Sun Wukong refused to surrender, and while Ye Tian wasn't exactly surprised, he did feel somewhat disappointed. After all, traveling westward with Tang Sanzang at this stage of his life seemed like a waste of talent.
He had the potential to accomplish great things, but if he kept going down this path, that potential would be wasted.
Ye Tian understood this deeply. The path one chooses in life is crucial—make the wrong choice, and the consequences can be severe.
But it was Sun Wukong's own decision to follow that path, so there wasn't much Ye Tian could do to help him.
"Let's go check on Di Jun."
Since Di Jun's recovery, he had been diligently cultivating. But due to his limited talent, his improvements had been modest despite his efforts. At this rate, it was hard to say how long it would take for him to stand a chance against the Jade Emperor.
Still, hard work could compensate for a lack of natural talent. Despite his shortcomings, Di Jun had gained a measure of confidence in his strength through persistent cultivation.
Back in the cave, Ye Tian looked at Di Jun and said, "Not bad. Looks like your cultivation has improved quite a bit lately."
"When will I be able to confront the Jade Emperor?"
"You're in a hurry, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. I must defeat him—only then can the Demon race be revived!"
"If you're so determined to revitalize the Demon race, then I'll take you to a place where you can train. Once you're there, your strength will grow rapidly. But I'll warn you—the conditions are extremely harsh. If you can't handle it, we'll have to turn back."
"What is this place?"
Hearing the name, Di Jun couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. That place was the stuff of legend—white bones scattered everywhere, countless lives lost. It was said that those who entered the Yinwind Gorge never came back out.
Many had gone there seeking tempering and experience, but most never returned. So Di Jun hesitated and said, "Isn't that a bit much? I've heard that place is cursed. No one who goes in ever comes out. Even the rare few who do either go mad or end up crippled."
"That's only because they weren't strong enough. The strong have nothing to fear. Di Jun, if you want to grow powerful quickly, you must undergo extraordinary training. So, are you willing to go with me?"
Ye Tian looked at him, hoping he would find the courage to face the challenge. After all, if he truly wished to become stronger, he had to endure trials—and only the harshest tests could lead to rapid improvement.
"Alright. If that's what it takes, I'll go."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that. If you had refused, I might've given up on you." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NoveI[F]ire.net
The two of them soon arrived at the Yinwind Gorge. There, the winds howled like blades, and the chill in the air was intense. Upon entering, Di Jun immediately felt how bitterly cold it was.
What was strange, though, was that no one knew why the place was so cold. It remained a mystery, as nearly everyone who had ever entered never made it out alive.
"Ye Tian, have you been here before?"
"Of course. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have brought you here. Don't worry—even though it's dangerous, as long as you follow my lead, you'll get through it safely."
"Is that so? But why is it so cold here?"
"It's because of the heavy concentration of Yin energy. That's why the temperature is so low. This chill can invade your body and make you sick. You need to use your Yang energy to resist it. Keep it circulating—whatever you do, don't let the Yin energy seep into your body."
They continued forward, and before long, they reached the bottom of the gorge. There, a few wolves appeared in the path ahead. These wolves were unlike any normal ones—their bodies glowed faintly with a ghostly green light.
The wolves locked eyes on them, hunger blazing in their eyes. They had already marked them as prey.
The pack lunged toward them, and Ye Tian said to Di Jun, "It's your turn to strike. Remember, these wolves are venomous. Do not let their bodies touch yours!"
"Got it. In that case, I'll strike from a distance!"
Following Ye Tian's instructions, Di Jun soon eliminated the wolves. Ye Tian then said, "Do you know why these wolves are poisonous?"
"It's because the Yin energy here is so strong. These wolves have been tainted by it. If you had come into direct contact with them, that Yin poison would've infected your body, and you wouldn't have survived for long. To survive here, you need to learn certain techniques. Otherwise, death could come at any moment."
"I see. If you hadn't warned me, I might've actually gotten poisoned."
"Exactly. This place is incredibly dangerous—you have to stay vigilant."
They followed the winding path deeper into the gorge. Di Jun had no idea what lay ahead, but he knew one thing for certain: if he could grow stronger through this trial, it would be worth it.
In this world, if you want to take control of your destiny, you must first make yourself strong. There were many paths to strength, and sometimes people lost their way, uncertain whether the road they were on was the right one or whether their training was truly effective.
When doubt set in, it was easy to stray from the path. That had happened to many in the past.
That's why, now more than ever, Di Jun knew he had to tread carefully. In life, some mistakes simply couldn't be undone. One wrong step could lead to eternal regret.
Just like the old saying—one misstep and you're lost forever.
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