Chapter 363: Enlightenment

Chen Che's consciousness slowly awakened in a hazy blur; he opened his heavy eyelids, only to find himself in a strange space.

Here, it was a vast, empty expanse of pure white; there was no distinction between heaven and earth, no difference between light and shadow, and even the sense of his own existence had become blurred and unclear.

Chen Che stood up, his gaze sweeping around his surroundings before landing on himself.

His injuries should have healed; he could not feel a shred of pain, nor could he see a single wound, yet the sensation of his body did not seem very strong—he could clearly see it, but he could not feel it.

Chen Che did not think much of it and started walking aimlessly; his footsteps echoed in this endless void, each step appearing so lonely and heavy.

Everything was deathly silent; there was no sound of wind, no chirping of birds, and he could not even hear his own heartbeat—there was only endless silence and emptiness.

Chen Che walked without purpose in this vast, white world, as if he would never reach the end.

Suddenly.

His consciousness began to blur, and his life force ebbed away bit by bit, like a thread being pulled out, becoming thinner and thinner until it almost snapped.

"So... I am going to die after all..."

Chen Che whispered softly, a look of relief actually appearing on his face.

Just as he was about to give up his last shred of life, a sudden change occurred.

Golden characters, like stars, flashed into existence in this pure white world; they emitted a soft and sacred light, slowly gathering around Chen Che.

In an instant, all pain vanished; Chen Che looked at those characters, his expression stunned—it was the Heavenly Book.

"Chen Che."

Chen Che looked up abruptly, only to see his master, Taixuan, smiling kindly at him.

With the appearance of his master Taixuan, the originally white world began to change, and colors gradually emerged.

A deep blue appeared in the sky, lush green grew on the earth, and flowers bloomed in variegated colors.

Human figures began to shuttle through this world, animals ran across the grasslands, and plants swayed in the wind.

Chen Che was stunned for a moment; he felt as if he had traveled through time and space, witnessing the birth and end of this world, feeling the cycle and succession of all things.

"Master, is this the truth of the world? The World Tree also has its blossoms and falls; the Fruit it bears always has a day when it drops from the branch, and then new fruit grows again, over and over."

Chen Che looked at his master, Taixuan, who stood shoulder to shoulder with him, "Then what are we humans considered?"

"We can also plant trees and sow grass, water flowers and nurture people; then what do you think those things created by us are considered?"

Taixuan did not answer, but instead asked back in a warm voice.

Chen Che fell into deep thought.

At this moment, the world changed again; countless figures appeared and then vanished. They possessed great Supernatural Power, turning their hands to summon clouds and rain, and heaven and earth would even change color because of their actions.

They were Martial Artists.

The glory created by Martial Artists.

Chen Che saw the path of the Martial Artist, the glory created by Martial Artists; it was a power that transcended the limits of the flesh, an ultimate manifestation of spirit and will.

But their return path was only one; even if their lifespan was extended, they were the same as ordinary people, unable to escape death.

Chen Che saw the True God once again, saw the Heavenly Kingdom; they were right before his eyes, yet so far away.

The Martial Artist who broke free from the shackles of the World Tree's Fruit finally beheld the True God, but he was no longer himself...

"Ding-a-ling..."

It was as if the sound of a bronze bell rang out; Chen Che was suddenly startled, and a beam of light pierced through his brain, bringing sudden enlightenment.

Taixuan took in Chen Che's reaction, smiling with gratification; his figure became hazy, burning slowly like a flame in the wind.

"Master..."

Chen Che called out softly.

Taixuan shook his head: "You are stronger than your master; the road ahead is for you to walk yourself. This time, your master is truly leaving."

Chen Che remained where he was, watching his master Taixuan's figure drift away and vanish.

At the same time, the Heavenly Book Characters that had been lingering around him merged into his body one by one.

A sense of unprecedented fullness and ease spread throughout his entire body; Chen Che felt every cell in his being being reactivated, every meridian being reshaped.

His heartbeat gradually regained its rhythm, his blood began to surge within him, as if a new power was awakening inside his body.

Chen Che's consciousness was sublimated at this moment; his life force began to flow back, as if an invisible power was surging within him, repairing his broken body.

He opened his eyes.

He had originally been opening his eyes, but he opened them once again.

Golden light flickered in his pupils; it was a profound understanding of life, of the Martial Dao, and of the truths of the universe.

Everything around him changed again at this moment; the illusion solidified bit by bit, and his consciousness finally returned to his body.

"Boom!"

Chen Che heard a loud noise; it was the sound of True Qi striking the stone wall. He kept his eyes closed, frowning uneasily.

"Careful!"

Yang Simin, having woken up from her unconsciousness at some unknown time, shouted loudly, supporting her weak body to tackle Xie Wanning to the ground.

A death servant lunged at empty air and attacked the two of them again.

Xie Wanning turned swiftly, her long legs sweeping up to the limit, kicking the death servant in the chin; the death servant's entire skull crashed into the cave ceiling.

"Hah!"

Xie Wanning let out a shout, striking out with a palm; the palm wind of her True Qi shattered the cave entrance, and the collapsing rocks buried the group of death servants blocking the door, sealing the violently breached entrance once more.

Xie Wanning caught her breath for a moment, but suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, dropping to one knee.

"Are you alright?"

Yang Simin asked with concern.

Xie Wanning shook her head, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth: "How did these beasts find this place?"

