Dao of the World Walker (Xianxia) Book 2

Yang could feel the smile in the being’s voice as he answered. “Surely you've realized that only you were able to enter because I allowed it to be so.”

“Why me?” Yang asked, the question bursting past his lips. “You said that you are aware of all that goes down in this world. But then you must surely know I am the weakest of my fellow disciples. Probably even weaker than the other world disciples who treat this world remnant as their sect's training grounds.” He paused for a moment before he asked the most crucial question. “What could you possibly want from someone like me?”

“Don’t you already know?” The being asked dryly, almost teasingly.

“The bead,” Yang stated plainly, wondering if the bead also wanted to be tied to a stronger host, especially considering it had steered him here. Even now, he could feel it give off a gentle warmth whenever this being of light spoke or drew near.

Was this what it was all leading to? The bead leading him to a better host?

“The bead?” The being mused, testing the word. “I suppose it does resemble one.”

The phrasing felt odd to Yang, hinting at something deeper. “You know what it is?”

Only to get a response that shocked him to the core. “More than you can ever imagine.”

“Are you planning to take it from me?” Yang asked, feeling reluctant.

“It has already chosen you and, from the looks of it, chosen well.” The being's tone was almost paternal now. “I am but a remnant of a cultivator who had long left this world. What use do I have of it here in my vigil over this tomb?”

The answer relieved Yang. He could be lying, but Yang somehow had a feeling that so far all that had been voiced by this being had been the truth. This, along with the lack of alarm and the warm feeling the bead was giving off, may explain the familiarity between them.

Yang, feeling emboldened, decided to voice the questions swirling in his mind, considering this Senior had been quiet indulgent so far and had yet to go all ‘You Dare’ on him.

“Then, Senior, can you tell me what this bead is? And did you only bring me here to look at it?”

“That, Young Daoist, I will not reveal.” The being said calmly. “Should you live long enough and go far enough on your path, you likely will figure it out yourself. As for your second question.” He paused, choosing the right words. “I am intertwined deeply with Qiarnan; I’ll admit, you drew my attention as soon as you appeared amid the horde of those beasts. I only brought you here to get a closer look.”

Yang wanted to ask about the Senior being a remnant, but he hesitated. Was it polite to ask someone about their demise?

“What was your name, Senior?” Yang asked instead.

“What was my name?” The being tilted his head slightly as if confused. “I don’t remember changing it, Young Daoist.”

Yang stammered awkwardly. “I meant…when you were alive, Senior.”

“Alive?” The being let out a sudden booming laugh, making Yang jump at the sudden loud sound. “I wasn’t aware I had died.”

“Ah.” Yang’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I thought when you said you were a remnant of a cultivator who had left the world, you meant you had…passed on.” Yang felt embarrassed at practically calling him dead to his face…or what would have been his face.

“Despite your meek demeanor, you sure do have some guts.” The voice chuckled. “Cursing me to death right in front of my face.”

Yang almost froze, wondering if his mind was being read as the almost exact words he had thought before were repeated back to him.

“Forgive me, Senior. I didn't mean to curse you.” Yang bowed in apology as mortification burned through him.

The voice was still mirthful as the Senior told him, “My name—you may ask my real self when you eventually meet.” His voice turned serious as he continued. “I have a feeling your paths will cross inevitably.”

Yang was not sure how much he desired to meet a cultivator who was capable of destroying planets and leaving fully intelligent ‘remnants’ of himself behind. But the tone in which this Senior had said it sounded less like a hope for a future meeting and more like a prophecy.

“You don’t need to look so terrified.” The being said. “Meeting my original self is beyond you for a long time yet. And even when you do, there is hardly any need to be so fearful. I had never been a person prone to senseless anger. I doubt that has changed even in the time since I was separated and set to guard this tomb.”

“Are you not tired of it, Senior, being alone here, guarding this place?” Yang asked hesitantly.

“Alone?” He gestured broadly to the hundred-foot-tall statues encircling the chamber. “I am hardly alone. These are my fellow guards. Cultivators who left remnants of themselves so we may ensure this place remains secure.”

Yang followed his gaze and looked at all the statues that seemed to be gazing at him.

“These are all remnants of cultivators as well? Like you?”

“Indeed.” The Senior’s voice grew solemn. “The only reason I appeared was that you roused my curiosity.” His voice turned grim. “You are the first person to set foot here since this fortress was created, when our original selves left after adding the final seal.”

“None of the others who entered this world have reached here?” Yang asked, curious.

“They are not even able to perceive the fortress, let alone step past the concealment formation hiding this place,” he said dryly. “Even your Senior Brother who was following you was stopped outside the barrier, unable to see anything once you crossed.”

“My Senior Brother was following me?” Yang blinked in surprise.

“Yes, you have been followed by the second one since you flew off alone.” His voice turned amused. “White Cloud Sect members still seem to stay true to their nature.”

Yang felt a warmth within his chest that was all his. He must mean Senior Brother Qing An. They had been constantly under observation if this Senior was able to even figure out their hierarchy amongst themselves.

“Why even allow others to enter this place at all?” Yang frowned. “Isn’t that a risk?”

“It's a risk well worth taking,” he answered. “This is the remnant of a higher world. “Anything they can gain from here is a treasure for most lower world cultivators. Occasionally, someone manages to gain something and leave with their life. Most often, they die and strengthen this place with their deaths.”

“This place is sustained by deaths?” Yang questioned as a chill ran down his spine.

“Not anymore. This world has dark, evil origins. The one under...” he said, looking towards the pool. “created a world of pain and misery. We just turned it against him to keep him bound.”

The Senior turned towards Yang. “But indeed. Each person who dies here strengthens the chains holding him down. You and your companions should leave.”

“We want to, but the beast horde destroyed the spatial rift we entered through,” Yang said in frustratingly. “My Senior Brothers think there may be other paths, but we have yet to find any.”

The being nodded. “Your Senior Brothers are right. There are two more rifts leading to your world.”

“Senior, can you guide us towards them? Please.” Yang practically begged.

The Senior waved his hand, and Yang saw a beam of light shoot forth from one of the statues lining the walls.

The statue depicted a beautiful man in Daoist robes, with multiple inner layers and intricate armor covering the body. He had long hair held by a simple pin and a solemn expression on his face. Looking at the proportions and the general bearing, Yang got the impression that this was how this Senior looked in reality when he was not so…glowy.

The beam of light condensed into an ice-blue jade token, the size of his palm, which floated towards Yang.

“This will lead you and your brothers to the closest rift leading to your world.” The Senior said.

Yang accepted the token with both hands and gave a formal bow. “Thank you, Senior. This favor, my Senior Brothers and I will always remember.”

“No need to thank me. You will be delivering a message on my behalf, Young Daoist.”