Simultaneous Transmigration: We Level Up Alone Across Multiple Worlds

Chapter 82 What is it? The path is open and smooth, and the heart has a place to return to! (4k)

Chen Chen confirmed that Qu Tong was still breathing, then looked away and turned to walk further into the basement.

Zhou Sheng remained seated in front of the metal cabinet, looking at Qu Tong lying on the ground, without reaching out to help her up.

Next to the body-cultivation furnace was a small rest room with a metal bunk bed, a metal cabinet, and several cardboard boxes piled in the corner, labeled with Qu Tong's handwriting.

"Xianhong, personal property".

Ma Xianhong sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the cracks on the opposite wall.

A sketch of a body-repairing furnace was spread out on the table.

Chen Chen walked up to him and placed his hand on the top of his head.

When divine sense probed in, the control nodes left by the Double-Handed Sword were tightly intertwined with Ma Xianhong's own soul. He had to unravel them layer by layer to confirm that his own consciousness was not damaged before he could continue to unravel them.

The disassembly process was slow, as slow as untangling a ball of yarn.

Ma Xianhong blinked first, his unfocused gaze gradually returning to Chen Chen's face.

His lips moved, his voice hoarse: "————Who are you?"

Chen Chen didn't answer. After confirming that all the effects left by the Double-Handed Technique had been removed, he grabbed Chen Chen's shoulders and pulled him off the bed.

Ma Xianhong couldn't muster any strength in his legs and staggered as he walked out.

As Ma Xianhong passed through the basement, he saw Qu Tong lying on the ground.

His steps suddenly stopped.

He stared at her profile, half of her face visible through her hair. This was the person who had held all his thoughts in her hands, the person he had called "sister."

People.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally looked away, following Chen Chen as they continued walking outside.

After midnight, there was a knock on the door of the unfinished villa.

Zhang Chulan sprang up from the sofa, almost reflexively activating the Golden Light Spell.

When the door was opened, Ma Xianhong was lying on his side on the cement steps, completely exhausted, with sweat on his forehead and his hair matted together.

Chen Chen stood beside him, his hand just withdrawing from his shoulder.

"We've brought the person over; he's a familiar face."

Zhang Chulan looked down at Ma Xianhong, then up at Chen Chen, and finally managed to stammer, "Could you at least send a message beforehand next time?"

Chen Chen didn't answer, and turned to leave.

The footsteps grew fainter on the concrete, disappearing into the darkness of the dead-end road in no time.

Lu Lin came over and helped drag the person into the house, placing them on the floor next to the folding bed.

When Ma Xianhong took off his coat, his back was covered in sweat.

Lu Lin glanced at the doorway; the dead-end road was empty, with only the fence rattling in the wind.

Zhang Lingyu squatted down to take the pulse, pausing for a moment with three fingers on the wrist.

"Your meridians are not damaged, but your energy is depleted. You just need to rest for a couple more days."

Feng Baobao squatted on the other side. The smell on Ma Xianhong was too strong for her, so she moved a few steps away in disgust.

Lu Linglong leaned against the stairwell, arms crossed, glancing at Li Muxuan in the corner.

The old man was being gagged and was making muffled noises.

"Old man, shut up!"

She then looked away, and Lu Linglong was about to step onto the stairs when she suddenly stopped.

She glanced at the unconscious Ma Xianhong on the ground, then looked up at the corridor door.

It was empty; Chen Chen had long since disappeared.

She showed no sign of anything amiss, withdrew her foot and continued upstairs, speaking calmly, "I'll take Li Muxuan back first thing tomorrow morning, brother, you drive."

"Mm," Lu Lin replied.

He watched his sister's decisive departure, his brow furrowing slightly. The more he tried to remain calm, the more it revealed that something was on his mind.

Silent all night.

As dawn broke, the low rumble of a car engine could be heard in the yard.

Lu Linglong changed into a dark and capable outfit, her long hair tied into a high ponytail. She looked refreshing and neat, but exuded a coldness that kept strangers at bay.

A hint of weariness lingered in her eyes; she had tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to get a proper night's sleep.

Lu Lin got into the car first and pressed Li Muxuan firmly into the back seat by the window, still with the gag in his mouth.

The old man won't stay still for long; he must be kept under control.

Lu Linglong reached out and opened the passenger door, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Chen Chen was already seated in the driver's seat.

She suppressed the subtle awkwardness in her heart, silently sat in the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and kept looking out the window the whole time, not glancing at the driver's seat once. Her stiffness was visibly obvious.

Lu Lin took in the whole scene through the rearview mirror and silently started the car.

The atmosphere in the carriage was unusually oppressive.

On the way, Li Muxuan was restless and kept making noises.

Lu Linglong stared at the scenery rushing past the window, her mind in turmoil.

She wasn't a pretentious person; having cultivated her mind through the Quanzhen School for many years, she was always clear-headed and open-minded in dealing with things. But the one thing she just couldn't understand was Chen Chen's attitude towards Feng Baobao.

Feng Baobao is too special, so special that she is dangerous.

Okay—I'm just not feeling well!

"When we get to the Lu family, should we lock up the person first or see the patriarch first?" Lu Lin broke the silence.

