Chapter 181: The End of the World – A Blind Man Faces Three Waves

When sorrow reached its peak and heartache reached its limit, all he could do was bury it in silence.
Hearing Jue Gui’s words, Liu Yi’s heart once again ignited with hope. He was well aware that the poison of the Nine Nether Demon God could never be cured. What concerned him more now was the person who could restore memories of past lives. If someone truly could do that, it meant Jill could regain the memories of the Heavenly Maiden and, like him, see those seven thousand years of experiences again. By then, Jill would surely recognize him. Compared to that, Liu Yi was more concerned about this issue.
Jue Gui fell silent for a moment before saying, “This is probably a story. No one knows when it started spreading among people. Due to the passage of time, its authenticity cannot be verified. So, Lord Liu, don’t hold too much hope. Remember, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Approach it with a normal mindset.”
Liu Yi nodded and said, “Thank you for your wise words, Master. But as long as there’s even a sliver of hope, Liu Yi won’t give up. Even if it’s just a legend, I want it to become my own legend. Because that person is too important to me—truly too important.”
Jue Gui shook his head and said, “Karmic bonds arise from all kinds of desires and emotions… Legend has it that there was a pair of lovers who knew and loved each other deeply. Their passion moved heaven and earth. They wandered beyond the three realms, following the wind and gathering with the clouds. In the end, they spent their lives together at the end of the South Sea, at the End of the World. This story originated because of them.”
Liu Yi continued, “So, Master means that this pair of lovers can help people restore memories of past lives?”
Jue Gui didn’t answer Liu Yi and continued, “This pair of lovers embodied love in the world. They could have ascended to the divine realm, but they firmly refused. As a result, they escaped birth, aging, illness, and death, settling at the End of the World. I can’t confirm whether they can restore people’s past-life memories, but if Lord Liu is truly determined, he might as well go to the End of the World.”
July listened to Jue Gui’s words and asked, “Master, is the End of the World just by flying south until reaching the end of the South Sea? Why hasn’t anyone mentioned this place before?”
Jue Gui sighed and said, “The End of the World has always appeared in human stories. Who would believe that such a pure land actually exists? The stories passed down have become legends, and the End of the World has become people’s imagination. No one thinks it truly exists.”
Liu Yi asked, “Is the End of the World mentioned by Master also just a legend? Has no one ever been there?”
Jue Gui nodded and said, “Everything I said just now is just a story, a legend. It might be true, or it might be people’s longing for something beautiful. As for whether it actually exists, no one has given an answer. If Lord Liu is afraid of trouble, just consider it a story I told and there’s no need to look for it.”

Liu Yi shook his head and said, “No. Even if it’s just a legend, it must become one for me. As long as there’s a sliver of hope, I won’t give up. A thousand years of waiting, three lifetimes of sorrow—I can endure all of it. How could I give up? As long as ‘the ends of the earth’ truly exist and there’s hope, there will be Liu Yi. Even if the rivers dry up and the mountains rot, Liu Yi will surely find those ends of the earth. As for the gods’ curse, I have only four words for it—‘Never surrender.’”

Jue Gui nodded and said, “I’m good at reading faces. From this, it seems Lord Liu still has many trials ahead. But as long as you hold onto your faith, I think… you can surely escape this sea of suffering.”

Qiyue then asked, “Master, how big is the South Sea? How long would it take to fly to its end?”

Jue Gui simply shook his head and replied, “No one seems to know exactly how big the South Sea is. And precisely because it’s so vast, even those with high cultivation levels can’t cross it. Most people die of exhaustion at sea. It’s said that between the South Sea and the ends of the earth, there are three layers of waves, each higher than the last, stretching to the horizon. Within these waves lie monstrous creatures, and the trials are extraordinary. To reach the ends of the earth, one must first endure these trials. Those who do make it will receive blessings from their friends… But I’ve never heard of anyone actually reaching there.”

Liu Yi nodded and said, “Thank you, Master, for your guidance. Your words have given me hope again. Since I still have a chance in this life, I will definitely return to the Buddhist sect to visit you. I’ll take my leave for now.” With that, he stood up, bowed, and prepared to leave the room.

Jue Gui also stood up and said, “Amitabha… Lord Liu, please wait a moment. I have something to give you.” Without waiting for Liu Yi’s reply, he turned and walked outside.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Liu Yi heard Jue Gui’s footsteps again. When the footsteps stopped, Liu Yi said, “Master, there’s no need for this. I’m just an ordinary person at the first level of cultivation. You’re being too kind.”

Jue Gui sighed and said, “Amitabha. It’s not really a precious treasure. It’s just… this item has been left in our sect for years with no one using it. Now that Lord Liu has lost his eyesight, it can be useful to you. I’m simply doing a kind deed by giving it to you.”

Liu Yi didn’t refuse anymore. Following the sound of Jue Gui’s voice, he reached out and felt a soft object being placed in his hands. By touch, it seemed like silk but wasn’t silk—warm, flexible, and shiny. It was about two fingers wide and three feet long. Liu Yi couldn’t help but ask, “Master, is this… silk? A headscarf, or maybe a belt?”

