Redemption of a Born Demon

Chapter 183 - 174: Each Seeks Their Own Way; The Heart Intent to Weigh the World Arises (Part 1)

Wang Chen and the others had only just achieved Ascension; their Dharma Bodies were not yet fully formed.

Had it been shortly after Yi Beidou’s own Ascension, sparring with them might have been useful. But now, this kind of sparring and Magical Combat offered him no insight whatsoever.

He had long since surpassed the stage they were at.

Now, he could only hope that someone among them might advance by leaps and bounds in a short time, just as he had, and become qualified to be his true rival.

He wasn’t afraid of rivals. In fact, he would be quite delighted if a few more figures like Devi appeared in the world.

At present, the only ones who could truly contend with him were the older generation, who would use every trick up their sleeves—including Forbidden Secret Techniques and inherited artifacts—and the Reincarnators hiding within the mortal world.

The older generation would not act rashly, as the cost of using such methods was too great. Meanwhile, those furtive Reincarnators would not easily reveal their true selves and were difficult to track.

The world was vast, yet it was also small.

Wang Chen, Shu Xuanji, and Meng Qianyuan exchanged a glance. They felt an indescribable dominance in Yi Beidou’s words that was both awe-inspiring and captivating.

Afterward, the group took a short break and sat in the living room. Meng Qianyuan and the others asked about any Cultivation problems they were unclear on, and Yi Beidou answered every question without reservation, making them feel they had benefited immensely.

About two hours later, the others took their leave. Only Meng Qianyuan remained.

"Sir, I plan to follow your example: to travel the lands, seek the Dao, and forge my own path."

Meng Qianyuan said, cupping his hands in a fist.

"Go, then. I will look forward to the day of your return."

Yi Beidou nodded and gave a dismissive wave.

Meng Qianyuan bowed and departed.

He had already reached the Saint Realm. He could not possibly continue to follow by Yi Beidou’s side.

Every Saint has their own path. If Meng Qianyuan merely stayed by Yi Beidou’s side, he would never have the chance to surpass him.

「Elsewhere.」

Wang Chen, Shu Xuanji, and the others left the manor.

"What an unfathomable person. I thought that after achieving Body Ascension, I would have no regrets in life. I’ve even been slacking off a bit recently. He just gave me a huge wake-up call."

Shu Xuanji said with a sigh.

They had distinguished themselves at the Martial Hero Conference, riding the great trend and drawing immense attention. They had achieved a major life goal, and shrouded in fame and glory, they were riding high on their success. In such a situation, it was easy to become complacent.

But after seeing Yi Beidou, they realized just how far they still had to go.

It was like a diligent student who, after years of hard study, got into Shuimu Jing University. Their fame spread throughout their hometown, and they started to relax. But upon arriving at the university, they discovered it was full of geniuses and they were just a frog in a well.

Some people would just muddle through, but those with ambition would not give up so easily.

"You’re right. In the past, Body Ascension was the final destination. But times have changed. Now, perhaps Body Ascension is only the beginning."

Wang Chen couldn’t help but add with a sigh.

If even they felt this way, the other Martial Artists from the conference who had not yet reached the Saint Realm felt an even greater sense of urgency.

A role model was extremely important.

「Another month passed quickly.」

The buzz from the Martial Hero Conference gradually faded, replaced by sustained public interest in the Martial Arts Cultivation Realm.

Riding this wave of enthusiasm, various Martial Arts Cultivation training classes began to spring up like mushrooms. Some were legitimate martial arts schools with real skill, while others were merely charlatans trying to fill the ranks, peddling all sorts of abstruse scams and concepts that led students astray.

However, the Special Security Bureau and the higher-ups were prepared for this. Immediately after the Martial Hero Conference ended, they established the Donghua Martial Arts Association and its regional branches, using the conference’s organizing committee as a foundation. Any martial arts school wishing to open now had to pass a qualification test to obtain official certification. This greatly reduced the number of frauds trying to fish in troubled waters.

The various schools that had shone brightly at the Martial Hero Conference were the biggest beneficiaries, with a continuous stream of people coming to learn martial arts.

In Donghua’s education system, the trend of competing in English, art, piano, dance, and other subjects shifted in an instant. Many families began to pour significant energy and resources into their children’s martial arts training.

To strengthen their bodies, temper their will, and cultivate mettle and courage.

Related sectors like life sciences and the pharmaceutical industry also became incredibly hot.

In just one short month, Donghua had undergone a massive transformation.

The Saint Experts who had gathered in Modu gradually dispersed. The foreign Martial Artists returned to their own countries, while the domestic experts went back to their respective cultivation grounds.

For many of the Saint Experts, this trip to Modu had a profound impact.

「Atop Mount Emei.」

The sun burned brightly in the sky, and below was a vast, white Cloud Sea.

