Chapter 21: Chapter 34 - The Search for the Concept of Freedom
Xiao Bai Tian took a deep breath, a profound sense of relief washing over him. Something so simple, yet so deep—the feeling he had longed for. This small town, with all its tranquility, seemed like the perfect place for him at this moment. In the midst of a journey filled with battles and tragedies, he had finally found a place where he could stop for a moment and truly experience life.
The clear evening sky bathed the town in warm light, and the distant sounds of the bustling market near Lian Zhi's home created a stark contrast to the peace he felt. That modest house, with its small yard surrounded by wildflowers, had become a place where he could pour out the burdens of his endless journey. The atmosphere inside was cool, far removed from the clamor of the outside world—something rare for him.
Standing at the doorway, Xiao Bai Tian gazed out with an empty stare, yet within him, a quiet peace filled the void that had lingered for so long. Nothing mattered more to him than this moment of tranquility. For now, he wanted solitude, a chance to heal the wounds buried deep inside him. No more grand ambitions, no battles to win—only the peace that allowed him to breathe.
And yet, even as he embraced the calm, the emptiness remained. It was as if something was still missing, a hollow space that constantly reminded him that his journey was far from over. He could not ignore the fact that, even though he had destroyed the Qing Yun Sect, many questions remained unanswered. More importantly, what was he supposed to do next?
Xiao Bai Tian turned away and stepped back into the house. Lian Zhi, perhaps sensing his need for solitude, did not disturb him. Still, he knew that this peace he was experiencing might only be temporary. In the end, he could not escape the reality that awaited him. The world outside continued to turn, and the justice he sought had yet to be fully realized.
As he sat back in his chair, his eyes drifted toward the window, watching the sky darken. Out there, countless things remained unknown. People hiding in the shadows, greater forces pulling the strings of fate. He knew that one day, this peace would end, and he would have to walk an even harder path. But for now, he could not force himself forward. He needed time—to think, to absorb every fleeting second he had in this place.
"Lian Zhi," he finally spoke, his voice low, almost a whisper. "I know that something much bigger is happening. And I also know that I can't stay here forever. One day, I'll have to step out again and face whatever lies ahead."
Lian Zhi, hearing those words, looked at Xiao Bai Tian with understanding in her eyes. "I know," she replied softly. "But for now, let yourself feel this peace. The world is full of chaos, and everyone needs a place to rest. Let yourself be calm, even if just for a little while, before you return to face it all."
Xiao Bai Tian gave a slow nod. He knew he couldn't stay here forever. Yet, for the first time in so long, he felt that he could take a deep breath without feeling rushed. He could allow himself to embrace this stillness, to savor every moment before stepping back into a world filled with battles and turmoil.
He turned to the window again, watching as the world continued to spin with all its complexities. But this time, he did not feel weighed down. He knew that whatever was coming, he would face it with this newfound sense of calm. For the first time, he felt just a little more prepared to take on the merciless world.
Meanwhile, outside the house, life went on. The townspeople carried on with their daily routines as if nothing had changed. But for Xiao Bai Tian, these peaceful days gave him a chance to reflect. As he observed the simplicity of life unfolding before him, he felt as though something within him had begun to change. Perhaps this was
The night crept in slowly, and the sky shimmered with countless stars, as if decorating the world with a thousand lights. In the cozy living room, the fragrant aroma of tea spread through the air as Lian Zhi gently poured hot tea into the small cup in Xiao Bai Tian's hand. A cool night breeze drifted in, adding to the deep sense of tranquility that filled his heart.
Xiao Bai Tian gazed out of the window at the sky, as if trying to immerse himself in the peace he now felt. The anger and resentment he once held toward the world felt slightly lighter. Lian Zhi's presence beside him, with her sincerity and unwavering care, served as the perfect balance. Yet, even within this peace, he felt a subtle tremor resonating from his true body, far away in the vast expanse of the cosmos. The voice came gently, yet clearly.
"Focus on the concept of freedom. I know that you are in the place where you must seek it. I have created other bodies to understand different Dao concepts. And… change your hair back to its original color, sky blue," the voice echoed in his mind.
