sinovels Chapter 467 Rain's Life!
Chapter 467 Rain's Life!
A glimmer of enlightenment, like spring rain nourishing all things, seeps silently into the heart of the Tao.
Chen Fan's aura began to fluctuate.
At first, it was very slight, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating shallow ripples.
But as the understanding deepened, the fluctuations became more and more obvious and intense.
Tianxiangzi was the first to notice something was wrong. She turned to look at Chen Fan at the temple entrance, her eyes showing surprise.
Chen Fan remained standing with his eyes closed, his robes fluttering in the wind and rain, yet he exuded an indescribable aura.
The aura was faint, yet incredibly profound.
It seemed to encompass both the joy of life and the desolation of death. Two completely opposite Daoist principles intertwined and merged within him, ultimately transforming into a grander and more inclusive realm of meaning.
The raindrops falling on him no longer wet his robes; instead, they evaporated the moment they touched his body, turning into wisps of white mist that swirled around him.
The white mist did not dissipate; instead, it flowed slowly with the rhythm of his breathing, sometimes condensing as if alive, sometimes dissipating as if dead, repeating endlessly, mysterious and indescribable.
Tianxiangzi held her breath, not daring to disturb her.
She knew that Chen Fan was having an epiphany.
This is a rare and precious opportunity.
Time passes little by little.
The rain gradually subsided.
The rain started as a torrential downpour, then turned into a light drizzle, and then into a continuous drizzle.
The rain, fine as needles, drifted obliquely through the air, casting a hazy veil over the mountains and forests.
The white mist surrounding Chen Fan grew thicker and thicker, eventually enveloping his entire body, leaving only a blurry silhouette visible from the outside.
The figure appeared and disappeared in the mist, as if it might vanish at any moment, yet also seemed to exist forever.
The principles of life and death reached a delicate balance at this moment.
I don't know how much time passed.
The rain finally stopped.
The last drop of rain fell from the eaves and hit the bluestone with a crisp "tap".
The eastern horizon was beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
As dawn broke, the light pierced through the clouds and spilled into the damp mountain forest, where dewdrops clung to the grass and leaves, shimmering in the morning light.
Inside the dilapidated temple, the white mist surrounding Chen Fan slowly dissipated.
He opened his eyes.
His eyes were clear and deep, like an ancient well, yet they also revealed an indescribable sense of inclusiveness and clarity.
"You..." Tianxiangzi began softly, but didn't know what to ask.
Chen Fan turned to look at her and smiled slightly.
The smile was faint, yet it sent a shiver down Tian Xiangzi's spine. She had never seen Chen Fan smile like that before. It wasn't a sneer, nor a mockery, but a genuine, heartfelt, calm, and inclusive smile.
It's as if he's sailed through countless storms, yet returned still a youth.
Yet it has aged far beyond what a youth could have imagined.
"We're fine at home," Chen Fan said, his voice still calm, but with an indescribable undertone. "It's just... I've come to understand some things."
He walked to the boy's side, squatted down, and gently pried open the little hands that were tightly clutching the corner of his mother's clothes.
The boy was still fast asleep, his brow furrowed, as if he couldn't find peace even in his dreams.
Chen Fan raised his hand, a faint blue light emanating from his fingertips, and touched the boy's brow.
A wisp of pure and gentle spiritual energy flowed in, nourishing his withered body and soothing the wounds and fears in his soul.
After doing all that, Chen Fan looked at the woman's corpse again.
He was silent for a moment, then raised his hand and made a light, perceptible press.
The ground silently cracked open, just big enough for one person. The woman's body slowly sank into it, and the soil automatically covered it, forming a small grave.
There was no tombstone, no incense, only a handful of fresh soil.
Chen Fan took out a low-grade spirit stone from his pocket, crushed it into powder, and sprinkled it on the grave. The spirit stone powder blended into the soil, emitting a faint spiritual energy, enough to preserve the corpse from decay for a hundred years and prevent insect infestation.
"Dust to dust, ashes to ashes," Chen Fan said softly. "You have done your best. Rest in peace."
