?、、、、、、、

  As night falls, looking from the city wall of Hejiang to the inside of the city, although it's hard to count the number of family lanterns, the twinkling lights still give people a warm feeling.

  For Gui Li, it was probably the most unfamiliar place.

  He gazed silently at the lights, then turned around. The city wall, which was not high or strong, was now empty of people. A bleak evening wind blew from the open fields outside the city, sweeping over the damaged walls that had been hurt in the beast disaster, and blowing on him and Zhou Yixian.

  For some reason, Xiao Huan and Ye Gou Dao Ren were not here, only Zhou Yi Xian and Gui Li were standing on the city wall of He Yang at this time. However, Zhou Yi Xian seemed calm and collected, still holding that "Xianren Zhilu" bamboo pole with a cloth banner in his hand, while the other hand had an additional wine jug, taking a big gulp at this moment, letting out a satisfied sigh.

  "Good wine!" He smiled slightly and then said to Gui Lie, "This wine is still a bit warm, do you want to have a sip?" Gui Lie silently shook his head and said, "Senior, you drink it yourself."

  On Monday, Xian hehe smiled and drank another mouthful. After drinking this mouthful, he shook the wine bottle and casually threw it over the city wall. It seemed that there was only one last mouthful of fine wine left in the bottle, and perhaps feeling a little uneasy in his heart, he asked Gui Li about it.

  That night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The moonlight shone on the quiet city wall, making it quite bright. After Zhou Yixian drank wine, he looked up at the sky, lost in thought, and didn't say a word for a while. Gui Li walked slowly to the edge of the city wall, his eyes falling on a certain spot on the bricks, where there were deep claw marks. Nearby, more claw marks covered that section of the brick wall.

  Shocking!

  "All those were left behind by countless demonic beasts in the great calamity." Zhou Yixian walked over at some point, saying lightly.

  On this tour, the old man in the mortal world who was on the city wall with them seemed to have lost a few points of his usual playfulness, but instead, there were a few more points of sadness and compassion in the fierce gaze of the onlooker.

  The ghost stretched out his hand, gently stroking past the deep claw marks, and from the fingertips came a rough, hard feeling of brick walls, but how many wronged souls had cried out in these claw marks.

  He sank into silence for a long time before speaking, "Did many innocent civilians die in the city of Hezhou back then?" Zhou Yixian let out a sigh and walked to the edge of the city wall, gazing down. The lights from the city reflected in his eyes as he replied, "Many did. Although a lot of civilians had fled north early on, at least half of the population of Hezhou City died innocent deaths at the hands of those demonic beasts." Gui Li looked at Zhou Yixian and suddenly asked, "Senior, you said that those innocent people who lost their lives, weren't they just like us? Weren't they living in this world, not all of them, but at least 99% of the population were harmless to humans and animals. So why did disaster befall them? And what's the point of their existence?" Zhou Yixian looked at Gui Li, his hand on the city wall as he asked, "You're standing here today, while those civilians died innocent deaths. I'll ask you, do you think it's just a coincidence?" Gui Li fell silent for a long time before responding, "I'm different from them. I cultivate the Dao and have the ability to avoid danger even when demonic beasts appear." Zhou Yixian nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right. From a broader perspective, all living beings are equal, just like what the Buddha said - 'all sentient beings are equal.' It's not just limited to humans; even tiny insects and ferocious beasts are no different from us." He paused for a moment before smiling faintly and continuing, "However, this world is complex and can't be reduced to simple black-and-white views. You possess great divine powers and abilities, allowing you to transcend the mundane and achieve spiritual enlightenment. That's why it's said that all sentient beings are equal, but in reality, there have always been subtle differences."

  The demon's face revealed a bewildered expression, and he slowly shook his head, saying: "I don't want to transcend above all living beings, nor do I have the compassionate heart to ferry all souls. Just like how I cultivate the Tao, yet I have no interest in eternal life." Zhou Yixian replied calmly: "Then what is it that you want?" The demon let out a bitter laugh, his smile filled with desolation, and said in a low voice: "It's right here. What I want, even I myself don't know." His facial expression changed, the moon in the sky gradually reached its peak, and the moonlight became more radiant, spilling down from the sky and stretching his shadow very long.

  Zhou Yixian didn't say a word, quietly gazing at Gui Li, but in his eyes, there was an unusual aura that was completely different from before. Even though the person standing in front of him was the only one in the world who had cultivated the "Tianshu" four volumes, with a body full of mysterious and unfathomable Taoist magic, Zhou Yixian at this moment seemed to be even more majestic than him.

  His elegance, his composure, the night wind passes through the white hair at his temples, and even the brilliance of the bright moon seems to be quietly gathered on this side.

  Only Gui Li did not notice anything unusual, in fact, Zhou Yixian was just standing quietly in front of him, and he himself seemed to have sunk into his own thoughts.

  After a while, Gui Li smiled wryly and said, "It seems I'm indeed not cut out for this. I can't even think clearly about why I'm alive or what I want." Zhou Yi's expression was calm as he gazed at Gui Li, with a faint smile on his lips, saying, "You're wrong, young man."

