Chapter 534: Opera Path Conviction

The moment Ning Ruyu’s words fell, the towering waves, like the hand of a Sea God reaching out from the abyss, crashed down toward the two figures on the reef!

If this wave were to hit a coastline, it would be a terrifying natural disaster, instantly smashing surrounding roads and buildings into fragments. Even Chen Ling, without using any skills, would be swept away by a single wave and dragged into the seabed.

Yet, before the giant wave, the figure in white remained as immovable as a mountain.

Between his wide white sleeves, Ning Ruyu’s slender hands brushed through the air leisurely, as if parting an invisible curtain. An indescribable aura erupted from the void before him!

The next moment, the towering wave was split open from the center, as if an invisible pair of giant hands had reached in and torn it apart!

It wasn't just the wave; even the surface of the sea in front of the reef was parted, creating a massive gap. The split waves roared and surged past the sides of the reef, but they avoided Chen Ling and Ning Ruyu in the center, crashing into the sea with a thunderous roar!

Boom—

Fine spray rained down, yet it didn't touch the white robes at all. Even after the waves receded, not a single corner of his clothing was damp...

Before Chen Ling could recover, he suddenly noticed something and looked up at the sky.

At some point, the overcast sky had also been sliced open as if by a sword. Golden sunlight poured through the gap onto the sea, shimmering all the way to where Ning Ruyu stood, enveloping him.

This mortal-like palm had parted the waves, parted the sea, and parted the sky.

"This is... 【Parting the Heavens with a Wave of the Sleeve】?" Chen Ling stared at the scene, stunned, muttering to himself.

Ning Ruyu withdrew his hand amidst the falling spray, turned to look at Chen Ling, and smiled slightly.

"Junior Brother, did you see clearly?"

"...No." Chen Ling frowned. "I don't understand... If you didn't use mental power, what kind of force separated the waves? It couldn't just be the wind from your palm, could it?"

"Naturally not. 【Parting the Heavens with a Wave of the Sleeve】 is different from other secret techniques; its power comes from 'Opera Path Conviction'."

"Opera Path Conviction?"

"Whether in ancient or modern times, an actor's performance on stage requires the support of 'conviction'. The stronger the conviction, the deeper one enters the role, and the more realistic the performance becomes... When it becomes real to a certain degree, it can shake the 'fourth wall' between the actor and the audience, influencing their emotions and even their future habits from afar.

The Opera Path Ancient Vault can turn illusory stories into reality because of something similar to 'Opera Path Conviction'. When we believe that the scenes or props in a story are real, then they are real.

Of course, the manifestations in the Opera Path Ancient Vault are so realistic because this vault is the 'Opera God Path' itself. Everyone who steps onto the Opera God Path possesses a part of it, so when we inject 'conviction' into the Opera God Path itself, we can influence the surrounding environment to a certain extent. That is the principle behind 【Parting the Heavens with a Wave of the Sleeve】."

Ning Ruyu’s explanation was easy to understand. Chen Ling grasped the essence immediately and asked:

"Does that mean every possessor of the Opera God Path can 'make their wishes come true'?"

"Of course not. Influencing the environment through 'conviction' is not that easy... Only during a performance, when the sense of conviction and one's own spirit resonate to their peak, can one influence the surroundings at that very moment.

This process is actually very difficult and hard to control consciously. After all, emotions and resonance are mostly matters of chance... For example, the power to cross three ranks that I just mentioned requires the right time, place, and people. It cannot be replicated, and every instance is worthy of being recorded in the history of the Opera Path."

Chen Ling was lost in thought.

"So, how should I practice?"

"Give up using mental power, don't use any skills, and repeat my movements here. Try to mobilize your conviction to part the incoming waves... Once you can split even a corner of any wave, you will have succeeded."

Ning Ruyu pointed to the endless roaring waves in the distance. "These waves get stronger one after another, and once the trial begins, it cannot be paused. The further you go, the more your stamina will be depleted. If you haven't mastered 【Parting the Heavens with a Wave of the Sleeve】 within ninety-nine waves, it will be hard to survive the final one... Generally, this process takes about three days, and even if you master the technique, you will need to rest for three to five days.

However, I have made some modifications for you. There is an undercurrent beneath this reef; every time you fall into the water, the undercurrent will send you back, saving you the stamina of struggling back yourself and significantly shortening the trial time. If you master it quickly and don't consume too much energy, you might even make it back to the Red Dust Domain today."

Hearing this, Chen Ling cupped his hands to Ning Ruyu sincerely. "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Ning Ruyu waved his hand.

"This is all I can do for you... Whether you can make it back to the Red Dust Domain today depends on yourself."

As his voice faded, Ning Ruyu’s figure gradually faded away on the reef, and finally, Chen Ling was left alone on the turbulent sea.

His gaze fell upon the surging waves, a flash of determination in his eyes.

His bright red opera robe danced in the gale. Chen Ling slowly raised his sleeve, imitating Ning Ruyu’s posture, and whispered:

"Integrating conviction into the Opera God Path, huh..."

【Audience Expectation +2】

……

Meanwhile.

At the entrance of the Opera Path Ancient Vault.

Ning Ruyu stood with his hands behind his back, watching the red-clad figure amidst the waves, as if watching a hyper-realistic movie performance.

"It seems you managed to stop him after all." Wenren You’s voice came from behind. Ning Ruyu turned to see Luan Mei walking toward him.

"Junior Brother wants to take a risk, so as his Senior Brother, I had to stop him," Ning Ruyu said helplessly.

"Does he have to go?"

"Judging by his attitude, he absolutely has to."

"So, you let him enter the Raging Waves projection... Aren't you afraid he'll have an accident in there? No one has ever mastered 【Parting the Heavens with a Wave of the Sleeve】 using this method before." Luan Mei looked at Ning Ruyu.

"The past is the past; Junior Brother is different from others," Ning Ruyu shook his head. "Besides, this might be the only way to get him to master 【Parting the Heavens with a Wave of the Sleeve】 quickly..."

"Aren't you afraid he won't survive the ninety-nine waves and will be in danger?"

"If it really comes to that, I will naturally save him no matter what." Ning Ruyu paused for a moment.

"However, if he can't even pass this trial... then there is truly no need for him to go to the Red Dust Domain to die. At that point, no matter what he says, I won't let him leave."