Ji Tongzhou opened his eyes wearily, greeted by an unfamiliar green canopy. Several exquisite conch shell ornaments hung from the canopy, swaying gently. He stared blankly for a long while before remembering that this was an inn by the East Sea, and today was the day he would return to Star Rectification Hall with his master.
The sky had not yet brightened, but he was already wide awake. He seemed to have had some dreams, but couldn’t recall what they were about. He only felt uneasy, unable to pinpoint whether it was physical or mental fatigue that continued to weigh on him, preventing true rest even in his sleep.
The sound of waves rose and fell, louder than usual. Ji Tongzhou put on his clothes and pushed open the window. The water was rapidly returning to its original position in the distant East Sea. In just one short day, nearly half of the seawater was released by the Returning Void. Within three days, this place would be completely restored. This sea calamity had not caused too much damage to the East Sea coast.
Ji Tongzhou gazed woodenly at the faint line of dawn appearing in the distance. As a junior disciple, it was rare to witness legendary events like the heavenly thunder, the sea of fire, and otherworldly beings. Not everyone had such opportunities, especially since this sea calamity was particularly unusual.
But he didn’t feel the excitement and satisfaction he had imagined. He seemed to have forgotten how he used to look forward to these things. Had he anticipated becoming a powerful and famous immortal, slaying demons and righting wrongs? Had he looked forward to broadening his horizons, experiencing new wonders, and cultivating happily with others for a lifetime?
He couldn’t remember, and it didn’t seem necessary to think about it anymore.
The roar of the sea grew louder. Was Jiang Lifei on the other side of this endless ocean? Ji Tongzhou’s mind suddenly flashed to the image of her battered and locked in a cage spell. His heart rate quickened, and even his stomach began to cramp. Cold sweat seeped out, soaking through his thin undergarment.
He clenched his fists tightly and leaned against the window, motionless as a statue.
The day finally dawned slowly, and the quiet inn gradually became noisy. Since the evacuated disciples and mortals had not yet returned, this most spacious inn in the small town became a temporary gathering place for the immortals of the Mountain and Sea Sects to discuss matters. Today, they were still arguing about finding Jiang Lifei, occasionally interspersed with discussions about the Guangsheng Society and the Spirit Stele.
The complex vitality was gradually returning to everyone’s body, except for his.
Ji Tongzhou opened the door and walked downstairs. Although the inn’s lobby was crowded, he immediately spotted Wu Zhengzi. His master’s gaze towards him was no longer purely one of satisfaction and affection. He despised this look but could only pretend not to see it.
“Eat something and prepare to leave,” Wu Zhengzi instructed. “We’ll return to the sect first.”
Ji Tongzhou shook his head. “This disciple doesn’t want to eat. We can leave now.”
Wu Zhengzi couldn’t help but sigh. Ji Tongzhou’s current state was partly his responsibility as a master. He could no longer scold and guide him immediately upon seeing him make mistakes as before. Faced with his pale and cold gaze, any teaching would be a supreme irony for both of them.
Blaming Xuan Shanzi was pointless now. Wu Zhengzi turned and walked out of the inn, saying coolly, “The sea calamity has ended, and all matters in the sect can be handled normally. Regarding the matter of Elder Xuan Shan being ambushed by Long Mingzuo, the Sect Leader has intervened. Soon, the punishment for Long Mingzuo from all the immortal sects in the Central Plains will be announced.”
This was the best outcome. Revenge would only make the situation worse. No matter what, being able to restrict Long Mingzuo’s actions meant that Ji Tongzhou didn’t need to be so anxious about the affairs in Yue Country.
He wanted to see Ji Tongzhou smile, to show the expression he used to see most often. But his disciple only nodded and replied indifferently, “This disciple understands.”
Wu Zhengzi silently led Ji Tongzhou out of the town. Just as they were about to fly on their swords, a harsh voice called from behind, “Master Wu Zheng! Please wait!”
Upon hearing that gruff voice, his brows furrowed. Looking back, he saw it was indeed Elder Han from the Dizang Sect, along with two other elders, chasing after them with a menacing air. He first glared fiercely at Ji Tongzhou for a long while before finally speaking, “The sea calamity has just passed, and many matters are still unresolved. Master Wu Zheng, are you already planning to leave with your esteemed disciple?”
This was truly an unfriendly visitor. Wu Zhengzi remained calm and composed as he replied, “My young disciple is about to break through his fourth bottleneck and must return to Star Rectification Hall for seclusion. As cultivators, we naturally prioritize cultivation. I believe the other fellow Daoists won’t blame us for this.”
Elder Han, never one for beating around the bush, saw they were truly about to leave and immediately spoke frankly, “Two of my disciples were killed by your disciple without rhyme or reason. Master Wu Zheng, do you intend to just let this go?”
Wu Zhengzi replied coolly, “Elder Han, it’s still uncertain whether your two esteemed disciples have truly perished. There’s no need to be so aggressive in front of a child. If it’s indeed confirmed that they have died, and there’s irrefutable evidence proving it was my young disciple’s doing, at that time, even without Elder Han’s reproach, our Star Rectification Hall will certainly not tolerate such actions.”
This statement clearly showed he wasn’t willing to admit anything. Elder Han angrily retorted, “By then, the person will already be hidden away by your Star Rectification Hall. Where would I go to reproach and punish? If you’re principled, you should leave the person here! After the investigation is clear, if innocence is to be proven, then prove it. If a life must be paid for a life, then so be it!”
