"How much do you remember, Priest Hao Yang? When you were in the Wizard World, did you never consider recovering your memories?" Li Ban asked. "My memory of the past is nothing but the destruction of a world," Hao Yang replied. "Everything turned to ash right before my eyes. I was the only one who somehow remained entirely unscathed, suspended in absolute darkness. I didn't wake from that daze until Priest Ai Jing passed by.
"After that, I followed her back to the Wizard World and patrolled the Mist Zone, right up until today."
"As for getting my memories back? Actually, before hearing what you said today, I always felt it didn't matter. With or without them, I am just a survivor of a destroyed world. Rather than reclaiming those memories and bearing the pain they bring, it's better to live on as someone reborn."
Hearing Priest Hao Yang's words, Li Ban slowly furrowed his brow.
When they had first met, Li Ban thought this priest was far too quiet for a 6th Tier Priest. He had wondered how the man ever managed to advance to the Seventh Tier.
Now, he finally understood.
Priest Hao Yang was a perfectly normal Star Glow Priest.
He possessed extreme emotions too, but they were different from outward expressions like rage, anxiety, or a tendency to worry.
His was a combination of fear and despair.
Since there was no special underlying reason, Li Ban could speak freely.
"In the Nine Heavens Sea, there is a Priest Hao Ze. It's said that he also comes from a destroyed lesser world. The two of you look alike, and your names share the same origin, which is why I asked. I'm not sure what your relationship is, though. If you want to find out, you should find an opportunity to go to the Nine Heavens Sea and confirm it for yourself."
The moment he heard the name Hao Ze, Hao Yang's eyes trembled.
Li Ban could tell he was deeply stirred, though his long-standing habit of restraint kept him from showing it.
But once he finally met Priest Hao Ze, he might not be able to suppress his emotions anymore. He would thoroughly erupt.
If he utilized that eruption well, he might be able to transform his indulgence into restraint, seizing the opportunity to advance to the Dark Moon rank.
In the previous timeline, Priest Hao Yang was already a Dark Moon Priest when he entered the Recycling Station. It was unclear what exactly had caused him to shed his state of resignation back then.
After calming his emotions, Priest Hao Yang earnestly thanked Li Ban.
"Thank you. Once this matter is over, I will make a trip to the Nine Heavens Sea. No matter the result... I owe you a favor."
A priest's favor was no simple matter; it was practically a matter of karma.
Li Ban smiled.
He had taken the initiative to tell Priest Hao Yang about his brother without expecting any kind of reward.
But since Hao Yang was offering his goodwill, Li Ban wasn't going to refuse.
The road ahead would be difficult. Having one more source of support would always be a good thing.
After saying his goodbyes, Li Ban quickly returned to Priest Hunyou's courtyard at the top of the mountain.
Priest Hunyou and Cat Girl had already returned. They were currently telling Priest Qian Que about what they had encountered today.
Hearing about Priest Ai Jing, Priest Qian Que was deeply moved.
Seeing Li Ban return, Priest Qian Que offered a reminder. "You can use this opportunity to eliminate Ai Jing's inner demon."
The corners of Li Ban's mouth rose. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
In that case, a few things would have to be slightly altered.
But since Priest Qian Que was the one making concessions, Li Ban's course of action wouldn't change much.
That night, Li Ban and Cat Girl stayed in Priest Hunyou's courtyard.
The two of them still shared a single bedroom.
In the past, Little Cat had been unscrupulous, always loving to tease Li Ban when he acted like a block of wood.
But now, the moment they crossed the threshold, she began to cower.
The more she cared, the more timid she became.
Although Priest Hunyou's courtyard had spare bedrooms, it wasn't an inn. Naturally, it didn't have every amenity.
However, Li Ban still had plenty of daily necessities stored in his Cubic Space.
Some were things he had packed when he first became a priest, and others were items he had swiped from the Recycling Station.
Living creatures couldn't leave the Recycling Station alive.
The red fruit tree that had revived inside his Cubic Space had also turned to black dust shortly after leaving the station.
But the red fruits that had grown on it hadn't disappeared.
The White Seeds brimming with spiritual rhinoceros were the same.
After arranging everything, Li Ban pulled up a chair and placed it beside the bed.
"You can sleep on the bed tonight. I'll just sit next to you."
Cat Girl's face flushed slightly. Gritting her teeth, she kicked off her shoes and hopped right onto the bed.
"There's no need. I'll sleep on the inside, and you sleep on the outside. In the eyes of outsiders, I'm already your woman anyway. I suppose I can lower myself and make it a reality."
Li Ban opened his mouth, but all he could think was that she truly lived up to being Little Cat.
She was shy to the bone and blushing furiously, yet she was still spouting nonsense.
Coming back to his senses, Li Ban shook his head with a soft chuckle and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Then I'll just sit here."
What kind of answer was that?
Was he agreeing? Or was he refusing?
Cat Girl had just worked up the courage to clarify their relationship.
She had crawled up from the very bottom; she didn't care about her reputation the way those noble young masters and misses did.
But not caring only applied to the opinions of outsiders. Deep down, she still cherished herself very much.
According to the customs of the Wizard World, saying those words just now was no different from standing stark naked in front of him.
Even priests were human!
Surely he hadn't lost all his mortal desires.
Cat Girl pouted, a little angry.
"If you don't want to take responsibility, that's fine. We wanderers of the martial world don't fret over trivialities—"
Li Ban suddenly leaned forward, dropping to one knee beside the bed, and kissed Cat Girl's forehead.
She instantly froze. Her mouth continued to open and close out of sheer habit, but no words came out.
The light kiss lasted only a second.
Li Ban sat back on the edge of the bed. "Be good. You went into the Mist Zone today, so you need to suppress the Cyan Silk Algae in your body as soon as possible. Wait until your body is fully recovered, and wait for me to... settle my own issues. I won't abandon you, and I won't let you leave."
Cat Girl spun around, facing the wall. She threw the covers over herself and buried herself inside, wrapping up so tightly that not even her tail peeked out.
Li Ban found it hilarious.
She was already breaking down, and yet she had just been talking about consummating their relationship.
It was likely because they had met several powerful priests today. Cat Girl was clearly feeling insecure, which was why she had said all that.
Li Ban understood what she was trying to do, so he gave her a promise to put her at ease.
Even so, he hadn't spelled it out completely.
Leaning against the nightstand, Li Ban closed his eyes.
A beam of starlight descended, enveloping them both.
Still curled up under the blankets, a smile tugged at the corners of Cat Girl's mouth.
She didn't want much—just being by Li Ban's side was enough. If she could help him in the future, that would be even better.
The starlight pierced through the covers, gentle and entirely unobtrusive.
Cat Girl slowly closed her eyes, feeling as though someone was gently embracing her.
Time flew by.
Before long, half a month had nearly passed.
Mist Valley was crowded and filled with prying eyes. To avoid giving anything away, Tan Qiyue hadn't taken the initiative to visit Li Ban and the others over the past two weeks.
It wasn't until the day before the Xuanji Vines matured that she finally came in person to inform Li Ban and Priest Hunyou, inviting them to witness the birth of a new element.
At that time, the Xuanji Vines would be presented to Li Ban to fuse with on the spot.
And the moment Xiao Suo appeared, the net would be closed.