Chapter Nine: Long Time No See

Xu Zhe was about to leave the Tower of Excellence.

Zhang Chang, upon hearing this, tried to dissuade him, but didn't insist too much. He simply followed Xu Zhe's wishes and sent a few men to protect him in secret.

If it had been one of the previous prodigies, Zhang Chang would have done everything to prevent them from leaving, for once outside the tower, their safety could not be guaranteed.

But Xu Zhe was different. With his mortal bloodline and chaotic spiritual roots, Zhang Chang assumed that few would bother to harm him.

After leaving the Tower of Excellence, Xu Zhe went straight to the inn across the street.

He held in his hand a letter from the Sacred Land of Jade Pool, which contained only a single line: "Xu Zhe, we bring a message from Saint Lord Lin. Come at once to Changyun Inn."

The tone was lofty, even rude.

Yet Xu Zhe came; he wanted to know what message Lin Keyi had for him.

"Knock knock!"

The inn's attendant personally led Xu Zhe to the door of a private room and knocked.

With a creak, the door opened on its own.

Inside, several beautiful women sat on the sofas, expressionless, eyes closed as if meditating.

Only one older woman opened her eyes, looking at Xu Zhe with indifference.

"Xu Zhe, we've sent the letter some time ago. Why are you so late?" she asked, her tone domineering, as though blaming Xu Zhe for not coming immediately.

"I was delayed," Xu Zhe replied with a gentle smile, walking in and seating himself on a sofa.

Such attitude, such conduct...

The older woman frowned.

She fell silent for a moment, then took out a ring set with a black obsidian gem, placing it on the table. "This is a storage ring. Saint Lord Lin has bestowed you some items, all contained within."

Bestowed?

Xu Zhe continued to smile. The woman's choice of words was truly sharp.

Besides, by their judgment, he was of mortal bloodline with chaotic spiritual roots, meaning his cultivation would be slow, perhaps even incapable of opening the ring.

Were they trying to make things difficult for him?

"What message did she leave for me?" Xu Zhe asked, still smiling.

"It's also in the storage ring. Check it yourself."

"Alright."

Xu Zhe nodded, picked up the ring, and rose to leave.

"Wait, there's one more thing," the older woman called out suddenly in a deep voice. "Someone from Northland Province has asked us to deliver a message to you."

"I'm not interested," Xu Zhe replied with a shake of his head. He vaguely recalled hearing in the valley that someone in Northland Province seemed to have intentions toward Lin Keyi.

"Xu Zhe, this isn't for you to decide. That person from Northland Province wishes to speak to you; you have no right to refuse, only to listen," the older woman said coldly.

Xu Zhe's smile faded.

Beside him, a white-robed disciple, who had been meditating, suddenly opened her eyes and said calmly, "Just listen."

Xu Zhe turned to look at her and was momentarily stunned.

Her clothes were white, her face pale, but he did not recognize her.

Yet her gaze seemed familiar!

"What if I simply don't want to listen?" Xu Zhe replied with a half-smile.

The older woman's face instantly darkened. "That's not for you to—"

"Enough. If he doesn't wish to listen, let him be," the white-robed woman interrupted, rising slowly.

The older woman was taken aback.

The other disciples opened their eyes in surprise, staring at the white-robed woman.

The older woman recovered, furious. "Lu Lin, you—"

But once again, she could not finish her sentence.

With a mere wave of her delicate hand, the white-robed woman caused the older woman and the other disciples to roll their eyes and collapse unconscious.

Now, only Xu Zhe and the white-robed woman remained standing.

She glanced at the door, her voice cool: "Qu Hongxiu, this is not your concern anymore."

"I was just passing by. Uncle Xu, I have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving," came Qu Hongxiu's voice from outside, growing distant.

The white-robed woman continued to stare at the door: "If you're so interested, why not come in and listen?"

"I'm not interested. I was just testing your identity—turns out it's only an incarnation. I'm not afraid, but now I'll really leave."

Soon, silence returned beyond the door.

Only then did the white-robed woman turn to Xu Zhe, a hint of hesitation in her gaze, which soon settled into calm.

"Long time no see, Xu Zhe," she said quietly.

"Indeed... long time no see," Xu Zhe replied with a smile.

He should have felt unfamiliar with the woman before him, having never seen her before.

Yet, for some reason, after ten thousand years, a single glance was enough for him to recognize that she was likely Lin Keyi.

Of course, from her exchange with Qu Hongxiu, Xu Zhe confirmed that this was an incarnation of Lin Keyi, disguised.

