Chapter 3

"Enlightenment, I actually entered the legendary state of enlightenment! This is too good!" Thinking about how one enlightenment allowed him to break through to the second level of martial arts, even Zhang Ye, who was usually calm, couldn't help but feel excited.

Enlightenment is a unique state of understanding. For martial artists, after one enlightenment, their cultivation generally improves greatly. Even if there is no obvious improvement in cultivation, martial artists will gain a lot in terms of mental and spiritual strength, making their future cultivation path smoother. Enlightenment is something that martial artists can encounter but not seek, but Zhang Ye stumbled upon it and easily broke through to the second level of martial arts!

"Enlightenment, enlightenment! Haha!" Zhang Ye chuckled, but he was very clear that the reason he suddenly entered the state of enlightenment was entirely due to the *Tao Te Ching*!

The *Tao Te Ching* is a world-renowned book. Although it does not mention cultivation directly, all its discussions point directly to the essence of the great way. Although Zhang Ye had only read it for three days and understood very little, even grasping a bit of the surface was extraordinary, enough to put him into the state of enlightenment.

"If I can thoroughly understand the principles of heaven and earth described in the *Tao Te Ching* and comprehend the way of heaven and earth, I will surely become a supreme powerhouse in the world!" Zhang Ye stood up, slowly exhaled, and thought, "Although my talent is poor now, with this world-renowned book, as long as I work hard, I will surely find a path in martial arts. Among the powerhouses of the Wilderness Continent, there will surely be my place!"

He fiercely clenched his fist and walked out the door.

Sanhe Town, as the name suggests, is where three rivers converge. After breaking through to the second level of martial arts and undergoing true qi refinement, Zhang Ye's body was covered with impurities that smelled extremely foul. These impurities were hard to wash off, so Zhang Ye planned to go to a river not far from the Zhang residence to wash himself thoroughly.

Zhang Ye dove into the river like a fish, looking up at the sky while slowly washing off the impurities on his body. Although he had not eaten or slept for three days and three nights, after breaking through to the second level of martial arts, the true qi flowing in his body made him feel very clear-headed and alert despite his hunger.

After soaking in the water for a while, Zhang Ye felt the river water seeping into his skin and suddenly thought of the eighth chapter of the *Tao Te Ching*: "The highest virtue is like water. Water benefits all things without contention, staying in places that others disdain, thus it is close to the way..."

Soaking in the water, he repeatedly recited "the highest virtue is like water," pondering the various wonders of water. Zhang Ye felt a series of heart palpitations, as if he had grasped something, but he couldn't quite put it into words.

After thinking for a while, Zhang Ye felt a wave of fatigue. He regretfully shook his head and gave up on his contemplation. Enlightenment cannot be forced; if the mind is tired, it's best not to think further, as it could be harmful.

After soaking in the water for half a day, Zhang Ye saw that it was getting late and slowly made his way back. Just as he was about to return to his small courtyard, he saw a white-clad teenager standing outside, about thirteen or fourteen years old. The teenager stood with his hands behind his back, exuding a sense of vigor and confidence.

Seeing this teenager, Zhang Ye's brows slightly furrowed. This white-clad teenager was none other than his older brother, Zhang Shu. Zhang Shu was one of the most outstanding young experts in the Zhang family, having reached the peak of the second level of martial arts at just thirteen years old, and was on the verge of breaking through to the third level, making him the top young expert in Sanhe Town. Compared to Zhang Shu's outstanding talent, Zhang Ye was like a waste, and everyone knew that Zhang Shu was talented and powerful, but no one knew that Zhang Shu had a younger brother named Zhang Ye.

"Zhang Shu has outstanding talent, with a good teacher and a large amount of medicinal assistance. Although I am his younger brother, he has always looked down on me, a person with average talent. What does he want by coming to see me this time?"

While thinking, Zhang Ye slowly approached. Before he could speak, Zhang Shu spoke first, looking at Zhang Ye in surprise: "What? You actually broke through to the second level of martial arts! This is impossible, this is impossible, how is this possible?!"

Cultivation is extremely difficult. Although Zhang Shu had outstanding talent, he deeply understood the hardships of cultivation. With his talent, detailed guidance from a good teacher, and a large amount of medicinal assistance, he had only reached the peak of the second level of martial arts after so much cultivation. Zhang Ye, with average talent, no guidance, and no medicinal assistance, had also broken through to the second level, which made Zhang Shu both surprised and uncomfortable.

Hearing Zhang Shu's surprised tone, Zhang Ye said indifferently, "In this world, nothing is impossible."

Although Zhang Shu was his older brother, Zhang Ye felt uncomfortable when he thought about how his mother had quietly taken the body-refining pill that belonged to him and given it to Zhang Shu, so he didn't speak with a good attitude.

Hearing Zhang Ye's response, the surprise in Zhang Shu's eyes deepened. Zhang Ye was his younger brother, and although he had always looked down on him, he knew Zhang Ye's character. Zhang Ye had poor talent and lagged behind others in cultivation, often feeling inferior. In the past, when Zhang Ye spoke to him, he was always timid and cautious. But after not seeing him for a few months, Zhang Ye spoke with confidence and composure, exuding a different aura, completely different from his usual self.

For the first time, Zhang Shu felt that he couldn't see through his younger brother.

"Breaking through to the second level of martial arts is good, it can help me!" Zhang Shu suppressed his thoughts and directly stated his purpose: "Next month, I plan to have a match with Zhang Fang. This match is very important. If I win, the title of the top young expert in the Zhang family will belong to me, which will benefit us greatly.

Although I am not afraid of Zhang Fang, he has many followers, and I find it hard to deal with them. This time, I came to ask for your help to hold back Zhang Fang's followers, so they can't cause trouble, allowing me to defeat Zhang Fang smoothly..."

Hearing this, Zhang Ye finally understood Zhang Shu's intention: Zhang Shu wanted him to be a bodyguard!

Zhang Fang was the eldest son of the Zhang family's patriarch, Zhang Chengtian. His talent was not inferior to Zhang Shu, and both were at the peak of the second level of martial arts. Zhang Fang and Zhang Shu were both very outstanding, and people in the family often compared the two, making them dislike each other. A battle between them was inevitable.

If it were a normal day, Zhang Ye would definitely agree to help, even if he knew he would be beaten up. But after integrating his memories, Zhang Ye had become indifferent to the brotherly bond. Moreover, he had just obtained the world-renowned *Tao Te Ching* and successfully advanced to the second level of martial arts, opening up a path to becoming a powerhouse. Endless martial arts secrets awaited him, and he had no interest in participating in such a trivial competition for a title.

As soon as Zhang Shu finished speaking, Zhang Ye directly replied, "I have no interest in this. I can't help you."

Hearing that Zhang Ye refused without hesitation, Zhang Shu's face changed slightly, and he said, "Zhang Ye! We are brothers, and you won't even help me with this small favor?"

"Brothers?" Zhang Ye laughed bitterly, shook his head, and repeated, "I have no interest in this. I can't help you."

"You...!"

This younger brother, who had always followed his orders, repeatedly refused his requests, making Zhang Shu's anger surge. He glared at Zhang Ye with cold eyes, his face extremely ugly, and for a moment, he couldn't speak.

Zhang Ye ignored Zhang Shu's ugly face and walked straight back to his small courtyard.

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End of the chapter.