91: Chapter 91 The Ups and Downs of the Heart, the Clear Mirror of Bodhi

Lin Ye slowly closed his eyes, no longer using his Divine Sense to forcibly resist the torrent of illusions rushing towards him.

Instead, he actively relaxed his mental defenses, using only a sliver of the most fundamental "spiritual clarity" to hold onto the awareness of "I am."

Boom!

Like a dam bursting, countless illusions, emotions, and sounds instantly submerged him completely.

He saw his parents from his past life weeping by his hospital bed, calling his name.

He felt a piercing pain and guilt, the deepest regret and obsession in his heart.

He paused, watching the sad scene without trying to change or escape it; he simply felt that sorrow quietly, then softly said, "I am sorry, take care."

The illusion fluctuated, and the figures of his parents gradually faded.

That sorrow seemed to lighten a little, transforming into a deeper sense of nostalgia.

He saw the bustling city on Earth, with its heavy traffic and bright lights, the life he was once familiar with but had gradually forgotten.

A strong sense of belonging and peace surged, tempting him to indulge in it.

He strolled down the street, feeling that long-lost "ordinariness," but his heart remained calm.

He knew that although he had attachments there, it was no longer his path home.

The illusion shattered like a bubble.

He saw himself holding supreme authority, where a single word could determine the life or death of thousands, and a single rage could make mountains and rivers change color.

Countless people knelt before him, surrounded by beauties, with treasures piled like mountains.

The sweetness of power and the thrill of controlling everything impacted his mind.

He tried to "experience" that feeling, but soon realized it was not what he truly desired.

What he pursued was the power to control his own destiny, not the authority to tower over others.

The "he" in the illusion began to become hollow and twisted, eventually collapsing.

He saw himself living for eternity, with a lifespan equal to heaven and earth, overlooking the changing of eras, yet he was all alone, with all his friends and family turned to dust.

An extreme sense of loneliness and emptiness enveloped him.

He felt fear, a fear of eternal loneliness.

He lingered in this fear, realizing the other side of immortality.

Finally, he realized that immortality was not the goal, but a means; it was to pursue infinite possibilities within the finite, and to protect everything he cherished.

The fear gradually dissipated, turning into a greater appreciation for the "present."

He saw the gates of the Lingyun Sword Sect shattered, his fellow Disciples brutally killed, Su Waner, Chu Yun, Elder Liu, and others lying in pools of blood, with the Yinkui Sect's demonic flames raging to the sky.

Anger, hatred, and a sense of powerlessness bit at his heart like venomous snakes.

He almost wanted to roar out loud and draw his sword to fight to the death.

But he forced himself to calm down and see the essence behind this illusion—it was his inner sense of responsibility and protection for the Sect and his fellow Disciples, as well as his fear of a future that might come to pass.

He bowed to his fallen fellow Disciples in the illusion and whispered, "I will stop all of this."

The blood-red color in the illusion gradually faded away.

He saw himself holding the command token of ten thousand ghosts, becoming the Dominator of the Netherworld, controlling Reincarnation, where a single thought could decide the Reincarnation of billions of living beings.

That supreme, almost "Creator-like" sense of control was chilling and intoxicating.

He even "saw" the "truth" of his Transmigration—perhaps it was an arrangement by some higher existence, or perhaps caused by the fluctuations of the reincarnation seal.

Infinite mysteries and power were within reach.

He sank into it, feeling the illusion of "omniscience and omnipotence," but soon, a warning came from the depths of his Soul; it was the warning of the Gatekeeper's duty, the scorching heat coming from the yan jun token.

He suddenly woke up; this power, while good, was not the Righteous Path and was more likely an abyss.

The illusion collapsed, leaving behind a deeper reflection on the "essence of power."

Countless illusions, countless emotions, and countless choices played out and settled in his "sea of the heart" like a revolving lantern.

He smiled at times, wept at times, was angry at times, and was calm at times.

