Chapter 538 - Curtain Falls.

Elder Cao and the other people watched the scene play as they stood in th void. Yang Dao had given them a glance of his true strength. The damage he caused by his attacks was all controlled. They all could see how the Daemon was suffering from the pain caused by elemental arrows nailed inside his body. 

Athena was on the ground watching all this in close proximity and she could tell from Yang Dao's facial expressions that the youngster fighting in front of him was very angry. She had never seen him like this. His fair face was devoid of expressions, his jawline was prominently visible. This proved that he was fighting with his jaw clenched. 

This was noted by not only her, but everyone else also took an account of this as well. Yang Dao was not hindered by anything, and he kept on tormenting the Daemon in front of him. One thing that made him perplexed was why he felt so vexed by this creature in front of him. It was as if the creature's existence was defying his. 

He could not understand what was going on, the more he could not understand the more control he lost. He was aware that his control was worsening every moment he kept in touch with this thing. The voice from the wails was now hoarse and weak. Yang Dao said, "Good bye." 

Then he punched the arrow that was stuck near the heart of the daemon. With a blow, the arrow pierced through the heart and killed the Daemon. The body of the creature slowly turned to dust particle by particle. Although he could not explain it, the burden on his heart lightened as he saw the creature fall.

The voices in the valley ceased to exist. Yang Dao was very uneasy at the moment. He sensed the other disciples coming closer to him, but he did not walk over. Suddenly, Athena said, "Everyone, wait." 

Shakti, Amil, and Cal stopped in their tracks when they heard her voice, and Yang Dao nodded to her, then he turned around and rushed away from the place. He was going deeper inside the valley. Yang Dao did not want to interact with anyone. He needed to find a secluded place and calm his mind. 

Shakti asked, "Athena, why did you stop us?" her voice was filled with doubt. Yang Dao ran away from them, it could be anything but normal. 

The young girl replied, "Senior Sister, his mind and heart is unstable, he needs to regain his control."

Only now did everyone understand that Yang Dao left because of his unstable mind. They were all cultivators, they all understood what could happen to a person after such an intense battle. Elder Cao said, "Sun, put a gag order on what happened here. Chime, investigate the reason how this thing came inside our place. Shui, clear this makeshift miasma. Others, mobilize your people near the free planets. I want them to find clues from where this pest came from. Do not forget to tell them to keep it a secret or I will have them dead."

The elders all replied in unison, "Yes, uncle master." 

Elder Cao nodded and vanished from his place. He was going to do a little investigation of his own. As for Yang Dao, he needs some time alone, to get over his volatile state of mind, and then he can ask questions. As his elders, if they had the duty to care about him, they also needed to give him room to grow up or his intellect will be shy. 

The boy rushed through the valley and found a small cavern at the hillside. He set up an isolation barrier using a few spirit stones and sat down in meditation. As his breathing calmed down and his thoughts lost their restrain, the chaos in his mind brought him a different type of order. Soon, his brain was blank and he found himself standing in a place with his body chained. 

Ever since the last time he came here, he discovered that every time he meditated deep enough he would end up here. His meditation was a process to seek answers to the doubts and questions in his mind. The process would stop every time when he would end up here. 

Today, however, he did not wish to let these binds stop his thoughts. He needed answers, at least, one question must be answered before he stops. Recalling the warm voice he heard earlier, he decided to do something he never tried before. 

He calmed himself down and said, "Anyone here? Can you hear me? I need to ask you one question." 

His tone was calm because he was aware that since this place lies inside of him, then common logic will not work. If the entity here could hear him, they will react without him needing to shout it out loud. The chains jingled as he moved a bit while speaking but no one replied. 

...

Heavenly Dao palace, Laohu Bai was sitting with her legs crossed, she was meditating. Suddenly, her thoughts grew chaotic, she sensed a hard tug on her heart. Her mind was filled with Yang Dao's thoughts all of a sudden. She tried to calm herself down but she could sense that the Dao Child was not calm at this moment, the mental state of the child affected his state of mind as well. 

She could not sit calmly in meditation and since one of the four familiars had to go and face it, she decisively came forward. Her consciousness made its way to the sealed space where Yang Dao was calling someone to answer his question. 

She could see a Yang Dao standing there, wrapped by golden chains. He could not do anything more than a wriggle. The chains only let his head outside. She sighed and felt bad for him, but if they did not do this, then he might not learn how to address things by himself and grow dependent on the powers. 

If that happened then when the right time was to arrive, he will forget the nature of the whole 'ordeal'. She asked him, "What made you call out to us, Young Master?" 

Yang Dao froze, he was familiar with this voice, this feeling was similar to what he felt when he came here the last time. Yet he couldn't really put a finger on it. Since he could not point it out he decided to ask his questions, "What is my real identity? What are my origins, if you cannot tell me what are these binds for, at least tell me what is my purpose? Why did I feel jealous of that Daemon? Why?" 

Laohu Bai was calm, and said, "Take a deep breath and listen to me very carefully. I cannot answer most of the questions as I am bound to a promise. Yet, I can tell you the reason you felt so vexed by that Daemon." 

Yang Dao nodded and said, "You see, there are a lot of things in the world and the universe, however, just like everything in balance, there are forces that counter this balance too. These things are called void beasts. These beasts are all those who gave up on the ways of nature. 

Their purpose is neither ruling the world, nor neither do they want to do anything with others. They seek power, and only power to destroy what exists. They may say anything or justify themselves anyhow. But never should you trust them too much. This is why you feel vexed when you see them. You are originated from four elements, spirit energy, soul energy. So do we all." 

Stay calm and learn, grow strong, and then you will be able to unlock these chains completely. Okay? I ask for your patience, Dao." 

At this moment, the boy thought as if someone had caressed his head with the gentlest touch. He sighed and said, "When will the time come for me to see you?" 

Laohu Bai smiled but did not show up in front of Yang Dao. She said, "It will come when it comes." 

The boy let out a bitter smile and said, "Okay. I will wait for that time to come." 

Laohu Bai said, "Till then, Dao." 

Yang Dao sensed the presence vanish but he did not put up any struggle. He also opened his eyes to the world outside, and after deciding what to do next, he undid the barrier around him. Then he came out of the valley of death. He was the first and only one who completed the test. Then he came to the next stop and asked the elder responsible for invigilating, "Elder, I have finished the trial of the valley. Can you now tell me how to get in this trial?"

The old man nodded and said, "This is an array formation, you will enter and the spirit energy will condense the avatar of that person. Who is your master?" 

Yang Dao replied, "My master is the sect leader, Master Sun Eckhart." 

The elder nodded and said, "You can go in. The avatar you will face is called a spirit phantom, the strength of a 20-year-old Sun Eckhart was middle stages of the Golden core realm. Are you ready?" 

Yang Dao nodded with a calm face.. With a sword in his hand, the boy walked inside the array.