognizing this as a sign of becoming a Dao Entrant.
His excitement was indescribable.
If Lin Yuan became a Dao Entrant, his ability to survive under the court's pursuit would naturally greatly increase.
Furthermore, with himself, a peak martial artist, by Lin Yuan's side.
As long as they did not actively enter certain dangerous situations, their lives would likely be safe.
The reason the Red Lotus Sect's leader was besieged by the court and met his demise was because of his high profile, and he had long been under the watch of the Great Feng Dynasty's Dao Protection Bureau.
But Lin Yuan is different.
The outside world does not know that Lin Yuan has become a Dao Entrant.
The pursuit forces will definitely not be strong.
"Stay calm, stay calm."
"The most important thing now is to protect the Young Master."
The hunched-back old man forced himself to calm down.
Although he was not a Dao Entrant, he knew some of the taboos of Dao Entrants.
For example, a Dao Entrant who is initially drawing in the power of heaven and earth must not have any mental fluctuations.
Otherwise, they would be torn apart by the violent power of heaven and earth.
Thinking of this, the hunched-back old man immediately became more vigilant in his patrol.
What the hunched-back old man did not know was that even Dao Mages had to be cautious in controlling the power of heaven and earth.
Before Lin Yuan, they were as docile as kittens.
Lin Yuan's realm was such that even with all his techniques suppressed, controlling the power of heaven and earth was still effortless for him.
When it came to the control of the power of heaven and earth, not even a Dao Celestial could compare to him.
"Too little improvement."
Lin Yuan opened his eyes, and the power of heaven and earth gradually calmed down in all directions.
The first time one enters the Dao, drawing in the power of heaven and earth into the body, is the moment of the greatest improvement.
However, even this greatest improvement left Lin Yuan dissatisfied.
Firstly, it was his physical body.
At most, it was slightly stronger than before entering the Dao.
In fact, even for a Dao Celestial, the physical body remains a mortal body.
In this cyclical world, the suppression of the physical body is too great, and only the mental power is slightly more lenient.
But without a strong physical body, it is difficult to cultivate a powerful mental will.
For the vast majority of cultivators, the physical body is the foundation.
The physical body gives rise to everything, giving rise to numerous extraordinary powers.
"But at least I have some means of self-protection."
Lin Yuan nodded slightly. With his current use of mental power, he could likely match a Dao Mage.
A Dao Mage, unless foolishly confronting the court head-on, would live a carefree life anywhere.
The court would not overly press a Dao Mage.
For example, during the court's siege of the Red Lotus Sect.
If the Red Lotus Sect had a Dao Mage, the court's attitude might have been different.
There might have been a chance to consider pulling them in.
As for the nature of the Red Lotus Sect's rebellion?
Whether or not they rebel is still up to the Great Feng Dynasty to decide.
As the power of heaven and earth fell completely calm, the hunched-back old man cautiously approached.
"Third Uncle."
Lin Yuan opened his eyes and nodded slightly at the hunched-back old man.
In the thousand future timelines he had observed, the hunched-back old man, Third Uncle, was absolutely loyal, sacrificing himself multiple times to create opportunities for Lin Yuan to escape.
"Young Master, you, you have become a Dao Entrant?"
The hunched-back old man's voice was excited. Even though he had already deduced this from the changes in the power of heaven and earth, he still wanted to hear Lin Yuan's confirmation.
"Hearing of my father's death, my thoughts fluctuated, and I managed to enter the Dao by chance."
Lin Yuan casually came up with a reason.
In this world, entering the Dao is an extremely mysterious process.
Besides one's own accumulation and talent, it is also influenced by the external environment.
Stimuli and setbacks can all have an impact.
"Good, good, good."
The hunched-back old man nodded repeatedly, unsure whether he was more joyful or heartbroken.
He was happy that Lin Yuan had become an Dao Entrant.
He was heartbroken that Lin Yuan had lost his father and was being pursued by the court.
"Master, we should set out now and head to Yongzhou. We can use the local branch of the Red Lotus Sect there; there might be a chance to make a comeback."
The hunched-back old man glanced at the sky, which was gradually darkening.
During the day, the court's informants were too numerous, even in the deep mountains, it was unsafe to travel.
Only at night, under the cover of darkness, could they move more quietly and stealthily.
