34: Chapter 34 Awakening

"My true self is in slumber, trapped within Samsara Space," Chu Yang pointed into the distance. "You need to find me, awaken me."

"How do I find you?"

"Follow the soul bead's guidance," Chu Yang said. "But first, you must master my power."

He reached out and touched Qing Luo's forehead. "I grant you the foundation of the Yin Yang method. The rest, you must comprehend on your own."

A warm current flowed into Qing Luo's body, countless pieces of information flooding her mind, nearly overwhelming her.

"Remember," Chu Yang's voice gradually grew distant, "life and death are like illusions, reincarnation is eternal. Find me, stop the Dark Prison. Otherwise, all things will perish."

As the final word faded, darkness filled Qing Luo's vision. She felt herself being pushed out of the water, sitting up abruptly, gasping for air.

"Qing Luo!" The enchantress and Bi Luo immediately supported her. "Are you alright?"

Qing Luo slowly opened her eyes, a light she had never seen before flickering within them. "I saw him..."

"Who?" Daoist Wangchuan asked urgently.

"Chu Yang," Qing Luo whispered. "The real Chu Yang."

Everyone stared at Qing Luo in shock, unable to believe her words.

"You truly saw Chu Yang?" the enchantress pressed. "Where is he?"

Qing Luo shook her head, struggling to organize her thoughts. "Not his physical self. It was a strand of his divine sense left within the soul bead."

She recounted everything she had seen and heard in the Wangchuan Pond: her own karmic ties with Chu Yang from a past life, and how Chu Yang's true self was trapped in Samsara Space.

Daoist Wangchuan looked thoughtful. "This explains many things. Your unique constitution, your ability to wield the soul bead... it was all due to past life karma."

"Samsara Space..." Bi Luo asked weakly. "What kind of place is that?"

Daoist Wangchuan shook his head. "A place of legend, existing between life and death. It is said only those who have mastered the Dao of Reincarnation can enter."

"Then how do we find Chu Yang?" the enchantress asked anxiously.

"He said to follow the soul bead's guidance," Qing Luo closed her eyes, sensing the fluctuations of the soul bead within her. "It's very active now, seeming to point in a certain direction."

She stood up and walked towards the other side of the hall. "This way."

Everyone followed her to the wall, where a mural was carved, depicting a nine-story pagoda.

"The Tower of Reincarnation," Daoist Wangchuan said in surprise. "A legendary passage said to connect the Nine Realms."

Qing Luo placed her hand on the mural. Immediately, the stone wall trembled and slowly cracked open, revealing a narrow passageway.

"It seems this is our way out," the enchantress said.

"We must hurry," Bi Luo said, barely managing to stand steady. "The Dark Prison won't give up easily."

The four entered the passage, the stone wall closing behind them. The passage was dimly lit, with only occasional fluorescent stones on the walls providing illumination.

"Qing Luo," the enchantress walked at the rear, protecting the group. "Did Chu Yang say why the Dark Prison is hunting him?"

Qing Luo recalled what she had seen in the pond. "The Dark Prison wants to use the method of reincarnation to break the boundary between life and death. Chu Yang stopped them."

"If the boundary between life and death is broken, Yin and Yang will fall out of balance, reincarnation will collapse. The consequences are unimaginable," Daoist Wangchuan said gravely.

The passage gradually sloped upward, the air growing fresher. After about half an hour of climbing, light finally appeared ahead.

"The exit is here," Bi Luo said with relief.

Exiting the passage, they found themselves in an ancient courtyard. The yard was lush with flowers and trees, adorned with rockeries and a pond, exuding an immortal aura.

"Where is this?" the enchantress asked, warily surveying their surroundings.

Daoist Wangchuan observed for a moment. "Judging by the layout, it resembles a Taoist temple."

"Correct," an aged voice sounded. "This is the Temple of Reincarnation."

Everyone turned to see a white-haired old Daoist standing in a pavilion, holding a horsetail whisk, his demeanor serene.

"May I ask your title, Daoist?" Daoist Wangchuan bowed respectfully.

"This humble Daoist is known as Wuchen," the old Daoist smiled. "I have been guarding this Temple of Reincarnation for three hundred years."

"Do you know Chu Yang?" the enchantress asked directly.

Daoist Wuchen nodded. "Yin Yang Loose Cultivator Chu Yang. He cultivated here for several years. His comprehension was exceptional, a pity..."

