Perhaps back on Earth, Yang Ze's sad story would have brought him some pity and a few sympathetic gazes. But in this world, where fear was rampant, demonic beasts roam free and evil cultivators rampage, tragedies like his were a common sight. Perhaps, in this world, this wasn't even a tragedy but a common occurrence.
Sitting beside him, Cang Yue didn't feel bad for him or have any sympathy. After all, she had personally slain countless people and families herself. His sob story was at best mildly entertaining. Nothing more, nothing less.
But she didn't show it on her face. Instead, she quietly wrapped her arm around him before rubbing his other shoulder gently, as if consoling him.
Yang Ze, on the other hand, didn't even notice it. His mind was still preoccupied by those memories.
The two of them just sat there in silence, quietly enjoying the starry sky as well as the gentle cold breeze on their faces.
It wasn't until a few more minutes had passed that Cang Yue asked him in a soft voice.
"Then, what are you going to do in future?"
"I don't know." Yang Ze answered honestly. "I guess I want to travel around the world and see different things."
He didn't have any lofty goals like conquering the world or establishing his own sect. With his golden finger, he would be perfectly capable of doing so in the future, but he never wanted to... He loved peace and quiet. The less he interacted with people, the better he felt inside. Hell, if not for his cheat requiring him to meet different people for sign-in, he would have just escaped to live in solitude in some mountain.
"Then, why not come with me?" It was as if Cang Yue was expecting this answer. The moment Yang Ze finished speaking, she immediately came up with a suggestion.
"Huh!?" This time, Yang Ze was truly confused. What was this woman trying to do?
"Come where?"
"Did you hear about the ruins?" This time, Cang Yue didn't beat around the bush.
"The ones near the Stonegate city?" How could Yang Ze not remember it? It was because of those ruins that Lin Yue made that stupid plan.
"Yes, that one." With a nod, Cang Yue spoke further, "Rumours are that those are the ruins of a once-powerful sect that used to rule over the continent."
"How about it? Wanna explore it with me?"
"..." Yang Ze didn't reply but looked at her as if he were looking at an idiot. Does she reakky think he could explore the so-called ruins which were considered one of the most dangerous places in this world?
With his strength, going there was a death wish. Not to mention, he had no interest in the so-called ruins. After all, he already had his own cheat. No matter what kind of opportunity lay there, could it be greater than his cheat?
As if sensing his worries, Cang Yue immediately spoke up, "Don't worry. You don't have to worry about safety. I will keep you safe."
"No, thanks." Yang Ze just shook his head in response. He would never explore these so-called ruins. God knows what kind of danger was out there.
"..." Cang Yue wasn't expecting such a direct refusal. Every time a ruin appeared, a bloody storm would ensue. Even the mortals would join in, hoping to change their destinies.
What kind of person would give up such an opportunity?
"Heh! You truly are different." This time, Cang Yue was truly intrigued by him. Were it any other person, they would have begged her to take them to the ruins. But not this man... and the more he acted so indifferent, the more he aroused her desire for conquest.
"How about it?" Thinking for a moment, Cang Yue came up with a perfect solution. "Explore the ruins with me, and I will free you from the sect. After the exploration, you can leave, and no one will stop you or take any action against you in the future."
"What do you think?" Her voice was full of allure as she painted a pie in front of him.
Yang Ze, on the other hand, felt his breathing hasten the moment he heard her proposal. At the moment, his biggest desire was to get out of this damned place. And now that someone was ready to fulfil it, he couldn't help but think about it.
"Okay!" After thinking for a while, Yang Ze nodded in response. "I will come with you. But how can I be so sure that you will keep your words? What if, after exploring the ruins, you bring me back here again?"
"What good will it do to ruin my reputation over something so trivial?" Cang Yue almost laughed out loud. "Don't worry, I am definitely not bringing you back here. I can promise you that."
"Okay, then." With both his safety and freedom guaranteed, there was nothing for Yang Ze to worry about. He didn't know what this woman was planning, but exploring the ruins with her for his freedom was a price that he was willing to pay.
"Perfect." Clapping her hands with a smile, Cang Yue stood up while patting her dress. "We will leave tomorrow morning."
"Eh! So soon?" Yang Ze wasn't expecting to leave so soon. He thought they were going to prepare for a while before moving there.
"Of course." Cang Yue replied as a matter of fact. I have already prepared everything that we might need." Without wasting another second, she walked out as her lingering voice echoed in Yang Ze's ears. "Be sure to wake up early tomorrow morning."
