Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

Chapter 222: Chapter 206: Without Attachment or Aversion, One Becomes Unfettered

"Senior Sister Zhou!"

"Senior Sister Yuann Tong!"

"..."

As she stepped into Wind Moon Valley, the disciples of the Joyful Sect all bowed to Zhou Yuantong, their gazes a mixture of different emotions.

Curiosity!

Disdain!

Scorn!

...

As a Joyful Sect Cultivator who valued her Furnace Tripod more than anything, Zhou Yuantong was undoubtedly an anomaly.

Killing over a dozen Inner Sect Disciples for her Furnace Tripod and being imprisoned in the Ice Cave for three years had made her name known to all.

Naturally, this drew strange looks from the other Sect Disciples.

In the past, Zhou Yuantong would not have noticed the subtle shifts in others’ gazes, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared.

But now, a bone-chilling aura swept over the area. The hearts of the Joyful Sect disciples trembled, and they subconsciously lowered their heads.

"Hmph!"

Only when no one dared to meet her eyes did she let out a soft snort, her Tunneling Light soaring into the sky.

「Cave Mansion.」

The Tunneling Light dissipated.

Zhou Yuantong walked in slowly.

Princess Consort Yuann had been waiting for a long time. A smile touched her lips as she saw Zhou Yuantong, and she nodded slowly.

"Your Essence, Qi, and Spirit are in perfect harmony. The Dao Foundation is within your reach. Yuann Tong, you truly haven’t disappointed me."

"Master!" Zhou Yuantong knelt on one knee, her voice cold.

"For these past few years, I was as if lost in a long dream, completely forgetting your teachings. I deserved this tribulation."

"Thankfully!"

She raised her head and said slowly,

"With your guidance, Master, I have now awakened from the dream."

Princess Consort Yuann raised an eyebrow.

She saw in Zhou Yuantong’s eyes a chilling, murderous intent, an inhuman coldness, and the indifference of one who has seen through all illusions.

’Formless Forget Love!’

’The Yin Yang Seed truly is a perfect match for this Cultivation Technique.’

As for the coldness...

Princess Consort Yuann had seen such expressions on many Joyful Sect disciples and didn’t find it strange at all.

There was just one difference.

The eyes of the others held an insatiable greed, but Zhou Yuantong’s did not. This was precisely the sign of a state of mental Perfection.

"Good!"

"Very good!"

"I have prepared the Foundation Establishment Pill and a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Land for you. For the next few days, focus on stabilizing your Cultivation. In a little while, you can attempt your breakthrough."

Princess Consort Yuann continued,

"Once you achieve the Dao Foundation, I have another great opportunity to give you. If you seize it, you might even achieve the Golden Core one day."

"Yes." Zhou Yuantong lowered her head.

"I will obey Master’s command."

Just then, a "RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE..." came from nearby as a chubby creature swayed and scurried out, hopping over to Zhou Yuantong’s side.

"Such a fat rabbit," Princess Consort Yuann chuckled.

"You must have put a lot of effort into it. It could only grow so large by consuming many Spiritual Medicines."

"In a few more years, it might even open a Spiritual Acupoint."

’The rabbit?’

’It didn’t die?’

Zhou Yuantong picked up the rabbit, her face a blank mask of confusion. Ripples suddenly appeared in her once-perfect state of mind.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Princess Consort Yuann was taken aback.

"Why is it still alive?" Zhou Yuantong lowered her head, looking at the rabbit in her arms. She suddenly lost control, tears streaming down her face.

"What is real? What is fake?"

"Yuann Tong!" Princess Consort Yuann’s expression changed drastically.

"Your state of mind..."

"Heh..." Tears poured from Zhou Yuantong’s eyes like rain. Her body trembled slightly as past scenes flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.

It was as if Zhu Ju was right before her, speaking softly, his voice gentle, like a promise.

"Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you."

"Nothing will happen to either of us."

"It’s better to forget each other in the Martial World than to struggle together."

"Your husband is skilled at painting. I can capture the aura of other things to create a disguise. This art is called the Skin Painting Technique, and it’s quite profound..."

"If you don’t have the power to change your circumstances, then don’t even think about resisting. That will only bring harm to yourself and others."

"Only by going with the flow can you ensure a smooth journey."

"..."

Tears streamed down Zhou Yuantong’s beautiful face as she looked around with trembling eyes at the Cave Mansion the two of them had decorated, bit by bit.

"Husband..."

"So you knew all along. You understood everything."

"Zhou Yuantong!" Princess Consort Yuann clenched her teeth, her expression grave.

"Stop thinking about that Zhu Ju! Flaws will appear in your state of mind, and you will be unable to achieve the Dao Foundation."

"Heh..." Zhou Yuantong shook her head gently.

"Master."

"You don’t understand. You will never understand."

She put down the rabbit in her arms, walked slowly to the wall, and reached out to take down a Wooden Saber that had been hung as a decoration.

The two of them had carved this saber together.

’This Saber Technique of mine has no name. You can call it the Demon Saber. It is the only important thing I can give you.’

