Two Years Later
After a long journey, a caravan approached the gates of the great city known as Cloud Prefecture. The horses maintained a steady pace, pulling the carriage of a baronial family, escorted by a small armed group of guards and hired mercenaries.
A short distance behind them, merchants and farmers followed in wagons loaded with goods, all drawn by the opportunities for trade and exchange offered by the famous city.
Among them was a ten-year-old blond boy, seated in one of the wagons beside other children of similar age. Unlike most, however, his expression was sober. He gazed at the sky in deep contemplation, as if trying to grasp the causes and effects of the laws of the universe—when, in truth, what occupied his mind was nervousness.
'Damn… I reincarnated seeking bonds, yet I couldn't maintain even a single conversation in two years.'
The truth was simple and cruel: his Dao had been destroyed by the loneliness of the summit. After millennia of battle, recovery from wounds, and absolute isolation, questioning the reality of his bonds led him to a devastating realization—he had no one.
That alone was enough to bring everything he had built throughout his existence crashing down.
'It's normal to struggle with mortals… I hope to encounter cultivators soon. That way, I can avoid these hollow interactions and focus on developing something that won't end the same way.'
Despite several attempts by the other children to include him in games and conversations, Sai did not know how to respond. Having spent his entire previous life surrounded only by immortal cultivators, interacting with ordinary mortals felt alien to him. Thus, he remained silent.
As the massive city gates drew near, guards began inspecting goods and people, collecting the appropriate fees from the adults.
Passing through the gates, Sai finally obtained a complete view of Cloud Prefecture. The city stretched out like a sea of bluish and gray rooftops, built of pale stone and dark wood. The structures rose in ascending layers, following the terrain up toward the hills in the distance.
Watchtowers and elevated pavilions stood out above the common buildings, connected by narrow walkways. Banners fluttered gently, driven by the constant wind from which the city took its name.
The air was purer than in the village, infused with a faint yet perceptible spiritual energy. Merchants shouted to advertise their wares, bells marked the passing hours, and the flow of people was unceasing—ordinary mortals mingled with individuals of distinct bearing, whose steps were far too light to belong to mere humans.
'According to my divination, the one who will guide me toward my new Dao will find me near the Buddhist temple.'
Already separated from the caravan and avoiding involvement with mortals beyond what was necessary, Sai walked through the streets, asking for directions only when indispensable.
It did not take long before he caught sight of the temple.
Constructed of pale stone and wood reddened by age, the place stood out due to the quiet that enveloped it. Simple lanterns swayed beneath the curved eaves of the roof, and ancient inscriptions, worn down by time, adorned the entrance pillars.
Ahead, a wide courtyard stretched out, where only a few people walked in silence. At its center rested a large statue of a serene Buddha in meditation, its expression detached from the wars and chaos of the mortal world.
The spiritual energy there was subtle yet stable—not concentrated, but profound, like a lake that never stirred.
Not long after, a carriage adorned with the Yin-Yang symbol slowly approached the temple. Sensing that the foretold moment had arrived, Sai raised his hand and performed a few discreet gestures. His eyes flashed for a single millisecond.
That was more than enough.
— Stop the carriage! — a stern voice commanded from within.
The carriage came to an abrupt halt. Conversations around them ceased, and several gazes turned toward the unexpected scene. The side door opened, and a man of about forty years stepped down. His muscular build was concealed beneath a simple yet immaculate white robe. Fair skin contrasted with deep, attentive eyes, and a subtle yet distinct aura immediately set him apart from the surrounding mortals.
The man approached Sai with measured steps. He clasped his hands in a formal salute and inclined his head slightly before introducing himself.
— "Fellow Daoist, my name is Yun Daqi, of the Four-Leaf Clover Sect. May I know whom I have the honor of addressing?" — he asked with measured courtesy.
Despite his respectful demeanor, Yun Daqi felt a growing unease. He could not perceive the cultivation level of the boy before him. That absence was unsettling—something only great masters knew how to conceal.
Sai returned the greeting simply.
— "Daoist Daqi, my name is Sai. I am merely a wandering cultivator. There is no need for such formality. I have the feeling that our meeting was destined to occur," — he replied with a faint, almost innocent smile, unaware that his words sounded strangely profound for someone of his appearance.
Yun Daqi's heart skipped a beat, though his expression remained composed.
— "Daoist Sai, it is an honor to meet you. Perhaps you are unaware, but this territory falls under the jurisdiction of the Four-Leaf Clover Sect. On behalf of the sect, I would like to invite you as our guest, so that we may converse at greater leisure. What do you say?"
The tone was polite, yet firm. Internally, Yun Daqi was on high alert. If the young man before him were an enemy, the consequences would be disastrous. However, if they could turn him into an ally, the delicate struggle against the Blazing Battle Sect might finally tilt in their favor.