"Sweep away the acquired consciousness and transform it into primordial enlightenment. This is the true mastery of the Dao. When the heart does not align with the Dao, advancement is difficult. Harmony, however, is the great chaos where heaven, earth, and man are in unison."

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Wuliang Tianzun!

I lowered my head to look at Wu Xiaoman, who was in my arms. Her breath was long and steady, and her once pale face had now regained its color. Even a faint blush had appeared on her soft, delicate face. Her occasionally fluttering eyelashes were undeniably charming.

I sighed in amazement. This was probably my second intimate contact with Xiaoman. If I hadn't cultivated the Dao, this situation might have never happened. It seems that the Xuanhuang Flag has destined my life to be filled with endless excitement.

Holding Xiaoman’s soft body in my arms, I found myself staring at her beautiful face, feeling my blood quicken, my mouth becoming dry. Unconsciously, I had become mesmerized.

Although I was a cultivator, as a young man, it was my first time observing such a beautiful young girl up close, and a ripple of emotions stirred within me.

I quietly gazed at Xiaoman. Her lips, so delicately red, exhaled a soft fragrance that dissolved my wandering thoughts. I felt my senses sharpen and gradually intoxicate me. Her soft murmurings seemed to resonate through my heart.

In this moment, human emotions transcended the Dao. For the first time in my life, I realized that, aside from the great Dao, there were such exquisite feelings to be experienced.

The cool autumn night breeze gently brushed Xiaoman’s hair, causing it to flutter across my face and waking me from my reverie.

I sighed deeply, then raised my right hand and swept away the ashes of the dry corpse, sending them into the sky. From where it came, let it return there. Heh.

Looking at the time, it was already late. The streets were nearly deserted. I glanced at Xiaoman in my arms and frowned slightly, letting out a bitter smile. Why hadn't I learned some kind of "awakening spell"? Helpless, I pinched her acupoint.

Xiaoman groaned softly and slowly opened her eyes. When she saw herself in my arms, she screamed and quickly pushed away from me.

"What do you want to do? What happened to me? Where is the dry corpse?"

Still dazed, Xiaoman looked around, realizing there was no one else around, and then hurriedly asked me, panic in her voice.

I smiled, replying, "Heh, the dry corpse has been sent to hell. It will never appear again. Don’t worry." I paused for a moment, then added, "It's late, let me take you home."

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"...Was that the dry corpse from the school?" Xiaoman didn't answer my question but instead asked calmly.

"Yes." I nodded.

Sighing helplessly, Xiaoman took a step forward and grabbed my hand, pleading, "Zhang Santong, can you tell me what happened? I… Woo!"

As she spoke, she began to cry. Seeing her so upset, I hesitated for a moment, then gently wrapped one arm around her and let her lean on my shoulder.

I didn’t know how to explain everything to her… sigh.

Xiaoman’s sobs grew softer, and I could feel her body getting heavier. I looked down in shock. She seemed to have fallen asleep again. The fright from the dry corpse had left her in a state of panic, and now, with her body relaxing, her spirit couldn’t hold up.

But it was so late now. What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t just stand here holding her all night, could I? What a dilemma!

I was about to wake her up when I suddenly heard hurried footsteps, growing louder and nearer.

Turning my head, I saw two figures gradually become clear under the dim streetlights, walking toward the bridge where Xiaoman and I were. They were walking quickly, constantly scanning the surroundings and calling out Xiaoman's name.

It seemed like they were Xiaoman’s family. I let out a breath, relieved. With her not being home this late, it was clear they must have been very worried about her.

"Xiaoman… Xiaoman."

"…"

One of the voices was full of anxiety and panic. It must have been Xiaoman’s mother.

I patted Xiaoman gently. She woke up with a slightly embarrassed look and whispered, "Thank you."

"Xiaoman… Xiaoman…"

The anxious calls continued to come.

Upon hearing them, Xiaoman immediately opened her mouth to respond, but then glanced at me and stopped, a slight panic appearing in her eyes.

I smiled. Xiaoman must be worried that her family would misunderstand seeing us together. Sigh, never mind. I’ll leave now; after all, she’s safe now.

Whispering a soft goodbye, I turned around and walked down from the bridge, heading to the other side of the street.

Behind me, I could hear Xiaoman talking with her parents. It seemed like everything was no longer my concern.

I strolled slowly down the street, the wind growing stronger, and the dry leaves fell from all sides, swirling and flying in the air.

I couldn’t help but sigh: the cycle of fallen leaves, how small is life…

The dark autumn night, the dazzling starry sky, the dim streetlights, the leaves rustling in the wind, all creating a cold and desolate scene. The neon lights flickered in the city like a thousand stars, illuminating the entire dark night.

"Sigh..." I suddenly felt a deep sense of loneliness, as if my shadow on the ground was the only thing alive in the reflection of the city.

I looked up, gazing at the stars, facing the vast sky. A sigh rose from the depths of my heart.

The profound silence of the night calmed my mind and soul, and the brilliance of the stars left me in awe. As I stared at the countless stars, I felt so insignificant. Before my cultivation, I only admired the beauty of the stars and the magnificence of the city’s night scenery.

But now, my life seeks nothing else. Any shallow distractions or indulgences feel like an excess. Only the Dao remains in my heart. Looking at the sky, facing the vast heavens, I silently shouted in my heart: my life is no longer bound by the heavens. My fate will be determined by me alone! I control my destiny!

In that moment, I suddenly felt a profound connection between my mind and the vast heavens, as if my heart and all things in the world were one. The mind and matter, me and the world, were in perfect unity.

At that moment, my mind was so peaceful… so peaceful. Before this peace, I could feel the world’s chaos and my own awareness. But at the height of this peace, I felt as if everything in the world resonated with my heart, and I was above all mundane emotions.

I stood quietly on the street, immersed in the quiet and contemplating the mysteries of the Dao…