He Kao suddenly drifted off, momentarily forgetting to speak, as if entering a state of ethereal enlightenment, standing there as if forgetting his own existence, yet also seemingly omnipresent within the sky and clouds.

In the past, he could only enter such a state in deep meditation, but today, it was unexpectedly touched upon during idle chatter, filled with an unprecedented sense of vivacity and freshness.

He stood there not knowing how long had passed, when suddenly the light and shadows before his eyes rippled and shattered, bringing him back to consciousness.

In the pool were a few white stones gradually emerging from the water; jumping from one to another could lead to the opposite shore. It was there that Gu Chun sat on a white stone, taking off his shoes to soak his feet in the pool.

Ripples he stirred shattered the sky's reflection in the water, swirling the green mountains and white clouds, and he beckoned, "This water is so clear, why don't you come soak too?"

He Kao also took off his shoes and sat on another stone. The pool water wasn't cold, providing a very comfortable and refreshing feeling, as if his mood had been washed to a particular purity.

Gu Chun seemed to muse to himself, "My cultivation, it isn't that low either."

He Kao: "Yes, indeed! It's quite high."

Gu Chun: "I've cultivated for so many years, was it to make myself more and more toil and trouble, more and more busy, more and more mentally exhausted, and more and more uncomfortable?"

He Kao was just about to speak when the elder continued, "Of course, it was to become more carefree with cultivation, to feel lighter, to become thoroughly delightful and happy.

So what you said earlier was wrong, saying how I was too hard-working, busy running around all day, exhausting my mind without rest. It sounded like a compliment, but it equaled an insult."

He Kao waved his hand continuously, saying, "Earth Master, I really didn't mean it that way…"

Gu Chun laughed, "I know you didn't mean it that way. 'Not even a speck of dust can catch you, a white cloud floats freely'—that's the verse you just recited, describing my carefree nature.

It shows you do understand.

But then you turned and said I was struggling just to say something pleasant, just to flatter me. No need to call me Earth Master, you call Old Ghost 'Grandpa,' call shameless Elder Li, just call me Uncle Gu."

He Kao: "Uncle Gu, please guide me."

Gu Chun: "I know about what you did in Nanhua. A couple of days ago, I even went to that abandoned park specifically to have a look, and the handling was very good.

I initially planned to scold if anything was wrong, but in the end, I couldn't find any fault. You're young, your cultivation isn't high, but your work is quite meticulous."

He Kao modestly said, "These are things I ought to do."

Gu Chun looked up towards the mountain peak: "How many things in this world are there that ought to be done? And have people done them? No one insisted you do this task, did you seek it out yourself?"

He Kao: "Yes, though the Huiming Shi Family has been annihilated, Gu Jiang committed suicide, and the whereabouts of those cleaners he trained are unknown. I know what those cleaners did, couldn't just ignore it, wanting not only to vent my anger but also to eliminate the hidden danger."

The pool water returned to stillness, blue sky and white clouds were again at their feet, Gu Chun wiggled his toes to stir the water, disrupting it again, "You wouldn't let those cleaners go, but you let Ye Liangcheng off."

He Kao: "Ye Liangcheng is also a victim, he didn't commit any wrongdoing himself but was set up, deceived, and used by Gu Jiang and Hu Shulue. The fall of the Huiming Shi Family was actually his liberation."

Gu Chun: "For an ordinary person, reaching that point would have sufficed, revealing the whole truth and asking him if he was willing to help find the other cleaners.

But you put that first step at the end, taking a month and a half, running so many trips from Qi Yuan to Nanhua, all on your rest days.

Playing the role of a senior expert, exchanging and parring with him, unraveling and pointing out the incompleteness of his Heart Method, assigning him tasks to confirm the identities and activities of former comrades.

When Feng Zilong came, you could have taken him down immediately, but instead, had Ye Liangcheng pretend to be poisoned, luring Feng Zilong to reveal himself, exposing his and Bitter Tea's true colors.

After handling Feng Zilong, you then revealed the whole truth to Ye Liangcheng… it's not just peeling silk, it's practically embroidery! I want to ask you, aren't you tired? Speak honestly."

He Kao: "Not tired."

Gu Chun: "Not only not tired, you even enjoyed it, right?"

He Kao looked down at the water surface, a smile appearing on his lips. Elder Gu was right, in front of Ye Liangcheng, he played the role of a mysterious senior expert, and it did feel quite thrilling.

How thrilling? Suffice it to say it was far more interesting than playing games!

From this experience, he somewhat understood the mindset of those legendary experts who played among the mortals, bearing compassion for human suffering and acting as needed, yet personally unharmed, remaining detached and transcendent.

Gu Chun continued, "You were willing to do so, had the ability to do so, and achieved it, so naturally it feels satisfying. If you weren't of the Hidden Moth Lineage, all the running to and fro would have worn you out, mentally exhausting.

If cultivation causes you dismay, compels you to scorn the world, then cease doing it, there's no need to speak of restoring the Hidden Moth Lineage because you wouldn't succeed."

He Kao: "Thank you, Uncle Gu, for your teachings."

Gu Chun: "Cannot say it's teaching, just a reminder. Currently, three elders in the Ancestral Hall know your identity, Elder Jiang is most satisfied with your character, Elder Li with your insight, and what I appreciate most is your disposition.

If you ask me what it feels like to roam the world and oversee the Magic Sect? Since you've been drinking and reciting poetry, let me offer a verse— 'When spring water pauses, I take my leisure; the floating clouds stop of their own accord. From the lofty peaks, I watch wild cranes, and the bright wind and clear moon reflect my original heart.'"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.