Chapter 68

Second Update!

No freedom, no wind!

Chen Xi's mind was immersed in a profound realm, saying, "The Dao exists amidst the boundless ages of heaven and earth, and the Dao of wind exists in the mountains, rivers, green grass, and rocks... It is everywhere."

The wind blew over the hill, and the scattered clouds were its shadow; it blew over the lotus leaves, and their swaying postures were its traces. This is the rhythm and essence of the Dao!

Chen Xi sat quietly in a lotus position atop the mountain, his handsome face calm, while his mind soared with the wind in the vast sky, chasing and soaring.

Enlightenment!

Ji Yu stood in the distance, his sleeves fluttering, his clothes rustling, his eyes sharp like lightning, looking at Chen Xi with a hint of joy and pleasure.

Enlightenment is something that can be encountered but not sought. However, it inevitably exists at the moment of a sudden breakthrough after a long accumulation. Without prior diligent practice, even if one has the chance to touch a trace of the Dao, it is hard to grasp it.

Only with the accumulation of much experience can one, at the moment of opportunity, have their mind completely harmonize with heaven and earth, and observe and comprehend a trace of the Dao amidst the chaos.

The stars shifted, the moon rose, and the sun set.

As time passed, wisps of wind began to gather around Chen Xi, who was sitting cross-legged, caressing his hair and face, gentle like a long-lost lover.

"Jie!" A vulture flew from afar, its sharp eyes fixed on the young man on the cliff, as if seeing a delicious meal.

As an unenlightened wild bird, it did not sense any danger from Chen Xi. It was very hungry, having been so for a long time, and it could not think much about it. With a dive, it swiftly rushed over, claws outstretched, aiming to grab the young man.

But just as it was ten zhang away from Chen Xi's body,

Rip!

A hurricane-like wind appeared out of nowhere, its fierce traces containing the power of heaven and earth, instantly shredding the vulture into pieces. The blood, due to the dense and sharp wind traces, was shattered into blood mist, which then dissipated with the wind, leaving no trace of blood, a speed that was terrifyingly fast!

"He has enlightened, his strength has transformed. It won't be long before he can pass the first trial of the Heavenly Peak. As for me... I fear I will no longer be able to leave the cave dwelling."

Ji Yu's expression was complex, with a hint of confusion, then replaced by a determined look: "I have helped him enough. With his current strength and mind, he can stand on his own. If I stay by his side, it will only hinder his path to the Dao..."

Seven days later, at dawn, the sun rose, illuminating the world.

Chen Xi, sitting cross-legged on the cliff, opened his eyes, a rare smile appearing on his lips.

Whoosh!

In the next moment, without any visible movement, Chen Xi's figure appeared in the air, as if a pair of hurricane-formed wings had appeared behind him, slicing through the sky, soaring freely. His swift figure, like lightning, broke through countless air waves in the clouds, appearing dreamlike under the morning light.

Wind!

Freedom!

Chen Xi's figure became even faster, more free and unrestrained, like the elusive wind, hard to trace.

---

---

In the mountains, time passes without notice, and flowers fall without knowing the year.

Three months passed in a flash, and Mu Kui's anxiety gradually turned into calm.

The black ape king of the Kongsui Cave had not appeared, making Mu Kui increasingly believe that Xiong Pi was deceiving him and Chen Xi. If the black ape king were a vengeful being, how could he tolerate Chen Xi for three months?

One mountain cannot have two tigers? Nonsense!

Mu Kui, holding a wine flask, lay comfortably outside the cave, drinking leisurely.

He enjoyed such days, peaceful and quiet, with Chen Xi sitting on the mountain, he did not have to worry about other great demons harassing him or encroaching on his territory.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared out of nowhere, moving at an incredible speed, making Mu Kui's body stiffen, the wine flask falling to the ground. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Chen Xi.

Mu Kui felt embarrassed, thinking he must look very disheveled. However, Chen Xi's speed was indeed too fast, appearing in front of him in the blink of an eye, who wouldn't be scared half to death?

"Prepare a brush and a dish of ink for me." Chen Xi said, then entered the cave.

"Sure, I'll get it right away, Senior." Mu Kui quickly got up and prepared it, wondering what Chen Xi was going to do.

---

In the cave, Chen Xi took out a book from his storage ring, not a cultivation technique, but his insights and experiences from his cultivation.

After much contemplation, Chen Xi dipped his brush in ink and wrote down his cultivation experiences and new insights.

"Your brushwork is graceful and free, yet the spirit is strong and sharp. Each word is a gem, and seeing the words is like seeing the person. Your progress has indeed been significant." After Chen Xi finished writing, Ji Yu appeared, nodding in approval.

Without raising his head, Chen Xi took out a piece of paper and quickly wrote a line, handing it to Ji Yu.

Since the day he started cultivating body techniques and sword techniques, Ji Yu had required him to spend one day each month for self-reflection, to understand his strength changes and summarize combat experience.