"Go directly to the Grandfather." Lu Linglong's tone was calm, but there was no room for negotiation.

Lu Lin looked at her again in the rearview mirror. Lu Linglong was unusually quiet today, which made Lu Lin even more suspicious.

Not long after.

As the car turned into the yard, the yellow flowers on the osmanthus tree were densely packed, and the branches and leaves covered the sky.

Not long after we started driving, the Lu family's old house came into view.

Lu Jin stood quietly under the porch.

As soon as the car came to a stop, Lu Lin got out and pulled Li Muxuan down with her.

The old man's hair was disheveled, his mouth was covered in red marks from the cloth straps, and he walked with a dragging gait, looking extremely disheveled.

Lu Jin stared at him for a long time, her eyes seemingly unremarkable, yet filled with complex emotions. In the end, all that remained was a sigh.

The only sound in the courtyard was the rustling of leaves in the wind; it was eerily quiet.

"Bring it in."

As Lu Lin escorted Li Muxuan inside, she suddenly looked up and glared at Lu Jin with disdain as they passed by.

Lu Jin ignored him completely, her gaze falling directly on Chen Chen, who had just gotten out of the car.

Lu Linglong slammed the car door shut and stood beside the car with her hands in her pockets.

Lu Jin saw through her thoughts at a glance and said calmly, "Go brew a pot of tea."

"Um."

Lu Linglong turned around in response, her steps much faster than usual.

Lu Jin watched her retreating figure and sighed softly, then turned to Chen Chen: "Come with me."

The side hall was simple and rustic, with old but clean furnishings.

The branches and leaves of the osmanthus tree outside the window swayed against the glass, making a rustling sound.

Lu Jin sat down and poured half a cup of tea into each of the two teacups.

The steam from the tea quickly dissipated, and Lu Jin gently stroked the cool cup before speaking.

"My master, Zuo Ruotong, spent his entire life seeking breakthroughs."

"Everyone thinks that the Triple Rebirth is the pinnacle of the Sanyi Sect. But he knows that even the most powerful physical techniques are just the tip of the iceberg."

Chen Chen listened quietly, holding his teacup. "He devoted his entire life to trying to break free from the shackles of magic and touch the true Dao."

Lu Jin's tone was tinged with regret.

"Found it?"

"Found it."

Lu Jin gently placed the teacup on the table; the sound was soft, but the weight was immense.

"So he died."

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Lu Jin looked up at Chen Chen, her gaze clear and insightful. "Therefore—don't become obsessed with magic. All cultivation in the world relies on the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit. Focusing on tempering one's life force is the true foundation."

Chen Chen turned to look at the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window, his heart churning with emotions.

The saying "essence, energy, and spirit are the foundation" is found everywhere in Quanzhen classics, but it carries special weight when spoken by Zuo Ruotong after her death and Lu Jin with lifelong regret.

He vaguely grasped the key to his cultivation, and the previously blurry path suddenly became much clearer.

Suddenly, the sound of tables and chairs overturning came from the main hall, mixed with Li Muxuan's struggle and Lu Lin's low shouts.

Lu Jin ignored him, simply moving the cold tea aside gently, as if making room for his past regrets.

Not long after, Lu Linglong walked in carrying a teapot.

She appeared calm, but her hands tightened slightly, and the spout wobbled slightly as she poured water.

Lu Jin saw everything clearly and said gently, "Linglong, go for a walk."

Lu Linglong put down the teapot and turned to leave.

After she walked away, Lu Jin said to Chen Chen, "Go on."

Chen Chen nodded, got up, and walked out of the side hall.

As the sun sets, golden sunlight filters through the leaves of the osmanthus tree, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

A cool evening breeze rustled the leaves and branches.

Lu Linglong stood under the tree with her back to the side hall, hands in her pockets, back straight. The orange cat on the stone stool rubbed against her ankle, gentle and affectionate, but it couldn't soothe the depression in her heart.

Hearing footsteps behind her, she slowly turned around.

She had already prepared all the answers in her mind; she had to get to the bottom of it today.

"Did the old master send you?"

"Um.

""

Lu Linglong stopped beating around the bush, looked Chen Chen straight in the eye, and asked bluntly, "Why are you so interested in Feng Baobao? What are you after?"

She crossed her arms, her eyes open and honest, without the slightest hint of evasion.

She dislikes making wild guesses; rather than wasting time internally, she prefers to ask directly to clarify the situation.

Chen Chen answered crisply and decisively, without the slightest hesitation: "Her soul is very special, and it is an important reference for my cultivation. I approached her to resolve my innate cultivation problem, and now the problem has been resolved."

It's that simple.

Lu Linglong stared at his face for several seconds.

But the more she felt this way, the emptier she felt inside.

She had imagined countless possibilities beforehand, and even prepared herself for the worst. In the end, it all turned out to be a waste of her time.

"That's all?"

Lu Linglong shifted her gaze to the orange cat at her feet.

The kitten yawned, slowly got up and left, leaving only her and Chen Chen under the tree.

She instantly lost the urge to ask further questions, her heart felt heavy, and she felt indescribably awkward.

