âReally?â The frightened girl murmured in a daze.
âIâm not a quack fortune-teller. Plus, Jade-zenith left this message for a reason.â Li Qiye chuckled.
The girl was shaken. Yes, Li Qiye had no reason to trick her. Plus, her progenitor was the one who left the cryptic and ominous message. This has to be the truth.
She took a deep breath, thinking about the destruction required to turn Three Immortals to ashes.
In the past, everyone would think that this was impossible, just groundless fears.
After all, Three Immortals have existed for who knows how long? One era came after another regardless of the ruling sects. Disasters struck before, albeit only on a small scale. Three Immortals remained the same; the only things that changed were its inhabitants.
Worst of all, this might actually happen during her generation? She was also powerless to stop it like the rest.
She recalled the sudden darkness several years ago during the divination attempt. That scared the hell out of people and it remained a mystery even today.
This dream-like sequence made the progenitors around become cautious. It was also the reason why she entered the world.
âThe progenitor only left this prophecy for us. We have yet to meet.â She shuddered after thinking it through and bowed deeply towards Li Qiye.
âPrying into the machination of the heaven and the momentum of the earth isnât a good thing. Failure would result in death.â Li Qiye stated.
The girl didnât dare to respond.
âTake off your veil.â He ordered while glancing at her.
Her origin was extraordinary, the same for her cultivation. Her status alone warranted love and respect. So many systems would treat her like an esteemed guest.
Alas, she didnât dare to refuse and slowly took off her veil, revealing her appearance.
Pretty she was with starry eyes capable of illuminating the night sky and leading the way for lost travelers. The purse of her lips gave a mature look and a special temperament. Spectators couldnât help themselves from being in awe as if she was a pure lotus deep in the valley.
âDisciple of Heaven Calculating Pavilion, Xu Xiaojin, respectfully greets you, Senior.â She bowed her head again.
Most people would be shocked to hear the name of this sect but not Li Qiye. This was within his expectations.
âIâm eighteen so stop making me look old with that address.â He said.
âI understand.â She refrained from laughter and maintained a serious expression.
âForget it, donât be so serious either.â Li Qiye waved his sleeve.
âIâll be sure to remember, Young Noble.â She was smart and flexible.
As she was about to leave, Li Qiye told her: âIf you meet that monk, warn him about his silly thoughts or Iâll twist his head off.â
âI will let Senior Brother Dajue know.â She knew that Li Qiye wasnât joking and left.
Li Qiye closed his eyes to meditate once more.
***
His time at Repentance Institution was peaceful because everyone else was busy with their own matters. No one came to bother him, giving him time to fully focus on refining the terrible existence.
Alas, on the second day, the dean of Repentance, Du Wenrui came to see him.
The dean took out a folded document and smiled: âYoung fella, are you used to living here? What do you think about the institution?â
âDean, if you have to fart, just do it, donât beat around the bush. Speak.â Li Qiye opened his eyes.
The man turned red for a second before putting on a dignified look again. He held the document in front of Li Qiye and said: âYou have agreed to join our institution so youâre a student now but weâre still not done with the paperwork. Write down your name and put your fingerprint right there and weâll be done.â
âHow rare, for a dean to personally recruit a student.â Li Qiye smiled.
Du Wenrui coughed before arching his chest to speak with sincerity: âThe truth is that our institution loves talents on top of treating everyone equallyâ¦â
âDean, youâre a good liar, spewing bullshit so naturally. Maintaining this facade is probably your best ability.â Li Qiye leisurely said.
âHahaha, of course not, youâre quite funny.â Wenrui smiled wryly.
Li Qiye accepted the scroll and added his fingerprint without checking the content.
âYou donât want to read it over?â The dean was a little nervous.
âAs if you can do anything if I were to change my mind. Not even you suddenly become a hundred times more courageous. Am I right?â
âOf course.â Wenrui rubbed his palms together in an excited manner. He then carefully put the document away and said: âFrom now on, you are a student of Repentance.â
âYou said that your institution loves talents, how come I havenât seen you recruiting anyone capable yet?â Li Qiye asked.
âI got one now, right?â Wenrui was quite pleased with himself: âItâs one thing if I donât roar, but when I do, it will echo across the world. Iâve just recruited the most peerless student in history, even more incredible than the progenitors.â
âWell, I do enjoy this flattery.â Li Qiye nodded: âPeople say that those with a high forehead, thick brows, and big eyes are all good men. Unfortunately, youâre more of a sly fox.â
âThank you for your praise.â Wenrui smiled back.
âWhen did you realize it?â Li Qiye sat there casually.
However, Wenrui didnât dare to act in the same manner. He solemnly said: âI found it strange right when Holyfrost True Emperor took action. Her light isnât the strongest in our system but it is still among the top three, maybe top two. However, that power of hers got crushed right away. This required a monstrous level of darkness.â
He then stared at the mark on Li Qiyeâs forehead with apprehension.
âWho do you say is the number one then?â Li Qiye asked.
âWell⦠I donât knowâ¦â Wenrui shook his head in response.
Li Qiye stopped prying and gazed towards the horizon: âYouâre the dean of Repentance Institution. What is your view of this city?â
âHow can regular people like me understand the intent of the progenitor?â Wenrui replied: âI only know that the world is wrong about Repentance. It is not a prison. The omission of light is on purpose.â
âThatâs why you ignore it too.â Li Qiye said.
âAll things exist for a reason.â Wenrui said seriously: âSo many living beings struggle to survive. The light, darkness, various heavenly laws, chaos⦠They have their own orders. Living beings also have the right to pick whether they want to be with the darkness or worship the light.â
âThus, peace will be around as long as powerful beings refrained from evil deeds. The world exists for living beings to try and survive in an ephemeral yet beautiful manner. The root of evil is cultivation and searching for immortality.â âLi Qiye added.â
âMy dao is inadequate so I do not dare to comment.â Wenrui pondered before answering.
âWhat is your opinion on your progenitor, Desolate Saint?â Li Qiye chuckled and asked another question.
âItâs fine that the world remembers the light of the progenitor, thatâs enough. No one is perfect, so how many can actually become a saint?â The answer came after a brief moment of hesitation.
âThere are saints, albeit not that many in the long course of history. Unfortunately, this dao dooms one to solitude.â
âHis light still illuminates everything.â Wenrui ended with this.
âClever, avoiding the important and dwell on the trivial. No wonder why you are staying in a place like this.â Li Qiye praised.
Wenrui chuckled without responding.