Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 201 Inner World

The scene in the room surprised Zhou Ning.

What was originally a simple room has now been transformed into a magnificent palace.

Golden pillars, red carpets, crystal chandeliers, and jade tables and chairs—luxury is evident everywhere.

The air was filled with a rich fragrance that was intoxicating.

In the center of the palace, there was a huge round table, piled high with delicacies from land and sea, fine wines and dishes.

Around the round table sat all sorts of people.

There were emperors in dragon robes, wealthy merchants adorned with gold and silver, Taoist priests holding whisks, monks in cassocks, and beggars in tattered clothes.

They were all feasting, drinking and eating meat, hugging and kissing without any restraint.

"Is this... the Paradise Illusion?" Zhou Ning asked.

Jingchen nodded.

"This is my inner 'paradise'. Here, there are no rules, no constraints, no good or evil."

"Everyone can do what they want to do and become who they want to be."

She walked to the round table, sat down in an empty seat, picked up the wine jug, and poured herself a glass of wine.

"Look, that emperor."

She pointed to the emperor, who was wearing a dragon robe.

"He's usually so busy that he doesn't even have time to catch his breath."

"Here, he can let go of everything and have a good drink."

She then pointed to the ragged beggar.

"He often goes hungry and cold, and is bullied by others."

"But here, he can eat delicacies from land and sea, wear fine silks and satins, and enjoy the treatment of an emperor."

Her gaze swept over everyone at the round table, her eyes filled with compassion.

"They were all people oppressed by reality. Here, they found relief."

Zhou Ning walked to the round table and looked at those people who were immersed in their desires.

Their eyes were empty and unfocused, their smiles stiff and crazed, as if they were controlled by something and had lost themselves.

"They are not finding liberation, they are sinking into depravity," Zhou Ning said.

"Look into their eyes, do they still have any sparkle? They've been deceived by the illusion you created, and have lost their true selves."

Jingchen's smile froze.

She put down her wine glass, walked up to a businessman who was laughing wildly, and waved her hand in front of his eyes.

The merchant didn't react at all, he kept laughing, the laughter grew louder and more frantic, and finally turned into wailing.

"How could this happen?" Jingchen murmured.

"I just want them to be happy..."

Zhou Ning said, "Happiness is not indulgence. True happiness is the satisfaction gained through restraint."

"A person who earns money through their own efforts is happier than a person who gains wealth through illusion."

"A person who overcomes alcohol addiction through their own perseverance is happier than a person who gets drunk in a hallucination."

Happiness comes from genuine growth, not from false satisfaction.

Jingchen fell silent.

She waved her sleeve, and the illusion began to dissipate.

The palace, the round table, the fine wine and food, and the people who had fallen into depravity all turned into specks of light and disappeared into the air.

The room was restored to its original state, still that simple side room, with swaying bamboo shadows outside the window.

Jingchen slumped on the bed, her face pale.

The phoenix feather fell from above her head and landed in her palm, its seven-colored light dimming considerably.

"I was wrong."

Jingchen lowered her head, her voice choked with emotion.

"I always thought that letting people indulge their desires would make them happy."

"But I overlooked the fact that the emptiness that follows indulgence is more painful than repression."

Zhou Ning sat down opposite her and said, "The fact that you're aware of this means you've already begun to change."

Jingchen raised her head and looked at him, her eyes filled with confusion.

"Zhou Ning, what should I do? I don't know what to do."

"My old faith has collapsed, and a new faith has not yet been established. I am like a rudderless ship, drifting at sea."

Zhou Ning said, "Then let's stop for now. Don't rush to find answers. Calm down and listen to your inner voice."

"Why is your master, Cihang Bodhisattva, able to uphold the righteous path? It's not because she doesn't understand the evil in the world, but because she sees hope behind evil."

Jingchen remained silent for a long time before finally nodding.

"Thank you, Zhou Ning. I'll think about it carefully."

Zhou Ning stood up, preparing to leave.

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back, saying, "Jingchen, do you know? My master was also bewitched by your illusions when he was young. But he overcame them. You can too."

Jingchen was taken aback: "Yan Chixia?"

Zhou Ning nodded and left the room.

The moment he closed the door, he heard Jingchen whisper, "Thank you, Zhou Ning."

Ashu was anxiously waiting in the courtyard. When he saw Zhou Ning come out, he quickly went to greet him.

"Young Master Zhou, are you alright? I just saw multicolored lights in the room, it was terrifying."

Zhou Ning shook his head: "It's nothing. She just created an illusion and showed me her 'paradise'."

Ashu asked, "Do you think she can turn over a new leaf?"

Zhou Ning said, "Yes, it's possible. But it will take time."

The two returned to the front yard.

Yan Chixia was meditating in the main hall when he saw Zhou Ning and opened his eyes.

"How is she?"

Zhou Ning briefly recounted the events of the illusion.

After listening, Yan Chixia remained silent for a moment, then said, "The fact that she willingly lets you see her inner world shows that she trusts you a lot, which is a good start."

He paused, then continued, "But you must be careful. Her inner demons run deep and cannot be eliminated overnight. Even with the Phoenix Feather to suppress them, they may recur."

Zhou Ning nodded: "Disciple understands. Master, disciple wishes to stay in the temple and wait for her to emerge from seclusion."

Yan Chixia said, "Very well. It's a good time to consolidate your mid-stage Dao Integration cultivation."

In the days that followed, Zhou Ning cultivated in the back mountain every day, waiting for Jingchen to emerge from seclusion.

Ashu also stayed at the temple, helping to clean the courtyard and cook.

On this day, Zhou Ning was meditating on the back mountain when he suddenly felt the communication jade talisman in his arms getting slightly warm.

He took out the jade talisman and infused it with a wisp of true essence.

Han Wei's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with anxiety.

"Young Master Zhou, the seal on the northern lands has shown signs of loosening again."

"Although the Heavenly Demon has been purified, the remnants of the seal remain."

"Recently, a new demonic energy has been surging around the seal. We suspect that a new demon may be brewing. When can you come and take a look?"

Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Lord Han, I will go in a few days."

He put away the jade talisman, went to the main hall, and reported Han Wei's words to his master.

Yan Chixia frowned and said, "New demonic energy? Could it be that the Heavenly Demon still has remnants?"

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Go and take a look. Take the Heavenly Fox Sword with you, just in case. I'll keep an eye on Jingchen's side."

Zhou Ning nodded, returned to his residence, and packed his bags.

Ashu followed behind him and said, "Young Master Zhou, I'll go with you."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay. Be careful on the road."

The two left Lanruo Temple and sped northwards.