Chen Jiuyang's whereabouts had been a mystery since he suffered qi deviation and his martial arts cultivation regressed, capturing the attention of many.
Some rejoiced, others gloated, and some worried.
The Patriarch of the Chen family, Marquis Feng Han, Elder Han, Lin Buwen, Yao Qianhe, Yao Zixuan, Lin Yuexian, Qiu Yihan, and others sat together.
Upon learning of Chen Jiuyang's qi deviation and disappearance, Lin Yuexian immediately flew back to Feng Province from Longjing.
"Why did Jiuyang suffer qi deviation and regress in his martial arts cultivation? What happened in between?"
Yao Zixuan bit her lip, her eyes complex, and said, "I don't know either. Jiuyang said he has a knot in his heart that needs time to untangle."
"Damn it!" Marquis Feng Han cursed in anger.
Such peerless genius talent, due to Zhou Fangzun and Xi Butui, suffered qi deviation and regression in his martial arts cultivation.
For a martial artist, this was akin to a catastrophic disaster.
Better to be dead than alive.
Qiu Yihan stared coldly at Yao Zixuan, her face like frost, and said in a chilling voice, "Because of you, this concubine, my Dao companion offended Xi Butui and Zhou Fangzun, resulting in the regression of his martial arts cultivation. A mere vase, yet you dare to shamelessly appear before me!"
Yao Zixuan was in a terrible mood, staring at Qiu Yihan and saying coldly, "If you hadn't insisted he participate in that Dao companion selection competition, would he have fallen into Zhou Fangzun's trap and developed an unsolvable knot in his heart?"
Lin Yuexian said calmly, "What's the point of arguing? The immediate priority is to find Jiuyang's whereabouts."
Yao Qianhe's expression was grim, "The vicinity of Ziyang County is vast wilderness and forests. We have already dispatched people to search."
Elder Han said coldly, "Jiuyang has suffered qi deviation and his martial arts cultivation has regressed. We must prevent Xi Butui from making a move to kill him, and find Jiuyang before the enemy discovers him."
Lin Buwen said, "There's no need to worry about this matter. My Lin family will intervene in official matters to prevent Xi Butui from making any moves."
The position of Prefect of a province was fourth rank, while Lin Xianxing of the Lin family was a third rank official. Lin Xianxing's daughter was Chen Jiuyang's woman. The news had already been released, and coupled with Xi Butui's loss of favor, any attempt to harm Chen Jiuyang by assisting Xi Butui at this time would undoubtedly incite public outrage.
...
The long road was silent.
The heart was trapped in doubt, sighing at the wasted time.
Footprints painted a picture of desolation, leaving only bleakness.
Chen Jiuyang walked through the mountains and forests, existing between life and death.
The fog in his heart had finally cleared.
In the mountains and forests, there were often strong winds and heavy rains. Chen Jiuyang let the wind and rain wash over him, indifferent.
His complexion was extremely pale.
What is life, what is death?
Should I die, or live?
Chen Jiuyang fell into a life-and-death interrogation of his own soul.
He walked for a day and a night, standing motionless in the storm.
In the primitive wilderness, all external things disappeared.
Lightning struck, and raindrops fell into the soil.
Lightning split the trees, and seeds fell from the branches. The raindrops nurtured the soil, and the soil provided for the seeds to sprout, eventually breaking through the surface and growing, providing shelter and a living environment for birds. The leaves on the branches also produced oxygen, allowing all things to breathe.
Chen Jiuyang suddenly thought of the Long March a hundred years ago. With what kind of thoughts did they embark on the twenty-thousand-li journey?
Was it for their own honor and benefit? No, they did it for the country and the people, for their faith.
Fu Niang was obsessed with Wang Juyuan for love.
Da Sha was obsessed with Lu Jueqing for familial affection.
Number One and the others sought no glory or wealth, following Chen Jiuyang wholeheartedly to sea to fight enemies.
