Between life and death lies both great terror and great tranquility!
In the face of death many things that seem so important in ordinary times suddenly seem insignificant. Many things that were once held dear become transparent in the midst of life and death.
After pushing Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er out the Drunken Sword Immortal's drunkenness completely subsided. He had no regrets about the decision he made while intoxicated.
However between life and death the Drunken Sword Immortal could not help but recall his meeting with the Witch Queen and that absurd night. These events had been buried deep in his heart for years.
For years he had drunk to drown his sorrows hoping to use alcohol to wash away these memories. Now the Drunken Sword Immortal's mind was at an unprecedented state of peace.
"From now on I will no longer need to drink to forget these things. With my death these memories will vanish with me..." He muttered to himself while closing his eyes slightly.
He felt it was worth it to sacrifice his broken body to give these two young people a chance to live.
However as the Drunken Sword Immortal closed his eyes with his mind peacefully embracing death and a feeling of profound tranquility welling up within him, he suddenly felt as if a heavy shackle had been lifted from his soul.
At the same moment his body and mind felt a sense of unprecedented detachment and freedom. Countless chaotic yet profound messages from the universe flooded into his consciousness.
Boom!
Simultaneously an immensely powerful sword energy erupted from the Drunken Sword Immortal's body.
Numerous massive rocks were about to descend upon him with a force his flesh and blood would surely struggle to withstand. But at this critical moment the terrifying sword energy erupted. The Drunken Sword Immortal seemed to have transformed into a peerless divine sword itself, shattering countless boulders beneath its overwhelming power.
Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er horrified at the Drunken Sword Immortal's solitary sacrifice believed the crushing impact of those massive rocks would have surely killed him.
Unexpectedly at this crucial moment the Drunken Sword Immortal unleashed such immense power. This left them both stunned and delighted.
"Go!" The Drunken Sword Immortal instantly rushed over to Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er. He shattered the falling rocks with his immense sword energy. He then grasped their wrists firmly and transformed into a massive sword beam soaring into the sky.
Countless falling rocks were shattered by the mighty sword energy. The Drunken Sword Immortal while pulling Zhao Ling'er and Li Xiaoyao with him rushed directly out of the collapsing Demon Locking Tower.
"Hey what was that move called? It was pretty cool."
Having successfully escaped the Demon Locking Tower and rescued Zhao Ling'er, Li Xiaoyao was overjoyed. He looked at the Drunken Sword Immortal with a chuckle and asked.
"The highest level of swordsmanship is the unity of man and sword" the Drunken Sword Immortal said with a proud smile while acting very cool.
"The unity of man and sword? Can I learn it?" Upon hearing the impressive name Li Xiaoyao felt the move was incredibly powerful and asked with his eyes wide open.
"You? No you are still far from it. Only when you can achieve enlightenment can you perform this move" the Drunken Sword Immortal said while shaking his head after glancing at Li Xiaoyao.
"Enlightenment? What the hell is this Dao thing again? What is the point?" For Li Xiaoyao if something exists then it exists and if it does not then it does not. Is it not better to be straightforward?
The people of Mount Shushan are always talking about the Dao. This kind of profound and mysterious stuff makes Li Xiaoyao feel it is too complicated to understand.
"Junior brother congratulations. I did not expect you to achieve enlightenment after your trip to the Demon Locking Tower..." At this time Sword Saint Yin Ruozhe who had been standing outside stepped forward and offered his sincere congratulations.
Although his Dao had become pure and unfeeling he was not truly as emotionless as stone. He was genuinely happy that the Drunken Sword Immortal had achieved enlightenment.
As he spoke the Sword Saint's gaze fell upon the Drunken Sword Immortal. Judging from his aura he knew that his junior brother had indeed achieved enlightenment.
The energy between heaven and earth seemed to shift with his movements. This was the sign of enlightenment. The ability to draw upon the power of heaven and earth with his own strength.
However after a closer look the Sword Saint discovered that the Drunken Sword Immortal's path to enlightenment seemed different from his own...
"Junior Brother could it be that you are entering the Dao..."
Thinking of his junior brother's character over the years and recalling Alex's constant talk about the difference between the Path of Compassion and the Path of Ruthlessness, the Sword Saint felt a chill run through his heart and asked.
"Yes what Alex said back then is indeed true. Entering the Dao does not necessarily mean abandoning one's obsessions and emotions. If that is what Alex meant then I am on the Path of Compassion" the Drunken Sword Immortal nodded and said to the Sword Saint.
Abandoning obsessions allows for enlightenment but clinging to one's emotions does not necessarily mean one cannot achieve it...
The Drunken Sword Immortal's answer coupled with his successful entry confirmed Alex's words. These facts before him however caused the Sword Saint to ponder deeply.
If one can enter the Dao with compassion then why had Master always advocated for abandoning obsessions?
Could it be that Master himself did not know about this possibility?
With doubts in his heart the Sword Saint naturally sought answers. However the most important matter now was not the answer to this question but the matter concerning Li Xiaoyao...
"Junior Brother since you have entered the Dao you should understand that the laws of heaven are clear while the laws of man are vague. The matter between Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er is destined by fate" the Sword Saint said. His gaze fell upon the Drunken Sword Immortal.
Clearly in his view the Drunken Sword Immortal having already entered the Dao naturally understood that his actions were in accordance with the will of heaven. He was the more suitable person to prevent Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er from leaving the mountain.
"Senior Brother it is indeed right for you to enter the Dao and act in accordance with the will of heaven." Upon hearing this the Drunken Sword Immortal nodded slightly.
This was the first time that he expressed his approval for the Sword Saint's behavior.
The Drunken Sword Immortal's answer made the Sword Saint understand. Sure enough after entering the Dao his junior brother could finally understand him.
"Old man you..." As for Li Xiaoyao next to him his face changed drastically with worry.
If the old Sword Saint and the Drunken Sword Immortal were united and did not allow him to take Ling'er down the mountain, it would be impossible for him to break through their obstruction with his own strength.
"But..."
However when he said this the Drunken Sword Immortal changed the subject "For those of us who practice the Dao although it is right for us to follow the will of heaven sometimes Senior Brother you should not forget that the number of Dayan is fifty and forty-nine are used. The one that escaped is a ray of hope."
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