He was like the most patient observer, and also like the most emotional experiencer, going through it all.

He did not know how much time had passed; perhaps it was an instant, perhaps a thousand years.

When the last strong obsessive illusion regarding "seeking the truth of Transmigration and returning to Earth" slowly dissipated after he faced it calmly and realized "this body is already in this world, this heart should be at peace here"...

The entire illusion of the sea of the heart suddenly became incomparably clear and tranquil.

All the illusions, emotions, and obsessions, like silt in water, slowly settled.

Above the sea of the heart, only a bright moon (spiritual platform) hung high, reflecting all things, unstained by a speck of dust.

Lin Ye slowly opened his eyes.

In his eyes, there was no longer the previous sharpness, edge, or hidden anxiety.

There was only a calmness, clarity, and firmness after experiencing the vicissitudes of life.

He clearly "saw" his own Dao Heart—it was not some single desire or belief, but a composite, three-dimensional, yet integrated "Dao."

With seeking immortality as the Foundation, protecting those he cherished as the thought, exploring the truth of the Great Dao as the interest, and bearing the responsibilities he ought to bear as the action.

Not avoiding the Mortal World, not yearning for falsehoods, not fearing life and death, and not failing his original heart.

Wielding the sword to slay demons and eliminate evil, practicing Alchemy to save the world, wielding power to plan for the common people, and seeking the Dao by asking heaven and earth.

This was his "Dao," his "heart."

Hum—!

As his Dao Heart became thoroughly enlightened and stabilized, the entire sea of the heart illusion emitted a crisp ringing sound, shattering like a mirror, transforming into pure mental power that fed back into himself.

He felt his Divine Soul was more condensed and strengthened than ever before, his Divine Sense range and quality increased explosively, and his control over his own spiritual power, Sword Intent, and flames had reached a brand new, consummate state.

The Bottleneck of the ninth level of Qi Refining loosened again, steadily advancing towards the Middle Stage.

More importantly, that "Lingyun Sword Intent" seed that had been suspended between his eyebrows, after this trial in the sea of the heart, seemed to be thoroughly "activated," perfectly merging with his Dao Heart, becoming a part of his Sword Dao Foundation, emitting a more introverted and vast Sword Intent.

He felt that his understanding of the Starfall Ice Soul Sword and the incomplete Concept of "One Sword Lingyun" had undergone a qualitative leap.

The first trial, Asking the Heart, passed!

The scene before him changed again; the starlight corridor reappeared, but it was more solid than before.

That ancient voice sounded again: "The Dao Heart is clear, worthy of cultivation. The second trial, Testing the Sword."

As the voice fell, countless cold glimmers suddenly lit up in the brilliant starry sky on both sides of the corridor!

Immediately following, countless long swords, entirely condensed from starlight, of various styles, with auras either sharp, heavy, ethereal, or domineering, shot towards Lin Ye like a river of stars reversing!

Each starlight sword contained a unique Sword Intent; although not powerful, it was incredibly pure, and they echoed each other, forming an airtight, infinitely changing torrent of Sword Intent!

This was not a test of strength, but a test of his understanding of the Sword Dao, his adaptability, and... the purity and height of his own Sword Intent!

He needed to use his own Sword Intent to carve a path through this torrent of Sword Intent and walk to the end of the corridor!

Battle Intent rose in Lin Ye's eyes.

His newly stabilized Dao Heart and Sword Intent needed honing!

He did not draw his sword (the flame sovereign sword was not with him), but instead joined his fingers like a sword, using his fingers to represent the sword!

"My sword has ice and fire as its Foundation, stars as its edge, Lingyun as its Concept, and protection as its thought!"

"Sword Intent, rise!"

Hum!

A unique Sword Intent, mixed with cold, heat, the destruction of stars, the proud Concept of Lingyun, and the thought of quiet protection, soared into the sky from Lin Ye's body!

