Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao Chapter 1526 - 50: Fake Saint Spirit
Previously on Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao...
Had Zhou Yan been ignorant of a modicum of causality, or perhaps forsaken the White Fox out of enchantment by those dazzlingly talented and bewitching beauties, a different, heart-wrenching end would have unfurled.
Ultimately, the actual conclusion held little sway. In matters of emotion, both Bai Ying and Zhou Yan regarded it with ease.
However, if the outcome had been such, it would have unequivocally proven Zhou Yan’s inability to escape the allure of the Red Dust, thereby failing his Enlightenment.
In that specific scenario, it would indeed have been a genuine failure, rendering Bai Ying’s earnest endeavors utterly futile.
At this juncture, having reached its apex, this existence saw Zhou Yan and Bai Ying, on the precipice of their departure, leaning against a rugged mountaintop. They still gazed upon the sunrise, peacefully nestled together, their hearts content.
Yet, within the span of this life, Zhou Yan never truly grasped any Holy Spirit Transformation Method. While this remained the most profound regret in his heart, the sheer joy of his togetherness with the White Fox left him without a trace of remorse.
Provided there was no failure, it was, in essence, a form of success.
With this thought, Zhou Yan bestowed a kiss upon the aged Bai Ying’s forehead, his own eyes dimming, and then he completely vanished from this Dust World.
Following Zhou Yan's departure, Bai Ying likewise passed away, accompanying him.
Only, with their dual demise, Heaven and Earth did not entirely cease to exist.
For the realm of Heaven and Earth, much like a pinpoint of light, suddenly plunged directly into the depths of Zhou Yan’s brow, reconstituting itself into a world that had once been shattered.
A completely new Lei Yan Continent materialized.
The vital energy pervasive throughout this nascent Lei Yan Continent mirrored the life essence of the world Zhou Yan had formerly inhabited.
This, too, was a realm imbued with the principles of culture, an academic world.
It was merely that the inherent Order within had undergone a transformation, aligning and unifying seamlessly with Zhou Yan’s own Lei Yan Continent.
...Upon awakening, Zhou Yan experienced an overwhelming sense of Completion.
The sojourn in that Dust World felt like an intricate dreamscape, albeit one of profound reality.
Zhou Yan meticulously assessed his current state, promptly discovering that his Realm had inexplicably reached the Nine Layers Realm of the Eternal Eight Rules.
His Nirvana Immortal Monarch state had advanced directly to the Ninth Layer!
This surge in progress was something Zhou Yan himself hadn’t anticipated, but after careful introspection, he gradually came to comprehend it.
The myriad heart knots and profound insights gleaned from the Red Dust, the repeated contemplation of "The Book of Changes" and "Tao Te Ching," the understanding of subtly guiding Qi to achieve gentleness, and so forth, were evidently the catalysts for this Realm’s advancement.
Perhaps unconsciously, comprehending the "Book of Changes" and mastering the ultimate King’s Dao of calmly directing Qi towards gentleness, the previous imperfections within Zhou Yan’s Nirvana Path were rendered immeasurably whole.
Zhou Yan realized that if his previous Realm corresponded to combat power at the Half-step Monarch Realm, then his current combat strength had now surpassed that threshold!
At the very least, an ordinary Half-step Monarch Realm cultivator would no longer pose a challenge to Zhou Yan.
Regarding the Eternal Spirit, a slight regret lingered, as it had not yet transformed into the Fake Saint Spirit. The precise method for this transformation remained unknown to Zhou Yan.
As Zhou Yan’s mind delved into these profound thoughts, Bai Ying also stirred. Upon opening her eyes, her gaze met Zhou Yan’s, filled with an emotion of absolute adoration.
After a considerable pause, she withdrew her intense stare. She nearly uttered the word “husband” but ultimately refrained.
She understood that the single lifetime spent within the Dust World represented the ultimate destiny for the both of them.
After all, numerous challenges lay ahead in the future, making a deeper connection between them improbable.
“Zhou Yan, I never imagined that even while under enchantment, you would possess such magnificence. Initially, I struggled to comprehend Gu Xi’s affection for you. While you weren’t entirely unremarkable, you hadn’t truly captured my heart. But now…”
As Bai Ying spoke, a faint, bitter smile graced her lips.
Hearing her words, Zhou Yan ceased his deductions, offered a gentle smile, and inquired, “Yingying, could it be that after experiencing a full lifetime in the Dust World, you no longer recognize me as your husband?”
Zhou Yan’s question, though playfully posed, carried a warmth that caused Bai Ying to tremble subtly.
Bai Ying’s eyes shimmered with a complex blend of joy and emotion as she replied, “Zhou Yan… husband, truthfully, having lived through an entire lifetime in the Dust World is already an immense happiness. I desire nothing more, for merely possessing the memories of that lifetime of bliss is already sufficient.”
As Bai Ying voiced her thoughts, her gaze held a complex, yet undeniably sincere, affection as she looked towards Zhou Yan.
Despite the swirl of emotions in her eyes, the tenderness and evident love were unmistakable.
Zhou Yan moved closer, encircling Bai Ying in a gentle embrace. He spoke softly, "Silly girl, in truth, during that lifetime in the Dust World, I harbored a unique dream. It was precisely after that moment when you were covered in blood that my memories were fully restored. Thus, the bond between us transcends this single lifetime in the Dust World; it stretches beyond it.
Initially, I had no intention of wandering aimlessly. However, Bai Ying, you were already destined to be mine, were you not?"
