One year later, atop Yanlai Peak.
Outside the cave, a babbling brook flows by, splashing water onto the layers of rocks and flowing over the small pebbles beneath the surface. Beside the brook stands a huge rock, eroded by the water.
On the flat surface of the boulder, the boy sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and cultivated, his spiritual energy circulating within his body to form a complete cycle.
After being pierced through the heart and killed by "Ruan Qing'an" once again in the illusion, Shen Changlin suddenly woke up and leaned against the boulder, panting heavily.
"Ha ha……"
He closed his eyes to suppress the pain that seemed to be really happening to his body, and the... almost uncontrollable hatred.
For a full year, the black mist seemed to be proving itself right, with illusions appearing one after another in Shen Changlin's mind day and night. He was killed again and again—yet, everything that appeared in the black mist became real.
From the major secret realms that appeared in the cultivation world this year and the various major events that occurred, to the minor accidents that happened within and outside the Myriad Paths Sect, everything matched the illusion perfectly...
The black mist told him that these were all memories from his past life.
After a long pause, Shen Changlin finally opened his eyes, rolled off the boulder, and a deep blackness faintly appeared in the boy's clear eyes, with a wisp of black mist drifting by. He closed his eyes again, and the clues disappeared.
During this year, Shen Changlin felt as if he had been split in two, and occasionally... even he couldn't tell himself apart.
Shen Changlin subconsciously looked towards the tightly closed cave.
He staggered to his feet, suppressing all the emotions emanating from the black mist, and turned to walk towards the cave, his steps never faltering.
Ruan Qingan has been in seclusion for a year and has not emerged since.
Before the cave, the chilling aura of the blade made it impossible for anyone to even get close. But when Shen Changlin approached, his sharp and intimidating aura suddenly softened, as if a teacher were affectionately stroking his hair.
Like a weary bird returning to its nest, he placed his hand on the tightly closed stone door.
It was as if I could still feel her presence...
Within his mind, the voice of the black mist carried a hint of coldness: "Even in my past life, I never felt such attachment to her."
"You'll regret it after she betrays you."
"Shut up."
Shen Changlin's voice was hoarse, even faintly revealing murderous intent: "Don't let your emotions affect me anymore, otherwise—even if you've already died once, I'll make you die again!"
"Heh... I am you, Shen Changlin."
The black mist's laughter was mocking, and then it fell silent.
【Affection Level: 50】
The woman who saved him in the village, the woman who ripped out his heart in the illusion... Shen Changlin could only suppress the hatred in the illusion and barely distinguish who he really was by recalling his brief time with her over and over again.
Love born from extreme hatred is like a flower swaying in hell, carrying a twisted attachment.
Shen Changlin's eyelashes trembled slightly: "Master..."
Just then, the unrestrained sword intent outside the cave suddenly disappeared, as if it had been washed away in an instant, its sharpness concealed. After a slight creak, the corner of a crescent-white robe appeared behind the tightly closed stone door.
The figure he had been reminiscing about for a year appeared behind the door. Ruan Qing'an raised his hand slightly and caught Shen Changlin first.
"What's wrong?"
"Master, it has been a year."
Shen Changlin gave a bitter laugh.
Ruan Qing'an was slightly taken aback, then said in a deep voice, "I have found a way to break through to the next level. I hope to break through to the late stage of the Void Refinement realm through seclusion. After that, there is no time in cultivation. A year or ten years will pass in the blink of an eye."
"but--"
She paused, and a rare hint of guilt flickered in her usually cold and emotionless eyes, which were now mostly lead gray. While Shen Changlin was still in a daze, Ruan Qing'an suddenly leaned down and affectionately ruffled his hair, her fingertips brushing against the ends of his hair, creating a ticklish sensation.
Like tender shoots emerging after the frost has melted—
Shen Changlin stared blankly at her; her vibrant lips, like red plum blossoms, held a subtle gentleness that made his heart tremble.
"This year, I missed out. When we first met, you were only close to my shoulder, but now you're right next to my ear. The sect leader sent a message saying that the sect competition will be held this year and invited me to watch the final battle."
"Come with me, Changlin."
"Yes, Master."
When she said it, Shen Changlin instinctively agreed, and when Ruan Qing'an moved her hand away, he subconsciously hooked his fingertips around hers.
The slender and tall woman wore a plain white Taoist robe. Beside her stood a young man with an upright posture and a natural air of elegance. The two walked side by side, and in a flash, they descended Yanlai Peak.
The slightly cold voice and the boy's clear, cheerful voice faded into the distance.
"You've already reached the seventh level of Qi Refining? Not bad."
"I have only made some progress, Master. There are still some problems in my cultivation. May I ask you for help?"
"Ask away."
Shen Changlin had actually broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Even though his innate Dao Body was suppressed, his cultivation speed far surpassed that of others. However, everyone thought that his Dao Body was damaged, so the black mist in his sea of consciousness suppressed his cultivation aura in order not to arouse suspicion.
Unexpectedly, even Ruan Qing'an didn't notice. However, Shen Changlin didn't care. He had finally managed to see his master, and even if he had already asked Hei Wu about everything he didn't understand, he could still ask again.
The black mist in her sea of consciousness, upon hearing Ruan Qing'an's instruction, couldn't help but sneer: "This woman, she really knows how to put on an act—"
"Shut up."
The black mist, who hadn't finished speaking: I freaking...
...
About fifteen minutes later, the final battle will begin on the arena of the sect competition. The final winner will be number one, and will not only receive preferential treatment in future resources, but also various other benefits.
At that moment, Ruan Qing'an had just brought Shen Changlin to the viewing area above, right next to Zhan Hongyuan.
Zhan Hongyuan, sitting in the main seat, glanced at it and said casually.
"Elder Ruan has already reached the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm?"
"It was just a lucky breakthrough."
Zhan Hongyuan chuckled and shook his head, his gaze falling on Shen Changlin as if he were examining something. After a moment, he looked away and said, "It's starting."
As soon as he finished speaking, two disciples stepped onto the arena.
One of them was none other than Yang Lin, whom Shen Changlin was familiar with.
Just as the elder who was presiding was about to say "begin," Yang Lin suddenly interrupted, "Elder, I have a favor to ask."
"explain."
"Sect Master, if I can win first place in the sect competition, I wonder if I could exchange all the rewards for one request?"
On the arena, Yang Lin looked at Zhan Hongyuan and said solemnly.
Meanwhile, in the spectator stands, Shen Changlin, sitting next to Ruan Qing'an, narrowed his eyes, a wisp of black mist swirling around him, and looked at Yang Lin with a cold gaze.
He had a bad feeling...
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