Chapter 663 - 672: Smiling at the Myriad States of Life

Back in his room, Wen Qingye sat cross-legged on the bed and resumed his cultivation.

Vast and boundless Primordial Qi from the surroundings surged into Wen Qingye’s body, flowing like a mighty river into his Qi Sea.

Within Wen Qingye’s Sea of Life and Death, a new crack appeared. It constantly expanded and spread, flickering in and out of existence.

In what seemed like a flash, the moon set and the sun rose, its first rays slowly bathing the land.

"What a pity. I was so close."

Wen Qingye slowly opened his eyes, a bright gleam shining within his pitch-black pupils.

He hadn’t managed to break through to the Fourth Heaven of Life and Death Realm, but he knew that, barring any accidents, he would surely achieve his breakthrough within three days.

Qing Ruo’ai gently floated out and said slowly, "Cultivation can’t be rushed. Besides, from what I can tell, you’ll surely break through to the Fourth Heaven of Life and Death Realm within three days."

"Mm."

Wen Qingye nodded. At that moment, his heart stirred, and he looked out toward the courtyard.

"Hahahaha! Judging by your vigorous and refreshed appearance, I’d wager your cultivation has reached a bottleneck."

A clear, bright laugh came from outside the courtyard, and Yun Yazi slowly walked in through the doorway.

Wen Qingye gave a faint smile but said nothing.

"Although you’ve only just arrived in the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, your status is highly distinguished. As an Inspection Disciple, you represent the entire Celestial Profound Sect, so all the major powers have taken notice of you." At this, Yun Yazi produced a Jade Talisman. "This is from Pan Zhongyi, the current Emperor of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. He’s inviting you for a meeting, most likely to discuss some specific matters. You should know that among all the representatives from the various powers, only Hai Ning of Taiyi Pavilion and you have received a personal invitation from him."

Wen Qingye accepted the Jade Talisman and asked, "When?"

"In three days." Yun Yazi looked at Wen Qingye and took a deep breath. "This is a golden opportunity—a chance to speak with Pan Zhongyi face-to-face. It will be crucial for influencing any turning points or changes in the situation. And even if we can’t form an alliance with the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, we can at least gauge his attitude."

Wen Qingye smiled. "I know. Don’t worry."

"How could I not trust you?" Yun Yazi said with a pleased smile. "By the way, if you want to look around the area, I can have someone show you?"

Wen Qingye shook his head, declining the offer. "No, there’s no need to trouble Master Yun. I’ll just take a look around by myself."

"Alright. In that case, since I have no other business, I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll be on my way."

Hearing this, Yun Yazi didn’t insist. He simply rose to his feet and departed.

Qing Ruo’ai watched Yun Yazi’s departing figure and chuckled. "Tsk, tsk. Your status is certainly different now. An Inspection Disciple of the Celestial Profound Sect is a busy man, indeed."

Wen Qingye shrugged. His fair, slender hand slowly reached behind him and drew out the Bladeless Heavy Sword.

"The Killing Lifeless Principle has been at the second layer of the Earthly Realm for some time now, and I gained a bit of enlightenment from my battle with Xing, Yun, and Yue. Now... let’s see if I can break through to the third layer."

After speaking, Wen Qingye walked slowly into the center of the courtyard. He took a deep breath, completely immersing his Heart Spirit, and then swung his sword forward in a cleaving motion.

A chilling Sword Aura struck the ground in front of him. A brilliant spark erupted violently from the earth before vanishing just as quickly, as if nothing had ever happened.

"The Killing Lifeless Principle really is quite difficult," Wen Qingye muttered, looking at the ground before him. He shook his head inwardly, then continued to swing the Bladeless Heavy Sword.

Sparks flashed continuously, each point of light dazzlingly brilliant.

...

Time flew by. Before he knew it, the sun had risen and was now slowly setting.

Lifeless Law! That is to be without life!

All of creation! Annihilate it all!

In the lingering glow of sunset, the Bladeless Heavy Sword in Wen Qingye’s hand emanated a cold, soul-stirring gleam.

"So that’s how it is."

He chuckled softly as he looked at the Bladeless Heavy Sword in his hand, seeming to merge with the vast, gentle light of the setting sun.

The Killing Lifeless Principle! Third layer of the Earthly Realm!

The Killing Lifeless Principle is the core Law Power of the Lifeless Sword Dao. It is a peculiar Law that annihilates the Primordial Spirit, making it utterly impossible to defend against. It is for this very reason that the Killing Lifeless Principle ranks twenty-first among the Three Thousand Great Dao, a testament to the Lifeless Law’s fearsome and tyrannical power.

Now that Wen Qingye had cultivated the Killing Lifeless Principle to the third layer of the Earthly Realm, it had become a true hidden ace.

Haaa!

Wen Qingye let out a long breath and smiled faintly. "The Eternal Night Riverbank, one of the Four Great Secret Lands... I’m quite curious. If I can observe and gain some insight from such a magnificent sight, it might lead to some wonderful enlightenment. That would be a great benefit to my cultivation."

As he spoke, he began to walk slowly out of the courtyard.

Since the Eternal Night Riverbank was known as one of the Four Great Secret Lands, it was bound to have its own extraordinary qualities. Having already witnessed the breathtaking spectacle of the Purple Nether Swamp, Wen Qingye found himself captivated by the thought of the Eternal Night Riverbank, its fellow Secret Land.

The marketplace was filled with pavilions and antique-style buildings. The streets teemed with an endless river of people, and a cacophony of shouts and clamor filled the air.

Wen Qingye walked among the crowd, observing their expressions. He felt like a fleeting traveler, seeing a reflection of his own life in the myriad emotions on display—their joy, their sorrow, their hopes, and their grief.

To sit and watch the world’s storms gather, to smile upon the drama of human existence.

A person’s life is but a fleeting moment, a few short decades gone in a flash.

In his past life, he had only wanted to be a transient passerby, to flee from the unbearable conflicts and sorrows of his past. But how difficult that had been.

Wen Qingye shook his head and gave a wry laugh. "If you exist, how can you possibly be a mere passerby?"

To exist is to be swept along by forces beyond your control.

Since he was now part of this great world, he could no longer stand aloof and care only for himself. He could only strive to enact change—to change his own difficult circumstances.

Right now, Taiyi Pavilion was the great predicament before him, but he would never shrink back. He had to brave the storm and push against the tide.

Wen Qingye took a deep breath and continued walking forward.

After walking for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a stretch of lush green suddenly appeared ahead. Weeping willows swayed in the gentle breeze, exuding a soft, mild air.

Beyond that, a strange brightness shimmered, dazzling Wen Qingye’s eyes.

The gentle currents, thousands of decorated pleasure boats, and their open canopies were already becoming faintly visible.

The people coming and going were mostly the scions of Noble Families. The men were dressed in splendid brocades, adorned with sparkling jewels. The women were draped in silks and satins, their hair decorated with dangling hairpins shaped like butterflies and Phoenixes, or wearing ornate necklaces.

The men were strikingly handsome, and the women were captivatingly beautiful.

Among them were a good number of young experts. Though their expressions varied, they all seemed to be flocking toward the Eternal Night Riverbank.