Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao-Chapter 1327 - 69: To Choose or to Abandon

In the white light, all the summoned disappeared from the square.

The immense Ancestor Dragon Square was empty, a scene of cold silence.

The white light engulfed the entire Ancestor Dragon Square, gradually consuming it so thoroughly that it became indiscernible.

No one knows what happened in the Ancestor Dragon Main City, for no life forms exist in this place anymore.

The Ancestor Dragon Main City began to undergo unknown changes, as if a new rules baptism, with the essence qi, soul energy, and other elements becoming increasingly profound and mysterious.

Yet, amidst such drastic transformations, the shadow of a snow peak suddenly appeared above the vast Ancestor Dragon Main City, manifesting as a unique illusion in a peculiarly eerie manner.

This shadow existed for an infinitesimal instant, then vanished abruptly.

Even the absolutely powerful and invincible being, without sensing in all dimensions, wouldn’t notice this unique scene.

However, this scene seems to fall into the perception of another light shadow.

That light shadow flashed across the void, revealing a chip’s form, freezing time for a breath’s fraction, then similarly disappearing.

The changes in Ancestor Dragon Main City are intense, yet ultimately tranquil because no life forms exist here anymore.

But Ancestor Dragon Main City has never been peaceful, for bizarre Dao resonance and inexplicable changes occasionally arise above the vast square.

However, this scene is temporarily difficult for any summoned to discover, so even if a faint trace manifests, it quickly vanishes without a trace.

The Ancestor Dragon Main City begins another round of changes.

...

In the quaint room, Zhou Yan’s expression is calm, gazing outside through the wooden window that emits a subtle pear blossom fragrance.

The outside world is extraordinarily lush, extremely clear.

The sense of reality even far exceeds the palpable feeling Zhou Yan experienced after embarking on the correct path the second time.

Yet, a profound doubt lingers in Zhou Yan’s heart—is he already inside the True Void Heavenly Prohibition?

Everything in reality tells Zhou Yan that all of this is real.

But an indistinct instinct told Zhou Yan privately that this place is false.

Consequently, truth and illusion blur, Zhou Yan struggles to distinguish between them.

Zhou Yan’s grasp of the True Void Heavenly Prohibition is profound, especially after discerning the truth multiple times, his understanding becomes deeper.

Yet now, Zhou Yan honestly lacks the ability to judge, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, wondering if this is the heart road trial before the Netherworld Heavenly Road or truly a transformation task entrusted by his father through special means.

True and false, false and true.

Zhou Yan senses soul energy, soul power, comprehends his Tao, derives the Purple Flame, even splits his soul to enter the Soul Sea entangling with Gu Xi, all seems unchanged.

Since Gu Xi cannot perceive matters outside Ancestor Dragon Main City, she shares Zhou Yan’s circumstances, lacking any reference to distinguish this truth from illusion.

Thus, after resting for an entire day, when Zhou Yan restores everything to an extreme state, he considers whether to ’integrate’ with the identity of ’Gles’.

This is a choice, a decision.

This choice, once wrong, could lead to doom.

To accept or to abandon, this is a profound question.

With arms folded, Zhou Yan ponders deeply on this issue.

If he chooses, he’ll acquire Gles’s identity, exploring all cultivation secrets of the Elf True Return Clan, obtaining new opportunities, but the consequences are unimaginable.

If he abandons, he might not withstand the current predicament.

Zhou Yan sinks into contemplation, ultimately not making a choice.

His split soul resides in the Soul Sea, staying together with Gu Xi.

Between him and Gu Xi, Zhou Yan had no more regrets, and in the apologetic look that Gu Xi had cast before, Zhou Yan felt even more affection for her.

Therefore, he handed this matter over to Gu Xi to judge.

"Xi’er, earlier, my father secretly transmitted a unique opportunity to me, allowing me to enter the Elf True Return Clan of the Eternal All Spirit Race and undergo a transformation. I also mentioned the specifics to you before. But my instinct tells me that this situation might indeed be the journey on the Netherworld Heavenly Road, a True Void Heavenly Prohibition. So how should I face it? Should I accept the identity of Gles and experience a brand new Tao, or should I abandon this Tao, remain true to my original self, detach from the Red Dust, and directly confront my heart, which perhaps can dispel the doubts within me...

Xi’er, in this matter, I have decided to listen to you; this time, I want you to help me make a decision."

Within the Soul Sea, Zhou Yan’s split soul said with utmost seriousness.

Of course, even though his tone was serious, the deep affection was unmistakably profound, so profound that Gu Xi could clearly sense it.

Zhou Yan did not use any tricks or schemes; his intentions were genuinely like this. Whatever Gu Xi says, he would do so.

