novelraw Chapter 670: Peril of Life and Death! (Part 3)
Chapter 670: Peril of Life and Death! (Part 3)
That night, Jinchan and his three disciples stayed at the Ning Family Manor.
Jinchan’s three demon disciples were arranged in an empty courtyard within the manor.
Jinchan himself was invited by Ning Fan into a room for a candlelit conversation through the night.
As for Ning Fan’s two ’beloved wives’, they had long returned to their rooms to sleep deeply. After an intense battle during the day, having been thoroughly satisfied, they probably wouldn’t want any more for several days.
The candle flame flickered as Ning Fan occasionally clipped the wick.
He looked at Jinchan without speaking, and Jinchan smiled silently as if the two were engaged in a meditative silence.
"Namo Amitabha, the Manor Lord’s disposition is indeed stable, truly someone beyond the tribulation. Are you contemplating life and death within this tribulation?" Jinchan asked with a smile.
"Yes."
"I, as a humble monk, have some insights into life and death, having integrated body and path. Someone at the first step of cultivation, if they were to take a bite of my flesh, could instantly comprehend life and death and achieve immortality. Buddhist law is fate; as fate brings us together, I am willing to sacrifice some of my cultivation to offer you a piece of my flesh."
"There’s no need, I’d rather hear your insights on life and death, Elder Jinchan," Ning Fan replied, shaking his head.
"You are not an ordinary being, Manor Lord," Jinchan nodded and continued, "Are you asking about life and death at which circle of the Heavenly Dao?"
"Which circle of the Heavenly Dao..." Ning Fan furrowed his brows deeply.
"Mortals and those at the first step of cultivation exist within the first cycle of the Heavenly Dao. If they die, their souls can enter reincarnation. If their souls perish, they lose the chance for reincarnation, forever losing their true path. Their life is merely a step-by-step process toward death. Their death is a step-by-step process toward life; their life and death are a circle, endlessly alternating, recurring perpetually. Thus, it is said in Buddhist law, all is empty and silent, like a dream, illusion, bubble, shadow, or lightning. They should be observed as such... their life and death are illusory."
"Am I, too, now within the first cycle of the Heavenly Dao... life and death are mere illusions..." Ning Fan pondered.
"In the second step of cultivation, one can be counted among the immortals, achieving an immortal position. Their souls merge with their Spirits. If the body dies, the Spirit remains; if the Spirit dies, the soul dies as well, never to reincarnate. They achieve immortality, so death means eternal death, eternally losing their true path... but if one has achieved the Dao and has not yet dissipated, they may, with the help of Saints whose Taoist practice surpasses the second cycle of the Heavenly Dao, be reborn, borrowing the Dao to live again. In the second step of cultivation, their life and death extend indefinitely on a line; if this line ceases to extend one day, it marks their time of death... the price of immortality is eternal death."
"The price of immortality is eternal death!" Ning Fan’s mind thundered, finally solving the puzzle that had long puzzled him.
What is immortality... immortality is abandoning the chance to enter reincarnation again, gambling with one’s life at the cost of eternal death...
He suddenly somewhat understood the meaning behind Purple Dou Immortal Sovereign’s Dao verse.
As people die, like the flame extinguished, reincarnation rekindles. Immortals die with thoughts dispersed, never to return in this life... if an immortal dies, they do not return...
Mu Weiliang appears dead on the surface, but her soul remains, so she’s not truly dead... therefore, she still has a chance for resurrection.
The Lightning Emperor Tai Su died utterly, with body death, soul extinguished, and Dao dissipated... he can no longer be reborn in this life, nor has the opportunity for reincarnation.
He originally had a chance at rebirth, but to save Ning Fan, he willingly dissipated his remaining Dao...
"The Lightning Emperor Tai Su, back then, saved me with his life... I did not know," Ning Fan closed his eyes sorrowfully.
"Those in the third step of cultivation are called Saints, existing within the third cycle of the Heavenly Dao... for the life and death of Saints, I do not understand, but I once heard the World Honored One say, ’All forms are illusory. If you view all appearances as non-appearance, then you see the Tathagata.’ By this view, the realm of Saints should already be beyond life and non-life, death and non-death; it is an indescribable mystical realm, beyond my understanding."
