As Shen Xin Zi spoke, his eyes turned sharp, and he began striding toward You Yingying.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord quickly grabbed his arm, scolding, "You really dare to act recklessly? That woman is from the Star Sea Sect, and this is the territory of the Sword Master of Dao. You better not cause trouble!"
Shen Xin Zi's expression remained stern as he replied, "Subduing demons and eradicating evil is the duty of every disciple of the Buddhist Sect. How can I shirk this responsibility out of fear of the powerful?"
He shook his hand to break free from the Nine-Finger Divine Lord's grasp.
The Nine-Finger Divine Lord's tone darkened. "The world is full of demons and devils, but this one hasn't committed any wrongdoing yet. How can you act against her directly? Don't forget your mission—there are far greater calamities that require your intervention."
His patience was wearing thin. This young monk was even more obstinate than he had been ten thousand years ago.
Though he knew that You Yingying had no connection to the Sword Master of Dao, causing a disturbance here would undoubtedly shatter the peace of the Medicine Valley, something he did not want to see.
Shen Xin Zi frowned, his gaze never leaving You Yingying.
It seemed You Yingying had sensed something. She turned her head and met Shen Xin Zi's eyes.
Through the swirling snow, their gazes collided across the distance.
For reasons she couldn't explain, You Yingying felt an inexplicable discomfort the moment she saw Shen Xin Zi. A faint trace of fear took root in her heart.
She instinctively avoided his gaze and walked away.
Even after creating some distance, the unease in her chest didn't dissipate. She looked back over her shoulder and saw that Shen Xin Zi was still staring at her. Terrified, she turned and quickened her pace.
She walked faster and faster, her mind clouded, until she accidentally bumped into someone.
Startled, she snapped out of her thoughts and looked up. The person she had collided with was none other than Gu An.
The falling snow swirled around them. Gu An's blue robe fluttered gently in the wind, and he held a mirror in his hand as if it were a folded fan. The light reflecting off the crown on his head, combined with the golden mark on his forehead, gave him an ethereal aura that left You Yingying momentarily stunned.
For the first time, she thought Gu An truly looked like an immortal. If such beings existed in this world, they would surely resemble him.
"What's wrong?" Gu An asked, pretending to be oblivious even though he knew exactly what had happened.
You Yingying blinked, snapping back to reality. For reasons she couldn't articulate, standing before Gu An made her fear dissipate.
"There was a monk just now… he kept staring at me…" she said softly, her voice tinged with grievance.
Gu An chuckled. "You, afraid of a monk? Weren't you always boasting about being fearless?"
You Yingying glared at him. "I don't know why, but his gaze made me feel uneasy."
"Uneasy? Did you do something guilty? Don't tell me you stole his kasaya."
"Pah! Do you think I'm a demon bear?"
Gu An's teasing made her relax completely.
With a faint smile, Gu An turned and headed back toward his loft, the Blood Prison Saint following close behind. The beast shot a disdainful glance at You Yingying, who immediately grew furious and began hurling insults at it.
Man and beast started trading barbs as Gu An walked away, too accustomed to their antics to intervene.
Over the next few days, Shen Xin Zi remained within the Tai Xuan Sect, inquiring about the disciples' impressions of the Sword Master of Dao.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Shen Xin Zi returned to the Medicine Valley, having concluded his investigation. He had come to believe that the Sword Master of Dao was a righteous figure with a heart for the common people and would not interfere with his mission to eradicate evil.
Upon entering the valley, he encountered Yang Jian and Li Lingtian.
Yang Jian was dragging a reluctant Li Lingtian outside, evidently intent on sparring. Li Lingtian looked unhappy but couldn't resist making snarky comments.
Shen Xin Zi's gaze fell on the two, and he couldn't look away.
He stepped forward to block Yang Jian's path.
Yang Jian frowned slightly as he looked at Shen Xin Zi. Even though he was suppressing his cultivation, his natural charisma and unyielding spirit were impossible to conceal, marking him as a true prodigy.
