Immortal Nexus , Zixiao Palace.
[Lu Xian] sat upright in his quiet chamber. Despite several attempts to enter meditation, he returned empty-handed each time; no matter how he tried, the distracting thoughts in his heart would not fade.
"...Sigh."
In the end, this young attendant who had followed two generations of Dao Venerables could only sigh. He stood up, pushed open the door, and walked out into the corridor.
However, he saw another attendant, dressed much like himself, solemnly holding a thick book and reading it with great relish. His expression immediately turned bitter, and he couldn't help but whisper: "Senior Jiao , why must you do this? Hasn't the Master already allowed you to enter?"
"...It's you again, kid."
It seemed only then did the attendant react. He looked up—it was the Pre-Ancient [Dao Ancestor of Noble Connection] —only to see him retort with a grave expression—
"That is a misconception!"
"I have only entered the Zixiao Palace, but I have yet to receive the Dao Venerable's teachings. This shows my Dao comprehension is not yet deep enough; it is precisely the time for me to hone it."
Having said this, he glared indignantly at [Lu Xian]: "After all, not everyone is like you, Fellow Daoist, having such luck to climb up to two Dao Venerables in succession..."
As soon as he said this, [Lu Xian] became indignant.
What do you mean "climb up"?
Everything I, [Lu Xian], have today relies entirely on my own hard work and sweat. These Dao Ancestors are always like this, never seeing one's own hardships and dedication.
On the other side, watching [Lu Xian], who wore his heart on his sleeve, [Jiao Guiren] couldn't help but mutter internally: 'Truly, one who stays near vermilion gets stained red, one who stays near ink gets stained black. I remember this attendant Lu Xian wasn't like this before. Ever since he followed that Great Lord, his personality has become more and more shameless...'
Hiss! Watch your tongue!
[Jiao Guiren] quickly stifled his internal thoughts. According to a certain Dao Lord who refused to reveal his name, this current Dao Venerable was very petty.
According to that Dao Lord.
Back in the day, he had only startled the Dao Venerable; he hadn't even actually killed him. Yet, the Dao Venerable had entangled him for several lifetimes, dismantling all his trump cards and backup plans...
At that time, before he had recalled the events of the past, that Dao Lord had viewed the Dao Venerable as a like-minded friend, even a respectable senior. After recalling everything later, his hatred was such that he gnashed his teeth. Speaking of which, who was that Dao Lord? What was his name? Why couldn't he remember?
[Jiao Guiren] blinked his clear, big eyes.
What was I just thinking about?
"—Senior Jiao?"
[Lu Xian]'s voice pulled him out of a certain silent daze. He snapped back to reality and subconsciously shook the book he had been reading for a long time.
"In any case, I am studying."
"Oh?" [Lu Xian] blinked. "With Senior's Dao comprehension, do you still need to study? Is this the Dao Scripture of that Dao Lord? Could it be [Senior Sisui]'s?"
"That one has been rotten on the streets for ages." [Jiao Guiren] curled his lip. "Mine is exclusive. I spent quite a bit of effort to get it from a Dao Lord who refused to reveal his name."
Refused to reveal his name? Which Dao Lord?
[Lu Xian] had originally wanted to ask this, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt there was no need. In any case, it was likely not an important matter.
"What exactly is written in the book?"
[Lu Xian] was curious. "Is it that Dao Lord's Great Dao insights? Or some supreme profound method? The Light Sea and the Divine Land are still somewhat different..."
"Neither."
[Jiao Guiren] shook his head, glanced around, then lowered his voice: "It is the life story and Dao-seeking experiences of the current Dao Venerable!"
After speaking, he showed the book cover to [Lu Xian].
On it were written three large characters:
[Book of a Hundred Lifetimes]!
"Hiss!"
In an instant, [Lu Xian] gasped and whispered: "Senior Jiao, have you gone mad? 'Speak no ill of the exalted'—how can you spread such things?"
"I understand." [Jiao Guiren] looked knowledgeable. "The fact that the Lord is petty makes this easily taboo."
"Senior Jiao, don't talk nonsense!"
[Lu Xian]'s expression turned to anger: "The Dao Venerable loves all sentient beings and communicates with us lower-level cultivators equally. How could he be such a petty person?"
Once this was said, [Jiao Guiren] was stunned. Then, he stared unblinkingly at [Lu Xian], who still wore a face of sincerity, with an unprecedented gaze. Only after confirming that these words came from the heart did he sigh softly: "Good lad, your flattery is truly masterful."
"You are truly amazing at [Connecting with Noble People]."
"Huh?"
[Lu Xian] tilted his head innocently. That expression was clearly one that had mastered the true teachings. [Jiao Guiren] could only lament that he still had much to learn.
At this thought, he couldn't be bothered to answer [Lu Xian] and continued reading the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] in his hand.
On the contrary, [Lu Xian], seeing [Jiao Guiren] ignoring him, paced a few circles in place, but unable to contain his curiosity, leaned over again.
"Senior Jiao, what's written in this book?"
[Lu Xian] tried to sneak a peek, only to find that there was a profound concealment technique from [Jiao Guiren] on the book. This intensified his curiosity, and he immediately operated his own mysterious arts.
