Realization

Lu Xueqi's body trembled.

The Tianya Divine Sword in her hand gave off a series of soft, clear rings.

From these words, she sensed an unparalleled sword intent.

It was akin to her Divine Sword Thunder Control Technique, yet far grander and more profound.

Bi Yao's big eyes shone with wonder.

Born into the Ghost King Sect, she had studied a wide range of arts and dabbled in the techniques of every sect.

In these words, she saw a freedom that broke free of all restraints and did as it pleased.

It resonated perfectly with her nature, which yearned for freedom and refused to be bound.

But no one felt its meaning more deeply than Zhang Xiaofan.

The moment his gaze fell upon those words, the two true methods of Buddhism and Daoism within him—which had always clashed and caused him unbearable pain—began to merge as if by a miracle.

The compassion and serenity of Great Brahma Prajna, and the tranquil, inactive nature of the Taiji Profound Clarity Path, found a perfect balance under the guidance of this theory.

The spiritual energy within him was no longer two torrents repelling each other. Instead, it became a sharply defined black-and-white Taiji Diagram, slowly turning.

An unprecedented sense of power and harmony rose from his dantian, surging through every limb and bone.

"The Heavenly Tome!"

"This must be the legendary supreme treasure of the Demon Sect, the Heavenly Tome, lost for thousands of years!"

Bi Yao finally came to her senses. She cried out, her voice brimming with delight.

The Heavenly Tome!

The same thought flashed through the minds of Li Xiaoyu, Lu Xueqi, and Zhang Xiaofan.

Though they were disciples of the righteous path, they had heard the legends of the Heavenly Tome.

According to legend, the Heavenly Tome had five volumes, formed from the very source of the Great Dao when heaven and earth first came into being.

Whoever obtained one volume could glimpse the secret of immortality and dominate a region.

Whoever obtained all five could transcend heaven and earth and stand as an equal to the world itself.

They had never dreamed that this legendary treasure would appear in this Blood-Dripping Cave.

All four were filled with shock and delight.

They forgot the divide between righteousness and evil, and forgot who they were.

At that moment, all they could see was the wall covered in supreme truths.

As if guided by some unseen hand, the four of them sat cross-legged in the center of the stone chamber, sinking their minds completely into their comprehension of the Heavenly Tome.

In Li Xiaoyu's mind, the cultivation path of the Taiji Profound Clarity Path and the theories in the Heavenly Tome General Outline illuminated each other, elevating his understanding of the Dao to an entirely new level.

In Lu Xueqi's sea of consciousness, the sword intent of the Tianya Divine Sword and the majesty of heavenly thunder reflected one another, evolving into an even grander and more domineering sword art.

In Bi Yao's heart, the Ghost King Sect's strange arts and the Joyous Union Sect's Charm Arts fused, becoming a more inscrutable power that struck directly at the heart.

Within Zhang Xiaofan, the true methods of Buddhism and Daoism merged completely, becoming a new, chaotic power that embraced all things.

At that moment, his cultivation broke through the barrier of the fourth layer of the Jade Purity Realm and surged forward, reaching the fifth layer in one bound!

Time seemed to lose all meaning.

The four of them were utterly absorbed in this wondrous epiphany, oblivious to the world around them.

After an unknown length of time, Li Xiaoyu was the first to awaken from his epiphany.

He slowly opened his eyes. A flash of light glinted in them before his gaze settled back into calm.

He could feel that although his cultivation had not broken through, the spiritual energy within him had become denser and purer, and his understanding of the Dao had reached a whole new level.

He felt as if he had touched a barrier. With just the right opportunity, he could break through to the seventh layer of the Jade Purity Realm at once.

This gain was a hundred times more precious than a simple increase in cultivation.

He turned and saw that Lu Xueqi, Bi Yao, and Zhang Xiaofan had also awakened one after another.

Every face bore a lingering joy and astonishment.

Lu Xueqi's bearing had grown even colder, yet within that chill was a hint of the majesty of heavenly might, making her difficult to look at directly.

Bi Yao's eyes had grown livelier and more profound, as if she could see straight through people's hearts.

Without a doubt, Zhang Xiaofan had changed the most.

His entire bearing had undergone a dramatic transformation.

He still looked as honest and simple as ever, but a hint of confidence and composure had appeared between his brows.

The spiritual energy within him was also several times stronger than before. He was now unmistakably a master of the fifth layer of the Jade Purity Realm.

"I broke through?"

Feeling the surging power within him, Zhang Xiaofan asked in disbelief.

"Dummy, congratulations!"

Bi Yao grinned and patted him on the shoulder.

Lu Xueqi also gave Zhang Xiaofan an approving look. Her expression remained cool, but her goodwill was unmistakable.

Li Xiaoyu smiled with even greater satisfaction.

"Xiao Fan, I knew you were no ordinary man."

With everyone's approval, an honest smile spread across Zhang Xiaofan's face, and warmth filled his heart.

Just as they were celebrating one another's gains, Bi Yao's attention was drawn to another small stone chamber in the corner.

Its door stood ajar, and a faint light shone from within.

"Hm? There's another room over there."

Curiosity piqued, Bi Yao started toward the little chamber.

"Bi Yao, be careful!"

Seeing her move, Zhang Xiaofan called out a warning.

But Bi Yao had already pushed open the stone door.

There was no danger behind it.

It was a small, quiet room—or rather, a woman's bedchamber.

The room was simply furnished, with only a stone bed and a dressing table.

A bronze mirror and a wooden comb sat on the dressing table, buried beneath a thick layer of dust.

On the stone bed lay the remains of someone long reduced to bones.

The skeleton wore a splendid palace gown, identical to the clothing on the stone statue outside.

Clearly, its owner had been the model for that statue—and the former master of the Blood-Dripping Cave.

Scattered beside the skeleton were several bamboo slips and a letter that had long since yellowed.

In the skeleton's hands, a small, delicate Golden Bell was clasped tightly.

The bell had an antique design, etched with delicate patterns, and its mouth opened like flower petals.

Even after a thousand years, it still gave off a faint golden glow, as if telling of its owner's endless longing.

"It's the Joyous Union Bell!"

Bi Yao cried out when she saw the bell.

She hurried to the bedside and carefully took the Golden Bell from the skeleton's grasp.

Ding-a-ling.

A crisp chime rang through the silent stone chamber.

The chime seemed to carry a strange magic, soothing the mind and washing away one's troubles.

Li Xiaoyu, Lu Xueqi, and Zhang Xiaofan followed her inside.

They looked at the exquisite bell in Bi Yao's hand, their eyes filled with curiosity.

"The Joyous Union Bell? What kind of magical treasure is that?"

Zhang Xiaofan couldn't help asking.