He stood up and looked at Tian Xiangzi: "Take this child and let's go."
Tianxiangzi nodded, wrapped the boy in her cloak, and gently held him in her arms.
The two left the dilapidated temple.
After entrusting their child to an honest and hardworking farming family, Chen Fan and Tian Xiangzi lingered in the nearby mountains and rivers for more than a month.
For a month, they traveled like ordinary travelers, admiring the autumn leaves, crossing clear streams and stone bridges, occasionally listening to storytelling in teahouses in ordinary towns, or spending the night in mountain villages.
With the continuous nourishment of the Nourishing Spirit Wood Elixir and this leisurely state of mind, Tianxiangzi's injuries have healed by about 70-80%. Her complexion is rosy, and her eyes have regained their former liveliness.
On this day, we arrived at a small town called "Luoxia Town". It was late autumn, and the setting sun painted the clouds on the horizon with a magnificent glow.
The two sat on the second floor of a riverside tavern, gazing out the window.
Chen Fan took a sip of the light wine in his glass and said:
"After a month of traveling and sightseeing, your injuries have healed considerably. It's time for me... to return home and retreat for a few days."
Tian Xiangzi, holding a piece of osmanthus cake, paused slightly upon hearing this, and looked up at him: "Are you going back to the capital?"
"Hmm." Chen Fan nodded. "I have some insights that need to be sorted out in peace. The Imperial Stables is quiet and suitable for seclusion. Besides, I've been away for quite some time now."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Let me take you back to Grass Valley first; it's safe there."
Tianxiangzi knew that Chen Fan rarely changed his mind once he made a decision.
She nodded and said softly, "Okay. Be careful."
"It's alright," Chen Fan said calmly. "We know what we're doing."
The next day, Chen Fan safely returned Tianxiangzi to Caogu.
Gu Daozi and Old Man Long were delighted to see that Tian Xiangzi's injuries had not only greatly improved, but that his aura seemed even more refined and clear than before he was injured.
Chen Fan didn't linger. After exchanging a few pleasantries with the two and instructing Tian Xiangzi to take good care of herself, he transformed into an inconspicuous streak of bluish-gray light and quietly departed.
In less than half a day, he had returned to the capital of Dayuan.
As dusk approaches, the lights on Chang'an Avenue begin to twinkle, and the street remains bustling and vibrant.
Chen Fan concealed his aura, like a drop of water merging into a river, and silently returned to the Imperial Horse Stables, which he had been away from for a long time.
Xiao Dengzi was chopping wood in front of the kitchen when he heard the noise and turned around. Seeing Chen Fan, his face immediately lit up with surprise and joy: "Godfather! You're back!"
"Yes," Chen Fan replied. "Is everything alright?"
"All good, all good!" Xiao Dengzi quickly put down the axe. Chen Fan waved his hand: "Go ahead and get busy, don't let anyone bother you these next few days."
"Yes, Godfather!" Little Stool nodded sensibly.
Chen Fan returned to his simple room and lit the oil lamp.
The dim, yellowish light dispelled the chill of the room.
He did not immediately enter the world within the bowl, but instead sat quietly to regulate his breathing, allowing his observations and state of mind from his month-long journey to settle down.
……
Meanwhile, deep within the Wang family mansion in Old Dragon City.
Inside a heavily guarded, secret room, the lights were on.
The Nascent Soul ancestors of the eight major families gathered again. In addition, there were several unfamiliar faces, all of whom possessed considerable auras and were clearly Nascent Soul cultivators!
These people were the ancestors of the eight major sects who ultimately chose to cooperate with the eight major families!
They are Qinglian Daoist of Qingyun Sect, Shangqing Daoist of Xuanqing Sect, Lingshui Patriarch of Lingxi Sect, Tiansha Patriarch of Fu Sect, Founding Patriarch of Jingang Sect, and Hongyun Fairy of Zixia Mountain!
Including the eight Nascent Soul cultivators from the eight major families, there are now a total of fourteen Nascent Soul experts gathered in this secret room!
Such a lineup is unprecedented in the Sealed Land.