Jue Gui replied, “This ribbon is called ‘Black Curtain.’ It was left behind by a high monk in our sect. It’s not a headscarf or a belt, but something to cover the eyes. That high monk, like Lord Liu, was blind, but he was obsessed with martial arts. After going blind, he created this ‘Black Curtain’ to cover his eyes. As long as the energy within one’s body is active, it will display red and yellow images. In other words, this ribbon can help Lord Liu defend himself better against enemies.”

Liu Yi nodded and said, “Thank you, Master, for your kindness. I can only say that I’m utterly grateful.” With that, he covered his eyes with the black ribbon and tied it gently behind his head. Beneath his white hair, a three-foot-long black band now covered his eyes.

When Liu Yi tried to sense carefully again, a yellow light dot appeared in front of him. When he turned his head, a red light dot was beside him. His world was no longer completely dark, for the yellow light dot was Master Juegui, while the red one was Qi Yue. Yellow represented a man’s vital energy, and red represented a woman’s.

Liu Yi bowed to Juegui and said, “Thank you, Master, for giving me this.”

Juegui nodded. The yellow light dot moved slightly in the darkness. Juegui said, “Lord Liu, you may now set off on your journey. All I can do is tell you a story and give you a gift. For anything else, I cannot assist you further.”

Liu Yi nodded and said, “That’s enough. Master, I will definitely visit you again in my lifetime. Let’s part ways for now.”

Juegui nodded and said, “Amitabha… Goodbye, Lord Liu. I won’t see you off.”

Liu Yi nodded and said, “Master, wait.”

After saying that, he turned to the red dot in the darkness and said, “Qi Yue, let’s go.” Clearly, though he couldn’t see her, he could sense her presence and location through the special ability of the “Black Curtain.”

Qi Yue seemed much happier now. At least in Liu Yi’s world, there was a way to express herself again. It might be simple, but it was far better than being in complete darkness. Thus, Qi Yue continued to lead the way, while Liu Yi followed her steps and the red light dot as they headed outside.

After leaving the Buddhist temple, the two did not rush to fly to the South Sea.

Qi Yue asked, “Scholar, should we go back and tell Brother Wolf?”

Liu Yi shook his head and said, “No need. Leave Eternal City to my teacher. I want to hurry and search for that End of the World, whether it exists or not. I must find it.”

Qi Yue replied, “I’ll go with you.”

Liu Yi shook his head and said, “No, you go back to Eternal City. I can go alone.”

Qi Yue immediately objected, “No, I’m worried. After all, Master said the South Sea is very large. If you fly there alone, you might get exhausted. Moreover, since you can’t see, you might fly in the wrong direction. If I go with you, we can take turns resting at sea, and I can also help determine direction.”

Liu Yi thought for a while. Qi Yue was right. Leaving aside exhaustion, not being able to see or determine direction at sea could easily lead to flying in the wrong place. But he also felt he should stay away from Qi Yue…

Qi Yue suddenly said plaintively, “Why? Won’t you even agree to my request?”

Hearing her words, Liu Yi understood what she was implying. He couldn’t help but nod and say, “Alright, let’s go to the South Sea together to search for the End of the World.”

Qi Yue said, “That’s what I thought.”

After thinking again, Qi Yue asked, “Scholar, why are your eyes blind, yet do you seem so natural? Don’t you hate them? Don’t you hate the Nine Nether Demons and Lan Ying?”

Liu Yi suddenly stopped walking, thought for a while, and said, “Hate—deep hatred. I wish I could slice their bodies with my sword, but… one must learn to endure. My only wish now is to restoreJili’er’s memory and his identity as a celestial maiden. Only then, without any concerns, can I vent the hatred in my heart.”

Hearing Liu Yi’s words, July felt, for some reason, that the distance between them was immense. He was so lonely, unwilling to share with others, isolating himself from the world and sinking into sorrow, desolation, and hatred. Why? Did he not want friends? Was his fate truly to be alone?

July looked at Liu Yi and said, “Scholar, as I’ve said before, when the whole world ignores you, I am still here. Your world isn’t lonely. I’ll stay with you untilJili’er regains his memory and you’re together again.”

Hearing July’s words, Liu Yi was stunned once more. Those words shocked him. Perhaps he no longer saw the varied lives of people, so his mood was calmer, as he no longer had to witness the ugliness of others. But July’s words, like a ray of light, illuminated that dark world, bringing a hint of sunshine and warmth into the darkness.

Liu Yi suddenly smiled and said, “Let’s set off.”

Then, to conserve their vital energy, the two drew a sword and flew together toward the south, toward the end of the South Sea, to the very edge of the world.

This was just a legendary story—lovers finally united, flying together to watch the sun set and the moon rise at the edge of the world. This had been Liu Yi andJili’er’s wish, but now it had become one person’s hope. The South Sea was vast, and no one had ever given an answer, let alone the end of it. In this vast world, there were countless miraculous things, but in the unknown, how could one know whether such wonders would be harmless?