’The moves of the Saber Technique are not important. What’s important is the Saber Intent... ’

’The Seven Emotions and Six Desires Cross Method!’

Zhou Yuantong slowly closed her eyes. The Wooden Saber in her hand trembled slightly as certain scenes gradually became clear in her mind.

"Seven emotions and six desires, crossing..."

"As long as I am still dependent on others, my state of mind can never truly reach Perfection."

"Zhu Ju!"

"All these years, what was real? What was fake?"

She opened her eyes.

Zhou Yuantong’s emotions gradually stabilized, and her once-turbid eyes became as clear as glazed glass.

"Indulge in passion without falling, be infatuated without being hurt..."

"Supreme Forget Love!"

As if she had reached an epiphany, she casually tossed the Wooden Saber aside, and all the memories of the past shattered like a dream.

"Formless Forget Love... to Forget Love is not the foundation, Formless is the key. Only by being Formless can one traverse the realms of love and desire..."

"Husband, you are the one who is truly suited to practice the Formless Forget Love Cultivation Technique."

Opposite her, Princess Consort Yuann’s expression was grave, a hint of shock in her beautiful eyes.

She had observed the changes in Zhou Yuantong’s state of mind from beginning to end, watching it shatter and then recover to Perfection once more.

And even...

...reach a new level!

From ignorance to infatuation, from infatuation to heartbreak, from heartbreak to Forget Love, and from Forget Love back into confusion...

And after that, Forget Love transformed back into passion, unattached to things, unburdened by emotions, as if she had transcended it all.

’Supreme Forget Love!’

Although she had never seen it before, Princess Consort Yuann had a faint feeling that Zhou Yuantong had reached the state of Supreme Forget Love mentioned in the Formless Forget Love technique.

In this Realm, the very concept of love no longer held any power over her.

"Master."

Zhou Yuantong turned and said,

"I feel I can attempt to break through to the Dao Foundation Realm at any time. I ask that you grant me the Elixir and the Spiritual Land, Master."

"...Yes." Princess Consort Yuann’s voice was slightly stiff, but she suddenly put on a fawning smile.

"My good disciple, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. Not only is your constitution special, but you are also a genius in Cultivation."

"The Dao Foundation is by no means your limit."

"The Golden Core, or even the Nascent Soul, may not be impossible. In the future, I’m afraid I will be the one who needs your care."

...

When Qii Yao returned to Wind Moon Valley, she was greeted with the news that Zhou Yuantong had successfully advanced to the Dao Foundation, and she couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy.

But that joy was immediately followed by apprehension.

She had always been Princess Consort Yuann’s spy, placed by Zhou Yuantong’s side. Now that she had lost her purpose, what would become of her?

As a Dao Foundation Cultivator, one no longer needed to reside in a mere Cave Mansion.

Zhou Yuantong now had her own palace. In the vast, empty hall, besides the two of them, there was only a single hopping rabbit.

"Qii Yao pays her respects to Senior Sister Yuantong!"

"Rise."

Zhou Yuantong’s expression was serene.

"From now on, you will live here as my personal handmaiden. At your age, it’s not impossible that you might one day establish your own Dao Foundation."

"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Qii Yao was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Thank you so much, Senior Sister Zhou!"

"Rise," Zhou Yuantong said, then asked,

"How is Zhu Ju?"

"Huh?" Qii Yao froze, a conflicted look on her face.

"But didn’t you already kill him, Senior Sister?"

"Er..."

Seeing Zhou Yuantong’s expression darken slightly, she said hurriedly,

"Zhu Ju left. He went to the East Sea. He said he was taking a detour through the East Sea to get to the Ten Thousand Mountains, that it was where he was meant to be."

"Also..."

"He is a Nine Acupoints Innate, and he has mastered the Sword Light Division technique. He killed Foo Qiuyue and Muk Zi."

"Nine Acupoints Innate? Sword Light Division?" Zhou Yuantong murmured.

"So..."

"All these years, you were hiding this from me?"

"Being in the Joyful Sect, I can understand hiding one’s Cultivation and abilities from others. But I was your wife."

"Indeed!"

Zhou Yuantong closed her eyes.

"I still don’t understand you."

*

*

*

Enveloped in Saber Aura, Zhu Ju soared through the heavens, bursting through layers of white clouds as he streaked all the way to the East Sea.

SPLASH!

The figure plunged into the depths of the sea, continuing to move away from Dazhou.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Ju’s figure flickered. Forming the hand seal for the Water Avoidance Technique, he dashed into a sea serpent’s cave, sat cross-legged, and instantly arrived in the Magic World.

"Seven years!"

"Nearly seven years. I’m finally back."

His figure appeared not far from the Earth Evil True Flame. Feeling the familiar aura, his spirits lifted.

Killing Foo Qiuyue would certainly draw the pursuit of the Joyful Sect.

But as long as he wasn’t in Wind Moon Valley, with his many concealment techniques and a place to hide in the Magic World, not even a Dao Foundation Cultivator could hope to track him down.

"Huh?"

Just as he was getting used to his surroundings, an object ahead made Zhu Ju raise an eyebrow in surprise.

