Chapter 188: Enlightenment

The clear tea was drunk to the last drop; outside the window, flying snowlight reflected in the cup. The stove fire crackled, shutting the cold winter out of the room, leaving only a gentle, pervading warmth. On the low table where several people sat around, tea fragrance curled upward, as if the heart-pounding, soul-stirring demon-slaying and devil-exterminating from just now had all settled into this moment's peaceful stillness.

"The Enlightenment Pavilion..." Shi Ran cradled the teacup, her fingertips feeling the warm porcelain wall, and repeated those three characters in a low voice, "It sounds like an extraordinary place."

"Far more than extraordinary." Xiao Muyu set down her cup, leaned back against the chair back, and undisguised longing showed in her eyes. "It is part of the very foundation of the Tianshuan Sect. Legend has it that in ancient times, the seven sects' sages once jointly resisted extraterritorial demons atop Tianshuan Mountain. After the battle, the Great Dao manifested, and laws were branded into the mountain's depths. Later generations opened it up as the Enlightenment Pavilion. Every blade of grass, every tree, every stone, every mark inside may contain a moment of insight into the world's ultimate truth by some great power. Entering it is not necessarily to learn some specific technique; more often it is to 'perceive,' to 'resonate.' With good luck, one can seize that flash of inspiration, break through shackles, and even comprehend one's own 'Dao Rhyme.'"

"Muyu speaks correctly." Gu Yusheng took up the thread, his expression also carrying a few parts gravity. "So this three-day opportunity is exceptionally precious. One must adjust one's state to its peak — have something sought in the heart, yet not be overly attached. To follow nature is the true meaning of enlightenment."

Mei Ruoxue gave a slight nod, her clear, cold voice sounding in the warm room: "I have heard that what each person sees and feels in the Enlightenment Pavilion differs. Some see sword lights crisscrossing and comprehend supreme Sword Intent; some hear faint Dao sounds and awaken to their true nature; some merely sit quietly for three days and wake to find their bottleneck dissolved. It all depends on individual karma and fortune."

"When do we go?" Shi Ran asked, her heart both expectant and faintly apprehensive. She had only recently entered the middle stage of Foundation Establishment; her cultivation still needed consolidation. Her spirit soul, though more condensed thanks to the Patrol Heaven Token's feedback, was still at a very vague stage regarding perception of the so-called "Great Dao." What harvest would this trip bring?

"After the spring opening." Gu Yusheng said, "The Enlightenment Pavilion opens only during specific periods each year, and requires advance application. Our qualifications have already been registered; the time is set for the second day of the second month, the Dragon Raises Its Head day, taking the auspicious omen of 'raising one's head to see the Dao.' Right now the year-end is near, so we can take this chance to rest and consolidate, and also familiarize ourselves with our small team's coordination."

At the mention of the team, several people's expressions grew a bit more formal.

Luo Changfeng stroked his chin: "A fixed team... there are quite a few in the Patrol Heaven Division, and the benefits are indeed many. Missions can be chosen to better suit one's own abilities; contribution point distribution has fixed regulations; most importantly, knowing each other's roots and bottoms, when entrusting life and death to one another, it saves too much unnecessary suspicion and running-in. You three," his gaze swept over Gu, Mei, and Shi, and he grinned, "one steady and heavy, sword formations unmatched; one Ice Soul Cold Heart, decisive in killing; one righteous and awe-inspiring, specially counters evil demons. Heh, this combination complements each other very well."

Xiao Muyu also chimed in: "Exactly? In the future, any high-difficulty missions suitable for teams will probably be monopolized by you lot. When the time comes, don't forget to give this senior brother a lift."

Qi Chengshuang, though still sparing with words, also raised her cup in a gesture; her cold, hard mouth corners seemed to soften by half a degree.

After a round of banter, the night deepened, and the snow fell even heavier. The several people dispersed separately. Shi Ran returned to her own small courtyard. Pushing open the door, the room was clear and cold, but her heart was hot. She lit a lamp and took out that Patrol Heaven Token; the token glowed with a warm, moist luster in the candlelight, and the patterns on its surface seemed clearer than before. In the battle at the Corrupt Poison Pool, she had nearly run out of oil and lamp — at the end of her rope — yet it was precisely in that extreme state that she seemed to have touched a vaster, more ancient power deep within the token. It was not something she could currently control, yet it was like a seed, buried deep in her spirit soul.

The year-end passed quickly. The Floating Dream Sect's lantern-hanging, colorful atmosphere had not yet fully dissipated when the cultivation rhythm had already returned to normal. Aside from consolidating her cultivation and reviewing the several basic formulas recorded in the Patrol Heaven Token, Shi Ran practiced coordination with Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue.

Gu Yusheng mainly cultivated the "Bright Moon Sword Classic"; his sword momentum was majestic and upright, especially skilled at layout and control. Once a sword formation was deployed, offense and defense were integrated within its range. Mei Ruoxue's "Profound Ice True Solution" excelled at condensation and explosion; single-target killing power was extremely strong, and area clearing was also formidable. Shi Ran's Patrol Heaven Token power leaned more toward purification, suppression, and special effectiveness against evil demons. The three sought out a secluded mountain valley and sparred and meshed day after day.

