This ancient voice rang out, startling even Wang Cai, a dog, into making a cat’s meow.
"Who are you?" Mu Can wore an expression of caution, surveying the interior of the dilapidated temple, but he found nothing.
"It’s all your fault, we couldn’t stop you no matter what, this must be an old demon." Wang Cai’s fur bristled, his face full of vigilance.
He had suspected that he and Mu Can had been transported to a desolate region, and had encountered such a sinister temple in such a place.
"There’s no need to be nervous, I harbor no ill will." The voice, noticing the caution in Mu Can’s eyes, spoke gently.
"Who are you really?" Just because you say you have no ill will, doesn’t mean you don’t, right? Mu Can didn’t dare to believe his words.
"The two of you have ventured into a dangerous place. I sensed the presence of an old acquaintance on you, so I summoned you here. If I’m not mistaken, you two must have connections with Heavenly Dao."
A monk slowly walked out from the wall, it was only then that Mu Can saw there was a lifelike painting on this wall.
This old monk had actually walked out of the painting.
"Do you recognize the old master?" Wang Cai looked at the old monk with skepticism, the wariness still not leaving his eyes.
Even if he did mention the old master’s name, it was still worth doubting.
"I haven’t met with Brother Heavenly Dao for at least three thousand years, and I have also been dead for three thousand years," the old monk sighed lightly.
"Are you Master Miao Zhen? Aren’t you supposed to be dead?" Wang Cai blurted out the old monk’s name, leaving Mu Can utterly confused.
"I’ve heard of him, he was a friend of the old master from years ago, but he vanished in the Supreme Interface three thousand years ago," Wang Cai explained to Mu Can.
"Indeed, I am dead, the one before you is not really me," the old monk said, looking at Wang Cai with a smile.
"Then what are you, a human or a ghost?" Wang Cai, still vigilant, was intrigued to see the old friend of their master here.
Listening to the old monk’s story, Wang Cai and Mu Can learned of the incredible events that had occurred to the monk.
Indeed, the place where Mu Can and Wang Cai were was located in a vast uninhabited region.
This unknown land is where a blade of grass could cut through time and a speck of dust could kill beings of the All Things Realm.
There was a time when explorers from the All Things Realm were fully devoured by ants here.
It is a place fraught with killing intent and also a place that offers opportunities for eternal life.
Thus, it continuously attracts explorers from the All Things Realm.
There are no clear boundaries in the uninhabited region, but besides the areas that have been explored and occupied, it is all considered uncharted territory.
And indeed, Master Miao Zhen was forced to enter the uninhabited region years ago.
Back then, Master Miao Zhen’s lifespan had reached the limit of the All Things Realm, and if he could not break through, he would surely die.
After much consideration, Miao Zhen decided to personally explore the uninhabited region to seek eternal life.
Back then, Heavenly Dao personally sent Miao Zhen into the uninhabited area, a place that no one from the All Things Realm had ever explored.
After that, Master Miao Zhen just vanished and never appeared before people again.
As time passed, everyone assumed that Master Miao Zhen had died in the uninhabited region, as many from the All Things Realm who had entered in their final moments to take a chance also never returned.
However, Wang Cai never expected that, three thousand years later, he would still encounter Master Miao Zhen in this dilapidated small temple.
And, surprisingly, Master Miao Zhen hadn’t changed at all.
"Exactly who are you?" Wang Cai posed the earlier question again.
If Master Miao Zhen had died, then who was this person appearing before them?
"Am I a human or a ghost? I don’t know myself."
Master Miao Zhen had faced the most terrifying experience of his life after entering the uninhabited region.
During the day, it was fine with its beautiful scenery full of warmth and sunshine, definitely one of the most picturesque spots in the entire Supreme Interface.
It could even be described as an Immortal Realm.
However, the situation changed at night.
Howling winds and wailing ghosts, just as if the gates of the Ghost Realm had opened, Miao Zhen even saw a procession of ghostly soldiers, huge humanoid creatures reviving and fighting continuous battles in the sky, with blood raining down, soaking Miao Zhen’s clothes.
That night, a being from the All Things Realm could only shiver under a large tree, watching the battle above.
Miao Zhen felt as if he had returned to being a mere mortal.
After daybreak, the uninhabited region returned to what it should look like during the day, as if last night’s battle had never happened.
Master Miao Zhen continued on his journey, he had no other choice, he couldn’t even find the way back if he wanted to.
That was the mystery of the uninhabited region, after that, Master Miao Zhen saw this very temple.
As a monk, it was common to pray at any temple.
But once inside, Miao Zhen found something unusual about this temple.
This temple was protected by a mysterious force, ordinary during the day,
but it emitted a faint Buddhist glow at night, countering the eerie creatures of the night.
No strange beings could enter the temple.
And Master Miao Zhen thus lived in this temple.
"Why did you appear in the painting?" Mu Can asked.
Although, as Master Miao Zhen mentioned, they were now indeed in the terrifying uninhabited region,
Mu Can wasn’t too scared, even in the uninhabited region, some way to leave must be thought of.
"That’s because after living here, I gradually became a part of this temple, a world within the painting, this painting, it’s a world itself," Master Miao Zhen said with a touch of emotion.
Three thousand years had passed, and upon seeing humans again, he almost felt like crying.
"Became a part of the temple?" Wang Cai continued with the question.
"Yes, I can no longer leave the temple’s domain. Once I leave it, and without that mysterious energy, I will instantly turn to ash," Master Miao Zhen confessed without hiding anything.
"What exactly happened to you?" Wang Cai asked, feeling a chill all over his body.
Being trapped in such a place, unable to leave, only enduring three thousand years of solitude, what a cruel fate.
"I don’t know, but I can feel that beneath this temple, it seems like something is being suppressed. Not just that, the entire uninhabited region feels like it’s suppressing something."
Mu Can heard a slight tremor in Master Miao Zhen’s voice, he was afraid.