Chen Yan handed Chu Fan over to Shang Ao.
What came next would all be matters of Mirage Palace's internal affairs, and Chen Yan had no intention of interfering.
However, his true objective for coming here had not yet been fully achieved.
"Imperial Law Elder Shang, you give me too much credit. It was merely a simple favor. Rather, I should say that this disciple of your sect was actually a great help to me along the way. What I did today, consider it repaying that debt."
Chen Yan said.
Upon hearing this from the side, Zhou Jinyun was first slightly startled, as if she didn't quite understand why Chen Yan would say such a thing.
But being praised like this, she could only bow in Chen Yan's direction:
"You flatter me, Senior Chen."
Immediately after, Shang Ao also shifted his attention back to Zhou Jinyun:
"Thank you, Imperial Law Elder Shang."
Zhou Jinyun replied repeatedly.
Although Shang Ao was quite pleased with Zhou Jinyun's performance, time was extremely tight and allowed no room for further words.
He turned to Zhou Jinyun, his tone resolute and brooking no argument:
"Jinyun, the situation is urgent and cannot be delayed. Return with me to Mirage Palace immediately."
As he spoke, Shang Ao's deep green sleeve brushed outward, and a gentle yet irresistible force completely enveloped Zhou Jinyun:
"A year ago, I concealed your presence within the sect, allowing you to secretly investigate the truth and search for clues. Your contributions are immense. After you return with me to Mirage Palace today, your position as chief disciple of Weaving Dreams Tower shall be immediately reinstated."
As he spoke, Shang Ao's gaze grew even sharper:
"Once you break through your realm and achieve the Qi Sea Realm, that will be the day you represent our Mirage Palace and officially assume the role of Daomen Xingzou. When that time comes, I hope you will not forget the sect's trust in you!"
"Your disciple thanks Imperial Law Elder Shang!"
Upon hearing that she would be returning to Mirage Palace today, Zhou Jinyun's heart did not feel the sense of relief one might expect.
Because within the sect, a storm of blood and upheaval was surely about to break.
And also…
Zhou Jinyun turned her head, letting her gaze fall upon Chen Yan and Su Hongzhen. She was silent for a few breaths, then slowly spoke:
"You two, farewell."
Chen Yan looked up at Zhou Jinyun, who had already come to stand beside Shang Ao, and merely chuckled lightly.
As for Su Hongzhen, he made a very solemn bow toward Zhou Jinyun:
"Immortal Master Zhou, take care."
Immediately after, Imperial Law Elder Shang nodded slightly in Chen Yan's direction. Then, the space around him rippled.
The figures of Shang Ao, Chu Fan, and Zhou Jinyun began to fade.
Until finally, they vanished completely into the vastness between heaven and earth.
All that remained in this place were Chen Yan and Su Hongzhen.
"How do you feel?"
Chen Yan slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Little Su, who had grown noticeably taller compared to last year.
"I don't know."
Su Hongzhen simply shook his head.
Since he had first set foot on the path of cultivation, only a little over a year and a half had passed.
Until now, everything that had happened—even if it had occurred right before his eyes—had almost entirely exceeded Little Su's understanding.
After all, he was currently just a Qi Circulation Realm cultivator.
But the game Chen Yan was playing involved only cultivators from the Upper Three Realms and above.
Su Hongzhen could only feel the oppressive pressure of the great powers clashing—nothing more.
No, there was one more thing Su Hongzhen could feel.
And that was that many, many people had died.
So far, the dead he had seen far outnumbered those who had perished in the war on Liaolong's borders.
This also stirred a new question in Little Su's heart.
"Big Brother."
Su Hongzhen's eyes fixed on the corpse of Mirage Palace's Grand Elder Jing at Chen Yan's feet, and he spoke slowly:
"What do you think is the difference between this Grand Elder Jing and the villagers who died back in our village?"
Hearing this, Chen Yan was slightly taken aback as well. Then he too lowered his head and looked at Grand Elder Jing's corpse:
"There's no difference."
"Whether they're mortals or cultivators, they all seem the same."
Su Hongzhen said.
"Once they're thoroughly dead, indeed, they're all the same."
Chen Yan said, then, as if remembering something, he turned to Su Hongzhen and asked:
"What do you think about me killing Grand Elder Jing?"
"I don't have any particular opinion."
Su Hongzhen said.
"You don't think I did wrong?"
Chen Yan continued to ask.
"If it were me a year ago, I'd probably think you were wrong, Big Brother."
Su Hongzhen smiled and shook his head:
"But now, I don't think it's your fault. It's the same when Immortal Master Zhou killed people—it wasn't her fault either… And even Grand Elder Jing, cruelly sacrificing over seventy thousand cultivators from Moxu Mountain, I don't think they were wrong either."
"Oh?"
Chen Yan was somewhat surprised by Su Hongzhen's words.
"Whether they're bad people or good people, they all have their own ruler to measure this world… So I can't judge their right or wrong."
Su Hongzhen said:
"I can only follow my own ruler to judge my own right and wrong."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yan fell silent.
Indeed, even back in Dongzuo City, when Zhou Jinyun was wavering between two choices, Su Hongzhen had not offered her any advice.
He had only said four words.
Follow your heart.
"Why have your thoughts changed so much in just a single year?"
Chen Yan asked.
"Ever since that day in Moxu Mountain, when I had that argument with Immortal Master Zhou, I've been thinking about this… Whether mortal or cultivator, everything and everyone is just one of the countless living beings in this vast world."
Su Hongzhen said:
"The myriad beings each have their own aspect. How can one speak of right and wrong?"
"And what about you?"
Chen Yan continued to ask.
"I am also one of those countless living beings."
"Then what are your rights and wrongs?"
"Follow my heart."
Su Hongzhen's answer was still the same as before.
From a mortal to the mid-stage of Qi Circulation Realm.
Immortal Master Zhou had once told him that this cultivation speed was far too mediocre. Back then, Big Brother had just been watching from the side and said nothing.
Later, Big Brother had come to see him and said he hoped Su Hongzhen would follow his own pace and not rush to break through his realm.
Su Hongzhen didn't lack the desire to raise his cultivation realm.
It was just that he always felt there was something about himself that fell short.
To defeat Immortal Master Zhou once, fair and square, had always been Su Hongzhen's wish.
But it had never come true.
And now, Immortal Master Zhou had already left, returning to what she called one of the Five Great Sects of Chenping Continent—Mirage Palace.
He didn't know if he would ever have another chance to spar with Immortal Master Zhou again…
It didn't matter. The road was still long.