In any other place, he naturally would have had no way to deal with [Jiao Guiren] .
However, this was the Zixiao Palace, and as the Dao Venerable's attendant, he could also borrow the profoundness of the Zixiao Palace. At this moment, fortifying his eyes, he pierced through the obstruction.
Soon, he saw a record:
["As the words fell, [Yu Suzhen] stood up directly. Then came a light 'pop' sound, as if someone had suddenly pulled the plug on a bathtub full of water..."]
[Lu Xian]: "...???"
In the next second, layers of brilliant light swarmed over, carrying an unspeakable erasing power, deleting the record [Lu Xian] had seen until it was completely clean.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
On the other side, [Jiao Guiren] coughed heavily, then said with his usual expression: "You kid, don't just lean over to look. Don't you know the rules?"
[Lu Xian] did not answer, merely looking at [Jiao Guiren] with a strange gaze.
Before he could speak, [Jiao Guiren] got anxious first.
What do you mean, it's not like I wanted to see it either? It was mainly to understand the Dao Venerable's state of mind at the time and better comprehend his insights, that's why I was studying it carefully...
Saying things like this, [Jiao Guiren] explained for a long time, finally changing the subject awkwardly: "Speaking of which, why did you come out?"
"Didn't you say you were going into seclusion?"
"You said you had new insights on [Noble Connection] . I even said that after serving two generations of Dao Venerables, you had finally accumulated enough to prepare to break through to Dao Ancestor."
"Why have you come out of seclusion so soon?"
At this, [Jiao Guiren] , who had only meant to change the subject, suddenly grew helpless, his gaze toward [Lu Xian] full of resentment that he couldn't live up to expectations.
"Could it be you didn't succeed?"
"Two generations of Dao Venerables! Do you know what a massive opportunity that is? If it were me, I would have already transcended. You haven't even succeeded in breaking through to Dao Lord ?"
[Lu Xian] waved his hands hurriedly:
"Senior misunderstands."
"All the accumulation and insights are prepared. This junior has a 100% chance of attaining the Dao, but before doing so, there is an obsession I have never been able to let go of."
"...An obsession?"
[Jiao Guiren] was somewhat surprised: "What obsession could you possibly have? Within the Zixiao Palace, who dares to speak loudly to you? You are the most carefree person in the entire Dark Void ."
"Unless..."
The voice cut off. After all, being a Dao Ancestor of the [Noble Connection] lineage, he quickly reacted and turned his gaze toward the infinitely lofty reaches of the Dark Void .
It had to do with the Dao Venerable?
Seeing [Jiao Guiren] fall silent, [Lu Xian] knew the other party understood his thoughts. He had no intention of hiding it and simply said: "It has been 129,600 years since the Divine Land restarted and the Light Sea was born, exactly one cycle. I am just worried... that the events of the past will repeat themselves."
The Dao Venerable ruled the world for one cycle, then transcended and left the world.
This was the record left by [Myriad Laws Equal Dao Venerable], and now, that [Profound Nexus Governing Change Dao Venerable] also seemed to be reaching a similar point.
"...No, that's not right."
At this thought, [Jiao Guiren] shook his head violently: "This world is different. With the [Door of Transcendence], the Dao Venerable no longer needs to scheme for a method of transcendence."
"Besides..."
[Jiao Guiren] did not continue, only chanting in his heart: 'Besides, what kind of cultivation did [Jun] have? The current one might still be a bit behind by comparison.'
In other words, [Jun] could complete all his accumulation and scheme for transcendence—and even do more—within just 129,600 years, but this [Profound Nexus Governing Change Dao Venerable] might not have that heaven-piercing comprehension. He was likely still in the settling-in period.
After all, if his memory served him correctly.
According to a Dao Lord who refused to reveal his name, that [Profound Nexus Governing Change Dao Venerable] didn't even have "Light of Wisdom"; his comprehension was notoriously low...
"...Anyway, you don't need to worry."
[Jiao Guiren] shook his head and smiled: "You're worrying over nothing—like the mortal fearing the sky might fall. Your foremost priority now is to refine your cultivation; once your realm advances, meeting the Dao Venerable will come naturally."
"You aren't even a Dao Ancestor yet; saying you are an attendant to the Dao Venerable is just demeaning."
At this, [Jiao Guiren] felt another pang of heartache. Although he had been granted permission to enter the Zixiao Palace, he was only a guest, not an official attendant.
Why was this so?
Clearly, no matter how one looked at it, he was far superior to [Lu Xian], so why did the Dao Venerable like this little brat but turn a blind eye to him?
Was it because, during that great battle back then, he lacked the discerning eye to identify the pearl and chose to hug the thigh of [Shi Weixiong] instead of the Dao Venerable's first chance?
Surely not?
How could the Dao Venerable be so petty...
"Whoosh—!"
A cool breeze blew by. [Lu Xian] lifted his head blankly, only to find that [Jiao Guiren] , who had just been standing in front of him, had suddenly vanished.
Faintly, a scream seemed to be heard.
What happened?
