Chapter 2038: This is a Form of Cultivation

"Not everyone is born noble; most people have humble origins, which is why their hearts are strong enough. This world was never fair from the start," Chen Yu said with a smile.

"Perhaps," Xueli said, her expression somewhat puzzled. "If there is a chance, I would like to understand what the world of ordinary people is really like."

"I suggest you don't bother, because you won't be able to fit in," Chen Yu said with a smile. "Every social stratum has its own way of life; there is no need for you to try to understand a social circle that doesn't belong to you."

"That's not necessarily true," Xueli smiled slightly and said leisurely, "In Huaxia, there is a type of person called an ascetic monk."

"They travel in groups or alone, living on just a monk's staff and an alms bowl, eating the wind and drinking the dew. If they can do it, I certainly can too."

"Their situation is still a bit different," Chen Yu shook his head and said. "For them, it is not about understanding life, but a form of cultivation."

"In a sense, isn't delving into life also a form of cultivation?" Xueli countered.

"This... what you say seems to make sense; for a moment, I actually found myself unable to refute it," Chen Yu was stunned. Indeed, delving into life is also a form of cultivation.

"Then, after our business in the Snow Plains is finished, will you take me to delve into life?" Xueli asked.

"If I have time, I will take you to delve into life, but I'm afraid I won't have the time," Chen Yu said with a smile.

"Are you going to resolve your own affairs?" Xueli asked.

"Yes, it is time to resolve my own affairs," Chen Yu said. "I have been abroad for so long just to find the whereabouts of that person; I didn't expect it to be delayed for such a long time."

"Alright then, but I believe there will eventually be a chance," Xueli said with some regret, but then she smiled indifferently and said, "I will wait for you."

"Let's go. Before dark, we must reach Xuefengling; otherwise, the heavy snow that fills the sky at night will bury us inside," Chen Yu said.

Xueli nodded and quickened her pace, and the group hurried forward.

In the blink of an eye, it was already dusk. The Snow Plains were a vast expanse of white, and one could not see any plants or animals at all.

The white snow made one's eyes sting; standing in the ice and snow for a long time would cause snow blindness.

Moreover, this place never saw the sun all year round, and everywhere one went was frozen.

Before dark, the group finally arrived at the place called Xuefengling.

This was a post station from the Middle Ages. Centuries ago, this area was not yet part of the Snow Plains, but following an extermination-style attack, the place became uninhabited and was gradually covered by wind and snow.

Time has passed, and in the blink of an eye, several centuries have gone by. The post station is still here, but the bustling scenes of the past are gone from the surroundings.

"We will spend the night here and continue our journey early tomorrow morning," Jinsang said after taking a look around.

He walked up to the post station and wiped the snow off the stone tablet standing there, revealing a line of text.

"Have you been to this place before?" Looking at his expression, one knew that this place was definitely extraordinary and held some kind of significance for him.

"When my mother took me to escape the Snow Plains back then, we hid here for several days," Jinsang said. "I was still small at the time, and my mother gave all the food we had to me."

"These things left a deep impression on me, as if they happened yesterday, but in fact, several decades have already passed."

"Pray for your mother; she was a very great woman," Xueli sighed slightly.

She made the sign of the cross on her chest and silently recited some passages from the Bible.

"Thank you," a hint of a smile finally appeared on Jinsang's face. "She also came from a poor background."

"She probably never imagined that many years after her death, the Saintess of the Pope would personally pray for her, right?"

"In the eyes of our Pope, everyone is equal. It is just that people are born to experience many hardships, and only after experiencing hardships can one enter heaven after death," Xueli said, slowly opening her eyes after finishing her prayer.

"To be honest, do you believe that yourself?" Jinsang's mouth twitched, revealing a helpless expression.

"Not everyone is born into this world to suffer. Some people are born noble and never know what hardship is in their entire lives, while others are born as paupers; no matter how hard they try, they can never climb to the heights of those nobles."

Jinsang slowly raised his head and said, "Tell me, are all living beings equal?"

"All living beings were never equal," Chen Yu said indifferently. "Just as you said, some are born noble, while others are born to experience layer upon layer of hardship."

"Those born into poverty spend their whole lives unable to reach the heights others are born at; this is the injustice of this world."

Xueli fell into Silence. At this moment, she suddenly felt doubt about her faith; she didn't even know if the principles she had insisted on for so long were truly correct.

"Alright, don't doubt your faith. There is nothing wrong with your faith; the Pope's philosophy is to teach people forbearance, which in itself is not a problem," Chen Yu grinned and patted Xueli on the shoulder.

"It's just that sometimes, in the face of reality, those principles cannot withstand scrutiny."

"I know," Xueli raised her head and said softly, "My background is not considered noble; it was just my good luck that I was taken away by the Pope when I was young."

"Because Old Ivan said I had pure eyes and a heart that could perceive all things in the world, he felt that I could become the Saintess in the future."

"I have been working hard all these years, and I did not fail his expectations, becoming the Saintess. So I don't know what the suffering you speak of is. Chen Yu, after this matter is over, I must delve into the world of ordinary people to experience it."

"Why must you do this?" Chen Yu said with some helplessness. "The Life of some people is born this way, and all living beings are not equal to begin with."

"No, only when I experience the lives of ordinary people will I understand them better, and only then can I make our Pope's teachings more perfect so that we can save more people," Xueli said.

"Your intentions are good," Chen Yu stared at Xueli, "but the Pope's goal is to develop believers and constantly grow stronger; they... have never thought about saving those in suffering."

"I know," Xueli nodded. "I also realize that with my own strength, it is very difficult to change this status quo, but I still want to try."

"Alright then," Chen Yu said helplessly. "If you want to try, then go ahead. You are a stubborn person with your own ideas; no one can sway your thoughts."