Chapter 2597: Ascension to Power

Chapter 40: Ascending to the Ordinary

The old man was momentarily stunned. He was a powerful cultivator at the peak of the Spirit-Gathering realm, yet he couldn't even withstand a single move from this youth. How was this possible? He had never heard of such a monstrous talent in the Cang Yun sect.

"Who are you?" the old man asked, his voice a little shaky.

"It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that you're standing in my way," Ling Xiao replied calmly.

"You… you're looking for death!" the old man roared, gathering his spiritual energy for another attack.

"Hmph, stubborn old fool," Ling Xiao muttered, then with a flick of his wrist, a gust of wind swept past, sending the old man tumbling backward, unconscious.

Ling Xiao didn't linger. He continued his journey, his destination clear in his mind.

He walked through vast forests and crossed rushing rivers. He encountered various beasts, some docile, some ferocious, but none could impede his progress. He felt a sense of liberation, a freedom he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Days turned into weeks, and Ling Xiao's journey continued. He refined his techniques and deepened his understanding of the Dao. He was no longer the naive youth who had first entered the Cang Yun sect. He had faced trials and tribulations, and each one had made him stronger.

One day, he arrived at a small village nestled in a valley. The village was peaceful and idyllic, a stark contrast to the chaotic world he had left behind. He decided to stay for a while, to experience the lives of ordinary people.

He helped the villagers with their tasks, tilling the fields, fishing in the river, and building houses. He learned about their joys and sorrows, their hopes and dreams. He saw the beauty in their simplicity and the strength in their resilience.

Living among the ordinary people, Ling Xiao began to see the world differently. He realized that true strength wasn't just about cultivation and power. It was also about compassion, kindness, and the ability to find happiness in the small things.

After several months, Ling Xiao felt that his time in the village had come to an end. He had learned what he needed to learn, and he was ready to continue his journey.

He bid farewell to the villagers, who had grown fond of him during his stay. They were sad to see him go, but they understood that he had a different path to follow.

As Ling Xiao left the village, he felt a sense of peace. He had ascended from the extraordinary to the ordinary, and in doing so, he had found a new level of understanding. He knew that his journey was far from over, but he was no longer seeking external power. He was seeking inner peace, and he was confident that he would find it.