novelraw Chapter 1455 - 192: Affectionate Sword Dao, Lifeless Sword Dao
Chapter 1455 - 192: Affectionate Sword Dao, Lifeless Sword Dao
"Entering into a demonic state to enhance cultivation is due to the harmony of the Tao, but ultimately, for us eternal spirits, entering into a demonic state represents a reconciliation between the eternal spirit and the destructive dark spirit. It’s like pouring water on fire; it could make the flames more intense, but it could also extinguish the fire all at once."
Hong Jun Ancestor used a very simple principle to describe this outcome.
And this outcome was precisely what Zhou Yan observed.
Therefore, he understood why Hong Jun Ancestor did not refuse but deceived him when Zhou Yan followed his heart to make a choice in this place.
It must be that Hong Jun Ancestor had already seen in the past that he had certain inheritances and that he could benefit from this place.
When Zhou Yan realized this, he understood that even a seemingly trivial manipulation from Hong Jun Ancestor revealed an extreme wisdom.
After figuring it out, Zhou Yan said bitterly, "Ancestor, in the future, please make things clear to me and let me make my own choices, even if at that time, I might consider and make choices that are not in my best interest, at least there would be no regrets. Though this way, the goal is achieved, it feels like a betrayal to those who helped me."
Zhou Yan said earnestly.
Hong Jun Ancestor nodded, smiled, and said, "In fact, I can’t deceive you; you vaguely know it in your heart, and there are some things I’m not confident about, which is why I did that. Mostly, I hope you won’t have too many concerns.
But rest assured, I have also sensed the foundation within you, and it is almost exhausted; therefore, I will not fish in a dry pond anymore."
"As for this place, I was truly unaware before. My original intention was for you to look at the ancient stone carvings here, as observing these carvings can enhance the ability to attain enlightenment. After all, this was once a sacred land of enlightenment.
Actually, not only here, the entire Silent Annihilation Ancient City is such a place.
It’s just that I didn’t expect such a good place to be eventually occupied by demon spirits."
"But the opportunity is indeed rare, and the invasion by demon spirits is not serious, their penetration is shallow, so I decided to let you try. I feel that although there is significant risk, the reward is certainly not low. As long as you can comprehend the First Layer of the King Immortal Principle, your odds of success in the future will increase by another ten percent.
My methods indeed lack integrity, but in many situations, one cannot afford too many thoughts; the simpler, the better, so we have to prioritize the heavy over the light."
Hong Jun Ancestor spoke sincerely, and indeed, whether calculating or not, it was for Zhou Yan’s benefit.
However, precisely because the means were not particularly honorable, Hong Jun Ancestor’s tone carried a sincere apology.
Zhou Yan smiled slightly and said, "Ancestor’s intention is well-meaning, and Zhou Yan understands. I just feel guilty towards that demon spirit lady."
Zhou Yan said, sighing involuntarily.
"Indeed, however, regardless, if you have the power in the future, you should make some positive compensation to the demon spirits. I’ve always told them that demon spirits are not evil, and living beings don’t represent justice. But their views differ.
The current situation can indeed be called a battle of concepts."
"Hmm, I, like you, uphold the Affectionate Sword Dao and abandon the Heartless Sword Dao."
Hong Jun Ancestor said.
Zhou Yan nodded, but then said, "But isn’t it true that things will evolve to their opposites? The extreme of affection is heartlessness, and the extreme of heartlessness is affection? This has always been a puzzle in my heart."
Upon hearing this, Hong Jun Ancestor laughed and said, "This realm is indeed profound, but affection is ultimately affection, and heartlessness is ultimately heartlessness."
"When you return to the truth, simplicity is everything; affection is affection, and heartlessness is not affection."
"Now, do you understand?"
Hong Jun Ancestor laughed.
Zhou Yan was shocked, suddenly enlightened.
Immediately, Zhou Yan bowed to the void and said, "Disciple understands!"
"Hmm, opposites indeed become extremes, but what about the essence? The essence of water is water; even if it forms Ice Flame, it is not the scorching fire but cold fire. Its essence is still water."
"The same goes for affection; even at the extreme, it is in the form of unspoken great love, but it is still great love and still affection."
"The extreme of heartlessness is affection, too, but then doing good to someone is a gentle killing with kindness, which is the most cruel thing."
"Just like the simple yet complex choice between life and death, two people deeply in love face imminent danger of death; one quietly leaves early to face death alone. Is this affection or heartlessness? Actually, this is a kind of cruel heartlessness. Because only with affection does one choose heartlessness. But because of heartlessness, emotions seem deeper.
But the one living has to live in pain forever. Actually, comparatively, it’s the mutual resolve to face death that is true affection.
And that kind of dying for someone is just a not-so-extreme form of affection."
Zhou Yan deeply admired Hong Jun Ancestor’s understanding of the Tao.
Even though Zhou Yan had actually understood these principles himself.
Yet, this time, Zhou Yan’s understanding deepened immeasurably through the guidance of Hong Jun Ancestor’s words and deeds.