A building with a golden summit stood on the peak, shining brilliantly under the sunlight.

Zhou Qingchen’s injuries had now fully healed. Dressed in a white Daoist robe, her face sharp and heroic, she walked along the stone path of Mount Emei, stepping into the Golden Summit building at the peak.

"Qingchen, your strength has improved again. The young are truly formidable."

A voice came from within the building. Inside the main hall, which was filled with the ancestral tablets of past Mount Emei masters, incense burned brightly. A withered old man sat cross-legged on a prayer mat before the tablets, looking as if he could enter a state of final tranquility at any moment.

"Grand Elder, I have returned this time to ask for your help in initiating the Thirty-Third Heaven Gang Tribulation."

Zhou Qingchen said to the old man, her voice calm.

Hearing her words, the old man’s body trembled slightly.

"Since you have reached your current realm, you should understand that the so-called Crossing the Tribulation to become an Immortal is merely a legend. The Thirty-Third Heaven Gang Tribulation is nothing more than a method our ancestors used before their passing to sublimate themselves, stand high in the sky to look upon this world one last time, and leave behind a legend of ascension to encourage future generations."

The old man turned around and fixed his gaze on Zhou Qingchen.

"What the ancients could not do, our generation may yet achieve. I intend to challenge the myths and legends themselves."

Zhou Qingchen’s expression remained calm, but there was a resolute look in her eyes.

"You should understand how dangerous that method is. Why are you being so radical this time? You still have plenty of time," the old man said in a deep voice.

He no longer concerned himself with worldly affairs, merely serving the ancestors while awaiting his final day, and was unaware of the changes in the world.

"I refuse to be left behind by this era," Zhou Qingchen said.

The battle in Modu had affected her deeply. She had originally thought she was still young and had plenty of time, but now she understood that was just self-delusion.

If you don’t fight for it, you will fall behind. ’She refused to fall behind again the next time they met.’

"When do you plan to face the tribulation?"

The old man was silent for a moment before finally asking.

He didn’t try to dissuade her, because he understood the personality of the woman before him very well.

Persuasion was useless on her.

Even if he didn’t help, she would find a way to initiate the tribulation herself.

"I won’t be reckless. I just want you to be prepared. When I have consolidated my Secret Technique, I will come to you for help."

Zhou Qingchen turned and walked out of the Golden Hall.

Her Ascension Technique still had significant room for improvement.

But with the Ascension Technique alone, she knew she couldn’t defeat that person.

「Northern Desert, a spur of the Kunlun Mountains.」

An ancient temple stood amidst the mountain forest. Waves of chanting drifted out, and faint wisps of seven-colored light could be seen dissipating, a truly mystical sight.

If an outsider were to come here, they might think they had arrived at the Great Leiyin Temple on Ling Mountain.

Inside the temple, the decorations were simple and crude. It lacked the splendor and Golden Body statues typical of other temples.

The monks were all dressed in simple, worn-out robes, some even covered in patches. Their faces carried a look of compassion and tranquility.

Seated at the head was an old monk with a serene expression. As he chanted, a seven-colored halo appeared behind his head, as if he were an enlightened, living Bodhisattva or Buddha.

The nine veteran Saints who gathered in Modu were not the entirety of Donghua’s strength. There were many other veteran Saints and cultivation schools who were devoted solely to their practice, did not follow the path of vanquishing demons, and paid no heed to worldly affairs, making them impossible to summon.

Nameless Temple was full of ascetics leading a bitter, simple life of cultivation, indifferent to the changes of the world.

Suddenly, the old monk’s body shuddered. The chanting stopped. The calm, compassionate, Bodhisattva-like expression on his face broke, his cheek twitching slightly. Below, his disciples paused in surprise, also stopping their chanting.

The Abbot had already attained the fruition of a Bodhisattva. Many of them had been his disciples for years and had never seen him lose his composure like this.

"What are you doing back here?"

The Abbot looked toward the entrance of the main hall and spoke in a low voice.

The monks seemed to sense something and whipped their heads around. At the entrance to the hall, leaning nonchalantly against the doorframe, was a slovenly man. No one knew when he had appeared. He held a cigarette between two fingers, rubbing them together to light it, and began to puff out clouds of smoke without a care in this sacred place.

"Abbot, don’t be such a stranger. I spent twenty years here, after all. Can’t I come back to visit?"

Ding Huiyuan said with a grin.

"Our paths are different. Why must you return?" the Abbot said with a frown.

"Ah, well, to be honest, I’ve run into a bit of trouble. I was hoping you could lend me a hand, Abbot, and send me into the ’Sumeru Realm.’ I’d like to ask the Buddha for guidance in person."

Ding Huiyuan said with a laugh.