This Sword Intent was no longer as distinct or forcibly fused as before, but was integrated, consummate, and natural, as if it should have been this way all along.

He took a step forward, facing the endless torrent of starlight Sword Intent, and stabbed with one finger!

There were no fixed Moves, only the interpretation of the Sword Intent from his innermost heart.

At times it turned into a cold wave that froze ten thousand miles, freezing a patch of starlight swords.

At times it turned into raging flames that burned through the eight wildernesses, evaporating a patch of Sword Intent.

At times it was like a star falling, breaking the surface with a point, defeating the core of the Sword Intent.

At times it was like the stab of Lingyun, grand and upright, severing the connection of the Sword Intent.

More often, his Sword Intent was like flowing water, weaving through the gaps in the torrent of Sword Intent, borrowing force, guiding, and even... absorbing and assimilating those starlight Sword Intents that matched his own Sword Dao, turning them to his own use and strengthening himself!

He seemed to have transformed into a swimming fish in the torrent of Sword Intent, or like a reef; no matter how the waves beat, he remained unmoved, instead transforming the power of the waves into assistance for his own honing.

Insights into the Sword Dao surged into his heart like a spring.

The vague understanding of the sword from his past cultivation and battles quickly became clear and sublimated at this moment.

Regarding the third Move, "Return to Void," of the incomplete Starfall Ice Soul Sword, he originally only had a vague Concept, but at this moment, in the collision with these thousands of Sword Intents, he gradually grasped its true meaning of "breaking then establishing, returning to nothingness and then harboring new life," and created the prototype of his own [Return to Void · Calamity] Sword Intent, which fused the Concepts of ice, fire, and stars.

And the incomplete Concept of "One Sword Lingyun" was also absorbed and utilized by him, integrated into the "Momentum" and "Righteousness" of his own Sword Intent.

Just like that, he moved forward step by step amidst the endless torrent of starlight Sword Intent. He was not fast, but every step was incredibly steady, and his Sword Intent became increasingly refined, pure, and powerful with each one.

He did not know how much starlight Sword Intent he had extinguished, absorbed, or assimilated. When he felt that his own Sword Intent had reached the pinnacle of his current Realm and could no longer draw nourishment from this torrent of Sword Intent, he let out a sudden, long whistle, condensed all his Sword Intent into his fingertip, and pointed it at the final and densest curtain of starlight swords ahead!

"Return to Void · Calamity!"

A point of extreme darkness, mixed with the light of ice and fire stars, bloomed at his fingertip and then silently spread. Wherever it passed, the starlight Sword Intent was like bubbles thrown into the void, one after another being extinguished, dissipating, and returning to silence.

Ahead, the view suddenly opened up.

The starlight corridor had reached its end, and before him stood that towering, ancient "Inheritance Star Hall", completely formed from condensed starlight!

The second trial, Sword Trial, passed!

Lin Ye withdrew his finger and stood still. His aura was calm and dense, his Sword Intent internalized, but he himself felt like a peerless divine weapon that had just finished quenching, its brilliance fully contained, waiting only to be unsheathed to shock the world.

He adjusted his breathing slightly, took a step, and walked into the "Inheritance Star Hall".

The hall was vast, with only the starry dome as its roof, and the floor was a mirror-smooth starry sky. In the center of the hall hovered a huge, slowly rotating ball of light composed of countless star runes.

"Candidate for the 'Gatekeeper' of future generations, having passed two trials, you may enter the 'Inheritance Star Hall', receive the 'inheritance star mirror' empowerment, obtain a portion of the 'Gatekeeper' Legacy memories, understand your responsibilities, know the stakes, and decide your path."

The ancient voice came from the ball of light.

"However, the Legacy carries risks. The memories are vast and cannot be borne without a resilient Divine Soul and a clear Dao Heart. Furthermore, once you accept the Legacy, you will be bound by Karma to the 'Gatekeeper' lineage forever, unable to break free. Even if your body dies and your Dao dissipates, your Soul must return to the Star Hall to guard the passage forever. Are you willing to accept?"