Wu Zhengzi sneered, “A life for a life? When Long Mingzuo ambushed our Elder Xuan Shan, there was no mention of a life for a life. My young disciple neither ambushed nor relied on numbers to bully others. According to the Sea Sect disciples’ account, it was your esteemed disciples who ambushed first, and my disciple was merely defending himself! In duels, everything is determined by strength. If surpassing others in skill means having to pay with one’s life, wouldn’t the world be left with only the weak?”
“You…” Elder Han’s face reddened at his sharp words, momentarily unable to retort.
Wu Zhengzi no longer paid him any attention and called out sternly, “Tongzhou, let’s go!”
He didn’t believe that in broad daylight, the Dizang Sect would dare to forcibly seize people.
Elder Han’s face turned ashen. He indeed couldn’t do anything to them. Their Dizang Sect wasn’t as short-sighted as Long Mingzuo. The Central Plains immortal sects hadn’t openly clashed for many years. Whether it was privately competing for demon beasts or trial grounds, deaths and injuries in immortal duels were never brought to light, let alone mentioning any casualties among cultivating disciples. Ji Tongzhou’s actions were indeed extremely excessive, but what could be done? Even if he scolded them, would it bring Ye Ye and Bai Li Changyue back?
Thinking of his two carefully nurtured disciples suddenly meeting a tragic end, grief welled up inside him, and he couldn’t help but say coldly, “Your disciple’s actions are arrogant and ruthless. You may protect him today, but can you protect him every day? There will come a time when his wings are fully grown, and he establishes his sect. On that day, all the grudges he has created will come knocking. Don’t regret it then!”
Wu Zhengzi paused. Elder Han’s words were correct. Ji Tongzhou’s betrayal of Jiang Lifei, though using the power of the Moonless Court, was truly despicable. In the future, when he makes a name for himself, the people of the Moonless Court will surely use this incident to attack him. The death of two Dizang Sect disciples at his hands had thoroughly established this enmity, and that female disciple from the Sea Sect called Bai Li Gelin would likely haunt him forever. As for Long Mingzuo, needless to say, they probably didn’t spend a day without thinking of eliminating him.
“Tongzhou, are you afraid?” he suddenly asked.
Ji Tongzhou remained silent for a moment before saying, “This disciple will become strong enough not to care about any grudges.”
Wu Zhengzi couldn’t help but laugh. Even now, his disciples still don’t understand the word humility. It was precisely this arrogance that he had liked so much when he accepted Xuan Shanzi’s recommendation.
He had the qualifications and ability to be arrogant, and he now possessed the Mystic Flame. As long as he was given time, he would surely become the most brilliant and dazzling existence among the Central Plains immortal sects.
Let’s go, return to Star Rectification Hall, and cultivate with all our might. Until that day comes, he, as the master, will always be watching.
“He’s gone,” Lu Li said, slowly emerging from the shadows of the trees. With a wave of his hand, he turned the green little demons entwining his body into talismans and tucked them into his sleeve. He turned back to look at Bai Li Gelin in the shadows. Since waking up, she hadn’t smiled again, but neither was she filled with hatred as he had expected. Her expression was very calm, even indifferent.
Bai Li Gelin slowly put away the talisman she had been clutching, now damp with sweat, and said softly, “Ah, it seems he’s gone back to Star Rectification Hall with his master. They left so quickly.”
Lu Li glanced at the crumpled talisman in her hand. It seemed her heart wasn’t as indifferent as her outward appearance suggested. He frowned, suddenly stepped forward to embrace her shoulders, and sighed, “If you’re feeling upset, just cry it out. You’ll feel a bit better.”
Bai Li Gelin gently pushed him away, taking several steps back herself, maintaining a distance that was neither far nor close. Lu Li’s frown deepened, and then he heard her say, “Senior Brother Lu, you’ve already helped me a lot, and I’m very grateful to you. But revenge is my affair. It’s not something that can be done in a day or two, and you don’t need to get involved. You have high talent and are diligent. Good days are ahead for you.”
“Mm.” Lu Li replied quickly, “So I’ll become a powerful immortal, and taking revenge will be easier.”
Bai Li Gelin just shook her head. She turned to leave, saying, “No need. Go back.”
“Go back where?”
“To Master.”
Master? Lu Li remembered the averted gaze of Master Shen when Immortal Cuixuan used them to threaten Jiang Lifei. His heart had completely cooled at that moment, and he could no longer view his master as the respected immortal teacher he once did.
“Master, he…” he paused, not knowing how to continue.
Bai Li Gelin said calmly, “I know. We were used as bait to lure out Lifei, with Master’s tacit approval.”
“And you can still…?” Lu Li looked at her quietly.
She nodded without hesitation, “I can. I need his guidance to cultivate the fastest. I don’t care what he did. Even if he had captured Lifei, I would still call him Master and cultivate under him. Besides this, I have no other path. I’m leaving now.”
Lu Li grabbed her arm, and Bai Li Gelin swayed slightly but still didn’t turn back. He paused for a long time before saying softly, “Let me come with you.”
Bai Li Gelin turned to look at him, “…Senior Brother Lu, I’m a very clingy and troublesome person, and I can be quite annoying. You’ve always known this.”
He nodded, “I know.”
“If you stay with me now, at a time like this, I’ll cling to you and never let go. Even if you find me annoying or accuse me of toying with your heart, I’ll still cling on. Think carefully, don’t regret it.”
Lu Li pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, “Alright, be quiet now.”
Before he could finish speaking, she suddenly burst into loud sobs, soaking the front of his clothes with tears.