Chapter 2149: Faint and Distant

Yao Fu, as Zhao Wu Yan's teacher, had certainly already done everything he could.

Jiang Wang, as Zhao Wu Yan's friend, it seemed the only thing he could do was come for a visit.

Yao Fu, standing at the peak of cultivation and controlling Longmen Academy, couldn't think of any other methods, so how could he?

Jiang Wang looked at the cocoon of light and complex text in front of him, his emotions equally complex: "I see that Sister Zhao's consciousness seems to be very active?"

"Yes, she has never given up trying," Yao Fu said slowly. "She is still reading, still learning, still moving forward."

Imagine such a woman, trekking alone in the endless night, with no visible path in life, no dawn in sight. What was supporting her to keep going?

Jiang Wang said deeply: "At the current speed, can Sister Zhao pierce through the hundred schools, swallow the cocoon, and emerge before her life is exhausted?"

Yao Fu shook his head, his words filled with a sigh: "This is precisely what is agonizing. Within five hundred years, I cannot see any hope of her absorbing these paths. She is always moving forward, but the night feels longer than she perceives, the road farther than she imagines."

Xu Xiangqian had already used his divine ability to bless Zhao Wu Yan, but he still couldn't see any hope of success within five hundred years.

When Zhao Wu Yan declared failure, it would also be the time for Xu Xiangqian to leave...

When Jiang Wang had kicked away the freeloading Xu Xiangqian the previous year, he never would have thought that their reunion would be in this situation.

Heaven has unforeseen winds and clouds! Human life's misfortune and fortune, to this extent!

Among the young female cultivators Jiang Wang knew, only two truly exhibited the demeanor of a sect leader: Jiang Wuyou and Zhao Wu Yan.

Of course, this didn't mean that Huang Sheli, Ning Shurong, and others weren't talented enough; it was just that their paths were different.

One cannot say that possessing the potential to establish a sect necessarily makes one stronger than others.

Li Yi cultivated the Dao sword, a path learned from predecessors. Wasn't he still "the world's Li Yi"?

But without a doubt, in this rapidly developing, often innovative and ever-changing extraordinary world, being able to carve a path that allows more people to walk on it possesses its unique and brilliant glory.

The paths of Jiang Wuyou and Zhao Wu Yan seem very close to the "great achievement to saint" path of the various saints' era, the latter more so, but they are actually all different.

Great achievement to saint means using one kind of thought to integrate all thoughts, exhaust the truth of the universe, and explain everything in the world. It is a kind of ultimate realm that exists in the ideal.

Jiang Wuyou's "self-opened Dao martial" is to lead martial arts into the Dao, cultivate martial arts with the Dao, and integrate the martial Dao into the existing cultivation system.

While Zhao Wu Yan's "miscellaneous hundred schools, self-opening one path" is to choose the strengths of the hundred schools and form a single school. It's like taking the tips of tea leaves, the stamens of flowers, and finally brewing a pot of flower tea.

This is undoubtedly an extremely grand conception.

But how vast are the learnings of the hundred schools? Just one Confucianism has branched out into who knows how many branches. Many people exhaust their entire lives and still dare not say they have successfully learned it all.

Zhao Wu Yan is already a genius among geniuses, but to say that at this age, she could complete the task of integrating the hundred schools, even just setting up a framework, is inconceivable.

That year, when she appeared at the Dragon Palace Banquet, exhibiting the posture of a sect leader of the miscellaneous hundred schools, she stirred up how many waves, even alarming Shu Shan. Although the limelight of the Dragon Palace Banquet was covered by the true war of slaying, Zhao Wu Yan's name also resounded throughout the Confucian sect.

It is a pity that this path was more difficult than imagined. Finally, at the step of "becoming true," she could not control such a magnificent path. The mountain collapsed, the road was blocked, and she was bound by the Dao.

If she hadn't been in Longmen Academy at that time, and Yao Fu hadn't acted in time, she would already not exist.

This was already an early matter this year. Longmen Academy suppressed the news and spent a full nine months thinking of all methods to treat her, only managing to maintain the current "text cocoon" situation.

The fact that Zi Shu could reply and inform Jiang Wang of this matter was also an expression of Longmen Academy having no more methods. Zhao Wu Yan's state had no other solution, and the news also did not need to be concealed.

Jiang Wang silently walked out of the room and sat down beside Xu Xiangqian.

His understanding of Zhao Wu Yan was actually very shallow. All their contact was through Xu Xiangqian. He only knew that she was a senior sister from Longmen Academy, and that she was learned and talented... Zhao Wu Yan was a woman with a very firm Dao heart, rational most of the time, and rarely showed her emotions, like plain water without a trace. Hence, the impression she gave people was not as profound as the innocent and lovely Zi Shu.

But he knew that Xu Xiangqian loved this person very much.

He quit drinking for her, stopped going out to "gather inspiration" for her, pursued her north and south, no matter how cold, without complaint or regret. And now, he had also delivered his brocade, tying their lives together.

As Xu Xiangqian's friend, what could he do? And how to console him?

Finally, he just sat quietly beside him.

