35: Chapter 35 Yunmeng Ruins

“That is the Ten Thousand Mountains. Placing the Hundred Lotus Mountain Range inside would be like a drop of water falling into the ocean. Its name is the Ten Thousand Mountains, but the actual number is far more than that.”

“What lies on the other side of the Ten Thousand Mountains?”

“Unclear. It is said that only a Golden Core Cultivator can cross it.”

Su Xuanming was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

Along the way, he had witnessed numerous strange tales and bizarre events. The world of Cultivation was far vaster and more magnificent than he had imagined.

He wondered if he would ever have the chance in the future to see the other side of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

“Stop thinking about such distant matters. We have arrived at the Cultivation Market.”

Su Yang patted his son’s shoulder, pulling his thoughts back.

The two passed through the jungle and stood on a cliff, gazing into the distance.

The prosperous scene he had anticipated did not appear.

As far as the eye could see, there was only a stretch of dilapidated, ruined houses.

Most of the dwellings were grayish, as if covered in a thick layer of dust, exuding a deathly stillness.

The entire small town was shrouded in a depressing, dim gray tone.

The streets were sparsely populated. The few figures occasionally seen were all sallow-faced, staggering along, their eyes filled with numbness and despair.

The scene before them was less like a market gathered by Cultivators and more like a ruin that had just survived a great famine—lifeless and chilling.

“Father, did we come to the wrong place?” Su Xuanming asked in astonishment.

Su Yang’s expression remained normal, and he said lightly, “Look, you’re anxious again. The Cultivation Market cannot be entered by Mortals. Do these people look like Cultivators to you?”

“This is just the Mortal town outside the Yunmeng Ruins. The real Yunmeng Ruins are hidden within a natural Formation. Follow me.”

The two descended the cliff and soon arrived at the lifeless small town.

Su Xuanming noticed that not everyone here was destitute.

Some Martial Artists who looked fierce and evil were living quite comfortably, but their behavior was shocking, consisting entirely of disgraceful acts of bullying the weak and oppressing women.

It wasn't that there was no Magistrates Office here; it was that the Magistrates Office had long since fallen and was now colluding with the criminals.

Su Xuanming frowned deeply. He never expected that right under the noses of the Cultivators, there would be rampant bloodshed, violence, and humiliation.

“How dare they? Don’t the Cultivators in the market care?”

Su Xuanming’s young heart was shaken.

Su Yang stopped walking and said softly, “Most Cultivators are indifferent by nature, especially those in the market and the Sects. They have experienced too much of the Mortal world, and their Dao Heart is as firm as a rock.”

He sighed lightly as he said, “At first, they tried to intervene, but slowly, they stopped caring.”

“Do you think these people are ordinary folk? That they turn a blind eye because they have no relation to the Cultivators in the market?”

“Wrong! These people are all descendants of the Cultivators within the market!”

Su Yang’s words tore away the ugly veil of the Cultivation world.

He wanted Su Xuanming to recognize the truest side of the Cultivation world.

He had always protected his children too well, causing them to have no idea how cruel the world of Cultivation was or to what extent Cultivators could be cold-blooded.

Only offspring with Spiritual Roots were considered descendants of Cultivators; those without Spiritual Roots were left to fend for themselves.

Destined for short lives without the ability to Cultivate, Cultivators were too lazy to invest emotion in descendants with brief lifespans, as it would only bring unnecessary attachments.

It would not only slow down their Cultivation speed but might also cause a Heart Demon to arise due to the death of their offspring.

Since the disadvantages outweighed the benefits, it was better to abandon them from the start.

Over time, more and more Cultivators saw through the cycle of life and death, thus ignoring the survival of their descendants.

Only those offspring who could also step onto the Immortal Path would be brought into the market and regarded as successors.

“It cannot be denied that some people’s ancestors merely died outside, causing their Family descendants to suffer, but the majority are just emotionally cold and let their offspring fend for themselves.”

Su Yang did not condemn everyone outright.

He had seen cold Cultivators, but sincere Cultivators existed too.

However, Su Xuanming could not comprehend what he heard.

The environment in which he grew up taught him that Cultivators should all be like his father; even if some were cold, they shouldn't be so indifferent as to ignore the life or death of their own offspring.

But his father would not lie to him; these people must all be descendants of Cultivators.

Su Xuanming's trembling eyes swept around.

The Martial Artists bullying Mortals, the women and children being oppressed, the elderly begging on the streets with missing limbs, the youth kneeling to sell themselves to bury their mothers...

Who would have thought they were all descendants of Cultivators?

Their ancestors might currently be enjoying life inside the market, or perhaps they were out adventuring and training.

But they would never come to save them...

“Is all this worth it for the pursuit of the Great Dao of Longevity?”

Su Xuanming muttered quietly.

Su Yang smiled faintly, “Who knows? Some people have forgotten their original intentions, while others have witnessed too much life and death on the path to seeking the Dao. They feel that if this leads to achieving the Dao and eternal life, then it is worth it.”

Su Xuanming clenched his fists tightly and suddenly asked, “Then, Father, would you do the same?”

“No,” Su Yang replied without hesitation. “The Longevity I seek is with my Family, not alone.”

His Bloodline and Family Tree were his trump card; he needed the Family to grow generation after generation.

Furthermore, having lived two lives, he placed great importance on kinship and held a different understanding of the Great Dao of Longevity.

Between standing alone through eternity and an Immortal Family pursuing Longevity, he chose the latter.

“Let’s go. I will take you into the real Cultivation Market—the Yunmeng Ruins!”

Su Yang patted his son’s shoulder and led him toward the depths of the small town.

As they passed a few beggars, he flicked his finger and tossed out a few silver taels.

This casual act of help held no significant meaning; it was only to ease his Dao Heart.

The old beggar quickly knelt and kowtowed, speaking words of gratitude.

The youth selling himself to bury his mother had tears in his eyes and reached out a hand towards Su Yang, seemingly wanting to say something.

But the figures of the two had already vanished into thin air.

The youth quickly imitated the old beggar, kneeling and kowtowing in the direction Su Yang disappeared, hitting his forehead so hard that bloodstains appeared.

...

The Yunmeng Ruins were enveloped by a natural Formation. Mortals could not see the market, and anyone who trespassed would only circle back to the starting point.

The method to break it was quite simple: Cultivators only needed to vibrate their internal spiritual power slightly to disrupt the Formation's effect and enter the Yunmeng Ruins.

Su Yang placed his hand on Su Xuanming’s shoulder, and together they walked into the Yunmeng Ruins.

Instantly, the surrounding scenery was completely transformed. A clamorous heat wave rushed towards them, and the wide jade-paved streets were surging with crowds.

The pavilions on both sides had carved beams and painted rafters, shimmering with spiritual light, exuding an ancient and powerful aura.

Cultivators wearing various flowing, radiant robes jostled shoulder to shoulder.

Some rode imposing Yao Beasts, which let out low roars, drawing the attention of passersby.

The streets were lined with dazzling stalls.

Cultivators who appeared glamorous outside were now shouting incessantly like common market vendors.

Su Xuanming looked up.

He saw several magnificent palaces and towers actually suspended in mid-air, enveloped by the spiritual light of the Formation, looking like Immortal Palaces descending to the Mortal world, looking down upon the prosperity below.

Spirit Birds also circled at the edge of the light shield, further enhancing the immortal atmosphere.

“So this is the Cultivation Market!”

Sparks flashed in Su Xuanming’s eyes.

The oppressive emotions from before were instantly thrown to the back of his mind, deeply captivated by this market brimming with the essence of Cultivation.