Child of Destiny, Chosen of Heaven!

This was the first time Hengxu Laoguai had ever spoken these eight words so clearly and plainly in front of so many people!

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

Regarding this disciple of Kunwu, there had been quite a few rumors circulating among Kunwu’s Yashan and the Upper Five Sects of the Left Three Thousand.

Among them, the theory of “destiny” was particularly prevalent.

Everyone said that his exceptionally outstanding talent and astonishing genius came from inheriting the Mandate of Heaven.

But the helmsmen of these major sects who could sit in the Heavens Hall today had heard more and speculated more.

Xie Buchen…

Was not merely a simple disciple with outstanding talent. He would be Kunwu’s savior.

These were all matters beneath the surface, private affairs.

No one dared to openly speak such utterly foolish words as “Kunwu will face a great catastrophe in a hundred years,” and Kunwu itself would not spread such things around.

But today, Hengxu Laoguai had actually spoken these eight words…

Heaven knows how extraordinary these eight words were.

Looking at Hengxu Laoguai’s unquestionable manner and rare demeanor, everyone felt their hearts shake involuntarily, and no one spoke for a long while.

Jian Chou below watched and felt something was amiss.

Not just amiss, but very wrong, particularly wrong—everything from front to back was wrong everywhere!

First was Pang Dian’s opposition, his attitude was very strange;

Second was Hengxu Laoguai’s decision to let Xie Buchen explore the Hidden Realm alone was very strange, always making people feel something was hidden behind it;

Third was this final statement.

Whether in appearance or sound, it displayed the strength and confidence of the current number one person in the Central Domain, as if nothing in this world could stop him, Hengxu, and no existence could destroy his words “Child of Destiny, Chosen of Heaven.”

But precisely…

In the depths of this statement, Jian Chou actually sensed a kind of anxiety.

Yes, anxiety.

An emotion that should never appear in a giant and leader like Hengxu. It was hidden very deep, concealed beneath these confident words and also hidden in the depths of those eyes that seemed to comprehend celestial secrets…

She looked at Hengxu Laoguai, then turned her gaze back to Dragon Gate Elder Pang Dian. At this moment, Pang Dian was also intimidated by Hengxu Laoguai’s unquestionable words, looking at him unable to speak.

As for her master who hadn’t said a word from beginning to end…

Jian Chou turned to look.

Fudao Shanren was also watching Hengxu, but his gaze contained more indescribable meaning—vaguely mocking, wary, and also…

Pity.

But ultimately, all these emotions were restrained. He gave Jian Chou a reassuring look, then stood up, his face once again wearing that carelessly roguish smile.

“Ah, I say, you all too—we’ve known Hengxu for so many years. Don’t you know his calculating and never-losing character? Since he wants to send his disciple, we just need to wait for good news.”

These words weren’t exactly complimentary, but they strangely diffused the awkwardness in the hall at that moment.

White Moon Valley’s Master Ranshuang also rarely showed a few traces of generous smile, actually echoing Fudao Shanren’s words: “Elder Fudao speaks very truly. Master Nephew Xie is extraordinarily talented, beyond what we can measure. If he can discover something on this trip, it would indeed be a great blessing for our Central Domain.”

With this, the previously tense atmosphere completely relaxed.

The others also spoke up one after another, expressing their expectations for Xie Buchen while also cautioning him to be careful and to speak up quickly if he needed any help.

Throughout this entire process, Xie Buchen stood below those steps.

Because he was standing sideways to Jian Chou and somewhat forward, Jian Chou couldn’t see his expression, much less guess his current mood.

But based on her understanding of Xie Buchen…

If Hengxu had never discussed this matter with him before and only now directly made the decision for him, sending him to investigate the snow region, that would be interesting.

Even if Hengxu was Xie Buchen’s master, Xie Buchen might not be happy about it in his heart.

Thinking this way, Jian Chou’s lips revealed a few traces of a smile.

In the great hall above, the various sect masters and elders had also exchanged pleasantries, finalizing some details of matters large and small related to the snow region, then took their leave to arrange matters for the minor assembly.

Jian Chou naturally waited for Fudao Shanren and Zheng Yao.

