Chapter 1500: How Is It Not True That I’m Eighteen? (2)
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Some pretended to be good and wanted to use others for their gain. I ruined their plans, and then countless people blamed me for it. I couldn’t explain it to them, and I couldn’t bear to see them die, so I killed those who wanted to harm them. But they say I’m the demon…”

The more Chu Chuan spoke, the more agitated he became. He was affected by the sword. His words were sometimes incoherent.

But Jiang Hao listened intently. He let himself feel the weight of Chu Chuan’s grievances and sorrows.

After a long while, Chu Chuan lowered his head and said, “I’ve encountered so many things that I’ve forgotten what I originally set out to do. I’ve lost my way. What should I do?”

Jiang Hao looked at Chu Chuan and said, “It’s alright. Everyone encounters countless trials in their life, and their state of mind changes with their experiences. The fact that you’ve maintained this much clarity already puts you ahead of many others. Most people cultivate just for the sake of it and forget what they truly want. Desire drives many, which isn’t necessarily bad. But in the process, few remain clear about what they want to achieve or accomplish.”

Jiang Hao gently asked, “Do you remember why you left the sect?”

“To go East,” Chu Chuan said softly.

“Why did you want to go East?” Jiang Hao asked. “Why take a path that others don’t even dare to think about? What is at the end of that path?”

“To pull Chu Jie down from her pedestal.”

Jiang Hao nodded and said quietly, “See? You haven’t forgotten.”

“But…” Chu Chuan’s eyes grew uncertain.

“You’re worried you’ll lose sight of it as you go?”

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“No. I think I’ll forget about it.”

Jiang Hao looked at the mountain peak and said softly, “To not forget your original intention is to stay true to your purpose. But staying true is much harder than it seems. Your life was destined to be filled with hardships. You need to think clearly and understand what you truly desire. If you really don’t know what you want, then go home. It’s not like you have nowhere to go.”

Chu Chuan stood frozen on the spot. He lowered his head, and his eyes became vacant.

Jiang Hao understood that this was part of the process of evolving one’s state of mind.

If Chu Chuan failed, he might truly go home, and who knows if he would end up following in the troublesome footsteps of Xiao Li and the others?

Chu Chuan was silent.

Jiang Hao did not leave. He stood by him and sensed the changes in Chu Chuan’s emotions.

Unease, anger, resentment, calmness, confusion, excitement…

Finally, a light returned to Chu Chuan’s eyes.

He looked up at the sword above him, and his whispered words echoed powerfully. “I observe life and the self within. I see the void and my true self. Unlocking old shackles, today I finally know who I am. Breaking through the waves of the world, the true path of immortality shines within my heart. Understanding my true nature, I live freely from this day forth.”

As his words fell, the power of the Freedom Technique surged, and a radiant light soared into the sky.

His strength flowed like a stream rushing into the ocean.

Chu Chuan had rediscovered himself. He grasped the Ten Thousand Souls Banner and gazed at the sword. “I know you have many souls. My request is simple–give them all to me.”

The blade intent of the Ruins of Return descended and pressed down on Chu Chuan.

Crack!

It was the sound of bones breaking.

This was the test laid out by the Ruins of Return.

Under such immense pressure, Chu Chuan gritted his teeth and refused to bow down.

He had always been strong-willed and had never allowed anything to make him submit from within.

This only fueled his fighting spirit.

Feeling the pressure, Chu Chuan let out a roar and took a step forward. He leaped into the air and reached for the sword.

At that moment, countless souls burst forth and entered the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.

Chu Chuan was now enveloped by endless souls.

If his state of mind was flawed, he would not be able to withstand such an opportunity.

Opportunities were always accompanied by risks.

Jiang Hao watched from the side in awe. “A great bird will rise with the wind and soar to unimaginable heights.”

“You know a lot of poems,” said a voice suddenly from behind Jiang Hao.

Jiang Hao turned around and saw Hong Yuye there.

Jiang Hao shook his head. “I heard my father recite them when I was younger.”

“Then, why didn’t you recite such verses before?” Hong Yuye asked.

Jiang Hao looked in the direction of the main body of the Ruins of Return and walked toward it.

“Many of the words that were once obscure only make sense in certain moments of life.”

