NOVEL WEB Chapter 52:
Chapter 052: Only the Dao:
In front of the Enlightenment Tree, dozens of monks rushed over hurriedly, only to see millions of radiant beams descending, enveloping a single figure. The atmosphere was serene and harmonious, as if the man, the Dao, and the tree had merged into one.
“So soon?” The leading monk, Du Zeng, was surprised.
Fortunately, it was only one person.
Du Zeng carefully observed the man. He was young, with delicate features and a strikingly handsome appearance. If he were to join their temple as a novice monk, his connection to Buddhism would undoubtedly be profound.
“Fellow Daoist, I believe this tree shares a great affinity with our Buddhist sect—”
“Senior Brother!”
Before Du Zeng could finish, a disciple of the Buddhist sect interrupted him.
“This man is very powerful. At the Heavenly Spirit Pool, many of our disciples fell at his hands,” Du Hui urgently explained.
Du Zeng’s eyes gleamed with golden light. “Are you saying he bears enmity toward our Buddhist sect?”
“Yes, but his strength is overwhelming. I worry that engaging him might come at a great cost.”
Du Zeng chuckled softly, his smile gentle and full of compassion. “Junior Brother, you think he is strong because you have not witnessed my abilities. Since he harbors resentment against our sect, we shall use the compassion of Buddhism to reform him. Watch closely.”
Taking a step forward, Du Zeng’s golden radiance surged behind him. A massive Vajra manifestation, towering several meters high, appeared. Its expression was fierce, exuding an aura capable of shaking the heavens and the earth.
“Wretched being, come forth!” His roar sent sand and leaves flying, like a tidal wave crashing ashore.
Lu Ye casually rubbed his ears, feeling as if even his earwax had been shaken loose.
Buddhism again… always Buddhism! His eyes opened, filled with impatience. The Enlightenment Tree was indeed a treasure, attracting various factions vying for it. If every intruder had to be dealt with, it would be an endless bother.
He moved swiftly.
“Don’t disturb my young master’s meditation!” A crisp voice rang out, followed by a massive sword light that tore through the sky, stirring the wind and clouds, slashing toward the Buddhist disciples.
Lu Ye remained unaffected, his figure darting through the monks like a phantom, lightning-fast. Golden light erupted, and the clashing sounds of metal echoed.
Upon closer inspection, it seemed as if a dozen indistinct figures of Lu Ye were attacking simultaneously. Some monks tried to block, but their sacred artifacts shattered. Others couldn’t even perceive his speed; by the time they reacted, a crimson line had already appeared on their throats.
In a blink, the dozen figures converged into one, and Lu Ye returned to his spot beneath the Enlightenment Tree, resuming his meditative posture.
The demonic sword clashed against the Vajra manifestation. Cracks spread across the manifestation, while its master’s eyes widened in disbelief and terror, regret faintly flickering in their depths.
“Pfft, pfft…” Blood spurted wildly.
Moments ago, the monks had been alive and well. Now, they clutched their throats, collapsing to their knees, their expressions shifting from confusion to pain. Some tried to stop the bleeding and heal their wounds, but the lingering sword energy in their injuries made recovery impossible.
“Amitabha…” Du Zeng uttered his final Buddhist chant before collapsing to the ground.
Chu Ling landed gracefully, sword in hand, her expression shifting as she witnessed the scene. She turned to Lu Ye, her gaze complicated.
At this moment, her suspicions were confirmed.
The young master no longer argued or mocked them because they no longer held any significance in his eyes. Lu Ye’s cultivation speed had surpassed her expectations, reaching a terrifying level. There was no need for him to entangle himself with them any longer.
In just half a year since his rebirth, his strength had reached an unimaginable peak. Given two or three more years, he might ascend to the Second Heaven. They would lose any chance of seeing him again.
Chu Ling knelt, her voice trembling with despair. “Young Master!”
Lu Ye closed his eyes, his heart unshaken.
Having a fickle heart and eight women was his mistake, and he had paid the price for it.
When he first transmigrated, he didn’t intend to seek numerous beauties. He yearned for familial bonds, friendship, and love. But the path of cultivation was paved with bones—brothers who died in battle and senior figures who fell on the path. He had experienced it all.
In this life, he desired nothing more than to ascend to the peak of the Dao, a realm he had never reached. Power to rule the world and beauties to enjoy were mere fleeting illusions. Only the Dao was eternal!
Chu Ling’s eyes filled with pain and determination.
After the incident at Chu Sword Manor, she realized how kind Lu Ye had been to her. He had called her his little maid with a voice full of affection.
Who else would risk life and limb for their maid, shield her path to becoming an empress, and do so with a genuine, childlike joy when she smiled?
Now, that warm smile was gone, replaced by a cold detachment that pierced her heart. Struggling to breathe, she clutched her chest, her gaze fixed on the youth surrounded by countless rays of light. She clenched her fists tightly.
“Young Master, I will follow you wherever you go! I will catch up to you!” After speaking, she knelt and kowtowed three times, her forehead hitting the ground with a loud thud before rising and leaving.
She had to become stronger, no matter the cost. She couldn’t imagine a life where Lu Ye disappeared forever, taking away the one person who loved her the most.
Lu Ye, however, paid no attention to Chu Ling’s actions.
His mind was preoccupied with an important matter—he had reached the peak of the Infant Breaking stage but hadn’t yet sensed a limit. Perhaps it was time to push this stage further, to levels previously unimagined, such as the tenth or even higher layers of the Infant Breaking stage.
Cultivation was a competition… and competition fostered growth!