Yang Simin turned her head to glance at Chen Che; he was still undergoing the baptism of the Heavenly Book, and more and more heat was rising from his body, making the cave feel almost like a sauna.

"It must be that they sensed the fluctuations of True Qi."

Yang Simin replied, saying: "It's just that looking at his state, it will still take a while. Although we blocked one wave for now, since these beasts have found us, then Zanpu Dunzhu will certainly come as well."

Xie Wanning glanced at Chen Che and stood up while leaning against the wall: "No matter what, we must buy time for Chen Che."

Yang Simin suddenly said: "If the cave entrance is breached again in a moment, I will go out and lure these beasts away."

Xie Wanning looked at Yang Simin: "Are you crazy?"

"Just now, these monsters clearly had the opportunity to attack Chen Che, but they didn't. It is very obvious that their target is not Chen Che; between the two of us, the most likely one is me."

Yang Simin said: "Zanpu Dunzhu must think Chen Che is dead, and he doesn't know that the Heavenly Book is no longer on me, which is why he had these death servants search the mountains to capture me. So, if I go out, I can buy more time for Chen Che, and you will also have a greater chance of surviving."

"But if you do this, you will die."

Yang Simin shook her head: "You previously risked danger by impersonating me, so this counts as repaying you. As for Chen Che..."

Yang Simin looked at Chen Che, her gaze soft: "He is my brother; for his sake, I am not afraid of death."

"Brother?" Xie Wanning teased with a smirk: "Do you really think of him as a brother?"

Yang Simin's face flushed, and she retorted without showing weakness: "And do you really think of him as a junior fellow disciple?"

"You little brat!"

Xie Wanning laughed and scolded, "Since that's the case, I won't be coy. In a moment, you go out and lure them away, and I will continue to guard here."

Yang Simin nodded: "Good!"

"Boom—!!"

The cave entrance was breached once again, gravel flew, and the death servants rushed in like a swarm.

"Take this chance!"

Xie Wanning and Yang Simin had determined gazes and acted simultaneously.

"Swish!"

Xie Wanning gathered True Qi into her hands and cleaved open a path; Yang Simin took the opportunity to dash out of the cave with a swift movement.

The surrounding group of death servants paused for an instant, and those who hadn't managed to squeeze into the cave turned around one after another, chasing in the direction Yang Simin had fled.

The death servants remaining inside the cave continued to attack and bite at Xie Wanning.

Finally, Xie Wanning, who had long since exhausted her strength, fell to the ground under the impact of a death servant, and the group of death servants pounced on her with ferocious expressions...

Yang Simin fled along the back mountain, but her body had not yet recovered and her legs were already weak, yet she had to force herself to hold on to buy more time.

"Whew... Pfft!"

Yang Simin fell forward, rolling down the mountainside, her head striking heavily against a boulder.

The boulder shattered, and Yang Simin was also dizzy and covered in blood.

A wisp of True Qi swept up Yang Simin and brought her to the plaza, where Zanpu Dunzhu forcefully pulled out the Black Rod that was embedded in Yang Simin's thigh.

Yang Simin immediately gasped in pain and regained her senses.

"Saintess, we meet again."

Zanpu Dunzhu smiled without smiling, his right index finger flicked, and black Qi constricted around Yang Simin's neck; Yang Simin let out one painful cough after another.

"Zanpu Dunzhu, you are not allowed to harm the Saintess!"

Seeing this scene, Lv Hong panicked completely and let out a roar, though his words were fierce while his heart was cowardly.

The other Taiyi Sect disciples had long since lost their fighting spirit, and now seeing the Saintess fall into the hands of Zanpu Dunzhu, they lost all hope entirely.

"It's over, we have lost."

"The Sect Master is dead, and the Saintess is also about to have the Heavenly Book taken; we have completely lost."

"Yes, so many people have died... but we are going to die too..."

Listening to the disciples' words, Lv Hong and the other three elders also had their expressions change; feelings of defeat and despair crept into their hearts, and their expressions when facing Zanpu Dunzhu were no longer so firm.

Zanpu Dunzhu sneered mockingly: "Have you finally accepted your fate? Heh, once I obtain the Heavenly Book, you all shall become my death servants."

"Pfft!"

Zanpu Dunzhu's palm pierced into Yang Simin's dantian, his five fingers grasping into the void within her body, only to find it empty.

"How is this possible?!"

Zanpu Dunzhu raised his head and looked at Yang Simin in astonishment.

Yang Simin was covered in blood, the sensation of suffocation making her agony unbearable, yet she triumphantly curled the corners of her lips: "The duty of the Saintess is to protect the Heavenly Book; did you really think I would let you succeed?"

"Good, very good!"

Zanpu Dunzhu was enraged by shame, his gaze becoming ferocious in an instant, "Then go to hell! You all go to hell!!"

Zanpu Dunzhu raised the Black Rod, and Lv Hong and the others from the Taiyi Sect widened their eyes, shouting in panic:

"Saintess!!!"

"Stop!!!"

"No!!!"

………

"Boom!!!"

A dazzling pillar of light shot straight into the sky from the direction of the back mountain, and violent energy spread rapidly.

Everyone from the Taiyi Sect was blown over, and those ferocious death servants let out painful wails amidst this light, turning into ashes.

Even Zanpu Dunzhu felt an unprecedented pressure amidst this scorching energy fluctuation.

………