Bathed in light, the profound color in her eyes reflected the sun, as the young girl gazed up at the descending radiance, and behind her, not even a shadow remained, or rather, she herself was the shadow of this light.

You Ruhui had always felt that this day would come.

It wasn’t that she thought An Jing would lose—far from it. In this world, perhaps no one believed in An Jing’s strength more than she did. Of course, strength does not guarantee victory; victory belongs only to those who fight. But coincidentally, An Jing is the one who will eternally fight.

Yet, she just had a feeling.

A feeling that An Jing would leave.

If forced to say why, she wasn’t quite sure. But if a reason must be found, it was undeniably that she felt a bit... unworthy.

Unworthy of standing by An Jing’s side.

Even this world lacked the worth to permanently constrain An Jing. He is destined for greater places. All destinies exist to hone his edge, although he rejects such fate. Yet this rejection is inherently more profound than fate—a self sharpening its own blade.

That sharpness, that brilliance, is simply...

Like the sun.

Reaching out to touch the descending light of Cave Heaven, You Ruhui felt that standing beside An Jing was like being a shadow under the sun.

She had always been somewhat timid.

Since childhood, living under her parents’ protection, enjoying the privileges of being a Commandery Princess, using resources provided by others. Compared to other Imperial Blood who deemed themselves entitled, she had always harbored a profound fear.

—What have I accomplished? What is my divine duty, and what price must I pay to be worthy of such privileges?

—If it is because of Imperial Blood, a duty to guard territories, to defend the kingdom, to expel demons, do these privileges and offerings then become fair?

Even if considered fair, this is the power of the blood, not her power.

The true object of worship is the Imperial Blood, not Xuan Mingjing, not You Ruhui.

Not [myself].

But is blood not self? No, to put it differently, what then is oneself? That true self, transcending bloodline, beyond flesh, even above soul spirit—the ’True Self and True Spirit’—what kind of existence is it?

[I]... want to find, shape, become, transform, prove...

Prove that [I] am [the true self].

This is the clear path of cultivation; once this is understood, the realm that traps many—the Divine Treasure True Man—is but a smooth passage.

Of course, True Person is merely the first step. The names of realms suggest this: True Person, True Lord, Heavenly Lord, Heavenly Venerate. Most importantly, what comes first is [True] and [Heaven].

True is self, Heaven is Dao; only by seeking [True] and [Heaven], obtaining [self] and [Dao], merging [innate honest nature] with [the acquired path of self], harmonized in [union], perhaps only then can one attempt to seek the supreme [Harmonization].

This point is undoubtedly significant. Being oneself is an essential step in cultivation, and it will persist to the end and onto new beginnings. But You Ruhui tends to overthink.

She wonders if she realized these concepts early simply because she didn’t have to worry about food or clothing, living with leisure, allowing such thoughts; and the classics, documents, and experiences she read were truly treasures anywhere.

And if indeed there are other talented individuals, more gifted than her, buried because of lacking time, leisure, and resources, then isn’t she...

Unworthy?

"I kind of understand the Divine Court’s thinking now. An Jing, though it’s a path destroyed by the Seven Fiend Tribulation descended by Heavenly Dao, their thoughts were for this world."

In the light, You Ruhui softly spoke to the will already beside and in front of her: "I am lacking in virtue and position. How many geniuses are there in this world? A genius like you born among the people, while Xuan Mingyu, although someone I disdain, wanting to flee, if I search my conscience, absent all human moral premises and my own selfishness, I must admit, if he were the Commandery Prince and I the Emperor, he could indeed achieve more than I, maybe even better save this world."

"This is the Divine Court’s thinking. They don’t want to be rulers for generations; they just want to maximize utility, talent utilization. Only the most effective selection allows all talents to be utilized, becoming the pillars of this world, making it easy for the Imperial Heaven to save the Embracing the Void..."

"Just that they stepped onto the wrong path, and I can’t even think of a solution... I can only consider this step; at most, I can only become the Divine Court, unable to become the Great Chen Dynasty, let alone the new world An Jing wants to create..."

She gently said, "You trust me, so I trust myself too. Although I am not the best, all the way it has been you supporting me forward. If I lose you, I will become insignificant, but even so, I also want to understand your true purpose."

"An Jing, please tell me your intended direction; I will embark with you, even if the result might be insignificance, I also want to walk your Dao."

Path of Dao.

If a path is walked by only one person, it cannot be called the path of Dao; it can only be said to be footprints.

Even if a few scattered individuals wish to follow those footprints, they will ultimately lose guidance, because of various reasons, walking another path.