Speak Without Reservation

Chu Xingchen gently pinched Chen Baiqing's cheek, then rubbed it soothingly before turning his gaze back to the Old Monk, whose wounds were slowly healing.

Without a word, he retrieved the token of the Bright Buddha, brought to him by Wukong, from his spatial ring.

Chu Xingchen raised his hand and tossed the token forward.

The Old Monk slightly lifted his hand to catch it. The moment his fingers touched it, a noticeable change flickered in his eyes.

Chu Xingchen had no time to dwell on that for now. He shifted his gaze to Li Junzi, cupped his hands slightly in greeting, and offered a faint smile.

"My apologies for letting you witness such a scene."

Li Junzi seemed to snap out of a daze, rising to return the courtesy, finally regaining his composure.

"Not at all. It has been a long time, Sect Master Chu."

Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod and said with a light laugh, "It has indeed been a while. But seeing you today, I gather your journey to the Western Continent of Oxen was not an easy one for you, Mr. Li."

Lin Luoyu glanced at the Old Monk, who was holding the token with a pensive expression. Her heart filled with longing, she sheathed her sword, stood up, and walked towards Li Junzi.

"It was tiring, but meaningful," Li Junzi replied, then looked towards the approaching Lin Luoyu. A pure smile spread across his face as he reached out and gently took hold of her hand.

The moment their hands met, Li Junzi felt a sudden realization—the once small, slightly cold hand that used to tightly grip his was now so large and warm.

Lin Luoyu spoke softly, "Master."

"It has been so long. Your appearance truly hasn't changed, just as Sect Master Chu said," Li Junzi nodded gently, smiling. "Not like your master, who has grown so old."

Lin Luoyu originally wanted to say that her master wasn't old, but seeing the white hair at his temples and the unadorned wrinkles between his brows, the words stuck in her throat.

Chu Xingchen stepped forward and said,

"This is not the best place for a reunion, and Mr. Li likely hasn't eaten well these past few days."

"Baiqing, first arrange a proper place for Mr. Li and our fellow Daoists to rest, and see about preparing some food."

Chen Baiqing nodded in acknowledgment.

Lin Luoyu looked back at Chu Xingchen.

Chu Xingchen waved his hand dismissively. "You go too. Last time your master came to Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge looking for you, but you weren't there. This time, have a proper reunion. Leave matters here to your master."

"Thank you, Master," Lin Luoyu expressed her gratitude.

"No need for formalities with your master."

After casually responding, Chu Xingchen's gaze fell upon Yun Chuan and his group leaning against the wall. He cupped his hands again and said,

"Thank you all for looking after Mr. Li. If you lack anything, please speak up. We will try our best to accommodate you. The situation is still uncertain, and there are many inconveniences. We appreciate your understanding."

Yun Chuan hurriedly stood up. This senior was someone a mere sneeze from whom could probably blow them all away.

Even if Chu Xingchen were to say—"You trash, get out of my sight, or I'll slaughter you all"—Yun Chuan and the others could only swallow their pride and leave. After all, in the world of cultivation, one encounters all sorts of eccentric-tempered seniors.

The fact that Chu Xingchen's tone nearly addressed them as fellow cultivators was already showing them immense face. At least, Yun Chuan felt quite honored hearing it.

Yun Chuan stood up and bowed deeply, performing a grand salute.

"We dare not accept such thanks. We are grateful for your consideration, Senior."

"Thank you," Chu Xingchen replied with a smile and a nod.

Chen Baiqing interjected softly,

"Everyone, please follow me."

The group all assented and followed Chen Baiqing out of the half-destroyed main hall.

With the unrelated personnel now cleared from the hall, Daoist Yuyang was still holding a teapot, savoring his drink, while Li Xingtian stood solemnly behind Chu Xingchen.

The Old Monk still clutched the token, his expression unsettled as he looked at Chu Xingchen.

"Still drinking? I left my most obedient disciple here to gain experience, and she ends up aggrieved," Chu Xingchen first shot a glare at Daoist Yuyang.