The hunched-back old man had brought Lin Yuan to escape over a thousand miles, evading the court's pursuit, relying on his cautiousness.
"Go to Yongzhou?"
Lin Yuan looked at the hunched-back old man and shook his head. "I don't like it there."
In the future timelines he had observed, he learned that the head of the Red Lotus Sect's branch in Yongzhou had already betrayed and joined the court.
They were just waiting for them to come, then they would work together with the court to eliminate the last remnants of the Red Lotus Sect.
"You don't like Yongzhou?"
The hunched-back old man was taken aback. "What about Chizhou?"
The Red Lotus Sect's branch in Chizhou, though not as powerful as the one in Yongzhou, was not a bad choice.
It was not insignificant and could provide temporary refuge.
"Chizhou won't work either."
Lin Yuan shook his head.
In another future timeline, the hunched-back old man had taken Lin Yuan to Chizhou.
The result was the same; the branch head in Chizhou had also betrayed and joined the court, turning the entire Chizhou branch into a tool of the court.
The hunched-back old man thought for a moment and suggested several other destinations.
But Lin Yuan rejected each one.
These places were mostly already under the control of the Great Feng Dynasty.
Going there would be like walking into a trap.
"Third Uncle, what do you think of the Dao Protection Bureau's methods?" Lin Yuan asked in return.
"The Dao Protection Bureau's methods..."
The hunched-back old man fell silent, a trace of fear in his eyes.
The Dao Protection Bureau of the Great Feng Dynasty was ruthless and meticulous.
This time, the Red Lotus Sect's leader and most of the sect members were captured by the Dao Protection Bureau.
Apart from the hunched-back old man and Lin Yuan, no one escaped.
Even their escape was due to the Red Lotus Sect leader's self-sacrifice, diverting the Dao Protection Bureau's attention to create an opportunity for the houched-back old man to escape with Lin Yuan.
"Since the Dao Protection Bureau has taken action, they must have a foolproof plan. The places you mentioned might be safe, but do you think the Dao Protection Bureau doesn't know about them?"
Lin Yuan said.
In reality, before the Dao Protection Bureau acted against the Red Lotus Sect leader, they had cut off all possible escape routes.
The preparations in various branches were not for Lin Yuan but for the Red Lotus Sect leader, an Dao Entrant.
In the Dao Protection Bureau's plan, they did not have the confidence to capture the Red Lotus Sect leader, an Dao Entrant.
A determined Dao Entrant could escape, and even if they were captured, it would come at a great cost.
The Dao Protection Bureau did not want to engage in a desperate struggle with the remnants of the Red Lotus Sect.
Thus, they set up plans for the various branches of the Red Lotus Sect.
If the leader managed to escape and wanted to make a comeback, he would inevitably use the resources and influence of the other branches.
The Dao Protection Bureau had already prepared traps, waiting for the Red Lotus Sect leader to come.
"Master, what you mean is..."
The hunched-back old man was not stupid. After Lin Yuan's reminder, he immediately connected many dots.
Given the Dao Protection Bureau's usual methods, these things were indeed possible.
"Every possible escape route you can think of, the Dao Protection Bureau has thought of and set up traps for us."
Lin Yuan said.
This was the truth, a conclusion drawn from observing a thousand future timelines.
Once the machinery of the Great Feng Dynasty was in motion, even an Dao Entrant would find it difficult to resist. Not escaping meant certain death.
If the Red Lotus Sect had not been led by just an ordinary Dao Entrant, the Dao Protection Bureau would have sent stronger forces, and Lin Yuan and the hunched-back old man would have had no chance to escape.
"What do you plan to do, Master?"
The hunched-back old man had unknowingly handed over the decision-making power to Lin Yuan.
Firstly, because Lin Yuan's analysis was indeed sound, and the considerations made the hunched-back old man feel a lingering fear.
Secondly, because Lin Yuan was now an Dao Entrant.
Even during the Red Lotus Sect's peak, Dao Entrants held significant influence.
"Since the court has left traps behind, we won't go out at all."
Lin Yuan smiled and said.
"Not go out?"
The hunched-back old man was taken aback.
He looked up at the nearby deep mountains.
"Stay in the deep mountains and not go out?"
The hunched-back old man couldn't help but ask again.
"Third Uncle, do you trust me?"