  Gui Li was taken aback for a moment, this was the first time he heard Zhou Yi Xian call him "young man", but apparently that wasn't the point. After being stunned for a moment, he asked: "Please enlighten me, senior, you said I was wrong, where did I go wrong?" Zhou Yi Xian replied calmly: "You think not thinking clearly about this issue means you're not talented? In my opinion, it's the opposite, you can think about this issue, that's what makes you far superior to others in this world." Gui Li was shocked and asked: "What?" Zhou Yi Xian smiled slightly and beckoned him to come over. Gui Li walked to Zhou Yi Xian's side and followed his pointing hand to look out at the countryside below. In the distance, under the moonlight, the quiet town of He Yang had dots of twinkling lights that flickered unceasingly...

  On Monday, Xian gazed at the sea of lights, and amidst the extension, there seemed to be a complex emotion. After a moment, he asked in a clear voice: "What do you see?" Gui Lie replied: "These are the lights from countless ordinary people's homes."

  Monday Fairy nodded and said, "Not bad, it's just the lamp." That little bit of lamp, like a living person, they are all alive in this world, either satisfied or dissatisfied, but they will eventually go down. I tell you, among these countless people, how many are just living for the sake of living, like you, who are so worried and reflecting on why they live? One in ten thousand." Ghost was hoarse, he had never thought about this before, but hearing it from Monday Fairy's empty words, it seemed to make a lot of sense, and he couldn't refute it.

  On Monday, Xian looked at him and suddenly showed a sad expression on his face. However, this application was fleeting, and he let out a soft sigh, stretched out his hand and patted Ghost Ji's shoulder.

  Although Gui Li's current state couldn't be described as shocking or unsettling, his mind was indeed disturbed, reflecting the depth of his cultivation. Almost subconsciously, he wanted to dodge Zhou Yi Xian's palm, but just as he was about to do so, something unexpected happened. The usually nonchalant and carefree Zhou Yi Xian suddenly slapped him lightly with a seemingly floating palm, catching Gui Li off guard despite his high level of cultivation.

  The demon's heart was shaken to the core, and before he could even react, an even more astonishing statement came from Zhou Yi Xian's mouth: "Moreover, you are the only person in this world who has mastered all four volumes of the [Tian Shu]. How can you be compared to others?" As soon as these words were spoken, Gui Li's body shook violently. The fact that he had cultivated the fourth volume of the [Tian Shu] was something he had always kept secret. In reality, even Lu Xue Qi and the monks from Tian Yin Temple did not know about the magical texts on the third volume of the [Tian Shu] obtained from the Heavenly Emperor's treasure trove and the fourth volume obtained from the wordless jade wall of Tian Yin Temple. Only he had mastered them from start to finish, and only then did he understand that they were all part of the four volumes of the [Tian Shu].

  However, at this moment, Zhou Yi Xian clearly and explicitly revealed the secret in front of him. How could he not be shocked? For a while, his face was full of incredulous expressions, staring at Zhou Yi Xian.

  Monday Xian smiled faintly and said, "You're surprised, but you don't have to be so." Gui Li looked up and down at the old man in front of him, carefully and solemnly. After a long time, he suddenly smiled, took a step back, adjusted his clothes, and bowed respectfully: "I was rude and slow to react, but I had an unexplained doubt in my heart. I hope you can enlighten me, senior." Zhou Yixian's expression was calm and composed, seemingly not feeling embarrassed by the other's respect. He said, "The doubts and confusion in your heart, if it were someone else, they could tell you, but with your invisible [Tian Shu] and its profound mystery, how could you not understand?" Gui Li fell silent, then slowly spoke: "Could it be that senior thinks the doubts in my heart are actually unsolvable?"

  Zhou Yixian smiled and shook his head, saying: "Yes, the nature of the body is to understand, the Buddha is in the heart rather than outside the body. This is the place where [Tianshu] is close to Buddhism." Zhou Yixian said: "It's just like that. What people live for in a lifetime is what they should understand for themselves. I can point it out for you, but I won't tell you about it." After speaking, he smiled and walked away with his hands behind his back.

  Another wave of gloom, after a while, the bewildered expression on his face did not fade away. He said: "Life and death, parting, I have only seen these four words throughout my life. Please teach me, is human nature bitter?" Zhou Yixian smiled and said: "You're wrong, you've been carving your whole life, thinking that everyone is suffering, but it's not necessarily so. Let me ask you, do you think your fate is bitter?

  Gui Li was taken aback, opening his mouth to speak but stopping himself. Zhou Yi Xian had already smiled and said: "How about it, can't say anything now? Let's take your recently deceased master and mistress as an example, do you think they are crying?"

  Gu Li said, "Master and Mistress..." Zhou Yixian's expression turned solemn. "Tian Ye died a worthy death, so he left without regret, with a smile on his face; your mistress Su Rou was deeply in love with your master, she didn't want to live alone, you thought she killed herself out of grief, but actually her soul returned to be reunited with her husband, which is what she desired most."

  The ghost was so shocked that he couldn't speak for a moment.

