Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 41 Solitary Thoughts Under the Moon

Lu Ming flew back to Tianyan Peak on his sword. The wind howled in his ears, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in his heart.

He deliberately slowed down, weaving through the clouds, trying to let the coolness and vastness of the high sky wash away the inexplicable and chaotic emotions he had brought back from Baicao Peak.

As the sun set over their own courtyard, the horizon was already tinged with gold, casting a soft halo over the white walls and blue tiles of Tianyan Peak.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo leaves.

He didn't immediately begin his cultivation as usual, nor did he touch the Wind Spirit Sword. Instead, he sat silently on the stone bench, watching the clouds in the sky fade from splendor to silence until night fell and the stars began to appear.

The scene beside the herb garden during the day, like a frozen painting, kept replaying in his mind.

Hu Zhen's surprise when she saw him was genuine. The friendship that originated in Qinghe Village and had been tempered over five years in the outer courtyard had not faded even after they entered the inner sect.

He knew this perfectly well.

However, the appearance of Senior Brother Mu Chen, and the natural harmony between them based on their shared path, acted like an invisible mirror, reflecting the quietly changing distance between him and Hu Zhen.

This distance is not an emotional estrangement, but a divergence in life trajectories.

He recalled sitting side by side on the Immortal Mountain of Crossing Calamity, gazing at the starry sky and dreaming of the vague and distant immortal realm.

At that time, the future seemed like a broad road that we could walk side by side on.

Now, they have indeed entered the realm of immortals, but their paths have become specific and different.

Hu Zhen headed towards the vibrant life of Baicao Peak, Qin Feiyu rushed towards the fierce and domineering nature of Yanwu Peak, while he remained in the serene and tranquil atmosphere of Tianyan Peak.

"It's a great help..." Hu Zhen's words echoed again.

He wasn't jealous of Mu Chen's knowledge; it was an appreciation for a fellow traveler, pure and legitimate.

He lamented that he could no longer easily enter her world and share in the radiance she exuded with new knowledge, just as he had before.

What could he talk to her about? The ever-changing clouds of Tianyan Peak? The profound mysteries of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique? Or that wisp of Qingping Sword Intent that was difficult to control and even more difficult to describe?

In the stillness of the moonlit night, Lu Ming gazed silently at the night sky.

He realized that even the closest partners would eventually drift apart on their own paths, and perhaps they could only walk side by side for a short distance.

"Is the path of cultivation ultimately a solitary endeavor?" He murmured to himself, gazing at the bright moon in the sky.

The moonlight shone on his young yet somewhat serene face, revealing a hint of confusion that seemed out of place for his age.

This subtle ripple, born of affection, ultimately led to a deeper reflection on one's own path and the karmic connections between people.

He did not wallow in self-pity, but under the lonely moonlight, he began to sort out his inner thoughts and examine what he was truly pursuing.

"Junior Brother Lu, what a refined taste! Composing under the moon here?" A cheerful voice broke the silence of the courtyard.

Lu Ming came to his senses and saw that his senior brother Zhao Ling was leaning against the courtyard gate at some point, holding a small wine jar in his hand, with his signature slightly eccentric smile on his face.

"Senior Brother Zhao." Lu Ming stood up to greet him, concealing his thoughts.

"Don't be shy, have a seat."

Zhao Ling walked over and sat down opposite her without any hesitation, placing the wine jar on the stone table. "Judging from your expression, you seem to have something on your mind? What's wrong? Did you have a profound experience during your 'observation and learning' trip to Hundred Herbs Peak today?"

He winked, his tone teasing.

Lu Ming's face flushed slightly, knowing that his senior brother was insightful and must have guessed some of what was going on.

He sighed, not answering directly, but instead asking, "Senior Brother Zhao, what do you think we cultivators seek?"

Zhao Ling raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that he would ask such a "grand" question.

He broke the clay seal on the wine jar, and a clear, slightly fruity aroma wafted out. He poured a bowl for himself and Lu Ming each before slowly saying:

"What do you seek? That's a huge question. Immortality? Freedom from worldly constraints? Protection of all living beings? Or perhaps... the pursuit of a particular person?"

He drew out the last sentence, looking at Lu Ming with a mocking expression.

Lu Ming shook his head helplessly, picked up the wine bowl, took a sip, and felt a warm sensation flow into his stomach amidst the spiciness and sweet aftertaste.

"Senior brother, please don't make fun of me. I just feel that once you enter the inner sect, the paths are clearly defined, and it seems that the distance between people has also grown."

Zhao Ling toned down her joking tone, took a sip of wine, looked up at the moon, and said calmly, "Distance? It's always been there."

In the foreign language department, everyone studied the same things and walked the same paths, so they naturally felt close.

The inner circle, however, is different. Like branches of a tree, each extends its own way, seeking different kinds of sunlight and rain. This is not estrangement, but rather the norm.

He paused, then looked at Lu Ming: "What do you think of my relationship with my senior brother?"

"That's excellent," Lu Ming replied.

Chu Tianyi is calm and composed, while Zhao Ling is unrestrained and free-spirited. Their personalities are very different, but you can see that they trust each other and have a deep affection for one another.

"That's right." Zhao Ling smiled. "But do you know that our senior brother is an expert in array formations and can trap and kill thousands of troops in a small space?"

But I prefer talismans and escape techniques.

When we discuss and debate, we often argue until we're red in the face because we have different beliefs.

But that doesn't stop us from drinking together, from sparring with disciples from other peaks to uphold the honor of Tianyan Peak, nor does it stop me from believing that if I'm in danger, he will definitely come to my rescue.

"Different paths do not mean the end of friendship, but rather a change in the way we get along."

"If you can't discuss the essence of alchemy with her, can't you at least offer her a healing pill when she encounters difficulties, or use your sword to clear the thorns from her path?"

Zhao Ling's eyes shone brightly. "A true partner is someone who, even when walking on different paths, can still see each other from afar, know that the other is well, and has the ability to lend a helping hand when needed."

"This is perhaps more important than forcibly intruding into the other person's world."

Zhao Ling's words struck Lu Mingxin like a morning bell and a evening drum.

He stared blankly at the swaying liquid in the bowl, as if some of the fog in his mind had been lifted.

Yes, why must he insist on being involved in her world? He can't become a genius in alchemy like Mu Chen, but he can become Lu Ming.

Become Lu Ming, who can unleash astonishing power in desperate situations in Yunmengze and never abandon his companions in times of danger.

His value, his principles, should not be defined by comparison with others.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior brother." Lu Ming took a deep breath, and the confusion in his eyes gradually dissipated.

He downed the wine in his bowl in one gulp, a surge of heroic spirit rising with the effects of the wine.

"I understand now. Instead of dwelling on distances that can't be changed, I should focus on doing my own thing well."

"Only when you are strong enough can you truly protect everything you want to protect, no matter what method you use."

Zhao Ling patted his shoulder with satisfaction:

"That's right! Young man, it's normal to have some worries, but don't let them get to you. When we seek immortality, we're all about being natural and carefree. Come, let's drink!"

Under the moonlight, the two brothers sat facing each other drinking wine. Instead of discussing heavy topics, they talked about interesting stories from their sect and their insights on cultivation.

Although the knot in Lu Ming's heart had not completely dissipated, it had mostly loosened.

He looked up towards Baicao Peak, where starlight twinkled, creating a serene and peaceful scene.