"...." Yang Ze looked at her departing back with a frown before shaking his head, "Forget it."
There was no use worrying about it anymore. He could only pray that she would keep her word and let him get out of this place after the exploration.
And just like that, an entire night passed in the blink of an eye.
Early next morning, Yang Ze didn't even need to wait for her. The moment he came out of his room, Cang Yue was already waiting for him there.
"Let's go." Without wasting another word, she signalled Yang Ze to follow her as the two of them slowly made their way out of the place where Yang Ze was living.
The two of them just walked in silence through the Duality Sect. Yang Ze would often stop to admire the scenery around him. He had to admit that even though he didn't like this sect, the scenery here was breathtakingly beautiful. There were fields upon fields of golden wheat and various herbs and plants. The mountains were divided into several slopes, each having an exquisite pavilion with a small stream of water in front, which ultimately met at the bottom, forming a large pond.
From a single glance, he could see numerous women working in those fields. There were even a few groups that were sparring on an open platform.
The more he looked at the scene, the more relaxed Yang Ze felt.
Cang Yue occasionally threw him a glance and, after noticing his awe and a face filled with yearning, let out a knowing smile.
It didn't take long for the two of them to arrive at the bottom of the mountain before exiting the Duality Sect grounds.
"Oh! I never asked you." It was at this moment that Cang Yue patted her head. "What is your cultivation realm?"
In this world, it was impossible to know a person's cultivation realm without using a secret technique or having a very high realm yourself. Only when the other person displayed their strength could their cultivation realm become apparent.
Though Yang Ze, in front of her, looked weak, she didn't think he was a mere mortal.
"Body Forging." Yang Ze just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. In this world, without resources, it was almost impossible to make any progress. And someone like him, who was previously a slave... his strength should be at the bottom of the barrel.
"I see." Cang Yue wasn't surprised by his answer. It was already a miracle for him to step into the path of cultivation. As for him making further progress... Heh!
It didn't take the two of them too long to reach a small settlement that was one of the many branches of the Duality sect.
Initially, Cang Yue wanted to borrow two horses, but upon learning that Yang Ze didn't know how to ride, she just shook her head in disappointment before picking him up like an unruly kid and making him sit in front of her on the horse.
'This again?' Getting the familiar treatment again, Yang Ze could only smile bitterly. He really needed to learn how to ride horses; otherwise, he would always sit in front of the women.
Cang Yue didn't pay any attention to him. After jumping behind him, she just drove away.
Throughout the bumpy terrain, Yang Ze could feel her warm breath as well as a faint spicy fragrance that he wasn't used to. As for her body touching his... With the control of Cang Yue over her body and her perfect horse-riding skill, how was it possible? Regardless of which terrain they travelled through, there was a constant gap between their bodies.
It took them around two hours to reach their destination.
"This!?" Looking at the scene before him, Yang Ze's eyes narrowed into slits.
"What, surprised?" With a soft chuckle, Cang Yue jumped off the horse before whispering in a soft tone.
"Umm..." How could Yang Ze not be surprised? This place wasn't anywhere near Stonegate city. And unlike the crowd of people gathered near the Stonegate city when he arrived, there wasn't a single person in sight. The only thing he saw was a bunch of tents that looked abandoned.
"Do you really think we would let any stray cat or dog into the ruins?" With a sneer, Cang Yue patted Yang Ze on the shoulder.
"Then, that place?" Thinking about the large crowd gathered near the city, he couldn't help but ask in surprise. All of them were there to explore the ruins. But if the ruins weren't there, what were they going to do?
"Oh, they will find ruins there." With a brief pause, she just smiled, "Eventually..."
How could Yang Ze not understand that it was merely a play by the Duality sect? They hid the real ruins and spread the news of fake ruins everywhere. With their resources, it wasn't impossible. But this is what stumped him. Since they have already discovered the ruins and even hid it for themselves, then why even publish anything regarding it? Wouldn't it be better to just keep their mouth shut?
The more he thought about it, the less he understood what these people were thinking.
'Forget it. Why do I care?' Shaking his head, he followed behind Cang Yue.
The two of them directly headed inside the fourth tent, which was completely empty. Cang Yue signalled Yang Ze to step back before bending down and touching the ground beneath her with her internal energy. And the moment she did, the ground beneath her trembled for a moment before a dark entrance appeared in its place.
"Come." Before Yang Ze could react, Cang Yue grabbed him before directly jumping inside and the moment she did, the entrance closed and the ground returned to its previous state.