The Wind and Thunder Blade Wings!

「Seven years ago.」

He had obtained this Pseudo Magical Treasure, which the Demon Exorcism Hall had spent a thousand years forging. However, he had been unable to truly control it, so he had placed it in the Earth Evil True Flame to be tempered.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Ju had been trapped in the Joyful Sect and hadn’t dared to cross over for seven years, causing the Wind and Thunder Blade Wings to be continuously burned by the Earth Evil True Flame.

The once three-meter-long Pseudo Magical Treasure was now only about a meter in length.

However, compared to before, the aura of the Wind and Thunder Blade Wings was purer, and it now carried a trace of fiery, baleful Qi.

Zhu Ju beckoned with one hand.

SWOOSH!

The Wind and Thunder Blade Wings trembled as if sensing his call, transforming into a streak of light that landed before him, its twin wings slowly unfurling.

Compared to its multicolored appearance from back then, all that remained now were dark, somber wings that shimmered with a faint, dark light.

"This accident not only failed to destroy it, but actually made it more condensed."

Zhu Ju channeled his True Qi into it and silently assessed it for a moment, a look of pleasant surprise on his face.

"What a pleasant surprise!"

The Demon Exorcism Hall used various Demon Cores to refine its Magical Artifacts, so they naturally contained many impurities. This tempering process was equivalent to removing them.

Only the fundamental essence remained, fused with the wings. Only now could it be considered a true Pseudo Magical Treasure.

If he could complete its Refinement, its grade would be a cut above even the Cross and Vertical Saber.

Composing himself, Zhu Ju sat down cross-legged and sent out a wisp of his aura to begin refining the Wind and Thunder Blade Wings while also stabilizing his own condition.

Seven years!

He had used the Hidden Element Technique and the Four Symbols Star Ban to seal his Cultivation for seven whole years. Now that he had suddenly broken the seal, he naturally felt some discomfort.

Moreover, he had been at the stage of Breaking Seven Acupoints seven years ago. During those seven years, with the help of the Joyful Sect’s resources and the Dual Cultivation Method, he had broken through successive levels and was now at Nine Acupoints Perfection. His Cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, and he also needed time to adapt.

Once everything was settled, he took out two Qiankun Bags.

One large, one small.

One heavy, one light.

They belonged to the Joyful Sect’s Inner Sect Disciple, Muk Zi, and Core True Disciple, Foo Qiuyue, respectively.

CRACK!

The Cross and Vertical Saber transformed into several streaks of saber light that slashed fiercely at the seal on the Qiankun Bag, instantly breaking it.

Spiritual Lights of all colors burst forth from within.

Spirit Stones, Magical Artifacts, Elixirs, Talismans...

"As expected of a Core True Disciple from a Great Demonic Sect. So wealthy."

Zhu Ju’s eyes gleamed. Rummaging through the Qiankun Bag, he found a total of six different High Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

There were also dozens of priceless Spirit Talismans. These items alone were worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.

"A Tier Two Spirit Talisman?"

"The Fire Separation Needle!"

Picking up an ancient-looking Spirit Talisman, Zhu Ju’s expression turned grave, and he couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath of cold air.

"It’s a good thing Foo Qiuyue was careless and didn’t use this Spirit Talisman right away. Otherwise, the outcome would have been hard to predict."

A Tier Two Spirit Talisman was comparable to a full-power strike from a Dao Foundation Cultivator.

Back then, Zhou Yuantong had used a single Heaven-Shaking Thunder Bomb to kill more than a dozen Inner Sect Disciples of the Joyful Sect in one blow.

This Fire Separation Needle had a smaller area of effect than the Heaven-Shaking Thunder Bomb, but its single-target lethality was even greater.

If she had used it... Zhu Ju would have had no choice but to escape into the Magic World, or else he would have been doomed.

Thankfully!

Foo Qiuyue hadn’t thought she’d need to use her ultimate trump card to deal with Zhu Ju, and as a result, she was killed in an instant.

"Huh?"

In a corner of the Qiankun Bag sat an inconspicuous wooden box. Opening it revealed a gleaming Pill.

Although he had never seen this pill before, its appearance and scent were identical to something from the legends.

"This is..."

Zhu Ju’s eye twitched, and his breathing grew ragged.

"A Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"It really is a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

Thinking back, Foo Qiuyue had failed her breakthrough attempt a few years ago. It was about time for her to have recovered and prepared for another.

It made sense that she would be ready to take another Foundation Establishment Pill to try again.

Given the Joyful Sect’s power and Foo Qiuyue’s status as a Core True Disciple, it wasn’t surprising that she would have a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"The heavens are helping me!"

Zhu Ju was ecstatic.

He had already broken through the Innate Nine Acupoints and opened his Forehead Ancestral Acupoint. His Essence, Qi, and Spirit far surpassed those of an ordinary Nine Acupoints Innate.

By taking the Foundation Establishment Pill, he had a high chance of a successful breakthrough.

"But let’s not be hasty."

"First, I must stabilize my Cultivation!"