Next to him, Li Lingtian seemed entirely overshadowed.
Sizing up Shen Xin Zi, Li Lingtian asked irritably, "What do you want, monk?"
Shen Xin Zi clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha. This humble monk sees that you two are exceptionally gifted, with unique bones. Why not join our Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect and pursue the true path?"
The Bitter Sea Buddhist Sect?
Before Yang Jian could respond, Li Lingtian burst out, "You want us to become monks? That's impossible!"
He was a prince, after all. How could he shave his head and become a monk?
"'Monk' is merely a worldly title. To achieve Buddhahood is to attain the Dao, to reach eternity," Shen Xin Zi said calmly.
Li Lingtian scratched his head, sensing that this man was either crazy or genuinely profound. Uncertain, he decided not to provoke him further.
In the Medicine Valley, one often encountered powerful cultivators, making it difficult to act recklessly.
Yang Jian spoke quietly, "Thank you for the offer, but I already have a master. I don't wish to take another. Farewell."
He walked around Shen Xin Zi and continued toward the valley's exit.
Li Lingtian quickly followed.
Watching their retreating figures, Shen Xin Zi began calculating their fates, his thoughts turning contemplative.
Meanwhile, at a distant loft, Gu An and Ji Xiaoya stood side by side, admiring the snowy scenery.
Ji Xiaoya glanced at Shen Xin Zi and remarked, "That monk seems unusual. I wonder if he'll cause trouble for Yang Jian."
Though she had never sparred with Yang Jian, she could sense that he was far from ordinary.
Her curiosity about how Gu An had won Yang Jian's loyalty led her to learn that Yang Jian's talents had been cultivated through Gu An's pills. This revelation only deepened her admiration for Gu An.
Gu An's cultivation talent may have been average, but his character was something Ji Xiaoya genuinely admired.
Gu An turned back and remarked, "He's a high monk; how could he possibly bring trouble to Jian'er? If anything, he'd bring blessings, don't you think?"
Ji Xiaoya glanced at him, taking in his smiling expression. Somehow, she felt he truly meant it.
The two of them continued their lighthearted conversation, speaking on and off.
Meanwhile, Shen Xin Zi finally approached You Yingying. Initially, she was extremely wary of him. However, when she realized he was merely asking her thoughts on various matters, her guard gradually dropped.
Though Gu An's eyes weren't focused on Shen Xin Zi, his attention remained locked on the monk.
If You Yingying had been outside the valley and caught by Shen Xin Zi, Gu An might have turned a blind eye. But here, in the Medicine Valley, it was a different story.
Gu An had thought Shen Xin Zi wouldn't act against You Yingying. However, he was wrong.
Late that night.
You Yingying sat in her room, meditating under the warm glow of a flickering candle. The flame cast her shadow on the wall, swaying slightly with the dim light.
Suddenly, she sensed a disturbance and opened her eyes. A figure loomed within her vision, startling her so much that her face turned pale. Instinctively, she backed away, only to hit the wall behind her.
"What do you want?" she demanded, her voice loud and deliberately trying to alert others.
Shen Xin Zi stood by her bedside, his stern gaze bearing down on her.
"There's no need to waste your energy," Shen Xin Zi said coldly. "I've already set up a barrier. No one can hear your cries, and you won't be able to escape."
The sheer pressure in his tone sent chills down You Yingying's spine. Her hands clenched into fists as she gritted her teeth and asked, "Who are you? What grudge do you have against me?"
"Amitabha. We have no grudge," Shen Xin Zi replied, his voice laced with finality. "I will, however, grant you clarity before your death. You are the reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon. Once your cultivation reaches the stage of forming a primordial spirit, your past memories will resurface, and you will wreak havoc upon all living beings."
His declaration sent a wave of despair over You Yingying. Yet, she didn't argue. Instead, she sat on her bed in stunned silence, her expression blank and filled with melancholy.
