798: Peeking into the future, at one's own corpse?

Half an hour later, Sima Ming left the Zhao family.

Having learned that Lin Yang would continue to stay in Xiwu City, he also needed to return to the prefecture city to report the news and make some corresponding preparations.

Lin Yang, meanwhile, was recalling some information about the Human Ancestor Hall that he had learned just now by asking Sima Ming.

There are five Great Hall Masters within the Human Ancestor Hall; they are the five most powerful beings of the human race on the Primal Ancient Continent, protecting all of humanity.

There is no hierarchy among the five Hall Masters; they deliberate and decide on matters together during ordinary times.

Apart from the five Great Hall Masters, there are no positions for Deputy Hall Masters. Instead, there are the Garrison Commanders of the Heng, Wei, and Gu three realms. Below the Garrison Commanders are the Patrol Elders who are Dao Wulou Realm Practitioners.

Patrol Elders are responsible for handling emergencies within the human territory, and they are not fixed to any specific prefecture.

Wherever there is an issue, they are dispatched randomly according to the situation.

Garrison Commanders, on the other hand, are stationed in a certain place for a long term.

However, it is usually only in prefectures near the Ancient Night Clan and some special places that Garrison Commanders are stationed for the long term.

Although Xiwu City is also a border region, it has a good relationship with the Gu Xu Clan, so there are no Garrison Commanders, only Patrol Elders who occasionally come to inspect.

The situation within the Human Ancestor Hall is simple to describe: the five Great Hall Masters are in a league of their own, while everyone else can be called an Elder.

It is merely the difference between Patrol Elders and Garrison Commander Elders.

As for Lin Yang himself, having advanced to become a Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner, according to the rules of the Human Ancestor Hall, he could choose to become a long-term Garrison Elder of a prefecture or become a Patrol Elder.

There is actually not much difference between the two, except that Patrol Elders are not fixed to be responsible for the affairs of a specific area.

Furthermore, this cannot be refused.

As long as one reaches the level of a Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner, one must become an Elder of the Human Ancestor Hall.

Ordinary cultivation and the like are not affected, but if the Human Ancestor Hall assigns a task, it must be executed.

This rule seems overbearing, but in reality, were it not for the protection of the Human Ancestor Hall, the entire human race would not be as stable as it is today.

As the saying goes, having enjoyed the benefits, it is only right to contribute.

Moreover, the existence of the Human Ancestor Hall is also to counter the Foreign race.

Therefore, Lin Yang did not reject becoming an Elder of the Human Ancestor Hall.

After Sima Ming left, he did not immediately go to the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm to cultivate, but instead continued to wait for an Elder from the Human Ancestor Hall to find him.

During this period, the Zhao family also ushered in unprecedented glory, expanding to a degree they previously dared not even imagine.

This was still the result of Zhao Yuan vigorously suppressing it.

On this day, Lin Yang was organizing his cultivation gains in the Zhao family Villa when his expression suddenly shifted slightly, and he looked toward the entrance of the Villa.

At the entrance, an elderly man in a gray robe with a kind expression appeared, standing quietly. After seeing Lin Yang's gaze, the old man smiled slightly and said:

"Fellow Daoist Lin Yang, I am Clear Source. I have come on behalf of the Human Ancestor Hall to pay a visit. Please forgive this sudden visit, Fellow Daoist Lin Yang."

"Clear Source?"

Hearing this name, Lin Yang was slightly stunned. This name was very familiar to him, but for a moment he dared not be certain, so he had to say first:

"Fellow Daoist Clear Source, please come in quickly. This Villa is a bit simple; I hope you won't mind my lack of proper hospitality, Fellow Daoist Clear Source."

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Lin Yang is too polite." Clear Source smiled and walked into the Villa.

"Fellow Daoist Clear Source, please sit." Lin Yang said again.

Clear Source nodded slowly and sat down on the stone stool opposite Lin Yang.

Afterward, the two looked at each other, and for a moment, they both inexplicably fell silent.

It was as if both sides had something on their minds.

Lin Yang was thinking of a person in his heart, wondering how to bring it up to confirm without seeming abrupt.

Clear Source, however, was looking at Lin Yang with deep eyes, not knowing what he was thinking.

In short, for some reason, neither of them spoke.

Lin Yang quickly noticed this and felt some confusion.

This Clear Source came on behalf of the Human Ancestor Hall, yet he actually didn't speak?

