Chapter 834
Three-Star Dou Sheng
The tides of reincarnation never cease. Xiao Ling has been rising and falling through life after life, his mind becoming like refined iron that has been forged a thousand times, growing ever more calm and clear.
As if guided by an invisible thread, no matter what destiny he was born into or where he was in the world, he would always meet a woman named Xun'er.
Sometimes, those encounters are those of fierce rivals. Sometimes, they are those of childhood sweethearts. Sometimes, they are those of kindred spirits who meet by chance.
Through countless reincarnations, Xiao Ling and Xun'er's identities and circumstances change constantly.
Each encounter is filled with different joys and sorrows, and each story leaves its own unique mark.
Xiao Ling once fought against her amidst the clash of swords, yet felt heart-wrenching pain the moment she fell. He also once stayed by her side amidst the rising smoke of cooking fires, experiencing the warmth and tenderness of ordinary days. He once broke off relations with her due to a misunderstanding, spending the rest of his life in regret. He also once crossed mountains and rivers, just to reunite with her and continue their unfinished love story.
These emotional experiences, like the finest millstone, have polished Xiao Ling's character, making him both gentle and resolute.
He gradually came to understand that love and hate, gathering and parting, gain and loss are all indispensable parts of life.
The woman named Xun'er was no longer a simple passerby in the cycle of reincarnation; she was the core bond in his mental trials and the anchor he could always find amidst the myriad phenomena of the world.
Each encounter gave him a deeper understanding of the word "love"; each parting made him cherish the present moment even more.
These emotions, accumulated over centuries, intertwined with his previous insights on his cultivation path, transformed into a powerful force that slowly surged within his soul, propelling his mind and character towards greater perfection.
At this moment, the cycle of reincarnation continues. What will the next encounter be like? Xiao Ling's consciousness floats and sinks in the tide of reincarnation. There is no confusion in his heart, only a deep expectation, hoping to continue the fateful bond with that familiar figure.
The ups and downs of a hundred lifetimes in a fantasy world are but a fleeting moment in reality.
As January quietly passed, strange ripples of energy suddenly appeared in the space at the heart of the ancient Bodhi tree, a space filled with pure life force.
This fluctuation was gentle yet profound, seemingly resonating with the pulse of the ancient tree, spreading along its vigorous branches, and finally converging on the green futon inside the tree.
On the futon, Xiao Ling slowly opened his eyes, which had been tightly closed.
What kind of eyes were those? They were as black as an abyss, yet seemed to hold the weight of countless ancient stars. A single glance revealed a world-weary wisdom that seemed to have seen through all the vicissitudes of life.
That sense of vicissitude was not a deliberate display of weariness, but rather a texture that had seeped into the depths of the soul after experiencing the joys and sorrows of a hundred lifetimes and tasting the coldness and warmth of human nature. It was so pure that it could not be faked, and so profound that it made one's heart tremble.
It was as if this young body had already carried thousands of years of history, and every glance held countless stories.
When Xiao Ling first opened his eyes, his gaze was still somewhat blank. His eyes swept lightly over the familiar ancient tree dome and the hazy aura of life, as if he had not yet completely withdrawn from the afterglow of reincarnation.
It wasn't until his gaze fell upon Xun'er's face, a face so familiar it was etched into his very bones, that his dark eyes, filled with the vicissitudes of time, slowly stirred with familiar ripples. It was a bond that had not dissipated even after hundreds of reincarnations, a tacit understanding that allowed them to recognize each other at a glance, no matter how their identities changed or how their circumstances shifted.
"The desolate ancient realm, the ancient Bodhi tree, a hundred lifetimes of reincarnation..."
A slightly hoarse voice escaped from his lips, the words carrying an indescribable ancient air, as if this sigh had traveled through countless seasons to reach this real space.
"It really feels like such a long, long time has passed..."
The repetitive tone contained no melancholy, only the calm after weathering countless storms, as if the ups and downs of those past centuries had truly exhausted endless time.
And just after that ancient voice fell, the deep, unyielding sense of vicissitude in Xiao Ling's dark eyes began to slowly recede.
Unlike the hasty receding of the tide, it was as natural as spring rain seeping into the soil, seeping little by little into his limbs and bones, and finally sinking completely into the depths of his soul, leaving no trace.
Looking at his eyes now, though still deep, they have regained some of the clarity of a young man. However, the occasional glint of warmth and clarity in the depths of his eyes indicates that the cycle of reincarnation has not dissipated. It has transformed into the most precious nourishment, allowing him to undergo a complete metamorphosis in a subtle way.
