Chapter 1018: The Burden Turns Out to Be Me
Ever since entering the Path of Daylight, Zui Wuya had been on high alert, prepared for any crisis that might arise.
But these two? They were downright carefree.
Yi Feng could be excused—young and inexperienced, his wild ramblings could be dismissed as mere jest.
But his junior brother? Absolutely outrageous!
After cultivating for millions of years, to now find himself in such peril yet still laughing and joking with this youngster—it was sheer recklessness!
Truly, once the wound heals, the pain is forgotten.
Back in the day, their group of senior and junior brothers, brash and overconfident, had ventured into this very Path of Daylight, only to encounter ancient malevolent spirits. Six of them perished, their Dao extinguished!
What a horrifying, agonizing memory!
Even now, recalling it sent chills down Zui Wuya's spine.
And yet, his junior brother? Nodding along, chuckling, playing the fool.
Acting like some sycophant, as if to say, "You're absolutely right!"
Where was the dignity of a senior?
Even if he favored this youngster, was such fawning really necessary?
The two of them bantered back and forth, practically turning the Path of Daylight into some scenic tourist spot.
It was like Kuafu singing without reading the lyrics—utterly preposterous!
Dismissing everything as mere rumors, laughing like ignorant fools.
No reverence, no caution, no heed for past tragedies. If they kept this up, they'd die without even knowing how!
Zui Wuya's face darkened with frustration.
He could no longer bother with these two idiots, focusing instead on maintaining his vigilance.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort, brimming with displeasure.
Yi Feng paid no mind.
Wei Donghai, however, was startled, cautiously glancing around.
Only when he saw Yi Feng unfazed did he quietly exhale in relief.
Watching Yi Feng stride forward with effortless ease, his star-like eyes calm and unshaken—what was a dreaded path to others meant nothing in his eyes.
Such vision, such power—it was beyond Wei Donghai's reach!
Their smooth journey today? Undoubtedly due to Yi Feng's overwhelming presence!
Realizing this, Wei Donghai was even more awestruck.
With every step, his admiration grew, his courage swelled.
All former fears vanished like mist. Soon, he was boldly leading the way, marching with unstoppable vigor!
"Brother Yi! This way! My lost belongings are just ahead!"
Beaming with joy, all gloom forgotten.
Seeing the old man so cheerful, Yi Feng followed willingly.
"Alright!"
Laughing and chatting, they picked up the pace.
They were practically sprinting, leaving Zui Wuya grinding his teeth in disbelief!
The Path of Daylight was fraught with danger, teeming with vengeful spirits!
Every step required utmost caution—recklessness would spell doom!
In desperation, Zui Wuya abandoned scolding and hurried after them, gripping his sacred axe, other holy artifacts at the ready.
Passing through a stretch of giant boulders, he finally caught up—only to freeze in shock.
The once perilous rocky path, which should have been crawling with powerful remnants, was now eerily empty. Not a trace of malice remained.
His junior brother knelt on the ground, clutching a jade pendant, tears streaming down his face.
"Found it… at last, we can go home now, go home!"
The pendant was just an ordinary saint-tier artifact, nothing extraordinary.
But it was a token of love between Wei Donghai and their junior sister, a relic of their youth.
Back then, as the eldest brother, Zui Wuya had gifted it after a treasure hunt, a symbol of their bond. But after that ill-fated journey, they were separated forever, and it became Wei Donghai's lifelong regret—a potential demon in his heart.
Now, witnessing this long-awaited reunion, even Zui Wuya was moved.
Yet he dared not lower his axe, warily scanning the surroundings. The rocky path was serene, almost…
Like some damn picnic spot.
Something was off.
Very off.
A deep unease settled in Zui Wuya's mind. The more he thought, the stranger it seemed, leaving him rooted in place.
Axe in hand, he stood dumbfounded, like an unemployed old man whose brain had just crashed.
Decked out in flashy gear, tense as if facing an ordeal—anyone who didn't know better might think he was showing off his wealth.
"At his age, still so high-strung," Yi Feng sighed, shaking his head.
"I told you there's no danger here. It's just a stroll. Why so tense?"
