Chapter 23: The Mysterious Dao Sect

“You’re finally awake.” Dao Chenzi, seeing Yin Tianfang regain consciousness, let out a sigh of relief and asked, “Do you remember what happened before?”

Yin Tianfang stood up, shaking his head in bewilderment. “I only recall many people accusing me of betraying my master and ancestors, wanting to kill me. After that, everything is a blur.”

“But I truly didn’t kill my master. It was my master who wanted to kill me. When I woke up, he was already dead. I really didn’t kill him.” The painful words of those who hunted him, branding him as a traitor, echoed in his mind, and Yin Tianfang’s expression was filled with agony.

“I believe you,” Dao Chenzi said.

Upon hearing this, Yin Tianfang abruptly looked up at Dao Chenzi. “Why? Why do you believe me so much?”

“Because I’m the one who killed your master.”

Yin Tianfang’s mouth fell open in shock, staring at Dao Chenzi, unable to find words.

“Your master harbored wicked intentions. He wanted to erase your soul and take over your body, so I killed him,” Dao Chenzi explained.

“Why?”

“Because we are connected by fate,” Dao Chenzi smiled. “Whenever you sleep or fall unconscious and enter dreams, we meet. Isn’t that fate?”

“Since we share such a bond, how could I watch you vanish from this world? You’ve forgotten what happened that day. I can show you, if you wish to see.”

“I do,” Yin Tianfang replied without hesitation.

Dao Chenzi raised a hand and brushed it over the water’s surface. Instantly, scenes appeared, reflecting everything that happened that day in the Azure Cloud Sect’s forest. Yin Tianfang, like a bloodthirsty demon, slaughtered with ruthless means. Disciples of the sect fell at his hands, bodies mutilated, blood flowing everywhere—a hell on earth.

Seeing these images, Yin Tianfang’s face turned pale. Watching himself in the visions, his body trembled and he muttered, “That’s not me. It can’t be me. How... how could I...”

“Of course it’s not you. I know you would never do such things. At that time, you were merely used by others. They controlled your mind, drove you mad, so you became what you saw in those scenes.” Dao Chenzi walked over and put an arm around Yin Tianfang’s shoulders, comforting him.

“Though you lost your senses and fell into madness, those people did die by your hand. But you need not blame yourself. Those who kill are often killed in turn. If you hadn’t killed this time, you would have next time. For if you don’t kill them, they’ll kill you. Between the two, which do you choose?”

“Living is most important. Killing is inevitable, but one must only kill those who deserve it, never indiscriminately. Do you understand?” Dao Chenzi asked.

Yin Tianfang nodded, still uncertain.

“The world of cultivators is far more brutal than you imagine. Those who pursue immortality may be powerful, but they are still human, and humans are ruled by emotions and desires. Greed is the root of all evil. Remember this: one may be greedy, but never insatiably so.”

“A mirror, left unpolished, stays dull; a heart, left uncleared, stays impure. Wherever you are, always keep a child’s heart, see your true nature.”

“To gain, one must first give. Think thrice before acting: first, what you possess; second, what you desire; third, what you are willing to relinquish. Never do what you’ll regret for life.” Dao Chenzi patted Yin Tianfang’s shoulder.

He stood, eyes fixed on Yin Tianfang with a gentle smile. “Go now. If fate allows, we will meet again.” With that, Dao Chenzi’s form scattered and vanished before Yin Tianfang.

In the quiet room, Yin Tianfang slowly opened his eyes, surveying his unfamiliar surroundings. Struggling to sit up, he looked lost. Dao Chenzi’s words echoed in his mind.

“Who is he, really?” Yin Tianfang wondered, deeply puzzled. This was the second time he had met Dao Chenzi. He knew nothing about him, yet Dao Chenzi seemed to know everything about him. The mystery only deepened—what kind of person was Dao Chenzi?

The door creaked open, and a young girl slipped quietly into the room. As she entered, she saw Yin Tianfang sitting on the bed, watching her curiously. Thinking of how she had tiptoed in like a thief, her cheeks flushed with anger. She thought, How rude—he’s awake and sees me come in, but doesn’t even say a word.

“Hmph!” she snorted, turned, and walked out of the room, leaving Yin Tianfang stunned, unable to ask any questions.

Shortly after the girl left, footsteps approached. Moments later, two figures entered the room—the girl who had just left and, naturally, the owner of the courtyard, Nuolan.

“Little brother, you’re awake! How are you feeling?” Nuolan asked with a gentle smile.

“What is this place?” Yin Tianfang inquired.

“This is the Profound Dao Sect.”

“Oh.” Yin Tianfang nodded, pondering what sort of place this Profound Dao Sect was, and how he had come to be here.

“By the way, have you seen my companions?”

“No. When I found you, you were floating alone on the water. Your companions may have already drowned in the river,” the girl interjected before Nuolan could reply, her large eyes glaring at Yin Tianfang, her face tinged with anger.

“Qing Luo!” Nuolan shot her a stern look and chided her softly.

“Dead... dead...” The girl’s words struck Yin Tianfang like lightning. He stood frozen, head bowed, muttering to himself.

“Little brother, are you alright?” Nuolan asked gently, but Yin Tianfang seemed soulless, still murmuring those words.

Seeing this, Nuolan glared at Qing Luo again. Qing Luo now realized she had said something wrong, but the thought of apologizing to Yin Tianfang was unbearable to her.

“Senior sister, we saved him, but now all he does is ask questions without even thanking us. I say he’s an ungrateful person, doesn’t know how to appreciate, we should just send him away,” Qing Luo complained angrily.

“You silly girl—did we save him just to get his thanks?” Nuolan rolled her eyes, laughing in spite of herself.

Watching Yin Tianfang sit on the bed, as if his soul had left him, unresponsive no matter how she called, Nuolan could only shake her head helplessly and led Qing Luo out of the room.

The room fell silent once more. Yin Tianfang sat on the bed, clutching his clothes, slowly tightening his grip, tears shimmering in his eyes.

“It’s all my fault. If not for me, you wouldn’t have died. All because of me,” he murmured. After a moment, he suddenly looked up, a chilling light flashing in his eyes.

“I’ll avenge you. I will kill them, and bring justice for you!” Yin Tianfang roared to the heavens, his delicate face twisted in fierce anger. A powerful killing intent exploded from him...