"A pity what?" Qing Luo asked urgently.

Daoist Wuchen sighed. "A pity he strayed from the path. The Dao of Reincarnation should not be recklessly speculated upon."

Daoist Wangchuan frowned. "What do you mean by that, Daoist?"

"Life and death are fated, reincarnation follows its order," Wuchen explained. "Forcibly interfering will only bring disaster."

The enchantress was displeased. "Chu Yang only wanted to stop the Dark Prison from using the method of reincarnation for evil."

Daoist Wuchen shook his head. "His initial intent may have been so, but power corrupts the heart. Who can guarantee they won't be tempted once they hold the authority over life and death?"

"Chu Yang can," Qing Luo suddenly said.

Daoist Wuchen looked at Qing Luo in surprise. "Who are you? Why are you so certain?"

"I am Qing Luo," she met the old Daoist's gaze directly. "Chu Yang's power chose me. I believe in him."

Daoist Wuchen took a few steps forward, examining Qing Luo carefully. "A constitution harmonizing Yin and Yang, a naturally formed Spirit Eye, and fused with a soul bead... interesting."

He suddenly became serious. "Child, do you know how dangerous the power within you is?"

Qing Luo nodded firmly. "I know the responsibility is immense."

Daoist Wuchen pondered for a moment, then turned towards a nearby stone table. "Please, rest here for a while. Allow me to consider."

Everyone sat down around the stone table. Bi Luo was utterly exhausted, nearly fainting.

"Senior sister," Qing Luo looked at her worriedly. "You need treatment."

Daoist Wuchen came over to examine her, taking a small bottle of medicinal pills from his sleeve. "The aftereffects of the Seal of the Dark Prison. Taking this pill will provide relief."

Bi Luo gratefully took the pill. Her complexion soon improved.

"When did Chu Yang come here?" the enchantress asked.

Daoist Wuchen recalled. "About ten years ago. When he first arrived, he was just a young man seeking the Dao. After three years of arduous cultivation, his comprehension was astonishing. He even discovered this temple's treasure—the Reincarnation Sutra."

"The Reincarnation Sutra?" Daoist Wangchuan exclaimed in surprise. "The legendary celestial scripture that records the secrets of reincarnation?"

Daoist Wuchen nodded. "This sutra reveals itself only to those destined to see it. Chu Yang meditated upon it for seven days and seven nights, grasping its essence. From then on, he embarked on the path of the Yin Yang Loose Cultivator."

"And then?" Qing Luo pressed.

"He left the temple to travel and explore the mysteries of reincarnation. He returned two years later, no longer the young man of before, his eyes holding an unspeakable worry," Daoist Wuchen sighed. "He told me he had discovered the Realm of Reincarnation and understood many things he should not have."

"Is the Realm of Reincarnation the place we just left?" the enchantress asked.

"That was merely the entrance," Daoist Wuchen explained. "The true Realm of Reincarnation is unfathomably deep, connecting past and future. There, Chu Yang saw an omen of catastrophe. He said the Dark Prison covets the Power of Reincarnation, attempting to break the boundary between life and death."

"So he decided to stop them," Daoist Wangchuan said.

Daoist Wuchen nodded. "He cultivated the art of unifying Yin and Yang, intending to oppose the Dark Prison. Before leaving, he entrusted the Mirror of Reincarnation to me for safekeeping. He said if a specific person were to visit, I should gift them this object."

He looked at Qing Luo. "Seeing you today, I am certain you are that person."

Qing Luo was stunned. "Me?"

Daoist Wuchen stood and walked towards an inner chamber. He returned moments later, holding an ancient bronze mirror. "This is the Mirror of Reincarnation. It can reflect the past and future, providing access to the Realm of Reincarnation."

The enchantress asked warily, "Why give it to her?"

"Because she possesses Chu Yang's power within her, and shares karmic ties with him from a past life," Daoist Wuchen handed the mirror to Qing Luo. "This mirror recognizes its master. No one but you can use it."

Qing Luo took the bronze mirror. A familiar power surged into her body, resonating with the soul bead. Complex runes appeared on the mirror's surface, then vanished.

"It has acknowledged you," Daoist Wuchen smiled slightly. "Now, it can help you find Chu Yang."

"How do I use it?" Qing Luo asked.