After a pause, Lin Yang was the first to speak: "Fellow Daoist Clear Source, I wonder what arrangements the Human Ancestor Hall has for me?"

Clear Source seemed to snap out of it then and said with a smile: "The rules of the Human Ancestor Hall, I presume Fellow Daoist Lin Yang is clear about. Having advanced to become a Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner, you can choose to garrison a region or become a Patrol Elder. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lin Yang has already made a decision?"

Lin Yang nodded: "I intend to become a Garrison Elder of Xi Jing Prefecture."

"That is excellent. Fellow Daoist Lin Yang has been in Xi Jing Prefecture for many years and is familiar with the situation here, so taking over Xi Jing Prefecture is only reasonable."

Clear Source smiled and immediately took out a token and handed it to Lin Yang:

"This is the Elder Token of the Human Ancestor Hall. Through this token, you can contact the administrative department of the Human Ancestor Hall, as well as other Elders of the Human Ancestor Hall. If you need support for any matter, you can directly ask for help through the token, and the Human Ancestor Hall will send people to support you."

"At the same time, when tasks are assigned, they will also be communicated through the token, and you can also use this token to teleport directly to the region where the Human Ancestor Hall is located. This is a very important item for us, so please keep it safe."

Lin Yang took the token, branded it with his divine sense, and then put it away.

However, the two remained silent again.

Logically speaking, Clear Source's task was already completed, and he could leave.

But for some reason, he did not leave.

Driven by the thoughts in his heart, Lin Yang saw that Clear Source had no intention of leaving. After thinking about it, he couldn't help but speak directly:

"Fellow Daoist Clear Source, there is something I would like to ask you. If I am being abrupt, please forgive me."

"Oh? What is it?" Clear Source asked curiously upon hearing this.

Lin Yang gathered his thoughts and said slowly:

"I came to the Primal Ancient Continent from within the Space-Time Tree. Before coming to the Primal Ancient Continent, I once received guidance from a senior and also received a magical treasure bestowed by that senior. That senior's name is the same as yours, Fellow Daoist Clear Source, but I have never seen him, so I dare not be sure. I wonder, are you that senior from back then, Fellow Daoist Clear Source?"

As he spoke, Lin Yang directly summoned the Silver Dragon Spear.

The current Silver Dragon Spear was bestowed upon him by that senior who guided him when he had passed the ninety-ninth level of the Asking Dao Pavilion in the High-Level Spacetime.

And that guiding senior was also named Clear Source.

So when he heard the name Clear Source just now, he was a bit dazed, but he dared not be sure it was the same person, so he had to take out the Silver Dragon Spear to verify.

He did not notice, however, that Clear Source's eyes became somewhat strange and complex after hearing his words.

Until he took out the Silver Dragon Spear, Clear Source sighed deeply, as if he had a myriad of emotions, and said:

"I didn't expect it to really be you, Lin Yang. That's right, this spear was bestowed by me back then."

Lin Yang was immediately stunned again.

It was actually the same person?!

He also became a little excited.

Afterward, before he could speak, Clear Source sighed again:

"To be honest, when I received the news that a newly promoted Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner had appeared in Xi Jing Prefecture and his name was Lin Yang, I was also taken aback. But I didn't dare to think too much, after all, there are so many people in the world with the same name, and furthermore, when you obtained the guidance qualification at the Asking Dao Pavilion back then, you hadn't even reached the Dao Above!"

"It was just later, out of curiosity, and because I happened to be free during this time, that I took the initiative to take on the task of coming to see you. But when we first met just now, I still didn't dare to confirm it directly."

As he spoke, Clear Source laughed loudly again: "But I really didn't expect that it was actually you, kid! I was just wondering how to bring it up and ask you just now."

Hearing these words, Lin Yang couldn't help but laugh in astonishment.

No wonder Clear Source didn't speak easily just now, and didn't rush to leave after finishing his business.

It turns out both of them were thinking about how to bring it up!

This really is... too much of a coincidence!

Lin Yang looked at Clear Source, feeling deeply emotional and shocked.

He also never expected that the one who guided him back then was actually a Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner!

At the time, he thought it was just a Dao Above existence.

Being able to receive guidance from a Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner after passing the ninety-ninth level of the Asking Dao Pavilion, who would have dared to imagine that?

Clear Source was equally shocked.

How many years have passed, and Lin Yang has actually already become a Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner!

He also only felt it was incredible!

The two fell into another moment of shock regarding each other's identities.