Unconsciously, Xiao Bai Tian tightened his grip on the steaming cup of tea, his eyes gazing blankly at Lian Zhi, as if his consciousness was connected to something far beyond reach. Lian Zhi, who had been watching him with quiet attentiveness, sensed a shift within him—something profound, something beyond words.
Suddenly, Xiao Bai Tian's hair began to change. From its deep purple hue, it slowly transformed into a sky-blue color, radiating a gentle glow from each strand as if merging with the night sky itself. Lian Zhi was taken aback, unable to contain her astonishment. Her eyes widened in awe, witnessing a phenomenon beyond comprehension.
"Your hair… it changed?" Lian Zhi whispered, her voice barely audible, mesmerized by the transformation before her.
Xiao Bai Tian raised a hand, brushing his fingers through the strands of his newly restored sky-blue hair, feeling the change within himself. He looked at Lian Zhi and, in a calm tone, said, "You can call me Bai Tian from now on."
Lian Zhi remained silent, her eyes fixed on the man before her. The sky-blue hair gave off an air of unfathomable depth, perfect serenity, yet also boundless power. She sensed that behind those eyes lay a world far greater than she could ever understand.
Bai Tian gave a small smile, gazing at Lian Zhi with emotions he could not quite put into words. There was something in her eyes that brought him peace, as if the world around them could pause for just a moment. In the stillness of the night, they both found themselves immersed in this newfound tranquility. But within this silence, Bai Tian knew that his true purpose remained unfinished. There was something greater he had to attain—the search for the concept of freedom.
After a while, Bai Tian rose from his seat and walked toward the door. Lian Zhi, confused by his sudden movement, asked, "Where are you going?"
"Into this small town. I need to find something—the concept of freedom," Bai Tian replied without turning back, his voice soft yet filled with resolve.
Lian Zhi felt the urge to follow him, but she chose to remain silent. She knew that Bai Tian was on a deeply personal journey, and though she longed to understand more, she also knew he had to walk this path alone.
Outside the house, Bai Tian walked slowly through the streets of the small town. The night air was crisp, and the sky adorned with countless stars only added to the beauty of the scene. The streets were simple yet carried a captivating charm. The houses along the way remained quiet, their dim lights gently illuminating the surroundings.
Bai Tian observed every person he passed along the way. Though this small town appeared unremarkable, he felt that something was hidden within it—something he had to uncover, a form of freedom he had to understand. He knew that this concept was all around him, concealed within everyday life, within the actions and choices of every individual. But to truly grasp it, Bai Tian had to watch closely, to unearth the meaning hidden beneath the ordinary.
Step by step, he walked without a clear destination, simply flowing with the rhythm of the town's life. Occasionally, he stopped to observe people going about their daily routines—talking to their neighbors, tending to their small stalls, or simply enjoying the quiet of the night. Deep within, he felt an understanding begin to take root—a realization that freedom was not about being unbound by rules or external forces but about living with the ability to make choices, without fear or coercion.
Freedom, he began to understand, was not just an absence of chains but the ability to walk one's own path with clarity and acceptance. Every action taken, every decision made, was a choice, and true freedom came from embracing and understanding those choices with full awareness.
As he continued walking, Bai Tian felt a subtle resonance within himself, as if the world around him was responding to his search. Every interaction, every conversation happening in the town seemed to offer clues about the nature of freedom. Though simple in concept, each individual Bai Tian encountered seemed to hold their own unique understanding of freedom—different, yet interconnected.
The journey continued throughout the night. When dawn finally broke, Bai Tian felt a newfound understanding taking shape within him. The concept of freedom he sought was not something that could be fully grasped in a single night or in a single place, but rather a never-ending journey—like a river that continued to flow without end.
With this realization, Bai Tian returned to Lian Zhi's home. His eyes now carried an even deeper sense of understanding, and his sky-blue hair shone with a brighter glow. He knew that, though this journey had only begun, the first step had been taken.
In this small town, amidst its simplicity, he had found the beginning of his understanding of freedom.