Roaming the Four Seas Chapter 132: Ephemeral Sand-Blossom

Luo Jinghong returned to the guest chamber to practice the Lotus Seal. The power of the Soul-Suppressing Bead and the Divine Phoenix Jade Pendant guarded her fractured soul, dispelling the pain that arose during her moments of clarity.

Su Ye sat alone at a stone table outside the courtyard, holding a bronze chalice. Half of the Immortal-Drunken Wine remained within. Looking down, he saw the reflection of a shattered moon in the liquid.

Every person has their own happiness and their own misfortunes. Beneath the masks of pretense and artifice, everyone carries an endless well of bitterness. Because of this, many in the world choose the path of the heartless, casting aside the seven emotions and six desires of the mortal realm, seeking a life of tranquility and purity, unburdened by karma. They wander the mountains and wilderness, cultivating the body, the heart, and immortality.

From the moment Su Ye stepped onto this path, he was destined to walk the divergent path of the sentient. He willingly shoulders karma, unafraid of the crushing weight of fate. This is Su Ye’s path—one that others find difficult to replicate and would not choose for themselves.

Just as ordinary cultivators learn techniques from their masters or discover secret manuals left by ancient sages in blessed lands, Su Ye is a solitary traveler on his own journey. Much like Meng Yang, the Sage of Letters who brought the power contained in writing to fruition, or Qian Daoqing, the Sage of Painting who passed down the landscapes within scrolls to this day, Su Ye is charting his own course. What was not originally a path of cultivation becomes a method for those who follow, once the pioneers have paved the way.

Everything begins from nothing. Cultivation is like this, mastering a craft is like this, and at its core, life itself is like this. Even humanity itself arose from nothing, evolving in accordance with the Heavenly Dao to become part of the world. With intelligence and the ability to use tools, humans became the masters of the Three Thousand Worlds as early as the primordial era.

During his initial travels, Su Ye would often seek advice from masters, hoping to study the techniques of their sects. Today, however, he no longer needs to expend such effort.

Pat-pat. Footsteps approached.

Su Ye shifted his gaze from the shattered moon in the bronze chalice and turned to look at Island Master Mo, who had come to visit.

"The sky is growing darker," Island Master Mo said, using his characteristic way of greeting.

Su Ye smiled faintly. "Whenever it reaches this point, it means that dawn is not far off."

"This is true not only of the cycle of day and night, but even when scaled to the entire world," Island Master Mo replied. Setting aside his greed for wealth, he was, after all, a man of profound insight.

For an ordinary crafter of artifacts or talismans, mastering a single path in one's lifetime is enough to be called a master. To master several methods of forging spiritual treasures requires not only exceptional talent but also immense wisdom and years of persistent effort.

"Senior Mo, do you think the speed at which time moves is constant?" Su Ye filled the bronze chalice with the Immortal-Drunken Wine and handed it to the island master.

"Let me ask you, how long has the old woman been gone with Luo Jinghong?" Island Master Mo took the cup and drank half of it.

Su Ye concentrated, recalling the events. He and the island master had only exchanged a few words before the master and disciple, who had gone to bathe and change, returned to the main courtyard at the entrance. Such a short amount of time was certainly not enough to complete such a complex and tedious process—not to mention the secondary forging of the Primordial Sword on the stone platform. The process, completed in an instant, had occurred slowly and clearly within the protective barrier of the spiritual treasure.

The speed of time’s passage is not immutable.

Something within the mountains of Su Ye’s sea of consciousness poked its head out, yearning to cross the hills and converge with him.

"Fellow Daoist Su, besides time, there are actually many things that are not immutable," Island Master Mo said, unaware of Su Ye’s thoughts, simply continuing the conversation.

"For example..." Su Ye helped fill the island master’s chalice again.

Island Master Mo laughed. "The same wind travels at nearly the same speed across an endless plain. But if it encounters hills, canyons, and rivers ahead, will its speed not change?"

Su Ye replied immediately, "The wind blocked by hills will slow down... the wind that stirs up waves may dissipate entirely..."

