Nanako wasn’t trying to erase everything or abandon the seven emotions and six desires as Master Jingqing suggested. Instead, she found herself reflecting: “Master Jingqing mentioned that one cannot simply leap into the sea of consciousness but must integrate with it. Does this imply that divine consciousness and the sea of consciousness are fundamentallypatible? The distinction lies in some individuals mastering the method of integration while others never grasp it?”


    Contemting this, Nanako felt a surge of realization: “The Sea of Consciousness resides within me, in my Purple Mansion, which means it should understand me better than anyone. It must realize that I cannot forsake my seven emotions and six desires. If that’s the case, it would require me to relinquish these feelings to achieve integration. This creates an unsolvable paradox…”


    “Does this mean my consciousness has no hope of merging with it?”


    “If that’s true, then I won’t be able to integrate with it in this lifetime. Perhaps enlightenment is unattainable.”


    In that moment, Nanako found herself once again submerged in the tranquil yet mesmerizing sea of consciousness.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    The overwhelming force of the sea propelled her consciousness deep beneath the surface, leaving her feeling severely battered and defenseless against the onught.


    Soon, the immense pressure of the sea of consciousness bore down on her once more, threatening to pull her under.


    Ito Nanako felt a wave of despair wash over her, not because of previous failures, but due to her self-awareness. Even if she could release herte mother and her father, who had regained his health and was enjoying his old age, she could not let go of Charlie Wade.


    Charlie Wade had given her a new lease on life.


    Despite being pushed toward the surface again by the sea of consciousness, she felt a stirring within, ready to fight back for the first time.


    In her thoughts, she began to whisper: “If I never uncover the truth, I will eventually die. Death doesn’t frighten me. My mother has long since passed, and my father will follow before me. But what about Charlie Wade? Surely, someone must apany him on this journey, right? If that’s the case, I hope that person is me!”


    With that realization, her consciousness ignited with determination. She fought fiercely against the sea of consciousness, feeling the buoyancy pulling her back, yet she dered within her mind: “I know! I understand that Charlie Wade is a married man, and I recognize that loving him is seen as shameful and morally wrong, but my love for him is undeniable! I cannot stop loving him!”


    “I don’t wish to disrupt Charlie Wade’s marriage and family, yet I refuse to abandon my chance to be with him. This contradiction mirrors the expectation for me to forsake my emotions and desires, which I simply cannot do!”


    “However, there may still be a way to resolve this conflict. If we can unite, allowing me to achieve enlightenment, I might also gain the chance at a longer life. As long as I am alive, I can continue to wait. I don’t mind if it takes eight years, a hundred years, or even two hundred years!”


    “So, don’t try to push me away!”


    In an instant, Nanako propelled herself desperately into the depths of the sea of consciousness.<fn0334> Latest content published on Find~Novel</fn0334>


    To counteract the omnipresent buoyancy of the sea, Nanako poured every ounce of her energy into resisting it. She felt like a marathon runner who had exhausted her strength, her legs weakening to the point where she could barely stand, yet she continued to move forward mechanically.


    As she fought valiantly against the tide, she sensed her consciousness beginning to fade in the struggle, reminiscent of the ckout that divers dread, her awareness gradually dimming.


    At that critical moment, her consciousness suddenly halted within the sea of consciousness.