"Fang Yuan, obediently hand over the Spring and Autumn Cicada, and I'll give you a quick end!"
"Old Demon Fang, don't attempt to resist. Today, the major orthodox sects have united to break through your demon lair. This place has long been set with a net of heaven and earth, and this time you will surely meet your end!"
"Fang Yuan, you damned demon, you killed millions of lives to cultivate the Spring and Autumn Cicada. You have committed monstrous crimes, unforgivable and too numerous to list!"
"Demon, three hundred years ago you insulted me, took away my innocence, killed my entire family, and wiped out my nine clans. From that moment on, I wished to eat your flesh and drink your blood! Today, I will make you wish you were never born!!"
……
Fang Yuan, dressed in a tattered green robe, with disheveled hair and covered in blood, surveyed his surroundings.
The mountain wind blew the blood robe, making it flutter like a battle flag.
Bright red blood poured out from hundreds of wounds on his body. After standing for a moment, a large puddle of blood had already accumulated beneath Fang Yuan's feet.
Surrounded by enemies, there was no escape.
The overall situation has been determined; today, death is certain.
Fang Yuan understood the situation clearly, but even as death approached, he remained expressionless, his demeanor calm.
His gaze was deep, like an ancient well, as unfathomable as ever.
The righteous heroes besieging him were either respected leaders of sects or renowned young heroes. They had tightly surrounded Fang Yuan, some roaring, some sneering, some squinting with vigilant eyes, and others covering their wounds, looking fearful.
They did not make a move, all wary of Fang Yuan's desperate counterattack.
Thus, they were in a tense standoff for three hours. As the sun set, the afterglow ignited the evening clouds on the mountain, creating a dazzling scene.
Fang Yuan, who had been as still as a statue, slowly turned around.
The crowd immediately stirred, retreating a large step in unison.
At this moment, the gray and white stones beneath Fang Yuan's feet had already been stained dark red with blood. His pale face, made even paler by excessive blood loss, was illuminated by the evening glow, suddenly adding a touch of enchanting brilliance.
Looking at the green mountains and the setting sun, Fang Yuan smiled softly and said, "Green mountains and setting sun, autumn moon and spring breeze. Truly, the morning is like green silk, and the evening turns to snow; right and wrong, success and failure, all turn to emptiness."
As he spoke, various images from his past life on Earth suddenly appeared before him.
He was originally a student from Huaxia on Earth, who accidentally traversed to this world. After turning and bumping for three hundred years, traversing the world for over two hundred years, five hundred years of time passed in the blink of an eye.
Many memories buried deep in his heart became vivid at this moment, vividly resurfacing before his eyes.
"In the end, it has failed." Fang Yuan sighed in his heart, feeling somewhat sentimental, but he did not regret it.
He had long anticipated this outcome. He was mentally prepared from the moment he chose.
The so-called demonic path is to not cultivate good fruits, committing murder and arson. The heavens do not tolerate it, the world is hostile, and one must indulge in freedom and power.
"If the just refined Spring and Autumn Cicada is effective, then in the next life, I must become a villain!" Thinking this, Fang Yuan couldn’t help but burst into loud laughter.
"Old devil, what are you laughing at?"
"Everyone be careful, the demon is about to counterattack!"
"Quickly hand over the Spring and Autumn Cicada!"
The heroes pressed in, just at this moment, with a loud bang, Fang Yuan resolutely self-destructed.
……
The spring rain fell quietly, silently nourishing Qingmao Mountain.
The night had grown deep, with a gentle cool breeze blowing through the fine rain.
The Qingmao Mountain was not dark; from the mountainside to the foot of the mountain, many shimmering lights flashed, as if draped in a brilliant light strip.
These lights came from high stilted buildings; although they couldn't be called thousands of lights, they still numbered in the thousands.
It is precisely the Gu Yue village located in Qingmao Mountain that adds a rich human presence to the vast and tranquil mountains.
In the very center of Gu Yue village stood a magnificent pavilion. At this moment, a grand sacrificial ceremony was taking place, making it even more brightly lit and resplendent.
"May the ancestors bless us, and I hope that many youths with excellent talents will emerge in this Awakening Ceremony, adding new blood and hope to the family!" The middle-aged Gu Yue clan leader, with slightly frosted hair and dressed in solemn white ceremonial robes, knelt on the brown floor, straightening his upper body, palms together, eyes tightly closed in sincere prayer.
He faced the high black lacquered altar, which had three tiers, dedicated to the ancestral tablets. On either side of the tablets were copper incense burners, with smoke curling upwards.
Behind him, more than ten others were also kneeling. They wore wide white ceremonial robes, all elders of the family, holding various authorities.
After a round of prayer, the Gu Yue clan leader was the first to bend down, palms flat and pressed tightly against the floor, bowing. His forehead touched the brown floor, making a soft thud sound.
The elders behind him all had solemn expressions and silently imitated him.
In an instant, the sound of foreheads colliding with the floor filled the ancestral hall.
After the ceremony concluded, everyone slowly stood up from the floor and quietly walked out of the solemn hall.
