If this cave dwelling was opened by the founding patriarch of Bingxuan Sect, then who opened that previous mysterious cave dwelling?
The two cave dwellings, whether in structure or technique, were remarkably similar yet distinct.
They seemed like the work of the same person, yet not quite.
Moreover, according to Huode, the two sects' founding patriarchs only established their sects three thousand years ago, while that previous cave dwelling was at least five thousand years old.
Recalling what that wisp of consciousness had just said—that the Bingxuan Sect's founding patriarch was an incarnation of a demon—Gu Qingfeng pondered. Could it be that the previous cave dwelling was opened by the original being, while this one was opened by its incarnation?
If that were the case, it could reasonably explain why the structures and techniques of the two cave dwellings shared such uncanny similarities—seeming like one person yet not, much like an original self and its incarnation: both the same person and not.
But...
Why exactly?
Five thousand years ago, first opening one cave dwelling, then two thousand years later, using an incarnation to open another.
What was the purpose?
What connection did it have with the Ice Heart? Or, in other words, what connection did it have with the Yanyang Heart?
Unclear.
With limited information at hand, Gu Qingfeng couldn't sort out the reasons behind it all for the moment.
He considered heading to the central hall of the cave dwelling first; the situation there was also quite complex.
Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to leave, someone barged in.
It was a fat monk, draped in a dirty kasaya, with two bronze-colored hammers hanging at his waist, his chest and large belly exposed. He was munching on some delicacy—none other than the monk who called himself Bu'er outside.
Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, he first froze, then was startled. Catching sight of the desiccated corpse in the corner, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. He chewed the meat in his mouth, opened his lips as if to say something, but hesitated. When his gaze met Gu Qingfeng's deep, dark eyes...
Monk Bu'er's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Subconsciously, he tightened his loosely worn robe, but it was no use. Under the scrutiny of Gu Qingfeng's eyes, he felt he had nowhere to hide, as if every part of him—inside and out, from soul to flesh—was laid completely bare.
"You're quite an interesting monk..." Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, looking him over with growing astonishment. This monk was no ordinary person; he belonged to the category of the truly extraordinary. The Buddhist aura on him was pure and orthodox, but that alone wouldn't have surprised Gu Qingfeng. What truly astonished him was that this seemingly greasy monk also carried a Buddhist Edict upon him.
This was a person with a profound connection to Buddha.
And a great connection at that.
He had received a Great Buddha's Edict.
Such things came in many varieties. Some who received Buddhist Edicts were tasked with delivering all beings, some with spreading Buddhist teachings, and others with resolving certain calamities, and so on.
This wasn't the first time Gu Qingfeng had encountered someone with a Buddhist Edict; he'd met a few before. But after the Great Calamity, seeing someone who had received a Buddhist Edict was somewhat surprising.
"Little monk."
Gu Qingfeng looked at him, squinting with a smile. "What is your Buddhist Edict?"
Hearing "Buddhist Edict," Monk Bu'er's face changed dramatically. The delicacy in his hand fell to the ground. His eyes bulged wide as he stared at Gu Qingfeng, as if unable to believe it. Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, reopened them, swallowed hard, leaned forward, and asked, "Esteemed sir, dare I ask... what manner of being are you, venerable one?"
"I am also Buddha."
"You... venerable one, are also Buddha?"
Monk Bu'er looked on the verge of tears, his face mournful. "Esteemed sir, please don't joke... This humble monk may not see what manner of being you are, but I know you're not to be trifled with. This humble monk... is just a runner... I beg you, sir, not to trouble this humble monk..."
"We have no enmity between us. Why would I trouble you?" Gu Qingfeng laughed. "I'm only asking what your Buddhist Edict is."
"This... this humble monk cannot say... If I speak it, the Buddha might hold it against me and cast this humble monk into the eighteen layers of hell."
Gu Qingfeng chuckled wryly but didn't press further. He had only asked casually and had expected the other wouldn't say. Whether the Buddha would blame this monk for speaking, he didn't know, but one thing was certain: the monk would definitely face unpleasant consequences.
As for what the other's Buddhist Edict was, to be honest, he had no interest in knowing and didn't want to get involved in such matters.
Now, with the Great Calamity just passed, the world reborn, the origin re-evolving, all things renewed, and various Laws re-condensing, Buddha was no exception.
The descent of Buddhist Edicts wasn't anything strange. Moreover, Gu Qingfeng was certain that since even Buddhist Edicts had descended, undoubtedly, Immortal Edicts, Demon Edicts, and even Heavenly Edicts had long since descended as well.
Since the Laws were re-condensing, meaning they weren't very stable, those overlords presiding over the Laws would naturally issue various edicts. Firstly, to maintain the Laws; secondly, to prevent anyone from disrupting them; and thirdly, as a minor tactic in the covert struggles among those Law overlords. He couldn't be bothered to get involved.
At that moment, two more people rushed into the hall.
None other than Wei Qing and Qing Ning. The two had just arrived. Seeing Monk Bu'er, they were startled; seeing Gu Qingfeng, they were startled again—more precisely, with a sense of apprehension and fear.
"Well, well, young lady, we meet again."
Gu Qingfeng recognized Qing Ning and greeted her with a smile.
"Chiyan... Chiyan Gongzi, hello..." Qing Ning's expression was complex, her tone somewhat panicked. Because on the way, Wei Qing had told her never to provoke Gu Qingfeng. Though he hadn't said why, the implication seemed to be that Gu Qingfeng was terrifying. So, seeing Gu Qingfeng here now, Qing Ning's heart was also quite frightened.
"Alright, you all carry on."
Gu Qingfeng still needed to hurry to the cave dwelling's central hall for a look. As he walked past, Wei Qing on the opposite side quickly lowered his head and stepped aside without a word.
Perhaps Gu Qingfeng suddenly remembered something or for some other reason, just as he was about to leave, he suddenly turned around. This turn wasn't a big deal in itself, but it truly startled Wei Qing, making his heart tighten as he stared at Gu Qingfeng with extreme nervousness.
"I recall you're from the Nine Hua Alliance, right?"
Wei Qing didn't respond immediately. His thoughts raced like lightning, pondering the meaning behind Gu Qingfeng's question. Worried Gu Qingfeng might grow impatient, he nodded in affirmation, admitting it, then added, "May I ask if Chiyan Gongzi has any instructions?"
"A hundred years ago, was it him who borrowed the Yanyang Heart from Yunxia Sect?"
Wei Qing didn't hesitate. "Yes!"
"Do you know why he borrowed the Yanyang Heart?"
"This... I don't know."
Gu Qingfeng nodded, thought for a moment, then asked, "I heard he went into seclusion immediately after borrowing the Yanyang Heart? Has he emerged yet?"
"Patriarch Rong has not yet left seclusion."
"He said he'd borrow it for a hundred years. Will he return it when the time comes?"
Gu Qingfeng asked another question. Wei Qing shook his head; he didn't know the answer to that either.
"Fine, I understand."
After his inquiries, Gu Qingfeng left. Only when he had completely disappeared did the stone hanging in Wei Qing's heart finally settle. As if pondering something, he then fixed his gaze on the desiccated corpse in the corner, just staring...
His eyes held a complex emotion...
As he stared, not far away, Monk Bu'er was also frowning, lost in thought, his mind in turmoil.
The Yanyang Heart...
What did this lord want with the Yanyang Heart?
Damn it!
Could it really be related to him?
Please don't let it be...
Otherwise, this humble monk... this humble monk will surely be ruined by him!