Top floor of Liulu Tower.
The river breeze carried warmth, and the last light of the setting sun stretched across the water.
Ye Wanzhou leaned against the window, gazing out at the small boats drifting nearby, their passage sending ripples across the surface — ripples that also stirred the unease in her heart.
When cultivators looked out from here, did they too feel as insignificant as the little boats below?
"It's been years since we last met. When you left with the team leader, I called you a fool. Turns out the fool got lucky in the end."
The mature woman wore a constant smile, seemingly unconcerned that Zhang Miaoyu's status had changed so drastically since their last meeting.
Zhang Miaoyu snorted lightly. "Naturally, now it's only your turn to be jealous, Su Zhuo."
"Of course I'm jealous. I don't even know which direction the Eighteen Immortal Sects' gates face, and you're already a Heavenly Sect Envoy." Su Zhuo laughed as she adjusted her sleeves. "Speaking of which, you're just handing everything off to other people and playing the carefree boss. Won't the team leader scold you for slacking again when he finds out?"
Zhang Miaoyu shook her head. "This wasn't my assignment to begin with. The team leader said the rumors out here claim I was beaten to death for running my mouth. This errand just happened to come up, so he told me to drop by while I was at it."
"Hah, that's the team leader's style alright — decisive, straightforward, and fiercely protective of his own." Su Zhuo nodded with a laugh, then leaned in with a gossipy look. "Have you met Daoist Yuyang yet?"
"Let me tell you — Daoist Yuyang is nothing. I've laid eyes on Bai Xuanling herself! She even talked to me."
"Bullshit. That's still bragging. If you'd really met Bai Xuanling, would you still be here chatting with me?"
"I'm not making it up. Bai Xuanling speaks very gently, likes to tease people, and doesn't put on any airs."
"If you hadn't said that last part, I might've believed you halfway. But now I don't believe a word." Su Zhuo put on a disgusted expression. "Don't I know Bai Xuanling better than that?"
Zhang Miaoyu stood up, her tone somewhat wistful.
"You really don't understand her. Traveling with the team leader, I've met people I'd only ever heard about in legends."
Su Zhuo curled up lazily in her chair and looked at Zhang Miaoyu with curiosity.
"I've got a question. I've been wondering for a long time. You don't have to answer if you can't. The team leader always says he's not a disciple of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, but looking at things now, he wasn't telling the truth back then. Which immortal sect is the team leader actually from?"
Zhang Miaoyu didn't answer right away. She thought for a moment.
In truth, the team leader's identity was well known within the Eighteen Immortal Sects. But for casual cultivators from other continents, the gap in status was so vast that they simply couldn't reach that level of information.
The question wasn't really sensitive when you thought about it.
After all, their sect master's reputation seemed to extend well beyond Central Continent now.
Zhang Miaoyu considered it, then answered concisely: "The team leader's master is Chu Xingchen."
Su Zhuo froze. After a long silence, she whispered cautiously.
"Is that the Chu Xingchen I'm thinking of?"
Zhang Miaoyu nodded firmly. "Most likely the very one."
Su Zhuo pressed her lips together and whispered, "Must be tough working under him."
"Why?" Zhang Miaoyu asked, puzzled.
"Everyone says Bai Xuanling is Chu Xingchen's Guardian." Su Zhuo spoke in a low voice. "And Chu Xingchen's reputation out here is that he's domineering — basically the next Bai Xuanling, through and through."
Seeing Zhang Miaoyu look even more confused, Su Zhuo continued.
"Haven't you heard Chu Xingchen's nickname?"
Zhang Miaoyu honestly hadn't. She shook her head eagerly and asked.
"What nickname?"
Su Zhuo glanced around, then slowly whispered.
"Fierce Devouring True Lord!"
Zhang Miaoyu burst out laughing. Her sect master, who always wore a gentle smile, put his arms around disciples' shoulders, chatted and teased and was easy to talk to — how had he ended up with that kind of nickname?
She held back her laughter and said, "What kind of nickname is that? It sounds like an evil cultivator."
Su Zhuo nodded. "It's still slightly better than an evil cultivator."
Zhang Miaoyu shook her head repeatedly.
"The outer sect rumors are way over the top. The sect master isn't like that at all. He's actually very easy to talk to."
"Someday when there's a chance, I'll take you to meet them."