A… stroll?
Hearing it again, Zui Wuya's eyes nearly bulged out—but he had no rebuttal.
However much he refused to believe, the truth was undeniable.
Their journey through the Corridor of Returning Antiquity had been smooth beyond belief—more like a scenic tour under starlit skies.
If this wasn't a stroll, what was?
Under Yi Feng's gaze, Zui Wuya's face burned, but he couldn't argue.
Wei Donghai, however, was far more at ease, nodding along with a respectful smile.
"Ah, yes, yes!"
"Senior Brother, just listen to Brother Yi. Relax a little!"
Zui Wuya licked his lips.
Though no danger was present, his grip on the axe didn't loosen.
Once bitten, twice shy—the past horrors here were etched in his memory. Yet, he couldn't help but wonder: What had happened to the Corridor?
Yi Feng chuckled.
This guy was too cautious, fighting shadows like some paranoid strategist.
But he didn't press further, leading the way with practiced ease.
This detour was longer, but he'd traversed the Corridor four or five times before—it was as familiar as visiting relatives.
His confident strides never faltered, unhurried and relaxed.
The two behind him—one growing more reverent, the other more bewildered.
Then, as Yi Feng rounded a corner, there it was again: a sword embedded in a boulder, blocking the path like some stubborn bandit.
Last time, when he'd come with Fu Nantian, he'd been too focused on seeking death to bother.
Now, seeing it again, his good mood soured.
Frowning, he glared at the obstruction.
The two brothers noticed immediately, following his gaze.
There, two ancient swords were plunged deep into a massive stone wall, dusted with starlight. Despite the chaotic currents of Dao energy swirling around, not a ripple touched the hilts—as if repelled by an overwhelming sword intent.
Just glimpsing the exposed hilts filled Wei Donghai and Zui Wuya with dread.
The stone was impossibly hard—material unknown. In their prime, they couldn't even scratch it. Now, even with a sacred axe, they might barely leave a mark.
Yet these swords were nearly buried to the hilt!
Even as spectators, seeing this again, the impact was staggering. The swords' sharpness, the terrifying prowess of their wielders—it all inspired awe.
For several breaths, they stood transfixed, as if transported to an ancient battlefield.
A terrifying sword intent from antiquity seemed to pierce through time, tightening their chests from mere observation!
Wei Donghai quickly stepped forward, bowing as he shared what he knew.
"Brother Yi, I've heard a thing or two about these two swords."
"Legend has it that this pair of ancient swords has been lying in the Corridor of Forgotten Eons for ages—likely over a hundred thousand years. Back then, they were renowned far and wide, drawing countless experts who sought to claim them as treasures."
"Unfortunately, no one could pull them out, and eventually, people stopped talking about them..."
Zui Wuya nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with awe.
This was no exaggeration.
Though his junior brother had omitted some irrelevant details, these swords had indeed existed for over a hundred thousand years. They were said to be remnants from the great Celestial War of that era, once coveted by countless individuals yet never obtained—truly extraordinary artifacts.
Only those with vast experience and age knew of them; ordinary sages could only hear rumors and never lay eyes on them.
Yi Feng listened with a thoughtful nod, his expression one of sudden realization.
Who would've thought these two road-blocking nuisances had such a history? This piqued his curiosity.
Were they really that impressive?
Unable to resist, he reached out and grasped the dust-covered hilts.
The moment he did, it wasn't just the swords he held—he also seized the attention of the two old men.
Their eyes widened, their nerves taut with anticipation!
Wei Donghai's gaze brimmed with expectation, a mix of nervousness and uncertainty, as if he were about to witness Yi Feng's prowess yet couldn't quite believe it. His expression was a tangle of emotions.
Zui Wuya, however, frowned slightly, feeling nothing but resignation. Countless mighty figures had failed to claim these ancient treasures, yet this young man thought he could pull them out with one hand? Such audacity!
Just as the two were lost in their thoughts, a crisp sound rang out.
"Shing!"
The ancient swords were drawn in an instant—so fast it was over before they could react!
They barely saw Yi Feng's hands grip the hilts before the gleaming blades were freed, as effortlessly as plucking weeds!
