Chapter 366

Chapter 366: Becoming Ordinary

The moon-returning dragon had invited him through the Spirit Communication Stone to attend a grand event in the capital of the Crimson Flame Dynasty, located in the Western Desert, the Summit Conference.

This was a major celebration held once every hundred years in the Western Desert, drawing elites from across the region.

Moreover, the Summit Conference signified that the major Holy Places of the Western Desert intended to collaborate in imposing further sanctions on the Taixu Dynasty.

At the same time, the moon-returning dragon had explicitly stated that if Zhang Yang chose to participate, his performance in the Heavenly Reaching Mountain battle would greatly influence the major Holy Places, especially since he appeared to have a close connection with a Buddha Immortal.

This piqued Zhang Yang’s interest, and he also wanted to investigate the trap involving the Spirit Saint Stone veins.

He agreed to attend but requested some time before setting out.

Firstly, Bing Yuyan was in seclusion, and Cold Thief Tian had made significant progress during his retreat. Both were indispensable allies chosen by Zhang Yang.

Secondly, the Falling Star Holy Place had only just been established, and there were several important matters that required his attention.

Ten days later, everything was ready, and the others gradually emerged from seclusion. Zhang Yang also finished what needed to be done, leaving the rest in Yuluan’s hands.

He carefully selected his team: Bing Yuyan, Cold Thief Tian, Tiger Howl Wind, Demon Sword Yi, and the Ironback Blue Bull.

On the day of their planned departure, news arrived that Yaoruoxian had returned.

Demon Sword Yi rushed over first.

Zhang Yang, curious and uncertain, hesitated about whether to tell Yaoruoxian about the lotus he had seen in the grave.

When he arrived, he found that Yaoruoxian had truly changed.

She no longer wore exquisite silks and no longer radiated brilliance.

Instead, she dressed in coarse cloth, concealing all her luster and edge, fading into ordinariness.

Yet her beauty remained striking, still drawing attention effortlessly.

She had chosen a spot on Heavenly Reaching Mountain to plant flowers and herbs herself.

Watering and weeding, she looked like a small flower gardener. Her demeanor and grace nearly drove Demon Sword Yi mad, was this truly the extraordinary Yaoruoxian?

He wanted to rush toward her, but Zhang Yang stopped him.

"What have you done to my sister?" Demon Sword Yi was on the verge of losing control.

Zhang Yang pondered aloud, "I’m not entirely sure, but I believe what you’re seeing… should be called Becoming Ordinary."

"What nonsense! She was supposed to become an Immortal, to attain immortality!" Demon Sword Yi grabbed Zhang Yang’s collar, shouting, "And now you’re letting her become ordinary? You’re ruining her!"

Bang!

Zhang Yang kicked him away and spat, "Puh! Can’t you think for a moment? Ask yourself whether it’s truly good or bad for Yaoruoxian to become ordinary."

Demon Sword Yi grimaced from the kick. Upon hearing those words, he looked toward Yaoruoxian, suddenly confused.

"Forget it, let’s make things clear," Zhang Yang said. "With your mindset, you’ve likely been brainwashed by the Demon Sword Forbidden Area. Your understanding of the path is warped. No wonder it’s called the Demon Sword Forbidden Area, it’s truly demonic."

Zhang Yang folded his arms behind his back, gazing at Yaoruoxian with admiration. He was slowly beginning to grasp her intent, which only deepened his respect for her exceptional nature.

Demon Sword Yi shouted, "Explain what you mean by our understanding being warped in the Demon Sword Forbidden Area!"

Zhang Yang’s eyes remained fixed on Yaoruoxian.

At that moment, Yaoruoxian seemed completely unaware of the outside world, calmly tending to her garden.

At first, her movements were stiff. Then, gradually, they became more fluid. By her third repetition, she showed skill, eventually performing each movement with ease.

She truly resembled a village girl.

Zhang Yang watched in amazement.

