Fifth Senior Brother

Caw, caw, caw~

After a cup of tea’s time, Xu Xian’s neck felt a little stiff.

"Fifth Senior Brother!"

"Hmm?"

"How much longer must we wait?"

"Soon!"

After another incense stick’s time, Xu Xian couldn't hold it in any longer. He frowned and asked, "Do we really have to keep watching?"

The youth in blue robes turned his head, his gaze falling upon Xu Xian for the first time.

It was also the first time Xu Xian saw his full appearance.

He was a modest gentleman, refined and elegant. He looked like an immortal, but even more like a scholar.

With eyes slightly downcast, exuding a natural sense of compassion, he spoke warmly: "Wasn't it you who wanted to watch? That is why I am waiting here with you."

Huh?

Xu Xian stared with wide eyes, feeling as though he couldn't clear his name. He couldn't just be blamed like this just because he was handsome, could he?

He said firmly, "I did not!"

The youth nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, then perhaps I misunderstood you."

Xu Xian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He didn't even know if he should complain about such a misunderstanding.

With a wave of his blue sleeve, an antique long table appeared in the empty space before them, with sandalwood incense burning upon it.

There was also a pot of steaming tea and several jade cups.

Two white prayer mats were placed on either side of the table.

The youth in blue sat gracefully on a mat and said softly, "Little Eleven, sit."

"Oh!"

As the youth sat before the table, an invisible hand lifted the teapot and poured two cups of hot tea.

One cup slid in front of Xu Xian, and the other in front of the youth.

Throughout the entire process, the youth’s expression remained unchanged, his smile as gentle as a breeze. He asked slowly, "It has been nearly six years since you joined the sect. Have you adapted to this life of cultivation?"

No incantations were needed, nor could any fluctuations or changes in qi be felt.

This was the pinnacle of telekinesis.

Xu Xian knew that this man was truly an expert!

Sitting up straight, he replied in a precocious tone, "Six years is but a blink of an eye for us cultivators. I haven't felt much of a difference!"

The youth smiled, like a spring breeze encountered in autumn, and sighed with emotion: "Time waits for no one, and the seasons flow like a river. In a flash, six cycles of growth and decay have passed. The last time I saw you, it was early spring; the trees in these mountains were sprouting new branches, and you were only at the foundation establishment stage. Now, the old leaves have yet to fully fall, but you have already entered the nascent soul stage."

Xu Xian said modestly, "I suppose I just have good luck."

The youth disagreed and smiled. "Being overly modest is a form of arrogance. You were able to break the sword stele left behind by Master; you were different from us from the start. It is only natural that your path is faster. For a young man to have a bit of pride is not a bad thing!"

"Yes, I will remember Senior Brother's teachings," Xu Xian said.

"Ah... I didn't mean to lecture you. Drink your tea."

Xu Xian gave a sheepish smile, took a sip of the tea, and smacked his lips.

The youth looked at him expectantly. "How is the tea?"

Xu Xian was slightly stunned. After a three-second pause, he said, "Good tea!"

The youth narrowed his eyes slightly and asked further, "What is good about it?"

Xu Xian was stunned again. He thought for a moment and recited, "White porcelain and snowy froth, a fragrant brew; how could even the immortals' nectar compare to you?"

The youth burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

Xu Xian furrowed his brows.

The youth drank half a cup and said, "The poem is well-written, but you do not understand tea. If you do not like drinking it, then do not."

Xu Xian gave a wry, slightly embarrassed smile.

The youth said cryptically, "You are indeed somewhat similar to that child, Li Qingshan."

"Huh?" Xu Xian was confused.

"However, you are still young. It is better not to emulate certain bad habits."

The implication was that putting on an act was not good.

Xu Xian pondered for a moment. He admitted he had indeed been putting on an act, though only a small one.

He decided to be honest. "To be honest, Senior Brother, I really don't understand tea!"

The youth looked at the boy.

Xu Xian complained, "I feel that wine is too spicy, tea is too bitter, and cultivation is too hard. So, I don't particularly like any of them!"

