[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-m-invincible-and-you-tell-me-this-is-journey-t":3,"chapter-i-m-invincible-and-you-tell-me-this-is-journey-t-i-m-invincible-and-you-tell-me-this-is-journey-t-chapter-40":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I'm Invincible, and You Tell Me This Is Journey to the West?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2360541,4615,"Chapter 40: Meeting in a Ruined Temple: Discoursing on Immortals and Gods","i-m-invincible-and-you-tell-me-this-is-journey-t-chapter-40",40,"\u003Cp>Su Chen walked while observing, deepening his understanding of this world with each step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His destination was Dongsheng Shenzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reach it, he must pass through Nanzhan Bu Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, dusk fell, and a light drizzle began to drift from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen reached a three-way intersection, preparing to find shelter from the rain, when he spotted a dilapidated ancient temple not far off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple had been abandoned for countless years; half its courtyard walls had collapsed, the gate hung precariously, and only the three characters “Fulong Temple” remained barely legible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Su Chen walked over, intending to spend the night inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed open the slightly ajar temple gate, and a damp, decaying odor rushed toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, spiderwebs blanketed every corner; the deity statue had long toppled, leaving only half its body, its face blurred beyond recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the hall burned a small bonfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin, teenage boy clad in coarse hemp clothing sat with his back to Su Chen, intently roasting a flatbread in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing footsteps behind him, the boy turned sharply, alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy appeared sixteen or seventeen; though his clothes were plain, even patched, his face was strikingly handsome—brow like a sword, eyes like stars, nose high and straight, his gaze glowing brilliantly in the flickering firelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carried an air of composure and nobility far beyond his years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in this ruined temple deep in the wilderness, his spine remained straight as a spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Su Chen, an unexpected guest, the boy’s eyes flickered with caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a word, he subtly pulled a long sword wrapped in cloth closer to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen noticed his wariness but paid it no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed to the boy, his voice gentle: “I am Wuchen, a wandering Daoist. The rain has forced me to seek shelter here for the night—may I be permitted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy sized up Su Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw an ethereal aura, clear eyes—clearly no villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, this temple was unowned land; he had no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he nodded, his voice clear and bright: “Master, make yourself at home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was pleasant, possessing a unique resonance, like spring wind brushing the ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen thanked him, then walked to the opposite side of the hall, found a relatively clean corner, and sat cross-legged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned to the ruined temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the “pitter-patter” of rain outside and the soft “crackle” of the bonfire remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy roasted his flatbread until golden, then broke off half and offered it to Su Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, our meeting is fate. If you don’t mind, share some with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen paused, startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected this cold-looking boy to have such a kind heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled, accepted without refusal, rose, and took the half-bread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, young sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen sat by the fire and bit into the flatbread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was dry and hard, but roasted over flame, it carried a fragrant, grain-like char—taste was not bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you also traveling, young sir?” Su Chen asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” The boy nodded, gazing at the flickering flames, his mood seemingly low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen noticed the sorrow in his brow and said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two ate in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, the boy spoke up on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, your aura is extraordinary—you must be a true cultivator. I have a question I wish to ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak freely, young sir,” said Su Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy set down his bread, lifted his head, and stared at Su Chen with burning eyes, speaking slowly: “Master, do gods and immortals truly exist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen paused, startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mortals longing for the Immortal Dao was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the boy’s gaze as he asked this was not one of yearning—it was one of seeking proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen hesitated, then asked instead: “Why do you ask this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the boy’s eyes flickered with struggle and pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell silent for a long while, then spoke slowly, voice hoarse:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I come from a once-prominent family. Since childhood, I studied classics and histories, dreaming of using my knowledge to aid the sovereign, cleanse the realm, and bring peace to all the people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But later, I realized I was wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A self-mocking smile appeared on the boy’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Human strength has limits. Before the overwhelming tide of fate, one person is insignificant. I watched as corrupt officials ruled the court, loyal ministers falsely accused; I watched as foreign tribes breached our borders, smoke rising everywhere; I watched as this great land suffered famine, disaster, and corpses littered the roads…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I tried to change it—but all my efforts were like a mantis trying to stop a cart, a fly shaking a tree. I couldn’t even protect my own family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice cracked at the end, his fists clenched unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I thought—if gods and immortals truly exist, and if I could gain their aid, could I sweep away all injustice in this world? Could I make all people live in peace, free from hunger and cold?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was quiet, yet echoed endlessly in the small ruined temple, ringing with weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen looked at him, quietly astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood why he’d felt this boy was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For in this boy, he saw something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though trapped in hardship, the boy’s thoughts and aspirations had already transcended personal gain or loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This kid… is interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled how he’d felt in Jiang State, seeing the displaced refugees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immortal arts granted him longevity, let him slay demons and exorcise evils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But could immortal arts bring peace to the world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this mortal boy was pondering this very question—and seeking an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young sir,” Su Chen said slowly, his tone solemn, “I cannot answer your question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s eyes flickered with disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…” Su Chen changed course, “I can tell you something else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” the boy asked eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen looked at him, speaking slowly and clearly: “Seeking immortals and the Dao is less important than seeking yourself. To place hope in phantom gods is less worthy than trusting the strength in your own hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My own strength?” The boy murmured, eyes filled with thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Su Chen nodded. “The power of gods and immortals is external. Only the strength born from within is truly yours. When a man’s will is firm enough; when a people’s backbone stands tall enough—then man can surpass heaven!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Chen spoke these words with iron certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in his past life, he had witnessed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy listened, as if struck by lightning, his whole body frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Man… can surpass heaven?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned the four words over and over in his mind, as if a great door had just been blasted open inside his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>",1137,"2026-06-21T05:42:07.836Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","da7acab8752873c59a61aeccad2bb30ed756c98b15f414139031be84751f6734","i-m-invincible-and-you-tell-me-this-is-journey-t-chapter-41","i-m-invincible-and-you-tell-me-this-is-journey-t-chapter-39",470,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-m-invincible-and-you-tell-me-this-is-journey-t-cover.jpg"]