The silhouette of Tongxuan appeared at this moment, and Chen Yi was engulfed in chaos, staring dazedly for a long time, unable to distinguish whether this was a dream or reality.

Until Tongxuan leaned down, cupping his face with her hands, the delicate touch startled him awake.

He climbed out of the lake, water droplets falling all around, yet Tongxuan still held his face, quietly watching him. It was only then that Chen Yi finally regained clarity and spoke again:

"Tong, Tongxuan... is it you?"

Tongxuan nodded slightly, lifting her two arms as if to say, if not her, then who?

She who was meant to fade from Zhou Yitang’s Heart Lake suddenly appeared, and he found himself in this place. Chen Yi looked around, feeling bewildered, his thoughts wandering aimlessly, and after a while, he asked, "Where is this?"

Tongxuan pointed downward, and Chen Yi followed her gaze. Beneath him, the clear ripples of the lake mirrored the faces of several women entangled with his own destiny. He was shocked, saying, "My Heart Lake..."

"Indeed." Tongxuan spoke, "After that battle, you couldn’t sustain your Sword Intent and went into a demonic frenzy."

At the mention of those familiar four words, Chen Yi was slightly startled. In the Jianghu, regardless of sect or school, whether on the mountain or below, going into a demonic frenzy is a taboo in cultivation, a lifetime companion to any Martial Artist. Once astray, every step along this path, every exertion, seems like a laborious journey but actually veers farther from the Righteous Path, closer to a dead-end.

A temporary frenzy can indeed elevate one’s realm to an unreachable peak, but this is merely a fragile balance. The slightest negligence can lead to a reversal of vital energy, damaging the meridians, or even threatening the organs, causing paralysis on one side of the body. In severe cases, martial arts may be completely destroyed, or death may occur instantly; the higher the realm, the greater the damage, thus many fear it greatly.

The realm of Martial Arts masters is vast, like fish crossing the river, but those who can walk out of a demonic frenzy to become a supreme master are few, such as Wu Buxu and others.

However...

Chen Yi glanced around, then looked at himself, muttering in amazement, "It seems I am one of the few?"

Tongxuan couldn’t help but laugh at his words.

Whenever Zhou Yitang smiled lightly, it was always beautiful. She seldom laughed, and in a previous life, after breaking her sword, even less so. Not having her cold face was already a blessing, and now he found some satisfaction in Tongxuan.

After the surprise, Chen Yi naturally knew there was more to this situation.

Even if his memories were unclear, he had some vague impression of the frenzy’s madness; his Sword Intent kept expanding, spreading, even wanting to... replace heaven and earth.

At this moment, Tongxuan finally spoke: "In all cultivation, going into a demonic frenzy is a great taboo; you too were unable to avoid it."

"But I... seem fine." After surveying his surroundings, Chen Yi replied, "Did I turn misfortune into a blessing?"

"In a way," Tongxuan continued, "At that time, her Sword True Mysterious sought protection from the divine beings of the heavens; they happened to notice you. Just this would have sufficed, but coincidentally, one among them stood firm against the rest and preserved you, along with your Sword Intent."

Tongxuan carried on:

"The Heavenly Dao could not tolerate you; the heaven evolves forty-nine times, and humans must follow their path. A mortal creating heaven and earth with a sword, how could such an act be beyond measure? However, as great tribulations approach and the situation changes, you must be kept for a while, with one eye open and one eye closed."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi immediately thought of those incessant, bickering figures from his blurry memory. If Tongxuan’s words were true, then those were indeed the "people".

"Why?" Chen Yi sneered, "For Heavenly Repair?"

Having reached this point today, no matter how things appeared peaceful, upon reaching a certain position, the threads could be discerned, especially since Chen Yi had partial memories of his previous life, understanding that the collapse of the heavenly pillars was inevitable, just a matter of sooner or later, and when the heavens collapse, they will need someone for Heavenly Repair.

Tongxuan glanced at him, unexpectedly shaking her head gently.

Chen Yi showed slight bewilderment.

"Even here, even being me, not much can be said to you. You only need to know that a major upheaval occurred in the heavens, damaging the Heavenly Dao. Although it settled safely, it left hidden troubles. Repairing the heavens is but a remedial action; waves of individuals for Heavenly Repair, regardless of their sacrifices, are merely delaying the inevitable. The cosmos is already shattered beyond repair; it will never be restored to its original state, no matter how well patched up."

Tongxuan disclosed celestial secrets unknown to ordinary people, even if vaguely, withholding many details, Chen Yi understood the implications.

"So, they need my Sword Intent, my... heaven and earth?"

Tongxuan nodded slightly, "Indeed so, you are their last resort."

Chen Yi constrained his gaze, indifferent.

Tongxuan seemed to have more to say but hesitated. She closed her eyes, half-squatted on the ground, and traced with her fingers on the water’s surface.

After observing her, Chen Yi pretended he hadn’t seen it, because what Tongxuan wrote coincided with his own thoughts.

One must admit, a master is truly a master, understanding the disciple’s mind with precision, even if not completely, clear as day. Chen Yi was naturally someone who would not follow divine orders or submit to others; today’s discussion amounted to a mere transaction.

They saw his value, and he could set his price, or even take control.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Yi turned to ask, "Master, why you..."

Finally, Chen Yi questioned Tongxuan about her presence here.

"Why am I still alive?" Tongxuan asked with a smile.

Chen Yi nodded slightly. Tongxuan was supposed to have faded into Zhou Yitang’s Heart Lake; yet here she was, in his presence, within his Heart Lake.