Transforming into a stunningly beautiful fox spirit, leaving a scar on the heart of a prodigy.

The tower gate closed, shutting out the swirling snow and the blind old man's snoring.

The tower was brightly lit even though no lights were on inside.

The four walls were inlaid with dense fluorite, and the soft light made the mahogany shelves gleam with a warm luster.

A faint scent of ink wafted in the air, mixed with the musty smell unique to aged paper, which was surprisingly calming.

The old ancestor walked ahead, taking small, slow steps, his hands behind his back, like a wealthy old man strolling in his own backyard after a full meal.

Chen Xuan followed behind, holding Su Chang'an's hand tightly, making Su Chang'an's fingers ache.

"Loosen up a bit," Su Chang'an muttered softly, scratching his palm with her fingers. "My hand is about to break."

Chen Xuan didn't loosen his grip; instead, he tightened it even more, and his body intentionally or unintentionally moved in front of her to block her.

The old ancestor seemed not to hear the commotion behind him and continued walking up the stairs on his own.

The wooden stairs make no sound when you step on them; they're very sturdy.

"This tower is quite old."

The ancestor suddenly spoke, his voice echoing in the empty tower, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Chen Xuan did not respond.

Su Chang'an didn't dare to say a word, only looking down at his toes, pretending to be a timid person who had never seen the world.

The old man didn't care that no one was there to support him. He held onto the stair railing, his fingertips tracing the smooth wood grain worn smooth by time.

Three thousand years ago, this place was still a wasteland.

He kept walking, his tone calm, as if he were telling someone else's story.

"Back then, the Northern Region was colder than it is now. The wind and snow could cut through a person's flesh. Monsters roamed freely, and humans lived like rats in the ground, barely surviving by hiding under the frozen ground."

Su Chang'an's ears twitched.

That opening remark actually sounds quite convincing.

She was so focused on completing quests in the game that she didn't really pay much attention to the background of the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect, only knowing that it was a major villainous force in the later stages of the game.

The old ancestor stopped and stood at the corner on the second floor, looking back once.

His gaze passed over Chen Xuan's shoulder and landed on Su Chang'an.

His gaze was light and not at all intimidating, yet it sent chills down Su Chang'an's spine.

She instinctively shrank her neck and buried half her face in Chen Xuan's back.

The old ancestor smiled, turned around, and continued walking uphill.

"Back then, there were no sects or rules. Might makes right, and whoever could grab the food would survive."

"Until a fool appeared."

The old man's voice carried a hint of amusement, as if he had remembered something amusing.

"That fool is a rogue cultivator, not very skilled, but stubborn. She can't stand seeing humans being eaten by demonic beasts, nor can she stand seeing her own kind stabbing each other in the back."

"She stuck a stick in the snow and said she wanted to set a rule."

"What are the rules?" Chen Xuan suddenly asked.

The old ancestor paused for a moment, turned his head, and gave Chen Xuan an appreciative look.

She said, "Those who enter my sect are not judged by their origins, social status, or past. As long as they are willing to cultivate the Tao and protect the peace of a region, they are disciples of my Supreme Forgetfulness Sect."

"Education should be provided to all without discrimination."

The ancestor uttered these four words with a touch of solemnity in his voice.

Su Chang'an inwardly curled his lip.

That sounds nice.

If education truly is for all, then why was that blind old man at the door stopping me?

It's all about treating people differently based on their status.

But the thought only lasted a moment; she didn't dare reveal it and continued to obediently play the role of her well-behaved cousin.

The three of them went up to the third floor.

There were noticeably fewer bookshelves on this floor, but each book was packaged in a jade box, making them appear exceptionally precious.

The old ancestor walked to the window and pushed it open halfway.

The wind and snow outside rushed in, making his white hair dance wildly and his wide Taoist robe flutter in the wind.

"Nobody believed her back then."

The old ancestor gazed at the vast snow-capped mountains outside the window, his eyes somewhat unfocused.

"Everyone says she's crazy. In this cannibalistic world, it's hard enough to survive, let alone protect others? It's a joke."

"But she didn't give up."

"She picked up beggars who were about to freeze to death and rescued orphans who were being chased by monsters. She shared her food with them and taught them her martial arts."

"As more and more people gathered, the wooden sticks became wooden houses, the wooden houses became stone halls, and finally, they became this sect that stands atop the Northern Region."

The old ancestor turned around, leaned against the windowsill, and his gaze fell on Su Chang'an again.

He looked at it for quite a while this time.

Those seemingly young eyes held so much vicissitude and depth, as if they could see right through a person's bones.

"Little girl, what do you think of this story?"

Su Chang'an stiffened when his name was called.

She looked up, blinked her innocent big eyes, and said timidly, "It...it sounds nice. That person...is a good person."

The old ancestor was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

The laughter was so hearty that it made the window frame tremble.

"A good person? Yes, she is a good person."

The old man finished laughing, shook his head, and said, "It's a pity that good people don't live long."