Outside the courtyard was an apricot tree, its branches extending over the wall, bare and revealing the autumn intent.

This was a not gentle night, the moonlight flowing like water. People's shadows on the ground were rudely disturbed by the tree shadows.

After a while, Zi Shu also walked out, sitting down on the stone steps beside them, hugging her legs with both hands, her chin resting on her knees.

She didn't speak.

Just like this, they sat quietly all night.

When daylight broke through the night curtain, Zi Shu lifted her misty eyes. For that one instant, she saw the courtyard was golden.

"What are you planning to do?" Jiang Wang finally asked.

Xu Xiangqian's spirit had scattered; he gently pushed it back.

Only at this moment did he begin to understand Jiang Wang's voice, and only at this moment did he begin to answer: "What to do?"

"I mean—are you planning to just sit here like this forever?"

Xu Xiangqian turned his head. What kind of defeated eyes they were, so gray! Jiang Wang had never seen such a Xu Gao'e. He said: "Every method has been tried."

"I understand. I know you've tried very hard," Jiang Wang said. "You are actually a very smart, very capable person. You've definitely tried everything you could. If you can't think of a method, I can't either. But I noticed...your brocade tying her—"

Xu Xiangqian turned his head in surprise: "No need to advise me. I won't untie it."

Jiang Wang said: "Of course. I understand what kind of person you are. I know you absolutely won't give up on Sister Zhao, and I won't advise you to do so. Speaking of which, do you understand yourself?"

"Me?" Xu Xiangqian smiled bitterly: "Perhaps I'm a waste."

The Xu Xiangqian of the past would say, "I am the double pride of Gan Ma Mountain, I am equal to Jiang Wang, I also count as a chief of the Yellow River."

The Xu Xiangqian of the past would say, "Many carry books and boast famous names in the world, but who can enter my eyes?"

The Xu Xiangqian of the past would boast about his poetic talent, confident to the point that people would feel he was unaware of the vastness of heaven and earth.

But he would never say that he was a waste.

He was the most self-ignorant person in the world, with almost blind self-belief.

How cruel the two words "fate" are, always wanting to make people become completely different, to show its waves.

"Indeed," Jiang Wang said again. "Although you often praise yourself, you don't know how great you are. You don't know what great divine abilities you possess...Remember Shenxiao World? That place where the Ten Thousand Worlds War will open twenty-nine years from now."

Xu Xiangqian did not speak.

Jiang Wang spoke to himself: "That was a transcendence level layout, surrounded by heavenly demons, true demons acting, demon kings besieging Shenxiao World, and I, just a small Shenlin, I was alone in it, and I was discovered by them—could the situation be any more desperate?

"Yes. Facing all this at the same time, I was still targeted by the demon world's heavenly intent. My countless attempts to go home were all shattered. I can't even remember exactly how many times I tried...But do you know?

"At that time, I had already sunk to the bottom with one sword. I had already realized I was going to die. My spirit had already scattered. I felt like a leaking raft, rapidly deflating...But I suddenly woke up.

"At that time, I thought in my heart—

"What could make me feel safe, after leaving my country who knows how many li away, leaving the human world who knows how many days later, inside this Shenxiao World where life hung on the edge of a blade?"

Jiang Wang wistfully shook his head, then raised his voice again: "It turned out that my friend was missing me. It was my close friend Xu Xiangqian, praying for me in the distant present world, weaving his life into a brocade on my body. He was waiting for me to come home!"

He looked at Xu Xiangqian, his hand on Xu Xiangqian's shoulder, brushing away the autumn dew: "I was able to come back from the demon world, all relying on your help. I've never told you how great you are. The friendship between men always seems very hard to say out loud. But Brother Gao'e, Sister Zhao needs you very much right now. She doesn't need you to just sit here. If you can Dongzhen, your brocade can help her more. If you can Yandao, she will have a possibility of success. If you can transcend, then she will achieve Dao tomorrow. Am I right?"

Xu Xiangqian did not speak.

Jiang Wang just waited quietly for him, pressing his shoulder, letting him feel his friend's support, his close friend's belief.

After a very long time, Xu Xiangqian reached out and opened Jiang Wang's hand: "First, I'm not called Brother Gao'e."

"Okay, Brother Shenxiu," Jiang Wang immediately changed his address.

"Second, you're pinching this old man's shoulder and it hurts."

"Sorry," Jiang Zhenren immediately apologized. "Should I help you press it again?"

"Third, you are right—I want to transcend!"

"...My suggestion is to Dongzhen first. Don't make such a big leap; give the world a little space to accept it. What do you say?"

Xu Xiangqian rolled over and climbed up: "I'm going to cultivate now, Jiang Zhenren! Is there a place you can recommend?"

"Poison Water," Jiang Wang analyzed seriously. "Now Mugu Academy is stable, and there's the Sea of Learning town there, relatively stable."

"Lead the way!" Xu Xiangqian said without politeness.

Jiang Wang shook his head and apologized: "You can only go yourself. I am now a member of Taixu Pavilion, bearing a heavy responsibility, and not too free."