Zhou Yan's words were accompanied by a tender caress along Bai Ying’s firm and proud hips.
A delicate tremor ran through Bai Ying’s body, but she murmured softly, melting into Zhou Yan’s embrace, clinging to him tightly.
"Husband, once peace settles upon the world, let us live out our days together until our hair turns white."
"Such days are truly wondrous. It’s understandable why many Eternal Life Beings, even knowing the Dust World is an illusion, still find solace and contentment within it."
"It seems these experiences are not solely dependent on one's true heart and will," Bai Ying mused with deep emotion.
Zhou Yan gently brushed her cheek, assuring her, "These desires will surely be fulfilled. Once everything is stabilized, I will personally ensure happiness for all my women."
He continued, pondering aloud, "I sense that the Dust World has seen significant progress this time, yet the chasm between the Eternal Spirit and the Holy Spirit remains as vast as mountains and rivers. Could there have been a flaw in the teachings of this Dust World?"
Zhou Yan’s inquiry and the genuine concern in his voice brought a broad smile to Bai Ying’s face.
"Husband, in reality, these teachings have been exceptionally successful. The reason you perceive such a wide gap is simply that you have not yet completed the final stage of transformation!"
Bai Ying then proceeded to elaborate on the distinctions between the Eternal Spirit and the Holy Spirit.
It was then that Zhou Yan truly grasped the situation. "In that case, it implies that the experiences of the past life serve as a foundation, and then you will cultivate with me, teaching me... wouldn't that mean..."
Zhou Yan looked at Bai Ying, his expression becoming distinctly peculiar.
Feeling a blush creep onto her cheeks, Bai Ying confessed, "If we were speaking of ordinary affections, then during the teaching process, I would merely construct an alluring world using Soul Power, which would suffice. But now, with our perfect harmony and spiritual connection, if we can achieve the dual cultivation of the Eternal Spirit, it will propel Eternal Life Beings towards an ultimate transformation."
"Dual cultivation of the Eternal Spirit..."
Zhou Yan's heart fluttered, echoing his recent thoughts and deductions.
Suddenly, a profound understanding dawned upon Zhou Yan.
Still, the remarkable ability of Bai Ying's enchanting clan to possess such knowledge and methods was truly astonishing.
Without hesitation, Zhou Yan knew that Bai Ying’s devotion was absolute. To refuse her now would not only wound her deeply but also signify a lack of responsibility and conviction on his part.
Therefore, Zhou Yan nodded in agreement, stating, "In that case, do not consider yourself a mere 'Ding Furnace.' You must understand that such a designation would be a form of harm to me. Even if I were to achieve unparalleled success, a sense of unease would forever linger."
"Husband, please do not worry. I know you intimately, how could I possibly misunderstand this? To inflict harm upon oneself for the sake of a beloved, how can that be considered true love?"
"Such love is, in fact, quite shallow!" Bai Ying affirmed resolutely.
Bai Ying's thoughtfulness filled Zhou Yan's heart with even deeper affection.
Currently, the Nirvana Immortal Monarch has, inexplicably, reached the Nine Layers Realm of the Eternal Eight Rules. This signifies that once the Fake Saint Spirit undergoes its transformation, Zhou Yan's combat prowess will ascend dramatically, placing him undoubtedly above all life forms below the King.
Zhou Yan eagerly anticipated this moment.
Following this understanding, Zhou Yan and Bai Ying engaged in a detailed discussion. Bai Ying expounded on various techniques. Despite the inherent difficulty in articulating the process, which ignited a fervent passion within Zhou Yan, she elucidated every step with clarity.
Consequently, Zhou Yan initiated highly intimate actions with Bai Ying.
It was at this point that Zhou Yan realized the truth behind certain words the Emperor had spoken before his departure – words that demanded careful consideration. Otherwise, why would the Emperor have conveyed them?
However, Bai Ying had initially expected the situation to unfold differently, but it had now far surpassed her expectations.
....
Through this unique dual cultivation of the Eternal Spirit, Zhou Yan's own Eternal Spirit began to transform, emitting the distinct aura of a Holy Spirit. The commotion accompanying such a profound change was indeed significant. Zhou Yan's innate vitality was exceptionally vigorous in this regard, to such an extent that Bai Ying's enchanting and alluring form could barely withstand the intensity.
After a single session of dual cultivation, Bai Ying's Eternal Spirit had fainted multiple times, leaving her utterly depleted and weak.
Nevertheless, the benefits of this transformation were immediately apparent.
Zhou Yan’s Eternal Spirit, infused with the remnants of his past life from the Dust World, finally evolved into the nascent form of an Eternal Holy Spirit.
At this profound stage, Zhou Yan understood that Bai Ying had poured nearly all her might into catalyzing his transformation. She had guided him through the Original Rules, allowing his potential to fully awaken and achieve this metamorphosis.
Following this, within the resonant balance of the Yin Yang Origin Rules, Bai Ying bestowed a portion of her own cultivation onto Zhou Yan. As Zhou Yan underwent a powerful resurgence, he began to mend and strengthen through the mutual cultivation of his Eternal Spirit.
Consequently, Bai Ying, from the very beginning to the end, gained no tangible advantages beyond a slight refinement and transformation of her own cultivation realm. Yet, even such a subtle shift held significant weight for someone at her level.
While Bai Ying also underwent these profound changes, it was Zhou Yan who experienced unparalleled advancements across every facet of his being.
The King’s Realm of the Eternal Eight Rules became exceptionally solid, almost entirely refined to its absolute zenith.