Lin Yuan didn't elaborate further but asked directly.
"I naturally trust you."
The hunched-back old man immediately nodded.
Since the old sect leader's death, he could only trust Lin Yuan.
"Then listen to me. Don't ask any questions, just follow me."
Lin Yuan said briefly.
In the thousand future timelines he had observed.
If he left the mountains within ten years, various traps would be waiting for him.
Although with Lin Yuan's strength, he could overcome most situations.
It was inevitable that he would encounter the Great Feng Dynasty's Dao Protection Bureau prematurely.
On the contrary, if he hid in the deep mountains, he could safely develop for several decades.
For Lin Yuan, before his strength was fully developed, he did not like to expose himself.
Especially under the premise of the task to "kill the Great Feng Emperor."
As a time loop test that trapped countless 12th-stage cultivators, it couldn't be so simple. Lin Yuan naturally dared not be careless.
"Alright."
"Wherever you go, Young Master, I will follow."
The hunched-back old man understood.
Lin Yuan's confident tone made him instinctively believe.
"Alright."
Lin Yuan nodded and said, "There's a bandit stronghold in these mountains called Black Wind Fort. We'll go there."
Through the thousand future timelines, Lin Yuan had planned out a development process for several decades.
First, he would continue to hide in the deep mountains.
Of course, not just hiding, but occupying Black Wind Fort.
Black Wind Fort was just an ordinary bandit stronghold, not attracting the attention of the Great Feng Dynasty's Dao Protection Bureau.
Lin Yuan and the hunched-back old man hiding there would live very peacefully.
They could also make various preparations and backups.
"Black Wind Fort?"
The hunched-back old man thought for a moment and nodded, "I'll follow Young Master's lead."
Hundreds of miles away from where Lin Yuan and the hunched-back old man were.
More than ten tall, silver-armored men stood there.
They were the strongmen of the Great Feng Dynasty's Dao Protection Bureau.
"Brother, are we not continuing the pursuit?"
A bearded man looked at the leader and asked in a low voice.
"This Black Mountain stretches for thousands of miles. How can we pursue? Are we to mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops or a Dao Celestial just for a few remnants of the Red Lotus Sect?"
The leader countered.
Whether it was hundreds of thousands of troops or a Dao Celestial, they were the top forces of the Great Feng Dynasty.
Used to stabilize regions.
They couldn't be mobilized lightly.
The Great Feng Dynasty was currently at its peak.
But various rebellions often occurred in the provinces, requiring the suppression of troops or Dao Celestials.
A Dao Celestial's combat power was equivalent to a thousand-man army.
But no one would equate a Dao Celestial with a thousand-man army.
A Dao Celestial's strongest skill was in assassination and taking the head of an enemy general in a sea of enemies.
"Don't worry. The Red Lotus Sect's leader is dead. The remaining remnants won't cause much trouble."
The leader said calmly, "I have made multiple preparations outside Black Mountain. As soon as the remnants leave Black Mountain, they won't escape."
The leader finished speaking and turned to leave.
The more than ten strongmen of the Dao Protection Bureau immediately followed.
The Great Feng Dynasty's Dao Protection Bureau was responsible for suppressing any Dao Entrants with rebellious intentions.
The Red Lotus Sect was just one of them, and a weaker one at that.
Now that the Red Lotus Sect had been largely dealt with, the strongmen of the Dao Protection Bureau naturally rushed to other provinces.
Deep in Black Mountain.
A large group of bandits gathered at a stronghold called Black Wind Fort.
In fact, Black Mountain, spanning thousands of miles, had more than a dozen bandit strongholds.
At this moment.
Outside Black Wind Fort, two figures, an old man and a young man, appeared.
"Who are you?"
A patrolling bandit stared warily at Lin Yuan and the hunched-back old man.
Neither Lin Yuan nor the hunched-back old man looked like ordinary people.
"I'm here to see the Chief."
Lin Yuan stepped forward, smiling at the bandit.
Half an hour later.
The seven senior leaders of Black Wind Fort, including the Chief, Second Chief, and Third Chief, were all kneeling before Lin Yuan, continuously bowing their heads.
No one knew that Black Wind Fort had changed hands in just half an hour.
Time passed.
In the blink of an eye, twenty years had gone by.
(End of Chapter)
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