135: The Shadow of Gu Chenxian

Outside, Ancient Dust Immortal was already enveloped by a strange black mist. With Ancient Dust Immortal's control lost, the entire Jiangtian Great Array also ceased operation.

That Supreme Profound Venerable-level Puppet hung its hands down, standing motionless and dazed.

At the same time, Ancient Dust Immortal seemed to sink into another world.

His memories and insights were erased the moment he sank into the 'Illusion'.

Here, he became the young Master of an official's Family, forced to study the Four Books and Five Classics from a young age, living under the arrangements of the Master.

But he often felt very confused, feeling as if he had forgotten something.

Even when the Family's corruption and embezzlement of huge funds were exposed, and he and his Family members were sent to the Execution Platform, until death he never remembered what he had forgotten.

In the second 'Illusion', he became a soldier fighting on the battlefield.

Roars and battle cries deafened the ears, the sky turned blood-red, bones piled up like mountains, and blood flowed like rivers.

Ancient Dust Immortal charged with the soldiers of his camp, only feeling a Bloodline boiling within his body, terrifying power flowing through his entire being, ready to burst forth at any moment.

He killed one person after another; fierce generals and war gods on the battlefield couldn't even last two moves in his hands.

He killed everyone he saw, growing more ferocious the more he fought, even taking pleasure in drinking blood, as if transformed into a mindless beast, a killing machine.

Finally, the opposing Marshal made a move, but Ancient Dust Immortal showed no fear, striking with full force without hesitation, beheading his opponent within just five moves.

Ancient Dust Immortal seemed to remember something.

This 'Illusion' then shattered.

The third 'Illusion'.

In a magnificent Imperial Palace, countless beauties as lovely as Heavenly Immortals, delicate and charming, surrounded him—some pure, some fiery, some seductive.

Every kind of charm was here, everything one could desire.

Ancient Dust Immortal, having lost his memory, immediately became addicted, indulging in nightly revelry, wine pools and meat forests, unable to extricate himself.

Truly it could be said:

A maiden of sixteen, her body soft as silk,

A sword at her waist to slay mortal men.

No heads are seen to fall in the light,

But in secret, she drains your marrow dry... Ancient Dust Immortal forgot everything, thinking only of wine and lust daily, unrestrainedly releasing his nature.

In just a year,

Ancient Dust Immortal became as thin as a withered bone; daily and nightly activities emptied his body, fine wine eroded his heart and liver. Now, he couldn't even muster the strength to stand, only letting the beauties on him manipulate him at will.

Suddenly, he saw a flash of golden light on his chest; reaching out to grab it, it was a Golden Paper covered in various strange Runes.

Ancient Dust Immortal was stunned for a moment; in less than half a second, his gaze turned extremely sharp.

Without cultivation, he instantly annihilated the beauties on him.

I have a Dao Heart, eternal... 'You little bastard! Where did you put my cow?!'

A voice so familiar it couldn't be more familiar echoed in his ears; Ancient Dust Immortal's pupils contracted to points at this moment, his body trembling uncontrollably.

The third 'Illusion' shattered.

Ancient Dust Immortal turned around like a machine; when he saw the person behind him, his expression could no longer remain calm.

During his youth, the Master of the ranch where he lived... his Ranch Master... even with his memory completely lost, Ancient Dust Immortal still couldn't forget this face buried deepest in his heart.

A fierce face, yellowish-black skin, two meters tall, a naked body with plump chest muscles grown from years of eating meat, a large tuft of thick black hair on the chest,

The Ranch Master walked toward Ancient Dust Immortal with a hateful expression, holding a whip as thick as a python, extremely vicious.

'Damn bastard! Your parents died, I raised you, and this is how you repay me!!'

Crack!!

The Ranch Master whipped Ancient Dust Immortal across the face, immediately splitting the skin and flesh, blood flowing incessantly. Ancient Dust Immortal cried out in pain, collapsing weakly to the ground, holding his head, like a pitiful little beast.

But this appearance only further ignited the Ranch Master's anger.

The fat on his face trembled, his ferocious expression truly exuding Evil Qi.

Crack!!! Crack!!! Crack!!!

