Chapter 1168 - 641: People Always Change

Li Zhibai knew Xu Chang’an wanted to ask her about the topics discussed at the banquet hall.

But, what was she supposed to say?

Say that Zhu Pingniang was happily discussing her menstrual blood with Wen Li and Yun Qian?

Even she had things she couldn’t express in words.

So, it was better to drink some wine.

A slightly spicy sensation smoothed over her throat, experiencing that sharpness entirely different from the lingering taste of tea, Li Zhibai felt an indescribable comfort in her heart.

In the past, she loved tea. As for wine, it was only that jar of Jade Dew Zhu Pingniang gave her, which she occasionally drank with Yun Qian. But after having a few drinks with the Sect Leader and Tong Jun before... she kind of likes it now.

"..."

Xu Chang’an held a White Jade Porcelain Bowl, watching the slightly swaying gleaming Jade Dew reflecting the lights. Opposite him, the woman sipped clear wine, wearing a rare hint of red hue on her face, which was unusual to him.

What kind of person was Mr. Sword Hall...?

Xu Chang’an could never understand.

She seemed emotionless yet was deeply emotional. She appeared stern and solemn but could also host banquets with friends at a brothel, and now...

Mr. Sword Hall was drinking with him.

Xu Chang’an shook the porcelain bowl in his hand and took a sip of fragrant wine.

In the past, he held a Standard Longsword, cultivating under Mr. Sword Hall’s somewhat disappointed gaze, never imagining a day like this would come.

"Mr. Sword Hall."

"Hmm?" Li Zhibai gently responded, already accustomed to Xu Chang’an calling her whenever he was idle.

"It’s rare to see you drinking," Xu Chang’an smiled. Given Li Zhibai’s personality, appearance, and demeanor, tea suited her more.

She’s the green-robed guest sipping tea during breaks at the academy. In comparison, the image of a freewheeling, worldly immortal often associated with being ’drunk’ doesn’t match Li Zhibai at all.

The saying goes, drinking wine can make one a fairy, sipping tea can lead to the Dao.

Li Zhibai isn’t a fairy but rather a Female Crown.

"Strange?" Li Zhibai asked.

"Very strange." Xu Chang’an thought for a while, then added, "Tea clears the heart, wine brings joy."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but Li Zhibai knew what he wanted to say.

"People do change, it’s worth a slap." Li Zhibai tapped the table lightly with her finger, simulating the sound of a ruler.

Chang’an looked at her with a fixed mindset, believing she should be fixed in a certain image, which was quite disrespectful to her as his teacher... But Li Zhibai wasn’t angry at all.

"People do change, that’s true." Xu Chang’an paused, thoughtfully watching the woman in front of him: "But Mr. Sword Hall... how long has it been since you last changed?"

"...Me?" Li Zhibai was suddenly taken aback by his words.

Indeed.

People do change.

But it’s been a long time since she last changed. Those that could be called significant changes... were actually few. From start to finish, Li Zhibai’s transformations were sparse.

From a tea party-hosting lady to the latest Dao Scripture Female Crown, that was a change, a transformation brought about by cultivation.

From an aloof Hidden Immortal chasing the Heavenly Dao to Chaoyun Sect’s Sword Hall Mr. Sword Hall and Pill Master, that was a change, a transformation given to her by Tong Jun.

What happened next?

No matter how many years passed, Li Zhibai seldom changed again—surrounded by dust in the vast sea, stars shifting—she remained consistent in personality and living habits.

However...

Recently, her changes were so startling even she felt alarmed. In just a few years, she transformed entirely in her personality, attire, and even her cultivation path.

At this moment, holding wine lightly, Li Zhibai compared to the Hidden Immortal before meeting Xu Chang’an... they were like two different people.

Chang’an was right—even if people inevitably change, her recent changes... weren’t they too much, too vast, too complicated?

"Mr. Sword Hall." Xu Chang’an raised his head, eyes filled with concern: "I’ve heard that for those in cultivation, the Dao Heart is the most important. You still... need to be careful."

He knew many of Li Zhibai’s changes were related to him and Yun Qian, but Xu Chang’an wasn’t worried about that.

Li Zhibai: "..."

The corners of her eyes slightly twitched.

What did she think Chang’an wanted to tell her?

Turns out, he was worried her rapid changes could lead to an unstable Dao Heart, worried she might encounter problems on her cultivation path?

Changes to one’s Dao Heart wouldn’t reflect on things like whether she wore a Daoist Robe or chose tea or wine.

Li Zhibai suddenly didn’t know what to say.

Chang’an hasn’t even walked steadily on his cultivation path, yet he started worrying about her Dao Heart... but her heart was quite warm because it’s this naive ignorance that highlighted his genuine concern.

"Put your mind at ease, the Dao Heart isn’t what you think it is." Li Zhibai said, then refilled her cup and looked up: "Chang’an, do you also feel... my changes are a bit abrupt?"

Upon hearing Li Zhibai’s words, Xu Chang’an finally relaxed a bit, then responded to her question: "Mr. Sword Hall, to be honest, your recent changes indeed have been a bit quick."

It’s known that even for him, it took some time and effort to gradually get used to the current Li Zhibai.

Not just him, Qinling mentioned when chatting with him that Li Zhibai was entirely different from before.

"Is that so." Li Zhibai wanted to say something, but she suddenly gave up.

She originally wanted to tell Xu Chang’an, most of her changes came from Ms. Yun awakening that girlish heart, a product of natural selection against the Heavenly Dao, a result of reclaiming her feminine heart.

But Li Zhibai thought carefully; compared to those around her... her changes barely mattered, nothing needing explanation.

In terms of significant changes?

Look at Wen Li, this girl transformed from a short-haired, spirited individual into a highland flower perched at the top of Muyu Peak. Recently, clad in a black long skirt, draped with cloud shoulders, holding a Pear Blossom Umbrella as she travels... she’s captivated countless hearts.

Don’t mention Wen Li.

Even compared to the Sect Leader, from Lord of Qingzhou to a fruit-eating, sticker-faced young girl.

Her changes, can they compare to Tong Jun’s? Turning into the ethereal Clear Fairy everyone recognized, morphing into the charming Courtesan.

Li Zhibai knew she couldn’t compare to the Sect Leader. Even Tong Jun... in terms of talent, Zhu Tongjun is truly unrivaled, far superior to someone like her, who merely catered to the destiny of the Heavenly Dao by being born in the right era.

"Chang’an, the people around me change too much. Perhaps, change is the great trend of heaven and earth." Li Zhibai sighed softly: "Compared to them, maybe... my changes aren’t enough."

Xu Chang’an: "...?"

Concerned about Li Zhibai, that’s not what he meant.

Mr. Sword Hall actually felt her changes... weren’t enough?

Almost becoming like his mother, if that wasn’t enough, then what would be enough?

Xu Chang’an was momentarily stunned.