Chen Xi called this self-reflection "Self-Reflection Record."

"Stop writing this kind of thing in the future."

Ji Yu returned the paper to Chen Xi, "Self-reflection is to encourage your progress and avoid going astray. Now that you have laid the foundation of the Dao and truly entered the path of the Dao, writing these things is no longer meaningful. What you need to do is to always align with the Dao and adhere to your true heart."

"Align with the Dao and adhere to your true heart..."

Chen Xi repeated it, lost in thought, and after a while, he recalled a question that had been troubling him and asked, "Senior, may I ask how my current strength compares to other Zifu cultivators?"

"What do you think?" Ji Yu countered.

Chen Xi thought for a moment and shook his head, "I have only fought Li Huai, who was at the Zifu realm, and at that time, I was only at the peak of the innate realm. I really can't make an accurate judgment."

Chen Xi indeed could not judge his combat strength. After all, his combat methods were of two types: one was the divine and demon body cultivation, relying on physical strength for close combat, and the other was the qi cultivation, which, after these days of hard practice, could already perform sword techniques and body techniques at the Dao level. However, due to the lack of combat with Zifu cultivators, his combat strength was inconsistent, making it hard to draw a conclusion.

"Killing ordinary Zifu cultivators is like slaughtering chickens and monkeys!" Ji Yu said shockingly.

Even though Chen Xi was mentally prepared, he still felt a bit stunned. Slaughtering chickens and monkeys? Could he really be that powerful?

"Surprised? You should know that your sword technique already contains a trace of Dao. Most Zifu cultivators are at the realm of unity with heaven and earth. In terms of sword technique, your strength already surpasses most Zifu cultivators."

"Let's talk about cultivation."

"In terms of qi cultivation, you have reached the first star of the Zifu realm. The 'Ice Crane Technique' is a precious cultivation method, and your true essence, in terms of both power and quantity, far surpasses that of ordinary Zifu cultivators."

Ji Yu spoke fluently, then showed a hint of regret, "Unfortunately, you have been focusing on martial cultivation and have neglected body cultivation. If you could bring your body cultivation to the Zifu realm and form the witch pattern star map, your strength would increase by at least twenty percent."

"Of course, with your current divine soul power, you are already capable of cultivating the 'Phantom God' technique, a divine soul attack. If you can master it, your chances of winning in battle will increase significantly."

Ji Yu quickly returned to his usual state and continued to analyze Chen Xi's combat strength, "In summary, your current strength should be able to match up with Zifu cultivators at the fifth star level."

"Zifu fifth star? Four levels higher?" Chen Xi opened his mouth, a bit disbelieving.

Ji Yu chuckled, "But don't underestimate Zifu cultivators. The transition from the innate realm to the Zifu realm is a fundamental leap, allowing the use of entry-level magical treasures. These guys have many tricks, skilled in various attack methods, formations, puppets, spirit fires, and spells... In their hands, they can unleash tremendous power."

"To put it simply, Zifu cultivators vary in strength. There are those who can kill Zifu ninth star cultivators, and even some who can kill Huangting cultivators!"

Chen Xi drew a deep breath, suddenly feeling more confused after listening to Ji Yu's explanation.

"What's so surprising? Didn't you kill a Zifu cultivator while still at the innate realm? At that time, you hadn't laid the foundation of the Dao, couldn't fly, and couldn't control magical treasures."

Ji Yu seemed to understand Chen Xi's feelings and smiled, "I've said a lot, but I just want to remind you, never underestimate any enemy, but don't fear battle. If you can't win, run. There's nothing wrong with that. Some strong people have grown stronger by being chased, eventually eliminating those who pursued them."

"That guy must have had incredible escape skills, otherwise, he would have been surrounded and killed long ago." Chen Xi felt a bit lighter and couldn't help but tease.

"Indeed, I remember that strong person was surnamed Han, with the nickname 'Han Running.' Unfortunately, he was a figure from before the ancient times."

Ji Yu's eyes showed a trace of reminiscence, sighed, and then changed the topic, "I suggest you focus on body cultivation and divine soul cultivation from today. Once you bring your body cultivation to the Zifu realm, you should be able to pass the first trial of the Heavenly Peak."

The first trial of the Heavenly Peak?

Chen Xi looked down at his palm, where a jade pendant pattern was faintly visible beneath the flesh.

Images quietly slipped through his mind: the mental imprint left by his mother, Zuoqiu Xue, the Star Secret Realm, the surging river where Senior Ji Yu was hidden, and the towering black Heavenly Peak in the middle of the river...

PS: Writing this chapter, listening to Xu Wei's song "Like the Wind, Free," I recalled the obsession I had with "The Ordinary" many years ago, and the memory of Han Running... Time has passed, and I've been writing for two or three years, truly a sigh of nostalgia.

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