"Crossing?"
Chen Kuang was taken aback.
This bargain-bin senior brother of his was a Master Realm great demon. At that level, one naturally needed to pursue one's own Dao.
Take Shen Xingzhu for example, outwardly preaching benevolence and moral persuasion, yet secretly harboring deadly intentions.
That was the Dao of Merciful Salvation, laced with blood.
At the height of the Dao, one must synthesize a unique path, derive a personal vow from myriad teachings, establish it as doctrine, and thereby become a true Grandmaster of the Dao.
Only when the seed of a Dao takes shape can one be called a "Grandmaster" and step into the Master Realm.
Within the Middle Three Grades, there were many Sea-Cleaving and Moon-Embracing masters. Most of the upper echelon of cultivation sects had their cultivators stuck at this level, unable to go any further.
Just like the three Martial Saint Pavilion experts who came to encircle and kill Chen Kuang, they weren't selected because they were at the Moon-Embracing Realm.
It's simply that the entire Martial Saint Pavilion was stuck at that level. Few, if any, ever made it past that point.
That was also why Shen Xingzhu held such a lofty status.
So young and already a Grandmaster, the future was limitless...
Unfortunately for her, Chen Kuang had intercepted that future midway.
Chen Kuang himself didn't yet have much understanding of the "Dao." Back when he exposed Shen Xingzhu, it was more a matter of exploiting an opportunity, catching her in a lie with the help of a passive effect.
And, of course, due to Huo Hengxuan's "transmission of knowledge," which came with some of his personal common sense.
Including this point: a cultivator's Dao must be acknowledged by Heaven's Will.
This principle had always struck Chen Kuang as rather interesting, and deeply thought-provoking.
In this world, the first standard for validating one's Dao wasn't a state of mind or enlightenment. Instead, it was about achieving unity of knowledge and action, with action prioritized over knowledge.
In other words, even if your heart secretly holds doubts or hypocritical beliefs, even if you only tricked yourself in the beginning during the "Great Vow of the Dao" ceremony, so long as your actions always remain consistent with your chosen Dao, it will be recognized by Heaven's Will.
Conversely, even if your mind remains true to the Dao, if your actions deviate, if you behave in ways that contradict your Dao, then Heaven's Will will immediately turn its back on you.
A sudden regression in cultivation is a common outcome in situations like that.
From a certain angle, this Heaven's Will was... surprisingly materialist.
That's precisely how Shen Xingzhu was able to use the Dao of "Mercy" while hunting people down under false pretenses.
And how Chen Kuang managed to trick her into an emotional collapse, shattering her Heart of Mercy.
As for Wen Si's Dao of "Crossing," it wasn't hard to understand.
First, he had ferried souls across the River of Death for many years, guiding countless people... and, of course, also killing quite a few.
But who's to say killing isn't also a form of ferrying?
Second, he had received instruction from Xi Mengquan and waited here ten years, to ferry Chen Kuang, to deliver him a fortune that would send him soaring to the heavens, and to help Wen Si himself break free of his heart demon and escape his own sea of bitterness.
Thus, he had crossed others, and also crossed himself.
Two reflections confirming one truth... and so, he had attained his Dao.
Wait a second... that means...?
Chen Kuang blinked and looked at Wen Si in front of him. The latter gave a gentle smile and nodded slightly.
Chen Kuang drew in a breath and solemnly cupped his hands.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother, on achieving your Dao and ascending to the Profound Realm!"
Outwardly calm, inside he was screaming: Holy shit!
Other than the two Saints who had fought atop the imperial city, plus the pseudo Saint Huo Hengxuan, this was the first time he'd ever seen a living Upper Three Grade being!
The Profound Realm, it was practically the ceiling of power in this world.
If he hadn't just made a big scene, gained a reputation, and become a known figure, he really might have clung to this guy's thigh and flattered him shamelessly in public.
"Junior Brother, no need to be so formal. I said it before, you helped me a great deal."
Wen Si sighed. "If not for you, I might have continued wandering in the Master Realm for who knows how many more years."
