These words indeed startled Bai Zihe.
He didn't respond, but listened quietly.
"Back then, that ancient family was destroyed overnight, and its members vanished without a trace. To this day, we haven't found the slightest clue."
"And the Dao of Life and Death..."
"It is said to hold the most core secrets of this family."
"Many powerful individuals have joined forces to enter it, wanting to investigate, but they returned with serious injuries and died without cure. This matter was then dropped."
"However, to prevent the secret from leaking, or from being discovered by those with malicious intent, we established the War Department on the ruins."
Bai Zihe fell silent.
Listening to his words was like not listening at all.
It made no significant difference.
However, Qian Yuanshan's next sentence made Bai Zihe's eyes light up.
"Elder Bai, if you truly wish to know the inside story..."
"I cannot give you the answer, but perhaps one person can. He is one of the survivors from that year, and also an elder of the War Department!"
Bai Zihe immediately said, "Take me to see him!"
"Alright!"
The two quickly left the War Department.
They traveled west, reaching an ancient mountain range.
"This is it."
Bai Zihe looked up.
The mountain stood tall and majestic, lush and green, seemingly endless.
"Woo woo..."
At that moment, a melodious flute sound suddenly drifted over.
As Bai Zihe and Qian Yuanshan were looking in surprise.
"Roar—"
"Hiss—"
"Squeak..."
"Chirp..."
Countless animals suddenly emerged from nowhere: tigers, venomous snakes, leopards, mad bulls...
They madly attacked the two.
"Elder Bai, be careful!"
Qian Yuanshan seemed to know something about these animals. "These..."
"Scram!"
Before he could finish, Bai Zihe let out a thunderous roar.
Instantly.
The forest trembled, and all beasts were terrified.
This majestic roar directly caused countless animals to turn back and flee into the forest, their courage shattered by Bai Zihe's "Thunderous Roar."
In a flash, they vanished without a trace.
This...
Qian Yuanshan was dumbfounded on the spot.
He remembered that the elders had been driven away by his thunderous roar before.
He never expected it to be so effective against these wild beasts.
"Thunderous Roar?"
At this moment, an ancient voice came from above, carrying a hint of threat.
"Kid, I don't care who you are, nor what kind of prodigy you are."
"Retreat quickly, and you can save your life."
"If you dare to cause trouble in the place where I, an old man, reside again, I will surely let you know that there is always someone better, and heaven beyond heaven!"
Hearing this voice, Qian Yuanshan's expression immediately turned solemn.
He respectfully bowed towards the top and said loudly, "Qian Yuanshan, current Minister of the Great Xia War Department, has come to pay his respects to Elder Lu, Senior Lu."
"Please grant Elder Lu passage."
After speaking.
Qian Yuanshan bowed deeply.
"Minister of the War Department..."
The ancient voice pondered for a moment, then said faintly, "You may come up."
As his voice fell.
The oppressive aura eased.
Qian Yuanshan then noticed that fine beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead.
"Elder Bai, let's go."
Qian Yuanshan took a deep breath and led the way.
On the road.
He told Bai Zihe some things about this Elder Lu.
"The one on the mountain is one of the elders who established the War Department back then, Lu Wushuang."
"He is also one of the survivors who entered the Dao of Life and Death with many experts to investigate the secret."
"He is the only one remaining."
"Among the people I know, no one understands the Dao of Life and Death better than him."
Of course, Qian Yuanshan did not know that Bai Zihe had already ventured deep into the ancient tomb and retrieved something from a cave.
Qian Yuanshan thought of something and reminded him, "Elder Bai, I know you are upright and unyielding, but this elder..."
"He has a strange temper and his strength is unfathomable."
"You... do not easily argue with him."
Regarding this matter.
Bai Zihe said calmly, "I have always respected the old and loved the young."
"As long as he doesn't make things difficult for me, I won't argue with him."
Qian Yuanshan couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
He didn't know.
Whether bringing Bai Zihe up this time was the right decision.
But since it had come to this, they would go up first.
The two soon reached the mountaintop.
A dilapidated thatched hut stood on the summit, covered in moss, its walls severely weathered, as if it had become one with the mountain.
Bai Zihe immediately felt a powerful aura emanating from within.
It must be that Elder Lu.
"Halt."
As the two reached within ten feet of the thatched hut, Lu Wushuang's voice, cold and sharp, fell upon their ears.