Had it been the previous Xu Xiangqian, upon hearing this news, he would have definitely been instantly envious to madness. But now he only said: "Very good. Quickly release a task on the Taixu Scroll, ask the world, and see who has a method to solve the text cocoon."

Jiang Wang said: "It's already released."

Members of Taixu Pavilion naturally had the right to release tasks. He wouldn't ignore the wisdom of the world's people. Although Yao Fu said there was no solution, Yao Fu was only one family's word.

"Good brother!" Xu Xiangqian lifted his foot, wanting to fly, but then remembered something and reached out to Jiang Wang again: "Give me some travel expenses. I'll go immediately. Poor at home, rich on the road. Give more."

This was, besides Jiang Anan, the second person who could take money from Jiang someone's pocket.

Jiang Wang silently took the storage box that he had received from Dou Zhao and handed it over.

Saving money was like picking up soil with a needle, spending money was truly like water pushing sand!

Xu Xiangqian grabbed it, turned, and left.

"Xiangqian." Yao Fu stepped into the courtyard and called to him: "You still cannot go now. Wu Yan's situation is not optimistic; your divine ability could be affected at any time. If she can't endure it halfway, stay in Longmen Academy, and I can still save your life."

He had not supported the relationship between Zhao Wu Yan and Xu Xiangqian from the beginning. But he also did not oppose it. Because Zhao Wu Yan was a very opinionated person from the start, and he always gave her freedom.

Only he had never been able to understand how his proud disciple would take a liking to such a lazy fellow. It wasn't until this period when Zhao Wu Yan was bound in the cocoon that he truly came into contact with Xu Xiangqian and understood him. Only then did he know that some people value appearance, some value virtue, and some value character.

At this moment, his concern for Xu Xiangqian was also sincere.

But Xu Xiangqian did not turn back. In the morning light, his voice drifted away, fading with the dawn—"She won't give up, because if she gives up, I will die."

Xu Xiangqian left, but Jiang Wang did not.

Yao Fu's gaze fell on him, asking with his eyes—is there still something?

Jiang Wang explained: "I have some things I want to ask Miss Zi Shu."

Yao Fu glanced at his daughter, then at Jiang Wang, said nothing more, turned, and left.

"Big Brother Jiang, what is it?" Zi Shu tried very hard to compose herself, hoping she could also be someone who could handle problems and not just cry.

But as soon as Jiang Wang spoke, she wanted to cry again—"It's been hard on you during this time."

This person in front of her was someone she admired, someone she relied on as a role model, an existence she had long pursued. She admired Jiang Wang, starting even before he was the world's first.

As early as Tianya Terrace, watching Jiang Wang return from the maze, she was so excited she cried...She wanted to become such a person. Unyielding, a promise heavier than the world.

"It's not hard," she bit her lip. "Senior Sister is very hard."

Jiang Wang said gently: "Relax a bit, ease your emotions. There's nothing important I need to ask you...I know you traveled in Snow Country with Sister Zhao and Xu Xiangqian before. I will be going to Snow Country soon to handle some matters. Can you tell me about the situation in Snow Country?"

Zi Shu then carefully recounted what she knew about Snow Country.

Her perspective was entirely that of a little girl's travelogue in a foreign country, full of novelty and beauty. As she talked, her emotions gradually calmed down.

Only then did Jiang Wang say: "Thank you for giving me some understanding of that country. It is a great help to me. Uh, I still have one thing I want to ask you—were you present when the Winter Emperor pointed out Sister Zhao initially?"

Zi Shu immediately reacted: "Does Big Brother Jiang think the Winter Emperor is problematic?"

"Don't think too much; I'm not suspecting the Winter Emperor." Jiang Wang's eyes were gentle, his expression calm: "I just want to understand the process of Sister Zhao choosing her cultivation path...to see if I can find a way to help her."

His voice was flat like still water, which also unconsciously calmed Zi Shu down. She slowly recalled the initial bits—

"Both Brother Xu and I were present. We met the Winter Emperor in a tavern. At that time, she was being chased and was disguised in the tavern; we each didn't know the other. Sister Zhao and Brother Xu were just discussing the book 'Twenty-Three Kinds of Near Ancient Article Structures' edited by Sister Ji Li. The Winter Emperor suddenly interrupted and pointed out Brother Xu's mistake...Later, she just chatted with Sister Zhao, gradually not limited to Confucianism, chatting about the learnings of each school, chatting more and more. As they chatted later, I was already trying very hard to listen. Brother Xu was unwilling to listen and fell asleep beside us...Only later did we know that this disguised woman was Xie Ai..."

Zi Shu talked a lot, not focusing too much, just recounting all her memories of contacting Xie Ai. She was careful, afraid of any omission, which might disturb her idol's judgment.

After quietly listening to her narration, Jiang Wang did not express any opinions. He only said: "Okay, I already know. It was hard for you to talk so much with me. This is a great help to me."

He added: "If there are any changes on Sister Zhao's side, contact me through the Taixu Illusion immediately. You're going to Shenlin soon, aren't you? You should be able to Shenlin very soon. I've always looked forward to you...Work harder."