Jinchan concluded with a smile, silently watching Ning Fan.
What he said, Ning Fan either understands or doesn’t; everything in the world cannot be forced.
"In the fourth step of cultivation, are they below the fourth cycle of the Heavenly Dao? Will they die... which cycle of the Heavenly Dao is this candle flame in?"
Jinchan’s gaze suddenly became stern, then contemplative.
He does not know if the fourth cycle of the Heavenly Dao truly exists.
But he vaguely feels he might have sensed the existence of the fourth cycle... he seems to remember his eldest disciple Wukong and the Wukong he remembers are not the same person.
This sense of discord surged in his heart when Ning Fan posed the question.
"Whether the fourth cycle of the Heavenly Dao exists, I do not know... which cycle the candle flame’s life and death are in, I do not know either," Jinchan sighed.
"Is that so." Ning Fan stared at the candle flame blankly, and Jinchan also looked at the candle flame.
The two continued to watch the candle burn out, remaining until morning.
The following day, Jinchan and his disciples bid farewell to Ning Fan and continued westward.
Ning Fan remained at Ning Family Manor, not breaking through this second tribulation of life and death.
He remembered who he was. Although he could have broken the tribulation, he was unwilling.
During the day, he stood atop a high mountain outside the Ning Family Manor, observing the changing winds and clouds, watching the sun and moon alternate, seeing the vegetation bloom and wither.
At night, he stood atop the mountain, watching the moon set and the crows cry, seeing stars shift and constellations turn.
Hong’er and Xiao’er stood at Ning Fan’s back, each with eyes revealing the contemplation of life and death.
They vaguely remembered they were not obligated to serve Ning Fan in bed...
Yet, by name, they were indeed Ning Fan’s wives, and being intimate with Ning Fan seemed perfectly acceptable.
They vaguely recalled they were also pursuing the Dao of life and death.
But they couldn’t remember who they were...
Ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years.
The three of them remained standing at the summit, while the Ning Family Manor had changed generations countless times.
Ning Fan watched the lives and deaths of mortals, saw the vegetation thrive and wither, but gradually felt he understood less and less about life and death.
However, the lifedeath Dao patterns on his Spirit increased by another five hundred, reaching 2220 in total.
"Is it time to face the next tribulation..."
Ning Fan sighed, raised his finger, intending to shatter this piece of heaven and earth.
Upon seeing Ning Fan raise his finger, Xiao’er suddenly showed a look of reluctance, and Hong’er’s blood-red eyes flickered, also showing reluctance.
"Is husband leaving?"
"Are you leaving?"
The two women asked almost simultaneously.
"Yes."
"Before leaving, leave some memento..." Xiao’er suddenly revealed a crafty look.
"Memento, what kind of memento?"
Before Ning Fan could react, Xiao’er had already pounced on him on the mountaintop.
Hong’er had begun to loosen her clothes, revealing her graceful body under the moonlight, caressing Ning Fan.
A memento... What could be more unforgettable than a night of passion...
"If it’s just a mirage in the tribulation... then forget it..."
Ning Fan turned over, pressing the two women down...
...
The second tribulation of life and death was still broken.
When heaven and earth re-formed, Ning Fan appeared in a strange giant city.
The Spiritual Energy here was thousands of times thicker than in the Rain Immortal World! Cultivating here would result in progress so fast it was beyond ordinary imagination.
Countless terrifying streaks of light flew across the sky.
Ning Fan glanced around casually; most of the people here were Immortals!
"Where is this place..." Ning Fan asked himself.
He even saw beings among those flying who were comparable to the Immortal Emperor!
This time, he remembered he was Ning Fan.
But he didn’t know where this place was, or why the cultivations of the people here were so terrifying.
Dong!
Suddenly, a bell sound spread across the sky, and countless Immortals became extremely excited.
"The Immortal Emperor is going to preach; we must go to Da Luo Heaven to listen!"
