Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 987 - 983: Seeking the Way

Shen Siyuan took off his Mortal Shoes and Socks, changed into a plain white Taoist robe, and the smoke of the journey faded away with the light flutter of his clothes.

He walked barefoot on the blue stone slabs of the Han Zhong Suburb, gathering a strand of Spiritual Power at his fingertips, letting it spread along the veins of the ground, feeling the breath of the mountains and rivers.

The Shu Road from Han Zhong to Bazhong was the ancient throat that connected Sichuan and Shaanxi. Although there is now a highway, the real ancient Shu Road remains hidden in the deep mountains, containing the most primitive dangers and grandeur.

"Let’s go," Shen Siyuan whispered.

Behind him, Xiao Yue, Duoduo, and Dou Dou turned into light smoke and followed closely.

They did not choose the flat highway, but, guided by ancient records, stepped onto the ancient Shu Road that had been sealed by the dust of ages.

At the beginning of entering the mountain, the mountain road was still relatively gentle.

On both sides were large patches of pine trees, their branches and leaves green, with sunlight filtering through the layered canopy, casting mottled shadows.

The ancient road beneath their feet was paved with blue stones, worn smooth and bright after thousands of years of treading, with gaps filled with moss, slippery and difficult to walk.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of pine needles and earth, and occasionally a mountain breeze would pass through, rustling through the forest and mixing a few crisp bird calls, making it quite elegant.

But as the mountain slope grew higher, the danger of the Shu Road became fully apparent.

The mountain road ahead suddenly became steep, nearly vertical, with the blue stone slabs washed smooth by rain, only shallow stone nests on one side for people to climb.

Shen Siyuan walked barefoot on the slick stone slabs, Spiritual Power circulating under his feet, as if walking on flat ground.

Xiao Yue transformed into Yin Wind, floating lightly in the air, while Duoduo and Dou Dou curiously touched the rocks by the roadside, occasionally picking up a peculiar stone and putting it in their pockets.

"This road looks really dangerous. Why would anyone build a road here?"

Even though she could fly, Dou Dou looked down and felt a rush of panic, so she didn’t understand why a road was carved out here.

Shen Siyuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the ruins of the plank road ahead.

Several black round logs were slanted into the cliff, and the planks laid above had rotted, leaving only sparse fragments hanging there, with a deep misty valley below, bottomless at first glance.

"This is the ancient plank road, back in ancient times, traders relied on such perilous roads to pass."

He stretched out his hand; Spiritual Power became a thin thread, touching the weathered logs, and he could clearly feel the wear of the years within them.

As they passed the ruins of the plank road, the mountain road became increasingly rugged.

Sometimes they had to squeeze through narrow mountain crevices only wide enough for one person, with icy, moss-covered rock walls on either side.

Sometimes they had to climb nearly vertical stone cliffs, fingers grasping gaps in the rocks, a slight misstep leading to the abyss below.

Shen Siyuan always proceeded barefoot, his feet skin intimately contacting rocks, moss, and earth, sensing the textures and energies of the land. His inner Spiritual Power resonated with the mountain’s Spiritual Energy, slowly circulating with the rise and fall of his steps.

By mid-journey, the sky darkened, clouds gathered, and a gentle rain began to fall.

The raindrops dampened the robe, clinging to his body and bringing a hint of coolness that made the forest even fresher.

The rain flowed along the rock walls, collecting into tiny streams on the ancient road, making it even more slippery and difficult to traverse.

Duoduo noticed this, opened the Qiankun Umbrella, and sat on his shoulder, shielding him from the rain.

"It’s not necessary."

Shen Siyuan patted Duoduo’s small legs, allowing the rain to fall on him. "Cultivating should adhere to nature; only by experiencing wind and rain can one temper their spirit."

He continued forward, raindrops sliding down his cheeks, but his gaze grew clearer.

The blue stone slabs underfoot reflected faint water light as rain washed over them. Each step he took was steady and powerful; Spiritual Power circulated within him, dispersing the chill that the rain brought, refining and strengthening his surrounding aura.

As the rain eased, they reached a mountain summit. Standing on the viewing platform, the scene before them opened up.

Range upon range of mountains emerged like waves in motion, rising and falling; distant peaks were wreathed in clouds, appearing and disappearing like a fairyland. The lush and varied greens of the mountains overlapped, forming a magnificent landscape painting.

