Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Recalling his mockery of Li Yuan over the past few days, and his arrogant and disdainful demeanor, he felt ashamed and wished he could disappear into the ground.

"Junior Uncle, you should use your internal energy to heal your injuries first."

Seeing this, the disciples were very worried and tried to persuade him.

"Xuan Yi."

Zhang Daojing shakily stepped down from the carriage, came to Xuan Yi, sighed softly, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Do you know why your teacher has remained silent these past few days?"

Xuan Yi lowered his head, looking dejected: "This disciple does not know."

"I want you to see your own limitations, to see that there are always people more capable than you, and to see the cruelty of this world."

Xuan Yi's body trembled, and tears streamed down his face.

"I have lost all my cultivation and my days are numbered." Zhang Daojing's voice was tinged with weariness. "From now on, you will have to walk your own path. I can no longer protect you or shield you from disasters."

"If you continue to be so arrogant and disdainful of others, you will suffer a great loss sooner or later. You were lucky to be saved by Li Yuan today, but what about next time? How will you save yourself when you face the enemy alone?"

Xuan Yi suddenly raised his head, tears streaming down his face: "Master... this disciple was wrong..."

Looking at his most beloved disciple, Zhang Daojing felt a sense of relief. He knew that this child was finally starting to grow up. Although the price was heavy, at least it wasn't too late.

Xuan Yi struggled to his feet, walked to Li Yuan, and bowed deeply: "Lord Li, I'm sorry, I was narrow-minded and offended you greatly."

"Thank you for putting aside past grievances and coming to my rescue."

Li Yuan reached out to help him up, and said calmly, "No need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank your master."

Xuan Yi's eyes reddened, and he turned around and knelt down with a thud, kowtowing three times heavily to Zhang Daojing.

"Master, your disciple thanks you for your teachings!"

Zhang Daojing nodded and reached out to pat his head: "Get up, think carefully about how you should proceed in the future."

"Yes, Master."

Zhang Xuanyi stood up and respectfully helped his master up.

Several days later, at Longhu Mountain.

At the mountain gate, the Celestial Master's Mansion's eldest disciple, Master Xuanqing, and his disciples had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Zhang Daojing's carriage slowly approaching, they all bowed in greeting.

"Welcome back to the mountain, Master!"

Ji Fanghua helped Zhang Daojing down from the carriage. Looking at the familiar landscape before them, a relieved smile appeared on her aged face.

When he left Longhu Mountain, he was still a highly accomplished Taoist master, but when he returned, he had lost all his cultivation and was a haggard old man.

"Get up, everyone."

His gaze remained calm, and his steps were unhurried, as if neither gain nor loss, honor nor disgrace had left a trace in his heart.

Seeing their master's aged appearance, many people's eyes reddened, and they held back their tears as they surrounded Zhang Daojing and slowly climbed the bluestone steps.

Having completed their mission, Li Yuan and his companions did not disturb them. They stayed at the inn, intending to rest for a while before setting off back to Chang'an.

Since that day, Xuan Yi has become taciturn, and after returning to the mountain, he locked himself in his room and refused to come out.

The next morning, he arrived at the inn alone, where Li Yuan was practicing his sword in the courtyard.

"Lord Li, may I speak with you in private?"

He stood quietly at the door, his tone respectful. Li Yuan sheathed his sword, glanced at him, and noticed that Xuan Yi's complexion was much better than before. The restlessness in his eyes had faded, and he seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.

The two walked slowly along the path outside the inn. Xuan Yi remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"Lord Li, I must apologize to you again for what happened that day."

Li Yuan didn't turn around, but simply said, "You've already apologized."

"This time is different." Xuan Yi shook his head. "I've thought a lot these past few days. From childhood to adulthood, I've been my master's most beloved disciple. Everyone in the Celestial Master's Mansion has spoiled me. I've always thought I was something special."

He gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Until that day, when I couldn't even withstand a single move from the Demon King of the Underworld, while you killed it with just four strikes, I realized how ridiculous I was."

Li Yuan stopped and turned to look at him: "It seems you already have a plan."

"Yes, I want to go down the mountain to gain experience." Xuan Yi raised his head. "Master is right. I haven't seen the real world and I don't know my own limitations."

"So I want to see how big this world is, see what the real strong people are like, and also find out my own worth."

"The fact that you think this way shows that your master's efforts have not been in vain. Going down the mountain to gain experience is a good thing, but remember, no one in the outside world can help you. You can only rely on yourself."

"Yes." Xuan Yi nodded solemnly, "I've got it."

That afternoon, Li Yuan received an invitation from Zhang Daojing to meet at a quiet room on the back mountain.

Li Yuan followed the disciple who was leading the way, passing through many courtyards, and arrived at the back mountain. In the quiet room, Zhang Daojing sat on a futon by the window, with a pot of tea in front of him. His breathing was a little weaker than a few days ago, but his spirits were still good.

"Sit down," Zhang Daojing said, pointing to the futon opposite him.

Li Yuan sat down opposite him, took the tea he was offered, and took a small sip. The tea was fragrant and refreshing, and it was a top-quality Longhu Mountain Cloud Mist Tea.

The two drank tea in silence for a while before Zhang Daojing slowly spoke: "Young brother, I have cultivated for a thousand years. I dare not speak of other things, but I do have some experience in the art of observing people."

He looked up at Li Yuan, his gaze deep, "I can see that you carry a lot on your shoulders."

Li Yuan paused slightly, holding the teacup, without responding.

"Don't worry, I won't ask any more questions." Zhang Daojing's gaze was calm. "Everyone has their own secrets and their own path to walk. I just want to ask you one question."

"Please speak, sir."

Zhang Daojing was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What is your view of this world?"

Li Yuan's heart skipped a beat. This question was too strange. Could it be that Zhang Daojing had seen something?

"Why would you ask such a question?"

Zhang Daojing smiled gently: "When I was young, I saw an ancient book that recorded some very interesting things."

"About the origin of the world, about the boundaries of heaven and earth, and some things that exist in legends and do not belong to this world."

He looked up and gazed meaningfully at Li Yuan: "I always thought that was just nonsense, until recently, when I saw through the illusion of life and death, I realized that some things may not be false."

Li Yuan looked into his eyes. Although he was an old man who had lost all his cultivation, his gaze was incredibly clear, as if he could see right through Li Yuan's heart.

Perhaps the old man did see through his origins, but he believed that the other party would not harm him.

"If you really want to say something, just say it."

Zhang Daojing looked at him with a clear and all-knowing gaze. He smiled and suddenly changed the subject: "I have cast a divination for you these past few days."

"The divination indicates that you are about to encounter a great calamity, a calamity that concerns your life and death, as well as your origins and your destination."

Li Yuan frowned slightly, remained silent, and waited for what was to come.

"I cannot see the specific details clearly." Zhang Daojing frowned slightly. "There is a very powerful force that obscures the secrets of heaven, preventing anyone from prying into them. But I can sense that the root of that calamity is related to the reason you came into this world."

Li Yuan looked up in shock. He realized that he was not from this world.