"So that's it…" she murmured, her voice hollow. A bitter smile appeared on her lips as she closed her eyes, seemingly ready to accept her fate.
Shen Xin Zi clasped his hands together in prayer, his expression serene as he raised his right hand to end her life.
But just as his hand moved, he felt a weight press down on his shoulder.
His eyes snapped open, and his calm demeanor shattered as a deep-seated dread took hold of him.
It was an indescribable feeling, a primal fear that seemed to originate from the depths of his being. He had faced countless powerful demons and had experienced defeat before, but never had he felt such a sensation.
He was horrified to realize that he couldn't move. His spiritual power, which he had honed over centuries, was completely suppressed.
One name came to mind: the Sword Master of Dao.
Legends spoke of a technique where the Sword Master of Dao would tap someone on the shoulder before ending their life. Shen Xin Zi had always dismissed it as a mere rumor, but now, he believed.
"Outsiders are not permitted to kill within the Tai Xuan Sect."
Gu An's voice echoed in Shen Xin Zi's ears. It was hoarse, calm, and carried an undeniable authority that brooked no dissent.
The hand lifted from Shen Xin Zi's shoulder, and the pressure vanished. He exhaled deeply, sweat dripping from his brow as he struggled to steady himself.
In that fleeting moment, Shen Xin Zi had truly believed he was going to die.
He glanced back at You Yingying, his expression a mixture of regret and unease.
"Amitabha," Shen Xin Zi muttered under his breath before the sound of a door creaking open reached You Yingying's ears.
When she opened her eyes, he was gone.
His final chant had carried an air of resignation, almost like a sigh.
Despite being spared, You Yingying didn't feel relief. Instead, she remained slumped against the wall, her thoughts chaotic.
The reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon…
The legends she had heard within the Star Sea Sect resurfaced in her mind. Her father's refusal to teach her cultivation now made sense. He had even seemed pleased when she left for the Tai Xuan Sect, likely fearing the trouble she would bring upon their family.
That night, You Yingying sat in silence, lost in her thoughts.
The next morning, she emerged from her room after tidying herself up. As she stepped outside, she saw the disciples of the Medicine Valley practicing their morning exercises. Their faces were bright with enthusiasm and joy, a stark contrast to her own somber mood.
Watching them, You Yingying felt a pang of envy.
These people, though lacking exceptional talent or prestigious backgrounds, at least had something to look forward to in their lives.
And what about her?
Born under an ill omen, unloved by her father, avoided by her mother, and regarded by all as a harbinger of misfortune.
Her gaze drifted to Shen Xin Zi, who stood under a tree, watching the disciples train. His expression was inscrutable, and he didn't even glance her way despite sensing her gaze.
"What is he thinking? Is he unwilling to kill me, or does he simply not want to dirty his hands?" You Yingying wondered, frozen in place.
After morning exercises, the disciples dispersed. Yet, You Yingying remained by the door of her dwelling, unmoving.
Time passed.
Gu An, riding the Blood Prison Saint, happened to pass by. Spotting her, he called out, "Miss You, why are you standing around? If you're free, go join them in shoveling snow. Living here in the Medicine Valley, you ought to contribute, shouldn't you?"
Startled out of her thoughts, You Yingying looked at Gu An's slightly annoyed expression. She nodded instinctively.
Satisfied, Gu An gave her a look of approval, as if to say, "Good, you're sensible." With that, he nudged the Blood Prison Saint onward.
As Gu An disappeared, You Yingying replayed the smug expression he had worn. She stomped her foot and muttered under her breath, "How dare he make me his errand girl!"
Her words carried no real anger, though.
She thought to herself, The heavens may hold no place for me, but this valley does. Perhaps I'm not so pitiful after all.
If worse came to worst, she could abandon cultivation entirely. Like Gu An, she could live a few centuries in peace before succumbing to old age. And as for what came after…
She smiled faintly, a trace of relief in her expression. In the next life, I'll no longer be me.