28: Fisherman

Wang Ning stared blankly at the spot where the mysterious person had disappeared, his mind in turmoil.

The events that had transpired since entering this space were, for Wang Ning, bizarre and had a profound impact on his psyche.

In particular, the mysterious person's words left Wang Ning deeply shaken.

First, what exactly was the 'victory' the mysterious person spoke of?

What kind of great war would cause someone to wait tens of thousands of years, just to hear news of victory?

And would such a great war ever come again?

These were all things Wang Ning desperately wanted to know.

If the mysterious person's words only left Wang Ning in shock and sparked his desire for knowledge,

then the mysterious person's self-annihilation caused him profound bewilderment.

All along, what Wang Ning pursued, besides gaining power, was eternal life.

But when a mysterious person who had lived for tens of thousands of years vanished before his eyes, the impact on Wang Ning was immense.

The very thing he desperately pursued was something others disdained... so what was the meaning of his pursuit?

At this moment, Wang Ning's mind was a jumble of thoughts, his heart in chaos.

Fortunately, Wang Ning ultimately reaffirmed his beliefs.

In his view, while power and eternal life were indeed his goals,

the process of pursuit was equally important!

He enjoyed the scenery along the way, relished the exhilaration of increasing his strength, and was even more intoxicated by the thrill of surviving a disaster.

The goal was never the destination, but rather the source of motivation on the path forward.

Without experiencing the passage of time, how can one appreciate the aroma of aged wine? Without enduring wind and rain, how can one see the rainbow? Without experiencing life and death, how can one truly understand genuine emotion?

Wang Ning understood the mysterious person's sense of loneliness after countless changes over time.

That feeling of looking up to see a changed world and no old friends was indeed despair-inducing.

But even if that day truly came, he would have at least fought for something; he could transform into an old man and boast to children about the stories he had experienced.

Moreover, he didn't even know if he would live to see that day!

Thinking of this, Wang Ning smiled with relief.

"Life is like a painting, once the brush falls, there are no regrets. Why not make it more magnificent!?"

..."Damn it, why hasn't that kid come out yet?"

By the lake, Zhao Er paced back and forth anxiously, occasionally glancing at the shimmering lake surface.

A night had passed, and only one day remained until Li Xiangyun's lecture. If he still didn't come out,

Zhao Er would have to leave here and head to Purple Cloud City.

After all, if he continued to wait, he might not necessarily wait for Wang Ning, but he would definitely miss Li Xiangyun's lecture.

A moment later, the sun gradually began to set in the west.

Wang Da finally couldn't wait any longer. He stood up and said, "Forget it, Zhao Er, let's go get that Spiritual Plant first."

It was hard to believe that Wang Da had survived Xuanling Python's overwhelming attacks.

However, it was normal for Wang Da and the other two, who had been robbing and plundering for many years, to have some life-saving methods.

"Hmph!"

Zhao Er glared at the lake one last time with a sinister look, but the hoped-for scene did not appear. He reluctantly followed, leaving.

A moment later, ripples suddenly appeared on the lake surface. Wang Ning peeked out from the water, looking shifty. Only after hearing the booming sounds of fighting and the Xuanling Python's roars from not far away did he leave the lake.

This was certainly not due to Wang Ning's good luck, that the time he left the Secret Realm coincided with Wang Da and the other two leaving.

Rather, after the mysterious person left, he gained control of the good fortune pagoda and could also observe the outside situation through the Floating Pagoda.

He only dared to come out after confirming that the three of them were already entangled with the Xuanling Python.

In fact, Wang Da and the other two were anxious, but he was even more anxious.

After all, the mysterious person had also said that an Opportunity awaited him in the Li family.

Moreover, although he had now obtained the terrifying Legacy of the good fortune pagoda,

the problem of a Cultivation Technique had not been resolved. Even if the Legacy was Heaven-Defying, if his Realm couldn't Breakthrough, what good was such a powerful Legacy?

Fortunately, there was still time.

Looking at the lively commotion not far away, Wang Ning's eyes darted about, and he ultimately decided to join the fun.

After all, he still needed that Spirit Medicine to go to the Li family.

As for safety, with the good fortune pagoda, he could escape into it at any time.

"Damn it, this beast's hide is too thick."