Risk and responsibility, opportunity and bondage, were placed before Lin Ye at the same time.

To accept would mean gaining the complete memories regarding the "Nine Nether Passage", the "three keys", and the duties of the "Gatekeeper". His strength, insight, and even status would skyrocket, but he would also bear the heavy Karma of suppressing the passage, potentially never finding release for eternity.

Not to accept would mean leaving safely, but the clues to the "reincarnation seal", the secrets of the "Gatekeeper", and even the methods to potentially resolve the crisis of this world would be missed. The many mysteries surrounding him (Transmigration, ancient ring, etc.) might also never have a chance to be solved.

How to choose?

Lin Ye stood before the swirling starlight inheritance ball of light, his gaze calm.

Having walked this path, from Earth to Tianxuan, from a menial Disciple to an acting Sect Master, from blindly seeking survival to seeing his own heart clearly, he was no longer the ant that only sought to protect itself. He had Sect members to protect, truths of the Dao to pursue, and he had personally experienced the crisis of the "Nine Nether Passage" and the fate of the "Gatekeeper".

Some responsibilities cannot be avoided even if one wants to. Some Karma has already entangled him unknowingly.

Since it cannot be avoided, then accept it calmly!

"Disciple Lin Han is willing to accept the Legacy, bear the duty of the 'Gatekeeper', protect the peace of this world, and guard the Nine Nether Passage!"

The voice was resonant and echoed in the empty Star Hall.

"Good!"

A sigh of gratification came from the ball of light, and then, the ball of light, composed of countless star runes, suddenly expanded, completely engulfing Lin Ye!

Memories and information as vast as a sea of stars poured into Lin Ye's mind like a bursting flood!

Fragments of the ancient war between gods and demons, the origin and structure of the Nine Nether Passage, the forging and power of the "three keys", the joys, sorrows, and epic guarding history of past "Gatekeepers", the origin and conspiracy of the Demon Lord Yinming, some contingency plans and prophecies left by Sword Immortal Lingyun, and even... a faint touch on the essence of "Reincarnation"...

The information was too much, too cluttered, too ancient, and too vast!

Lin Ye felt as if his head were about to explode, and his Divine Soul felt as if it were being pierced by countless needles simultaneously. He tightly guarded the Dao Heart he had just realized, using the seed of "Lingyun Sword Intent" as an anchor and the Great Sun Golden Flame to protect his spiritual platform, desperately absorbing, digesting, and organizing this massive amount of information.

It was painful, but it was also accompanied by rapid growth and sublimation.

His insight, perspective, and understanding of Cultivate, the world, and Reincarnation were all improving at an astonishing speed. Many mysteries that were previously unclear were now suddenly solved. Regarding the origin of the ancient ring yuan sha and the bone ring, there seemed to be a faint guess (possibly related to some ancient mighty figure who participated in the sealing of the passage).

I do not know how much time passed, but when the last bit of information was arduously digested by Lin Ye, the ball of light slowly shrank, turning into a palm-sized token, neither gold nor jade, engraved with star runes, which fell into Lin Ye's hand.

"The 'inheritance star mirror' can communicate with the Star Hall, access a portion of the 'Gatekeeper' secret records, sense the approximate location of the 'reincarnation seal', and serve as a token for the 'Gatekeeper' candidate. Holding this mirror, you can freely enter and exit this 'Inheritance Star Path' space."

The ancient voice carried a trace of fatigue: "The Legacy is complete, you may leave. Remember your duties, and use your authority with caution. The safety of the passage rests upon you."

Lin Ye held the "inheritance star mirror" that still carried residual warmth and bowed deeply in the direction where the ball of light had dissipated.

"This Disciple will certainly not fail the trust placed in me!"

After bowing, he moved his mind and communicated with the "inheritance star mirror".