At first there was naturally some unfamiliarity. Gu Yusheng's sword formation range and Mei Ruoxue's extreme cold domain needed coordination, otherwise they might interfere with each other. Shi Ran's purification golden light did not harm allies, but timing was crucial — too early might disrupt the rhythm, too late might miss the opportunity. Fortunately, the three had transparent minds and extremely high comprehension; in just over half a month, their coordination had gradually become tacit.

This day, the three had just finished a simulated confrontation and were regulating their breath to recover. Gu Yusheng's Communication Jade Talisman suddenly lit up.

He read the message, his brows furrowing slightly: "News from the Patrol Heaven Division — in the direction of the Corrupt Poison Pool, the warning array we laid down was triggered once three days ago. But when the duty disciples rushed over, they found no intruders, no battle traces at the scene, only signs that the array had been briefly disturbed by an extremely clever technique and then returned to normal."

Mei Ruoxue's eyes sharpened: "Was it the demon cultivator who set the array returning to check?"

"High probability." Gu Yusheng nodded. "The other party is clearly very cautious; they did not forcefully break the array, only probed. This shows either they are extremely confident in their concealment methods, or... they don't want to startle the snake and have other schemes."

A thread of unease rose in Shi Ran's heart: "The Demon Abyss fragments... the Golden Core demon cultivator stealing the origin... what exactly do they want to do?"

"The sect and the Patrol Heaven Division are both investigating." Gu Yusheng put away the jade talisman. "This matter has already exceeded our current ability range; elders will handle it. What we must do now is prepare for the Enlightenment Pavilion trip, and accumulate strength. Only by becoming sufficiently strong ourselves can we cope with any future changes that may appear."

He looked at his two companions, gaze firm: "Don't forget, we are already a team. The road ahead may be even more perilous than the Corrupt Poison Pool, but walking shoulder to shoulder, we will always break through."

Mei Ruoxue and Shi Ran looked at each other, both seeing the same determination in the other's eyes.

The second day of the second month arrived in a blink.

The Tianshuan Sect was located in the central region of the seven sects; its mountain terrain was strikingly rugged, and the density of its spiritual energy crowned the seven sects. The Enlightenment Pavilion was not a single tower or pavilion, but a natural cavern group in the forbidden area behind the main peak, transformed and reinforced by generations of great powers.

Gu Yusheng, Mei Ruoxue, and Shi Ran arrived at the Tianshuan Sect mountain gate via a transfer array; steward disciples verified their identities and led them toward the rear mountain. Along the way, the Tianshuan Sect disciples' bearing was indeed extraordinary — each and every one full of spirit and vitality, their walking bearing hidden order.

The guide was a kindly middle-aged steward who explained the precautions as they walked: "Inside the Enlightenment Pavilion, use of any offensive techniques is prohibited; loud clamor is prohibited; leaving any personal marks is prohibited. Each person will be guided into an independent quiet room; the quiet room connects with the cavern's origin, and what one can perceive depends entirely on the individual. When the three days are up, the quiet room doors will open automatically; regardless of whether there was any harvest, one must leave immediately and may not linger."

As they spoke, they arrived before a cliff wreathed in clouds and mist on the rear mountain. Vines hung down the cliff face, looking ordinary, but the Patrol Heaven Token in Shi Ran's hand grew slightly warm, sensing that this place was shrouded in a powerful yet hidden barrier force.

The middle-aged steward took out a jade talisman key and pressed it against a spot on the cliff. Soundlessly, the clouds and mist parted to the sides, revealing a cave entrance just wide enough for one person. The cave interior was not pitch black; instead, a hazy, starlight-like glow flowed within.

"Go in. Follow the light path and you will naturally reach your quiet rooms. I wish the three Dao friends all have gains."

Gu Yusheng went first, Mei Ruoxue second, Shi Ran last; the three stepped into the cave entrance in turn.

The moment they stepped in, all sounds from the outside world seemed to be cut off. An indescribable stillness enveloped the whole body. Underfoot was a small path paved with soft light halos, winding deep inside. The cave walls on both sides were not rock, but resembled some kind of semi-transparent, solidified amber, inside which countless fine light points slowly flowed, arose, and perished, as if recording the Great Dao's vicissitudes since eternity.

Shi Ran held her breath, afraid of disturbing this profundity. She felt the spiritual power in her body, and even the Patrol Heaven Token deep in her spirit soul, producing an extremely faint resonance with the surrounding environment. It was a kind of call, a kind of attraction.

The small path soon forked; Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue were respectively drawn toward different directions. The three nodded to each other, then each followed that dark, unseen pull.

Shi Ran alone walked along a light path growing ever more tranquil. After an unknown time, a doorway with flowing light halos appeared ahead. She pushed the door and entered.