For this hope, Liu Yi and July flew through the deep blue sky, night and day, swiftly traversing the endless expanse. Days passed after days, time slipping away, while all that appeared before them was still the endless ocean.

It was unclear how much time had passed. The two took turns flying on the sword. Fortunately, both of them practiced the “Lanerfina Qing” technique, which allowed them to draw nourishment from the chaotic energy of the world. Otherwise, even with strength, they would have starved in the vast ocean.

Liu Yi asked July, “How long have we been flying over this ocean?”

July thought for a moment and replied, “A little over a month, I think. Why can’t we still see the edge of the world? Is that story false? Is there really no such thing as the edge of the world?”

Liu Yi shook his head and said, “Whether it’s true or not, we’ll know once we reach the end of the sea. It’s just… I don’t know how big the South Sea really is. Why can’t we see the end after flying for so long?”

July added, “Well, as long as we persevere… Scholar, something seems strange ahead.”

Liu Yi pricked up his ears to listen. Waves could be heard, but he immediately sensed something was wrong. They were in the middle of the sea—how could there be such loud waves? The sound seemed distant, yet it carried immense force. Liu Yi hurriedly asked, “July, what do you see?”
July seemed not to hear Liu Yi’s words and didn’t respond…
As the sound of the waves grew louder, Liu Yi asked again, “July, what do you see?”
It seemed July had just come back to his senses. He replied, “Scholar, it looks like we’re in trouble. There are huge waves ahead—endless, rolling toward us. I don’t know if we can make it through.”
Liu Yi quickly asked, “Can’t we fly over them or go around from the side?”
July replied, “Those waves have no end in either direction. They reach the sky, and there seems to be no gap to pass through at all.”
Liu Yi said, “Let’s change positions. I’ll control the sword, and you stay behind me. With my true energy, we should be able to cross these waves.”
July nodded and said, “Okay.”
The two made a quick decision. But Liu Yi couldn’t see the waves, otherwise he might not have been so confident. In July’s eyes, the waves appeared as a blue wall reaching the sky, towering and rushing toward them at incredible speed. There were also swirling winds within those waves.
The sound grew louder. Relying on his hearing, Liu Yi could sense the extraordinary power of those waves. At such high speeds, their force became even greater. What surprised him even more was that he could hear the sound of wind within the waves. Frowning, he thought to himself, “These are definitely not ordinary waves. Could it be… the triple waves mentioned by Master Juegui?”
Liu Yi didn’t overthink it. With the waves looming overhead, he used his true energy to activate his communication technique and said, “July, hold on tight to me. Don’t let go under any circumstances.” Clearly, Liu Yi now understood the immense power of those waves and was worried that July might be swept underwater by them.
Hearing Liu Yi’s words, July didn’t hesitate. He quickly wrapped his arms around Liu Yi from behind, pressing tightly against his back. Liu Yi activated his “Lanerfina Qing” meditation technique to its highest level, instantly creating a protective aura around his body. As this aura formed, tremendous force drove the seawater toward them…
Liu Yi’s “Lanerfina Qing” technique had once separated him from the Weak Water. In his mind, seawater should be easier to separate from. But it seemed he was wrong this time.
The immense forces of nature kept pressing against his body, gradually pushing him downward, as if determined to bury him beneath the sea.

As the “Lanerfina Qing” meditation technique rapidly accelerated the flow of vital energy, Liu Yi struggled to move forward. He only wanted to get out of those massive waves. Just then, he felt a chill in his body, and immediately realized that the protective aura generated by the technique had been shattered by the waves. In an instant, the hurricane made it impossible for him to discern direction, and the seawater surrounded him. At that moment, Liu Yi felt as if he were sinking to the bottom of the sea. The water around him didn’t choke him, but it gave him a sense of suffocation.

Amidst this tension, an even more troublesome issue arose. Liu Yi felt a lightness in his chest, followed by a sense of relaxation. In a flash, he realized it was July—she couldn’t withstand the immense force of the waves and had let go. In that instant, Liu Yi’s heart sank. He turned around to look.

The faint red light slowly faded into the darkness. Without further thought, Liu Yi stretched out his right hand and reached for it. As softness and coldness filled his senses, he knew he had grabbed July’s hand. But at the same time, he heard her voice. However, amidst the roaring waves, he couldn’t understand what she was saying. All he could hear was the wind, the waves, and the thunderous crashing sound. It seemed as if the entire world had become this chaotic ocean.

Liu Yi simply shouted, “Don’t let go! Hold on to me…”

As he spoke, a faint, intermittent voice came through: “I won’t let go…”

At this moment, Liu Yi seemed to recall a day ten years ago, when he and Jili had parted in a cave. But now, they were on this endless sea. He knew that if he let go, July would be buried by the waves. He couldn’t allow himself to be distracted, because the seawater was already soaking their hands, causing their grip to weaken little by little.

They knew it wasn’t that they didn’t want to hold onto each other, but that the waves made it impossible. They knew they still had the strength not to give up, but helplessness forced their hands to slip away gradually…

Part 5, Volume 12: The Flowers of the Other Shore Bloom