The starlight before his eyes swirled, and the space shifted.

The next moment, he had returned to the Ancestral Master's ancestral hall, holding the "spirit-nourishing bead", "yan jun token", "command token of ten thousand ghosts", and the newly acquired "inheritance star mirror", as if he had never left. Only, in the ancestral hall, the secret compartment under the offering table had automatically closed and returned to its original state.

Outside, it seemed only a moment had passed?

Lin Ye felt the vast knowledge newly added to his mind, as well as the clear connection between the four tokens in his hand; feelings of pride and responsibility intertwined in his heart.

He knew the approximate location of the "reincarnation seal", which was deep within the "Eye of the Northern Deep", wrapped in the power of extreme cold and chaotic space-time. He also knew that the "soul-stabilizing bead" was not the "spirit-nourishing bead", but another exotic treasure that accompanied the "reincarnation seal", capable of stabilizing the Divine Soul and resisting the "Gatekeeper's Calamity", and its clues might also be in the Northern Deep.

He even knew of the so-called "Gatekeeper's Calamity" — past "Gatekeepers", due to long-term contact with the Death Qi of the Underworld and the Laws of the passage, found their Heart-Nature easily eroded, giving rise to crazy thoughts of controlling the passage or even making deals with certain existences in the Underworld. The previous abnormality of Sect Master Master Lingxiao was likely the first sign of this calamity! And the method to break it, besides the "soul-stabilizing bead", required the power of the "yan jun token" and the "spirit-nourishing bead", as well as the successor's own Dao Heart and Sword Intent.

Time was tight! He must go to the Northern Deep as soon as possible to find the "reincarnation seal" and the "soul-stabilizing bead", complete the three keys, thoroughly stabilize the passage, and find a way to help the Sect Master survive the "Gatekeeper's Calamity"!

But the Sect's internal and external troubles were not yet settled, Golden Flame Valley was eyeing them covetously, the remnants of the Yinkui Sect were not yet cleared, and his position as "acting Sect Master" was not yet firmly seated...

Just at this moment, the communication talisman in his bosom vibrated urgently again.

It was an emergency message from Ye Xiao (person in charge of the Dark Hall): "Acting Sect Master, something terrible has happened! Outside the mountain gate, Master Chihuang of the Golden Flame Valley has suddenly made a Move, claiming that Hermit Xianyun's appraisal was unfair, that he colluded with you, and that you are harboring demonic objects! He has united with several Golden Core Fellow Daoists from the 'Xuantian Sect' and 'Divine Weapon Sect' to block the mountain gate, demanding a re-appraisal of the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts', otherwise, they will force their way into the mountain to search for demonic objects! Supreme Elder Tianxuan is currently confronting them, but the opposition is powerful, and I fear he cannot hold out for too long! Please, Acting Sect Master, make a quick decision!"

Golden Flame Valley actually united with Xuantian Sect and Divine Weapon Sect?! And they want to force their way into the mountain to search?!

It seems Master Chihuang does not intend to keep the three-day agreement and wants to take advantage of the short gap while the Sect Master is in seclusion and he himself is "missing" to use thunderous means to completely tear off the mask!

What a Golden Flame Valley! What a Master Chihuang!

Cold light flashed in Lin Ye's eyes, and a biting intent to kill and majesty rose from his body.

Since you want to fight, then let's fight!

It is just right to use the blood of you clowns to sacrifice to my position as "acting Sect Master" and to promote the prestige of my Lingyun Sword Sect!

And while I am at it, I will test this newly acquired "Legacy" and the "Dao of the Sword" I have realized!

"Pass down the order!" Lin Ye's voice, through the "Sect Master Token", instantly spread throughout the entire Sect, carrying an unprecedented resolution and majesty: "Activate the mountain-protecting formation! All Disciples, take your positions! Golden Core Elders, follow this Seat — to meet the enemy!"