Death… and me

Before this, Gu Du Xing only worried about two people, namely his foster father and Sister Xiao Miao. However, he now had one additional person to worry about, which was Chu Yang. On the surface, Chu Yang appeared to behave maturely, but Gu Du Xing knew that his maturity was a result of him going through countless hardships his entire life!

Each time he thought about this, Gu Du Xing felt greatly anguished. Gu Du Xing knew that he was a much luckier person in comparison to Chu Yang. At the very least, he had the love, attention, and care of his parents when he was younger. After his family's tragedy, he was under the care of his foster father. Ultimately, it could be said that he did not suffer that much hardship.

But what about Chu Yang?

Gu Du Xing saw Chu Yang as a little brother who was forced out of his comfort zone to grow up quickly, in a clear need of his care and protection. There was no clear reason why he felt this way; this feeling just came about naturally.

Initially, he thought that Chu Yang's cultivation level was higher than his. Never could he have imagined that his cultivation level was just grade four Martial Warrior!

Hence, he was originally startled and stunned when he first witnessed Chu Yang's cultivation earlier in the night.

Gu Du Xing thought to himself, "So what if he is only grade four? Who would dare lay a finger on him with me around? So what if he barely has any martial power? Am I, Gu Du Xing, the kind of person that would stand by idly and watch my brother while he is in danger?"

As he pondered over this, he began to feel completely at ease. However, the very moment that he raised his sword to attempt to continue cultivating, he was thrown back into his startled state again. Instantly, he turned and looked in Chu Yang's direction once again. This time around, he had used too much force and almost twisted his neck.

Chu Yang, how… How did he enter meditative state so quickly? Gu Du Xing was at a complete loss because it was too appalling for a grade four Martial Warrior to enter meditative state immediately after sitting down! Even a Great Martial Master could not achieve that so quickly!

Gu Du Xing simply stared at him with his eyes wide opened.

From the edge of the pond, the chaotic noise of the construction site suddenly seemed so far away. In fact, it felt like it had disappeared from this world altogether. The wind blew gently, creating tiny ripples on the surface of the lake. Each wave hit the shore gently, one after another, in an endless cycle.

At that moment, the lake's calm sounds drifted towards Chu Yang in the dark night. A spiritual light flashed in his mind. His energy continued moving in the same way, although part of his consciousness was concentrated on the sounds created by the gentle waves that were lapping on the shore. Time passed by slowly and it seemed as if Chu Yang had appeared next to a quiet, small lake. Its surface was so still that it could reflect the vast sky.

Chu Yang was in an extremely peaceful state of mind that was never experienced before in his meditative state. His entire body seemed to have escaped from the enslavement of life and become completely immersed in that tiny lake in his mind…

From the other side of the room, Gu Du Xing let out a sigh. This Chu Yang is such an abnormal person… With such abilities, there is no doubt that he would surpass me in a short period of time. I can't beat his ability to enter meditative state right after sitting down…

However, upon sighing finish, he instantly sensed that Chu Yang's breath had become elusive. Once again, Gu Du Xing was astonished and turned around. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. This person entered meditative state just after sitting down, and he has advanced to the enlightened state just after a few breaths!

Gu Du Xing couldn't contain himself and nearly yelled out loud.

Gu Du Xing had to be in meditative state for minimally two hours before he could enter the enlightened state! This was cultivation at the most profound level – when the consciousness and thoughts intertwined to become one. In comparison to the normal meditative state, cultivation would be twice as effective in the enlightened state!

Yet, Chu Yang could advance into it so easily?

How appalling…

The edge of Gu Du Xing's mouth curved into a slightly bitter smile. He had always thought that such a talent was a rare gem in the Middle Three Heavens. Moreover, he did not expect this kid who was younger than him by a few years to cause him to lose almost all of his confidence with just a few breaths!

Inside his consciousness, Chu Yang opened his eyes slowly and stared intensely at the little waves lapping on the shore continuously. He began to understand something… Although these waves might not have much strength, they did not cease to advance, retreat, advance again, and retreat again…

Their movement did not appear to become weary at all.