Inside was a stone room, not large, furnished with extreme simplicity — only a single meditation cushion. The stone room's four walls likewise presented a semi-transparent amber texture; inside, light points flowed even more actively. And at the top of the stone room, it was not sealed, but seemed to directly connect with the deep night sky; dots of starlight drooped down, yet did not illuminate the stone room, merely floating and rotating quietly.

Shi Ran sat cross-legged on the cushion, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tried to empty her thoughts, sinking her mind into this strange heaven and earth.

At first, it was a chaotic darkness and silence. Gradually, she "heard" some sounds — not heard by ears, but resonating directly in her heart sea. It was the low chant of wind sweeping across an ancient wilderness, the perseverance of flowing water scouring stubborn rocks, the violence of thunder tearing the vault of heaven, the vitality of a seed breaking through soil... countless natural sounds intertwined, yet not noisy; instead they formed a grand and harmonious rhythm.

Her consciousness seemed to be carried by this rhythm, slowly rising. She "saw" the birth and death of light points — those were not merely light, but manifestations of certain laws. A wisp of flame igniting and extinguishing interpreted the momentary alternation of "existence" and "nothingness"; an ice crystal condensing and melting enacted the eternal contradiction of "solidification" and "flow"; a barely visible crack extending and healing in the amber wall, as if time's trace, yet also narrating the cycle of "damage" and "repair"...

All kinds of insights came in a rush, yet could not be grasped in substance. She was like a bewildered child who had stumbled into a palace filled with treasures, dazzled and confused, not knowing what to pick up first.

Time lost meaning here. After an unknown duration, Shi Ran's mind gradually felt fatigue; that vast, boundless information scouring was not something her current realm could endure for long.

Just as her consciousness was about to sink into a deeper layer of chaos, the Patrol Heaven Token deep in her spirit soul suddenly gave a slight tremble.

A gentle yet incomparably firm force welled up from the token — not spiritual power, but a more primordial breath: order, guardianship, inspection, purification. The moment this breath touched the Great Dao rhythm representing heaven and earth's nature flowing in the stone room, they did not clash; instead it was as if they had found a point of resonance.

In an instant, the scene before Shi Ran's "eyes" changed.

Those miscellaneous natural sounds and scenes of light points arising and perishing rapidly faded. She seemed to stand in a boundless void; beneath her feet was a vast land, above her head a vast galaxy. She saw civilization's lights kindling dot by dot in the darkness, and saw war and disaster devour those lights; saw kindness and order gathering like trickling streams into a river, and saw chaos and evil spreading like poisonous weeds.

And in her hand, she seemed to be upholding something. It was a token's virtual shadow; where its light shone, chaos was sorted, evil was suppressed, collapsed order was repaired, feeble light was sheltered. That was not creation, nor destruction, but "maintenance," "inspection," "persisting in that one hard-won standard amidst myriad changes."

Patrol Heaven... Patrol Heaven...

These two characters were no longer a simple job title, but transformed into a heavy moral principle, branded into her heart and soul. She faintly understood the meaning of the Patrol Heaven Token choosing her, and also faintly touched the path she might walk in the future — a path that runs parallel to heaven and earth's natural Dao, yet belongs uniquely to the "human" Dao of order.

Just at the instant this realization arose, several strands of the starlight drooping from the stone room's top were suddenly drawn as if by attraction, floating down lightly and fusing into her brow center. A cool, moist breath instantly flowed through her whole body, moistening her spirit soul slightly dried by the insight, and also letting her middle Foundation Establishment cultivation barrier quietly loosen a thread.

Three days' time passed in a flash.

When the stone room door silently opened again, Shi Ran slowly opened her eyes. Her pupils were clear and bright; compared to three days ago, they held a few parts less youthful rawness, a few parts more stillness and transparency. Her cultivation had not surged, but she could feel that her control over spiritual power, her perception of the Patrol Heaven Token, and even her understanding of her own path had all become much clearer and firmer.

Walking out of the quiet room, returning to where the light paths converged, Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue were already waiting there.

Gu Yusheng's whole-body aura was even more rounded and restrained; between the opening and closing of his eyes, sword shadows seemed to arise and perish — clearly he had made progress in the Sword Dao. Mei Ruoxue's aura was even more clear, cold, and penetrating, like a piece of cold jade that had been tempered; the coldness had not lessened, but appeared even purer.

The three looked at each other, each seeing harvest in the other's eyes; no need for many words, a slight smile, and everything was understood without speaking.

Leaving the Enlightenment Pavilion, on the road back to the Floating Dream Sect, Gu Yusheng said: "The Enlightenment Pavilion's gains need time to digest and transform into true strength. Our team's first official mission should also be put on the agenda. I've already collected several alternatives from the Patrol Heaven Division; we'll discuss together after returning."

A new journey is about to formally raise its curtain. Shi Ran gazed toward the distant horizon's flowing clouds, her heart filled with calm anticipation. The Patrol Heaven Token in her hand grew slightly warm, as if also responding in kind.