Chapter 588: A Possibility (33 Today 1w)

"I took a stroll around with my spirit, and things outside aren't very peaceful~"

Yaoyue opened her eyes, leaned her body backward, and lay directly into her disciple's arms.

"Go away, go swap in Little Fishy; you're far too bony to use as a pillow." Yaoyue muttered in a low voice with her head resting on his hard pectoral muscles, yet she didn't budge an inch.

"It's good enough that you even have something to pillow on; there are plenty of people who want to but can't! And here you are, being picky." Ren Yidao retorted, though he didn't expose her hypocritical, shameless behavior of not moving at all.

During this time on the journey through the Western Desert, while there hadn't been much progress in other areas, the bond between master and disciple had clearly deepened.

At the very least, some of their daily habits had begun to converge, and they had gradually developed more tacit understanding, though to Zhang Xiaoer, who was biased, this understanding... seemed a bit off.

But a sensible child is always good at keeping silent, knowing what should be said and what should not.

He understood.

The feelings between the other two Senior Uncles and their master—also seemed a bit off.

If you call it admiration, it was a bit too intimate.

If you call it intimate, there was a flavor of worship mixed in.

There was a kind of unknown, forbidden... no, I didn't discover anything, I didn't see anything, and I didn't hear anything.

I am just a little blind boy who knows nothing.

... However, Zhang Xiaoer sometimes felt that this wasn't his problem, but rather because they were being a bit too blatant about it.

Never mind him, even that little Novice Monk Minghui seemed to be on the verge of realizing something was wrong!

But that little Novice Monk didn't dare tell anyone else, and would always secretly find his little companion first to share this little secret.

Of course, every time Minghui wanted to say something, he would be stopped by Zhang Xiaoer in advance, who would then skillfully steer the topic in another direction.

Brother, you are a monk; if you don't go to hell, who will? This is your cultivation.

But I, your brother, still want to enjoy the scenery of the Earthly Realm a bit more; although I can't see now, I believe I will be able to see it again in the future.

To sum it up in one sentence—if you want to die, don't drag me into it, I beg you!

I only want to cultivate, I don't want to get involved in these romantic entanglements!

I don't know if it's because he saw some trouble from Ren Yidao, but even Master is going to such lengths for a woman... this really hinders cultivation!

Student Zhang Xiaoer took this as a serious warning, his Dao Heart as firm as iron, and he had no intention of trying any romance at all.

Women will only affect the speed at which I draw my sword. jpg

Ren Yidao didn't know what was hidden in Zhang Xiaoer's little head, and even if he did, he wouldn't care much; he never intended to hide his own little thoughts anyway.

"Being able to lie in my arms is your good fortune; you are truly blessed but don't know it." Ren Yidao said with a straight face, and then he saw Yaoyue bristle as he had hoped.

Oh?

Yaoyue raised her head, gave Ren Yidao a provocative look, and said playfully, "Tsk, then tell me, who exactly wants to use you as a pillow?"

"Heh, that's a long list, listen up! What about the female Demon who steals people's essence, what about the female swordswoman with a heart of a sword and soul of a zither, what about the beautiful Princess disguised as a man, what about the Empress who looks down upon the world, what about..."

"What a load of nonsense." Yaoyue curled her lips, not taking what Ren Yidao said seriously, feeling only that he was spouting gibberish.

Aside from that female Demon who was somewhat plausible, the rest—the swordswoman, the Princess, the Empress—were pure daydreams.

"Pfft, hehe, hahaha."

Yaoyue looked up and glanced at him; although she said nothing, just from her gaze, Ren Yidao understood the meaning she wanted to convey:

Heh, I never expected this!

I couldn't tell, you're just a little boy, aren't you~ To think even you would have such fantasies?

"Heh." Regarding his master's pitying yet provocative gaze, which was like that of a standard bratty girl, Ren Yidao just sneered and didn't bother to explain anything.

This era is truly sorrowful; no one believes you even when you tell the truth!

Sorrowful, it is truly too sorrowful!

But I haven't finished yet!

I still have the Dragon Scale girl with Bloodline Ancestral Return, the favored Princess with a vicious fate, and finally...

Ren Yidao's gaze slowly fell upon Yaoyue.

This time, it was his turn to say nothing, and Yaoyue understood his gaze.

!!!

