Ji Tongzhou wearily opened his eyes to an unfamiliar green canopy overhead, adorned with several exquisite seashell ornaments swaying gently. It took him a long moment to recall that this was an inn in the Eastern Sea, and today was the day he would return to Star Rectitude Hall with his Master.
The sky was still dark, yet sleep eluded him. He seemed to have dreamed something, but the details escaped him, leaving only an unpleasant residue. Whether it was physical or mental exhaustion, an oppressive weariness clung to him, denying him true rest even in slumber.
The sound of waves rose and fell, louder than usual. Ji Tongzhou draped his robe over his shoulders and pushed open the window. In the distant Eastern Sea, the waters were rapidly receding. In just one day, nearly half the sea had been released back from Guixu. Within three days, the area would fully recover. This Sea Meteor Disaster had not caused significant damage to the Eastern Sea coast.
Ji Tongzhou stared blankly at the faint line of dawn on the horizon. As a junior disciple, witnessing the legendary Heavenly Thunder Fire Sea and the Overseas Foreigners was a rare opportunity—one not granted to everyone. Moreover, this Sea Fall had been particularly unusual.
Yet, he felt none of the excitement or satisfaction he had imagined. He couldn’t even recall how he had once anticipated such things. Had he truly longed to slay demons and vanquish evil, to become a renowned and powerful Celestial? Had he truly looked forward to a lifetime of joyful cultivation, broadening his horizons with novel experiences?
He couldn’t remember, and perhaps there was no need to anymore.
The roar of the sea grew louder. Beyond this endless expanse of water, was Jiang Li Fei there? Suddenly, an image flashed through his mind—her flesh torn and bleeding, locked within a cage of imprisonment magic. His heartbeat quickened, and a sharp pain twisted his stomach. Cold sweat beaded on his skin, soaking his thin, soft underwear.
Clenching his fists, he leaned against the window, motionless as a statue.
The sky gradually brightened, and the quiet inn grew noisy. With the evacuated disciples and mortals yet to return, the largest inn in this small town had become a temporary meeting place for the Immortals of the mountain and sea sects. Today, they were still arguing over the search for Jiang Li Fei, intermittently discussing matters like Guangshenghui and the Spirit Stele.
Vitality slowly returned to everyone—except him.
Ji Tongzhou pushed open his door and descended the stairs. Though the inn’s hall was crowded, his eyes immediately found Wuzheng Zi. His Master’s gaze no longer held simple pride and affection. He despised that look but could only pretend not to see it.
"Eat something before we leave," Wuzheng Zi instructed. "We’ll return to the sect first."
Ji Tongzhou shook his head. "This disciple has no appetite. We can leave now."
Wuzheng Zi sighed faintly. Ji Tongzhou’s current state was partly his responsibility as a Master. He could no longer scold and correct him as he once had. Faced with those pale, icy eyes, any guidance he offered would only be a bitter irony for them both.
Blaming Xuanshan Zi was pointless now. Wuzheng Zi turned and walked out of the inn, saying calmly, "The Sea Fall has ended, and all sect affairs can resume as usual. Regarding Xuanshan Zi’s ambush by Long Mingzuo, the Sect Leader has intervened. Soon, the punishment for Long Mingzuo will be decided by the Central Land Immortal Sects."This was already the best outcome. An eye-for-an-eye revenge would only make the situation worse. At any rate, with Long Mingzuo's actions now restricted, Ji Tongzhou wouldn't have to be so frantic about the affairs of Yue Country.
He wanted to see Ji Tongzhou smile, to show the expression he used to wear most often, but his disciple merely nodded and replied indifferently, "Understood."
Wuzheng Zi silently led Ji Tongzhou out of the city. As soon as they took flight on their swords, a stern voice called from behind, "Master Wuzheng! Please wait!"
Hearing that gruff tone, his brows furrowed. Turning back, he saw it was indeed Elder Han from the Earth Treasury Gate, accompanied by two other elders from the sect, charging forward aggressively. They glared fiercely at Ji Tongzhou for a long moment before Elder Han finally spoke, "The Sea Fall has just passed, and everything is still in chaos. Yet Master Wuzheng is already leaving with your esteemed disciple?"
This was clearly a hostile approach. Wuzheng Zi remained calm and composed as he responded, "My disciple is on the verge of breaking through his fourth bottleneck and must return to Star Rectitude Hall for seclusion. Cultivators should naturally prioritize cultivation. I trust the other fellow Daoists will not take offense."
Elder Han had never been one for beating around the bush. Seeing they were truly intent on leaving, he cut straight to the point, "Two of my disciples were inexplicably killed by yours. Does Master Wuzheng intend to let this matter slide just like that?"
Wuzheng Zi replied coolly, "Whether Elder Han's two disciples have truly perished remains unconfirmed. There's no need to be so aggressive in front of a child. If it is indeed proven that they have died, and there is irrefutable evidence that my disciple is responsible, then even without Elder Han's reprimand, Star Rectitude Hall will not condone such actions."
This was clearly a refusal to acknowledge any wrongdoing. Elder Han fumed, "By then, the culprit will already be hidden away in Star Rectitude Hall! Where would I go to demand justice?! If you truly uphold righteousness, you should leave him here! Once the investigation is concluded, innocence can be proven, and a life can be repaid with a life if necessary!"
