Chapter 117: Between the Instant and the Eternal

"Enough with the teasing. Why must you two be so childish? We have been away for quite some time, and there is no telling what the situation is like over there now. I only hope it is not too late to have a proper match against those people." Meng Youyuan suddenly frowned as she looked toward the competition arena. This time, she could only win; defeat was not an option. The responsibilities on her shoulders were far too heavy, and she could not afford to lose. She had to give her all to secure the final victory.

"Rest assured, you will certainly make it in time to enjoy the ultimate clash. Do not be fooled by the shifting stars and the passing of days in the places you have visited; in truth, time there remains constant. You may think the four seasons have passed, but in reality, it was all merely in the blink of an eye. You shall return to the exact moment you left." The old dean looked at them with a meaningful gaze and spoke calmly.

"I once had the honor of accompanying my master there, and indeed, I returned to the same spot in a mere heartbeat. I did not realize it was such a peculiar phenomenon, but looking back now, it all seems so marvelous." With that, Leng Huaiyi looked into the distance, his eyes unfocused, a strange curve appearing on his lips. It was as elegant and detached as a flower blooming in a silent smile, as if in that instant he had grasped some profound mystery. That single smile alone seemed to dim the brilliance of all things in the world.

"Although everything we just experienced was fleeting, that instant is eternity. That place has long been an independent paradise. It is just a pity that while our bodies are in paradise, our hearts have fallen into hell. The trials before us are but illusions, yet they truly blind our eyes. We perceive a bottomless abyss, unaware that the valley floor is already a sanctuary. If I could, I would truly love to go back once more to cleanse my heart, which has become covered in dust," Yu Shang said slowly, lost in thought.

"I understand now. In truth, everything before us should be simple; ultimately, it is our hearts that are complex. Because there are too many distracting thoughts within, the trials in paradise become increasingly profound, as if we had unwittingly stumbled into an endless hell. All the obstacles we cannot overcome are but indelible scars in our minds. Only by making the heart pure and smooth will the path ahead become unobstructed," Lan Bingxian said with a smile, as if suddenly enlightened.

"It seems you few have the most insight. Since you have seen through the illusions before you, there is no need to remain immersed in them. Step out, see your own hearts clearly, and see the world clearly; this will bring you different rewards." The old dean stroked his beard and nodded at the three of them. Indeed, his disciples had surpassed him! However, the one he admired most was Yu Shang; he was truly the king prophesied, quite extraordinary.

"What kind of gibberish are you all spouting? How come I can't understand a single word of it!" Xiao Yin looked at the group with frustration. They were clearly just fledgling youths, yet they insisted on acting like sages who spoke in profound idioms. Why did they have to make such simple things sound so abstruse? Even though he was brilliant and could grasp things instantly, there was no need to test him like this!

"Only a heart as still as water can perceive everything. If you truly do not understand, it means your heart is too agitated. All demonic intentions arise from the mind; if you have the chance, release your inner burdens and do not let such worries crush and corrupt you." Xun Mishuang smiled as she looked at the bewildered Xiao Yin. In truth, not only them, but even she herself was controlled by inner demons, unable to remain detached and view everything as a bystander.

"Some things you don't understand not because you can't, but because you don't want to. The Blood-Red Serpent Spirit is the most sacred and pure creature closest to the immortals; how could you not understand such shallow meanings?" Yu Xiaoran, who had been silent at the side for a long time, suddenly interjected. The others paid no mind to this, but Xiao Yin froze. Clearly, he had not expected anyone to be so familiar with him, yet this familiarity felt eerie and chilling.

"You seem to know quite a lot, kid. But have you heard this saying? The more you know, the more miserably you die." Xiao Yin’s gaze turned terrifying, like a beast encountering danger, defensively bracing himself against his surroundings. He viewed Yu Xiaoran as that very threat; Xiao Yin hated nothing more than others knowing his true background, as it made him feel exposed and vulnerable.

"I think even so, you are the one walking ahead of me. After all, you know what I understand, but there are things you know that I do not. Overall, your situation is the more dangerous one," Yu Xiaoran said dismissively, looking at Xiao Yin’s fierce gaze. He knew this little snake would show such a scary expression, but having his true nature revealed so quickly was a bit dull. He decided not to tease him anymore and ease his sense of crisis.

"I just feel that what you are all saying isn't normal speech, but some inescapable incantation that gives me a headache. I am truly speechless; why must you speak in such inexplicable Zen? I don't have the aptitude for wisdom, so how could I understand this?" Lan Wu could no longer bear these people who spoke so pretentiously. Was it so hard to speak clearly? Her mind was already a tangled mess.

"Not just you; even I can't stand them anymore. Could you please stop your long-winded lectures? We aren't monks cultivating the mind, and we can't understand a word of it. Besides, we have more important things to do—anything would be better than standing here blathering on!" Yan Xuesu rolled her eyes in frustration. Knowing how annoying it was to be stuck here with them, she would rather go to the competition arena and fight a battle; that would be much more satisfying!

