Chapter 935 297: Dao Collapse and Calamity (Part 6)

Zhou Xuan lowered his head, his voice considerably weaker.

"Okay."

Shen Chongzhen thought for a moment and responded, "Let my father and mother go as well when the time comes."

Zhou Xuan's expression changed slightly, and she immediately shook her head, saying, "Best not to for now. Wait until Master sees you first."

Shen Chongzhen seemed to understand her meaning and did not insist.

...

Early autumn in September.

In previous years, whether it was late autumn or winter, the plants around Yunshui City never had yellow leaves.

But this time, as soon as autumn set in, there was a bleak autumn scene in various parts of the city.

The ancient trees lining the roads lost their green hue, and when a gentle breeze blew, a large number of leaves drifted down, seemingly foreshadowing the imminent decline of this world.

At the gate of the old Shen Family residence.

Wearing dark blue cloth, with a conical hat on his head, Luo Tianxing looked at Shen Wen'an and Shen Xiuyan in front of him, speaking slowly, "The old man is already extracting the Dao Source."

"Even I can sense the recent influx of many powerful beings from outside the realm."

"In the coming days, Yangnao Land is likely to be in complete chaos."

"After I leave, if you don't intend to seek fortune in Yangnao Land, then quickly withdraw."

"Wait until everything settles before making plans."

Shen Wen'an nodded and said, "Thank you for the reminder, elder. The common people and cultivators under the Shen Family's rule have already evacuated, and those of us who stayed can retreat at any time."

A flash of light in his hand, he took out the treasure ship that Luo Tianxing had lent to the Shen Family earlier.

"Elder's treasure ship should be returned to its owner."

Luo Tianxing took the treasure ship and put it into the storage bag, then said, "Since that's the case, I won't waste words."

"Until we meet again."

Shen Wen'an and Shen Xiuyan quickly cupped their hands, "Elder, until we meet again..."

Luo Tianxing nodded, his figure transforming into a breeze and disappearing before them.

"Third Master, what should we do next?"

After seeing Luo Tianxing off, Shen Xiuyan spoke with a deep voice.

The common people and cultivators of all the affiliated families under the Shen Family's rule had indeed been transferred in advance.

But virtually none of the common people and cultivators within Yunshui City had moved.

Signs showed that the Great Prosperity True Monarch had begun extracting the Dao Source of Yangnao Land, and cultivators from outside were searching for treasures throughout Yangnao Land.

The Shen Family must be prepared in advance.

"Go find your great uncle and arrange to send all the cultivators in the city into the Five Elements Secret Realm in batches."

"Third Master will be responsible for the city's safety."

"Also, send word to Luoxia Mountain and Cyan Ruo Sword House, asking them to come and discuss."

With the Dao Source's collapse imminent, it was time for the two sects to make a decision.

Whether to withdraw first from Yangnao Land and return when Xu Xiu completes the Dao Source Secret Realm, or to enter the Five Elements Secret Realm with the Shen Family, he needed to discuss properly with them.

Shen Xiuyan cupped his hands and immediately went to make arrangements.

"Third Uncle..."

Shortly after he left, Shen Li, dressed in a moon white long skirt, walked over slowly.

Seeing her expression seemed somewhat off, Shen Wen'an curiously asked, "What's wrong?"

Shen Li slightly shook her head, then furrowed her brows, saying, "Li'Er has been feeling uneasy lately."

Uneasy in spirit?

Shen Wen'an frowned privately, and before he could inquire further, Shen Li continued, "Grandfather and Brother Chongming are still in seclusion?"

Shen Wen'an nodded.

This was also what worried him most now.

If they weren't in seclusion, the Shen Family could easily retreat whenever danger arose.

But now, to withdraw, they needed to consider whether it would disrupt their cultivation.

"No need to worry. Our Shen Family has several escape routes, and we should be alright for now."

Thinking that Shen Li was just overly worried and thus had bad premonitions, Shen Wen'an comforted her and then said, "Go see if your mother is ready, and have her go to the Five Elements Secret Realm first."

"Once things here are arranged, we'll go last."

