Among the fragmented starry sky interface, Chen Xia rubbed his head, somewhat at a loss for where to go.
All around were stars, slightly obstructing his vision. Only when looking down could he see an extremely bright huge star.
It looked like the former Blue Sky Sword Sea.
"Ouch, that hurts," a soft cry came from the front of the starry sky.
Chen Xia frowned and turned to look, discovering that Chen Jiu was standing at the front, his clothes tattered, a hint of fatigue on his face, yet no signs of injury on his body.
"You're fine even after all that?" Chen Xia raised his eyebrows.
"I died once, gained a few more lives, besides, I'm just a strand of divine sense, never truly lived, let alone died," Chen Jiu smiled lightly in reply, while casting a strange look at Chen Xia and curiously asking, "Where did you learn the past and future technique?"
"You know it too?" Chen Xia stroked his cheek.
Chen Jiu shook his head with a laugh. "It was originally created by me, if you learned it from the Great Profound Capital, then it would be what I wrote down, under the name Xian Ma right."
"Mm," Chen Xia nodded, then frowned again, even more puzzled, "Then why didn't you fight back?"
"Fighting back might not necessarily win, besides I can't really die. Furthermore I'm just a strand of divine sense, perhaps I can't even utilize such mystic arts," Chen Jiu shook his head. His body casually took a seat on the starry sky behind, his figure looking somewhat dim, clearly the divine sense had been weakened by that earlier slap. He continued speaking,
"Where are you headed, let me give you a lift."
Chen Xia shook his head, "I also don't know where I'm going, just know that I'm looking for someone."
He hesitated for a moment, then added, "Maybe not a person."
"What do they look like?" Chen Jiu asked.
"An old man, a big yellow dog," Chen Xia replied.
"Think of their appearances," Chen Jiu said. Then he suddenly asked, "Your name isn't Qiong Qi right?"
Chen Xia was startled for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Di Du."
"Not a great name either," Chen Jiu shook his head, and asked again, "Thought of it?"
"Mm," In Chen Xia's mind floated up the image of the Big Yellow Dog waving its broom, and also Zhang DaoMing's short figure.
"Go!" Chen Jiu suddenly yelled, spiritual energy abruptly swirling, the starry sky seemed to spiral, forcibly pulling Chen Xia's body closer.
Finally, Chen Jiu's figure stood up, the fatigue on his face no longer concealable. He coughed twice, looking at the starry sky ahead, and softly recited,
"The Heavenly Dao is irrational, the mortal world is unfeeling, the highest position still lacks people, hurry and come."
His figure amidst the starry sky gradually faded. With no wind, it was as if blown away by the wind, no longer found.
The strand of divine sense of Chen Jiu in Qing Province finally disappeared.
The churning Lan Sea settled down, restoring its ordinary tranquil appearance, even more tranquil than before, windless and waveless, even seabirds unseen.
Qiu Yi stood at the door of the small Dan Hall for a long time. After the gusts settled down, she still stood there, slender neck raised high, as if waiting for someone.
Three months later.
She waited for the empty spring breeze.
Qiu Yi lowered her eyes, expression placid. She turned and left.
She knew Chen Xia would not return.
This was the most ordinary parting in the world, yet also the most melancholy.
"Old Zhang, today I saw a figure in the sky, slapped away many stars with a slap, like swatting mosquitoes."
The Big Yellow Dog said excitedly to Zhang DaoMing.
"Mm," Zhang DaoMing nodded lightly, not paying much heed. Instead he worriedly looked at the elixir in his hand.
This was an elixir he had refined for the Starry Sky Pill Sect. But now it had been rejected, said to be of poor quality, lacking in elixir qi and fragrance, considered a low-grade elixir.
Zhang DaoMing also clearly knew this was indeed a low-quality elixir.
But now he was advanced in years, his vigor far from his peak. Yet he was still expected to refine top-grade spiritual medicines.
It was truly a case of willing mind but insufficient strength.
This low-grade top-grade spiritual medicine was already Zhang DaoMing's best effort.
"Old Zhang, Old Zhang!" The Big Yellow Dog suddenly called out twice.
"Hm?" Zhang DaoMing turned his head, expression puzzled.
"Someone's here," the Big Yellow Dog sniffed its nose and said.
"Good dog," Zhang DaoMing patted the Big Yellow Dog's head.
As expected of a fine guard dog!
The Big Yellow Dog bared its teeth in a grin, extremely proud. This was its professionalism.
At this time footsteps sounded from outside, followed by an arrogant voice.
"Zhang DaoMing?"
Then the footsteps arrived before a middle-aged man in luxurious purple robes, with a pair of jade horns on his head, likely of the Horned Dragon race.
"What business?" Zhang DaoMing hurriedly asked.
The middle-aged cultivator did not speak, first disdainfully sized up Zhang DaoMing's residence, then glanced contemptuously at the Big Yellow Dog, curling his lips and shaking his head, still very scornful. He continued,
"There seem to be some issues with the elixirs you've recently refined. Don't tell me you're hoping to get by in the realm with these elixirs. That won't do."
"Yes, yes," Zhang DaoMing hurriedly nodded, "These elixirs are naturally no good. It's just that I'm now elderly, somewhat willing but not able. So..."
He paused for a moment, then glanced again at the middle-aged cultivator's haughty expression, bowed his head and softly said,
"Please show some understanding."
"If you're too old to function, just go die yourself. Why would you still need my understanding," the middle-aged cultivator frowned, still very scornful, his gaze full of contempt. He continued,
"You should be clear on the outcome for useless trash in the realm."
"I know, I know," Zhang DaoMing could only nod, lowering his head, pursing his lips, not a word to say.
The Big Yellow Dog at the side kept clenching and unclenching its paws, baring its teeth.
"If you can't refine top-grade spiritual medicines, then refine mid-grade ones," the middle-aged cultivator's tone suddenly softened somewhat, as he laughed and said,
"Just double the quantity compared to top-grade ones."
"Yes, yes," Zhang DaoMing did not dare refute.
The middle-aged cultivator was also reluctant to linger in this impoverished place. Finally he left with a,
"Come deliver the next batch in a year. If they don't pass inspection again, you'll have to pay out of pocket."
"Mm," Zhang DaoMing gently nodded, head hanging low.
The middle-aged cultivator turned and left.
The Big Yellow Dog growled lowly, "Every time this happens, I hope I have rabies, the most ferocious kind!"
It seemed its teeth needed some enchantment.
Zhang DaoMing instead shook his head and advised, "It's fine, it's fine. The realm is just more intense than the outside world, you'll get used to it."
The Big Yellow Dog gnashed its teeth, its expression suddenly frozen as it said,
"Someone else is here."
It lifted its legs and clawed the ground, quickly rushing out the door.
The door led outside to the evening sun.
The mellow light shone in, reflecting on the ground, an indescribable warmth.
In the half-open door, a figure in blue leaned against the door frame, half his body drenched in the mellow sunshine.
He was covered in fresh blood, smiling plainly at the Big Yellow Dog who had rushed out.
"Long time no see."