They descended the winding paths of Mount Dingbu, weaving their way toward the Great Sage's secluded abode.
Ever the vigilant disruptor, Xue Laohu took every opportunity to wedge himself between Huo Yi and Shudu. If Huo Yi so much as leaned toward Shudu, he conveniently inserted himself into the space—either by "helping" her over uneven ground or suddenly finding something deeply fascinating to discuss with Shudu. His interference only grew more blatant as they neared their destination, going so far as to offer his own hand to Huo Yi while deliberately ignoring the confusion on her face.
Shudu, for his part, found the display amusing. His lips curled slightly at Xue Laohu's antics, though he wisely chose to say nothing.
Behind them, the rest of the group trailed at a leisurely pace. Jiao Jiao wriggled free from Xue Tuzi's pouch, tiny antennae twitching as he took in the sights and scents of the forest. Xue Tuzi occasionally reached up to stroke Jiao Jiao's back, murmuring, "Stay put." But the Gu worm's wide eyes fixated on a peculiar violet glow at the base of a tree, its scent practically calling his name.
By the time they arrived at the Great Sage's hut, the air had thickened with the pungent scent of elixirs, the aroma seeping through the weathered wooden walls. Beaded curtains swayed lazily in the breeze, their soft clinking barely audible over the bubbling of brewing concoctions.
Xue Laohu strode forward without hesitation, brushing the curtain aside with his folded fan. "Hello? Anyone home?" he called, stepping inside without waiting for an answer.
The interior was a chaotic mess—piles of herbs, flasks, and half-mixed potions cluttered every surface, while thick scrolls lay haphazardly across a stained wooden table. Amid the disarray, a frail, thin man sat cross-legged, hunched over a bubbling cauldron, methodically mixing ingredients. The air was dense with the scent of herbs and something faintly metallic, the dim glow of a single lantern casting long shadows across the cramped space.
Xue Tuzi and Li Zhameng stepped inside, their noses wrinkling in unison as they took in the chaotic scene before them. Xue Tuzi cast Li Zhameng a sideways glance, his expression caught between disbelief and mild disgust.
"Does this remind you of…"
Li Zhameng nodded grimly, his lips curling in distaste. "Shizun's room. It's like walking into a mirror image of that disaster."
Overhearing their muttering, Xue Laohu cleared his throat. "Ahem."
At the sound, the Great Sage's head snapped up, his beady eyes narrowing as he squinted at the unfamiliar figures before him.
"Who are you? How dare you enter without permission?" he barked, waving his staff wildly. The motion was aggressive yet utterly ineffective—he missed Xue Laohu by a wide margin, striking nothing but air.
Xue Laohu sighed, exasperation creeping into his tone. "It's me, Grandmaster Xue."
The Great Sage paused, tilting his head. "Grandmaster Xue?" His wrinkled brows knitted together in confusion. "Forgive my old eyes, but I recall the Grandmaster as an ethereal figure—long locks cascaded down his tall frame, exuding divine elegance. But you…" He squinted harder. "You seem rather short. And juvenile."
The words cut through Xue Laohu's pride like a sharpened blade. His expression stiffened, fingers tightening around his fan as his face twitched.
Behind him, Shudu released a barely contained chuckle, lifting a hand to disguise his smirk. Xue Tuzi and Li Zhameng exchanged a look, holding their breath—they knew all too well how fragile their Shizun's pride was when it came to his height.
Xue Laohu's eye twitched dangerously. His patience, already frayed from the journey, was now dangling by a mere thread.
With a dramatic snap of his fan, he waved it in front of his flushed face. "I am the Grandmaster, Xue Laohu," he declared, each syllable clipped with barely restrained fury. "I cut my hair because I wanted to. And that does not make me short—it merely… gives the illusion of being short." He turned his head with an air of forced nonchalance, though the tips of his ears betrayed him, burning a furious red.
The Great Sage hummed, unimpressed. "Hmmm, I see." Leaning on his staff, he continued to eye Xue Laohu dubiously. "Well, what brings you to my humble abode?"