"And as the ancients often said, 'Soldiers have no fixed formation, and water has no constant shape.' The former changes at any time based on the battlefield environment, the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy, and the commander. Water, however, can merge with all things. In a cup, it takes the shape of the cup. In a bronze basin, it takes the shape of the basin. If it flows through river veins, it becomes a rushing, endless river."

The realization in Su Ye’s heart grew stronger. "It is not just the shape; water can also change its nature."

"How so?" Island Master Mo asked with curiosity.

"The water in rivers and lakes can irrigate fertile fields and nourish all living things, which is why the Heavenly Dao River is called the primordial river that nurtures all life by the people of the Great Qian. Yet, the water in the ocean cannot be drunk. Once dried, it leaves behind salt, which circulates in the human world as a seasoning. But if it rises as water vapor, condenses into clouds, and falls as sweet rain, it can nourish all things once again."

"People often say your aptitude for enlightenment is superb, and I had some doubts. After speaking with you today, I know their words were not empty."

Su Ye smiled lightly. "To be as good as water is the highest realm a cultivator can pursue. Water benefits all things without contention, yet there are also sayings about the ferocity of floods. Everything in this world... perhaps from the moment of its birth, has held the concepts of Qian and Kun, Yin and Yang, and the distinction between light and dark, good and evil."

"Well said," Island Master Mo rubbed his chin with his thick fingers. "As humans, we are all blank slates when we first arrive in this world. Confucianism proposes that 'at birth, human nature is inherently good,' while others oppose this, saying 'at birth, human nature is inherently evil'..."

"In truth, right and wrong, good and evil, all follow the heart. Just like Qian and Kun, Yin and Yang, day and night, sunlight and shadow. They are born together and never leave one another," Su Ye finished.

Drinking the last of the wine, a breeze stirred within his sea of consciousness, rippling across the surface. Su Ye stood up and looked at the moon in the sky. At some point, it had hidden itself behind thick, black clouds.

"It is going to rain soon," Su Ye whispered.

Island Master Mo, mistakenly thinking Su Ye viewed Lingxi Island as the true Immortal Realm, smiled. "Although the people here are arrogant and call this place the Upper Realm, it is by no means a true celestial palace. We reside beneath the clouds, subject to the whims of sun, rain, and snow."

"I know... the Immortal Realm is where the immortals dwell; this is a sacred place for forging spiritual treasures," Su Ye replied naturally.

In reality, a wondrous sight had appeared within his sea of consciousness. The sun, moon, and stars flew over the mountains, heading toward the ethereal void. In his vast, boundless sea of consciousness, the sun, moon, and stars were reflected exactly as they were, traveling together amidst the shimmering waves.

Qian and Kun, Yin and Yang... the birth of all things... the passage of time... the shifting of ages... Various emotions rippled through his heart, surging toward his sea of consciousness. It was like a river flowing into the ocean, bringing a brand-new perception he had never known before.

Island Master Mo watched Su Ye, who stood motionless, gazing at the sky, and felt that something was unusual. He called out softly, "Fellow Daoist Su, are you alright?"

Su Ye smiled softly. "I am well... very well, very well..."

Island Master Mo had dealt with countless people, including many eccentric characters, but he had rarely heard such a response. The sense of strangeness in his heart became even more pronounced.

A rumble of spring thunder echoed. A fine rain began to spill from the sky. Island Master Mo’s curiosity kept his gaze fixed on Su Ye.

The slowly falling raindrops quietly gathered toward Su Ye’s outstretched right hand, condensing into a single, rootless bead of water. With a soft pop, it scattered into mist.

"Senior Mo, this technique... is called Momentary Sand-Flower."

Island Master Mo’s eyes widened, his cheeks flushed with excitement. Hearing that Su Ye could create techniques and witnessing such a feat with his own eyes were two different things. The shock was incomparable. If there truly was a Chosen One of Fate, Island Master Mo believed unconditionally: Su Ye was that person.