Many Masters who had not reached the Second Step sighed in resignation.
"Alas, we first step of cultivation Masters are unable to enter Da Luo Heaven. When will we have the chance to hear the Immortal Emperor preach?"
Ning Fan was silent for a while, then approached a Master around the Fourth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm, clasped his fists, and said, "May I ask, Daoist friend, where is this place..."
That Fragmentation Four Master, seeing Ning Fan’s Shattered Sixth Rank, felt a bit of admiration at first.
But upon hearing Ning Fan ask such a silly question, he immediately sneered, "Daoist friend, did you perhaps make a mistake in your cultivation, damaging your divine sense to the point you don’t even know where you are..."
"Uh... Indeed, I did damage my divine sense, my memories are a bit jumbled..." Ning Fan said slightly speechless.
"I see. When cultivating, one must avoid rushing and instead proceed steadily step by step to reach the pinnacle."
The Fragmentation Four Master gave Ning Fan some advice, then continued, "This is Zi Dou Immortal Domain, formerly Purple Rose Immortal Domain and Big Dipper Immortal Domain. Incessant wars and slaughter happened... Purple Rose Celestial Emperor and Big Dipper Immortal Emperor were powerhouses of the Fourth Step. The two were incredibly powerful, but then a strong person emerged, single-handedly annihilating the two Immortal Emperors. With just one finger, he defeated Immortal Emperors across ten billion worlds, quelled the rebellions in the two Immortal Domains, and unified ten billion worlds... He is Purple Dou Immortal Sovereign!"
Mentioning this, the Fragmentation Four Master couldn’t help but show a look of longing and admiration.
Since Purple Dou Immortal Sovereign sat in the ancient immortal domain, forbidding slaughter, no one across ten billion worlds dared show disrespect.
In today’s cultivation world, no one dared kill and rob, no one dared defy ethics and kill kin, no one dared to bully men and women...
Even Immortal Emperors dared not oppress those of the first step of cultivation.
Because, Purple Dou would not allow it.
Whatever he does not allow, no one can do, or they will die!
He used a single person’s slaughter to achieve peace for ten billion worlds.
In Zi Dou Immortal Domain, Immortals and mortals have little difference in status.
Mortals and livestock, too, have little difference.
Tigers cannot eat people, and people cannot eat poultry or livestock.
Everyone has Dao in their heart, and even mortals enjoy longevity and health.
Ning Fan was shaken.
The cultivation ethos of Zi Dou Immortal Domain was unimaginable to Ning Fan, who was from a chaotic era.
Killing and robbing treasures, exterminating sects, and clan was almost customary in Ning Fan’s time.
No one can change an entire world, except Purple Dou.
With the slaughter of one man, he quelled the eons...
A surge of warmth flowed through Ning Fan’s heart, a feeling he had never experienced before.
If possible, if there was a sliver of possibility, he too could be like the Purple Dou, quelling the eons with the slaughter of one man and creating a cultivation world he yearned for...
This thought only arose for a moment before he extinguished it in his heart, revealing a bitter smile.
Every command of the Purple Dou was obeyed because of his strength.
The Purple Dou alone could kill two Immortal Emperors, and even if the Immortal Emperors of ten billion worlds joined forces, they would not be his match.
With a single finger, he could defeat all the Immortal Emperors of ten billion worlds. Such power was beyond Ning Fan’s imagination...
Without such strength, who would obey his orders?
Ning Fan shook his head helplessly. His strength was weak, struggling even to protect himself, let alone quelling the eons, which was merely a thought...
While Ning Fan was sighing, the Void Fragmentation Realm master had already left.
Yet a slightly reproachful voice reached Ning Fan’s ear from behind.
"If you don’t try the things of this world, how will you know the outcome? People can grow old, their strength can fade, but the heart must not die, nor can ideals be extinguished."
This voice was so familiar that Ning Fan quickly turned around.
He saw a youth in a purple robe, of extraordinary demeanor, standing behind him with a slight frown.
His long hair was like a waterfall, his features handsome, and there was a purple-gold print of stone flame on his brow.
