Chapter 454: Stick to the Beginning, Forgetting Both Self and World
Yu Xia actually felt it vaguely.
When she broke through, she could clearly sense that layer of shackles.
So clear and so bright. It felt as if with just a little effort, she could shatter the shackles and soar into the sky.
Yet that shackle, as thin as a cicada’s wing, she couldn’t pierce through no matter what.
It wasn’t due to lack of skill or insufficient realm.
It was her state of mind.
… It was herself, rejecting that first step.
“I never really understood.”
Sang Zhe spoke softly, “Even with the reason of me imprinting your soul back then.”
“But I have never required Aunt Yu to obey me, nor have I ever commented on your cultivation.”
“But at some point, Aunt Yu, you inexplicably became so humble and restrained, you don’t even dare to stand straight in front of me, not even meeting my eyes.”
“Honestly, if someone saw you now…”
“They would believe that this woman bowing and scraping is the once-mighty Master Yu Xia, known far and wide?”
Yu Xia’s heart trembled sharply.
“The… servant just—”
“I know.” Sang Zhe shook his head, “Aunt Yu, you just want to play the role of a good maid.”
“However, we don’t have such strict requirements for maids. There’s absolutely no need to be this humble.”
“I just want you to be yourself, no need to change for anyone else’s approval.”
“If being a maid in our house or my soul imprint has been a hindrance for you…”
“Then—” he slowly raised his hand.
Gently tapping Yu Xia’s forehead.
In the tremor of Yu Xia’s pupils, that mysterious feeling suddenly vanished.
“I’ve removed the soul imprint,” Sang Zhe looked at her quietly, his gaze calm and clear.
“From now on, you’re free.”
“Go do whatever you want.”
In that moment, Yu Xia slowly raised her head.
Her eyes were dull, numb, confused.
But eventually.
All her emotions were swallowed by an inexplicable fear.
“Master… do you not want this servant anymore?” She didn’t even realize that tears had started to flow from the corners of her eyes, her voice choked.
“You are Master Yu Xia.”
Sang Zhe spoke softly, “The talented cultivator who once made a name for herself in the cultivation world.”
“After a hundred years of practice, you entered the Crossing Tribulation Stage, establishing the Water Moon Sect on your own, and gained fame in just a dozen years.”
“Only being a maid in our house is indeed underestimating your talents.”
“Though I did hold a grudge against you for a while when you were still a disciple of the Water Moon Sect… that’s all in the past.”
“I’ve gotten my revenge on you,” he looked at Yu Xia silently, “Let’s end it here.”
“I hope after breaking free from your shackles, you can successfully enter the Crossing Tribulation Stage.”
With that, he gently turned and waved his sleeve.
“—No!!”
Before he took a few steps, Sang Zhe heard a trembling voice from behind.
Yu Xia knelt on the ground, desperately clutching Sang Zhe’s hem, a plea on her face, unable to stop crying.
“I… I don’t want to enter the Great Ascension anymore.”
“I only wish to serve the Master by your side.”
“I beg the Master not to abandon me, please don’t…” She clutched Sang Zhe’s clothes like it was her last straw.
Sang Zhe turned his head, gazing silently at her.
“…Stand up.”
Yu Xia’s eyes quivered, and after a while, she slowly lifted her head.
Her cheeks were still stained with tears, making her exceptionally pitiable.
“Have you forgotten the original intent of your cultivation?”
Sang Zhe said slowly, “From the first day I entered the Water Moon Sect, I’ve heard tales of Master Yu Xia.”
“Every disciple entering the Water Moon Sect knows that our Sect Leader was once just an ordinary female disciple from a small sect, inconspicuous among her peers.”
“Yet she persevered, step by step surpassing her peers, ultimately entering the Crossing Tribulation Stage.”
“That may sound general, but the vast majority of Water Moon Sect’s disciples are devoted to their cultivation because they look up to you, the Sect Leader.”
“You have no reason to feel guilty about the sect affairs,” Sang Zhe said softly, “To most disciples, you are a competent and dedicated Sect Leader.”
“And those disciples, like Wang Guan or others who chose to remain in the Demon Cult…”
“No one wants to see the Sect Leader they once admired and aspired to become…”
“Kneeling submissively before a man, begging him not to abandon you.”
“… I don’t want to see that either.” His gaze fell.
Yu Xia, with remnants of tears, gazed blankly at Sang Zhe.
“I hope Aunt Yu can stand up.”
“Look into my eyes and remember your original intent in cultivation,” Sang Zhe said earnestly.
Yu Xia stunned for a long while.
She slowly stood up, wiping away the tear stains from her eyes.
Then, she looked into Sang Zhe’s eyes.
Sang Zhe’s eyes remained as calm and clear as always, possessing a purity unlike any other.
Suddenly, Yu Xia remembered. She recognized that gaze.
Once, when she was just an ordinary junior disciple on the仙山, sitting with her peers, listening to her master teach.
The playful seniors would always lose focus and goof around, especially Junior Crystal, who would occasionally pull faces when the master turned away.
Each time they did this, they would be punished severely by their master.
… You lot!
Look at your little junior sister, Yu Xia!
Single-minded, clear-eyed, full of focus and tranquility.
I’ve told you before. Cultivation is not concerned with the masses, but with oneself.
Your cultivation is about forging your own path.
Focus on your own matters, stick to the beginning, till all things exist in your heart, forgetting both self and world.
Thus, the great path can be achieved!
“… Stick to the beginning, forgetting both self and world…” Yu Xia murmured.
“So I… have always misunderstood.”
She once believed that a paper kite would eventually return to the hands of a child.
It was only today that she suddenly realized.
If the child doesn’t want it, the paper kite won’t fly back.
What she thought she had understood was ultimately a half-baked grasp.
The child holding the kite had always been herself.
Yu Xia’s gaze seemed to pierce through the thick fog, looking back to the仙山, at that quietly meditating rigid little girl.
What was that little girl thinking at this moment?
Right.
She was wondering if she would become formidable in the future.
More formidable than the seniors. More formidable than her master.
More formidable than anyone.
To become a Sect Leader, to become the revered Master Yu Xia.
… Have I done it? She quietly looked at the little girl.
The little girl quietly looked back at her.
Then nodded vigorously.
In that moment, Yu Xia smiled.
After a long time, she genuinely smiled from the heart.
And in front of the Clear Condensation Hall, watching the now-zen-like Yu Xia, Sang Zhe’s eyes also returned to their usual laziness and contentment.
“It seems, from now on in the Demon Cult…”
“There will finally be one more in the Great Ascension Stage.”
With that, he crushed the elixir in his hand.
