If this child truly is a Banished Immortal, then what he seeks by coming down could be Refining Heart or something else... heaven knows.
Forming a bond with such a person and even teaching him "the principles," whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing, Li Zhibai is uncertain.
Li Zhibai just wants to know what Xu Chang’an has truly learned from her, considering he might be influenced by her three portions of Dao Rhyme... which could affect his future path of cultivation.
This is the true karma.
True karma... is this important?
Actually, it’s not important at all.
No matter what trouble Xu Chang’an has, in Li Zhibai’s eyes, he is her student. She doesn’t care about his past life, even if Shi Qingjun asks her again, she will still say she sees Xu Chang’an as a child.
The reason she inquires about Xu Chang’an is just so that, when Shi Qingjun comes again to ask about Xu Chang’an, she won’t be completely clueless.
"What Dao did I teach you? What did I teach you?" Li Zhibai asked.
"Know the White, Guard the Black, exist for the world’s paradigm," Xu Chang’an said slowly.
"Have you read the Dao Scripture?" Li Zhibai wasn’t surprised.
"Replying to sir, I once had a job guarding the Library Pavilion for Miss Yun, glanced over it a couple of times." Xu Chang’an spoke softly: "Knowing White and Guarding Black means understanding inherent purity, comprehending right and wrong, but maintaining a mixed stance, appearing foolish while observing worldly changes, just like your name, sir..." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NovᴇlFire(.)nᴇt
Xu Chang’an was only a step away from outright saying he thinks Li Zhibai is a "hidden master."
He is always cautious, never voicing such thoughts, but in front of sir, there’s nothing he cannot say.
If Li Zhibai were to think about it, she would realize that if Xu Chang’an truly is an Immortal Reincarnation, his discreet and unassuming demeanor before Open Source, being very low-key and unremarkable...
This kind of character is almost like it was carved from the same mold as hers.
No wonder Shi Qingjun wants to talk to her, perhaps Shi Qingjun also thinks that Xu Chang’an became this way due to her influence.
Shi Qingjun indeed thinks so.
Otherwise, Xu Chang’an’s "past life" methods involving both Celestial Tribulation and Spiritual Qi streams from cultivation, clearly show he’s a flamboyant character... but his reincarnated self is extremely low-profile and reserved, starkly different from his "past life" demeanor.
In Shi Qingjun’s eyes, the Immortal Reincarnation pretending to be ignorant has surpassed even Li Zhibai in skill.
"Sometimes I wonder if you developed such a character after following me, or if you were always ." Li Zhibai felt helpless.
"I..." Xu Chang’an pondered for a moment, then raised his head: "The student has always been ; otherwise, I wouldn’t have gained your favor."
He had received Li Zhibai’s regard from the beginning precisely because his character was similar to hers.
The common thinking of Huaxia people in Xu Chang’an’s past life was more introverted and reserved, "Knowing White and Guarding Black" was also an expression of the philosophy of keeping a low profile.
The word "Wenliang" could summarize it.
Li Zhibai is a person of Wenliang, otherwise, she would not seriously teach him, who originally had no talent or background.
In Xu Chang’an’s eyes, he, sinister as he was, sought after the Wenliang that Li Zhibai possessed.
"I too feel your character has no relation to me." Li Zhibai frowned: "But others won’t think so."
She naturally sees that Xu Chang’an hasn’t been influenced by her.
"Others?" Xu Chang’an was puzzled.
"It’s hard to explain to you." Li Zhibai sighed lightly, looking at the piece of paper marked with a stroke of ink on the table.
Black and white are opposing yet unified, hence when viewing any problem it should be approached comprehensively.
But encountering an Immortal Reincarnation for the first time leaves her baffled.
As a teacher, she was originally very casual in her attitude towards Xu Chang’an, wanting to give him a good sword if she felt like it, teaching whatever she saw fit, drawing whatever on his blank canvas, as long as it benefited Xu Chang’an, she needn’t worry about other factors.
But now knowing some secrets, she must carefully contemplate what to teach. Giving him a sword now might be seen by the Sect Leader as intentionally forming good karma—even though she has no such intention.
No wonder the Sect Leader specifically advised her not to get overly involved in Xu Chang’an’s matters, to be cautious before offering help.
"You’re such a troublesome child." Li Zhibai stated calmly.
"I’ve heard you frequently play chess with those girls on Muyu Peak?" Li Zhibai asked.
"Occasionally." Xu Chang’an nodded.
"Then you should know... in chess, Knowing White and Guarding Black means observing the whole game, establishing from one point." Li Zhibai murmured: "In the art of Danqing, it’s also about reaching a balanced and harmonious Realm between black and white, grasping the void and reality, using black as white."
She didn’t expect Xu Chang’an to understand these words, speaking softly, as if persuading herself too.
Xu Chang’an realized this point, noticing his teacher behaving strangely but didn’t overstep, just stood quietly.
He instinctively felt Li Zhibai was somewhat distancing herself from him, hence today’s meeting seemed to determine how his teacher would treat him in the future...
Li Zhibai herself might not be aware, but when she mentioned finding a good sword for Xu Chang’an... it sounded to him very much like settling karma and severing bonds.