Kunwu’s several true disciples were prepared to stay, to see if Hengxu Laoguai had other instructions, but unexpectedly, Hengxu Laoguai said indifferently: “Buchen, remain. I have matters to discuss.”

“…Yes.”

This was expected. Xie Buchen had guessed it and calmly bowed in response.

But Wu Duan, Wang Que and the others exchanged glances, already understanding Hengxu Laoguai’s meaning, so they also took their leave one by one.

This way, they ran into Jian Chou who had stepped out two steps earlier.

“You’ve come out too.”

Jian Chou turned back to see them but didn’t see Xie Buchen, so she guessed he’d been kept behind by Hengxu Laoguai and didn’t ask further.

Instead, Wu Duan looked around strangely: “I thought Elder Fudao and Sect Master Zheng had come out. Why aren’t they with you?”

“They’re over there, talking with Elder Pang and the others.”

Jian Chou nodded toward the other end of the Sea of Clouds Plaza, indicating they should look.

So at a glance, everyone saw the four people standing there.

But surprisingly, besides Yashan’s Fudao Shanren and Zheng Yao, and Dragon Gate Elder Pang Dian, the remaining person was actually White Moon Valley’s Master Ranshuang.

Even from far away, they could see Pang Dian’s flushed face, seeming to speak loudly about something with anger still unsubsided.

While Master Ranshuang and Zheng Yao were offering gentle words of comfort.

But they had certainly set up a sound-blocking formation around them, so Wu Duan and the others couldn’t hear what they were specifically saying.

“Probably still about those matters from the hall earlier?”

Wu Duan watched and muttered this, then looked back at the Heavens Hall, thinking of that rather withdrawn Junior Brother Xie being kept behind for private conversation, and smiled with pursed lips.

“Junior Brother Xie has always been the most favored among the sect’s disciples by Master. Elder Pang really doesn’t need to worry about him.”

“Alright, these are all decided matters, nothing important. I see Elder Fudao and the others will be chatting for a while yet. We should go down and wait.”

Wang Que had no particular feelings about Xie Buchen, speaking this way only because he felt Wu Duan’s words weren’t quite appropriate.

“This year’s minor assembly also has many differences from previous years. Would Fellow Daoist Jian Chou like to take a look?”

Jian Chou glanced at Fudao Shanren over there and knew Wang Que spoke truly.

That appearance indeed wasn’t something that could be finished in a short while.

So she smiled and went along: “Then I’ll trouble you. I haven’t been back in sixty years and indeed want to see.”

So Wang Que and Wu Duan fulfilled their duties as hosts, accompanying Jian Chou down the Sea of Clouds Plaza. As for Zhao Zhuo, Yue He, and Situ Xing, they either had matters to handle or simply said they wanted to return to cultivate, so they took their leave first.

Kunwu sixty years later had no difference from sixty years before.

Only the Sky-Reaching Platforms from the minor assembly of those days had all disappeared, while in the distance, on the surface of the Nine-Headed River that half-encircled Kunwu, boat after boat was arranged.

From far away, standing on the mountain path, one could see quite a few people already gathered by the riverside watching.

“This should be arranged for the minor assembly?”

Jian Chou walked down the mountain path, glanced over there, and easily made the judgment.

Wang Que nodded: “Indeed it is. But I heard that because Elder Fudao only recently emerged from seclusion, and encountering this snow region matter, the arrangements aren’t complex. But a minor assembly is still a minor assembly, with the same rule—the strong ascend the single platform, so there’s no difference.”

“Yes, the strong ascend the single platform, the strong are listed on the Nine Heavens Tablet. I’m rather curious though.” Wu Duan also walked alongside, speaking while looking at Wang Que with a smile, “Ever since Junior Brother Wang Que lost to Fellow Daoist Jian Chou, you’ve been back at Kunwu for so long, yet I haven’t seen you cultivate even once.”

Jian Chou was somewhat surprised.

Wang Que glanced at Wu Duan. His relationship with Wu Duan was close, and he knew his words held no malice, but still…

“Indeed I haven’t cultivated. I still have some confusion unresolved. I need to understand clearly before I can continue.”

Confusion unresolved…

What Jian Chou remembered was that after winning against Wang Que in that battle, when they sat drinking together on the mountain cliff, the conversation they’d had.

Hermit Sword, Hermit Sword—it used the sword intent of hermits.