"I feel like I've understood, but then I haven't. In short, everyone has their own take, yet they all sound the same. But deep down, they start from different perspectives, and I just can't untie this knot! Regardless, everything we are facing now is a cycle of karma. Perhaps since we caused the cause, we should be the ones to bear the result," Yin Boxuan sighed deeply, lowering his head in resignation.

"Sigh, all these disturbances—let everything follow its fate. Anyway, I have let go. Even if it is difficult, life must go on. Why would a person have a next life? It is not for you to escape, but to resolve the marks that have troubled your heart for years. Whether good or bad, this belongs to us; others cannot interfere or replace it. The only thing we can do is follow our own hearts and keep walking forward." At this moment, Meng Youyuan seemed like a sage who had experienced much; her words resonated with everyone, and they suddenly realized she had truly changed.

Ever since Meng Youyuan encountered her previous life, her state of mind had shifted, and she had seen through many things. She felt her past life had been truly tragic—no self, no freedom, no joy, no smiles. Day after day, she was merely like a beautiful flower, blooming toward the morning sun and falling with the moonlight, with no other interests to speak of. Leaving the soil meant certain death, but continuing like that was thousands of times more painful than death.

Later, she chose a path of no return, hurting others and ending herself. Perhaps in her previous eyes, death was the beginning of peace and the end of disaster. But in Meng Youyuan's eyes, this was nothing but cowardly avoidance. She would not let the tragedy of her previous life repeat; she would walk a different path. Being her true self, enjoying true happiness, staying with her beloved, and speaking freely with kindred spirits—it might seem plain, but it was already a beautiful paradise.

"It seems that you are the little girl who lives the most clearly now. I cannot be as carefree and lighthearted as you. I still cannot put down the deep-seated hatred I carry, and I still feel pain and resentment when I see people I shouldn't see. Perhaps until the great vengeance is repaid, it is not the right time to let go. However, I look forward to that day of complete liberation," Yan Xuesu said sincerely to her good sister, but everyone could hear the hidden sorrow in her words.

"I said it before: no matter what, you still have me. Whether it is heartbreak or suffering, I will endure it with you. Even at the moment of annihilation, I will not leave you behind!" Yu Xiaoran turned Yan Xuesu’s shoulders to face him and said firmly, his tone allowing for no doubt. This was not comfort or empty talk, but a promise—a promise he would keep even if it meant being shattered into pieces!

"Has anyone ever told you that the bond between you is truly enviable? Especially the kind of danger you face in life-and-death moments—even that cannot break it. Your solid love is something no one can tear apart." Xun Mishuang looked at these pairs of lovers and could not help but speak. As soon as she finished, she regretted it; wasn't this something that should be hidden in the deepest part of her heart, never to be known by others? Why had it slipped out today? Yet at the same time, she felt a flicker of expectation, hoping for some resonance that would tell her that everything from the past was not just passing smoke, but had long been carved into her heart.

Regrettably, that person was far too cold, as chilling to the bone as his name. Could he truly be so heartless as to let it all go? Was it possible she was just too obsessed, and the other party felt nothing at all? Sometimes she thought how wonderful it would have been if they had never met. Then she wouldn't have to be so deeply wounded and unable to bury the pain; she could be like him, having never cared at all.

"I must say, you have truly moved this old man as well. It is as if I am seeing my younger self and the love of the past. It is a pity that I am no longer who I was, and everything cannot return. Even my memories are so overbearing that they want to leave me, not even leaving me anything worth cherishing. I hope you will not end up as lonely as I am." When the old dean said this, his expression was sincere, showing no trace of falsehood.

Perhaps even the most wicked person has a sanctuary in their heart, and even the most cold-blooded person has a trace of emotion. Everyone has an obscure corner in their heart, containing scars and memories that no one can touch—not even they themselves dare to easily uncover them. Because although these things are beautiful, they are also fatal wounds that can silently destroy you, leaving you beyond redemption.

"Master, you are tired and should go back to rest. After all, this is the boudoir of our senior aunt; it is not appropriate for us to disturb her for too long." Leng Huaiyi suddenly helped the old dean up and said this softly, but it was deeply branded into Xun Mishuang’s heart, making that wound even deeper and more painful. What a ridiculous excuse, what a terrifying form of address! He said it so lightly, leaving no room for rebuttal. How could he be so cruel!

"Yi'er is right; we should leave here. Let us not disturb your senior aunt anymore and let her have a good rest!" The old dean had long seen the unease between these two upon their return, but he never indicated it; he only wanted to see how they would handle it. The result was indeed satisfactory to him, yet it also made him sad. After all, these two were like his own children, and seeing them like this, how could he, an elder, feel any joy? But he could not be soft-hearted; once he fulfilled their wishes, endless disasters would follow, impossible to resist.