  Zhou Yixian said faintly, "You sympathize with Tian Naiyi and his wife for their excessive grief, but you don't know that perhaps the couple is actually the most understanding and unregretful people. They are using themselves to help others, isn't that laughable?" As he spoke, Zhou Yixian suddenly smiled and looked at Gui Li, "Are you afraid of death?

  Ghostly hesitated for a moment, let out a low sigh, and said: "I'm afraid." Zhou Yixian asked: "Oh, I'd like to ask you, what are you afraid of? Is it the word 'death' itself?" Ghostly shook his head silently and said: "Since I have no intention of living forever, I don't care about death either. What I fear is that after I die, my heart's desire will be difficult to fulfill." Zhou Yixian smiled and said: "That's it. You can see through life and death, but in your heart, there are things more important than life and death. Instead of asking me all sorts of questions, why not think carefully about these more important things?" Ghostly furrowed his brow, his eyes gleaming with a hint of understanding, but he didn't smile, instead falling into even deeper contemplation. Zhou Yixian didn't disturb him, walking quietly to the side and looking up to see the bright moon in the sky, its light pouring down like a gentle rain...

  On the vast expanse of wilderness, the evening wind whispers softly, the stars twinkle and shift, the sky is boundless.

  He gazed for a long time, then suddenly let out a deep sigh.

  Suddenly, a stern voice came from behind: "Senior, don't you have something unclear in your heart?" "Me?" Zhou Yixian didn't turn around, still gazing at the bright moon on the distant horizon. After a while, he faintly said, "Since I'm still wandering in this world, I must have some unclear thoughts too." "Oh, what is it?"

  Xian smiled slightly on Monday and said, "What I couldn't see through was this reincarnation!"

  Qingyun Mountain, Xiao Zhu Peak

  All along, Xiaozhu Peak has been a place for women only, so the atmosphere here is more serene and peaceful than Biyun Temple. Even during the day, it's always quiet, with only birdsong and fragrance of flowers echoing on this beautiful mountain peak.

  However, since Master Shuǐ Yuè returned from the funeral at Dà Zhú Fēng with a group of flute players yesterday, the atmosphere on Xiǎo Zhú Fēng has been calm but also solemn and oppressive. Many young female flute players on Xiǎo Zhú Fēng saw Master Shuǐ Yuè's uncontrollable loneliness and sadness for the first time, which shouldn't be visible given her current level of cultivation.

  Wen Min had always been the one who understood Master Shuiyue's thoughts the most, and she also passed on the message to her sisters early on, reminding them all to be mindful of their behavior, especially not to laugh loudly, lest they provoke Master. Under such warnings, the atmosphere at Xiaozhu Peak naturally became solemn.

  After returning from the Great Bamboo Peak, Master Shuiyue locked himself in the Bamboo Forest Temple and refused to see anyone. Wen Mian's disciple, Da Daxin, went to ask after his well-being but was not allowed to enter, which made Wen Mian somewhat worried.

  That day, Wen Min had not seen Shui Yue Dashi come out of the Bamboo Forest Temple for a whole day and night, so he was worried and came to find Lu Xueqi together. Lu Xueqi didn't feel like going at first, but after Wen Min's repeated persuasions, she also felt anxious and followed him over.

  Wen Min and Lu Xueqi arrived at the bamboo forest, standing outside the thatched cottage. Wen Min made a gesture to Lu Xueqi, who hesitated for a moment before walking up and knocking softly on the door, saying: "Master, disciple Lu Xueqi and Master Wen have come to pay their respects." The inside of the thatched cottage was silent, with no one responding.

  Lu Xueqi and Wen Min exchanged a glance, Wen Min furrowed her brow, and the worried look on her face deepened. In fact, considering Shuiyue Dashi's temperament, she had always been somewhat different from ordinary people. Even in the past, it was not uncommon for her to suddenly disappear without a word or ignore her disciples. But for some reason, after Wen Min and others returned from attending the funeral of Da Zhu Feng, they seemed to have gained some insight into the inner workings and became more sensitive to Lu Xueqi's behavior.

  Wen Min coughed slightly and raised her voice, saying: "Master, this morning, Xiaoye sent a letter through someone, which I have presented to you." The inside of the Jing She was still quiet, Wen Min took a deep breath, walked up one step, and pushed open the door of the Jing She. Lu Xueqi followed closely behind her and also went in.

  Two people walked into the house, glanced around, and both furrowed their eyebrows. The room was small and simply decorated, but they couldn't see Water Moon Master anywhere. Wen Mian sighed and said, "Master is not here, I wonder where she went?" Lu Xueqi shook her head silently, thought for a moment, and said, "Sister, let's go back first. Maybe we're overthinking it. Master and Su Ru Shu Bo have deep feelings, but at most, they'll just be heartbroken. I don't think anything will happen." Wen Mian nodded, "It can only be this way, but I still feel uneasy in my heart." Lu Xueqi lightly sighed, shook her head slightly, turned around and walked out. Wen Mian looked back into the room again, then took out a sealed letter from her pocket and placed it on the desk. She also walked out afterwards. A moment later, the door was closed behind her with a soft "click".

  The house was quiet once again, and fell into a deep silence.