Chen Xuan's fingers twitched, and he subconsciously reached for the broken sword at his waist.

The old ancestor saw this but said nothing, simply turning around and continuing upstairs.

"Those who came after her took up her sword and continued to guard this snowfield."

"One generation after another."

"Some died in battle, some passed away peacefully, some fell into demonic possession, and some ascended to immortality. But the reputation of the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect has never fallen."

The old man's voice deepened, carrying a profound weight that seemed to have stood the test of time.

"It's been thousands of years."

"From a small sect with only a few dilapidated thatched huts to a behemoth that now intimidates the Northern Region, it didn't rely on any peerless martial arts techniques or rare treasures."

"It depends on people."

The old ancestor stopped at the top of the stairs on the fifth floor and pointed to the rows of portraits hanging on the wall.

The people in those portraits were varied in appearance—some were old, some were young, some were handsome, and some were ugly. But without exception, their eyes were bright, revealing a spirit of defiance.

"These are all disciples who died fighting for the sect throughout the ages."

The old ancestor looked at the portraits with a tender gaze, as if he were looking at his own children.

"The highest form of detachment from emotions does not mean the absence of feelings."

"The highest level is to be detached from emotions, while the lowest level is to be devoid of emotions. The very people who are most attached to emotions are those of us."

"Only those with great love in their hearts can set aside personal feelings and protect all living beings."

These words were spoken with great conviction.

Even Chen Xuan, whose heart was only filled with Su Chang'an, was moved upon hearing this.

He looked at the portraits, a hint of respect flashing in his eyes.

Su Chang'an, however, felt uneasy.

If the Supreme Forgetfulness Sect is really as good as it claims, then what about all her previous experiences?

The old patriarch seemed to have gotten tired of talking and sat down in a grand chair.

He waved, signaling the two of them to come over.

"sit."

Chen Xuan didn't move, still standing in front of Su Chang'an like a wooden stake.

The old ancestor wasn't annoyed. He pointed to the stool next to him and said, "Don't worry, I don't eat people."

Chen Xuan then pulled Su Chang'an to sit down, but his buttocks only touched half of the stool, ready to jump up at any moment.

The old ancestor looked at Su Chang'an, his eyes becoming somewhat dazed again.

"What's your name?"

Su Chang'an shrank his neck and answered softly, "Su... Su Erya."

Chen Xuan's lips twitched.

The old ancestor didn't laugh, but simply nodded. "Er Ya, a good name. A humble name makes a child easier to raise."

He took out a jade slip from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it over.

"There's not much in this tower suitable for mortals to see. But this scroll of the 'Heart-Cleansing Mantra' is quite interesting. Reciting it when you have nothing to do can calm your mind and reduce nightmares."

Su Chang'an looked at the jade slip but didn't dare to reach out.

Who would dare accept something given by this old monster? What if it had some kind of restriction or a trigger for possession? Wouldn't she have died unjustly?

"Take it."

The old patriarch spoke gently, "Consider it a small gift."

Chen Xuan reached out and took the jade slip, putting it into his pocket. "Thank you, Ancestor."

The old ancestor glanced at Chen Xuan, his eyes revealing a deeper meaning.

"Your personality is just like someone from back then."

"Who?" Chen Xuan asked.

"An old friend." The old ancestor didn't elaborate, then turned his gaze back to Su Chang'an's face, "You look like him too."

Su Chang'an felt a chill run down his spine.

Again.

Who exactly is this old man looking at through her?

Could it be the original owner of this body?

Or which ancestor of the nine-tailed fox clan?

The old ancestor sighed, stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to the two people.

"This Supreme Forgetfulness Sect may look glorious now, but it is actually riddled with problems."

"Rules, if established for too long, can easily become distorted. People's hearts, if left unmoved for too long, can easily descend into chaos."

"I've lived too long, and sometimes I can't even see which way to go."

His words were somewhat desolate, revealing a sense of helplessness in the twilight of a hero.

As Su Chang'an watched his retreating figure, the strange feeling in her heart grew stronger.

This old man doesn't seem like a bad person at all.

Is there something wrong with the game's plot?

"Alright, let's not talk about these old, trivial matters."

The old ancestor waved his hand, turned around, and his kind smile returned to his face.

"Since we're here, let's stay in this tower a little longer. There are some rare books on swordsmanship up there that might be useful to this kid."

He pointed upstairs.

"As for this girl..."

The old ancestor paused, his gaze lingering on Su Chang'an for a moment, before finally smiling.

"Stay here and chat with this old man."

Chen Xuan's expression changed, and he was about to refuse.

The old ancestor waved his hand, and a gentle yet irresistible force lifted Chen Xuan up and sent him directly to the stairs leading to the third floor.

"Go."

Some opportunities, once missed, are gone forever.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't lay a hand on a little girl."

Chen Xuan's figure disappeared at the top of the stairs, leaving only a hurried "Wait for me."