"The great ambition in Yaoruoxian truly shines through. A delicate woman with profound resolve, that’s exactly who she is."

He sighed. "The Demon Sword Forbidden Area gave her many advantages, just like you, but both of you forget that true growth requires weathering storms."

"What you think you’ve endured were merely gentle breezes and light rain. They’re barely worth mentioning because the Demon Sword Forbidden Area was always behind you. Deep down, you both subconsciously believe you are backed by its power."

"That’s why you’ll never understand me, starting from nothing, with no backing, yet daring to challenge the entire Southern Region. You’ve never experienced the true baptism of wind and storm."

"Yaoruoxian was born with an immortal appearance and an immortal nature. Her becoming an Immortal should have been expected. So why is it so difficult?"

"Because from the moment she could remember, her world has been filled only with praise. Everyone believed she would succeed, even without effort. That kind of upbringing fosters blind confidence, excessive pride, and even cultivates the traits of an immortal, viewing all beings as ants, thinking herself above all others."

"Is that in line with the path?"

"Our path is one of defiance, defying heaven, defying fate, fighting not just for oneself but for all beings… though you may never understand."

Demon Sword Yi’s lips twitched. He felt as if he’d been slapped. The problem was, he genuinely believed there was no connection. Why should he care about the masses?

Zhang Yang continued, "What is the path? What is the Great Path, and what governs it?"

"Have you ever thought about it? The Great Path treats all beings equally. Under it, if someone kills without restraint, why do they suffer divine punishment? Why do they battle inner demons? Even immortals cannot escape such things."

"Have you considered why some individuals, simply by protecting and showing compassion, inexplicably gain the invisible support of the people? Not power, but if you look closely at their lives, you’ll find continuous fortune, turning misfortune into blessings."

Demon Sword Yi listened, stunned.

He had never considered such cause-and-effect relationships before and found the idea too far-fetched and surreal.

Zhang Yang added, “Yaoruoxian was once entirely focused on becoming an immortal, thinking only of herself. Although she never committed any wrongdoings, all her thoughts were selfish. It was only after enduring the Nine Battles Tribulation that she was deeply shaken and finally saw the light, realizing her need to become ordinary.”

“Don’t underestimate this becoming ordinary.”

“Though it may seem simple, it is actually a process of profound enlightenment.”

“Look at those flowers and grass.”

Demon Sword Yi observed them and realized that the flora was infused with Yaoruoxian’s aura, and nothing else.

Zhang Yang asked, “What is an immortal?”

Demon Sword Yi was taken aback and shook his head, unable to answer.

Zhang Yang explained, “An immortal is both a person and a mountain. The person is ordinary; the mountain encompasses all things.”

Demon Sword Yi’s eyes widened, slowly beginning to understand.

With trembling hands, he pointed forward and said, “Those flowers and grass, for her, they represent her mountain. By nurturing them, she nurtures her inner self, honing her immortal essence. So, when the flowers bloom and the grass flourishes, that’s when she succeeds in becoming ordinary… and, in doing so, becomes an immortal?”

Zhang Yang replied, “It’s more than that. The flowers and grass are imbued with her aura, growing just as she is. All of this will become her strength. Once she completes the process of becoming ordinary, I can’t say for certain whether she’ll become an immortal, but she will undoubtedly experience a breakthrough. She might directly step into the Small Boundless realm. This process is also a refinement of her heart. The inquiry of the martial heart in the Small Boundless realm will no longer apply to her.”

“She has a small chance of leaping directly into the Great Boundless realm. Whether she succeeds depends on how long she continues this process of becoming ordinary.”

He patted Demon Sword Yi’s shoulder and said, “You, the so-called number one of the new generation in the Demon Sword Forbidden Area, should step aside. It’s destined to be Yaoruoxian’s era.”

“Moreover, she now qualifies to be my competitor, an opponent on my level.”

Demon Sword Yi was stunned. A competitor of such caliber? That would indeed be extraordinary.