Southern Zhanbu Continent, a small town outside Miaoyuan Temple.
Bai Xuanling sat in a noodle shop along the bustling street. The owner set a steaming bowl of freshly cooked noodles on the table.
"Enjoy it while it's hot."
The owner gave a casual reminder, and on his way out took another glance at the bowl—its texture seemed a bit extraordinary.
To the owner, Bai Xuanling was something of an oddity—a strange customer who brought her own bowl and chopsticks for street noodles.
The bowl and chopsticks did look out of the ordinary, though. Not just the material—the carvings and painted designs were exquisitely detailed.
The owner took one last long look at the bowl, then went to attend to other customers.
But from start to finish, he never once remembered to check what the owner of this exquisite bowl actually looked like—and he didn't find that strange in the slightest.
Bai Xuanling looked satisfied as she took out her chopsticks and began to savor this bowl of noodles that was decidedly not stunning—but possessed a distinct flavor.
Or rather, the feeling in her heart was different.
Before crossing the tribulation, she had to suppress her killing intent every single moment. Back then, where would she have had the mood to eat a bowl of noodles? Walking past without demolishing the noodle stall meant she was already in a good mood.
Now it was completely different. In moments of leisure, she actually wanted to eat a bowl of noodles made by mortals.
Chu Xingchen really did care about these disciples to an extreme degree.
He went to the Eastern Divine Continent to face the Celestial Demons—clearly far more dangerous—yet he chose to bring Huang Miao along, while sending his strongest combat force to Southern Zhanbu Continent to watch over these disciples.
And to reassure them, to spare them psychological pressure, he even had her conceal her presence and protect them in secret.
Bai Xuanling hadn't argued with Chu Xingchen about it. She had simply come to this remote place without fuss.
Sometimes she had to admit she wasn't young anymore, and her mind wasn't always as sharp as Chu Xingchen's.
She should listen to the opinions of the young—even if she still didn't always see the use.
But being an old fossil who refused to listen to advice wasn't what Bai Xuanling wanted either—even if she occasionally played the fool.
Well, fool it was, then.
Bai Xuanling put her mind at ease. The hot bowl of noodles needed no blowing—she simply tasted the flavor and ate.
Coming here was a sort of diversion, but she still made time to keep track of important news.
The New Policy rollout here was nearing its end. The Small Vehicle Buddhist Teachings couldn't stir up any more waves. But she estimated the Small Vehicle wouldn't be completely eradicated this time.
Instead, a tail would remain—and this New Policy, still carrying momentum, would be carried back to Xuanwu Kingdom for full implementation.
"It's not poverty that worries the world, but inequality"—that was still a truth. If the people here could enjoy the New Policy's benefits, wouldn't the citizens of Xuanwu Kingdom want the same?
Probably once matters at Miaoyuan Temple were settled, these disciples would all head back. After that, it would just be up to Li Junzi to carry it out herself.
Bai Xuanling finished her noodles, placed the money on the table, and put the bowl and chopsticks back into her space ring.
She rose, robes flowing, and stepped into the long street.
Bai Xuanling strolled along the main road, but found the hottest topic was still the Small Vehicle rollout and the New Policy. Some praised the New Policy as good, while others praised the Small Vehicle and dismissed the New Policy as nothing more than a ruler's deception.
Once the crisis passed, the New Policy would surely be overturned—only the Small Vehicle was the true path forward.
Bai Xuanling didn't engage or listen further. These matters weren't for her to worry about.
From her perspective, even if the New Policy succeeded, Li Junzi still probably wouldn't advance to the Sub-Sage realm.
The New Policy matter was still too small.
Those ancient Sub-Sages had tackled matters that shook the very heavens.
Bai Xuanling strolled along the street and bought a skewer of candied hawthorn, planning to bring it back for Qinghe.
That greedy flood dragon had the memory of a goldfish—time to try a different teaching approach.
Do well and get treats; do poorly, and Bai Xuanling would eat the treats right in front of Qinghe.
Qinghe's expression would surely be priceless.
As for Lingyu—that girl still didn't seem to know what she liked. Her temperament was a bit like Bai Xuanling's own; she didn't care much for material things.
Bai Xuanling selected a gold-gilded hairpin, intending it as a gift for Xie Lingyu.
As for Chu Xingchen—no gift. After all, the precious disciple she had raised with such care had been stolen away by him.
Bai Xuanling finished her shopping and was slowly walking back when her steps suddenly paused. She glanced toward the horizon on the right, eyes narrowing, and her hand reached for the Qingming sword at her waist.
But almost immediately, her expression relaxed, and a wave of Dao resonance extended toward the source of the approaching spiritual energy.
Moments later, a figure landed silently.
"I thought it was some evil cultivator." Bai Xuanling's lips curved into a light smile. "Didn't expect it to be you, this thick-browed, big-eyed young man."
Li Xingtian's face was momentarily at a loss for what expression to make.
Bai Xuanling waved her hand, gesturing for Li Xingtian to follow:
"What—only your master gets to tease you, but I don't?"
Li Xingtian kept pace, thought for a moment, and answered honestly:
"Because I know Master is teasing me. As for you… I'm not sure."
Bai Xuanling raised an eyebrow: "Your master told you I was here?"
Li Xingtian shook his head: "No… Master just told me to release blood qi near this area, and said a miracle would happen."
"Tsk." Bai Xuanling clicked her tongue, sounding mildly displeased. "What does that boy want now?"
"I don't know. Master just gave me a task—when the token he gave me is triggered, I'm to do this." Li Xingtian retrieved a jade token from his space ring and continued. "And then I'm to deliver this jade token to the miracle."
Bai Xuanling stopped walking and looked Li Xingtian up and down.
Truth be told, having the taciturn, uncurious Li Xingtian handle this kind of task was indeed fitting.
Bai Xuanling reached out, took the jade token, glanced at its contents, then looked at Li Xingtian with a peculiar expression:
"I have a question for you. Answer honestly."
Li Xingtian didn't understand, but nodded to indicate he would.
Bai Xuanling pondered for another moment, then asked:
"If I leave right now, is there anything you want to say to me?"
Li Xingtian blinked, then shook his head in confusion:
"No…"
"What if I don't leave? Is there anything you want to say to me?"
Li Xingtian thought again, then continued to shake his head:
"No."
Bai Xuanling nodded knowingly. Then she used spiritual energy to wipe the jade token's contents and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Li Xingtian followed a few steps behind. He roughly understood that Master had asked Bai Xuanling to pose these questions.
And the purpose of these questions was likely tied to whether he had seen something in his dreams.
Li Xingtian also understood—the key to Master's question was whether Bai Xuanling would continue to stay here.
"Senior Bai, I answered your questions honestly," Li Xingtian said evenly. "But I have one more thing to add."
Bai Xuanling glanced sideways, signaling him to continue.
Li Xingtian spoke with firm conviction:
"If there was any other way, Master would not have called you."
"No matter what my master says right now, you should go see for yourself."
Bai Xuanling laughed softly: "Is that your own thought?"
Li Xingtian's gaze was direct, his tone calm:
"No. It's the final choice. If you choose to go, I'm confident I can convince Eldest Senior Sister and the others to return to Tianyan Sect first."
Bai Xuanling grinned:
"You're all quite endearing."
"The vigor of youth truly surpasses all hardship."
"This time, I'll listen to you. After all, I don't like that fool of a master of yours either."
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