"Even if you donāt invite me, Iād still come." Biyue Piaoling chuckled and then stepped forward, feeling as familiar as if heād been at the Immortal Sect before.
Seeing this, Wen Ping felt a bit odd inside. But knowing he wouldnāt figure anything out by pondering it, he quickly sped up, welcoming Biyue Piaoling to the Tingyu Pavilion and poured a cup of his usual tea.
However, after glancing at it, Biyue Piaoling didnāt disdain it. Instead, he took a sip and savored the moment with his eyes closed. "Bitter at first but sweet later; definitely a good tea."
After saying this, Biyue Piaoling placed the cup back on the table, smiling, "But if an Upper Profound Realm cultivator visits next time, donāt serve them this tea. Not everyone appreciates subtlety."
It was the first time heād encountered someone serving plain tea to an Upper Profound Realm cultivator. Other factions usually present their finest offerings eagerly to let him taste.
Wen Ping paid no mind to his words. Whether the tea was good or not, he just wanted to know why Biyue Piaoling had come here.
He said heās nearing the end of his life.
Could it be heās here to find a quiet place to wait for death?
Wen Ping immediately asked, "Senior, you look quite well, doesnāt seem like youāre suffering from any ailment."
Biyue Piaoling smiled forthrightly, "What can you tell from appearances? Iām 190 years old, can you tell from just my complexion? Letās not talk about this; tell me how you managed to kill Wei Qianjue."
Wen Ping asked, "Has this spread to Huangli City already?"
Biyue Piaoling shook his head and explained softly, "No, I met a little fellow on the way here who escaped from Cangwu City. He told me. But I reckon this news will reach Huangli City in a few days, and soon everyone around East Lake will know. With Wei Qianjue dead, no one will dare take Shan Longās bounty of 50 White Crystals, so you can enjoy some peaceful days temporarily."
Upon hearing Biyue Piaolingās words, Wen Ping laughed nonchalantly and poured more tea for him.
This time though, halfway through pouring, Biyue Piaoling stopped him, "Too much of this tea can taste astringent."
Wen Ping immediately withdrew the teapot and asked, "Senior, youāve sold Biyue Tower; where do you plan to go next?"
"First stop, here. Second stop, no idea. Go wherever; might even die halfway, no need to go anywhere."
Biyue Piaoling laughed carefreely.
The word ādeathā from his lips seemed like a mere gentle feather.
And Wen Ping wondered, what kind of heart does a person who doesnāt shy away from death carry right now? At least he couldnāt face death, nor did he dare think of it, as his life was only beginning.
Maybe out of curiosity, Wen Ping asked, "Senior, what illness do you have?"
"Want to know?"
Biyue Piaoling squinted and smiled at Wen Ping, as if enticing him to continue questioning.
Yet Wen Ping didnāt comply, shaking his head immediately, "Well, Iām not particularly interested."
"Haha!"
Biyue Piaoling laughed, standing up.
But this time, his smile was bitter. Gazing outside through Tingyu Pavilionās window, unspeakable sadness clouded his eyes. It was like a wild goose that couldnāt catch up with the flock flying back.
And then he murmured in words no one could hear: A hundred years of cultivation, yet destined to become a handful of yellow earth.
Who in the world can cure his Tomb Poison?
Saying heās unwilling, thereās actually some truth in it.
If it werenāt for the Tomb Poison hindering his advancement to Divine Profound, he wouldnāt have to wait for his lifespan to end and die.
Wen Ping merely watched, saying nothing.
He didnāt perceive Biyue Piaoling negatively, nor did he see him positively.
And so, as they chatted away, nearly an hour passed. Wen Ping thought of the dumplings that should be near ready while Biyue Piaoling was nearing the hourās last moment.
At this moment, Huai Ye ascended to the Tingyu Pavilion.
After knocking, he spoke, "Sect Leader, Elder Yunās upgrade to Profound Realm is complete."
Wen Ping nodded, not rising to open the door but responding from within, "Mm, you may go now. Remember to call everyone to gather in front of the Main Hall; I have an announcement to make."
"Okay,"
Huai Ye nodded before turning to leave.
Then came Biyue Piaolingās voice frequently heard, "Congratulations, Sect Leader Wen, adding another Profound disciple!"
Wen Ping glanced back at Biyue Piaoling, first thanked him, and then said, "Senior Biyue, letās end our conversation here today. Iāll escort you down the mountain, and if youāre still here tomorrow, we can chat again."
"Ah, issuing an eviction notice right at mealtime, is this how a sect leader acts?"
Biyue Piaoling smiled helplessly.
He thought Wen Ping truly wasnāt like a typical sect leader, hosting an Upper Profound Realm cultivator without attendants or fine tea. He wasnāt fond of such formalities anyway.
But to issue an eviction notice at mealtime, well, that was excessive.
Was this the attitude towards an Upper Profound Realm cultivator?
Wen Ping merely responded, "Senior, itās Immortal Sect regulation that outsiders cannot stay longer than an hour."
"Thereās such a rule?"
Biyue Piaoling replied coyly but said no more and rose to walk out of Tingyu Pavilion.
With a deep breath, Biyue Piaoling smiled. "I must say, this Immortal Sectās domain is truly pure; merely standing here feels refreshing."
Upon hearing this, Wen Ping smiled lightly.
But he said nothing more.
With a gesture ahead, he said, "Senior, please!"
Biyue Piaoling smiled, nodded, and as he walked down, said, "This lifetime, this Tomb Poison claims my life, but next lifetime surely it wonāt. Sect Leader Wen, seems our friendship must deepen in the next life."
"Mm."
At this point, Wen Ping believed Biyue Piaoling, trusting he came here merely to call him a friend.
And as he escorted him downward, Wen Ping silently inquired of his system, "System, what is this Tomb Poison?"
The system hurriedly explained, "This is a ācurseā destined from birth leading to the tomb. Few have this poison, fewer die from it. As part of the innate system, its single detestable aspect isāit blocks the path from Upper Profound to Divine Profound. An Upper Profound cultivator restricted from advancing to Divine Profound has a lifespan only around 180 to 190 years, forced to accept the fate of slowly dying."
Wen Ping couldnāt help but sigh, "That truly is quite tragic."
After sighing, he continued escorting Biyue Piaoling down the Thousand Layers Steps.
Though he stayed silent, his system spoke up, "Host, arenāt you curious about the way to remove the Tomb Poison?"
Wen Ping responded indifferently, "Why should I be curious about that? I havenāt contracted the Tomb Poison."
The system replied, "But thereās someone before you who has."