Lu Zechuan slightly furrowed his brow and looked up at Xia Mian.
Xia Mian gave him a calming glance, signaling him to wait here.
Although Lu Zechuan was still uneasy about Xia Mian, he feared that insisting on following might anger Qin Shuang and spoil Xia Mian’s plans, so he could only stand there with a sullen face, silently waiting.
Ling Fei and Wei Wei cautiously stayed with Lu Zechuan, guarding the spot, while Wei Wei carefully wiped the stone bench in the yard with her sleeve, saying to Lu Zechuan, "Young Master, come sit here?"
Lu Zechuan gave a low "Hmm," and then sat down on the stone bench.
After that, he turned to look in the direction where Xia Mian and Qin Shuang had disappeared, his dark eyes deep and thoughtful.
Sun Xiao stood by Lu Zechuan’s side, rubbing his hands with a slightly strained smile, "Mr. Lu, I have already helped you find the person, but I have matters to attend to at home, so I’ll be heading off first..."
Lu Zechuan gave a low "Hmm," and Sun Xiao carefully withdrew from the dilapidated yard.
If he hadn’t run into Xia Mian by accident, he really wouldn’t have wanted to wade into these troubled waters.
After all, the people from the Heavenly Maiden Clan are notoriously vengeful.
And he, indirectly caused the death of Qin Cui before.
Although this Qin Shuang was expelled from the Heavenly Maiden Clan long ago, she still bears the blood of the Heavenly Maiden Clan, who knows if she might suddenly go crazy and seek revenge.
Not long after Sun Xiao left, Gu Zhi emerged from the house with a plate of fruit. Her expression cold, she walked to the stone table in the yard and sat down opposite Lu Zechuan, pushing the plate of fruit towards him, "They probably won’t be back for a while, have some food!"
Lu Zechuan glanced at Gu Zhi, his eyes indifferent, "No need."
There was certainly no camaraderie between him and Gu Zhi.
Previously, she was hostile towards Xia Mian, and now she was actively being friendly, likely with ulterior motives!
Lu Zechuan’s attitude was cold, and Gu Zhi did not persist; instead, she glanced towards Wei Wei and Ling Fei.
These two gave her a strange feeling, she had never seen them before, probably people Lu Zechuan brought back from another world?
"Lu Zechuan." Gu Zhi pursed her lips, turning to look at Lu Zechuan, with a hint of curiosity and inquiry in her dark eyes, "You’re not from this world either, right? If you were given a chance to leave this world and live in another, would you agree?"
Lu Zechuan’s dark eyes slightly narrowed, so that was Gu Zhi’s purpose for initiating conversation?
She thinks their situations are similar?
Lu Zechuan slightly raised an eyebrow, speaking slowly, "I’m different from you."
The Wood Clan has almost been annihilated, whether he returns or not makes no difference anymore.
After saying this, Lu Zechuan no longer heeded Gu Zhi, instead gently closing his eyes.
Before leaving the Divine Clan, the Wood Clan Leader left some cultivation methods of the Wood Clan in his mind.
Since Lu Zechuan had nothing better to do, he casually reviewed them in his mind.
Upon reviewing, Lu Zechuan was slightly surprised.
The Wood Clan’s cultivation techniques were indeed incredibly formidable, no wonder upon awakening his superpower, his cultivation speed was so fast.
While Lu Zechuan quietly cultivated using the techniques left by the Wood Clan Leader, on Xia Mian’s side, Qin Shuang had already brought Xia Mian to an open space behind the house.
Qin Shuang casually set up a barrier around this open space before looking up at Xia Mian.
"Miss Xia, let’s begin." Qin Shuang said, casting a deep glance at Xia Mian.
Xia Mian solemnly nodded.
Qin Shuang gazed deeply into the distance, then slowly spoke, "Life is like dust and dew, the Heavenly Dao stretches far. Alas for Qi Jing who rises to hills, tears flowing abundantly. Confucius crossed the long river, grieving for life’s fleeting. Departed ones I cannot catch, coming ones I do not retain..."
Qin Shuang’s voice came slowly, long and melodious, as if echoing across mountains and seas.
Xia Mian faintly narrowed her eyes, knowing this was a poem, one of Ruan Ji’s "Lamentations" from the Wei Jin era.
Hearing Qin Shuang leisurely recite it for the first time, Xia Mian sensed a fleeting feeling of life’s uncertainty from the poem.
Departed ones I cannot reach, coming ones I do not retain.
Xia Mian slowly closed her eyes, seeming to see the alternation of day and night, stars shifting in patterns.
Time slowed in her mind, a long river of years rushing endlessly before her.
"Miss Xia, this is the method of Defying Fate; as for how to alter destiny, you must discover it yourself." Qin Shuang’s voice slowly echoed by Xia Mian’s ear.
Xia Mian did not respond, seemingly in a meditative state like an old monk.
Qin Shuang unknowingly furrowed her brows slightly, although aware of Xia Mian’s high enlightenment, personally witnessing it still brought a profound shock.
The technique for Defying Fate requires half a year to a year for those of the Heavenly Maiden Clan to even begin learning!
Yet now, inexplicably, Xia Mian had gained some insight just after Qin Shuang recited the method!
"Miss Xia, I must remind you, cultivating this magic may result in backlash..." Qin Shuang pursed her lips thoughtfully, yet kindly offered a warning.
She had requests from Xia Mian, should anything happen to Xia Mian, Gu Zhi’s plans to return to the Xuanmen Gu Family would face more trouble.
Xia Mian continued to ignore Qin Shuang, seemingly completely immersed in her own world.
Qin Shuang furrowed her brows again; despite understanding the workings of Defying Fate’s magic, she never dared to use it lightly.
After all, even among the Heavenly Maiden Clan, using this magic comes at the cost of their lifespan.
If not for noticing her own impending end, she wouldn’t feel the need to entrust Gu Zhi to Xia Mian.
Heavy-hearted, Qin Shuang watched Xia Mian intently with a worried gaze.
If Xia Mian faced any issues during practice, she would be able to immediately assist in preventing backlash.
Upon closing her eyes, Xia Mian seemed to become isolated from the world.
Forgetting time, forgetting day and night.
Unconsciously, within the barrier Qin Shuang set, she meditated like an ancient monk for three days and nights.
Lu Zechuan likewise sat still, head bowed, at the stone table for three days and nights.
Three days later, Xia Mian opened her eyes.
Her gaze had deepened further, akin to miles of starry galaxies.
Seeing Xia Mian open her eyes, the worry in Qin Shuang’s heart finally eased.
Fortunately, Xia Mian had not lost herself in the river of time.
"Miss Qin, thank you." Xia Mian nodded slightly towards Qin Shuang, her smile becoming more genuine.
Qin Shuang smiled lightly, "Miss Xia, you are too kind."
After a brief pause, Qin Shuang spoke slowly again, "I hope Miss Xia won’t forget what you promised me before."
Xia Mian gave a faint laugh, "Rest assured, what I promised you, I will definitely achieve."
After speaking, Xia Mian stood up, "I am returning to the Divine Clan, will Gu Zhi come with me now, or wait until I return?"
Qin Shuang slightly bowed her head in thought, "We will go with you to the Divine Clan."
To prevent Xia Mian from misunderstanding, Qin Shuang added, "You have never used the magic for Defying Fate before. The first time you use it, with me observing, we can prevent you from veering off course."