Becoming an immortal against the will of heaven

"Brother Chen, this is the great secret that our Cao family has guarded for thousands of years. We have never spoken of it to outsiders, and you are the first!" After briefly recounting the matter, Cao Fangcun stared intently at Chen Tian, his face full of sincerity.

Upon hearing this, Chen Tian's expression shifted slightly. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly asked, "If everything you've said is true, then once it's publicized, it will surely shake the entire cultivation world. Such a significant matter, which your Cao family has guarded for thousands of years, why would you reveal it to an outsider like me today?"

Chen Tian was surprised. To be honest, he was indeed shocked by Cao Fangcun's words.

However, amidst the shock, his heart was filled with endless doubts and wariness.

After all, since the destruction of the only passage in the Ruins of the Demonic Domain, for hundreds of thousands of years, all cultivators on the Qian Yuan Continent have been trapped like turtles in a jar, unable to escape, left only to the passage of time and slow death.

Over the years, many cultivators have persistently sought a second way out, hoping to escape the Qian Yuan Continent and reach a wider world.

Unfortunately, their aspirations ultimately turned into fleeting illusions, vanishing into nothingness.

Chen Tian had also explored the Ruins of the Demonic Domain, but ultimately failed to find a second path leading to the Ancient Immortal Realm. Just as he was about to give up, Cao Fangcun suddenly arrived, bringing him such a shocking piece of news.

To be honest, after hearing Cao Fangcun's words, it would be a lie to say that Chen Tian's heart remained unmoved. However, he was not a reckless person. Although tempted, he wanted to first understand the meaning behind these words.

"Brother Chen is indeed a cautious person." Seeing Chen Tian's pressing gaze, Cao Fangcun was not angry. Instead, he smiled kindly. "Very well, since Brother Chen is interested, I will tell you the full purpose of my visit."

After a pause, Cao Fangcun's eyes flickered as he said, "Brother Chen, as I said before, my seventh-generation ancestor left a will that absolutely forbids any Cao family descendant from exploring that ancient ruins unless the time is ripe. Bound by this will, for thousands of years, our Cao family has only cautiously investigated the periphery, but dared not act rashly. However, since the year before last, everything has changed. The opportunity that our Cao family has waited thousands of years for is finally about to arrive!"

"Oh? Are you saying that the opportunity to enter that ancient ruins for exploration has matured?" Hearing this, Chen Tian seemed to realize something and asked with a frown.

"That's right!" Cao Fangcun nodded excitedly and continued, "According to our Cao family's calculations, seven days from now will be the best time to enter that ancient ruins in the last ten thousand years. Once missed, we will have to wait another ten thousand years."

"Oh?" Hearing Cao Fangcun report such precise data, Chen Tian was slightly surprised and asked in confusion, "Brother Cao, are you so sure?"

"Of course." Seeing Chen Tian's doubtful expression, a hint of smugness appeared on Cao Fangcun's face as he said, "Although I cannot tell you the specific measurement method, I can guarantee that the best time to enter that ancient ruins is in seven days, no more, no less!"

"Alright, since Brother Cao has said so, then I will believe you."

Chen Tian nodded lightly, then looked at him and said, "Then, the matter that Brother Cao mentioned earlier about wanting my help, is it also related to this ancient ruins?"

"Indeed!" Cao Fangcun readily admitted, "As I said before, that ruins is divided into three levels. The outer layer is the safest, but the danger level of the two inner layers is extremely terrifying. My seventh-generation ancestor suffered a fatal misfortune because he underestimated it and was careless for a moment. Therefore, this time, our Cao family has decided to learn from the past and be sure to select three trustworthy and powerful cultivators from the outside to join us in the exploration, as the best strategy."

"In other words, your Cao family has approached me, is that right?" Hearing this, Chen Tian finally understood everything. After touching his nose, he said sharply.

"Hehe, actually, approaching Brother Chen, rather than saying it's the decision of our entire Cao family, it's more like the result of my own overruling the others. It was I who insisted on giving one of these three spots to you, Brother Chen." Cao Fangcun chuckled slightly shyly and said.

Hearing this, Chen Tian became even more curious and asked in confusion, "I really don't know what Brother Cao sees in me? Why do you value Chen so much?"

Chen Tian remembered that when he first met Cao Fangcun, his cultivation was only in the late stage of the Transformation Spring Realm, and he didn't even know if he could break through to the Coagulation Sea Realm. Yet, even so, Cao Fangcun resolutely gave him that jade slip and even specially came to the door today, sincerely inviting him to join. Such actions could truly be described as treating Chen Tian with special regard!

If it were an ordinary person, they would probably have become proud and elated by now, but Chen Tian was different. Instead, he became curious about the reason behind all this and really wanted to know what Cao Fangcun was planning in his heart.

"Haha, Brother Chen, don't worry. You should understand that from beginning to end, I have had no intention of harming you." Seeming to see the wariness in Chen Tian's heart, Cao Fangcun used a loud laugh to ease the tense atmosphere between the two, then continued to explain, "Actually, from the first time I saw Brother Chen, I knew that you were an extraordinary person. In you, there seems to be endless possibilities, which shocked me. Giving you the jade slip at the beginning was actually intended to win you over. And at that time, I had already made up my mind that if there was a chance to enter the ancient ruins in the future, the first person I would invite to join would be Brother Chen, and now, it is time to fulfill that wish."

"Oh, in that case, then I must thank Brother Cao for your kindness." Although Cao Fangcun's words did not dispel the doubts in Chen Tian's heart, they did make him feel Cao Fangcun's sincerity, so the wariness in his heart gradually subsided.

"Brother Chen, you're too kind. I am indeed just admiring your talent." Cao Fangcun waved his hand and smiled, then he asked again, "Alright, let's get back to the main topic. I have revealed the origin of this trip. What is Brother Chen's intention? To go, or not to go?"