Chen Kuang said, "It's not really my doing. If anyone deserves the credit, it's our teacher."
Wen Si didn't seem much different on the surface. Aside from shedding his eerie fisherman appearance, he now looked like a refined, elegant middle-aged man. But nothing else appeared to have changed.
Chen Kuang knew that was likely because his own cultivation was too low to perceive the more subtle internal changes.
Plus, Wen Si wasn't flaunting anything intentionally, so of course he seemed low-key.
Compare that to when Huo Hengxuan forcibly ascended to sainthood and battled the Eastern Emperor Saint, now that had shaken the heavens and earth.
Still, you could see some signs, like how Wen Si just now dismissed the wind and rain with a single command. That was on a whole different level from Chen Kuang's previous outburst of zither intent.
That downpour had covered almost the entirety of Jishao Prefecture.
And with just one word, Wen Si had cleared it.
That was the true majesty of a Dragon King.
Yet Wen Si shook his head.
"It was you who said: if someone is willing to raise sword or blade against evil, then the truth will reveal itself, and tragedy may yet be averted."
"What I wanted to see, was that scene. Not divine weapons falling from heaven to save the day in a flash."
He turned to gaze at the now-bustling households, faintly lit and noisy, then flipped his hand.
A pigeon tied with a message was perched in his palm. He let it fly and murmured:
"I saw resistance. I saw doubt. And not the kind of blind obedience that once led people to feel pride in these sacrifices, unable to tell demon from human.. I saw, and I understood, and only then could I walk free."
He chuckled, not holding back: "If that old bastard had interfered, what would I have seen then? Nothing."
Chen Kuang had no words.
This senior of his, was a demon. And yet, as he said, those people back then had been less human than the demon himself. The irony was enough to make one laugh bitterly.
Still, if Xi Mengquan had gone to all this trouble just to help Wen Si overcome a heart demon, wasn't that a bit too much?
Chen Kuang's sudden rise to the Tower Ascension Realm seemed impressive, okay, very impressive, but it didn't quite feel like a direct leap to the heavens either.
It just seemed... a little too simple.
At that moment, he sensed something in the illusion realm and furrowed his brows deeply.
Tch... What the hell is this?
How absurd... This is going to be troublesome.
...
Wen Si said, "Come, Junior Brother."
He waved his hand and the little boat transformed into a single leaf, spinning into his palm and vanishing. He gathered his rain cloak and turned to step down from the sacrificial platform.
Chen Kuang blinked and followed. "Senior Brother, where are we going?"
Wen Si replied, "Wherever your worries lie, that's where we'll go."
Chen Kuang hesitated. "Then... to the Chen Manor?"
He thought about the issue with the Demon Sword, it probably couldn't be hidden from this senior of his anyway.
This was the Lake Dragon King of the Eastern Court Lake, after all.
Whatever happened within the lake's bounds surely couldn't escape his awareness.
Wen Si glanced back. "If that's the case, what are you waiting for?"
"You helped me break my heart demon. Naturally, I intend to return the favor. My one-leaf boat, can ferry you out of this boundless sea of illusion."
Chen Kuang's eyes lit up. Hell yes! With Senior Brother's help, this is basically guaranteed!
He followed Wen Si through the night toward the ruined Chen Manor.
After only a few steps, he looked up and saw the battered hanging sign of the manor, and in the distance, the one building still intact: a side room protected by Shen Meinan's mysterious Spiritual Treasures.
He paused and realized, this must be Wen Si's divine ability at work.
The lively night around the Eastern Court Lake was only just beginning.
Tonight would surely be a sleepless one for many.
Though the sacrifice had been sparked by the prefect's sudden action, it involved more than seventy households and nearly ten thousand people. It had clearly been in secret preparation for days.
Some rumors had even leaked..
Otherwise, the families and factions listed alongside the Chen family wouldn't have tried to pass messages and issue warnings ahead of time.
At least one thing the Enlightenment Envoy said was true, he had only arrived in Jishao Prefecture two days ago.
