Chapter 35: The Path to Enlightenment
“Master, have you had any more revelations of the man from your vision?” Xian Chi asked, his voice softly breaking the quiet landscape as they neared the border of the monastery’s territory.
Master Fuu, riding alongside Xian Chi on their horses, turned to him with a contemplative gaze.
“Hmm...no,” he responded, his voice deep and thoughtful, “other than that I sense much destruction in his future. As I said before, he will bring great calamity.”
Xian Chi frowned, his brow furrowing in perplexity and concern.
“I don’t understand, Master,” he admitted, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. “Why shouldn’t we just prevent this calamity? When I had searched Dalton before, many of the people’s auras were murky with greed and envy. Surely, such a city cannot withstand a great calamity.”
Master Fuu chuckled, a low sound that rumbled like distant thunder.
“Oh ho ho, so you’re able to see that well in the second existential plane, are you?” he teased, a gleam of pride in his eyes for his student’s progress.
“Remember, Xian Chi, destruction is not always a bad thing.”
Caught off guard by Master Fuu’s cryptic statement, Xian Chi frowned as he tried to decipher his master’s words.
“Destruction is not always a bad thing?” he echoed, his voice filled with confusion. “I don’t understand, Master. How could destruction ever be a good thing?”
Master Fuu merely smiled, his eyes twinkling with wisdom.
“Think of it this way, my young apprentice: in nature, a forest fire destroys, yes, but it also paves the way for new growth. It clears away the old and the dead and allows new life to flourish. It is a part of life’s natural cycle.
“Similarly, destruction can bring about necessary change in the universe’s grand scheme. It can clear away old, stagnant energies and make room for new, vibrant ones. It can lay the foundation for a better future.”
Master Fuu turned his gaze to Xian Chi, his eyes shining with unwavering conviction.
“Remember, Xian Chi, the universe is a vast sea of energy, constantly shifting and changing. It is all about balance—the balance between creation and destruction, order and chaos. One cannot exist without the other.
“One day, your path to enlightenment will reveal even more mysteries. The essence of all things, the spiritual entities that roam this earth, the great forces that rule them, and more.”
Master Fuu sighed.
“I have trained my whole life and have only barely attuned to the fifth plane of existence. There are those who have attained higher levels of enlightenment that I will never comprehend. And yet, I am reminded that I must not seek enlightenment for the sake of enlightenment.”
Astonished, Xian Chi raised a question.
“Master, if we’re not to seek enlightenment for the sake of knowing, what are we to seek for?”
Master Fuu paused before answering in a soft, yet firm voice.
“What I mean, Xian Chi, is that the pursuit of enlightenment should not be driven by the desire to accumulate knowledge or to satisfy one’s curiosity. Instead, it should come from a desire for inner peace, to connect with all things on a deeper level, and to live in harmony with all that is.”
They continued to ride in silence as they made their way down the mountain towards the nearest city, both contemplating their individual journeys to enlightenment.
“Could this man from your visions lead us down a path of further enlightenment?” Xian Chi asked.
Master Fuu shook his head and let out a “hmph.”
“My apprentice, all things in this world lead to further enlightenment. But yes, I believe this man will reveal many mysteries. Considering how the spirits have been reacting, it would seem that an air of destiny surrounds him.”
Xian Chi began to feel a surge of excitement.
“Perhaps we should take the fastest flight when we arrive in the city,” he proposed, a twinkle in his eyes. “Maybe even take first class.”
“Indeed, we should make haste,” Master Fuu responded gently. “But taking first class will not help us arrive in Dalton any faster. We will take the most affordable tickets available.”
Xian Chi slumped his head and sighed quietly. Sensing his displeasure, Master Fuu chuckled.
“Worry not, Xian Chi. We will arrive when we are meant to.”
Copyright © 2024 by A. J. Knight
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