But if one were truly a hermit, why use a sword? And why enter this rolling red dust, this vast mundane world…

The dao that Wang Que cultivated had some contradictory aspects to begin with.

Over these years, he had actually gained some perception, but only after that defeat was it so clearly pointed out by Jian Chou, causing him to contemplate for a long time.

But Wu Duan knew none of this.

Hearing Wang Que say this, his brow was already furrowed: “If you have unresolved doubts, why not seek Master’s guidance? This approach of yours isn’t a solution.”

Wang Que smiled and shook his head, only saying: “This is my dao, my question. No one can help me.”

Jian Chou couldn’t help but look at him.

His features still carried that lofty air, without a trace of arrogance, his entire being emanating detachment, as if what he encountered wasn’t a cultivation predicament but some insignificant trifle.

Matters of cultivation, especially those related to the “dao heart,” were indeed beyond others’ help.

So ultimately, Jian Chou said nothing.

She cleverly changed the subject, asking about matters related to this minor assembly. Wu Duan knew quite a bit and was happy to introduce things to her. Wang Que listened from the side, occasionally interjecting a sentence or two.

The three walked all the way down from the mountain top. When they reached the broad flat ground in front of the martial arts field, they saw “old acquaintances.”

“Tsk, look here, we’ve encountered ‘important people’!”

In loose robes embroidered with garishly blooming flowers of all colors, the Five Barbarians Sect’s Young Master Ruhua, whose delicate fingers rivaled any woman’s, held a small paper fan, smiling with eyes curved like crescent moons.

“I heard Fellow Daoist Jian Chou survived great calamity without dying. This truly made me secretly regret for quite a while.”

“…”

Hey, what “secretly”? You’ve said it all out loud!

Seeing him and hearing these words, Jian Chou felt a vein instantly pop on her forehead. She forcibly suppressed the twitching at the corners of her mouth before barely managing to maintain calm and show a smile: “Young Master Ruhua, it’s been a long time.”

“Mm-hm.”

Young Master Ruhua hummed once, turned his finger, and the small paper fan opened like petals.

He walked up unhurriedly, accompanied by White Moon Valley’s Medicine Woman Lu Xiangleng and Fengmo Sword Sect’s Xia Houshe.

No, perhaps now it should be White Moon Valley’s Xia Houshe.

After sixty years apart, Lu Xiangleng’s cultivation had also reached Nascent Soul, though it was clear she’d only recently broken through and wasn’t particularly outstanding.

But the temperament in that face had become even more refined.

Her form was like a cleansed bright moon, her eyes and brows all gentle and benevolent, while the slight smile at her lips from seeing Jian Chou added some warmth to her appearance.

Xia Houshe walked beside her.

Compared to the Medicine Woman’s compassion and kindness in healing and saving lives, his entire body was clothed in red like blood, his youthful face unchanged from years past, though the blood mark drawn down from his brow seemed deeper than before.

Those eyes with their hint of dark red turned, settling on Jian Chou, then lingered momentarily on the Burning Lamp Sword in her hand before slowly moving away.

Of course, there was also Xiao Jin joining the excitement.

Earlier, because he’d volunteered to help Zuoliu, he’d finally escaped the supervision of those old men at home and naturally wouldn’t return so obediently. So when Bai Yin brought Zuoliu back, he’d also followed to the Central Domain, wandering about everywhere.

When today’s minor assembly began, he came and happened to meet Lu Xiangleng and the others, joining their group.

Now he was lagging behind for some reason, holding a watermelon in his arms that was half-eaten, and seeing Jian Chou from afar, he quickly ran up, jumping up and down like a monkey.

“Senior Sister Jian Chou, Senior Sister Jian Chou! Finally see you again! By the way, why don’t I see Zuoliu?”

“He’s still cultivating, said he had some insights and wanted to go into seclusion.”

Zuoliu was a strange talent, a ghost-like genius. While others struggled to advance an inch in cultivation, he progressed a thousand li in a day. Sometimes thinking about it, Jian Chou felt he wasn’t much inferior to Xie Buchen.

“However, you all actually came together—seeing you today is quite a big surprise.”

“Mm, quite a big fright.”

