Upon hearing Li Rui’s question, Cen Lanjing did not rush to answer. Instead, he replied with a question: "Forgive me, but you must first answer this old man—were you sent by Master Bo Yuan?"

Li Rui did not hesitate and directly took out a token.

Seeing the jade plaque shining with the light of Divine Thunder, Cen Lanjing knew without needing to verify that it was no lie.

"Ah, since that’s the case, I was overthinking." He cupped his hands again to show his apology.

Li Rui asked, "May I ask, sir, if we were not sent by Master Bo Yuan, or if we weren’t good people, what would happen then?"

"Then you would accompany me in this Illusion Realm, cycling until decay."

Cen Lanjing said with a breezy tone, "Little brother, shall we talk about the main matters?"

Li Rui felt a chill down his back and laughed dryly, "Sure, let’s talk."

Cen Lanjing began to explain his experience: "About a year ago, I was surveying the Evil Qi at Ghost Cry Ridge to prevent it from rebounding and infiltrating. The scenes of desolation you see now are the result of an Evil Qi invasion from decades ago."

"At that time, a little girl suddenly asked for directions and help. Although I felt something was off—after all, how could a normal person appear at Ghost Cry Ridge?"

"However, I observed carefully and found no traces of any illusions, so I stepped forward to assist. Who knew that the little girl was from the Hidden Sect, with likely plans of Zuo Qiutian on her. My defeat wasn’t so undeserved."

He was clearly talking about a perilous situation filled with danger but spoke with an ordinary tone, as if recounting daily events. It seemed he was not bothered even though he was defeated.

Or perhaps, he felt he ought to have lost.

"The little girl had good skills, skilled in assassination. I was ambushed and severely injured, so I had no choice but to use the Escape Technique to extricate myself."

"Fortunately, the academy is not far from Ghost Cry Ridge, so I was lucky to escape. Little did I know, that girl came not for my life but for the golden seal atop the Demon Suppression Tower, which suppresses the Evil Qi."

"This seal is truly miraculous. Back then... back then, we used it as the center of the array to separate inside and outside the Demon Suppression Tower; it’s a treasure that structures spaces."

"While I was gravely injured and the academy was preoccupied, she stole the golden seal. I naturally couldn’t let her succeed, so I blocked her path with my injured body. However... sigh, the Hidden Sect is more powerful than before. That girl even used Fengdu techniques."

Li Rui blinked: "So you lost again?"

"Must you say it!" The old man was agitated.

Li Rui found it odd. He had mentioned his defeat before with no trouble, so why was he upset now?

But soon, he grasped the key point. The previous defeat, he wasn’t concerned about, was to Zuo Qiutian; the current defeat was to the little girl.

Cen Lanjing said, "Though I lost, I know some unorthodox arts. The battle site was near the Demon Suppression Tower, so I immediately used my remaining soul, sneaking into the Demon Suppression Tower, replacing the position of the golden seal."

He concluded with a smile, "In this way, I exist in the tower with my thoughts and can continue suppressing the Evil Demon inside the tower—it’s a win-win."

"It’s just dying and hiding in the tower, quite proud of himself," Cheng Mingyue murmured softly.

"Say that once more!" The old man was agitated again.

Li Rui laughed dryly, "Sir, so, why did you block us here?"

Cen Lanjing smacked his lips: "It wasn’t anything profound, I just sensed a shift in the heavens and earth and didn’t know what was happening, so I isolated you for safety."

He said, "However, since Master Bo Yuan sent you, I guess the situation outside isn’t good, is it? Has the Hidden Sect acted? Has the door of Fengdu opened? What about Zuo Qiutian? Has his scheme succeeded?"

Li Rui had a bit of admiration. This old man, just in the Demon Suppression Tower, could speculatively guess accurately.

"Sir, you’re quite the talent; that’s indeed the case. Now, Zuo Qiutian has breached the wall beyond the realm, intending to open the heavens."

"....."

Upon hearing this, Cen Lanjing showed no surprise. Instead, his brow lowered, looking somewhat sad.

After a while, he asked about the identities of Li Rui and the others, as well as other details, like matters related to the Five Thunders Skill.

"I see. The Earth Thunder is indeed at Ghost Cry Ridge, but obtaining it won’t be easy. After you leave, seek my disciple Yuan Qing at the academy; he will provide assistance."

"Now that you’re here, let me show you some things; follow me."

Mr. Cen led the way in the front. The three exchanged glances and then followed.

They passed through the vast academy, where halls and buildings flew past them.

This was no exaggeration; they indeed flew by, various lights and shadows flashed past, vegetation grew and withered, in a cycle.

Finally, when they stopped, the dilapidated academy gradually showed vitality, and the tower behind had risen halfway.

In front of them, several scholars were engaged in a conversation, seemingly debating fiercely.

Li Rui turned to look beside him and found that Cen Lanjing had vanished at some point.

"Brother Hee! Say it again, do you truly not know?"

A young man, probably only in his early teens, pointed at a well-built, upright-looking person in front of him, questioning him. Beside them, a square-faced, honest man looked visibly at a loss.

"That’s Mr. Cen," Cheng Mingyue whispered, referring to the honest man looking uncertain.

Li Rui and Guan Gui nodded.

"Liang, how can you be so naive?"

Brother Hee stared at the young man questioning him, his gaze unwavering but with a hint of wanting to dodge.

"Naive? I’m concerned about the lives of hundreds in the village, and you call that naive?"

Liang’s voice was almost choked with emotion, reflecting his inner fury.

"Yes, but compared to the lives of millions, how do you choose?" Brother Hee’s tone gradually calmed.

"Are lives meant to be chosen?" Liang was even angrier.

"If you don’t choose, does it mean people wouldn’t die?"

Brother Hee looked at him with a look of pity, but it wasn’t clear who he pitied.

"With the Master gone, I’m the Sacrificial Chief of the academy. I must protect the people within a thousand miles beneath Ghost Cry Ridge. Do you think I want anyone to die?"

"Liang, you live a very simple life indeed."

Brother Hee turned away, looking towards the shadowy giant ridge afar, "You only care for the monsters on the mountain, thinking safeguarding it protects all the people?"

"But the world has never been like that. Do you know, the human heart harbors demons too?! Even if the mountain’s monsters don’t descend, will the people below stop fighting?"

"They will always fight to the death. What can I do? If forced to choose between hundreds and millions, can I not choose? Do you think not choosing solves everything?"

"Not choosing only means evading the turmoil in your heart. They’ll still fight to the death; you’ve merely chosen to avert your eyes and ease your heart."

Liang’s anger froze on his face. He stared at the other for a long time before leaving in desolation.

Brother Hee watched him walk away, also looking sorrowful: "Xiaocen, did I do wrong?"

The young Cen Lanjing shook his head, "Brother, I believe you did no wrong."

Hearing this, Brother Hee felt visibly better. What he cared about wasn’t right or wrong, but support.

However, Cen Lanjing added, "But before Liang went to Creek Village, he befriended a girl. You know, this child was orphaned from a young age and finds it hard to trust others, so...."

Brother Hee covered his face with both hands.

"I don’t wish to choose either."