Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 243 - 243 242 Journey to Grotto Heaven 2

243: Chapter 242 Journey to Grotto Heaven 2 243: Chapter 242 Journey to Grotto Heaven 2 He wasn’t sure if a day within the Grotto Heaven was the same as a day outside, and it seemed that no one had mentioned this point when he entered.

After observing the life cycles of the small grasses several times, he realized he couldn’t glean much—this was determined by his current Realm, and there was no possibility of understanding the origins of life simply by observing them.

Whether he had gained anything, he didn’t know; it seemed like he had, yet it also seemed like he hadn’t; he could say there was something, but couldn’t articulate why, and saying there was nothing seemed to disregard the changes within himself?

The principle was so mysterious, impossible to articulate, incomprehensible, and indistinctly visible.

Standing up, he felt that looking at other plants was meaningless?

Having managed to come here, it felt unreasonable not to climb for a wider view?

So he climbed the precipitous walls of the canyon, which was a strenuous effort; he didn’t know if others would spend their precious time on such pointless climbing, but he truly wanted to witness the magnificence of the Grotto Heaven, which excited him more than acquiring something.

When he spent several hours reaching the top of the canyon’s cliffs, the mountain winds were piercing, but he felt it was all worth it.

Outside the canyon, in the very distant place, it seemed as if nature was undergoing change—a transformation from Chaos to form, then to mountains and rivers, breaking down and recreating, in an endless cycle.

With his understanding, he couldn’t comprehend any of it, yet he could deeply sense the grandeur of creation, the surging power that was unstoppable.

Even if it was merely a sensation, he felt it was worthwhile.

Because he finally understood the meaning of Cultivation, it wasn’t about fighting and killing, nor about competing for the dominance of Daoist schools…

but to coexist with heaven and earth!

There were no creatures within Tongling Cave Heaven, which was also where its loftiness lay, absent of people and life, standing from the perspective of human, one could never see oneself clearly; therefore, only plants existed here, only the majestic power of nature, so that humans could thereby determine their own existence.

He suddenly remembered the words of the blind old man: From a human perspective, you can never truly see yourself clearly, to understand oneself, you must look down from a higher dimension.

This old Daoist was truly extraordinary; his seemingly insane words were all revealing the true essence of Cultivation.

Could it be that when one’s sight was gone, one’s thoughts could evolve to this extent?

Standing at the peak of the cliff, he quietly felt something that even he could not identify, and his heart felt broadened, his path no longer muddled.

Even though what he sensed was harder, more ethereal, and more boundless than he had ever imagined, he was no longer spiritually blind or lame.

It was as if a frog trapped at the bottom of a well had suddenly leaped out to see mountains, rivers, white clouds, and blue sky for the first time.

Even if it didn’t know what all this meant, it clearly understood that it had opened up a new world for itself.

This was what Tongling Cave Heaven truly wanted to tell the Cultivators, right?

Did he acquire anything tangible?

What did that matter!

This profound emotion alone had qualitatively changed his understanding of future Cultivation.

With a faint smile, he was certain that he had obtained the most precious thing in the Spirit Communication space.

This sensation might be rudimentary to a true Cultivator, but to someone like him, it was an eye-opening revelation.

No longer fixating on anything else, he just stood at the top of the cliff, gazing into the distance; he understood that the region where Chaos began to morph was a place he could never reach with his current Realm, not even in a hundred years.

This was not a matter of traditional concepts of distance, but a matter of Realm and Dao Knowledge; in other words, if he were to reach Tongxuan and then reenter this place, he would feel closer, and if by fortune he reached the Golden Core Realm, he might be able to touch the outskirts of that grand power.

As for which Realm was necessary to truly interact with such force, that was unknown.

Immersed in such profound emotion, until his body felt light, as if a great force was drawing him into the sky.

The rapid changes in scenery forced him to close his eyes to protect himself, and when he opened them again, he was back in the Daoist Palace.

The old Daoist, seeing that all nine disciples had gathered, said nothing, collected the miniature landscape, and left.

The remaining nine people were all tight-lipped, each immersed in their own thoughts; at this moment, even the grudges between Daoist Sect and Demon Sect seemed to be irrelevant.

Anyone who had made it this far had a spiritual nature that sought the Dao.

To cast aside the infinite possibilities of the future and instead be incessantly entwined in the confrontations at hand was utterly foolish.

Before coming, Luo Linwang had been worried about whether there would be another wave of disturbances before and after entering the Grotto Heaven, but now it seemed he had worried too much.

The three left the Daoist Palace and wandered through the bustling streets of Divine City, none of them speaking a word, nor would they.

It wasn’t about keeping secrets; for a cultivator, it was paramount to avoid being disturbed by others after such a crucial insight, as careless remarks could skew one’s perceptions.

As they strolled unknowingly through the streets, the three realized they were not heading towards the inn, but instead toward the southern gate of the city,

Rao Zongzhi exhaled, “We’ve been in Divine City for half a month; it’s time to go back.

Our master already sent a letter urging us days ago, it’s not good to keep everyone waiting.”

Luo Linwang nodded, “That’s right, what I sought, moderation is key.”

Hou Niao objected, “I still have a pair of shoes I forgot at the inn…”

The other two didn’t even look back but strode off, the three gradually distancing themselves amidst their jokes, leaving a rather perfect conclusion to this southwest conference on Dao.

Back at Anhe Palace, most of Quanzhen Sect had already been taken away by Lord Zhu Jiuling, leaving only Uncle Master Li waiting for them.

Without much talk, and without blaming them for dawdling, he unfolded the flying boat,

“It’s time to go home.”

The flying boat sped like lightning because of its small size, its speed even faster.

Seeing that they had already entered Shan Country, Hou Niao softly reminded,

“Uncle Master Li, could you drop me off outside of Yujing?

Or maybe at Miao Gao Town?”

Uncle Master Li was puzzled, “Why are you afraid to return to Yujing?

Are you afraid of punishment?”

Hou Niao forced a laugh: “That’s not it.

It’s just that I’m still in the period of punishment and not allowed to return to the town.

The last time I went to Jin City was because there was a mission from the sect; now that I have no mission, it’s not appropriate to go back.”

Uncle Master Li was speechless, “Oh, so you are a habitual offender.

I have heard from Zongzhi that your allowances have already been deducted for several years to come?”

Hou Niao hung his head feigning obedience, “Yes, I have forgotten how many years, but it seems like I’ve never received my allowances since joining the sect…”

Uncle Master Li snorted, not saying much, while Rao Zongzhi and Luo Linwang just laughed,

Luo Linwang remembered it clearly on his behalf, “You were initially fined five years of allowances, with three years remaining.

I reckon after returning, you’ll have to renew the sentence.

Keep it up, Brother Hou, and aim for a hundred-year deficit; with your current momentum, you’re doing great, and I have faith in you.”

Rao Zongzhi also added fuel to the fire, “The current record in Yujing is about thirty years, maintained by an Upper Cultivator of the Natural Realm.

The highest record in the history of Quanzhen Sect is ninety-eight years, but there is still hope to break that, especially since on this flying boat, we have two potential candidates, don’t we?”

Hou Niao’s heart stirred, turning to look, he saw Uncle Master Li’s face twitching, clearly very dissatisfied with his disciple’s insubordination.

I am not alone in my way.