How could he possibly have devised such a comprehensive plan so quickly?
As for his claim that "he couldn't have imagined such a heartless scheme", that was utter nonsense. If it had been his idea, it would've been even more cruel.
When the Great Zhou Black Armored Army entered the Liang Kingdom and advanced on the imperial capital, Feng Yu had likely begun planning this.
By the time news of the capital's fall reached him, he was already prepared to welcome the Enlightenment Envoy.
So just two days later, he acted.
But what truly drew attention tonight was the Martial Saint Pavilion mobilizing three Moon-Embracing Realm expertsw because of Chen Kuang.
Or more precisely, it wasn't entirely because of Chen Kuang.
Those three had originally come to investigate the destruction of Di Wu and the Wind and Rain Tower that were wiped out in a single sword strike.
With the Wind and Rain Tower gone, many internal Martial Saint Pavilion scrolls and urgent messages needed to be secured or redirected.
...
Because the enemy's strength was unclear, three experts had been dispatched, not only to investigate the situation surrounding Chen Kuang and the mother-daughter pair from Liang Kingdom, but also to intercept them.
It was only after they received news from the Prefect that they decided to act immediately that night to eliminate Chen Kuang.
After all, this was a man who had a warrant personally issued by the Martial Saint, naturally, he was the highest priority target.
The battle at the Chen Manor had made quite a stir. Many bystanders from other powers and unaffiliated cultivators had come to watch the commotion, while the local cultivators of the Liang Kingdom bore heavy hearts.
Ever since the fall of the Imperial Capital, Chen Kuang fleeing with the mother and daughter had been seen as Liang Kingdom's final hope.
But who would have thought, just after arriving at Eastern Court Lake, his whereabouts were exposed and his escape route was cut off...
To them, if Chen Kuang died now, the Liang Kingdom would truly become just another prefecture under Zhou rule.
Naturally, they hoped that Chen Kuang could escape, but that seemed increasingly unrealistic.
Three Moon-Embracing Realm cultivators surrounding him from all sides?
Even if Chen Kuang had three heads and six arms, it seemed he couldn't escape death any longer.
When flames erupted into the sky from the Chen Manor's direction, countless people let out sighs of helpless despair.
And yet, the final outcome left everyone utterly dumbfounded!
Chen Kuang didn't die. Not only did he survive, he even swaggered forth, severed the heads of the Prefect and others, and declared he was offering them in sacrifice to the Dragon King, to calm his wrath.
Everyone knew, the three Martial Saint Pavilion experts had left the Governor's Manor and gone to the Chen Manor.
That meant, at the time, the Prefect had the backing of the Martial Saint Pavilion.
If those three were still alive, they would never have allowed Chen Kuang to do something so outrageous, like defecating on their heads, metaphorically speaking..
So for Chen Kuang to dare act so brazenly, there could only be one explanation: he no longer feared the Martial Saint Pavilion.
And how could that be?
Simple.
There was no one who could stop him and so there was nothing to fear.
In other words, the three Martial Saint Pavilion experts, either had been persuaded by Chen Kuang, or had been beaten into submission by him!
"The heavens are changing... They truly are changing.."
...
At the Envious Fish Hermitage by the lakeside, several cultivators stood gathered at a scenic viewing pavilion, their mouths agape.
This place was specifically designed to provide an unbroken, panoramic view of the Eastern Court Lake. Sitting on high ground, the Hermitage allowed for a crystal-clear view of the entire region for miles around.
From the moment Chen Kuang began slaughtering his way into the Governor's Manor, someone had sensed that something was wrong and came here. Soon after, more followed.
And now, they had witnessed it all. Chen Kuang sacrificing three heads to the Dragon King, and the sudden dispersal of the storm that followed.
Heaven and Earth were transformed in an instant!
The cultivators of the Envious Fish Hermitage were from all across the realm, different countries, sects, and factions. And yet, in that moment, their reactions were in perfect sync.
First came the shock. Then, they all frantically began using every means at their disposal to contact their own sects, and to gather information on what the hell had just happened.