'For not answering!! For not answering!!!'

The Ranch Master whipped Ancient Dust Immortal like a madman, each lash using all his strength.

In the blink of an eye, Ancient Dust Immortal was covered in wounds, not a single spot on his body intact.

His mind went blank; the fear in his heart made it impossible to think.

Ancient Dust Immortal's parents were beaten to death by the Ranch Master just like this; young Ancient Dust Immortal grew up in the Cow Shed, surviving by stealing milk.

They herded livestock for the Ranch Master from a young age, but over time, the herders became like livestock, even lower than livestock.

'Ranch Master... I didn't mean to... I was too tired at the time... I just lay down in the grass for a nap... When I woke up, the cows were gone... I don't know where they went...'

Ancient Dust Immortal seemed to return to his days as a Cowherd Boy; facing the Ranch Master's giant-like figure, he dared not resist in the slightest, explaining in a low, timid voice.

But such an explanation would never satisfy the Ranch Master.

Instead, he struck even harder; finally, Ancient Dust Immortal was beaten half-dead and thrown into the Cow Shed.

After Ancient Dust Immortal recovered slightly, he put on the Patched Cloth Clothes of a herder again, returning to his cowherding life.

At this time, Ancient Dust Immortal no longer had the feeling in his mind that he had forgotten something; instead, every minute and second was filled with fear and dread.

Fear of the Ranch Master's beatings.

Fear of losing the cows again.

Timidity and cowardice once again filled his heart.

Although he returned to his former life, Ancient Dust Immortal ultimately had Luck on his side.

Once, he followed the Ranch Master to town to purchase calves.

During this process, relying on his somewhat handsome face, Ancient Dust Immortal befriended the Young Miss of a town Family.

Though without memory, Ancient Dust Immortal could still appear calm and graceful when facing others besides the Ranch Master, with an air of strategic command.

Plus that puppy-dog-level face, he quickly made that Family Young Miss blush and fall deeply in love.

After this, the Young Miss would often sneak out of her Family to the grasslands to play with Ancient Dust Immortal.

Over time, the two became like dry wood meeting fire; during a lakeside outing, they finally, driven by unbearable thirst, sparked the flame of love.

This pair, once entangled, lasted three years.

On this day, the Young Miss rushing from town brought bad news.

Her Family decided to marry her to the young Master of another Family in town, with the auspicious day set for the wedding.

'This... what should we do?!'

Ancient Dust Immortal panicked.

In these three years, he could say he lived much more comfortably than before, with a beauty accompanying him daily, and cowherding not as dull as before.

Kexin's face was somewhat pale; she had just argued with her Family elders, now biting her pink lips, trying to keep her emotions from spiraling out of control.

'Chenxian, are you willing to take me away from this place?'

Kexin suddenly spoke, her eyes hopeful, staring intently at Ancient Dust Immortal.

'I...'

Ancient Dust Immortal was stunned upon hearing this, immediately tempted.

But soon, the Ranch Master's grinning face appeared in his mind, his face turning pale instantly.

'No need to say more... I know...'

Seeing Ancient Dust Immortal's expression, Kexin already had her answer; the hope in her eyes vanished, replaced by emptiness, devoid of any color.

She gave a bitter laugh and turned to leave.

Ancient Dust Immortal raised his hand, his mouth opening as if to stop her, but the words seemed stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

A few days later, the Ranch Master, whose Family had considerable assets, received a wedding invitation from a certain Family in town.

In a pleasant mood, he brought Ancient Dust Immortal, who had performed fairly well these days, to attend.

At the wedding banquet, Ancient Dust Immortal standing beside the Ranch Master saw the bride wearing a Phoenix Crown, her face veiled.

He seemed to see, behind the Veil, those eyes brimming with tears.

Ancient Dust Immortal turned his head, looking at the Ranch Master beside him.

He only felt something blocking his heart, unbearably stifled, yet dared not say a word.

Coincidentally, the Ranch Master also turned to look at him at this moment.

Smiling slightly at him, that ugly, ferocious appearance would make anyone nauseous.

Crack... only a barely audible sound was heard, as if something perfect and flawless had developed a crack.