His gaze was so ancient, as if he had lived for a very long time, and had been alone for equally long...
Seeing this person, Ning Fan’s gaze shook, and he immediately bowed deeply with respect, saying, "Teacher..."
This youth in the purple robe was the Purple Dou Immortal Sovereign.
Seeing Ning Fan address him as such, the Purple Dou’s frown eased, and he reached out, patting Ning Fan on the shoulder.
"You’ve grown up and are starting to undergo the True Immortal Tribulation, not bad."
After speaking, the Purple Dou sighed slightly, "The Zi Dou Immortal Domain is not a place for you to know now; it’s too early for you to touch upon its secrets...let’s go elsewhere."
With a flick of his sleeve, a purple-golden breeze gently blew, enveloping the two and transporting them across countless realms in an instant to a small, scenic village.
This place was full of bulrushes, withering and thriving yearly.
"Teacher, shouldn’t you be giving a lecture in Da Luo Heaven right now?" Ning Fan asked in confusion.
"Let them wait! In my heart, you are more important than they are. Sit down. I know you are contemplating life and death. With my cultivation, I could make you instantly comprehend life and death, but the understanding gained that way might not align with your path...I’ve reincarnated for countless lives, but only one life did I fall into the demons, which brought me to who I am today. In that life, I had a teacher who taught me a principle. The Tao that can be expressed is not the eternal Tao. The true Tao is unspeakable; seeking it within life and death during your tribulation is inferior."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fan felt a sudden enlightenment.
What Mo Zhi said made sense, and the words of Jinchan were even more profound, but he always felt something was lacking.
Now he understood.
They spoke of the way of life and death, but the true Great Dao is inherently unspeakable.
If it can be expressed, it is not the true Dao, only close to it, and ultimately just slightly off.
"I know you have countless questions in your heart, but I cannot give you answers. You must seek them for yourself."
The Purple Dou smiled at Ning Fan, gesturing to the bulrushes at their feet, "Would you like to learn how to weave the Great Dao with me?"
"Weaving the Great Dao!" Ning Fan’s eyes widened.
To weave the Great Dao is to create the laws of heaven and earth; can such a thing be taught?
"It can. In this world, nothing is impossible; it’s only a matter of whether you’re willing to try. A common youth hoping to change the world would naturally be ridiculous. But if it were me, I could truly rewrite everything in this world...Have you ever had ideals in your heart?"
"Ideals...perhaps not..." Ning Fan smiled wryly. He struggled to even protect himself; where would he find ideals?
"You will...when I was your age, I was nothing but a wanton slaughtering demon...Someday, you will have your perspectives on this cultivation world."
The Purple Dou fell silent, flicked his sleeve, and uprooted a few bulrushes from the ground. Sitting cross-legged, he began to weave a grass ring.
Though he was merely weaving a grass ring, to Ning Fan, it seemed as if he was weaving the Heavenly Dao itself.
No, in the hands of the Purple Dou, that grass ring was the Heavenly Dao!
After a long time, the grass ring was complete. With a flick of his hand, the grass ring shot up into the sky, transforming into a massive black-and-white ring in the heavens!
"This is life and death!"
With those words, the ring image gradually vanished. The Purple Dou also stood up, giving Ning Fan a deep look before turning to leave.
Without saying a word, the scene of weaving the grass ring spoke louder than a thousand words.
As long as Ning Fan could weave the grass ring like the Purple Dou, he could one day glimpse the understanding of life and death!
Staring at the ring image gradually disappearing in the sky, Ning Fan seemed to have realized something but also felt a barrier that prevented full understanding.
Suddenly awakening as if from a dream, he remembered something and called out to the departing back of the Purple Dou, asking,
"Teacher...are you now alive or dead..."
The Purple Dou halted his steps and sighed.
"In the end, you still asked this question... What does it matter if I live or die? Whether in life or death, I will do what needs to be done."
He suddenly turned around, his gaze calmly fixed on Ning Fan, yet an aura that could make billions of worlds tremble emanated from him!
"As long as I’m here, all beings are here!"
