Embers of Sword

Chapter 686 Heart Tribulation
Two figures appeared amidst the wind and snow in the Ice Soul Cave.

The swirling snowflakes transformed into a large cocoon, and Jiang Miaoyin sat cross-legged within its heart, which was as white as a lotus flower. She wore a white robe and her cascading black hair was dyed silver by the snow.

Half a year has passed.

Jiang Miaoyin's body was enveloped by an invisible Dao intent within a ten-foot radius.

The level of her understanding of the Dao has reached Xie Xuanyi's "embryo of destruction" level, but because she is trapped by the Tribulation of Questioning the Heart... her Dao intent cannot be completely solidified, so she can only be stuck at this last bottleneck.

"We're just one step away from the summit."

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island stood with his hands behind his back, watching this scene, and gave his evaluation, his tone somewhat regretful.

The heroes of the world are like the crucian carp crossing the river.

But how many people can actually reach the summit?
The step of condensing the Dao has stumped far too many people.

"Some people are not lacking in qualifications, but rather because they are too obsessed with something."

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island sighed softly and said earnestly, "The tribulations of questioning the heart and seeking the truth... are actually the greatest tribulations on the path of cultivation. If a cultivator wants to reach the summit, they need to clarify one question: what is the purpose of cultivating this so-called 'Great Dao,' and for whom is it cultivated?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi's expression was complicated.

The two tribulations that he sought to understand had actually stopped him.

In his previous life, facing a thousand-mile pursuit, he originally wanted to take advantage of the fierce battle to force his way up, but in the end he was trapped in the "Tribulation of the Heart" and could only accept defeat, helplessly jumping into the North Sea.

The advancement in this life is different from that in the previous life.

When Xie Xuanyi reaches perfection in the "Way of Life," he may face the exact same problem.

Condensing the Dao, condensing the Dao.

These two words truly carry immense weight.

"If I'm not mistaken, your inability to advance, Junior Sister Jiang... must be related to you, right?"

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island stroked his chin, scrutinizing Jiang Miaoyin's face as he spoke with a mocking tone.

Frost and snow swirled around.

Two clear tear tracks were visible on that stunningly beautiful woman's face.

Today, everyone knows the love story of Chen Jingxuan and Tang Fengshu… but more than ten years ago, the rumors of Xie Xuanyi and Jiang Miaoyin being a "golden couple" were even more famous than these two. Everyone assumed that Xie Xuanyi and Jiang Miaoyin were a "Daoist couple," and even if they weren't now, they certainly would be in the future.

"This mental tribulation... is indeed related to me."

Xie Xuanyi sighed softly.

"You can't really blame yourself. If I were your junior sister, I might also be 'troubled by love'."

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island looked at the young man beside him and couldn't help but tease him.

Judging solely from his facial features, Xie Xuanyi was already considered perfect... Looking across the two worlds, only Cui Zhen could compare to him, and was slightly superior.

Now reborn and blessed by the Fountain of Immortality, Xie Xuanyi possesses an even more transformed, otherworldly aura.

He was handsome, had superb swordsmanship, and held a high position.

What woman wouldn't be attracted to a man like that?

"what……"

After making a joke, the Lord of Forget-Worry Island suddenly let out a soft "Eh," and his expression changed from teasing to serious.

He took a light step and stepped directly into the area of ​​the large cocoon.

He observed Jiang Miaoyin's soul condition from several feet away.

Chi Chi Chi!
Countless snowflakes formed from Daoist intent fell upon the Lord of Forget-Worry Island, instantly covering his clothes and hair with a layer of frost.

"senior?"

Xie Xuanyi followed closely behind, entering the large cocoon, and then cautiously transmitted his voice to inquire about the situation.

He has come quite a few times in the past six months.

Jiang Miaoyin's soul remained calm and did not show any signs of disturbance.

"Shh!"

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island stared at Jiang Miaoyin for a long time, then reached out and grabbed Xie Xuanyi's clothes on the shoulder. The two of them instantly teleported several miles away.

