Chapter 402: Master Mei Zu

Hehuan Sect, Ancestral Cave Heaven.

That mysterious light water mirror had vanished; Master Mei Zu returned to the soft couch, reclining lazily, her figure alluring, brows curved, eyes reflecting light.

No need to guess—Lord Jian's expression right now must be quite something.

What a pity, I didn't get to see that scene.

Xiang Yuanjun: "..."

Elder Lingzu: "."

Elder Lingzu: "Fake."

Well then, even Elder Lingzu was fooled—Master Mei Zu's smile brightened further.

Master Mei Zu: "Then let's say it was fake."

After that, she was about to add more.

But the next moment, her motion halted; she reversed her hand and tucked the phone away, smiling warmly toward the door.

There entered Xu Xing, carrying a moderately sized wine jar.

"This one will do—Sister should like it."

Master Mei Zu had brewed many jars of wine herself, so she let him pick one suitable to take back for his sister.

Though they often bickered in the group chat, their relationship was still good.

"Whatever Brother Dao picks, she'll surely like," Master Mei Zu rose from the couch. "But it's still missing something."

With a fingertip, she summoned a wisp of spiritual light that settled upon the jade wine jar, forming a pattern of a small yellow duck clasping its heart.

Xu Xing glanced at it, then tucked it away, stepping forward to sit in the previous spot.

Master Mei Zu leaned back again, lightly tapping her luminous forehead. "Ji Yin Xue is too rigid by nature, and she can't tolerate even the tiniest flaw—if she reaches Immortality, she'll truly slaughter without mercy."

Too extreme, really.

"If it can truly succeed, of course that's best—but this matter is hardly so simple," Xu Xing sighed.

Back then, slaying demons and eradicating evil, blood stained the Central Continent.

Along the way, many of those who did evil were driven by desperation, swept up by overwhelming forces, deceived by ignorance.

Like one who, out of a single good thought, saved nearly a hundred households from a demonic cultivator's hands—yet the villagers, terrified of the demon's cruelty, turned and allied with him to betray him.

Eventually discovered, he was gravely wounded and fled.

Later, after recovering, he killed every last one of the demon and the hundred households.

A small sect, known for charity and aiding the suffering; observing their deeds, he intended to intervene—only to be slaughtered to the last member.

In this matter, who was good, who was evil?

Back then, that man was already a Return-to-Void Grand Master, a mighty demonic patriarch; even at the brink of death, he showed no fear, pointing at his nose and demanding an answer.

What could he have answered?

Only one answer: kill.

Too many, too many people died in his hands—many had reasons beyond their control.

In the end, all were driven by desperation.

Looking at their deeds, who could truly claim innocence?

Good and evil, their boundaries are sometimes terribly blurred; Xu Xing asked himself, even he could not call himself innocent.

But back then, he only wanted to kill every evil being in the world, to carefully protect—and the world would surely improve.

He even grew stubborn about it.

It's truly regrettable toward Huo.

That's why later he changed his approach—but the results remained poor; many attempts, until he entered seclusion.

He never expected that upon emerging, the world had changed.

Unintentionally, he had somehow given Yuan a bit of help.

"Ah~"

He sighed again: "Enough. I can't offer advice on this—let her decide for herself."

Perhaps she can do better than I did.

"First, resolve the 'Dao Wang' matter."

That is the urgent matter.

"How should I assist?"

"Hmm..." Master Mei Zu sat upright, patting the space beside her. "Brother Dao, come sit here." Where you sit doesn't matter anyway.

Xu Xing hesitated, then stepped forward and sat beside her.

Master Mei Zu turned her head to look at him, expression solemn, eyes filled with seriousness.

Just as Xu Xing was about to lower his restrictions, letting her observe more clearly...

"The situation is indeed grim."

Huh?

You've already figured it out?

"Looks like we'll need to practice dual cultivation!"

"Huh?!"

Master Mei Zu smiled sweetly: "I was just teasing, Brother Dao—relax, don't be so tense..."

I wasn't tense before—now you've made me tense.

Quickly.

Om~!

Not a single mistake in word, note, or content!

As Xu Xing fully lifted his restrictions, Master Mei Zu observed the heavy, dark shadow lingering above Xu Xing's mind.

With just one glance, boundless doubts and anxieties stirred within her heart, compelling her to spiral into wild speculation.

Compared to before, there was neither increase nor resolution.

No increase, no growth; no decrease, no leakage.

Seeing this, Master Mei Zu subtly furrowed her brows.

She was a True Immortal who governed the Dao of the True Self—even Hun Tian Yi could be forcibly extracted from her—and now, with a single glance, what she saw surpassed what Bie Xuening and Ning Ruo had perceived.

She softly chanted: "All Dao must revere me."

The words echoed through her mind-lake; the heavy shadow clinging to Xu Xing's mind stirred slightly, as if touched.

At the same time, Xu Xing felt the exquisitely beautiful face before him seared into his soul, drawing all his senses toward it.

Yet Xu Xing's true heart remained unmoved, and those rising thoughts did not strike to sever them.

This was the first time "Dao Wang" had been stirred by anyone other than himself.

To avoid disturbing Master Mei Zu's observation, Xu Xing made no movement—until he realized she too seemed intent on drawing "Dao Wang" toward herself.

Hummm~!

A streak of red light flashed and vanished, severing all observation.

Master Mei Zu froze, then said seriously: "Brother Dao, you are hiding your illness and avoiding treatment."

Xu Xing sighed helplessly: "This is enough. Don't involve yourself."

Why is everyone like this?

"… " After a moment of silence, Master Mei Zu ultimately did not press further. "Fine. I've seen some things, but I'll need more time to verify them."

"You've noticed something wrong?" Xu Xing was surprised.

He himself hadn't noticed anything amiss.

"Those involved are confused; observers see clearly. When trapped in deluded thoughts, one cannot see oneself."

"Be careful not to affect yourself." After a pause, Xu Xing added, "Cultivation is ultimately a personal matter."

"But Immortals become Immortals through gathering the many," Master Mei Zu smiled. "That's what you told me yourself, Brother Dao."

"Alright, alright, don't worry—I know my limits." She winked. "Now, Brother Dao, you must cooperate well with me."

"Start with how you yourself stirred 'Dao Wang.'"

Xu Xing: "… "

Can I not say?

…

…

Several hours later, in a side hall of the Ancestral Master's Heavenly Realm.

Unlike the earlier classical elegance, this side hall was entirely modern in style.

A computer leaned against the wall; its screen showed an unfinished little yellow duck.

Bie Xuening had outsourced this task to her two disciples, while Master Mei Zu had to rely on herself.

A white long table held several delicate small dishes and a small jar of wine—all made by Master Mei Zu herself.

"Try it—see how much worse it is than Immortal Ancestor's cooking."

Xu Xing held his phone, staring at the group message, lost in thought.