Chapter 2691 - 2690: Clay Statue Awakens

Ling Feng stood on Little Fei’s back, traversing through the clouds silently all the way.

Little Fei sneaked a glance at Ling Feng, noticing the master’s silence throughout the journey, so dared not speak up.

After a long while, Ling Feng spoke softly, "Little Fei, do you think I did something wrong?"

Little Fei was initially taken aback, then quickly said, "Master, what are you talking about? How could you be wrong?"

"When the old Taoist attacked Chao Yun, I actually could react, but at that moment I hesitated, watching as the young Taoist had his heart extracted,"

"In the end, I saved him insincerely, yet couldn’t save his life. Isn’t that particularly hypocritical of me? Clearly, I could have prevented the tragedy from happening right from the start, but I did nothing."

Ling Feng’s voice trembled slightly, and Little Fei remained silent for a long time.

"Master, you don’t need to blame yourself, life and death are destined, whether it’s the Human Race or our Insect Race, eventually life comes to an end, I have to admit that young Taoist’s death was unfortunate,"

"But Master, remember that you’re neither the murderer nor the accomplice. You did your utmost to save the young Taoist, although he eventually left, you still tried for his life,"

"You don’t need to carry some sense of guilt for this, just focus on living well at present,"

"Back when I was with the Insect Race, there were often young ones leaving my side, departing for various reasons, some even died in my arms due to protecting the homeland, tribe, or from illness,"

"I never cried, for I knew it was of no use. To this day, my heart still holds guilt towards those children. I feel I didn’t make any useful efforts for them, just watched them leave,"

"So Master, there’s no need to feel guilty. Your acquaintance with the young Taoist was short. I don’t deny your friendship, but the departed should rest peacefully, the living should live well."

Little Fei’s tone suddenly cooled: "If you insist on doing something to vent your anger, I suggest you go and kill that old Taoist, and take back the young Taoist’s heart!"

Ling Feng was silent for a while, finally looking at the mountains ahead and said, "You’re right, Little Fei, I’m indeed very angry, no matter how composed and calm I appeared before those two Devil Clan members,"

"I cannot calm my inner fury; I need to shed some blood, I want to kill, right now I want to grind that old Taoist to dust! I want him to live a fate worse than death!"

"Very well, Master, then hold on tight, we’ll go drag that old man out right now!"

Little Fei’s wings whipped up a storm in the air, instantly doubling in speed, leaving a cloud trail and faint ripples in its wake.

Ling Feng returned to the familiar mountain, seeing the eerie mountain gate, but this time he didn’t walk up the mountain like before, instead rode Little Fei up swiftly to the temple gate.

Ling Feng pushed open the door, searched the entire temple, but found no trace of anyone.

Ling Feng proceeded to the temple’s courtyard, still devoid of Chao Yue’s presence.

In fact, it’s understandable, Ling Feng didn’t expect Chao Yue to return to this temple, just a strong desire drove him to come back and have a look, a peculiar feeling propelled Ling Feng to this place.

Ling Feng tightened his expression as he slowly approached the cliff-bound clay statue wrapped in numerous chains, this time without leaning over to inspect its appearance,

Instead, he directly stood on Little Fei’s back, facing the clay statue, gazing at it.

Ling Feng stared at the clay statue kneeling with a curved body, looking at its black and white pupils, suddenly feeling a peculiar sensation within.

This feeling was akin to meeting someone’s gaze, but the clay statue was lifeless, how could it possess any expression?

Ling Feng touched his face, questioning whether frustration had clouded his mind, was he hallucinating?

Yet the next moment, the statue initially bowed suddenly began raising its head slowly to stare intensely at Ling Feng.

Ling Feng hadn’t noticed the statue’s movement initially, still patting his head until he gazed back at the statue.

"Hey hey hey?" Ling Feng’s face changed, "I recall the statue was downcast before, why is it now lifting its head, am I really hallucinating?"

Ling Feng rubbed his eyes again, patting his cheeks trying to sober up.

Little Fei watched his master sometimes having an extremely delayed response, couldn’t help feeling resigned, even wishing to grow arms to pat his forehead.

"Master, stop patting your face, you’re not mistaken, the statue indeed moved, I feel it’s looking at you right now."

With Little Fei’s prompt, Ling Feng finally sobered but was immediately overwhelmed with even greater shock:

Could this statue be alive? But it’s just a clay statue!

Just as Ling Feng intended to approach for a closer look, the statue suddenly spoke:

"You over there standing on the insect, I saw you converse with the Taoists about some matters concerning me earlier, now why did you return alone? Where’s the young Taoist?"

Ling Feng could hardly conceal his astonishment but soon calmed and replied, "Answer me first, aren’t you just a clay statue? Why are you speaking?"

"Heh," the statue flashed a mocking grin, "Didn’t you learn my identity before? I’m from ancient times possessing some mystical powers, speaking is nothing noteworthy."

"But weren’t you executed for committing grave sins back in those years? Even sentenced here as a clay statue to atone for thousands of years."

"Are you truly curious? Help me with one task, and I’ll reveal all the truths from back then." The voice of the statue brimming with temptation.

Ling Feng hastily waved off, "No, no, you better leave me out of it, who knows what task you’d have me do, I’m not from this world, not at all curious about your glorious past."

"Farewell, then." Ling Feng waved his hand intending to leave.

"Aren’t you curious about where the old Taoist went?" The statue suddenly spoke.

Already turned around, Ling Feng’s body stiffened, he slowly turned back, his tone now immensely firm, "You know where he went?"

"Of course," the statue chuckled, "He just fled back here miserably, took many things, suffering multiple sword injuries, tut tut tut, seems a sword master hit him into fleeing desperately."

Ling Feng finally understood why Jian Mu returned empty-handed; surely Chao Yue displayed some formidable escape skill, even being struck several times still managed to leave, Jian Mu knowing he couldn’t pursue returned.

"Continue!" Ling Feng unabashedly demanded.

"Hehehe, I can certainly continue, but you’ll have to help me with the task first."

Ling Feng took a deep breath, seemingly having no choice but to help him, "Tell me then."

"You saw the mountain gate below the temple when you arrived, that Three Pure Ones Extremes, you only need to move the entire gate in front of me,"

"Help me move the gate, and anything you wish to know, I will tell you."

Ling Feng recalled the gate and the bizarre memories he experienced when first touching it, pondering long yet unable to fathom the statue’s intention.

But Ling Feng now had no alternative, finding Chao Yue’s trace in this world seemed near impossible.

"Alright, remember your promise." Ling Feng dropped a remark and rode Little Fei flying toward the mountain’s base.

"Of course!" The statue’s voice lingered, "Don’t damage it, it must be intact!"