章節 19: Chapter 18: Journey to the Land of the Guardian
The sun had barely risen over the endless expanse of lush, rolling mountains, each peak adorned with mist that curled like ethereal ribbons in the morning light. The landscape was alive with a vibrant palette of jade green forests, crystalline rivers that wove through the valleys like silver threads, and ancient stone pagodas hidden amongst the clouds. As Surya, Li Wei, and Mei Lin ventured forward, the terrain seemed to breathe with the whispers of forgotten legends and unseen spirits.
They rode atop a mythical beast summoned by Surya, an awe-inspiring creature that defied the imagination. Its form was that of a colossal qilin, a divine beast with a body as elegant as a deer but covered in scales that shimmered like polished jade. Its mane, a flowing river of golden flames, danced in the wind, and its eyes glowed with a serene blue light, hinting at both wisdom and untamed power. Massive antlers, twisted like the branches of an ancient tree, crowned its head, and beneath its hooves, flowers bloomed with every step it took, turning the rugged terrain into a path of vibrant life. It was a creature born from the celestial realms, a symbol of peace and power, yet its presence was both tranquil and commanding.
Li Wei sat at the beast's flank, his hand resting on the ornate hilt of his blade, eyes scanning the surroundings. Mei Lin, perched just behind, kept her bow at the ready, her gaze sharp and vigilant. Surya, positioned at the front, held the reins loosely, though the qilin hardly needed guidance; it moved with the grace of a river flowing downhill, as if it knew precisely where it was meant to go.
The group rode in silence for a while, absorbing the natural beauty of the Sacred Land's outer regions—forests teeming with the melodies of hidden birds, rivers whose waters sparkled with an otherworldly glow, and fields of wildflowers that swayed like dancers in the breeze. Yet, this was not their final destination. They had their sights set on a place far more treacherous: the mythical region of Xianzhou, a land steeped in ancient magic and guarded by beings that stood as the final bastion between the mortal realm and the heavens above.
"We need to reach Xianzhou," Surya stated calmly, his voice breaking the silence. "It's the next step in our quest for the Sutra of Liberation. The Sutra was broken into fragments and scattered across the realms, each piece guarded by a powerful entity. Here in the human realm, the protector is none other than Skanda, the War God of the Heavens."
Li Wei nodded thoughtfully. "Skanda—the one said to be invincible in battle, mounted on his divine peacock, wielding weapons that could shatter mountains. His name alone makes men tremble."
Mei Lin's eyes widened with both excitement and apprehension. "They say his spear can pierce through the thickest armor and his arrows never miss their mark. To challenge him… it's unthinkable."
Surya remained unfazed, guiding the qilin forward as if he had heard such praises many times before. "I've met Skanda once during my travels," Surya admitted, his gaze fixed ahead. "He's a being of great power, but not one to be easily swayed. He upholds the rules, the traditions, the duties assigned by the celestial order."
Li Wei glanced over, curiosity piqued. "If you've met him before, then how did it go?"
Surya chuckled, the sound light and amused, though his eyes carried a knowing weight. "Not well," he confessed. "Skanda is a being of duty and law, a guardian of the cosmic order. To him, the universe must function within its set bounds, and every being must adhere to its role. I, on the other hand, have never been one to bow to rules or follow a path set by others. To Skanda, my way of doing things was… irreverent."
The warrior siblings exchanged glances. Li Wei, with a smirk, ventured further, "So, what did he think of you?"
Surya's expression turned contemplative, but his tone remained as calm as ever. "He saw me as a disruptor, a rebel who refuses to conform. I've never cared for what's deemed 'right' or 'wrong' by celestial standards. To me, concepts like good and evil are trivial—labels that bind the spirit and restrict the heart. I seek only freedom, the liberation of the self. I do what I wish, when I wish. If I feel the urge to do good, then so be it. But I do it on my own terms, not because of some divine decree."
Mei Lin looked at him with a mixture of admiration and concern. "So that's why Skanda disliked you… you don't follow the rules."
Surya nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I don't play by the rules of the heavens, the earth, or any realm. I've always been a Buddha who walks his own path, guided by nothing but the truth within. Skanda couldn't accept that, and that's why our meeting was strained. He represents order, while I embody the freedom that defies it."
As they continued through the terrain, the land shifted dramatically. The lush forests gave way to jagged cliffs and treacherous ravines, where the ground was cracked and uneven, as if the earth itself had been scarred by the battles of gods long forgotten. Violent winds howled through the narrow passes, carrying with them the echoes of distant storms. With a wave of his hand, Surya conjured a protective barrier around them, a shimmering dome of light that shielded the group from the harsh elements.
Li Wei watched in awe as Surya's barrier repelled rocks dislodged from above and diverted the biting winds. "You make it look effortless," he remarked, marveling at Surya's mastery.
Surya merely shrugged. "The world throws obstacles at you—nature, enemies, even the heavens themselves. But power isn't just about strength; it's about understanding. Everything in the universe has a rhythm. Find it, and you can turn even the harshest elements to your advantage."
They pressed on, Surya's magic lighting their way through darkened valleys and across crumbling bridges suspended over bottomless chasms. He used the simplest of spells to part the dangerous fogs that obscured their path and summoned gentle gusts of wind to lift them over treacherous gaps. The land itself seemed to bend to his will, as if acknowledging the presence of one who had transcended all worldly and heavenly constraints.
As they approached the border of Xianzhou, the skies darkened, painted with ominous shades of red and gold. In the distance, a grand temple could be seen atop a towering mountain, guarded by statues of fearsome beasts and warriors. It was a place that seemed suspended between earth and sky, a gateway between realms.
Surya brought the qilin to a halt and dismounted, his companions following suit. "Beyond this point lies Skanda's domain," he said, his voice laced with a mixture of anticipation and calm. "He is not just a guardian; he is a god of war, a protector of the cosmic balance. If we are to face him, we must do so with conviction, for he will test not just our strength, but our very purpose."
Li Wei drew his sword, its blade gleaming with the light of determination. "I am ready," he declared. "We've come this far, and we won't turn back."
Mei Lin nodded, her grip firm on her bow. "We will stand by you, no matter what challenges lie ahead."
Surya smiled, the sight of his loyal companions bolstering his spirit. "Remember this," he said, his tone soft yet firm. "We are not bound by the titles of good or evil. We are not here to prove our worth to the gods or to seek their approval. We are here because we choose to be. And that, above all, is what sets us apart."
As the trio ascended the path towards the grand temple, their steps echoed with purpose, and the air grew thick with the tension of an inevitable confrontation. Skanda awaited them, a figure of unyielding strength and celestial authority. But Surya was undeterred, for he was not just a Buddha or a rebel—he was a being who walked the path of his own making, driven by a freedom that could not be contained.
With each step, the group edged closer to their goal, knowing that the journey ahead would be fraught with trials, but also with the promise of liberation that lay just beyond the horizon. For Surya, Li Wei, and Mei Lin, the quest for the Sutra of Liberation was not just a mission; it was a testament to their defiance, their will, and the unbreakable bond that tied them together in a world that refused to be tamed.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票