Finally, it was Lin Yang who spoke first again to express his gratitude: "Speaking of which, I must thank you, Fellow Daoist Clear Source, for your kindness in bestowing the treasure back then. This spear has helped me a lot!"

Clear Source then said: "Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Lin Yang is too polite. It's just a magical treasure. I just thought at the time that not many people used spears, and it was a waste to just leave it there, so I simply gave it to you. I also didn't expect that you would reach this realm so quickly!"

Lin Yang still said solemnly: "Perhaps for Fellow Daoist Clear Source back then, this was nothing, but for me, I cannot but be grateful."

The Silver Dragon Spear was indeed very useful to him.

Back when he obtained the Silver Dragon Spear, he had secretly thought about repaying Daoist Master Qing Yuan in the future.

Now that he saw Clear Source in person, he naturally wanted to express this gratitude.

Clear Source waved his hand, "Fellow Daoist Lin Yang, you are being too polite. There is really no need to take this to heart. You come from a Space-Time Tree, and I also come from a Space-Time Tree. All things considered, we can be considered half-countrymen, so there is no need to be so distant."

Lin Yang took a deep breath and said, "Since that is the case, I will keep this favor in mind. In the future, if Fellow Daoist Clear Source has any need for my assistance, please do not hesitate to speak up."

"Haha, then I have made a huge profit! A magical treasure in exchange for the promise of a Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner—if this were to get out, I imagine others would be dying of envy!" Clear Source laughed heartily.

Lin Yang couldn't help but chuckle as well.

After laughing, Clear Source composed his expression and said slowly, "Fellow Daoist Lin Yang, since it has been confirmed to be you, I am relieved. At the same time, I have a presumptuous request: in the future, if there is a need at the Asking Dao Pavilion and I, along with the other fellow daoists, are unable to attend to it, I hope Fellow Daoist Lin Yang could step in to provide guidance."

As he spoke, he recounted the origins of the Asking Dao Pavilion to Lin Yang.

Although the Asking Dao Pavilion was a project of the Human Ancestor Hall, it was usually managed by him and several other Dao Wulou Realm Practitioners from within the Space-Time Tree. Furthermore, it was established based on suggestions from existences within the Space-Time Tree.

It aimed to secure more opportunities for some of the cultivators within the Space-Time Tree.

If a cultivator successfully passed the ninety-ninth level, they would take turns to guide and instruct them.

It mainly depended on who was available at the time.

Although there weren't many people within a single Space-Time Tree who could pass the ninety-ninth level, when all the Space-Time Trees were added together, there were always some prodigies or those with tenacious perseverance who could make it through. Therefore, generally speaking, they were quite busy.

However, those who emerged from the Space-Time Tree and reached the Dao Wulou Realm were extremely rare.

Currently, in the Human Ancestor Hall, not counting the newly promoted Lin Yang, there were only five.

Especially in recent years, only Lin Yang had reached the Dao Wulou Realm.

Nevertheless, they still did their utmost to provide some help to the cultivators within the Space-Time Tree.

Besides the Asking Dao Pavilion, they would also each select some reception envoys to guide cultivators with exceptional talent.

For example, Azure Mountain Dao Lord, who had guided Lin Yang back then, was one such person.

In short, Clear Source and the others had done quite a lot for the cultivators within the Space-Time Tree, doing their best not to let any person with outstanding cultivation talent go unrecognized.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yang's expression became solemn. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Clear Source. Since I also come from within the Space-Time Tree and have benefited from the guidance of the Asking Dao Pavilion, I naturally have an unshirkable responsibility; it is only right that I guide the path for the younger generation."

"Good, good!" Clear Source revealed a gratified smile.

There were originally not many Dao Wulou Realm Practitioners from within the Space-Time Tree, and now that there was Lin Yang, a Dao Wulou Realm Practitioner whose cultivation progress was rapid, Clear Source was genuinely happy and felt a bit closer to him.

Sharing the same origin from within the Space-Time Tree, there was already a natural affinity. Now, seeing Lin Yang speak this way, Clear Source was even more delighted.

Subsequently, Clear Source took his leave. "Fellow Daoist Lin Yang, I will return to report back today. Later, I will find a time to call the other old fellows together so we can gather."

"If you have any questions, you can directly send me a message. Some matters within the Human Ancestor Hall are quite complex and troublesome, but it is hard to explain them clearly in a few words right now. Let's talk about it in detail later. You have just been promoted, so no troublesome matters should be finding you in the short term."