"Living legends — aside from their cultivation, their charisma is extraordinary too."
Su Zhuo watched the relaxed expression on Zhang Miaoyu's face and felt reassured. Zhang Miaoyu was perfect in every way — she was just too trusting of people.
Zhang Miaoyu had been with the team leader for a long time now, and she still wore the same smile as before. She must be doing well.
Su Zhuo nodded gently and smiled. "Sure. If there's a chance."
Zhang Miaoyu looked at the sincere smile on Su Zhuo's face, thought for a moment, then said quietly.
"Have you joined any other sect?"
Su Zhuo shook her head with a smile. "You know how I am. I can't stand rules and restrictions. I've always gone where I want and done what I want."
"A lone wanderer is the freest path. I don't like taking advantage of others, and I don't want to do things I don't want to do. I'm just not suited for joining a sect."
"As long as you're doing well now, I'm at ease. No need to worry about me."
Su Zhuo looked at Zhang Miaoyu and said, "I also believe that someday your name will ring far and wide. Then it'll be convenient for me to drop your name and say I'm under your protection."
"Naturally." Zhang Miaoyu nodded with a smile. "My future title will be dignified and upright."
Su Zhuo laughed. "Don't worry about that. I've already thought of your title for you."
"What title?"
"Let Yuyang Use One Hand — Zhang Miaoyu!"
"Oh, get lost!"
The evening glow reflected on the water as the sun sank below the horizon.
Their reunion had been a chance encounter, and both had things to do.
Zhang Miaoyu split some spirit stones and pills with Su Zhuo, explaining that this was unjust money from the Eighteen Immortal Sects.
Su Zhuo didn't refuse.
Zhang Miaoyu watched Su Zhuo's departing figure, then turned her gaze to Ye Wanzhou standing by the window and said calmly.
"Well? Have you made your decision?"
Ye Wanzhou imitated the cupped-fist salute she'd seen the cultivators use earlier and replied.
"Thank you, Immortal, for your willingness to guide me."
————————
Western Niu Continent.
Huazhen Hall.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Chu. I owe my escape entirely to you."
The Radiant Buddha pressed his palms together and sincerely thanked Chu Xingchen.
Chu Xingchen immediately pointed to Daoist Yuyang standing right beside him.
"It wasn't all me. This was basically thanks to the handsome, kind-hearted, extraordinarily talented Daoist Yuyang here."
The Radiant Buddha went along smoothly, showing none of the airs of a Tribulation Transcendence Buddha, and bowed to Daoist Yuyang.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Yuyang. I shall remember this kindness well."
Daoist Yuyang quickly raised his hand and used spiritual energy to lift the Radiant Buddha up. Regardless of anything else, this was a genuine Tribulation Transcendence great power.
Gratitude wasn't worth much, but the attitude was certainly good.
The slight displeasure he'd felt earlier smoothed over a little.
Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow at the Radiant Buddha and cut straight to the point.
"Runan's been ambiguous. He said in a few days he'd hand you over."
"Handing you over obviously isn't his real intention, and we certainly can't hand you over either. So how do you think Runan should be placated regarding the Secular Buddhas?"
The Radiant Buddha looked at Chu Xingchen with a smile and said firmly.
"This humble monk believes it would be most appropriate to use Fellow Daoist Chu as the leverage."
Chu Xingchen smiled at that, and he and Daoist Yuyang exchanged a glance.
The Radiant Buddha watched the look pass between them and immediately felt…
They were definitely not thinking of anything good.
Especially when Chu Xingchen was involved.
[
Dear Readers,
I post multiple high-quality, human-polished chapters every day. If you enjoy the story, consider supporting the release schedule to unlock massive advanced chapter buffers!
Support Options:
$6 — Read 20+ Chapters Ahead (High-speed daily updates!)
$8 — Read 40+ Chapters Ahead + Exclusive Character Images
$10 — Read 60+ Chapters Ahead + Character Images + Patreon Community Chat
(Note: These chapter counts are guaranteed minimums. Because of my rapid update schedule, you will often get even more!)
⚠️ Apple Users: Please subscribe via your web browser (Safari/Chrome) instead of the Patreon App to avoid a 30% fee and massive payment delays.
Thank you for reading and keeping these daily releases going!
Support Here: patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
]