Daoist Yuyang shrugged and said,

"Most obedient? That's from your perspective. Ask that old monk. These past days, practically everything has been handled by your precious disciple. I've basically been following her orders, assisting her. Blaming me for her being aggrieved is rather unfair."

Chu Xingchen let out a cold laugh and declared righteously,

"Since when am I, Chu Xingchen, a man who reasons?"

Daoist Yuyang was taken aback by these words.

When it came to his own disciples, Chu Xingchen truly was not a man of reason.

Daoist Yuyang then put on a repentant expression and cupped his hands.

"It was all my fault. I beg Sect Master Chu to be magnanimous and forgive me this once."

After receiving a satisfactory answer, Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod and then slowly walked up to the Old Monk.

The Old Monk held the token, pondered for a moment, and asked,

"Did he send you to find me?"

"Is that important?"

A smile played on Chu Xingchen's lips, his eyes slightly raised as he uttered ambiguous words.

An unexpected delight indeed.

Yuan Kong had once unearthed something left behind by the Bright Buddha—a legacy of sorts—within the True Sound Dharma Temple. Based on this, Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling had deduced that someone in the True Sound Dharma Temple had deliberately preserved it.

Yuan Kong had even suggested asking the abbot of the True Sound Dharma Temple.

In any case, if the situation with the token turned sour, with only his own people around now, he could simply seize it by force. At the very least, he wouldn't let the Old Monk take it away.

It was just a casual attempt, and now he had hooked a fish.

The Old Monk fell silent for a moment. "Is he... well?"

"Is that important either?" Chu Xingchen's eyes bore directly into the Old Monk's. "I have something more important. Would you like to hear it?"

The Old Monk gave a carefree smile. "You've said that much. How could I refuse to listen?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xingchen pointed at the token in the Old Monk's hand.

"He has a matter he wishes your help with. Will you do it or not?"

The Bright Buddha owed Chu Xingchen a debt of gratitude to repay. This Old Monk might also owe the Bright Buddha a debt. If not, then the Bright Buddha could repay the debt he owed Chu Xingchen by transferring it to this Old Monk.

In any case, the Old Monk was currently more important and useful.

One shouldn't be too rigid. Debts of gratitude should be transferred when appropriate.

The Old Monk's expression turned contemplative; he did not agree immediately.

Seeing this, Chu Xingchen didn't give him much time to think.

They had investigated the abbot of the True Sound Dharma Temple back then. There were rumors that the Old Monk had also endured humiliation to reach his position at the temple. If given too much time to think, he might shrink back again out of caution.

Chu Xingchen deliberately sighed with an air of regret.

"Why be so hesitant? If you won't do it, then don't. It just means he misjudged the person."

The Old Monk's expression grew even more conflicted.

Chu Xingchen scoffed, then signaled to Li Xingtian, preparing to turn and leave.

"Wait..." The Old Monk looked at Chu Xingchen, his face a mask of inner struggle.

The Old Monk, as a Buddha's Child, possessed an innate divine ability. Upon mastering it, he could perceive the flow of an individual's karma.

The glimpses he saw were merely fleeting fragments.

Although anyone's karma could undergo earth-shattering changes due to a single minor event.

Whenever the Old Monk used his innate ability, the visions for each person would constantly shift, often changing in utterly bizarre ways.

The ways of fate are ten thousandfold; how could they allow anyone to see them clearly?

Yet, amidst the myriad changes, there would always be a common point, and that point alone was enough for the Old Monk to make a judgment.

This ability, if used skillfully, was among the most supreme of divine powers.

Yet now, this supreme power had completely failed on Chu Xingchen.

There were no fragments, no visions. It was like the primordial chaos from the very beginning.

Whether it was due to the Heavenly Secrets shrouding him, making observation impossible, or because this person's karmic ties were of immense significance, his innate divine ability had failed.

Now, the Old Monk could only rely on his own judgment to make a decision.

He took a deep breath and said:

"Speak freely."

Chu Xingchen paused in his steps, a smile appearing on his face, and a look of praise immediately turned towards him.

Seeing this look in his master's eyes, Li Xingtian, standing at his side,

suddenly felt the fine hairs on his back stand up slightly...

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