"Good, thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Clear Source." Lin Yang saw Clear Source off.

Then, he notified Zhao Yuan and went to the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm.

The reason he chose to become the stationed elder of Xi Jing Prefecture was, in large part, because of the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm.

"Boundary" needed to absorb the power within this Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm.

Now that he had finished receiving visits from all parties, he naturally went to the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm at the first opportunity.

Currently, the main force guarding the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm was already disciples of the Zhao family.

Most of the precious resources inside also belonged to the Zhao family.

However, this was not what Lin Yang cared about.

What he cared about was that this Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm had actually experienced a power riot several hundred years ago.

It was precisely because of that riot that people found out he was gone.

This was something Zhao Yuan had told him when he found time after he returned.

"The power riot didn't have any identifiable cause, but the riot wasn't fatal..."

Lin Yang thought, not taking it too much to heart, and entered the secret realm directly.

His cultivation room had naturally become the largest one.

Actually, Lin Yang didn't care at all.

But everyone knew he was going to cultivate in the secret realm, so they left the best and largest cultivation room for him.

"Boundary, now you can absorb it with peace of mind."

With a thought, Lin Yang followed his usual routine, not caring whether "Boundary" understood or not, and informed it.

Now, even if the commotion "Boundary" made while absorbing was a bit loud, it didn't matter.

He could handle it!

Following that, he sat cross-legged and began to contemplate the Dao of Time.

Cultivation knows no years; in contemplating the Dao, one loses track of time.

As time passed, Lin Yang's insights into the Dao of Time grew deeper and deeper.

He also became increasingly proficient in some of the methods of the Dao of Time.

Such as Time Stop, time acceleration, and even time reversal.

Lin Yang had a deeper understanding and control over these methods.

Time Stop goes without saying; it could temporarily freeze time in the surrounding area. Although the duration was not long, it was extremely powerful.

Regarding the ability of time reversal, Lin Yang had also made new discoveries.

If he used time reversal when fighting an enemy, he had a chance to revert a person to a certain moment in the past.

If pushed to the extreme, he could directly revert them to their infancy.

Directly causing them to lose their combat ability.

But this kind of reversal also had limitations.

After the duration ended, the opponent could still return to normal.

As for time acceleration, it was the opposite of reversal; it could instantly accelerate a person to the stage of senility, similarly causing them to lose combat ability.

Moreover, if one's own cultivation was sufficient to support it, it could be cast over a large area simultaneously, achieving time acceleration or reversal within a certain range.

It could be said that the power of the methods of the Dao of Time was terrifyingly strong.

It could even be used on oneself.

But Lin Yang did not dare to try it lightly.

Besides these three major methods, the Dao of Time had some other abilities.

For example, peering into the future.

Yes.

One could observe some future possibilities for oneself or others through the power of time.

This was somewhat similar to precognition, but it was a higher level than precognition.

Precognition was a low-level application of the power of time.

When Lin Yang elevated the Dao of Time to the level of controlling and observing the future of time.

Even no matter how much he restrained himself, he still uncontrollably gave rise to a trace of a desire to peer into the future.

"Some have said that the future cannot be probed. If it is not observed, it exists in a certain state of uncertainty, with infinite possibilities. If it is observed, there might only be a few possibilities."

"This is because people might make choices different from the predicted future, attempting to influence or change the future."

Lin Yang whispered.

He believed this was more of a psychological suggestion.

Suggesting that one should act according to the predicted future.

But if one had a rebellious psychology, they might attempt to change the future outcome.

However, these words were directed at ordinary people.

If it were a cultivator, a change in a single thought could trigger earth-shattering changes.

In the end, Lin Yang still chose to peer into it.

The path of cultivation is essentially contending with Heaven for the Dao and contending with others for life.

A bit of an advantage can change many things and can also avoid many dangers.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be people who specialize in calculating the advantages and disadvantages of heavenly secrets.

He tried to peer into himself.

A glimpse into a corner of the future.

As the power of time surged.

Lin Yang felt an incomparably profound change.

A scroll seemed to appear before his eyes.

The scroll was pitch black.

Only a corpse lay across it.

Lin Yang was shocked; he was peering into himself, so how could he see a corpse?

He tried to see the face of the corpse clearly.

The next instant, the face of the corpse became clear.

But his expression changed instantly.

Because the face of that corpse was, shockingly... himself!

(End of chapter)