Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Chapter 267 Testing

After many years.

Zhu Wuyao finally returned to the Star-Picking Tower once again.

Who would have thought that someone who entered the Foundation Establishment stage in just one or two years would only progress from the early Foundation Establishment stage to the middle Foundation Establishment stage thirteen years later?

Stepping through the mountain gate and gazing at the towering, familiar Zhaixing Tower in the distance, Zhu Wuyao was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

It's not easy.

I, like fallen leaves inviting autumn's arrival, have finally returned once more!

Unfortunately, things change rapidly, and the little bit of fame she once made has long been forgotten due to a lack of activity.

"Huh? That person standing at the door looks kind of familiar."

"You've mistaken me for someone else. Don't all cultivators look like this?"

"That's true, they all like to wear solid-colored clothes and carry a weapon on their backs..."

A gust of wind blew.

Especially bleak.

It's quite chilling.

Hua Yingting and Xu San'er walked up to her side.

They all sighed.

"I wonder how deserted my alchemy room is now."

"I wonder... who stole all the business after I left!"

The three stood side by side in front of the mountain gate, each reminiscing about their own businesses.

Such a vast empire, just like that, gone...

At this moment——

A person strolled by.

Then, swinging the bag in his hand, he slowly retreated.

Song Kezi looked the three people at the door up and down.

Then he stared at Zhu Wuyao for a long time.

"Humph!"

He snorted coldly, turned and left, as if he had made up his mind.

Zhu Wuyao burst out laughing. Hey, it's been thirteen years since we last met, and Song Kezi hasn't even reached the Golden Core stage yet. Their cultivation levels are basically the same.

Song Kezi, who happened to be passing by, provided Zhu Wuyao with immense psychological comfort.

He has three disciples personally taught by Zhaixinglou, and they all have the nerve to stay at the Foundation Establishment stage. So what if I haven't made any progress?

At least I haven't regressed!

Happiness is always relative.

Hua Yingting also felt a little emotional. She knew that none of the disciples personally taught by Sect Leader Fang, apart from her second senior sister Gu Yiguan, were reliable.

She made progress even though she went out!

Xu San'er recognized the bag that Song Kezi was swinging in his hand and happened to be passing by on his way to get Yue Feng.

Hey! Who's still living off their monthly stipend?

So he's the third disciple personally taught by Zhaixinglou!

He remembered the large amount of spirit stones he had accumulated in his storage bag after his trip, buying and selling things, and suddenly laughed out loud with joy.

"My two elder sisters, I'll go collect my monthly allowance now!"

Hehe, thirteen years have passed, I must have accumulated a lot of spirit stones and made some new income!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Zhu Wuyao arrived at Xundao Hall.

Upon meeting Sect Leader Fang, her first question was:

"Sect Leader, why am I allowed to perform divination?"

Divination had been with her for a long time, and it had become second nature to her.

But upon closer reflection, among all the disciples of the Star-Picking Pavilion, not many have mastered divination techniques.

Yet, even before she entered the Star-Picking Tower, she was already able to perform divination for others.

Sect Leader Fang was not surprised by her return.

Instead, she found Zhu Wuyao's question somewhat strange and asked in return:

"Don't you realize what makes you different?"

Hearing this question...

Zhu Wuyao felt a little guilty. Of course she knew what was different; not only had she transmigrated, but she had also been accompanied by that spirit pen as soon as she landed.

If it is that spirit pen, with Qi Jianxian's reminder, there is nothing to hide.

But what if Sect Leader Fang was referring to time travel...?

There are some things to say about this.

However, since Sect Leader Fang did not make it clear, Zhu Wuyao was unsure whether she knew or not, and had no way of asking.

Zhu Wuyao didn't dwell on this issue for too long.

She asked the question that concerned her most:

"Sect Leader, there may be a day when we meet again, but when exactly will we be able to meet?"

Nearly fifteen years have passed since we parted ways that day.

However, when she was in Nanli City, the prophecy made by Sect Leader Fang never came true, especially since... she was delayed for many years.

Sect Leader Fang shook his head and said:

"Regarding the matter of Nanli City, it transcends cause and effect. I only received the phrase 'perhaps we will meet again someday,' but I don't know what it specifically refers to."

Zhu Wuyao stood with his eyes lowered, listening as Sect Leader Fang continued:

Is it possible that you once brushed past her, or that you have already found an opportunity to reunite with her?

"But you didn't realize it, and you missed it."

She looked up sharply.

When she met Sect Leader Fang's eyes, for some reason, she seemed to sense a gentleness, a gentleness tinged with pity.

Zhu Wuyao paused for a moment, then asked with a slight hesitation:

"Do you... know more than I do, but haven't told me?"

Sect Leader Fang smiled and said:

"Look how scared you are. Don't worry, after all these years, I'm certain that she's still alive."

"As long as you keep moving forward, every step you take is on the path to meeting her."

These words did not comfort Zhu Wuyao.

She smiled and said:

“I once lost a mule, and now I feel like a mule with a carrot hanging in front of me.”

"Because of your words, whether I like it or not, I have to keep moving forward."

"Will you only return the radish to me when I can no longer walk?"

Sect Leader Fang raised an eyebrow slightly. Was this... an eagerness to find someone, leading to an equal attack on everyone?

"Are you doubting me?"

"You happened to be in Nanli City at the time and saved my sword."

"You're asking me, if I could save your sword, why couldn't I save a person?"

I wish you silence without being invited.

Sect Leader Fang said, "I don't owe you anything. Helping you seven parts isn't enough; I have to help you twelve parts."

"How could I not know—"

At this point, Sect Leader Fang paused. She suddenly realized that Zhu Wuyao was not the kind of person who would be demanding of others. She could get along well with people like Ye Xiaozhou and Xu San'er, so why would she stand here criticizing those who had helped her?

Are you testing me?

Zhu Wuyao raised his hand, bowed his head in greeting, and said:

"If she's with you, at least her life is safe. If you want, I'm willing to keep searching. I just want to know the truth."

This means that even if it's a form of control over her, she's willing to cooperate.

Sect Leader Fang looked at Zhu Wuyao, who had his head down, and suddenly understood something, letting out a barely audible sigh.

"You must be tired from your journey."

It's just that Zhu Wuyao, who was once reckless and naive, clamoring to save Nanli City and misjudging people's hearts, has finally grown up.

They began to become wary and suspicious, and no longer easily trusted others.

“I really don’t know where she is. Perhaps I have hidden things from you in other matters, but I have not lied to you about this matter.”

“You are indeed on the road to reuniting with her.”

Zhu Wuyao seemed both discouraged and relieved.

I don't know whether I felt disappointed or lucky.