They died, but their faith remained.
Though nameless, they were heroes.
Suddenly, Chen Jiuyang's body trembled, and a spark of light appeared in his eyes. His martial arts aura began to regress again, from the first layer of the Earth Realm to the peak of the Profound Realm.
They died, but they left behind seeds that inspired countless others to be more heroic. And at this moment, the seeds they left in Chen Jiuyang's heart began to sprout.
The knot in Chen Jiuyang's heart, which he could not let go of, sprouted into the vitality that allowed him to live.
It is the nameless heroes of generation after generation who have made the Dragon Country what it is today.
Nourishing things silently.
If Chen Jiuyang were to die now, those who died because of him would have died in vain. Chen Jiuyang finally faced his truest self.
After suffering, there is no need for brilliance. After suffering, ordinariness is also a kind of beauty.
His aura gradually diminished, but his heart grew brighter.
He needed to live; there were still many things waiting for him to do.
If the Dragon Country summons him in the future, he will go, regardless of life or death.
With whatever strength he has, he will contribute.
He would not let his efforts be wasted.
This was his way of confronting his inner turmoil. If the Dragon Country summoned him, he could disregard life and death.
Thus, Chen Jiuyang felt his submerged and turbid soul gradually becoming brighter.
"Hahahaha!"
In the forest, Chen Jiuyang laughed heartily, tears streaming down his face.
Between life and death, he had made his choice.
He took out the Yan Sheng Dao (Life-Aversion Blade) and asked calmly, "Did my personality change and my soul become turbid because of the Yan Sheng method?"
Yan Sheng Dao: "Yes."
"Life-aversion is protection of life. By devouring the essence and destiny of every life I end, it muddles the soul and personality of the blade master, thereby strengthening the soul and evading heavenly scrutiny."
After a long silence, Chen Jiuyang sighed, "If I am not myself, what use are the myriad methods in the world to me? This method is better left unused."
Yan Sheng Dao: "Does the blade master intend to change the method and the path?"
Chen Jiuyang said, "This journey from death to life, if I remain the same as before and do not forge my own path, I will ultimately not be myself."
Yan Sheng Dao: "This is a good thing. The Yan Sheng method was created and improved by two generations of love-cursed individuals. The second blade master died of unrequited love. You are the third blade master, also possessing outstanding talent. Changing the method and the blade is indeed a good idea."
"Does the blade master have an idea?"
"This experience between life and death, illusion and reality, truth and falsehood, has yielded profound insights."
Chen Jiuyang grabbed a handful of soil from the ground, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Eight-Nine Profound Art, to enhance my blood, soul, and physique."
"It is the origin, it cannot be abandoned."
"Instant Annihilation Martial Art, powerful in its lethality, makes me brave and fierce, it cannot be abandoned."
"Emperor Yu Divine Body Art, to transform my physical body, it cannot be abandoned."
"Yan Sheng method, devours destiny and life essence, has saved my life several times, but the side effects are immense..."
Chen Jiuyang slowly closed his eyes, and his entire being immediately entered a state of enlightenment.
What is the difference between life and death? They are inherently one.
If these methods and paths could be fused.
Gold, wood, water, fire, earth, mutually restraining, and yet regenerating from restraint.
All methods in the world arise from a single thought—
How to break through the myriad distracting thoughts of the world before me and clarify myself?
Chen Jiuyang raised the Yan Sheng Dao in his hand, and the black fiery blade aura abruptly changed, becoming a fiery red blade aura.
Yan Sheng Dao was surprised: "This third blade master not only has outstanding talent but also such exceptional comprehension!"
Fire appeared.
Chen Jiuyang's Three Revolutions Pure Yang blood was boiling and burning, appearing pale gold, with purple hues within the gold, giving a sense of sacredness and nobility.
Gold appeared.
Yan Sheng Dao was shocked: "He is truly changing his method and path, altering his fundamental being."