While I know in my heart that such a possibility is highly unlikely, in this situation, hoping for it should be understandable.
I brought the Soul Suppressing Tablet with me.
This was something I promised them.
Regardless of the final outcome, I wanted my masters to witness it alongside me.
Even if the result was unfavorable, I wanted them to see me fight until the end.
At the very least, I needed to prove to them that I had been striving to fulfill their expectations.
However, I couldn't guarantee the final result.
And so, our group set off in a grand procession.
To be honest, we were a bit apprehensive at first, but once we started, the fear completely dissipated.
It felt like we were on an outing, like a trip.
Our roles were clearly defined: some looked for food, some patrolled, and others rested.
These three groups rotated, ensuring everyone maintained their condition.
We knew that once we found the sleeping place of the Heavenly Dao, our time for rest would be limited.
At that point, we needed to ensure we had abundant energy.
Fortunately, food was not a concern in this place; the sea teemed with various fish, and the mountains offered an abundance of game.
It must be said, this life held a certain charm.
Our objective was also quite clear. Since we were searching for a waterfall, high mountains were essential.
Because of this, we didn't waste too much time confirming the terrain.
From the compass, I clearly remembered that the waterfall would be undeniably conspicuous.
And the rivers and mountains would be of a colossal scale.
We pushed forward at our fastest pace for nearly a week, traversing many familiar areas. We made no stops, as I knew those places didn't harbor such a massive waterfall.
Time ticked by, and we continued for almost a month.
Finally, the surrounding terrain began to change, with all sorts of high mountains and vast rivers.
Before this, I had thought I understood this deserted island well enough, but it was only when I truly discovered these places that I realized I didn't understand it at all.
On the contrary, many things here were beyond my expectations.
For instance, while hunting, we encountered a peculiar creature. It had a trunk like an elephant but sported horns on its head.
Frankly, I struggled to comprehend what kind of place this was; so many things were bizarre, unimaginable even in dreams.
Yet, they were now clearly before us.
Most importantly, the taste of this creature was exceptionally delicious.
Throughout this month, everyone's spirits remained high. With so many people, we could encourage and motivate each other.
And since the work was evenly distributed, no one had to worry about being overly tired from labor or other duties.
Of course, during our rest periods, we could also spar with each other.
It was then that I discovered their progress far surpassed my expectations!
They could skillfully wield their activated elemental powers, and their combat awareness and instincts were already quite impressive.
While they still lacked the potential to be unleashed in moments of life-or-death crisis, their current state was more than enough to handle basic combat situations!
"They're progressing quite rapidly," I said with a smile.
"Indeed," Luo Yaqin murmured, leaning against me. "So you don't always have to push yourself so hard. We can help share some of the burden."
"I'm not as tired as you think," I smiled. "Being with everyone makes me feel relaxed and happy."
"I hope this kind of life can continue forever," Luo Yaqin said.
"I wish that too," I smiled. "But..."
"Don't overthink it. At least our lives are good now, aren't they?" Luo Yaqin asked.
I nodded. "Cherish the present."
Honestly, at that moment, my heart was conflicted.
On one hand, I wished to find the sleeping place of the Heavenly Dao as quickly as possible, so I could launch a fatal blow while it was weakened.
On the other hand, I wished we would never find it, as that would mean I wouldn't have to face such a battle.
I knew very well that by the end of the fight, many of the people smiling beside me now would be gone.
This was an outcome I couldn't change.
But even so, I wanted to give it my all. What must be faced cannot be escaped.
Another week or so passed. During this week, our progress slowed considerably.
Large waterfalls began to appear, and the mountains grew ever higher.
Therefore, to ensure we didn't miss the Heavenly Dao's sleeping place, we meticulously and carefully searched.
Everyone's demeanor grew serious. They didn't know what kind of battle awaited them, but one thing was certain: they might face the threat of death.
After searching for about five more days, we reached the bank of a river.
Upon seeing this river, my heart trembled slightly. Its size was beginning to match the image in the compass.
Seeing the river, I fell silent.
"We found it, didn't we?" Lin Chun walked over and asked with a smile.
"It should be here," I replied. "Now we just need to locate the waterfall, and we should be able to find the Heavenly Dao's sleeping place."
Lin Chun nodded. "Let's not delay, we should start searching!"
We spent only one day in this area before finding a colossal waterfall.
But the moment I saw the waterfall, I froze. This waterfall was almost identical to the scene I had seen in the compass.
Even the background, the surrounding rocks, and the splashing water were precisely the same.
"This is it," I said slowly, gazing at the immense waterfall.
At that moment, everyone looked up at the waterfall. No one spoke, their hearts growing heavy.