His figure flickered, and Purple Dou disappeared without a trace, while the third tribulation of life and death gradually began to collapse.
The long-frozen heart of Ning Fan felt a surge of warmth once again.
As long as I’m here, all beings are here!
What kind of gallantry is this? Only the overlord of billions of worlds could utter such words!
In Ning Fan’s heart, a sudden wave of melancholy arose. He felt that Purple Dou’s departing figure seemed extremely desolate.
Having passed the third tribulation of life and death, Ning Fan’s Lifedeath Dao Pattern increased by 500 lines, reaching a total of 2720 lines upon his Spirit.
At this moment, he barely took the first step into life and death!
But he was still a few steps short of truly treading in life and death.
The Purple Sun Seal on his left cheek was gradually dissipating.
This was the first time Ning Fan noticed that as Purple Dou waved his hand to summon the ring shadow, he also helped dissolve the seal within his body.
As the seal gradually faded, the Purple Sun Force emanated from Ning Fan’s body, condensing into a purple Treasure Bead before him, shimmering with the light of the sun.
This was the crystallization of the Purple Sun Force!
If he devoured this Purple Sun Crystal, it could complete the Third Yang of the Yin Yang Stele, but in doing so, with three yangs and one yin, the Yin and Yang would be thrown into complete imbalance.
This Purple Sun Crystal should only be devoured after the second yin is completed.
Ning Fan put away the Purple Sun Crystal. In the instant the life and death tribulation collapsed, his Heart Spirit returned to the outside world.
Upon the ice bed, Ning Fan opened his eyes and exhaled a deep breath.
The three-tiered life and death tribulation certainly brought unexpected opportunities...
Now, he could leave the stone chamber.
As soon as he thought this, his face suddenly turned livid.
He saw himself completely disrobed, and the clothing of the little demoness and Hong’er was scattered all over the place.
Their bodies intertwined in the most ambiguous of ways.
The little demoness still slumbered, her soft arms tightly circled around Ning Fan’s neck, her delicate head nestled in his embrace.
Hong’er pressed her proud bosom against Ning Fan’s back, her soft body clinging tightly to his, the sensation nearly causing Ning Fan to lose control of his Heart Spirit.
How could this be!
Was the second tribulation within the life and death tribulation not a mere illusion... Did he, during the tribulation, actually...
His hand gently brushed over the lower abdomen of the two girls, sensing that their Yin energy remained intact, and his expression slightly eased.
It seemed he hadn’t destroyed their purity...
However, sleeping together like this, the notion of purity probably didn’t exist anymore.
Just then, the little demoness groggily opened her eyes, and Hong’er also drowsily opened hers.
Seeing themselves naked and embraced, the little demoness trembled with anger, while Hong’er stared icily with her blood-red eyes.
"Little Fan Fan! No matter how much I like you, you can’t do such things while I sleep!"
"Ning Fan! Though I am your bonded demon, I am not obligated to warm your bed. You have gone too far!"
Ning Fan, unable to defend himself, smiled bitterly, "Do you recall Ning Laocai, Hong’er, and Xiao’er... I think our current situation is related to what happened back then."
With Ning Fan’s words, the little demoness turned to stone, while Hong’er displayed an expression of disbelief.
Hong’er, Xiao’er...
"You dreamed it too!" The two girls asked simultaneously.
As soon as they asked, they both understood.
It was not a solitary spring dream for each of them, but a dream shared among the three of them.
Recalling the countless pleasures within the dream, even Hong’er blushed, let alone the little demoness.
The atmosphere was terribly awkward.
"Let’s get dressed first," Ning Fan suggested, crawling up from the little demoness’s tender arms. Accidentally, his left hand brushed against her small breasts, and his right hand touched Hong’er’s smooth flat abdomen.
In an instant, the little demoness blushed as red as a persimmon, feeling a strange sensation like an electric current running through her body, reminding her of scenes from the dream...
Hong’er quivered, biting her silvery teeth, yet she was speechless.
"What on earth was that dream about? Explain it properly to this emperor," Hong’er demanded with her silver teeth clenched. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)