In the corridor, the elders silently breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere relaxed.
The murmurs gradually began.
"Time really flies; in the blink of an eye, a year has passed."
"The last Awakening Ceremony feels like it happened yesterday; it is still vivid in my memory."
"Tomorrow is the annual Awakening Ceremony. I wonder what kind of new blood will emerge from the families this year?"
"Sigh, I hope a youth with A-grade talent will emerge. Our Gu Yue clan hasn't had such a genius in three years."
"Indeed, in recent years, there have been geniuses emerging from the Bai family village and the Xiong family village. Especially Bai Ning Bing from the Bai family, whose talent is truly terrifying."
It was unknown who mentioned the name Bai Ning Bing, but a layer of worry involuntarily appeared on the faces of the elders.
This person's talent is exceptionally outstanding; in just two years, he has already cultivated to the level of a third-transformation Gu Master. Among the younger generation, he stands out. Even the older generation has felt the pressure from this rising star.
Given time, he would undoubtedly become the pillar of Bai family village. At the very least, he would be a strong individual capable of standing alone. No one doubted this.
"However, among the youths participating in the Awakening Ceremony this year, there is still hope."
"Indeed, a genius has emerged from the Fang lineage. He could speak in March and walk in April. By the age of five, he could compose poetry and recite verses, exceptionally clever and talented. Unfortunately, his parents died young, and he is now raised by his uncle and aunt."
"Hmm, this one is precocious and has great ambitions. In recent years, I have heard of his compositions, (Offering Toasts), (Ode to Plum Blossoms), and (Riverside City) - he is truly a genius!"
Gu Yue’s leader was the last to leave the ancestral hall, slowly closing the door, and then he heard the voices of the elders discussing in the corridor.
Suddenly I knew that the elders were discussing a young man named Gu Yue Fang Yuan.
As the leader of a clan, he naturally pays attention to those outstanding and exceptional descendants. Gu Yue Fang Yuan is the most outstanding among the younger generation.
Experience shows that those who often have extraordinary talents, such as having an exceptional memory or strength like an adult, usually have excellent cultivation potential.
"If this child tests as A-grade talent, with proper training, he might compete with Bai Ning Bing. Even if he is B-grade talent, he will surely become a pillar for the Gu Yue clan in the future. However, given his precociousness, the likelihood of being B-grade talent is small; he is most likely A-grade." This thought arose, and the corners of Gu Yue’s leader's mouth involuntarily lifted into a slight smile.
Immediately, he coughed and said to the elders, "Everyone, it’s getting late. For the sake of tomorrow's Awakening Ceremony, please be sure to rest well tonight and maintain your spirits."
The elders were taken aback by these words. When they looked at each other, a hint of vigilance was hidden in their gazes.
The clan leader's words were implicit, but everyone understood their meaning.
Every year, to compete for these talented descendants, the elders would argue fiercely with flushed faces and bloodied heads.
It is time to nurture and conserve energy, and wait for tomorrow to compete.
Especially the one named Gu Yue Fang Yuan, who has a very high likelihood of being A-grade talent. Moreover, his parents have passed away, and he is one of the last two orphans of the Fang lineage. If he could be taken into their lineage and trained well, it could ensure the prosperity of this branch for centuries!
"However, let me say this first. We must compete fairly and not use cunning means that harm the unity of the family. Elders, please keep this in mind!" The clan leader reminded sternly.
"I dare not. I dare not."
"Be sure to remember this in your heart."
"I must take my leave now, please stay, clan leader."
The elders, filled with thoughts, dispersed one by one.
Before long, the long corridor became quiet. The spring rain and slanting wind blew through the window, and the clan leader gently stepped forward to the window.
Suddenly, his mouth was filled with the fresh and moist mountain air, refreshing and invigorating.
This is the third floor of the attic, from where the clan leader can overlook most of the Gu Yue village.
At this moment, in the deep night, most families in the village still had lights on, which was quite different from usual.
Tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, which concerns everyone's immediate interests. An atmosphere of excitement and tension enveloped the clansmen's hearts, naturally causing many to have restless sleep.
"This is the hope for the future of the family." Reflecting the flickering lights in his eyes, the clan leader sighed deeply.
At this moment, there was also a pair of bright eyes quietly watching the flickering lights in the deep night, filled with complex emotions.
"Gu Yue village, is this five hundred years ago?! The Spring and Autumn Cicada really works..." Fang Yuan's eyes were deep, standing by the window, letting the wind and rain hit him.
The function of the Spring and Autumn Cicada is to reverse time. Ranking seventh among the top ten miraculous gu, it is indeed extraordinary.
In short, it is rebirth.
"I have been reborn using the Spring and Autumn Cicada, returning to five hundred years ago!" Fang Yuan extended his hand, gazing intently at his youthful, somewhat pale palm, then slowly clenched it, forcefully feeling this reality.
In his ears was the faint sound of raindrops hitting the window; he slowly closed his eyes, and after a while, he opened them and sighed, "Five hundred years of experience feels like a dream."
But he knew clearly that this was definitely not a dream.