Shi Lang left after conversing with Yang Bingshan, and made his way to the library. He wanted to find out about the Eden Garden. On the way to the library many disciples saw him and greeted him. In the past few months Shi Lang had gained himself a good image with the outer court disciples.


    None of the people looked down on him because of his spiritual cultivation level. His battle prowess was known to many people and they all sought him for advice. Shi Lang did not hide anything but he was not overly friendly with people either. Everyone called him a cultivation maniac, in the past few weeks they have only seen him at leisure when he would gaze at the moon while sipping on his wine.


    Many girls in the outer court hade up with the theory that Shi Lang was suffering from the trauma of heartbreak. While they felt sad about it, they were also jealous of the one who could make Shi Lang love her so much.


    The Terran was not aware of this, he only walked his path. After he came to the library, he greeted the elder at the gates with a bow. The old man nodded and waved his hand to let Shi Lang inside. The Terran came inside the library and asked thedy behind the counter, "Senior Sister Lan, can you tell me where I can find the details about the Eden Garden?"


    Thedy behind the counter smiled and said, "You can find it in the secret realm venture section, Junior Brother Shi, are you going to the Eden Garden?"


    Shi Lang had been a frequent visitor of the library, he did not like to talk much with people so all that he wanted to learn was found in the library. Senior Sister Lan was the librarian and also a formation master.


    The Terran replied, "I haven''t decided yet. I was invited by Hall Master Yang, but I want to know more about the Eden Garden before I make a decision."


    Senior Sister Lan nodded and remarked, "I have never seen a youth with the caution like yours."


    Shi Lang did not reply, but in his mind he thought, ''Not many have a vendetta like mine either. I cannot die before I reach my goal.''


    Then he came to the section pointed out by Senior Sister Lan. He skimmed through the books, and to save time he did not bother with the rest of the journals. In a few minutes, he found a blue leather book which wasbeled as the Journal of Eden.


    Shi Lang picked up the book and began to read quickly. He found that the Garden Of Eden was a secret realm left behind by an ancient race that excelled in alchemy. The entire ce is filled with heavenly natural treasures.


    The problem was that for every treasure there existed a guardian beast, and in the Eden Garden, if one wanted to get a treasure, they would need to tame the beast or defeat it in a duel. If someone killed a beast, they would be expelled by the rules of the Garden.


    These beasts were all sentient beings so they did not make things difficult after losing the duel. It was also mentioned in the journal that the garden was divided by several sections, all the herbs were nted in different sections and were perfectly segregated.


    A few more key points were mentioned in the journal, and one of them was the fights between martial artists. Killing and looting was the easiest way to gain treasures. So, the Eden Garden was stained with the blood of the humans who sought fortune in the face of danger.


    After an hour, Shi Lang closed the book and ced it back on the shelf and left the library silently. Senior Sister Lan saw him but did not stop him after all, he did note here to chat her up. She was now used to his temperament.


    …


    Shi Lang arrived at the entrance of the Forbidden Valley, and said, "Disciple Shi Lang seeks audience with master."


    A calm voice echoed in the surroundings, "Xiao Lang,e in."


    Shi Lang entered the valley and came to kneel beside Cao Ming, who was reading something. The Terran took initiative to brew tea for the man and did not disturb him. Luan watched this from the side without speaking. He has always been curious about this boy. However, even after such a long time, he could not see through this guy.


    Cao Ming took a sip of the tea and then said, "Xiao Lang, you have grown very patient."


    Shi Lang did notment, but bowed slightly, he asked, "Master, I have a question. May I?"


    Cao Ming nodded with a faint smile on his face, he was aware what Shi Lang wanted to ask, he was not unaware about what was going on in the sect.


    Shi Lang asked, "Master, should I go to Eden Garden?"


    Cao Ming asked, "What do you want to do?"


    Shi Lang thought for a bit and said, "I wanted to cultivate peacefully, but I understand that endeavors are needed to find out the ws in the foundation and fix them. However, I am being honest that I am afraid of dying."


    Cao Ming raised his brow as he looked at Shi Lang and so did Luan. The Terran continued, "Master, in my whole life I have known to keep the fear of failure at a bay. However, this time, I am afraid of dying and failing in avenging my wife. The dilemma is eating me up and I do not understand what to do."


    Cao Ming watched him, and sighed. He could see the grief and the pain pouring through the eyes of his disciple, how could he not feel sad. He said, "Xiao Lang, the answers and the ways to untangle the knots of your heart rest inside you. No one else can give you the direction to walk out of this. You have to be your own leader."


    Shi Lang replied, "I understand master."


    Cao Ming then said, "Xiao Lang, a warrior is not invincible, they are humans made of flesh and blood. If you really want toe back and avenge your wife, you need to save yourself first. I have no idea how you would do. If I were to be in your shoes, I might have the same feelings as you do, However, I will still move forward. Only then would I be able to reach my goal.


    While it is important to remember your goal, you have to remember who you are. If you change in the path then even if you reach the goal, will it make any difference?


    I have seen the moment when your wife asked you to stay happy and avenge her. She did not do it because she was selfish, in the end moments, our pride and ego all lose value for us. She did it because she wanted you to stay yourself. You guarded her with the hopes that she woulde back to you, right? Let me ask you, are you even yourself at the moment?


    Look deep inside you, what''s left is just a machine that is moving forward on a path where even if you achieve your goal, you will end up in a dead end."


    Then he stopped and took a sip from the tea cup. Shi Lang sat beside him in a daze, as Cao Ming''s words echoed in his mind. After much dwelling, Shi Lang stood up from the ground, for that faint moment, his aura was filled with vigor. He said, "Master, I will go to the Eden Garden. Thank you for your guidance."


    Cao Ming nodded in approval and said, "Xiao Lang, you have great potential. Remember, you stepped on the path of cultivation for yourself. The people we meet on the road are all ties of karma, they help us grow into what we are. To sever ties does not mean to forget them, but to do what you always meant to without getting affected by them too much. Do you understand what I mean?"


    Shi Lang nodded and said, "Somewhat, I will ponder on your words and find what they mean on my way, Master."


    Cao Ming nodded, then he flicked his wrist, and a coin shot towards Shi Lang. The Terran caught it, and Cao Ming said, "It contains a shred of my strength. If you meet an enemy whom you cannot defeat, and cannot escape, use this coin. My avatar will hold the enemy back for a hundred breaths, you must escape by then."


    Shi Lang nodded and then Cao Ming said, "Leave behind your War Disciple Token. That thing is not meant to leave the sect grounds. Otherwise the entire cluster of people wille after you."


    The Terran took off the war disciple token and handed it to Cao Ming, who said, "When youe back, you can take it back."


    Shi Lang bowed and left the forbidden valley. He was headed to the alchemy hall to inform Yang Bingshan of his decision.