At his words, Huo Yi hesitated before stepping forward. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides as she lowered herself onto her knees, her voice trembling slightly.
"Great Sage," she began, bowing deeply. "I—I wish to become your disciple."
The Great Sage's fingers froze mid-stroke over his beard. His eyes flickered with interest, but he remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
Huo Yi inhaled shakily, steadying herself. "My village has been plagued by an illness," she admitted, her voice nearly breaking. "Many have already succumbed to it, and the healers there—" she swallowed hard, her gaze falling to the wooden floor. "They don't know how to stop it. I was hoping to learn under you… to find a cure and save my people."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
The Great Sage exhaled slowly, tapping his staff against the ground. His bony shoulders quivered slightly, though whether from age or contemplation was unclear.
"Very well," he finally said, his voice softer than before. "I could use an extra set of hands."
Huo Yi's breath caught, hope flickering in her eyes. A bright smile broke across her face as she dipped her head respectfully. "Thank you, Great Sage."
Xue Laohu flicked his fan open, half-covering his face as he observed the exchange. That was rather easy, he mused. But as his gaze drifted over the hut's disastrous state—the overturned flasks, scattered scrolls, and pungent herbal residue staining the wooden floors—understanding dawned. Of course he agreed… he just wanted someone to clean up this mess.
As the group gathered at the entrance, the dim light of the setting sun stretched their shadows long across the forest floor. Huo Yi stood by the Great Sage's side, waving goodbye to Shudu as they prepared to depart. The old man's frail frame was silhouetted against the flickering lantern light, but when he spoke again, his voice—though soft—carried an urgency that made them pause.
"Before you go," he said, his gaze sweeping over them, "there is something you must know."
Xue Laohu snapped his fan shut, turning back to him. "What is it, Great Sage?"
The Great Sage's eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, almost ominous tone. "The full moon rises tonight. Only once every millennia do the Samsara mushrooms harvest. If you see any don't forget to pluck a few for me."
"Will do." Xue Loahu nodded as they departed.
The winding path was lined with jagged rocks, the thick canopy above filtering the light into faint iridescent beams. Xue Laohu trailed just behind Shudu, his sharp eyes flicking toward the taller man's broad-shouldered frame. Shudu's long braid swayed rhythmically with every step, brushing against the intricate embroidery of his shirt.
As they crossed through the dense, mystical forest, they stumbled upon a secluded glade bathed in soft violet light. The air crackled with spiritual energy, and clusters of glowing mushrooms dotted the ground in an array of shimmering colors. Shudu suddenly halted, his gaze fixed on the strange fungi beneath the dark light.
Jiao Jiao wriggled free from his pouch, his tiny face mesmerized by the luminous mushrooms growing at the base of a tree. He inched forward, drawn toward the soft glow.
Xue Tuzi paid no attention to the Gu worm his gaze locked on Shudu's as they had nearly stumbled over. "Watch were you're going. Are you sad that your woman has left you for the Great Sage?" he asked, voice laced with mock concern.
Shudu let out a sharp, unrestrained laugh, the deep sound vibrating through the forest as Xue Tuzi wrinkled his nose.
"The Great Sage?" Shudu scoffed. "That old man couldn't even get it up if he wanted to."
Xue Tuzi pursed his lips. "You don't know that."
Shudu's eye darkened. In one fluid motion, he caught Xue Tuzi's chin between his fingers, forcing him to meet his gaze. His grip was rough, firm—yet undeniably warm. His smirk widened.
"Oh?" He tilted his head mockingly. "Have you gotten it up for the Great Sage, then?"
A few deep chuckles escaped him, his gaze never wavering.
Xue Tuzi didn't flinch. His expression remained neutral, unreadable. Then, after a pause, his lashes lowered slightly.
"Maybe…" he said coolly before turning his face away.
Shudu's eye twitched.
"Ahem!" Xue Laohu interrupted, stepping between them before the tension could escalate further.
Xue Tuzi scoffed instinctively reaching for his pouch—only to freeze.
Jiao Jiao was gone.