"Hmm..."
Whether it was the hum of the swords or something else, Zui Wuya's mind went blank, leaving him rooted to the spot like a statue!
Wei Donghai's face lit up with astonishment and joy!
He had known Yi Feng's cultivation was extraordinary and suspected he might succeed.
But never had he imagined it would be this easy!
The elder's power was terrifyingly unfathomable!
What countless experts had sighed over in despair was nothing more than a plaything in his hands!
"Congratulations, Brother Yi!"
"With Brother Yi's skill, success was never in doubt!" Wei Donghai hurriedly offered his praise.
Yi Feng, however, just stared at the swords in his hands, baffled.
That was it? They didn't seem all that impressive...
There was no challenge, no sense of accomplishment—just the vague feeling he'd been tricked into picking up two pieces of junk.
Still, since Wei Donghai was being so complimentary, he played along.
"No big deal."
The two chatted amiably, like old friends.
But Zui Wuya, standing to the side, couldn't calm down.
Unlike Wei Donghai, who had long been aware of Yi Feng's strength, he'd been completely unprepared. Until now, he'd assumed Yi Feng was merely a talented junior.
The sight of those swords being drawn so effortlessly sent a jolt through his nerves, making his scalp tingle.
In that moment, everything became clear.
This young man wasn't a burden—he was their greatest asset on this journey, a master whose power far surpassed theirs, a true hidden expert!
No wonder his junior brother had been so obsequious, grinning like a fool all this time.
So this was the truth!
Looking back now, he cringed at his own behavior.
He'd spent the entire journey lecturing and posturing, acting like some lofty senior, all while this expert had remained calm and unbothered.
In the eyes of this master and his junior brother, he must've looked like a complete fool.
The realization filled Zui Wuya with shame.
So...
The burden was me all along!
Understanding everything now, his eyes burned with humiliation and anger.
Frantically, he sent a mental message, directing all his frustration at his junior brother.
"Damn it!"
"You knew about his cultivation all along, didn't you?"
"Something this important, and you didn't tell me? Do you even respect me as your senior brother?!"
"You made me prance around like a clown, waving all those saintly artifacts around, strategizing against thin air, blabbering nonsense—you absolute—"
But no matter how he scolded or invoked his seniority, Wei Donghai remained unmoved, chatting cheerfully with Yi Feng, utterly unrepentant!
That smug grin made him look like a bootlicker!
A disgrace to sages!
Zui Wuya's fury only grew.
Fine!
You think I can't flatter too?
I, Zui Wuya, know when to adapt.
The next moment, he flashed a bright smile and declared, "Heh, Brother Yi, your skill is truly peerless, your demeanor transcendent! To draw these swords so effortlessly—my admiration for you is as boundless as the rivers, as radiant as the sun, outshining even the stars themselves..."
The words flowed smoothly, without a single stumble.
He could've given a professional orator a run for their money!
Finished, Zui Wuya even shot Wei Donghai a triumphant look—See? I can do it too.
This sudden, effusive praise was such a stark contrast to his earlier stern demeanor that even Yi Feng was taken aback. Wei Donghai, too, gaped in disbelief.
Was this really the same aloof yet warm-hearted senior brother he knew?
In all these years, he'd never seen him so... enthusiastic!
Yi Feng simply smiled faintly.
In the world of cultivation, strength commanded respect.
Pulling out those swords must've impressed these two old men. Clearly, his cultivation was slightly above theirs.
Hence the sudden courtesy.
As for the excessive enthusiasm...
Yi Feng noticed the eager glances Zui Wuya kept throwing at the swords.
Though the blades seemed unremarkable to him, a letdown even, the two elders clearly valued them. He didn't mind handing them over—they were just ordinary items anyway.
He'd enjoyed their wine and even tasted the rare Dragon's Beard because of them. Making friends wasn't a bad idea.
After a brief pause, Yi Feng spoke magnanimously.
"If you two fancy these swords, take them."
The moment the words left his mouth, Wei Donghai and Zui Wuya froze as if struck by lightning, their faces filled with shock and reverence!