"Boy... has your junior sister's soul been like this for the past six months? Is there any soul record of it?" The Lord of Forget-Worry Island frowned and asked, his expression quite serious.

“Soul tablet…I have one.”

Xie Xuanyi pondered for a moment, then summoned a wisp of sword energy and ignited it with his divine sense.

This golden sword energy exploded in the sky above the Ice Soul Cave Heaven like fireworks. The next moment, a tall spine rose up in the distant snowfield. The Snow Demon came to meet him using his escape technique. He broke out of the ground with a very nervous expression. He first bowed to Xie Xuanyi, and then bowed to the Lord of Forget-Worry Island.

I don't know what major event has happened today, but the two "Yang Gods" have arrived together.

"Soul Slip".

Xie Xuanyi reached out, and Xuexiao quickly took out a golden slip from his bosom and presented it to him.

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island accepted it and immersed his divine sense into it.

Xuexiao rubbed his hands together, showing Xie Xuanyi a fawning expression. If there were no other instructions, he was prepared to leave... The mere pressure of the Yang God emanating from the Lord of Forget-Worry Island made him somewhat unsteady on his feet.

Xie Xuanyi cast a glance at him, making him stand still.

After a moment, the Lord of Forget-Worry Island finished reading the soul scroll. He turned to look at Xue Xiao and asked in a deep voice, "Have any unusual phenomena appeared in this cave recently?"

"Vision?"

Xuexiao shook his head and quickly said, "Master Jiang is in seclusion and has only set up an array within a radius of a hundred feet... If you want to ask about the unusual phenomena, it's just that there's a little more wind and snow in this array."

The Ice Soul Cave is extremely large, spanning dozens of miles.

The intensifying wind and snow at Baizhang Pass was nothing to worry about.

Hearing this, Xie Xuanyi fell into deep thought... The intensified wind and snow within the great formation was simply due to the influence of the Great Dao and its intent.

Logically speaking, as Jiang Miaoyin's condition gradually stabilized, the Dao intent emanating from her should also become more stable.

With his peak Yin Spirit strength, if he were to immerse himself in the "Heart Tribulation" and be enveloped by the Dao's intent, the anomalies would not be limited to just a hundred feet of ground...

If she can successfully condense the Dao.

Not to mention Ice Soul Cave Heaven, the entire Thirty-Three Cave Heavens will experience strange phenomena.

"You...go."

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island, with a sullen face, waved his sleeve.

Snow Demon felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly fled, not daring to utter a single word.

The entire Ice Soul Cave Heaven was covered in heavy snow, leaving only the two of them alone.

"Senior, what happened?"

Xie Xuanyi already felt a sense of unease.

"Before I left, my wife specifically instructed me that this trip to the Sword Palace... might not go smoothly."

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island gave a wry smile, looked at the large cocoon where Jiang Miaoyin was meditating, and said softly, "I didn't understand its meaning at first, but now that I see it, I understand."

There was a slight pause.

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island didn't keep them in suspense, and said with a serious expression, "If I'm not mistaken, your junior sister... is not just immersed in the 'Heart Tribulation'."

"What...does this mean?"

Xie Xuanyi was stunned.

“When she first went into seclusion, she was in tears. At that time, she must have been trapped in the ‘Tribulation of Questioning the Heart’. Now that her emotions have calmed down, if she can break free from the ‘Tribulation of the Heart’, then she should be able to reach the Dao Condensation stage.”

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island sighed and said, "But no unusual phenomena have emerged in this Ice Soul Cave Heaven... which means that Jiang Miaoyin is still one step away from condensing the Dao."

It is not in a state of mental tribulation.

It hasn't even begun to condense the Dao yet.

So this seclusion and sitting in meditation...

Two words suddenly popped into Xie Xuanyi's mind.

"Dreaming."

The Lord of Forget-Worry Island solemnly said, "If I'm not mistaken, she should be in a 'spiritual journey' state right now."

(End of this chapter)