A meandering river like a silver ribbon flowed between valleys, sparkling with shimmering light.

"So beautiful, wow wow wow..." Dou Dou howled like a ghost at the sight of the endless mountain range.

Duoduo transformed into a gust of Yin Wind, reaching out to touch the floating mist.

Shen Siyuan gazed at the majestic scenery before him, a surge of boldness rising in his heart.

He sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, eliminated distractions, and let his mind fully merge with the world around him.

A trace of residual Spiritual Energy in the mountains flowed into his body with his breath, merging with his Spiritual Power, accelerating the speed of circulation.

He could feel the growth of the grass and trees, the breath of birds and beasts, the flow of rivers, as if the entire landscape was connected to his veins.

As night fell, a thin fog rose in the mountains, carrying a hint of chill.

Shen Siyuan took out a simple moisture-proof mat from the Storage Ring, spread it on the ground, and then took out food and clear water to share with Xiao Yue, Duoduo, and Dou Dou.

The forest at night was particularly tranquil, with only the occasional sound of insects and distant beast roars, making it seem even more serene.

Looking up, the sky was filled with countless stars, the Milky Way spanning across it, a hundred times more brilliant than the night sky seen in the city.

"Brother, do you think people in ancient times found it tough to walk this Shu Road?" Xiao Yue asked softly.

"Naturally, it was tough."

"Back then, without modern transportation, merchants, messengers, and soldiers all had to measure this treacherous path with their own feet, eating and sleeping in the wilderness, overcoming hardships. Yet, it was precisely these hardships that forged the legend of the Shu Road, leaving countless stories and relics behind."

He paused and continued, "The path of cultivation is the same—there are no shortcuts, only through trials can one achieve anything."

At dawn the next day, as the sky barely brightened, Shen Siyuan got up to continue his journey.

After a night of rest and cultivation, his spirits were fuller, and his Spiritual Power more condensed.

The morning forest was shrouded in a layer of thin mist, the fresh air invigorating the mind.

Wildflowers by the roadside appeared exceptionally vibrant under the nourishment of morning dew, competing in colors as they bloomed.

Along the way, ancient fortress relics could occasionally be seen, with vines sprawling over the broken walls, faintly showing the grandeur of the past.

Shen Siyuan stopped to observe, his fingertips brushed over the cold stone wall, feeling the residual historical aura within, as though seeing the figures of ancient soldiers guarding the borders and hearing the hoofbeats of commerce travel.

Entering the Bazhong area, the mountain slopes eased, but the scenery became increasingly beautiful.

The vegetation here was richer, with not only pine and cypress but also many unknown trees and shrubs, their branches and leaves dense, blocking out the sky. The mountain streams babbled, their waters crystal clear, revealing pebbles and swimming fish at the bottom.

Shen Siyuan bent down to scoop a handful of stream water into his mouth. It was sweet and carried a trace of Spiritual Energy, refreshing his spirit.

Upon encountering a waterfall, water cascaded down from cliffs dozens of meters high, like a white curtain hanging in the air, splashing countless water flowers, mist filling the air, forming a beautiful rainbow in the sunlight.

Below the waterfall was a verdant pool, its water crystal clear, reflecting the surrounding mountains and trees.

"It’s so beautiful here." Dou Dou couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

The verdant pool, like a mirror embedded in the land, reflected the blue sky.

"Let’s rest here for a while," Xiao Yue suggested.

Such beauty made her want to linger for a while longer.

Shen Siyuan nodded in agreement.

He went to the edge of the pool, sat down cross-legged, and entered his cultivation state once again. The roar of the waterfall, the babble of the stream, the birdsong in the forest—all blended together to form a natural symphony that not only did not disturb his cultivation, but also made his mind even more tranquil.

The Spiritual Power in his body surged like a waterfall, yet flowed silently like a stream, circulating slowly through his meridians, constantly washing and condensing.

By perceiving nature, getting close to nature, Shen Siyuan gained a deeper understanding of yin and yang alternation and the cycle of life and death, as well as a deeper insight into the Thunder Skill.

Thunder Skill not only represents destruction and heavenly fury, but also symbolizes rebirth.