At this moment,

Silence filled the private room.

After exchanging that simple greeting, both fell quiet.

Lin Keyi was serene; Xu Zhe, even more so.

Lin Keyi studied Xu Zhe, as if trying to recall what he used to be like.

Xu Zhe looked at her, betraying no emotion, as though merely waiting.

"This is a technique, masking my appearance to avoid unnecessary trouble," Lin Keyi finally said.

Her tone remained calm, not distant by intent, but naturally unfamiliar.

As she spoke, her features began to change, her facial structure shifting visibly until she wore a face that was both familiar and strange.

"You look better than before," Xu Zhe remarked with a smile.

"Thank you," Lin Keyi replied, smiling as well. Then she said, "You seem unperturbed by everything—recognizing me, witnessing my techniques, you remain calm. Were you always like this?"

"Perhaps," Xu Zhe said, unsure.

He truly could not recall how he used to be.

"You seem calm too. You aren't surprised that I recognized you by intuition?" Xu Zhe asked.

"You've just awakened; you should still be familiar with me. It's normal to recognize me by instinct."

"Maybe."

"Do you have any plans for the future?"

"Not yet," Xu Zhe shook his head, honest.

His previous path of cultivation had been almost entirely sheltered. The techniques he used were selected by his clan, the pills and medicines provided at each stage, and his combat experience limited to sparring with avatars created by clan elders. Still, he managed to become an Immortal Emperor.

It had been comfortable, to say the least.

Now, his soul had returned to his own body. If he continued practicing Immortal Emperor techniques, he'd need to consume vast quantities of rare treasures. The spiritual energy here in Qingci Continent was so weak—could he even find the herbs he needed?

And even if they existed, why would others give them to him?

How could he compete for them?

Fortunately, his mind held a wealth of techniques, some even stronger than those of the Immortal Emperor, and some required fewer resources in the early stages, though their cultivation conditions were strict.

He would need time to consider, to plan.

"Xu Zhe, do you know why I wanted you to hear the message from Northland Province?" Lin Keyi asked, her expression now serious.

"Perhaps to break up with me in a reasonable manner, or to show me the gap between myself and that person, so I can give up?" Xu Zhe smiled. "Haha, just kidding—I don't remember you being that kind of woman."

Lin Keyi shook her head, her tone grave. "There are many reasons for drawing a line between us, but none involve anyone else. That person from the north doesn't matter to me."

She rose and walked to the window, her voice soft:

"Do you know? In this world, you and I are but dust. There are many places in Qingci Continent that even we cannot set foot in, each hiding countless secrets, enticing and mysterious.

Do you know that beneath this sky, Qingci Continent is but a speck?

Do you know that beyond this sky, there are more skies?

I wish to devote myself to the pursuit of the Dao; I want to travel further.

Perhaps I shouldn't tell you these things—they may seem too distant for you.

But to me, they are my sole pursuit.

The past is already gone, vanished like smoke.

I've tried to recall our days together, but often can't even remember your face.

It's been six thousand years since I awoke. We were together only four years.

It is regrettable that I didn't wait for you to wake, but... I feel no remorse."

At her final words, Lin Keyi's gaze grew resolute, meeting Xu Zhe's eyes.

Xu Zhe was taken aback, silent.

The Lin Keyi before him felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Yet, it was as expected—surprising, but not overly so.

After a moment, Xu Zhe nodded.

"Alright, I understand."

He remained calm, as Lin Keyi had observed, seemingly unmoved by anything.

This left Lin Keyi momentarily stunned.

She had imagined Xu Zhe might react in various ways, but this peaceful acceptance was not among them.

Xu Zhe looked at the bewildered Lin Keyi and sighed inwardly.

Ten thousand years—indeed too long. Everything had changed.

He wanted to tell Lin Keyi that he already knew everything she had said.

Qingci Continent truly was a speck, insignificant compared to the vast world.

Beyond this sky, there were the Azure Heaven, the Cang Heaven, the Yellow Heaven, the Hao Heaven, and the Nether Heaven.

The five great celestial domains—he knew them all.

He also knew that these five domains had once belonged to a single heaven, which was later shattered by some ruthless figure.

What he hadn't expected was that the hundred who had come—himself included—originated from the once-mighty, now declining Azure Heaven domain.

No wonder the human techniques here were so weak—even the beast bloodlines surpassed them.

They all carried beast bloodlines. If they ever left the Azure Heaven and went to the Cang Heaven, how pitiful they would be...