The youth looked intrigued. "Oh..."

Xu Xian lowered his gaze. "But I still drink the wine, I still drink the tea, and I still cultivate."

"Why?"

Xu Xian took a deep breath and said wistfully, "For the sake of living..."

The youth froze for a moment, then laughed heartily.

"Haha! You are an interesting child."

Xu Xian finished the half-cup of tea and stopped beating around the bush, getting straight to the point: "Senior Brother, why did you call me here?"

The jade teapot floated up, and a stream of clear water poured into the cup, filling it eighty percent full for Xu Xian. The youth glanced sideways and asked softly, "Oh, are you in a hurry?"

"Yes."

"Very busy?"

"Busy!"

"Busy with what?"

"As the Little Grand-Uncle of the Wendao Sect, I carry a heavy burden. There are many things to do; I couldn't finish explaining them even if I tried..." Xu Xian said solemnly.

The youth’s brows twitched slightly. Busy, busy, busy—the exact same excuse as Ye Xianyu.

It seemed this Little Junior Brother of his was not only gifted but also possessed an incredible ability to learn.

Both the good things...

And the bad things...

He had learned them all.

He said playfully, "I have nothing in particular. I just called you over to sit with me and chat. Since... you are free anyway."

"Uh!"

The youth said with a smile, "Little Junior Brother, surely you wouldn't refuse to give your Senior Brother this much face?"

With things put that way, Xu Xian naturally couldn't say anything more. Refusing would make him seem narrow-minded.

"I wouldn't!"

And so, the two of them sat before the Sky Gate, brewing tea and discussing the Dao, reminiscing about the past.

They spoke of Xu Xian's past deeds.

The journey to Yecheng!

The years spent in the mountains!

Towards the end, they even discussed the affairs of the world!

However, throughout the conversation, not a single word was mentioned about how Xu Xian’s cultivation level had risen or what kind of opportunities he had encountered.

Xu Xian also had an excellent impression of this Fifth Senior Brother.

He wasn't like Li Qingshan, who would put on an act at every turn, reciting scholarly jargon just for the sake of showing off.

Nor was he like Ye Xianyu, who would constantly lecture him on values and throw a pile of grand principles in his face.

The Senior Brother before him made people feel very comfortable when he spoke.

When Xu Xian talked about history and current events, even if the Senior Brother knew Xu Xian was exaggerating, he would still listen quietly.

He responded from time to time, acting like a perfect gentleman, as gentle as a spring breeze.

The two of them talked merrily, and Fifth Senior Brother even told Xu Xian some stories about the Wendao Sect.

Among them...

Were some embarrassing anecdotes about the other senior brothers and sisters.

The storyteller spoke with relish, and the listener laughed until his sides ached.

Unknowingly, the autumn sun had hung low in the western sky.

The forests were dyed in vibrant hues, and the autumn wind sowed a chill. Suddenly, the stars shifted, and it was already late at night.

As the moonlight shone like silk and the clear light felt like water, Xu Xian asked a question.

What kind of person was their Master, Li Taibai?

Fifth Senior Brother gave Xu Xian an ambiguous answer.

To the human race, Master was a sage of the past, a great sage who saved the world.

But to the other races, Master was a demon from hell, a Yama who reaped souls.

After saying this...

Without waiting for Xu Xian to ask further, he stood up on his own.

He slowly paced to the edge of the mountain peak, his hands behind his back, bathing in the wind as he gazed up at the starry sky.

His eyes were heavy, and he remained silent for a long time.

Xu Xian followed him and looked in the same direction.

He asked curiously, "Senior Brother, what are you looking at?"

The youth in blue raised his hand and pointed to a corner of the vast star sea, saying, "Look at that star..."

Xu Xian followed his finger and nodded. "I see it!"

"That star is called the Heavenly Star."

"Heavenly Star?" Xu Xian thought to himself.

Fifth Senior Brother furrowed his long brows and said with deep concern, "The so-called Heavenly Star is born carrying the fortune of a province. Tonight, the Heavenly Star of Fanzhou is flickering intermittently. This is unusual..."