Did Senior Jiao have some urgent business? He left so quickly. I just wanted to remind him not to speak ill of the Dao Venerable in the Zixiao Palace in the future.
After all, the Dao Venerable can hear everything.
Zixiao Palace, Main Hall.
Lu Yang sat upright on the futon, pulling back his sleeve with an indifferent expression. Before him, [Sisui] wore a somewhat mischievous smile.
"Senior, don't misunderstand," Lu Yang said proactively. "It's not that I'm petty... it's mainly because I see that Daoist Jiao is clearly somewhat unskilled in his [Noble Connection] skills."
"That is why I am letting him practice more."
Having said this, Lu Yang reached out and retrieved the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] that had previously been in [Jiao Guiren]'s hands from across the air, then shook his head helplessly—
"[Sky-Shrouding] ... this person's heart is truly too small!"
"Back then, I only set him up a few times; in essence, I was actually helping him. As a result, he went everywhere spreading rumors and slandering me. Truly, he has nothing better to do."
[Sisui] was somewhat surprised: "He is that bold? How did he slander Fellow Daoist?"
Lu Yang sighed: "He actually dared to tell the truth!"
[Sisui] : "..."
Seeing this expression on [Sisui] , Lu Yang hurriedly explained: "Senior might not know, but [Yu Suzhen] is still around! How can such matters be spread about so casually?"
"And I was also forced into it back then; I had no choice."
"As everyone knows, I am not a person fond of female beauty."
"As a result, my reputation has been ruined by that guy. Now, there are even rumors outside that the [Profound Nexus Governing Change Dao Venerable]'s talent lies entirely in dual cultivation..."
[Sisui] looked curious: "Is it true?"
Lu Yang : "..."
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang ignored [Sisui] 's question and continued: "In short, that evil old ghost has caused me quite a bit of trouble."
"Actually, this is also normal." [Sisui] thought for a moment and smiled: "This is probably Daoist [Sky-Shrouding]'s method of cultivation. He is attempting to bring tribulation down upon you."
As soon as this was said, Lu Yang was speechless.
Bring tribulation down upon me? With your cultivation and mine... a mere Dao Lord, what does he have to bring tribulation upon me with?
A 'Social Death' Tribulation?
At first, it was just a joking remark, but once this thought occurred, Lu Yang subconsciously considered it carefully and found—it was actually possible!
At this thought, Lu Yang couldn't help but start cursing:
"Bastard!"
[Sisui] hurriedly consoled him: "No worries, no worries. The [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] doesn't have a wide circulation; currently, it only circulates among a few Dao Ancestors..."
Lu Yang gritted his teeth at this: "Senior might not know."
"I won't say anything else."
"Take [Yu Suzhen], she is already a Saintess of Heaven-Mending Peak now. She is truly devoted to the Dao, yet based on this propaganda that she was once... [the Dao Venerable's lover]..."
"For a time, I don't know how many people have come seeking the fame..."
"As things stand, she is even the mantle-inheritor of [Bu Tianque] !"
"Do you think this is reasonable?"
At this, Lu Yang 's expression contorted.
[Sisui] laughed even more happily. He enjoyed this kind of gossip, and what made him even happier was the current young man's attitude toward this matter.
"With the stature of a Dao Venerable, the past and future are but a thought away. If you weren't willing, you could have easily changed to a future you deemed more reasonable. Even I would not have detected anything, and the world would not have had the slightest inkling. Yet, you chose to let it be."
At this, [Sisui]'s smile became increasingly peaceful.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist."
He said with sincerity: "To this day, you are still you. My heart is greatly comforted. You have not forgotten the words from back then."
"..."
How could I forget? How could I forget? It was the experiences of lifetime after lifetime that built [Me]. If I forgot, I would no longer be [Me].
"Cling."
Wine glasses collided, making a crisp sound. [Sisui] and Lu Yang sat opposite each other, both wearing smiles, and both harboring expectations for the future.
Hope that in the future, more people will prefer to be [Me].
Hope that in the future, there will be more guests at this table.
"...Right."
Three rounds of drinks later, Lu Yang suddenly grew interested and laughed: "Speaking of which, Senior, what was your Light Sea like back then? How was it different from today?"
[Sisui] blinked upon hearing this: "Why ask, Fellow Daoist? With the ability of a [Deity Transformation] , you would know at a glance. Besides, back then... the ending was not perfect."
"Just curious." Lu Yang shook his head.
The Light Sea was reborn, but that did not mean everything restarted. In the future he chose, there was no place for the [Sword Lord], [Cang Hao], [Myriad Laws], [Du Xuan], and others.
"It's nice to have more unknowns in everything."
"Using [Deity Transformation] power to check everything is like reading a novel that has already finished and been read long ago; it's no longer interesting."
"But hearing you, a participant, speak of it, it's like a side story."
"It has a unique appeal."
[Sisui] chuckled and nodded: "In that case, speaking of it is fine... but when talking about the ancient past, one cannot bypass that person."
"Who?" Lu Yang asked, already knowing the answer.
Who else could it be?
Naturally, it was the [Primordial Saint].