Mei giggled softly and leaned closer to Luoshi, nudging her gently with her elbow. "Sister, your beauty never fails to amaze someone. Everywhere we go, people get enchanted."
Luoshi let out a sigh and gave a faint smile but chose to stay silent.
Then Mei turned toward Julian, her eyes curious. "Brother Monk, have you ever seen anyone more beautiful than Sister Luoshi?"
Luoshi's eyes widened slightly, a soft gasp escaping her lips. "Mei'er, what are you saying?" she scolded, her voice low and flustered.
But Julian simply smiled, his eyes glowing faintly with amusement.
Julian brought his palms together, bowing his head slightly as he softly chanted, "Amitabha."
Then, with a serene smile, he said, "Yes, I have."
Mei and Feng immediately leaned forward, curiosity sparking in their eyes.
"Who, who?" Mei pressed excitedly, resting her chin on her hands. "Tell us, Brother Monk!"
Even Feng looked intrigued, already imagining some mythical goddess hidden deep in the monk's past.
Julian's eyes remained half-closed and Luoshi who was quiet until now, shifted slightly in her seat. Her fingers curled under the table.
She didn't think she cared for compliments… but somehow, the idea that she wasn't the most beautiful in a mere monk's eyes stung a little.
Julian slowly opened his eyes and looked out the wooden window.
"The sky," he said. "The rivers, the earth… the heavens."
He looked back at them, his smile deepening. "What could be more mesmerizing than that, young friends? The beauty of a human can fade. But the earth… it persists."
For a moment, no one spoke. The market noise outside seemed distant. Mei blinked slowly, surprised by the unexpected wisdom, while Feng scratched his head, trying to pretend he understood.
Luoshi, meanwhile, glanced sideways at Julian.
Julian's eyes lingered on Mei for a moment.
"What is your age, young miss?" he asked, voice soft but curious.
Mei perked up, straightening her back with a little smile. "I turned eighteen, just a few months ago."
Julian nodded slowly, his expression unreadable yet oddly gentle.
"You are young," he said. "And, well… very pretty."
Mei's cheeks flushed with deep shade of red. She lowered her gaze, twirling a loose strand of hair around her finger. "Thank you, Brother Monk," she mumbled shyly.
Beside her, Feng crossed his arms and grunted, trying to look disinterested, though his face was twisted in irritation.
Julian's expression didn't change. His gaze was now distant, his voice low and thoughtful.
"But tell me, Mei…" he continued. "How long will that persist? How long will your beauty accompany you?"
Mei blinked, surprised. Her lips parted, but no answer came.
Julian leaned back slightly, as if speaking not just to her, but to the air around them.
"The only thing that follows a person to the very end," he said, "is the purpose of their life… and the tranquility of their freedom."
Silence fell over the table again.
Mei looked down at her lap, suddenly uncertain. Feng rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Even Luoshi, usually composed and confident, found herself puzzled. She tilted her head slightly, staring at Julian, trying to decipher the meaning of his words.
Was he warning them? Guiding them? Or perhaps was he mad?
None of them could quite tell. But one thing was certain—this bald monk wasn't as simple as he appeared.
"Who are you… really?" Luoshi asked, her voice calm but filled with suspicion.
Julian smiled softly, his palms joining once again. "Just a wandering monk," he said with a light shrug. "I'm not important enough for you to worry about, Miss Luoshi."
But Luoshi frowned. That answer didn't sit right with her. She opened her mouth to press further—
—but Julian was faster. "And who might you three be, young friends?" he asked, voice smooth as silk. "From the way you dress, it seems you're quite important."
Feng's chest puffed up instantly, a proud grin forming on his lips. "We're disciples of one of the Seven Great Sects—the Heavenly Moon Sect," he said.
"And our sister here," he added, pointing a thumb at Luoshi, "is the direct disciple of one of the Ten Saints of the World… Heavenly Moon—"
"Feng!" Luoshi snapped, her eyes wide in alarm. "Shut your mouth! How can you reveal our background so carelessly, especially when we don't even know who he is?!"
Feng's smile faded instantly.
Julian, however, simply chuckled, his eyes closed as if enjoying a breeze.
"I see," he murmured. "The Heavenly Moon Sect, and a direct disciple of a Saint… Quite the fortune I've stumbled upon."
His words were polite, but there was something behind that calm smile that made Luoshi's heart tighten for a brief moment.
Just then, the man from before returned, this time balancing a tray filled with dishes on his hand. With a respectful bow, he placed it gently on the table.
"Please enjoy the food," he said, still unable to meet Luoshi's eyes for long. He bowed once more before hurrying back.
Julian's gaze drifted down to the tray—herbal tea still steaming, freshly baked buns, and a small bowl of beans.
He brought his palms together and softly chanted, "Amitabha," before picking up a bun and taking a bite.
Luoshi's eyes remained fixed on him, watching him eat with a mix of curiosity and unease. Yet Julian did not spare her a glance, focused solely on his meal as if no one else existed at the table.
Mei and Feng, sensing the sudden silence, quickly turned to their food as well. The three disciples quietly began eating, though Mei stole the occasional glance at Julian.
As Julian chewed slowly, he focused once again and new pieces of information filled his mind. Seven great sects ruled this world from the shadows of towering mountains and mist-shrouded valleys, each claiming authority over vast regions.
These sects monopolized nearly seventy percent of the world's spiritual resources—be it rare herbs, spirit stones, ancient ruins, or sacred grounds.
At their peak stood the Saints, cultivators who had only just brushed the threshold of the Sovereign Realm. Yet in this world, that was enough to be revered as gods.