Wuzheng Zi sneered, "A life for a life? Long Mingzuo secretly killed our Elder Xuan Shan, yet no one demanded his life in return. My disciple neither ambushed anyone nor relied on numbers or power to bully others. According to the Sea Sect disciple's account, it was clearly your disciples who attacked first, and mine merely defended himself! In magical combat, everything is decided by strength. If the stronger must pay with their life, then wouldn't only the weak remain in this world?!"
"You—" Elder Han's face flushed red with anger at the sharp retort, momentarily at a loss for words.
Wuzheng Zi ignored him further and barked, "Tongzhou, let's go!"
He refused to believe the Earth Treasury Gate would dare to forcibly seize someone in broad daylight.
Elder Han's face darkened. Indeed, there was nothing he could do to them. Their Earth Treasury Gate wasn't as shortsighted as Long Mingzuo's ilk. The Central Land Immortals hadn't openly clashed for many years. Whether it was competing for monstrous creatures or Trial Grounds in private, casualties from Celestial battles were never brought into the open, let alone deaths among cultivating disciples. Ji Tongzhou's actions were utterly excessive, but what could be done? Even if they cursed a few times, would Ye Ye and Baili Changyue come back to life?Thinking of his two beloved disciples who had suddenly met tragic deaths, grief welled up within him, and he couldn't help but say coldly, "Your disciple acts with arrogance and cruelty. You may protect him today, but can you shield him every single day?! There will come a time when his wings are fully grown and he stands on his own. On that day, all the enmities he has sown will come knocking at his door. Don't say I didn't warn you!"
Wuzheng Zi paused. Elder Han was absolutely right. Although Ji Tongzhou had used the power of No Moon Court to betray Jiang Li Fei, such behavior was truly despicable. In the future, when Ji Tongzhou sought fame and glory, the people of No Moon Court would surely use this incident against him. The two disciples of Earth Treasury Gate had died by his hand—this enmity was irreconcilable. As for that female disciple from Ocean Sect, Baili Gelin, she would likely haunt him like a vengeful ghost. And then there was Long Mingzuo—needless to say, he probably spent every waking moment plotting Ji Tongzhou's demise.
"Tongzhou, are you afraid?" Wuzheng Zi suddenly asked.
After a moment of silence, Ji Tongzhou replied, "I will become strong enough that no enmity will matter to me."
Wuzheng Zi couldn't help but laugh. Even now, his disciple still didn't understand the meaning of humility. It was precisely this arrogance that had drawn him to Ji Tongzhou in the first place, leading him to accept Xuanshan Zi's recommendation.
Ji Tongzhou had the talent and ability to back up his arrogance. Moreover, now that he possessed the Profound Splendor Fire, given enough time, he would undoubtedly become the most dazzling and formidable presence among the Central Land Immortals.
Let's go. Return to Star Rectitude Hall. Train as if your life depends on it. When that day comes, this Master of yours will be watching.
"He's gone."
Lu Li emerged slowly from the shadows of the trees. With a wave of his hand, he transformed the small green monsters entwined around him into talisman paper and tucked them into his sleeve. He turned to look at Baili Gelin, who stood in the darkness. Since waking up, she had not smiled once—yet neither was she consumed by hatred as he had expected. Her expression was calm, even indifferent.
Baili Gelin slowly put away the talisman paper she had been clutching in her hand, now damp with sweat, and said softly, "Ah, it seems he's gone back to Star Rectitude Hall with his Master. How quickly they left."
Lu Li glanced at the crumpled talisman in her hand. It seemed her heart was not as indifferent as her appearance suggested. Frowning, he suddenly stepped forward and grasped her shoulders, sighing. "If you're hurting, just cry. It might make you feel a little better."
Baili Gelin gently pushed him away, stepping back to maintain a measured distance between them. Lu Li's frown deepened, but then he heard her say, "Senior Brother Lu, you've already helped me so much. I'm grateful. But revenge is my own affair. It won't be done in a day or two—there's no need for you to get involved. You're talented and diligent. A bright future awaits you."
"Mm," Lu Li replied quickly. "That's why I'll become a powerful Celestial. It'll make revenge easier."
Baili Gelin only shook her head. She turned to leave. "No need. Let's go back."
"Back where?"
"To Master."
Master? Lu Li thought of how Shen Xiansheng had averted his eyes when Cuixuan Xianren had used the two of them as bait to lure out Jiang Li Fei. His heart had grown cold then, and he could no longer regard his Master with the same reverence as before.
"Master, he..." He hesitated, unsure how to continue.
Baili Gelin said calmly, "I know. We were used as bait to draw out Li Fei, and Master allowed it."
"Then how can you still—?" Lu Li watched her quietly.She nodded without hesitation: "Yes, I need his guidance to cultivate the fastest. I don't care what he's done. Even if he captured Li Fei, I would still call him Master and follow his teachings. There's no other path for me. I'm leaving now."
Lu Li grabbed her arm. Baili Gelin staggered slightly but still didn't turn around. After a long pause, he said softly, "Let me come with you."
Baili Gelin turned to look at him: "...Senior Brother Lu, I'm very clingy and troublesome. You've always known that."
He nodded: "I know."
"At a time like this, if you stay with me, I'll cling to you relentlessly. No matter how much you find me annoying or accuse me of playing with people's hearts, I'll keep clinging. Think carefully—don't regret it."
Lu Li pulled her into his arms and held her tightly: "Enough. Be quiet."
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly burst into loud sobs, soaking the front of his clothes with her tears.
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