Published: March 8, 2025
Supreme Path, Gate of the Great Path!
Chu Yang was momentarily stunned by these eight words, instinctively adjusting his mindset even more.
If even Ning Tianya said so, then it must be something extraordinary!
Unconsciously, Chu Yang straightened his back. His ears perked up, eager not to miss a single word.
Ning Tianya took a long breath and then exhaled deeply, sighing, “This is something I have only recently comprehended; yet, even though I have grasped it, I no longer have hope of reaching the peak…”
“How ironic and lamentable!”
Ning Tianya's expression was filled with deep disappointment as he sighed.
Chu Yang sat up straight, not saying a word, only focusing intently on listening.
“If we compare this mountain to life, then the path up the mountain represents the journey of life, which is filled with too many forks.”
Ning Tianya slowly said, “Forks can hinder your progress and restrict your speed, but they can also enrich your experiences, providing lessons and wisdom…”
“No one has ever traveled straight to the peak without encountering forks in life!”
“But the forks we are discussing here are not of that kind.”
“They are experiences, precious things in life that you have to do and protect!”
“Some forks are parents, siblings, brothers, genuine emotions, family ties, as well as wives and children… If we consider these as forks that affect your journey's speed, then they are also the most valuable forks!”
“Note that I am talking about forks that affect your speed of progression, merely speed, not about hindering your advancement… Do you understand?”
Chu Yang nodded, “I completely understand!”
Life is not simply about reaching wherever you want, ignoring everything else. There are always things that will disturb your peace of mind as you sprint forward or embark on your journey…
For example, parental advice, the tearful eyes of a lover…
These can turn a heart as hard as iron into something tender and soft in an instant.
Ning Tianya continued, “Many people have an extremely firm heart when it comes to martial arts. You must know that when a heart becomes unyieldingly firm… it only leaves behind coldness! At this point, no matter what happens, no person can shake him!”
“Such a person is a martial arts maniac! He only sees his own goal, only sees the pinnacle of martial arts! He intends to climb, so he sacrifices everything around him, walking down this path!”
“His eyes are always fixed ahead, so when he passes every fork in the road, he remains undistracted. He walks past with determination, indifferent to whether his loved ones or concerns are at the forks…”
Ning Tianya said, “Therefore, such a person will become a master! Become a strong one! He is like a hard knife, cleaving through endlessly until the moment the blade shatters!”
“Will the knife shatter? Yes! Because it is too hard!”
Listening to this, Chu Yang felt a spark of understanding.
“Being a person and practicing martial arts are one and the same. If you can't even be a simple ‘human’, how can you talk about reaching the peak of martial arts?” Ning Tianya sighed, “A person practices martial arts to protect, not merely to become stronger.”
“Why become stronger? Is it just to kill? Without a target in this world to protect, without someone to cherish, then there’s no direction for your efforts. Thus, even if you become a ninth rank supreme, even if you surpass the ninth rank supreme, in the end… without any enemies, you will be able to defeat yourself!”
“Because by then, you will have no reason to claim victory!”
“Even those martial arts maniacs, the reasons they began cultivating were the same, to protect. Absolutely no one ever says from a young age: I want to become strong, so I cultivate! Hehe… everyone is the same; cultivation is for protection, and protection is about emotions, but as time passes, they forget this.”
“Digging their own graves begins from here!”
Ning Tianya said, “When I was young, I had parents and family, I had a wife and children. I always thought I treated my family well, but one by one, they passed away.”