Young Master Ruhua glanced at her coolly, and discovering he couldn’t see through her cultivation level, his mood grew increasingly sour.

Xia Houshe wasn’t one for much talk, mostly introverted and solitary, only showing that fierce energy when fighting people, so he didn’t join the conversation now.

Instead, Lu Xiangleng beside him smiled slightly: “We didn’t come together without reason. The entire Central Domain knows Fellow Daoist Jian Chou has safely returned. We figured you’d likely come to the minor assembly, so we all made this trip and indeed got to see you.”

“I see…”

These old friends who had once weathered hardships together all kept her in their hearts.

Jian Chou felt warmth in her heart, wanting to say something, but also feeling that once spoken, the sentiment would fade.

So ultimately she didn’t say anything sentimental, only unconsciously smiling more brightly: “After all, it was my insufficient cultivation and shallow attainment that worried everyone.”

“Worried?”

Young Master Ruhua rolled his eyes without any grace, not concealing his sarcasm in the slightest.

“How unexpected. After sixty years apart, Fellow Daoist Jian Chou’s face has grown thicker along with her cultivation.”

“…”

When it came to choking people with a single sentence, if Young Master Ruhua of the Five Barbarians Sect dared claim second place, no one in the world would dare claim first.

Jian Chou was left speechless by the retort.

Wang Que, who was somewhat behind her, had traveled widely and so was seeing Lu Xiangleng and the others for the first time, looking them over briefly before matching them with what he’d heard.

However…

“Fellow Daoist Jian Chou’s friends are all very interesting.”

Interesting?

Jian Chou looked back at Wang Que, guessing he didn’t know them, so she smiled wryly and began introducing them to each other.

Because of Jian Chou as a mutual acquaintance, and with Wang Que’s detachment, Lu Xiangleng’s peacefulness, and Xiao Jin’s natural sociability, several people quickly became familiar.

Since they were all well-traveled individuals, each had their own fascinating way of speaking, creating quite a harmonious atmosphere.

Meeting old friends naturally involved discussing what had happened over the past sixty years.

So Jian Chou learned about recent changes in the Five Barbarians Sect, learned that Lu Xiangleng had been praised as “the most outstanding alchemist since Medicine King Yiming,” learned that Xia Houshe had been hunted by his sect because of the War Lord’s Ten Thousand Weapons inheritance and was ultimately saved by Lu Xiangleng, and also learned about Xiao Jin’s so-called “utterly inhumane abuse” at home in recent years…

Well, if he said it was abuse, then it was abuse.

Finally, Lu Xiangleng asked: “Through countless difficulties, you’ve finally weathered the storm safely. Now that Fellow Daoist Jian Chou has returned to Yashan, what are your plans?”

“I don’t have any distant plans yet. If there’s nothing pressing, I’ll probably seclude myself at Yashan for cultivation for a period.”

Jian Chou wasn’t particularly certain.

She’d experienced too many things, and cultivation was something that required settling. If she could spare some time for secluded adjustment, it should be greatly beneficial.

However, as she’d said, the premise was that nothing came up.

“If you can cultivate in peace, that’s good too. When Fellow Daoist Jian Chou has time, you could visit White Moon Valley. I brewed several jars of New Snow Wine in recent years that I haven’t unsealed yet.”

Lu Xiangleng’s snow-white face, because of her intimate smile, gained some worldly warmth, though her moon-white long dress still made her seem like a moon fairy.

“Since Fellow Daoist Xiangleng has extended an invitation, I’ll certainly keep the appointment when I have time.”

Seeing these friends, those troublesome matters she’d encountered in recent days seemed to temporarily drift away, and Jian Chou also relaxed with a smile.

So Young Master Ruhua sourly complained that Lu Xiangleng didn’t invite others, while Xiao Jin seriously contemplated what the adults at home had said about children not being allowed to drink…

The atmosphere reached its peak for a moment.

But not long after, a voice came from the mountain path behind them: “Jian Chou—”

It was Fudao Shanren.

Jian Chou immediately turned around to see Fudao Shanren standing on the high mountain path at some point, while the three people who’d been talking with him—Zheng Yao, Pang Dian, and Master Ranshuang—were nowhere to be seen.

She said to everyone: “Master is calling me, excuse me for a moment.”