Chu Yang could not help but think, "Just like a person who is cultivating, these extremely common waves did not turn cheerful just because of a little success and did not become weary just because of a small failure. They were not rash in their actions but simply continued aiming straight ahead… Not knowing when or how their cultivation would increase…

He continued staring at the waves as he felt the energy in his body slowing down, becoming like the waves as they flowed through his meridians continually and lapping in an energy circle. One round after another, slowly advancing…

At this moment, Chu Yang's consciousness advanced into an even more profound state.

He felt as if all of heaven and earth had suddenly disappeared into thin air. There were no materials, desire; nothing existed. His whole body seemed to have dissolved into the quiet pond in front of him, slowly turning into the gentle waves that moved back and forth…

On its own, this process seemed to be able to gather all emotions in life – contentment and happiness, sweetness and tranquility… It was as if they could go on forever and no one could get tired of such a life…

From a distance, as Gu Du Xing continued staring at Chu Yang, his mouth was so wide open that he looked just like a hippopotamus. His sword dropped to the ground quietly…

Gu Du Xing fell to the ground!

Oh God! Help me. Tell me this is not real!

How could this be possible?! Gu Du Xing pulled at his hair and he only came to his senses when he felt a sharp pain on his scalp. Oh God! I can't believe that the peak, legendary state of heaven and man becoming one had just happened in front of me…

Earlier, he did not look away when he noticed a strange occurrence right there. Moreover, he had hoped that Chu Yang could stay in the enlightened state for a long time since this would have been good for his own cultivation…

However, he never could have expected this to happen right after that. An even more horrifying thing had just happened in front of his very eyes. He could clearly see Chu Yang sitting there, but he could no longer feel Chu Yang's presence!

There was only one plausible reason for such a situation to occur – heaven and man becoming one, which was the ultimate state of enlightenment in martial arts! It transcended normal cultivation and only existed in the realm of legends! This state was supposed to be only achievable upon reaching the level of Martial King!

Even amongst Martial Kings, this was not a common sight. This state could only occur occasionally in the realm of deep understanding! According to legends, the yield would be great each time a person advanced into this state!

But… But how could such a rare situation happen here? Typically, absolute tranquility had to be maintained for at least two hours in the enlightened state before there was a slight chance of entering the heaven and man becoming one state. Rushing it would prove to be a failure! Everything had to happen naturally! If one was disturbed, everything would be for nothing. What's worse, there would be a drop in level as well!

As for Chu Yang, how… How could he, amidst the loud construction and the lapping of the waves on the lake, advance into the heaven and earth becoming one state? This… Are there any heavenly laws yet to be broken?

Gu Du Xing plopped to the ground instantly! His buttocks landed hard on a rock, but he still could not regain his senses.

Chu Yang leisurely explored his environment after entering this peak state. At once, the interspace where Nine Tribulations Sword tip resided in opened as if it was taking breaths. A layer of fog that could not be seen by the naked eye slowly formed over the lake. It hovered around and twirled around Chu Yang's body as if it were guided by an unknown force. Finally, it entered his body in a flash and disappeared…

Time passed by slow.y Another layer of fog formed over the lake's surface…

And yet another layer…

No one knew how much time went by. Two hours, four hours…

Gu Du Xing remained stunned as he sat at his original position, soaked in dew. The first ray of sunlight had just rose behind the curtain of fog, but Chu Yang still did not awaken.

Suddenly, Gu Du Xing noticed the air around Chu Yang stir.

Chu Yang's level was increasing slowly… This was the only reason why Gu Du Xing could still feel his presence…

Grade four Martial Warrior, mid-level grade four Martial Warrior, top-level grade four Martial Warrior… Peak… Breakthrough!

Grade five Martial Warrior!

Gu Du Xing's jaws immediately dropped to the ground! Motherf*****, I have met many heaven-born talents, but I have never seen such… such a… monster!