At that moment, Zhou Yan suddenly experienced a transcendent sense of enlightenment, and thus he fell silent, no longer speaking.
Perceiving Zhou Yan’s state, Hong Jun Ancestor was not only surprised but impressed, thinking this kind of talent was truly astonishing.
He felt quite envious, greatly admired and praised, yet naturally concealed all his presence, no longer paying any attention to the outside world, avoiding bringing any unnecessary instability to Zhou Yan.
At this time, Zhou Yan was silently cultivating, beginning to establish his Sword Dao corresponding to the Second Layer of the King Immortal Principle.
Ancestral Dragon Emperor Sword Second Layer — Affectionate Sword Dao, Lifeless Sword Dao.
This Affectionate Sword Dao is like an extreme form of affection, bringing Zhou Yan’s understanding of emotion to the deepest level.
While the Lifeless Sword Dao is the Evil Spirit Dao — that’s right, within Zhou Yan’s creation of Dao, it surprisingly also contains the Evil Spirit Dao.
Because within him, there is pure Evil Spirit Qi; although it has been completely refined, the essence of Evil Spirit Qi does not change, just as the essence of affection and heartlessness does not change.
This Affectionate Sword Dao, Lifeless Sword Dao was just founded, conceived, causing this heaven and earth to tremble!
This is the true transcendence of the Eternal Immortality Principle, created from the body, soul body, and eternal spirit of Eternal Life Spirit, yet directly transforming into a powerful King’s Dao.
Affectionate Sword Dao.
Lifeless Sword Dao.
It seems Zhou Yan’s cultivation truly returned to a starting point.
A starting point within the Zhou Family Courtyard.
"Yan’er, the Cultivation Path ultimately concerns itself with affection or heartlessness, so you can only choose one. Which will you choose?"
Zhou Wangchen, standing before Zhou Yan, still continued his engraving, asking in a kindly and gentle manner.
Yet, at this moment, his gaze was filled with endless anticipation.
"Whether it’s the Affectionate Sword Dao or the Lifeless Sword Dao, it is ultimately the Dao. The Tao is as one, sharing the same origin, leading to the same destination. Therefore, Yan’er will choose the Affectionate Sword Dao, and also choose the Lifeless Sword Dao."
Zhou Yan’s youthful voice spoke with great confidence.
He did not notice the complex expression deep within Zhou Wangchen’s eyes.
After a while, Zhou Wangchen took a sip of wine. The wine caused his body to tremble violently, and with each tremor, it seemed a surge of Evil Spirit Qi was burning his soul.
"This Dao... may be a choice, but it is destined for a life of hardship, full of trials, like a pawn, eternal life trapped within the layout, unable to rise."
"Even if you rise, it will be with the world as your enemy. In the eyes of beings with affection, you are seen as an evil spirit, while in the eyes of evil spirits, you are seen as life. Can you bear being the world’s enemy?"
Zhou Wangchen’s words seemed to shift from a past scene to the current one.
"Father, even if the world is my enemy, my heart remains ’Only I Am Supreme,’ invincible to all."
"As long as the heart persists, even if the Dao is no longer present, the heart holds the Dao, ensuring it won’t be lonely."
Zhou Yan confidently spoke.
"Very well, father will accompany you in stepping into this unknown, Dao of affection and heartlessness."
"What will become of the extreme of affection and heartlessness, once they are integrated?"
"Father will pave a path for you, father going ahead and waiting for you."
...
Mysterious memories, like different imprints, engraved into this Affectionate Sword Dao, Lifeless Sword Dao.
Affection leads to Supreme Forget Love, Superior Water.
Heartlessness yet holds great unspoken love, Great Elephant Invisible.
Some things must be experienced and felt to understand the origin within them, rather than staying at the surface.
The Affectionate Sword Dao, Lifeless Sword Dao, completed with Zhou Yan’s insights, and the past, present, and future scenes he derived, together with his father.
He discovered that when, in the mural, he personally killed his father, in reality, the emotions erupted with unparalleled intensity.
So much so, that all the affection and heartlessness, his beloved, the woman beside him, even Gu Xi, and Feng Zishuang, Jiang Yuning, Qian Luoshui, were unable to intervene.
Could it be, in his heart, father’s importance surpassed everything else?
Zhou Yan whispered to himself.
Yet he did not dwell on it, nor did he deliberately seek an answer to such a question.
Because the answer is always within the heart. Affection and heartlessness are based on the mural where he kills his father, then it’s only natural.
And even if, in his heart, father is most important, so be it.
Zhou Yan took a deep breath, then, with the Thunderflame Yuan Ci Sword in his hand, casually etched a line of text on the Ancient Stone Carving.
"Affectionate Sword Dao ultimately has affection, Lifeless Sword Dao defies the universe."
Zhou Yan engraved this line, filled with the King’s Inheritance of Affectionate Sword Dao and Lifeless Sword Dao.