Among them stood one out-of-place cultivator, clad in dark red robes. He stood frozen, staring toward the distant Governor's Manor.
In his hand wasn't a jade slip or message talisman, it was a small lantern, inside which a single flame burned with an ominous, blinding red light.
Another cultivator beside him looked over and asked with a puzzled expression:
"Brother Liu Ming... is that... your Firebrand Sect's Life-Flame?"
Liu Ming nodded numbly.
The man continued, "Is something wrong? This is major news. Shouldn't you be contacting your sect's elders?"
It took Liu Ming a long time to respond.
"No need... This Life-Flame senses the condition of Firebrand Sect disciples nearby. The red light means... the Sect Master has perished."
All Firebrand Sect members near Jishao Prefecture saw the change in the Life-Flame at that moment.
The news of their Sect Master's death spread like wildfire through the Firebrand Sect.
And to kill the Sect Master, was to become the sect's mortal enemy!
Countless Life-Flames ignited.
Inside Firebrand Sect's main hall, all disciples within the sect had already gathered. The original previous Sect Master, now the Supreme Elder, stepped out slowly.
His expression was stone-cold as his voice resounded through the hall:
"The Sect Master has been slain. We, his disciples, swear vengeance!"
He waved a hand, and within the flames, an image of Chen Kuang appeared, pulled from Bai Fen's last moments. A vision of the scene before Bai Fen's death.
The flame danced, then pointed subtly in a specific direction.
"Where the Life-Flame points, there lies the Firebrand Sect's mortal enemy!"
"From this day forward, anyone at the Tower Ascension Realm or higher, upon seeing this man, kill him without mercy!"
"Yes!!"
...
On a small road near the Eastern Court Lake.
Two middle-aged cultivators were walking along and one of them said:
"Elder Wei, forgive the wait. Things have been rather chaotic lately at Eastern Court Lake, especially because of Chen Kuang. The Governor of Jishao Prefecture somehow caught wind of something and has already summoned a few of our Pavilion's top experts. Please wait a little longer, we should have results soon."
"We're truly sorry you made the trip for nothing. Later, you may select any one Spiritual Treasure from our Pavilion as a small token of appreciation."
The other man was none other than Elder Wei Yan of the Three Calamities Sect, who had once pursued Chen Kuang.
Wei Yan smiled. "Nonsense. Being able to serve the Martial Saint is an honor."
He sighed. "It's just unlucky, I suppose. That Di Wu, no idea how he offended such an expert. I never even got to meet him. He and the Wind and Rain Tower both ended up buried in Eastern Court Lake."
As it happened, Wei Yan had arrived around the time of Di Wu's death.
He had seen that sword that sliced open the sky.
Because he hadn't been long gone from the Imperial Capital, his view of it had been especially clear. He was ninety percent certain where the sword intent came from, but didn't dare say it aloud.
Wei Yan was cautious but he still couldn't figure one thing out, why would that person even help Chen Kuang?
He said, "Besides, we at the Three Calamities Sect also wish to find Chen Kuang and that mother-daughter pair."
"The Martial Saint Pavilion making the move is best. But could the corpse be handed over to our sect afterward?"
The cultivator nodded. "Naturally. The Martial Saint Pavilion only wants him dead."
Everyone knew that the Three Calamities Sect was tied to Great Zhou, so he wasn't suspicious of Wei Yan's intentions.
Wei Yan's eyes gleamed. "All the better."
He had replayed countless times the moment he and Zhao Lie were duped by Chen Kuang, analyzing every detail. Zhao Lie had clearly trusted Chen Kuang's lies, hesitated repeatedly, even when he finally attacked.
Wei Yan finally figured it out, the issue lay in Zhao Lie's first strike.
It had landed, and struck true.
Yet Chen Kuang hadn't died, hadn't even bled.
There weren't even any scars!
That was extremely strange, especially considering all the trickery afterward, the way Chen Kuang had to lure them to the River of Death and rely on that great demon's presence for deterrence..
If he didn't fear death, he could've just stood his ground. Why the deception?