Because Zhou Yan had thought, judging from his potential, his bloodline, soul power, etc., if judged by being taken by the white light, he would likely be the first or second!

Then, when Zhou Yan saw Long Xianyin and others being taken by the white light, at that time, it might have already fallen into the True Void Heavenly Prohibition.

The test, in fact, began when entering the massive square of the Ancestor Dragon Main City.

However, precisely knowing these, everything that followed happened with utmost clarity, which made Zhou Yan aware that if it was true, it would be fine to say. If it was false, then this True Void Heavenly Prohibition might be related to Emperor Lei Yan, thus making it almost impossible for him to break free.

Entrusting everything to others was equivalent to handing over control to bystanders!

It is precisely this thought that made Zhou Yan seek Gu Xi’s advice.

"Brother Zhou Yan, whether true or illusory, since reality is before us, we should respond to it sincerely. What should be done and what shouldn’t be done, we shouldn’t be confused but should look at our own hearts, right?"

"Brother Zhou Yan, when Xi’er first met you, you were someone unconstrained, doing as you please, daring to love and hate, without any taboos or fears. You might seem crude, yet you have a genuine heart for the Red Dust, not confined by the world. Now, as these years have passed, despite the realm constantly changing and the Heavenly Dao becoming more profound, the basic things can actually remain unchanged."

"If a towering tree grows straight, warm wind and cold wind are all the same, as long as the tree keeps growing straight, it can truly stand tall. At that time, it doesn’t matter how strong the wind is; the tree itself is exceptionally straight, with strong character, and that’s the victory."

"So, Xi’er believes since Brother Zhou Yan perceives the place as so real, treat it as the real world. Since Brother Zhou Yan instinctively feels it as True Void, then live with clarity amidst confusion. Trust, everything will be fine."

Gu Xi was always reluctant to leave Zhou Yan’s embrace, even while speaking these significant words, she tightly hugged Zhou Yan’s waist, almost hanging her body on him.

The two always relied on each other, the scenery in this Soul Sea wasn’t beautiful; rather, it was very monotonous, like the Immortal Domain Sea, a vast Soul Sea.

Yet, as Gu Xi implies, wherever Zhou Yan is, everywhere is a beautiful scene.

So Gu Xi didn’t find it stifling here; instead, staying here with Zhou Yan felt like living in seclusion, bringing immense happiness.

Gu Xi’s given answer at that moment undoubtedly dispelled much of the fog in Zhou Yan’s heart.

Zhou Yan recalled his past mental state when he merged with the soul fragments of the Grandmaster, his personality was directly influenced, allowing him to point directly to his heart, speak frankly, and be very straightforward.

His actions were odd, coldly arrogant, both wild and confident, possessing immense charm.

It was precisely at that time that he attracted the favor of many beautiful women.

Zhou Yan recalled the past, the doubts in his heart gradually cleared, and finally, became much more enlightened.

Finally, he exhaled lightly and said, "Alright, I accept it. Whether true or false, the key is to comprehend it. When false becomes true, the true is also false; when Wuwei exists, existence returns to nothingness."

Zhou Yan muttered to himself, then hugged Gu Xi even tighter.

...

Outside the Soul Sea, Zhou Yan standing by the window had eyes originally filled with mist and obscurity, but at that moment, his gaze brightened as if the sun appeared after the rain, an unparalleled, immensely charming gaze.

In that gaze, Zhou Yan was like a deep and mighty mountain, standing by the window, hands behind his back, carefully considering the traits, abilities, and methods of the Gles he had seen, gradually altering the shape and breath subtly, as Nirvana’s breath, soul abilities, and body began to wordlessly harmonize.

After harmonization, Zhou Yan immediately felt an indescribable sense of perfection, and at that moment, his realm directly progressed from the Sea of Suffering Realm Ninety layers to the Sea of Suffering Realm Ninety-one layers.

After this realm transformation, all aspects of his abilities immediately showed a very clear increase, most notably, Zhou Yan’s eyes, nose, ears, and other six senses capabilities increased nearly a hundredfold in an instant. This change, this fierce increase, made Zhou Yan extremely amazed.

"After the Sea of Suffering Realm Ninety layers, each layer’s evolution and transformation display overwhelming power growth! This... if a Summoned enters into the Sea of Suffering Realm Ninety-nine layers, wouldn’t the remaining Summoned have no means of resistance?"

Zhou Yan’s brows furrowed; he was planning to continue deriving the difficulty of entering the Sea of Suffering Realm Ninety-nine layers when he sensed a very slight fluctuation of energy change, followed by an extremely fragrant aroma spreading over.