As Su Shi observed Sikong Lanyue’s panicked demeanor, a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes.
“Alright, let’s call it quits. I won’t tease you any further.”
Raising his gaze towards the night sky,
It was already well past midnight, with the moon perched high above, casting its dim light over the darkened night.
“It’s getting late; time to rest.”
Shu Shi let out a yawn.
Sikong Lanyue took a step back uncontrollably and said nervously, “What are you trying to do?”
Su Shi asked in confusion, “Of course I’m going to sleep. What else can I do on such a late night?”
Not only did he encounter Yu Hongyin, the ancestor of the fox clan, today, but he also achieved a breakthrough to the Spirit Severing Realm. Furthermore, he attended a lengthy banquet for several hours.
Understandably, his spirit was a bit fatigued.
Sikong Lanyue’s eyes flickered as she spoke in a hushed tone, “Don’t get too ahead of yourself. I never said I would sleep with you.”
“???”
Su Shi had a puzzled expression on his face, “I said I would go back to my room to rest. Who said anything about sleeping with you?”
Sikong Lanyue’s expression changed.
Realizing her misunderstanding, she immediately felt embarrassed and avoided making eye contact.
Su Shi laughed and said, “Is the Daoist Master really interested in me?”
“Gaah!”
“Who said I was interested in you? You always make inappropriate comments, and I don’t want to talk to you anymore!”
Sikong Lanyue didn’t dare to linger any longer and promptly fled.
Shi waved his hand, saying, “Good night, Daoist. I’ll see you again in my dreams tonight.”
Sikong Lanyue’s footsteps stumbled, and she nearly tripped over the steps.
Without looking back, she rushed out of the courtyard and leaned against the wall, clutching her flushed earlobes. Her heart was still racing.
“I really don’t know what this person’s face is made of; it’s thicker than the city wall.”
Confusion filled Sikong Lanyue’s eyes, accompanied by a trace of shyness.
Lost in thought about what Su Shi had just said, her gaze became unfocused, and she drifted into absent-mindedness.
“I never expected Master to have such experiences.”
She retrieved a letter from her pocket, its contents written in her Master’s vivid handwriting:
[There will always be someone special in this world.]
[Some individuals will drag you into the depths of despair, while others will illuminate your life.]
[If one day, your own star emerges, I hope you will follow your heart and not be constrained by the so-called ancestral teachings.]
“No wonder my Master left behind these words; they completely contradict her usual unwavering adherence.”
“It seems that she had begun to question the ancestral teachings.”
“Unfortunately, she ultimately lacked the courage to take that step.”
Between emotions and the Dao, Daoist Zhaixin chose to uphold the Dao and viewed the romantic relationship as a test of her dao heart.
Consequently, she fell into deep regret, even depleting her energy and sacrificing her lifespan to uncover the true nature of the Heavenly Dao.
Reading the final lines of the letter:
[I, your master, have also experienced the same confusion.]
[In the end, I chose to adhere to the ancestral teachings and helplessly witnessed my own star fade away.]
[This is the greatest regret of my life.]
“Regret?”
Sikong Lanyue’s confusion gradually transformed into determination.
“No matter what the future holds, I will not harbor any regrets in my life.”
“If I cannot forget my emotions, then I will wholeheartedly pursue the Dao.”
Moonlight cascaded upon the land, casting a clear brilliance upon the earth.
Gazing at the radiant moon, Sikong Lanyue’s lips curved into a slight smile, its brightness surpassing that of the moonlight.
The following morning, at Wendao Cliff.
The elders and inner sect disciples had gathered.
Xin Ling gazed at the smooth, jade-like cliff in front of her, feeling perplexed. She turned to her senior sister and asked, “Senior sister, why did our Master send us here?”
Zhan Qingchen explained, “Wendao Cliff is a sacred place within our sect, accessible only to the direct disciples of Sect Patriarch. It serves as a test to gauge one’s resonance with the Heavenly Dao, which holds great significance for future cultivation.”
The inheritance of Tianji Pavilion emphasizes essence over form.
To a certain extent, one’s potential for future cultivation is determined by whether they can pass the test of Wendao Cliff.
As a newly accepted direct disciple, Xin Ling has already mastered the foundational techniques of Tianji Pavilion and can utilize this opportunity to test her dao heart here.
“Xin Ling’s cultivation speed is almost on par with Chief Zhan, thanks to her innate Dao physique. I didn’t expect her to be able to use Wendao Cliff so soon.”
“Yes, I thought it would take another month or two.”
“I wonder if she will pass the Wendao Cliff test?”
“She should have no problem; after all, she possesses a natural Dao physique.”
“Just so you know, the resonance of the Dao is not determined by talent alone.”
The strength of one’s Dao Heart relies on the level of resonance with the Dao.
While talent and aptitude set the lower limit, it is the resonance with the Great Dao that determines how high one can ascend.
The Grand Elder nodded lightly and remarked, “Recalling the Dao resonance exhibited by Duke Su, was truly astounding.”
“Yes, I never expected to witness such magnificent Dao resonance in my lifetime.”
Since Sikong Lanyue became the Sect Patriarch, only two individuals have ever touched the Wendao Cliff.
One of them is the chief disciple, Zhan Qingchen.
Originally an image of “Moon Reflecting on the River,” it has now transformed into an even more profound “Sun and Moon in the Same Sky.”
As for the other one, it is the Honoured Guest, Su Shi.
The shocking scene of the undivided world and the beginning of the heaven and the earth is still talked about by everyone to this day.
Looking at the people who were whispering, Xin Ling’s pretty face turned pale.
What if I don’t pass the test?
Will I be expelled from the sect directly?
Zhan Qingchen looked at her nervousness and comforted, “Don’t worry, this is just a test. No matter the result, it won’t affect your status as a direct disciple.”
“And I’m sure you will be fine.”
Zhan Qingchen patted her shoulder.
The Clear Heart Technique circulated to help stabilize her mind.
Xin Ling’s mood calmed down, grateful, “Thank you, Senior Sister. You’ve been so kind to me.”
She felt sincere gratitude in her heart.
Ever since she joined the sect, Zhan Qingchen had been consistently supportive, assisting her with significant cultivation matters as well as everyday needs.
“I heard Chief Zhan used to be cold-hearted, but now she seems quite kind.”
“It must have been a misunderstanding from others.”
Xin Ling pondered to herself.
Zhan Qingchen gazed at the entrance and let out a sigh.
“Su Shi, that rotten Su Shi, doesn’t even bother to come and see me, leaving his childhood sweetheart in my company?”
“Is he intentionally trying to provoke me?”
Nevertheless, Xin Ling is Su Shi’s friend.
Even if Zhan Qingchen didn’t show it, she had to take care of Xin Ling for the sake of her man.
“The Sect Patriarch has arrived.”
Whispered voices reverberated throughout the hall.
Everyone fell silent and raised their heads to see a figure cloaked in clouds approaching slowly.
Beside Sikong Lanyue stood a figure of a man.
The individuals in the hall stared intently.
“That is…”
Both Zhan Qingchen and Xin Ling exchanged surprised glances.
“Su Shi?”