"When the outside world stirs, it will have nothing to do with our Shen Family."

Shen Li nodded and walked toward the back mountain.

Second floor of the Black Water Pavilion.

With white hair and beard, skin dry and dull, Shen Yuan slowly opened his eyes.

Expelling a mouthful of turbid Qi, he slightly regulated the spiritual power within his body, forcibly restoring his appearance to its previous state, lips gently moving.

A moment later, Shen Wen'an's figure appeared on the second floor of the Black Water Pavilion.

"Father, you're out of seclusion?"

Upon receiving Shen Yuan's transmitted message, he immediately rushed over.

"Hmm..."

Responding hoarsely, Shen Yuan solemnly said, "Sit down, I have a few things to tell you."

Shen Wen'an nodded and sat opposite him.

Shen Yuan spoke in a deep voice, "The collapse of the Dao Source this time is a calamity for our Shen Family as well."

"We must not take it lightly."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wen'an was somewhat puzzled. After thinking for a long time, he asked, "If that's the case, shouldn't we evacuate quickly?"

Shen Yuan sighed and shook his head.

"It's not that simple."

"The collapse of the Dao Source is a calamity of Yangnao Land, and we as creatures of Yangnao Land have an inseparable causal connection with its origin."

"Now, with the impending destruction of Yangnao Land, we cannot stop it. Under the influence of the Power of Cause and Effect, we will inevitably suffer corresponding punishments."

"Such punishment for the causal connection is not something that can be easily evaded."

"You can understand that with the destruction of Yangnao Land, every creature within it has a catastrophe in some unknown sense."

"And since our Shen Family has previously absorbed much of Yangnao Land's fortune and destiny, the catastrophe we face will naturally be stronger than other creatures in Yangnao Land."

Saying this, Shen Yuan's expression was filled with helplessness.

Previously, when he divined the fates of Shen Wenxing and many other Shen family juniors, he received only dire readings.

At first, he didn't understand what was happening.

Now, over time, by understanding the "Divination and Storage Scripture" and paying a significant price of longevity, he finally grasped the rough reason behind it.

Generally speaking, the Dao Source of Yangnao Land recognized its imminent destruction earlier.

And then it selected the Shen Family, invisibly favoring it with much fortune and destiny, hoping the Shen Family could prevent this catastrophe.

But alas, the Shen Family could not achieve this.

It is like accepting a large bounty, receiving much of the deposit, and failing to complete the task within the stipulated time.

By the rules, one must naturally bear the consequences of failure.

Luckily, he has already managed to alter everyone's fate through the Life Talismans and the ability of "Life and Death."

He can't see the future destiny of the Shen Family clearly, but at least he found a thread of hope for life for each person.

"Next, I'm going to tell you the locations of the Life Gates of our Shen Family's people facing the catastrophe, which you must remember."

Seeing his father's solemn demeanor, Shen Wen'an had a serious expression and nodded.

Shen Yuan sorted his thoughts and continued, "Li'Er's Life Gate is uncertain, yet immensely perilous."

"Chongming's Life Gate is in the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm."

"Your elder brother and Xu Zhan..."

Mentioning Shen Wenxing and Xu Zhan, Shen Yuan paused, his expression somewhat heavy, "The Life Gates of both overlap and should be in the Laishui River. Even I can't see them clearly."

"As for the remaining family members' Life Gates, they fall on you and me and Chongzhen."

"Remember, if any harm befalls either of us—father, son, or Chongzhen—the clan will suffer heavy casualties!"

"Thus, at all costs, preserve your lives."

Speaking this, Shen Yuan sighed deeply, "The time is still too tight. If I could have ten more years."

"Just ten more years, perhaps I could find a perfect way for you to avoid the catastrophe."

"Then you wouldn't need to risk facing the catastrophe."

The catastrophe unleashed by a world isn't something brute force can withstand.

Understanding its intricacies, Shen Yuan faintly sensed even the Great Prosperity True Monarch Xu Xiu and others must face the catastrophe.

Not sure whether the old man calculated this factor in his grand plan.