Qin Chuan could only fly aimlessly, but he focused on one direction, continuously absorbing the jade dew as he flew rapidly, searching for the so-called opportunity.
*Buzz!
* A faint but clear sound drifted over, incredibly distinct in the silent starry sky.
What was that sound?
Qin Chuan was curious, but all he could do now was follow the direction of the sound.
At this moment, he couldn't let go of any possibility, any clue—would the jade dew he absorbed have any effect in reality?
*Buzz!*
Not long after, Qin Chuan heard a buzz again, this time even clearer than before. The sound was like a bell, small yet clear and far-reaching, possessing a magical quality.
It was as if someone was suddenly awakened from a half-dream, a sound that seemed to awaken the world, ringing an alarm bell.
What was that sound?
Qin Chuan's curiosity grew, and his speed increased, having absorbed two more drops of jade dew, making him even faster.
*Buzz!*
This time, the sound was clearer and much louder, seemingly right in front of him, though nothing could be seen. This time, the sound made Qin Chuan feel even more strongly that the bell's toll was extraordinary.
For some reason, Qin Chuan felt he had to speed up; if he didn't, he felt he would miss something.
Qin Chuan's speed increased, and the bell-like sound seemed to grow closer and closer.
Qin Chuan saw it—it was a giant bell.
It was still far away, but he could already see it because the bell was enormous, standing between heaven and earth, larger than a mountain, its golden surface radiating a faint golden light.
*Buzz!*
The sound didn't become deafening as the distance increased; instead, it felt long, resonant, and enduring. Each time the bell rang, his mind became clear.
Could this be the opportunity he was about to encounter?
Qin Chuan was a little confused. Could listening to a bell really bring about an opportunity?
Oh well, he decided not to think about it too much. Since the bell sounded so beautiful, he would listen. He had nothing else to do anyway; his journey to the Tower of Babel was already complete.
He had arrived at the giant bell, though it was still quite a distance away. After all, the bell was larger than a mountain, and Qin Chuan felt as if he were at the foot of a mountain, looking up at it.
*Buzz, buzz!
* Qin Chuan didn't understand; he simply found it pleasant to listen to, a sound that cleared his mind, calmed his desires, and freed him from worldly distractions, as if he were far removed from the mortal world, far removed from everything.
Qin Chuan frowned. This bell's sound was poisonous…
He even wondered if listening to it any longer would make him detached from all desires.
Qin Chuan didn't want to be without desires, without self or boundaries. He just wanted to be an ordinary person, an ordinary person with all the emotions and desires. He felt that ordinary people were happier.
Perhaps some would say, "You don't understand the joy of immortals, you don't understand the joy of mortals. The joys and desires of the mortal world are insignificant compared to the joy of immortals."
But Qin Chuan liked the joy of ordinary people. Even if you say a master is happy with a solitary life of meditation and Buddhist chants, Qin Chuan didn't want that kind of life. He didn't want it; he didn't like this feeling of being without desires.
It's good for people to have some desires.
*Buzz!
* A jolt!
Qin Chuan suddenly shuddered, as if waking from a deep dream. The bell's sound seemed to lack its previous effect; it was
still the same bell, but the feeling of detachment was gone.
The sound was now powerful and resonant, each strike seemingly more forceful and domineering than the last, filled with fervor.
Qin Chuan felt his blood boil, surging upwards, his entire being in a state of extreme agitation.
Calm down!
Qin Chuan's mind was still relatively clear. Reflecting on what had happened, he felt he was undergoing some kind of test—the test of the great bell.
Realizing this, Qin Chuan circulated the Yin-Yang Dao, calming his heart, achieving a balance of Yin and Yang, gentle and natural. In this
calm state, Qin Chuan suddenly appeared detached again, but this time it was different. It wasn't true detachment; it was merely a state of self-regulation.
This detachment was based on the seven emotions and six desires, not true detachment.
But was true detachment the right thing to do? Was it detachment or a heart as cold as ashes?
Qin Chuan felt that true detachment was definitely not heartlessness.
Qin Chuan felt as if a window had opened in his heart. He used to sometimes pursue a state of detachment from desire, yet this had been contradictory. But now, he suddenly understood.
Just as Buddha resides in one's heart, even a monk who indulges in wine and meat isn't wrong. What one sees and persists in isn't necessarily correct.
Buzz!
The bell's sound became melodious, desolate, sorrowful, and melancholic…
Suddenly, the world seemed desolate. Life, old age, sickness, and death—what is the purpose of living? Sooner or later, we'll all turn to dust. Loved ones depart one by one, until finally, only you remain in this world, alone, helpless, without warmth, cold and desolate…
Buzz!
This time, the sound wasn't from the bell, but from the Five Elements Divine Buddha within his body, bringing Qin Chuan back to his senses.
What was happening?
Buzz!
He didn't know how long it lasted, but Qin Chuan's heart became clear. Life, old age, sickness, and death; the fleeting nature of beauty; detachment from desire—all these suddenly vanished. It was like laughing or feeling unhappy for a moment, but it quickly passed, and it was still a beautiful day.
Gradually, Qin Chuan seemed to understand, because he discovered that his physical aura, strength, and mental state had all undergone tremendous tempering.
It was like a test of his inner self, a test of his inner demons. Qin Chuan didn't know if he had passed, but regardless, he had made a huge improvement in every aspect compared to before.
His will would be more resolute, and emotional illusions would be less likely to affect him.
Could this be his opportunity, a wake-up call to his heart?
Although this wasn't a cultivation technique or a martial skill, it was actually more precious and important than any divine skill.
At some point, Qin Chuan vaguely awoke, finding himself still on the Heavenly Platform. Some of the people around him had already woken up, while others seemed to be still comprehending.
Some wore expressions of surprise, though they tried to hide it, they couldn't conceal it; others wore bitter smiles of disappointment, clearly having gained no insight whatsoever.
Qin Chuan had excellent eyesight; he could see many things clearly.
*Whoosh!
* Just then, the protective shield of the Tower of Babel disappeared, and then the Tower of Babel slowly descended, vanishing upon landing.
The Tower of Babel was also a concentrated source of energy, providing opportunities for everyone to gain enlightenment. Now that the energy was exhausted, it naturally disappeared.
At this point, it was actually time to leave the Tower of Babel.