Zhu Kui trembled in fear. He murmured to himself, "The Reincarnation Sect…. I knew it, I knew it…"
Bu Qingchen and the others were confused as they had never heard of the Reincarnation Sect. They stared deadly at the black and white pill in the puppet's hand.
What gave that feeling of harmony coming from the pill was likely a fusion of yin qi and yang qi.
"Hasn't the path between the mortal world and the immortal realm been severed? Why is there still an immortal envoy sent to guide us…" muttered Bu Qingchen.
The puppet ignored him and quietly waited for Fang Chen to take the pill.
Fang Chen asked, "Will consuming this pill make me an Immortal Seedling of the Reincarnation Sect? What is its purpose?"
The puppet explained, "This is an admission pill that represents your identity as an Immortal Seedling of the Reincarnation Sect. In addition, it can help to strengthen your immortal intent until you become an Immortal."
Zhu Kui urged in a low voice, "Daoist, stop hesitating. Being able to enter the Reincarnation Sect is a tremendous rare opportunity!"
Fang Chen took a pill that looked like Taiji. He didn't even need to consume it. As soon as it touched his hand, it transformed into a warm current that flowed into his body.
He had grown accustomed to the power enhancement he had gotten from advancing from the late Golden Core Realm to the grand completion of the Golden Core Realm, his spiritual energy increasing several times. What mattered more to him was the strand of sapling-like immortal intent. At this moment, he felt as if he was the mortal world itself.
Existing in that realm was so ordinary and mundane. If he were to ignore it, this strand of immortal intent would constantly influence everything around him.
Gu Shuai and the others were perplexed. "Where are we…?"
Fang Chen opened his eyes and retracted his immortal intent. Although he appeared ordinary, it was still hard for people to notice him if they stood right in front of him. The gazes of Gu Shuai and the others cleared once again.
Gu Shuai exhaled sharply. Astonished, he said, "I seemed to have fallen into that illusion again and almost forgot myself."
Fang Yunmeng gently nodded as she secretly glanced at Fang Chen. "I felt it too."
"What a terrifying immortal intent…." Bu Qingchen's expression grew serious as he suddenly looked at the puppet. He asked respectfully with a clasped fist, "Senior, did we fail the test? I've spent decades in the mortal world and gained some insights too."
The puppet replied, "The first step is to not forget yourself. The second step is to comprehend one of the three great immortal intents of the Reincarnation Sect, namely the past, the future, and the mortal world. Which step have you achieved?"
Bu Qingchen fell silent.
Suddenly, Fang Chen asked, "Senior, the six of us… aren't from the same era, right?"
Fang Yunmeng and Bu Qingyu realized something and instinctively glanced at Zhu Kui.
The puppet suddenly took out another pill and handed it to Zhu Kui. "You have comprehended the past intent. Consuming this pill will make you an Immortal Seedling of the Reincarnation Sect."
"Thank you, Senior," said Zhu Kui.
Zhu Kui had anticipated this. He respectfully bowed to accept the pill. Just like Fang Chen, as soon as the pill was in his hand, it turned into a warm current and disappeared into his palm.
Everyone was completely stunned.
Bu Qingchen's eyes flashed with anger, and he yelled, "Daoist Ji Liang has not forgotten himself and has comprehended the immortal intent of the mortal world but Zhu Kui was the first among us to forget himself. Why was he able to become an Immortal Seedling?"
"He has not forgotten himself for he is simply immersed in the past," replied the puppet.
Everyone found it hard to believe.
Could an immortal truly possess such extraordinary powers to control the past and the future?
Zhu Kui spoke with a light smile. "Our trial this time—is it not also a cycle of reincarnation? I suppose I am fortunate. I have harbored many regrets about the past, though I have deceived myself for a long time. This experience has allowed me to break through my heart's tribulation. Although you have not passed the test, this experience is still nonetheless valuable. If you can thoroughly comprehend it, it will greatly benefit your future cultivation journey."
Gu Shuai asked doubtfully, "Zhu Kui, how do you know so much?"
Zhu Kui's demeanor felt different from before.
"Perhaps I returned to the past from a particular day in the future, which is your present," replied Zhu Kui with a smile.
Everyone was momentarily stunned.
Zhu Kui looked at Fang Chen with a bitter smile. "Daoist Fang, it was difficult to find you. They asked me to convey a message."
Fang Chen remained silent for a moment before gently nodding. "Please, go ahead."
"Beware of your girl. They are going to break through the heavens," said Zhu Kui.
Fang Chen was taken aback.
In the next moment, Zhu Kui's figure began to slowly dissipate.
Gu Shuai and the others finally started to believe that the Zhu Kui they just saw might have returned to the past from the future. Otherwise, how could he possess such divine powers that allowed him directly leave the Ancient Immortal Road?
"What a terrifying ability of the Reincarnation Sect… Why can't I become an Immortal Seedling?" mumbled Bu Qingchen as his eyes flashed with resentment and dissatisfaction.
To them, such methods were as incomprehensible as how mortals viewed them. Perhaps this was what it meant to be an immortal.
"You may exit through the teahouse," said the puppet slowly.
Gu Shuai clasped his fist respectfully. "Senior, please wait a moment."
The puppet nodded lightly. Seeing that, Gu Shuai grinned and suddenly threw a punch at Bu Qingchen's face.
Bu Qingchen was caught off guard and the punch landed squarely on his face, causing him to fall to the ground.
He shouted angrily at Gu Shuai, "What are you doing?!"
"This is for your disloyalty," Gu Shuai scoffed.
He nodded at Fang Chen and the others before striding out of the teahouse.
Bu Qingchen sat on the ground with a dark expression. He seemed lost in thought.
Bu Qingchen snorted coldly. "We're not from the same era as him. There's no need to say so much. Let's go."
Fuming, he exited the teahouse without any lingering attachment.
Bu Qingyu sighed softly and followed him.
By now, only Fang Yunmeng and Fang Chen remained.