In the blink of an eye, winter passed into autumn, autumn into winter, and winter into autumn again. Three years had gone by.
Huang Yifan's three years of high school had come to an end.
During these three years, he did not open a single new pen name, nor did he publish a single piece in any newspaper or magazine.
Most of his time was spent in libraries or in discussions with scholars and masters.
The topics they discussed were wide-ranging.
Writing techniques, the essence of literature, the philosophies of ancient sages, and debates between materialism and idealism.
As Huang Yifan put it, these three years were devoted to investigating things, attaining knowledge, making intentions sincere, rectifying the mind, cultivating oneself, and nurturing one's character.
At the same time, it was a period of refining his inner self.
Confucianism speaks of being an inner sage and an outer king.
Without reaching a certain level internally, one cannot express true presence externally.
Without sufficient inner cultivation, one cannot manifest the authority of a king.
As Zhuangzi said: "Thus, the way of the inner sage and outer king remains hidden and unexpressed; people in the world each pursue their own desires, taking themselves as the standard."
What this means is that the essence of this path lies in becoming an inner sage. Once that is achieved, becoming an outer king follows naturally.
Now, after three years, Huang Yifan wouldn't claim he had reached the highest level of inner cultivation, but he believed he had achieved a state of inner completeness, approaching true mastery.
Only then did the furrow in his brow, carried for three years, finally ease.
With the inner sage realized, he could now truly begin the path described in 'The Great Learning': regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world.
…
"Congratulations, Zhang Huiping. And congratulations to Xinfeng County for producing its first-ever female top scorer… no, its first top scorer, period."
When the college entrance exam results were released, Huang Yifan congratulated Zhang Huiping at a class gathering.
Over the past three years, she had truly become a top academic student.
Looking at her remarkable growth, Huang Yifan smiled as he spoke.
"Thank you. It's only because you held back. Otherwise, I would never have gotten first place."
Zhang Huiping stuck out her tongue playfully.
"No, this time I swear, I didn't hold back."
"Really?"
"Really."
He nodded firmly.
"But Huang Yifan, why do I still feel like I'm stupid? No… It's only when I'm with you. When I'm with others, I don't feel that way."
"Haha, that's just because you haven't shaken off your childhood impression. You were influenced by me. Sigh, I shouldn't have done that back then."
"You…"
Seeing him laugh so freely, Zhang Huiping smiled too.
"Does that bite from back then still hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt, but the teeth marks are still there. What should I do about that?"
"What? I bit you that hard? Let me see!"
"No way. What are you doing, pulling at me like that? It's disfiguring, I'm not letting you see."
"Huang Yifan, I didn't know you could get shy too."
She smiled sweetly.
"Back then, I really thought you were done for. I'm sorry… I didn't mean to bite you."
"It's fine. Thinking back, if you hadn't snapped me out of it, I might've ended up avoiding you as everyone else does now."
"Why would you avoid me?"
"Don't you know? As a top student, your presence is overwhelming."
"Really? Then why don't you seem affected at all?"
"I am. I just force myself to endure your aura so I can talk to you."
"Oh, please."
She burst out laughing and playfully hit him.
"But Huang Yifan, you're amazing. Even more amazing than before."
"Am I? I don't see it. If I were, I'd be the top scorer."
"That's different. Even if I'm first, you're still better than me."
Zhang Huiping thought about it. She couldn't quite explain why she felt that way.
Even after becoming the top student in the province, she still felt far inferior to Huang Yifan.
It wasn't lingering childhood impressions.
It was something deeper, a difference in realm.
Yet strangely, she didn't feel inferior at all.
Perhaps chasing after him was itself a kind of happiness.
"The way you are now… It's the most perfect version of you I've ever seen. It feels like what books call returning to simplicity."
She closed her eyes slightly, feeling a quiet sweetness.
This feeling was wonderful.
"You're making it sound too mystical. Anyway, congratulations. See you at university."
He tapped her forehead lightly.
"The school leaders want to interview you, top scorer."
"You're the one who's a 'scorer.'"
"I'm a youthful, beautiful girl."
With a cheerful laugh, she ran off.
…
After parting with Zhang Huiping, Huang Yifan returned home to Tieshikou.
With the college entrance exam over, he had more than two months of vacation ahead.
He knew exactly what he wanted to do.
Opening a document, he began preparing a new novel.
Three years ago, he had written over three million words in three months and finished 'The School Belle's Bodyguard'.
Three years later, he was ready to start again.
Web novels had always been his dream.
And that dream had never faded over these three years.
Often, he would have the same dream.
In it, countless readers called out from the darkness, "Big White, will you come back?"
In it, fans left messages, waiting for his return.
In it, the three thousand members of White Jade Hall remained; none had left.
And every time, he answered, "I will. Brothers, I will come back."
But reality was different.
For readers, it had been over a thousand days.
A thousand days was a long time.
So long that Huang Yifan didn't know if those readers were still there.
He wanted to log into TT and see.
But just as he was about to, his hand trembled.
He suddenly didn't dare.
He was afraid his return would disappoint them.
Afraid he'd find the fan group empty.
Afraid the three thousand members of White Jade Hall had long since scattered.
"I'm sorry… my readers."
"I'm sorry… three years… I've let you down."
Holding back tears, Huang Yifan created a new pen name: Nirvana.
Like a phoenix reborn, these three years had been his rebirth.
"Brothers, wait a little longer."
"When this novel achieves glory, I will personally apologize."
With that thought, he wrote the title of his new novel:
'Sword Breaks the Heavens'.
Sword, from 'The Sword's Path Supreme'.
Break, from 'Battle Through the Heavens'.
Heaven, from 'Shrouding the Heavens'.
And Heaven again, not the same heaven, but the one from 'I Shall Seal the Heavens'.
'Sword Breaks the Heavens' was both an original novel and not.
Over the past three years, while studying, Huang Yifan had also been analyzing web novels.
Now, he had regained his confidence.
This novel would combine the creativity of 'The Sword's Path Supreme', the pacing of 'Battle Through the Heavens', the grandeur of 'Shrouding the Heavens', and the passion of 'I Shall Seal the Heavens'.
In his eyes, it would be a fusion of the greatest strengths of top-tier authors.
Filled with anticipation, Huang Yifan began to write:
"This world is far greater than you can imagine. Ye Fan, a young man from Earth, wields a three-foot sword and shatters the heavens."
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