"You! You..." Yaoyue's body tensed, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word; she instinctively wanted to escape, but a palm gently pressed down on her shoulder, slowly pushing her back to where she was.

Ren Yidao looked at her, revealing a standard gentle smile, his eyes full of mirth.

My lady, where are you going?

Where can you escape to?

The two stared at each other for a while, and in the end, Yaoyue was defeated once more, lowering her head and muttering inaudibly, "... You, you wicked disciple."

"Heh, if I am a wicked disciple, then you are a rebellious master; we are even." Ren Yidao's voice was equally soft, and only the two of them could hear it clearly.

"I..." Yaoyue kept her head down, fingers interlaced, complaining with her final bit of stubbornness: "I never said that what you were thinking was right."

Yaoyue was still trying her best to deny it, but this attitude of hers seemed rather cute in Ren Yidao's eyes.

"I remember, I don't think I ever said... what I was thinking in my heart, either?" Ren Yidao drew out his tone, his voice seemingly filled with surprise and inquiry, "How did you know? Or rather, what do you think I am thinking in your heart?"

"Or perhaps, how do you expect me—to think?"

"You!" Yaoyue stood up, glaring at Ren Yidao with some embarrassment and annoyance.

"I'm here." Ren Yidao met her gaze calmly and said softly, "I have always been here."

The two stared at each other like that for a while, ignoring everyone else, and in the end, Yaoyue was still the one to lose, lying back down in her original position—the others had seen this situation too many times and had already become numb to it.

Then, as if nothing had happened, the two continued their initial topic with normal expressions.

"Zhongzhou is in complete chaos, many old monsters who were hiding have surfaced, and the other three Shenzhou have also had various phenomena to varying degrees; it is suspected to be the work of the Butian Alliance. The Western Desert doesn't seem to have much of a problem for now, though it's uncertain what the future holds."

Ren Yidao exchanged information with Yaoyue, gaining a deeper understanding of the outside world, especially the chaos in Zhongzhou.

However, compared to Ren Yidao's contemplative state, Yaoyue didn't take it to heart, saying casually: "What's there to worry about? Even if the Heaven falls, there are taller people to hold it up. That person on Spirit Mountain surely won't let the Butian Alliance run wild in the Western Desert."

"Logically speaking, that is indeed the case, but..." Ren Yidao suddenly changed the subject, "what if those two groups were on the same side to begin with?"

"Hmm?" Yaoyue narrowed her eyes, having also thought of a certain possibility, "Could it be that..."

"Yes, I can only say that it is not entirely impossible."

"Coupled with the fact that the Western Desert is so calm, with only the matter of the fake Spirit Mountain, it is hard not to overthink it."

Spirit Mountain, wooden hut.

Fozi respectfully reported the news of the recent days to Fozhu, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

"Lord Fozhu, besides these matters, this disciple has one more thing that requires your decision."

"After the chaos in Zhongzhou, the Butian Alliance has begun to wreak havoc in other Shenzhou. Although they are currently deterred by your majesty and have not invaded, there is no guarantee that this will remain the case in the future. Therefore, this disciple wishes to seek Lord Fozhu's instructions—what attitude should we take toward the Butian Alliance?"

To Jiexing's surprise, Fozhu did not even think, answering directly and casually: "Do not worry about the matter of the Butian Alliance; just leave them be."

Leave them be...

Jiexing was somewhat hesitant. If they allowed the Butian Alliance to wreak havoc in the Western Regions, the selection of the next Fozi would certainly be affected, and he could not bear that responsibility.

"... Lord Fozhu, may this disciple ask why?"

"Where would there be a 'why'? Isn't it just... hmm? Oh, did I not tell you before?" Fozhu blinked, somewhat surprised by his own carelessness, and the action of watering paused, a drop of blood plasma from the watering can dripping onto the ground.

That drop of blood plasma expanded instantly upon hitting the ground, emitting a shrill scream like the wailing of ten thousand ghosts, but in the next instant, it was purified by the Buddha light radiating from Fozhu, leaving nothing behind.

"Lord Fozhu?"

"I forgot to tell you earlier, this poor monk is a member of the Butian Alliance."

Fozi Jiexing froze for a moment, blankly raising his head to see the young monk watering the tree in front of the blood-colored Bodhi tree.

"You, you said you are..."

Fozhu turned his head, nodded at Jiexing, and said gently:

"The Butian Alliance, White Tiger Lord."