"Junior Brother Li, you've arrived! If you're free, why not come to my quarters for a chat?" "No, no, thank you, Senior Brother. I have business with the Sect Leader at the Jade Crystal Hall." "Are you heading to the Hall? Shall I lead the way?" "No need, I've been here a few times now. I wouldn't want to trouble you."
On the way to the Jade Crystal Hall, Tian Ling'er watched in amazement as several Tongtian Peak disciples—usually known for their aloofness—greeted Li Qingan with genuine warmth.
Once they were clear of the crowd, she hurried to catch up. "Why are they so friendly to you? I've never seen them act so polite to anyone else."
Li Qingan didn't even turn his head, waving a hand dismissively as he let out a string of meaningless nonsense. "You're still young. It's normal not to understand; it would be weird if you did. I'll tell you when you're older."
"Li Qingan! Who are you looking down on? I'm thirteen this year!" Ling'er fumed.
"Right, right. Whatever you say."
"You're infuriating!" Hearing his bored tone, Ling'er lunged forward, intending to give him a piece of her mind with her fists.
It was as if Li Qingan had eyes in the back of his head; he dodged her lunges with effortless grace. Seeing her persistence, he eventually turned around and caught her wrists.
"Enough," he said. "I was wrong, okay?"
"You... let go of me first," Ling'er stammered. The moment her hands were caught, she became as docile as a kitten held by the scruff of its neck. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and her voice dropped to a barely audible whisper.
"I'm letting go. This is Tongtian Peak, not Big Bamboo Peak. At least try to maintain our image," Li Qingan teased, releasing her.
"It's your fault for always making me mad," she muttered, rubbing her wrists. She could still feel the lingering warmth from his palms, making her face burn even hotter.
"We're here. Quiet now," Li Qingan whispered as they approached the hall guards.
"Senior Brother, is the Sect Leader in?"
The guard looked at Li Qingan with a helpless shrug. "Junior Brother Li, the Sect Leader is inside. However, he gave strict orders before closing the doors that he is not to be disturbed. I'm afraid you can't see him right now."
Inside, and no disturbances allowed... Li Qingan thought. If Puzhi has already arrived, they must be in there negotiating. It's a pity I can't get in to confirm the exact moment.
"If it's urgent, I can pass a message to the Sect Leader later," the guard offered.
Li Qingan offered a polite excuse—"I'll trouble you then, Senior Brother"—and led Ling'er away. He couldn't exactly explain that he was just there to check if his presence had caused a "butterfly effect" in the timeline.
Inside the Jade Crystal Hall
Inside, Sect Leader Daoxuan sat in the primary seat, facing a lean monk with a solemn expression, clad in yellow robes and holding a Nine-Ringed Staff.
"Grandmaster Puzhi, surely there is nothing Tianyin Temple cannot say openly. Why must a master of your caliber visit in secret? Please, speak plainly."
"Since Sect Leader Daoxuan puts it that way, I shall be blunt," Puzhi said, his voice echoing. "The Buddhist and Taoist paths are both vessels toward immortality. Why not act as each other's oars? I am willing to trade the Dafan Prajna of Tianyin Temple for the basic heart-law of your Taiji Pure Essence Path."
Daoxuan's eyes narrowed, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. After a long silence, he spoke with cold finality. "Good and evil may not coexist, but even among the righteous, the Buddhist and Taoist paths cannot row the same boat. This is impossible."
"Sect Leader, I implore you to reconsider. This would benefit both our sects."
Daoxuan stood up, his voice a warning. "Enough, Grandmaster. The matter is settled. To avoid rumors, Qingyun will not be hosting you further. Farewell."
"Alas..." Puzhi watched Daoxuan's resolute expression and knew there was no hope. He quietly descended the mountain. Is the shackle of immortality truly so unbreakable? Is it merely a moon reflected in water? Why can none of you let go of sectarian pride?
As he looked at the dark, heavy clouds gathering in the sky, despair gnawed at him. Suddenly, the deep red bead in his robes flared with an ominous purple light. Bloody mist and dark energy began to seep into his body. Puzhi's negative emotions surged, eroding his sanity. His flight became unstable, wobbling through the air.
"This Sblood-Sucking Bead... it truly is my bane!"
Puzhi suppressed his chaotic thoughts and managed to steer his path toward the village at the foot of the mountain: Grass Temple Village.
Back at Big Bamboo Peak
"Junior Brother, disaster! Eldest Brother found the villagers of Grass Temple Village... they're all dead!" The ever-informed Du Bishu ran into Li Qingan's courtyard, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"What? All of them?" Li Qingan felt a jolt of panic. Are Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu dead too? No, they have immense destiny; they shouldn't fall at the first hurdle.
He turned to Du Bishu with a grim face. "Really all of them? Not a single survivor?"
"Oh, right, not all of them. Two children and one crazed villager survived," Du Bishu corrected himself. "Wait, how did you know some might still be alive?"
"I didn't know anything! I guessed!" Li Qingan snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You idiot! Can't you tell a story properly?"
He had genuinely feared the timeline had broken. If Xiaofan was gone, his "spoiler" knowledge would be useless, and he'd have to worry about the Demonic Sect's invasion every single day.
"Calm down, Junior Brother. It was just a slip of the tongue," Du Bishu muttered. "How can I be calm? Are the kids small?" "Yeah." "Then they have no one. They'll likely be taken into the Sect. They might be our future brothers; of course I'm concerned!"
"Makes sense... though I didn't think you were that kind-hearted," Du Bishu teased. "Think about it: Big Bamboo Peak has so few disciples. Master will almost certainly take one. Let's go to Tongtian Peak and see the situation."
The two sped toward the main peak on their swords.
Outside the Jade Crystal Hall
"Junior Brother, should we really go in? All the Peak Lords are there," Du Bishu whispered nervously.
Li Qingan didn't answer. He was watching three figures approaching from the distance: a Tongtian Peak disciple leading two young boys. He exhaled a long breath of relief. The timeline is back on track.
He looked at the boy around eleven years old—dull-looking and appearing a bit dazed. That must be Zhang Xiaofan.
"Senior Brother Chang, these two are..." Du Bishu stepped forward, but the words caught in his throat.
"Yes," Chang Jian nodded solemnly. He then greeted Lucian. "Junior Brother Li, you're here as well."
"Let's go inside first," Li Qingan suggested. "Let the Sect Leader and the masters decide."
"Don't be afraid," Li Qingan said softly to the two trembling boys. "Just stay with your friend inside."
"Thank you, Immortal Big Brother," Zhang Xiaofan whispered, sensing Li Qingan's kindness.
Hearing the boy call him an "immortal," Li Qingan couldn't help but smile. Chang Jian and Du Bishu chuckled along.
"A child's words are often the truest," Chang Jian remarked as they ascended the high stone steps.