Wang Da, holding a large saber burning with flames, slashed fiercely at the Xuanling Python, but only left a shallow cut on its body.

Not only did it fail to cause any significant injury, but it completely ignited the Xuanling Python's ferocity.

"Hiss~"

A tragic, angry roar echoed through the sky. The Xuanling Python opened its huge mouth, and terrifying power accumulated.

"Quick, dodge!"

Wang Da was scared out of his wits and quickly called for Zhao Er and Li San to dodge.

The next second, a terrifying force swept out, freezing all the surrounding vegetation.

Even though Wang Da had dodged early, he was still grazed by the ice wind.

Subsequently, Wang Da's arm began to crack inch by inch like delicate porcelain, turning into an ice pillar.

As for Zhao Er and Li San, since they were only responsible for support and had been operating on the periphery of the battlefield, they didn't suffer any injuries.

Of course, this was also related to the Xuanling Python's targeting.

After all, among the three of them, Wang Da was the strongest and caused the most damage, naturally attracting the most hatred.

However, what surprised everyone next was that after a successful strike, the Xuanling Python did not pursue Wang Da to press its advantage, but instead charged towards Zhao Er and Li San.

It was clearly trying to take the Opportunity to deal with these two annoying rats.

"Damn beast, I'll take your life."

The loss of his left hand fiercely stung Wang Da's nerves. He immediately decided not to hold back, painfully taking out a sword talisman. As Spiritual Qi was injected,

in an instant, a giant sword appeared above the Xuanling Python, carrying a powerful pressure that bent the surrounding vegetation.

The terrifying Aura startled the attacking Xuanling Python, and it immediately tried to escape.

But it was too late..."Die, you bastard!"

Wang Da's face was ferocious. His remaining right hand pressed down forcefully, and the giant sword in the air also descended towards the Xuanling Python's vital point, like a guillotine.

"Roar~"

A piercing roar echoed through the sky. The giant sword was firmly impaled in the Xuanling Python's body, and blood stained the earth.

The Xuanling Python's massive body struggled wildly, shaking the ground and sending gravel flying. For a time, it made it impossible for Wang Da and the other two to act.

But even so, Wang Da and the other two would not let go of this rare Opportunity. Various incantations and Martial Skills continuously struck the Xuanling Python's body,

leaving it increasingly scarred and bloody.

Wang Da's face lit up with joy, "Damn beast, you cost me an arm and wasted a second-grade sword talisman, but I finally took you down."

However, Wang Da was clearly celebrating too early.

Just then, the Xuanling Python suddenly stopped struggling, but countless chilling ice mists spread out, enveloping Wang Da and the other two.

"Opportunity!"

Wang Ning, hiding in the shadows, his eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he rushed out of the Floating Pagoda.

His agile movements allowed him to leap continuously, and in just a few seconds, he had already reached the cliff and was reaching for the Spiritual Plant.

"Kid, you finally came out!"

Zhao Er's voice came from behind, and Wang Ning immediately felt a dangerous Aura rapidly approaching.

In response, Wang Ning hardened his heart and continued to reach for the Spiritual Plant. Only after plucking the Spiritual Plant by the root did he quickly dodge.

Fortunately, he narrowly avoided the attack.

Looking at the water pillar that easily pierced the stone wall, a cold sweat broke out on Wang Ning's forehead.

At the same time, Zhao Er also rushed up, striking at Wang Ning's back with a Heart-Shattering Palm.

He seemed to be trying to replicate the scene by the lake earlier.

But the current Wang Ning was no longer the same inexperienced person as before.

After countless life-and-death struggles within the Floating Pagoda, Wang Ning's combat experience and strength had undergone a dramatic increase.

Therefore, facing Zhao Er's attack, Wang Ning did not retreat but advanced, throwing a punch with a powerful fist wind.

Did he truly think Wang Ning had no temper?

Wang Ning's face was cold, his eyes filled with killing intent, as he stared intently at the charging Zhao Er.

"Bang!"

A dull sound rang out. Zhao Er's bloodthirsty expression changed dramatically. Before he could react, his upward momentum suddenly stagnated, and then his body plummeted downwards like a cannonball.

"How is that possible?"

Zhao Er stared blankly at Wang Ning, his eyes filled with shock.