I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

It was already late at night.

Inside the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, everyone had gone to sleep.

Even Xu Caichen and Nie Xiuyuan, who were usually fond of staying up late to cultivate, had entered their dreams.

In a separate residence, Nie Xiuyuan, immersed in slumber, was currently reading a book atop an immortal mountain.

If anyone had been present, they would have noticed that the book in Nie Xiuyuan's hand had the three large characters "Nanhua Jing" written on its cover.

Looking around at his surroundings, Nie Xiuyuan showed a confused expression and murmured to himself:

"Shouldn't I be carefree and at ease in my dream?"

"Why am I even reading this book in a dream? Could it be that the correct way to unlock this book is through dreams? Or is what I seek in this lifetime hidden within these pages?"

"Forget it, forget it. Since I'm dreaming of this book, I might as well read a bit."

He fixed his gaze on the Nanhua Jing and began reading from the first chapter, "Free and Easy Wandering."

"In the northern ocean there is a fish, its name is Kun…"

Time ticked by second by second. With each word read in the dream, his spirit grew stronger, but at the same time, the inner demons in his heart also grew.

"The way of nurturing life lies in following nature, forgetting emotions, and not being hindered by external things."

When Nie Xiuyuan read this line, he suddenly paused and began repeating it softly.

With each repetition, the once-growing heart demon within him visibly shrank, and eventually, without him realizing, it completely dissipated into nothing.

"I understand. I truly understand!"

"To achieve true carefree freedom, one must follow nature, forget emotions, and remain untouched by worldly distractions. Bring the wine!"

With a loud call, a wine flask appeared out of thin air. He grabbed it and drank it all in one go, muttering, "Zhuang Zhou once dreamed he was a butterfly. Today, I, Nie Xiuyuan, regardless of whether this is truly a dream or not, only wish to drink to my heart's content, forget everything, and comprehend true carefree freedom!"

The wine kept flowing.

No one knew how much time passed. The dream faded, and Nie Xiuyuan suddenly opened his eyes wide, finding himself sitting on the bed with sunlight spilling through the paper window onto the floor.

He slowly closed his eyes and felt the spiritual power and divine soul within him, then suddenly opened his eyes again and murmured, "I actually broke through a minor realm and stepped into the ninth level of Spirit Nurturing."

"I even comprehended the true essence of carefree freedom in the dream. While dispelling my heart demons, I reshaped my Dao Heart."

At this point, Nie Xiuyuan's gaze fell on the Nanhua Jing beside him. The feeling of unrestrained freedom he experienced in the dream still felt wondrous, a sensation he had never felt in his entire life.

Now, he no longer needed wine to enter the dream realm for cultivation.

"Master truly is a peerless sage!"

After murmuring this, Nie Xiuyuan composed himself and headed toward the main residence.

———

[Disciple Nie Xiuyuan has comprehended the true essence of carefree freedom from the Nanhua Jing, achieving mastery. Rewarding host with +5 Dao Truth.]

A familiar mechanical voice woke Chu Feng from his half-dreaming state. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "So this is what they call great enlightenment? As expected, Zhuangzi is truly a sage's work. I wonder what else Xiuyuan can comprehend from the Nanhua Jing."

Chu Feng wasn't too surprised that Nie Xiuyuan grasped the true essence of carefree freedom overnight. After all, this old boy was a Dao-seeking genius. He had simply failed to overcome his heart demons before.

Now that he had gained insight from the Nanhua Jing, it seemed he had found new life.

After washing up, Chu Feng leisurely fanned himself and walked into the courtyard.

Han Ping and Chu Caiyi carried the final two dishes to the table, while Qin Qin set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Chu Feng said to Qin Qin, "Add another set of bowls and chopsticks. Xiuyuan will be here soon."

"Yes."

Qin Qin never questioned her master's words. Beside her, Wang Baole asked curiously:

"Master, doesn't Shishu Nie usually skip breakfast?"

Chu Feng intentionally kept him in suspense. "You'll find out soon enough."

As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone saw a graceful and handsome man walk into the residence.

"Disciple Nie Xiuyuan greets Master."

Upon entering, Nie Xiuyuan bowed respectfully to Chu Feng.

Everyone around was stunned in place, staring at this version of Martial Uncle Nie who now looked more than ten years younger.

"No need for formalities."

Chu Feng's lips curled into a faint smile, his face showing no hint of surprise.

This scene fell entirely into Nie Xiuyuan's eyes. He had originally intended to give his master a pleasant surprise, but he hadn't expected his master to remain so calm, as if everything had already been foreseen.

"Ma–Martial Uncle Nie, how did you suddenly become like this?"

Wang Baole looked at the otherworldly figure before him in disbelief.

Nie Xiuyuan smiled and said, "Because I comprehended the true essence of carefree freedom, shattered the demon in my heart, reshaped my Dao Heart, and was reborn."

That single sentence left everyone present deeply shocked.

Even Ye Beixuan, someone who had lived two lifetimes, stared at Nie Xiuyuan in a daze.

To reshape the Dao Heart… Master actually possesses such a technique. Just what kind of being is Master? Why didn't I meet him in my past life?

"Very good, Xiuyuan. You truly did not disappoint me."

Chu Feng gave Nie Xiuyuan a thumbs up. "Do you have any doubts in your heart now?"

Nie Xiuyuan respectfully replied, "Master, I do have a slight confusion."

"Speak," Chu Feng said.

Nie Xiuyuan said, "Previously I cultivated the path of the sword, and what I comprehended was sword intent. Why is it that now there is no sword intent in my heart, only the essence of carefree freedom?"

Chu Feng stood up, leisurely waving his folding fan. "The reason is simple. Your heart no longer holds the sword, only unrestrained freedom. Thus, the sword intent transformed into the true essence of carefree freedom. If your heart holds the sword, then sword intent will naturally arise. If you don't believe me, try it for yourself."

Nie Xiuyuan paused, then said, "May I borrow a sword from Master?"

Chu Feng smiled. "If the sword is in your heart, why would your master need to lend you one?"

Nie Xiuyuan hesitated briefly, then closed his eyes. In his mind, he began to visualize the form of a sword. Moments later, his fingers formed a sword shape and he slashed toward the sky.

Clang!

A streak of sword energy tore across the sky. Within that sword energy, everyone could sense a powerful and unmistakable sword intent.

Han Ping, who had never witnessed anything like this, instinctively asked, "Master, can intent actually change?"

Chu Feng smiled. "Under normal circumstances, of course not. But if your senior brother Ye comprehends the intent of primordial chaos, he can evolve it into countless types of intent. As for your Martial Uncle Nie, he had already comprehended sword intent, but last night it transformed into the true essence of carefree freedom upon his enlightenment."

"This means that anything Xiuyuan previously understood, he can now use freely and at will."

"I see."

Nie Xiuyuan bowed to Chu Feng and said, "Thank you, Master, for your guidance. This disciple will surely cultivate diligently from now on."

Chu Feng smiled. "There's no need to make promises to me. As long as you walk the path you truly believe in, you will find your own Dao."

Nie Xiuyuan said, "This disciple will remember Master's teachings."

Watching this scene, Han Ping and Caiyi both had the same thought rise in their hearts: I must also cultivate diligently and not disappoint Master!

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