Best not to tell her—he didn't want to shake her resolve.

Let her cultivate well. Beast bloodlines aren't entirely useless; against cultivators of lower realms, they're still effective.

Go forth, Lin Keyi!

Xu Zhe's gaze became more distant, tinged with encouragement.

Lin Keyi noticed this change, and it brought her back to herself, yet left her even more confused.

He gave me an encouraging look?

No resentment, no malice, only genuine support for my pursuit of the Dao?

Had our past feelings truly reached such a depth?

The world says to love someone is to support everything they do—perhaps this is what they mean...

Alas, six thousand years is too long; I can't remember anymore.

Thinking this, Lin Keyi turned and walked toward the door, seemingly ready to leave.

"You're leaving?" Xu Zhe asked.

"Yes, I'm leaving," Lin Keyi replied without turning.

Suddenly, Xu Zhe asked with a smile, "You said a lot, but you haven't told me why you wanted me to hear the message from Northland Province?"

Lin Keyi paused. "It's nothing really. I just thought that after hearing it, you might understand that this world is different from the one we knew. Here, reason means nothing—only strength matters."

Is that all?

Xu Zhe was momentarily surprised, then smiled. "Strength is paramount—I understand. It's the same in every world."

"Perhaps," Lin Keyi nodded lightly. She hesitated, then said, "By now, word of your mortal bloodline should have spread. Some may no longer trouble you, but you should still be careful. Tianhe City is quite good; if you live here, though ordinary, you will be safe."

"I..." Xu Zhe began.

But Lin Keyi interrupted, "You don't need to tell me what you'll choose. I only offer friendly advice. Once you leave this door, you and I are no longer connected. This is for your good, and for mine."

Xu Zhe thought for a moment, smiled, and nodded. "Alright, thank you."

Lin Keyi, still facing away, said coolly, "Also, be wary of Li Chungang."

With that, her figure blurred like mist, fading away until nothing remained.

Xu Zhe was not surprised by this, but lingered on her last words.

Be wary of Li Chungang?

That seemed rather significant.

But he disliked people who spoke in riddles.

Had she not left so quickly, he would have rolled his eyes.

"Uncle Xu, I think her words make sense," came Qu Hongxiu's voice.

Xu Zhe was surprised. "You were really hiding and eavesdropping?"

"Creek—"

Qu Hongxiu pushed the door open, waving her hand nonchalantly. "No, I'm not that kind of person. I just figured you two were about done, so I came in and happened to hear the last few lines."

"What did you hear?" Xu Zhe asked with a smile.

"She said you could stay in Tianhe City. Life may be ordinary, but at least it's peaceful. I quite agree with that," Qu Hongxiu said seriously.

"If you all think peace is good, why not stay yourselves?" Xu Zhe shook his head with a smile. "One should choose their own life, and not tell others how to live theirs."

Qu Hongxiu frowned. "Uncle Xu, we're only being kind, for your sake."

"If I advised you to temper your body and purge your beast bloodline, would you do it?" Xu Zhe asked with a smile.

"Of course not."

"But it's for your own good."

"..."

Qu Hongxiu was at a loss, pouting. "Forget it, I can't reason with you. I'm leaving."

"Go on," Xu Zhe nodded, but as he spoke, he saw Qu Hongxiu’s figure blur and vanish, just like Lin Keyi’s incarnation.

Is she throwing a tantrum?

Xu Zhe smiled wryly, perhaps because he had earlier refused to let her fall for him.

Love unrequited breeds resentment—he understood.

But it didn't matter; he was used to it.

Xu Zhe stood quietly, then slowly looked at the unconscious disciples of Jade Pool lying on the floor.

Swish!

From the wide sleeve of his right hand, a sharp dagger slid out, gleaming coldly.

He hesitated for a moment, but did nothing, finally tucking the dagger away and turning to leave.

Bang!

As the door closed, a figure slowly appeared—it was Qu Hongxiu, who should have left.

Her bright eyes shone with curiosity, gazing in the direction Xu Zhe had gone. She clicked her tongue and murmured, "Uncle Xu is getting harder and harder to understand."

She then looked down at the unconscious disciples and said with a smile, "Uncle Xu didn’t kill you, and I don’t want to dirty my hands. Besides, you might not survive the night anyway.

Speaking of which, the spirit token my master gave me is quite impressive—it recorded everything, and I wasn’t discovered. Mission accomplished; time to return to the frontier for my reward."

...