"What do you think I'm after?"

Lu Linglong didn't reply, but turned to look at the brightly lit study.

The faint sound of Li Muxuan admitting his mistake could be heard from inside. The grudges and entanglements of the older generation temporarily suppressed the indescribable emotions in her heart.

"It's nothing, I was just overthinking it."

His tone was calm, yet it concealed an undeniable sense of helplessness.

The evening breeze swept through the osmanthus tree, and delicate petals drifted down gently, landing on the bluestone slab between the two people.

Chen Chen smiled slightly, looking at the seemingly composed girl in front of him, his eyes revealing a gentleness that others could not see.

He raised his hand and gently brushed away the tiny osmanthus blossoms clinging to her hair.

Lu Linglong stiffened, subconsciously looked up, and met Chen Chen's gaze. The awkwardness in her heart suddenly dissipated.

Chen Chen looked at her quietly. She was one of the few people who could enter his ordinary life and whom he was willing to compromise with.

He was always taciturn and never made a point of explaining himself; he always kept his thoughts very hidden.

The evening breeze carried the delicate fragrance of osmanthus blossoms between the two.

Chen Chen was silent for two seconds, but his words were unusually serious: "I never waste my energy on trivial matters. You don't need to overthink it."

""

Lu Linglong turned her head and nodded slightly. The evening breeze ruffled her ponytail, concealing the slight shyness on her face.

By the window in the side hall, Lu Jin, holding a glass of iced tea, took in the entire scene, shaking his head slightly with a wry smile.

The sky was completely dark.

Chen Chen bid farewell to the Lu family mansion and went alone to Baiyun Temple.

The road was quiet, the night was deep, and he did not stop for a moment.

Lu Jin's words, "Essence, Qi, and Spirit are the foundation of cultivation," lingered in his mind.

Previously, his cultivation had been stuck in a vague stage. He only knew to rely on the Dragon Dance to unify his body and mind and to use special souls to complete his foundation, but he always lacked a clear and grounded main line.

The century-old lessons of Zuo Ruotong's death in pursuit of the technique and Lu Jin's abandonment of the technique to preserve his roots helped him break through this barrier.

Technique is secondary; life and health are fundamental.

The gates of Baiyun Temple remain open all night, the ancient temple quiet and secluded.

The lights in the library came on, their warm glow piercing the darkness. Startled birds roosting under the eaves took flight, their rustling wings breaking the silence of the long night.

Chen Chen took out Taoist classics such as the "Taishang Ganying Pian" and the "Yunji Qiqian".

He already knew these books by heart, and tonight, combining them with Lu Jin's personal insights, he reread them, reviewing and learning anew.

Essence is the root, Qi is the trunk, and Spirit is the flower.

In the practice of cultivating the human body, all techniques, supernatural abilities, and physical methods arise from relying on the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) for life and nature.

Without a solid foundation, even the most elaborate methods are nothing but empty illusions.

Following the deductions from the ancient texts, his mind suddenly became clear, and he thoroughly understood the constraints of the Three Stars and the Three Corpses.

In ordinary people's spiritual practice, the Three Corpses occupy the Three Dantian: the Upper Corpse obscures the spirit, the Middle Corpse stagnates the Qi, and the Lower Corpse severs the essence, layer by layer obscuring the Three Star Positions and locking away a person's innate foundation for a lifetime.

Therefore, when people cultivate themselves, they must first preserve their life force, sever the three corpses, break free from shackles, and face every step with difficulty and a life-or-death struggle.

But I am an exception by nature.

From the day his soul was completely restored, his innately flawed destiny was fulfilled, and his lower body had nowhere to reside and completely dissipated.

His lower dantian was clean and pure, corresponding to the star position of the Lower Platform Curved Life, naturally clear and perfect.

This is the innate foundation of the Great Dao that others cannot obtain.

In an instant, he finalized the order of his subsequent cultivation.

There is no need to rush to seek divine intervention, qi, or mysterious techniques.

First, safeguard the essence root, rely on the Dragon Dance to thoroughly stabilize the physical body, solidify the lower dantian, awaken the lower star position, and steadily take the first step of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top.

Once the essence is firmly established, proceed step by step, nourishing the vital energy and refining the spirit, gradually opening up the middle platform and the upper platform, so that the five energies converge and the spirit manifests naturally.

The road ahead is no longer blurry; every path is clearly visible.

As dawn broke, the morning light streamed through the windows, bathing the library in its glow.

Chen Chen closed the book, his mind completely calmed.

When spiritual practice takes root, the mind finds peace.

The trivial entanglements in the Lu family courtyard last night, the silent confrontation and reconciliation with Lu Linglong, all settled deep in my heart.

He was always cold-hearted and devoted to the Dao, but he always held a special place in his heart for Lu Linglong, which became a tender bond in his mortal world.

After tidying up the books, Chen Chen pushed open the door and walked out of the Sutra Repository.

The stone steps outside the mountain gate were covered with fallen osmanthus blossoms. The morning breeze was crisp and clear, dispelling the gloom of the long night and all the confusion of spiritual practice.

The road is smooth and open, and my heart has a place to return to.