"Where does the guest come from?" As the monk led Li Xuan to the top floor of the White Palace, before he could even survey his surroundings, a slightly hoary voice sounded.
Li Xuan turned his head at the sound. An old monk stood with his back to him, while outside the window, the fiery sun hung high in the sky.
"I come from where I come from," Li Xuan's heart stirred, and he immediately replied.
The monk beside Li Xuan bowed to him and then turned to leave.
"And where will the guest go next?" the old monk asked again.
"Naturally, to where I will go," Li Xuan walked behind the old monk, bowed, and then sat down cross-legged.
"This old monk is Wu Xu. I greet you, esteemed guest," as Li Xuan sat down, the old monk slowly turned around and nodded to him.
"Master is too kind. I am Li Xuan," Li Xuan replied with a bow.
The old monk Wu Xu nodded slightly, then his gaze fell on Li Xuan and he slowly asked, "What is the scenery like in the worlds beyond the heavens?"
Li Xuan's heart stirred at this. The spiritual energy within his body immediately circulated. However, in the next instant, Li Xuan's aura dissipated.
"Master is indeed extraordinary. You were able to discern my origin," Li Xuan took a deep breath and then looked at the old monk Wu Xu.
His eyes, as he looked at Wu Xu, held a hint of sharpness. And in the depths of his eyes, a flicker of doubt slowly emerged.
"The esteemed guest can put aside his killing intent towards this old monk. It is indeed not a bloodthirsty person. With that, this old monk can rest assured."
Wu Xu seemed to understand Li Xuan's reaction.
He smiled slightly and then spoke again, "Thirty years ago, a light descended from beyond the heavens. Though it fell into the mortal world and was stained by dust, it would never be completely submerged. From that moment, this old monk knew that sooner or later, you would arrive here. I just didn't expect that this wait would last for thirty years."
"Master's Buddhist teachings are truly boundless. I am in awe," Li Xuan was greatly surprised. From the old monk Wu Xu's words, it seemed he had detected Li Xuan even when his soul was undergoing trials. Such insight made Li Xuan regard him with newfound seriousness.
"It is merely a slight perception. Our kind all wish to explore the vast universe. But with the decline of the Great Dao, how can it be easy? Since the esteemed guest has come from beyond the heavens, could you satisfy this old monk's curiosity? Even if it breaks the precepts, this old monk will have no regrets," the old monk Wu Xu said with his palms clasped.
"Master is too humble. The things beyond the heavens are vast and indistinct. Time and space are different, and the regions they belong to are also different. What is called 'each to their own path' is merely different roads leading to the same destination. As for what lies beyond the heavens, even I dare not speak with certainty. However, since Master has asked, I will tell you about the scenery I have experienced."
Li Xuan pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.
"This old monk will listen with rapt attention," the old monk Wu Xu nodded again, then clasped his hands and waited for Li Xuan's account. Li Xuan paused for a few breaths, then recounted the circumstances of the vast continent and other world continents where he had lived.
"To revere spirits and cultivate oneself. It is indeed a different world. It is a pity that this old monk will not be able to witness its true form in this lifetime. However, with the esteemed guest's description, this old monk is already content. Esteemed guest, have you come for the sake of cultivation?"
After listening to Li Xuan's narration, the old monk Wu Xu's face showed a trace of longing. It took several minutes before he returned to his senses and looked at Li Xuan.
"Master is a high-level expert. I presume you would not be obscured even in worlds like mine. This journey is indeed for cultivation."
Before the old monk Wu Xu, Li Xuan felt as if he were an open book, seen through completely. However, this feeling did not make Li Xuan uncomfortable; instead, his soul felt an indescribable sense of comfort. He even felt that the thought of speaking falsehoods would be a transgression.
"Within the palace are the relics of our ancestors, which can indeed help the esteemed guest to improve his cultivation. However, these relics are precious items of Hua Guo, and furthermore, they are objects of our faith. Therefore, it is unlikely that they can be given to the esteemed guest."
"However, if the esteemed guest deigns to accept it, this old monk is willing to offer his meager strength. It can be considered a repayment for the karmic ties this old monk has formed," the old monk Wu Xu said slowly.
"Master..." Li Xuan started to speak, but then stopped.
As Li Xuan perceived, the old monk Wu Xu's aura had suddenly plummeted. In less than a few breaths, he was like a lamp whose oil had run out. His eyes were cloudy, yet a powerful golden light flowed within them.
"Hua Guo is a good nation. I hope the esteemed guest can help take care of it if the opportunity arises in the future. This old monk has meditated for ninety years and has finally achieved self-completion today. If the esteemed guest wishes to understand this world, Kunlun is worth a visit."
The old monk Wu Xu, as if aware of his physical condition, with a calm smile, stopped Li Xuan from speaking and then said to Li Xuan in a steady tone.
"I have taken note," Li Xuan nodded.
"Thus have I seen. The Buddha has awakened to all phenomena, like a dream, an illusion, a sound. Amitabha, good, good," the old monk Wu Xu nodded slightly, clasped his hands together, uttered a Buddhist chant, and slowly lowered his head.
Dong, dong, dong.
Nine chimes of a bell sounded. Li Xuan, who had already walked outside the Potala Palace, stopped at the sound and turned to look at the Potala Palace. With a solemn expression, he bowed. In his hand, a relic that emanated golden light immediately dissipated.
"Kunlun, hmm. I will likely have to make a trip there in the future," Li Xuan murmured, recalling the words of the old monk Wu Xu before his passing. He then turned and walked away with large strides.
Hangcheng, Airport.
"Master, Jinxiu Residential Area," Li Xuan said with a smile as he got into a taxi after exiting the airport.
...
"Li Xuan? You good-for-nothing actually dare to come back?" As Li Xuan opened the door, Jiang Xiuying's voice boomed out.
Li Xuan smiled wryly and shook his head. He then closed the door and looked at Jiang Xiuying, who had stood up, and Li Mingqi, who was watching him without getting up, and slowly said, "Call Wan'er back. We're getting a divorce today."
"Divorce? What, you agreed to divorce?" Jiang Xiuying had intended to scold Li Xuan again regardless of his response, but Li Xuan's words stunned her for a moment.
This useless blockhead, after being away for a month, returned and immediately brought up divorce?
"You heard correctly. Today, I will grant your wish. Wan'er and I will divorce. And don't worry, Wan'er will agree," Li Xuan nodded with a smile. After being away for this month, Li Xuan's state of mind had changed significantly.
To return to the Soul Realm as soon as possible, waiting for his natural death would still require decades. Thus, the only way was to break through the space-time node himself. Therefore, cultivation naturally became Li Xuan's top priority.
As for existences like Jiang Xiuying, it was best to stay as far away from them as possible.
"Good, good, good. You just wait," Jiang Xiuying was naturally very pleased when Li Xuan proposed divorce. She ignored Li Xuan and immediately took out her phone to dial Li Wan'er.
"Li Xuan is back?" Li Wan'er, in her office, showed a hint of surprise when she answered the phone. However, as Jiang Xiuying's voice came through, Li Wan'er's expression gradually turned icy.
A moment later, Li Wan'er slowly said, "Mom, you and Dad wait for me at home."