548: Hatred!

Yang Yuansi’s Incarnation’s gaze fell on the Storage Pouch beside Shi Chenghua:

“I had long anticipated that this mission would be quite risky, and perhaps there would be unforeseen circumstances. So, in the Storage Pouch I gave you, I not only put Cultivation resources but also left this Soul Incarnation and one most important item.”

As his voice fell, the Storage Pouch once again lit up with a spiritual glow. A palm-sized black token slowly flew out of the pouch and landed in Shi Chenghua’s hand.

The token was engraved with a complex character ‘Gui’, with faint gray mist swirling within the characters, exuding an ancient and dignified aura.

“This is Guiyuan Valley’s Guiyuan Token.”

Yang Yuansi’s Incarnation explained:

“I am an Elder of Guiyuan Valley, and the Valley Revered Master is a sworn brother of my father, and also a powerful expert whose strength far surpasses mine. Take this token and immediately head to Guiyuan Valley in the Central Region to find the Valley Revered Master!”

“After you find him, tell him about my and Qu Hongkai’s deaths at the hands of Lu Hao. Don’t worry, as long as you give him the token, he will understand everything, believe everything, and will certainly protect you.”

“Guiyuan Valley… Central Region?”

Shi Chenghua gripped the token in his hand, his heart filled with confusion. He had grown up in the Eastern Region since childhood, never having left this land. To him, the Central Region was a place that only existed in legends.

Previously, his Revered Master had said he would take him there, but now his Revered Master had fallen… Going alone, he felt truly uneasy… Cultivators gathered there, and experts were as numerous as trees in a forest. The danger level far exceeded that of the Eastern Region, and his current Cultivation was simply too low. Going to the Central Region would definitely be a huge gamble!

“Revered Master… I…”

Shi Chenghua hesitated, tears already streaming down his face, his eyes filled with an expression of immense sorrow.

Yang Yuansi’s Incarnation looked at Shi Chenghua’s sorrowful appearance, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes, and his tone softened a bit:

“Chenghua, I know the pain in your heart, and I understand your fear.”

“But what you should do now is overcome your fear, to live, to become stronger. Only by going to Guiyuan Valley and receiving the Valley Revered Master’s protection and guidance will you have the opportunity to improve your strength even more, and only then will you have the chance to avenge me in the future.”

“But…”

Shi Chenghua wanted to retort but was interrupted by Yang Yuansi’s Incarnation.

“No buts.”

Yang Yuansi’s Incarnation’s tone became serious:

“This is my command, and it is the only way for you to avenge me. Although the Devouring Demon Sea is incredibly dangerous, with this ship protecting you, you should be able to safely reach the Central Region!”

Shi Chenghua fell silent. He lowered his head, looking at the Guiyuan Token in his hand, his fingertips slightly white from gripping it tightly.

Thinking of his Revered Master’s tragic death at Lu Hao’s hands, the hatred in his heart grew like wild grass, almost consuming his sanity.

“Lu Hao…”

Shi Chenghua gnashed his teeth as he uttered the name, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes:

“I remember this name. This grudge from today, if I, Shi Chenghua, have a future, I will surely repay it a hundredfold!”

Yang Yuansi’s Incarnation looked at the hatred in his eyes and said nothing more, only nodding gently:

“My Soul power is almost exhausted. I can’t hold on for much longer…”

“This ship is the Demon-Breaking Boat I refined in my early years. It can resist the Devilish Qi of the Demon Devouring Coast and navigate the Devouring Demon Sea.”

“You only need to activate the Formation on the ship, and it will automatically proceed towards the Central Region. The Top-Grade Spirit Stones in the Storage Pouch are enough to sustain you until Guiyuan Valley.”

“Revered Master!”

Shi Chenghua suddenly looked up, tears continuously falling, his eyes filled with reluctance:

“Do you… do you have anything else to instruct your Disciple about…?”

Yang Yuansi’s Incarnation paused, seemingly recalling something, and after a long while, slowly said:

“The path of Cultivation is fraught with danger. Remember to be cautious and do not repeat my mistakes.”

“Also… if you have the chance, please look at the plum grove in Guiyuan Valley for me. The plum trees that a woman and I planted there back then should now be lush and full…”

As his voice fell, Yang Yuansi’s Incarnation began to turn transparent, and the blue light around him gradually dimmed.

Shi Chenghua reached out his hand, wanting to grasp the Incarnation, but only caught emptiness.

“Revered Master!”

He cried out heartbreakingly, tears streaming down his face, dripping onto the Guiyuan Token in his hand.

The blue light completely dissipated, and silence returned to the cabin, leaving only Shi Chenghua’s suppressed sobs echoing in the dim space.

He slumped to the ground, tightly clutching the Guiyuan Token in his hand, his mind continuously replaying the bits and pieces of the short time he had spent with Yang Yuansi… his Revered Master’s patience when guiding him in Formations, his generosity when gifting him Spirit Stones, his concern when reminding him to be careful… every scene pierced his heart like a needle.

After an unknown amount of time, Shi Chenghua slowly wiped away his tears, the sorrow in his eyes gradually replaced by firm hatred.

He stood up and walked to the ship’s control panel, looking at the complex Formation patterns on it, and took a deep breath.

“Revered Master, rest assured, your Disciple will definitely live, will definitely become stronger, and will definitely avenge you!”

Shi Chenghua murmured to himself, gathering spiritual power at his fingertips, taking out some Top-Grade Spirit Stones, and gently pressing them onto the core of the Formation in the center of the control panel.

As the spiritual power was injected, the entire Wave-Breaking Boat suddenly vibrated, and the runes on the hull instantly lit up, emitting dazzling black light.

The seawater beneath the boat began to churn, and the huge hull slowly sailed away from the coast, flying towards the Void Realm deep within the Demon Devouring Coast.

Standing at the bow, Shi Chenghua looked at the Eastern Region continent gradually receding behind him, his eyes devoid of any lingering attachment, only cold killing intent and firm resolve.

He knew that the road ahead would surely be full of unknowns and dangers: the giant waves in the Devouring Demon Sea, the Yao Beasts in the Devouring Demon Sea, unknown powerful enemies in the Central Region… each could cost him his life.

But he had no fear.

The Guiyuan Token in his hand still carried a faint warmth, like his Revered Master’s entrustment, constantly reminding him of the responsibility on his shoulders.

He gripped the token, feeling the spiritual power slowly circulating within his body, with only one thought in his heart:

Become stronger, avenge!

The Wave-Breaking Boat’s speed grew faster and faster, and soon it disappeared into the endless Devouring Demon Sea, heading towards the distant and unknown Central Region.

The sunlight scattered upon the hull, yet it could not dispel the chill in Shi Chenghua’s heart, nor could it extinguish the flame of revenge burning within him.