Everyone nodded, watching her walk back up the mountain path.

“Master.”

Reaching Fudao Shanren, Jian Chou stopped and called out.

The relaxed expression from earlier also faded. She could sense that Fudao Shanren had something to say.

Indeed, Fudao Shanren glanced down below, naturally seeing Lu Xiangleng and the others, but showed no intention of going over.

He only slightly knitted his graying brows and sighed: “Earlier in the Heavens Hall, what did you feel?”

“Feel?”

Fudao Shanren didn’t continue on the mountain path but chose a small trail that branched off to the side, so Jian Chou followed.

“Master, do you mean about Hengxu Laoguai sending Xie Buchen there?”

“Mm.”

Fudao Shanren nodded.

Jian Chou looked at the few touches of red that autumn had dyed among the distant woods, contemplating: “I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but I felt Hengxu Laoguai’s words weren’t quite right. They sounded lacking in composure, rather somewhat… anxious.”

Fudao Shanren burst out laughing upon hearing this, though he couldn’t laugh by the end.

“How could he not be anxious? Looking at the hundred-year catastrophe he calculated himself, there are only a few years left. For cultivators, even a hundred years is but a snap of the fingers. What can he accomplish in these remaining few years?”

Hundred-year catastrophe…

Jian Chou had previously only sensed something wrong with those words but hadn’t thought in this direction. But once Fudao Shanren pointed it out, that very strange-sounding statement suddenly became reasonable.

As Fudao Shanren had said before, Hengxu Laoguai was exactly that calculating, watertight type of person. Being able to say such forceful words in front of everyone had already proven many things.

That statement…

Was it meant to tell others, tell Xie Buchen, or—tell himself?

At this thought, Jian Chou couldn’t help but sneer, only saying to Fudao Shanren: “Master, though I know the principle you mentioned about ‘pulling one hair moves the whole body,’ that if Kunwu truly has trouble, our Yashan and even the entire Left Three Thousand of the Central Domain will be greatly affected, in my heart, I can’t generate even half a bit of tension or sympathy.”

Fudao Shanren looked back at her, understanding her thoughts, only saying: “Those are all future matters. I’m more worried about what’s happening now.”

“Now?” Jian Chou repeated, “You mean Xie Buchen going to the snow region?”

“Correct.”

Fudao Shanren walked with his hands behind his back, step by step treading on the thick fallen leaves beneath his feet.

“I know this old monster Hengxu too well. This kind of thing—making his true disciple, and Xie Buchen at that, risk danger—really doesn’t seem like something he’d do. I’m afraid there are still hidden secrets in this…”

This was also Jian Chou’s thought.

But she really wasn’t familiar with this Hengxu Laoguai and couldn’t speculate, so she just listened to Fudao Shanren speak.

“As they say, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ If this trip offers no benefit to Xie Buchen, no benefit to himself, no benefit to Kunwu, it couldn’t happen.”

“Either there are some heavenly materials and earthly treasures over there, or…”

“It involves some connection with the Extreme Domain.”

When he spoke this last sentence, Fudao Shanren’s voice became somewhat ethereal, suppressing a heavy, gloomy atmosphere.

Hearing this, Jian Chou’s heart jumped.

At this moment, what appeared in her mind wasn’t the events she’d encountered in the Extreme Domain, but what the Ancestor had mentioned not long ago on Yashan’s Heaven-Reaching Mirror—that tragedy from eleven cycles ago…

“Master…”

She opened her mouth to say something.

But Fudao Shanren sighed: “Once bitten by a snake, ten years fearing well ropes. Regarding Kunwu, I dare not feel at ease anymore…”

Not “won’t,” but “dare not.”

This single word difference contained how many years of suppressed disappointment?

Jian Chou couldn’t respond to this, didn’t dare to respond. After walking with him for a while, she said: “Master, I want to go.”

“…”

Fudao Shanren could only think of Yu Zhifei, who hadn’t been seen for nearly a hundred years but had perished in the snow region. After a long while, he turned to look at Jian Chou but still couldn’t say a word.

But Jian Chou seemed to know what he was thinking, slowly smiling at him: “Kunwu cannot go unguarded, the snow region cannot go uninvestigated. Moreover, Master—I want to bring Junior Brother Yu back home…”