novelraw Chapter 429: One More Time
Chapter 429: One More Time
“Reincarnation Dao?”
“Yes, Reincarnation Dao.”
Yu Zhao’s words fell, casting a hush over the room.
Feng Jiu Si and the others had never imagined that Yu Zhao would practice one of the most elusive paths among the Three Thousand Great Daos—Reincarnation Dao.
Huo Shao Yan furrowed his brows, trying to recall anyone he knew who practiced it, but his memory failed him. Reluctantly, he turned to the others for answers.
Equally perplexed, Feng Jiu Si and the others exchanged helpless glances.
Yu Zhao sipped her tea, using the action to hide the smirk forming at the corners of her mouth.
In truth, having reached the pinnacle of Nascent Soul, her comprehension of the Path of Emotional Detachment was sufficient to push her into the Divine Transformation stage. But now was not the right time for such a breakthrough.
For Yu Zhao, becoming a Divine Transformation cultivator could spell the beginning of her downfall. Moreover, she now had access to rare resources unavailable elsewhere and wanted to seize this opportunity to accumulate capital for the future. Thus, she veiled the existence of her Path of Emotional Detachment, claiming instead to cultivate Reincarnation Dao.
Her answer presented a conundrum. Had Yu Zhao practiced the Sword Dao, Blade Dao, or Pill Dao—any of the common paths—they could have quickly found her a suitable mentor to guide her insights.
But the Reincarnation Dao was so rare that even scouring the entire Wind Realm might not yield cultivators proficient in it.
Yet Feng Jiu Si and the others, nurtured as heirs of prominent families, soon devised alternative approaches to aid her.
…
On the first day, they visited a family about to welcome a newborn, waiting outside until the first cry of the baby rang through the air.
On the second day, they attended a child’s one-year celebration in the guise of guests.
On the third day, they observed an initiation ceremony at a sect.
On the fourth day, they drank at a wedding banquet.
…
On an unknown day, they stood at the bedside of an elder taking his final breath.
As they exited the elder’s home, Feng Jiu Si asked Yu Zhao, “Have you gained any insights?”
Suppressing the restless stirrings of her soul, Yu Zhao shook her head.
Though disappointed, Feng Jiu Si and the others were not entirely surprised.
If the Reincarnation Dao were so easily comprehended, it would not have been such an unpopular path.
“Then let’s try another method.”
…
In the meditation chamber of the Feng family, the five sat cross-legged on individual cushions, their expressions solemn.
Feng Jiu Si began, “My spirit root is aligned with wind, making me highly attuned to it. Consequently, my Sword Dao is renowned for its speed. Today, I will guide you to experience my Sword Dao.”
He reminisced about his father taking him to feel the sword intent of many Sword Dao seniors when he had been preparing for his breakthrough into Divine Transformation. Those experiences had helped him cross that pivotal threshold.
Although his path was not Reincarnation Dao, he believed it might still offer Yu Zhao some assistance.
After all, among the Three Thousand Great Daos, all paths eventually converged.
Yu Zhao nodded earnestly, her fingers curling slightly beneath her robe.
“Clear your mind and prepare to enter the Dao.”
As Feng Jiu Si’s voice resonated in her ears, Yu Zhao’s consciousness found itself in a dense bamboo forest.
A strong wind swept through, rustling the bamboo leaves.
A chilling killing intent permeated the air, and an icy sensation gripped her body.
Her awareness screamed of danger, even as her limbs remained frozen.
Suddenly, a blinding white light tore through the void.
Before Yu Zhao could comprehend what had happened, her consciousness returned to the meditation chamber.
Instinctively, she reached for her neck, where she still felt the phantom chill of a blade slicing through it.
Opposite her, Feng Jiu Si regarded her with a faint smile. “How was it?”
Yu Zhao hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. “Too fast.”
Feng Jiu Si raised a brow in surprise. “You mean…”
“One more time.”
Yu Zhao’s eyes burned with determination as they locked onto Feng Jiu Si’s. At that moment, her focus on him was so intense that nothing else seemed to exist.
Seeing his reflection in her clear, unwavering gaze, Feng Jiu Si felt a rare sense of satisfaction. With a grin, he agreed.
“This time, I’ll slow down. Pay close attention.”
“Alright.”
Once more, Yu Zhao’s consciousness was drawn into the bamboo forest.
…
The wind roared louder this time.
Dead leaves swirled in chaotic spirals, carried by the gale.
Yu Zhao spread her divine sense like a tidal wave, her sharp gaze piercing through the forest.
Suddenly, a sound broke the silence—a sharp, cold whistle.
Yu Zhao’s pupils contracted.
This time, she saw it.
The sword light came from the right.
And just like that, her consciousness was ejected from the bamboo forest once more.
Although her body trembled from lingering fear, her soul quaked with exhilaration, her eyes alight with unquenchable hunger.
Feng Jiu Si tested cautiously, “One more time?”
“Yes!” Yu Zhao nodded eagerly.
Huo Shao Yan and the others gawked in disbelief.
Never had they seen someone so willing to seek death.
But since their goal was to aid her breakthrough, they did not protest.
Thus, the chamber echoed repeatedly with the same exchange.
“Again?”
“Yes.”
“Another time?”
“One more.”
“…”
By the time Tu Xiao and the others had transitioned from astonishment to exasperation, and finally to apathy, Yu Zhao at last stopped asking for more.
Feng Jiu Si sighed in relief. Constantly channeling sword intent was no small burden on him either.
“My turn!” Huo Shao Yan leapt at the chance. “My family has wielded blades for generations, so I cultivate the Flame Blade! Watch this!”
…
A searing, blackened volcano.
Molten lava trickled slowly from its mouth, while wisps of steam rose from cracks in the stone.
The oppressive heat burned Yu Zhao’s skin, her every breath fiery and raw.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the smoke, clad in red with a golden crown atop his head and wielding a blazing, crimson blade.
The red-hot weapon gleamed like it had been forged in the heart of an inferno, its edge exuding an aura of menace.
Huo Shao Yan smirked wickedly before slicing forward with his Flame Blade.
A fiery arc burst forth, carrying an intense heatwave, seemingly consuming everything in its path.
Yu Zhao’s final memory was the overwhelming crimson glow enveloping her vision.
…
“How was that? My Flame Blade is just as good as Feng Jiu Si’s Willow Sword, isn’t it?” Huo Shao Yan gloated, oblivious to Yu Zhao’s pallor and sweat-soaked forehead.
Before Yu Zhao could respond, a large, steady hand passed her a tea cup.
“Take a sip first,” Shui Qiu Bai said, his calm, composed face masking a hint of concern.
Yu Zhao smiled, her heart warmed by the gesture.