That could only mean one thing: he feared being exposed.
Exposed for having a specific ability.
A brief moment of immortality.
Wei Yan had figured it out completely, why Wei Su had died at Chen Kuang's hands.
They hadn't stumbled into each other by accident, Wei Su had discovered this secret:
Chen Kuang was the one who ate the Elixir of Immortality!
Wei Yan smiled coldly.
So, after all this circling around, the Three Calamities Sect had gotten the secret before Ji Chengtian.
Once they obtained the Elixir of Immortality, the Three Calamities Sect would become the official national sect of Great Zhou.
With an undying Patriarch, breaking through to the Saint Realm would only be a matter of time.
Chen Kuang was certainly capable, but he had picked the wrong enemies.
The Martial Saint Pavilion was on the move, how could he possibly turn things around?
Wei Yan added, "I've heard that the Martial Saint is almost out of seclusion?"
The other cultivator nodded. "That's the word. Within the month. But not a full return to the world, it's..."
BOOM!
Suddenly, a thunderous explosion.
Both men froze and looked toward the distance.
A shadow flashed above them.
"Was that... the Canal Gang leader?!"
And then, complete and utter chaos unfolded before their eyes.
The man holding a jade slip went pale, his voice was hoarse:
"All three Moon-Embracing Realm cultivators... are dead."
Wei Yan was stunned, but not because of that.
He had just sensed two familiar auras.
One was Chen Kuang.
And the other, was that Master Realm great demon who once slew Zhao Lie with a glance: Wen Si!
He could feel that aura in the Eastern Court Lake.
And, it was soaring..
Wei Yan trembled slightly.
He could almost feel the demon looking right at him from afar, locking eyes across the vast distance!
The cultivator beside him also sensed something was wrong. Though his cultivation was lower than Wei Yan's, he could tell from Wei's pale face that something serious had happened.
He asked carefully, "Elder Wei... should we leave?"
Wei Yan shuddered violently. "Yes! I, I just remembered something urgent. I'll go ahead!"
He vanished into the night in a streak of light.
He ran.
...
Before the ruined Chen Manor, Qi Sibai escorted the Chen family back.
Or rather, what was once Chen Manor was now part of an entire town reduced to rubble.
Many ordinary citizens who hadn't escaped in time had also died beneath the debris.
Chen Rong and Gantang supported each other as they carefully stepped through the ruins.
There, in front of the only intact eastern wing, stood Chen Kuang in white robes, unharmed and beside him, was a middle-aged man in a straw raincoat.
Chen Rong approached, but Gantang rushed forward first and embraced Chen Kuang, crying tears of joy: "Thank heavens, Kuang'er, you're safe!"
Chen Kuang smiled. "Just got lucky."
Chen Ning suddenly said, "Big brother, your eyes..."
Only then did Gantang notice that Chen Kuang had removed his blindfold, and his eyes were open.
Clear and bright, not blind at all.
She froze, but heard Chen Kuang say gently:
"I didn't want to scare you. My eyes were healed long ago by an Immortal Master, I've been able to see for some time."
Gantang's joy grew. "Good, good, that's wonderful."
Chen Rong said, "Kuang'er has business to attend to. Let's not disturb him."
Chen Kuang looked over and saw Chen Rong avoiding eye contact, he found it amusing.
He turned to Chen An. "I do still have something to take care of. While I'm gone, you might want to think about something, and give me an answer later."
Chen An blinked. "What kind of answer?"
Chen Kuang smiled. "Do you want to take over the Canal Gang?"
The entire family froze. Chen An asked uncertainly, "What... do you mean?"
Chen Kuang replied, "Exactly what I said."
He turned to Qi Sibai, who had just approached. "Thank you for watching over my family."
Qi Sibai shook his head. "You and I are friends, this was my duty."
He glanced at Wen Si, then back at Chen Kuang. "Something changed inside the Illusory Realm, didn't it?"
Chen Kuang nodded, his expression darkening.
"I discovered something, Tie Baiyuan isn't in the illusion."