As the vicissitudes deep within his soul were completely subdued, Xiao Ling slowly raised his head, and a long breath of emerald green gas, imbued with pure life force, was exhaled from his chest.
The gas dispersed upon encountering the wind, transforming into specks of fluorescence that merged into the surrounding space, intertwining with the life aura of the ancient Bodhi tree and emitting a refreshing and invigorating fragrance.
His fingertips unconsciously brushed against the smooth, black hair of the beauty beside him. The touch was still as warm and silky as he remembered. This subtle touch was like a warm current, completely dispelling the slight alienation brought about by the lingering effects of reincarnation, allowing him to feel the reality more vividly.
What may have seemed like only a month to outsiders was, in his eyes, a period of profound ups and downs.
Each of those hundred lifetimes had a complete trajectory, including the trials and tribulations on the path of cultivation, the joys and sorrows in relationships, the intrigues and power struggles in the arena, and the mundane realities of ordinary life.
Every breath, every choice, every pain and joy felt so real, as if I were experiencing it myself. Through these repeated trials, my soul was honed to become more resilient and pure.
This cycle of reincarnation is never just a matter of chance; it's more like an extremely rigorous test of one's mind.
The prosperity and desolation, temptations and despair in that cycle of reincarnation are enough to make most of the strong fall into depravity and lose their way. If their will is not firm enough, they will be swept up by the illusions and either be trapped in the obsessions of a certain life and unable to extricate themselves, or be devoured by the memories of reincarnation and eventually become puppets who have lost themselves. Not only will they not gain any benefit, but they will also end up completely fallen into depravity.
Fortunately, with his extraordinary determination and unwavering spirit that has endured through countless lifetimes, Xiao Ling overcame numerous obstacles and preserved his true self amidst countless choices and struggles.
He not only did not lose his way, but also internalized the insights from each lifetime, turning them into nourishment for the growth of his Dao heart, and integrated each experience into his soul, turning them into the foundation for breakthroughs in strength.
Having gone through this cycle of trials, Xiao Ling's fighting spirit underwent a natural transformation.
The barrier that had been stuck at the peak of the two-star Dou Sheng realm quietly shattered under the impact of a hundred lifetimes of enlightenment and the nourishment of the life energy of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
His battle qi surged like a mighty river, roaring and flowing through his meridians. With each cycle, it became increasingly condensed and profound, eventually settling firmly at the level of a three-star Dou Sheng. Of course, the steady advancement in his battle qi realm and the profound transformation of his Dao heart were not the only gifts Xiao Ling received from this hundred lifetimes of reincarnation.
What pleased him even more was his earth-shattering breakthrough in alchemy.
Having been honed through a hundred lifetimes, Xiao Ling's alchemy skills had long transcended the level of mere technique, reaching a realm close to the Dao. Throughout those hundred lifetimes, Xiao Ling never slacked off in his cultivation of alchemy.
Each lifetime's experience in alchemy was like a piece of a puzzle, constantly being pieced together and perfected deep within his soul, ultimately constructing a vast and magnificent hall of alchemy. At this moment, his understanding of medicinal properties, control of flames, and deduction of alchemical formulas had reached an unprecedented level on the Dou Qi Continent.
Xiao Ling even dared to confidently assert that he was now the undisputed number one alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent.
The ninth-grade golden pill, which used to deter countless top alchemists, was no longer an unattainable legend for him.
As long as the materials are complete, he can start refining with a wave of his hand, and his success rate is so high that it will shake the entire Pill Tower.
Even if he were to gather all the renowned alchemists on the Dou Qi Continent and compete against them, he would still be absolutely confident of remaining invincible. This confidence was not arrogance, but rather stemmed from the absolute strength accumulated over countless lifetimes.
From the moment he stepped into the Desolate Ancient Domain, Xiao Ling's initial goal was clear and definite: to hone himself and improve his strength by taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
Now, with his battle qi breaking through to the three-star Dou Sheng level, his mind has become increasingly harmonious and clear, and his alchemy skills have reached the pinnacle of the continent. The original purpose of this trip to the desolate ancient domain has been perfectly achieved.
Xiao Ling had been sitting quietly on the futon for a short while when he heard a slight movement beside him.
Xun'er, who was originally asleep in the illusion, trembled slightly and then slowly opened her eyes.
Her eyes were still slightly misty when she first woke up, carrying a hint of lingering daze from her past lives. But when the gentle, familiar touch of her hair reached her senses, she instinctively looked up.
Before her eyes was Xiao Ling's familiar face, etched deep into her soul. Her brows and eyes held a gentle smile that she could never tire of seeing, and deep within her eyes lay a tender bond that transcended a hundred lifetimes.