“Are you saying you were once naive?”

“Yes.”

“You treat your juniors very well,” said Hong Yuye as she changed the topic.

They were not looking at Chu Chuan anymore. Instead, they headed deeper in.

Chang Wei and Jing Yan seemed to have had another realization, so Jiang Hao did not take them with him.

Of course, since Hong Yuye was here, he could not take them along even if he wanted to.

Otherwise, he could have still watched them to see what would happen as they went deeper.

“I hope they keep progressing, so I won’t have to worry about them causing trouble,” Jiang Hao said.

Chu Chuan was free of worries. He might be gone for decades and might not return for a few hundred years.

In that, he would grow strong, so there would be no trouble.

Moreover, as time passed, few would look back and even fewer would return.

Once they got tangled with the outside world, it was too deep and too complicated to leave behind.

This is something everyone must experience.

It was the same for him. Even if he found his family, it would be difficult for him to return home.

Even if his parents were good to him, he could only visit them occasionally.

After growing up, he would have his own life and circumstances.

“What will you do next?” Hong Yuye asked.

“What about you, Senior?” Jiang Hao asked.

At the moment, he wanted to find the Ruins of Return. That was urgent.

After that, he might visit the Black Eagle Clan.

Chu Chuan had mentioned them. To help him on his path, he had to lend his support.

This way, Chu Chuan would have a smooth journey to the East.

With some achievement in the Freedom Technique, perhaps he would be accepted by the Clear Sky School in the future.

There was no need for him to return to the South.

“Let me see the Ruins of Return.” Hong Yuye said.

“I’ll try my best to get as close to the Ruins of Return as possible,” said Jiang Hao immediately.

He soon arrived at the mountain peak and walked up step by step.

At this moment, there were occasional flashes of light in the forest. It meant that some people knew where their path was.

But those who grasped the Ruins of Return were few and far between.

“The power of the Ruins of Return is being dispersed little by little,” Jiang Hao said.

“Do you think it’s better for the power to be dispersed, or for the Ruins of Return to remain whole?” Hong Yuye asked.

“That depends on the era…” Jiang Hao thought for a while and said, “A complete Ruins of Return will always remain a blade, but once dispersed, it could branch into multiple paths. More people will reach the end.”

“What if it was your blade?” Hong Yuye asked.

“Then, I wouldn’t be able to do the same. I don’t have such ambitions, nor would I prepare so extensively for those who come after me,” Jiang Hao said as he shook his head.

He was not the Heavenly Extreme Emperor.

Hong Yuye did not say anything.

The two continued to walk up the mountain.

Perhaps at the top, they would find the Ruins of Return they sought.

Elsewhere, many were undergoing trials.

Bi Zhu led Qiao Yi along the lakeside, but they could not seem to leave.

“Princess, there’s a stone tablet in front,” said Qiao Yi excitedly and pointed in front.

They had been walking by the lakeside for a long while. They had tried everything they could think of, but everything had turned out to be useless.

It was hard to say whether they could leave this place safely, let alone find opportunities.

Since they had finally found a stone tablet, they were delighted.

“Let’s go take a look.” The two quickly approached the stone tablet.

It was inscribed with many words, which happened to be Qiao Yi’s specialty.

“Princess, please give me a moment. These words are hard to decipher. I need some time,” Qiao Yi said.

Bi Zhu was not in a hurry, so she waited quietly.

Many people had entered this place, and just because they had not found the Void did not mean others would not.

A while later, Qiao Yi translated the opening sentence. “Princess, this is no ordinary lake. It is called the Lake of Truthfulness, meaning that only by being true to oneself can one leave.”

“What do you mean?” Bi Zhu asked curiously.

“It means you have to tell the truth,” Qiao Yi said.

“The truth?” Bi Zhu did not quite understand.

“For example, if the first question on the stone tablet asks the reader how old they are. Answer truthfully, and the lake will react,” Qiao Yi said.

Hearing that, Bi Zhu sighed in relief. “That’s easy. I’ve just turned eighteen this year.”

The stone tablet did not respond.

The lake was as calm as ever.

“Auntie Qiao, did you translate it wrong?” Bi Zhu frowned.

Qiao Yi was at a loss for words.