"Husband."
Almost instinctively, a soft and affectionate call escaped her lips.
The moment the words fell, the dazed look in Xun'er's eyes gradually faded. Memories of countless reincarnations intertwined with reality like a tide, then quickly settled, and her consciousness was steadily pulled back to the core space of the Bodhi Ancient Tree.
She looked at Xiao Ling, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. That call she made just now was purely an instinct cultivated through countless lifetimes of companionship and companionship.
Upon hearing this call, tinged with a mixture of confusion and dependence, Xiao Ling's lips curled into a deeper smile. He gently flicked the tip of her delicate nose with his fingertip, his tone both playful and indulgent.
"Xun'er, although we have been husband and wife a hundred times in the cycle of reincarnation, we are not truly married yet. Why are you so eager to call us that?"
His teasing made Xun'er's cheeks flush even more, a hint of coquettishness flashing in her eyes, her voice soft and sweet.
"Brother Xiao Ling, why are you still teasing Xun'er again?"
Before she finished speaking, she threw herself into Xiao Ling's arms without hesitation, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, buried her face in his chest, and felt his warm body temperature and steady heartbeat.
The familiar scent enveloped her, instantly relieving her of all her aloofness and dazedness, leaving her only with a heart full of peace and longing.
"Whether it's a hundred lifetimes in the cycle of reincarnation, or this lifetime in reality," Xun'er's voice trembled slightly, yet remained unusually firm, a deep, resonant sound emanating from his chest.
"Xun'er's desire to stay with Brother Xiao Ling has never changed. Xun'er's gaze has always followed Brother Xiao Ling. Every time she meets Brother Xiao Ling, every time she stays with Brother Xiao Ling, it makes Xun'er more and more certain that Brother Xiao Ling is Xun'er's only destiny in this life."
Feeling the trembling and deep affection in his arms, Xiao Ling felt a surge of warmth welling up in his heart. He gently stroked Xun'er's long hair, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice deep and sincere.
"Okay, for the rest of my life, I will stay with Xun'er and never be separated from her again."
Embraced in the life-giving aura of the ancient Bodhi tree, their love, tested by reincarnation, became even purer and more steadfast, becoming each other's strongest support.
The two embraced for a long time before slowly letting go of each other.
Xiao Ling gazed at the lingering gentle light in Xun'er's eyes, his gaze sweeping over the increasingly refined and pure aura surrounding her. A confident smile played on his lips as he spoke: "Xun'er, if I'm not mistaken, your cultivation should have made a breakthrough as well, right?"
"Yes, Brother Xiao Ling is right! I have successfully broken through to the Dou Sheng realm!"
Upon hearing this, a bright light flashed in Xun'er's eyes, and she nodded emphatically, her tone filled with undisguised joy and a hint of surprise.
She raised her hand and gently brushed her sleeve. As the fighting spirit circulated around her, it was still gentle and restrained, but it already exuded the powerful pressure unique to a Dou Sheng expert. Compared with before, it had become more profound and weighty.
"Originally, I was thinking that after this trip to the Desolate Ancient Domain ended and I returned to the Ancient Clan, I would take out the Bodhi Heart, refine and absorb it, and use it to break through the bottleneck of the Dou Sheng. However, I did not expect that the experience of this hundred lifetimes of reincarnation would benefit me so much. The Dou Sheng barrier that had troubled me for so long was shattered so naturally."
Seeing her overjoyed expression, Xiao Ling felt gratified. He reached out and ruffled her hair, his tone full of praise: "This is the reward you deserve. Now that we have both entered the Dou Sheng realm, we can give our father-in-law an explanation when we return to the Ancient Clan."
After finishing his conversation with Xun'er, Xiao Ling turned to look at the ancient Bodhi tree behind him, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said sincerely, "Thank you for the opportunity, senior."
Xun'er also bowed to express her gratitude, and said softly, "Thanks to you, senior, we have been able to achieve such great results."
This breakthrough in realm and further advancement in alchemy were entirely due to the hundred lifetimes of trials under the Bodhi Tree, and their gratitude was heartfelt.
As soon as they finished speaking, the ancient, verdant branches swayed gently, their leaves rustling as if in response to their thanks.
The Bodhi tree already had a favorable impression of Xiao Ling, after all, it was Xiao Ling who helped it clear away the resentment of a Dou Di that had accumulated within it for many years, restoring it to its original state. As for Xun'er beside Xiao Ling, the ancient tree, out of respect for Xiao Ling, also found the girl quite pleasing to the eye. (End of Chapter)