Why was everyone that he had once told fortunes for reappearing before him? Was it karma? Destiny?
Lu Yin sat on the chair on the raft, staring at the flowing water while wondering why things had turned out like this.
There was no trace of karma, that was clear to him. Not even Greater Sancte Green Lotus could covertly manipulate karma at this scale before Lu Yin anymore. He was no longer who he had once been, so why was this still happening?
Karma, karma... The Tianyuan Megaverse had its own karma, and the Nine Odysseys Megaverse had its own as well. In that case, above these megaverses, did there exist a Dao of Karma that governed everything, much like the main stream of the River of Aeons? Because he had come into contact with others through karma, was it possible that, upon the Primary Dao of Karma, he would encounter them again?
Was that the reason?
Lu Yin grew increasingly confused. He urgently wanted to speak with Green Lotus, but he restrained himself. Everyone perceived cultivation differently. The path of karma that Greater Sancte Green Lotus walked was not the same one that Lu Yin was taking. If the Immortal forced his own comprehension upon Lu Yin, both might be affected, and instead of advancing, it was possible for Lu Yin to regress instead.
Still, if he did not ask, there was no one who could provide him with any answers.
And yet, even if he did ask Greater Sancte Green Lotus, would he actually obtain an answer? Not necessarily.
Zhao Ran was a ferryman of the River of Aeons, and yet she could offer no answers regarding the main stream of the River of Aeons, and neither could the Great Master.
Yuan Huo left. He knew nothing of Lu Yin’s thoughts. The man wanted to continue following the river, carrying his memories of Kui Niang to see the entire universe.
Time continued to flow like the river, never ceasing.
In the blink of an eye, several more years had passed. A full twenty years had passed since Lu Yin had stepped onto the small bamboo raft and started drifting down the river. There was only a bit more than a decade left before he was to leave in search for the Seven-Treasure Anura Immortals.
Initially, the years had not been easy. Lu Yin had repeatedly tried to find an explanation for the repeated encounters with his old acquaintances, only to later come to terms with it. It was much like how Greater Sancte Blood Tower had tried to touch the main stream of the River of Aeons; even if an overarching karmic dao existed above everything, Lu Yin could not explain it as he lacked the qualification to touch it.
Since that was the case, he should not overthink things.
He needed to continue building the wall in his heart. Perhaps one day he would be able to explain things.
One day, Lu Yin suddenly felt something within himself. He turned to look up at the Mother Tree’s canopy, an image surfacing in his mind: red clothes and eyes behind a question: “Are all Immortals without emotions?”
Hong’er had asked him that question. Lu Yin had forgotten about it, only to suddenly remember it.
Such a sudden thought would not arise without cause. It had to be connected to his mental state.
He sighed and took a single step, reappearing in the Sea of Karma, seeking an audience with Greater Sancte Green Lotus. “Senior, has Hong’er been released?”
Green Lotus did not understand why Lu Yin was suddenly asking about Hong’er. “Why are you asking about her?”
As soon as the Immortal spoke, something occurred to him. He stared at Lu Yin, studying him from head to toe. “You haven’t taken a liking to the girl, have you? If so, that’s wonderful! She’s all yours!”
Lu Yin was speechless. “This junior merely recalled her question in the Frightened Sparrow Terrace.”
Green Lotus shook his head. “That girl will not behave like that again.”
Lu Yin looked at him. “But why did she ask such a question?”
“You can ask her yourself.”
“Has she been released?”
Green Lotus gave a wry laugh. “It’s been more than a hundred years. She was released long ago.”
Lu Yin nodded. Just as he was about to leave, something else occurred to him. He looked back at the Greater Sancte. “Senior, do you truly not know why Hong’er asked that question?”
Greater Sancte Green Lotus replied, “That is why you should ask her yourself.”
“It seems that this junior can’t learn anything in such a manner.”
“Then you need not concern yourself with her.”
“I cannot ignore this. Over these recent years, this junior has developed a problem with my state of mind, and it seems related to that particular question: are all Immortals void of emotions?”
These words caused the Greater Sancte’s expression to change, and he observed Lu Yin closely. “A problem in your state of mind?”
A flaw in one’s mental state was no small matter. Weak combat power could be compensated for and lower cultivation could be improved with training, but if one’s mental state fractured and was left unresolved, every future step would become far more difficult, especially since Lu Yin had already entered Dukkha. His mental state was the very last thing that he could afford to develop a flaw in.
Lu Yin nodded. He helplessly answered, “I have continued to consider that one question, to the point where my mental state has gone awry. That’s why I purposely came here. Had it been nothing more than mere curiosity, I would have come long ago, rather than waiting until now.”
Green Lotus’s expression darkened. “One sentence left Awe Gate dissatisfied, and it has even disrupted your state of mind. I truly should not have taken her in.”
Lu Yin did not understand what had happened. According to his previous understanding of the matter, Hong’er had once carried a portion of Qi Xu’s emotions, which had helped conceal Qi Xu’s death, which could be considered of great help to their human civilization. However, judging by Greater Sancte Green Lotus’s reaction, there was clearly something amiss.
Was it truly possible for Green Lotus to not know why Hong’er had asked that question? Naturally, that was impossible, and yet he had still told Lu Yin to ask Hong’er directly. Lu Yin knew that he would not learn anything by doing so, which was why he had revealed the issue with his mental state.
Complications with a cultivator’s state of mind were too serious. If left unresolved, Lu Yin would never be able to take even a single step further forward.
Not only was Lu Yin personally unable to accept that outcome, but Green Lotus and the other Immortals also refused to accept such a thing.
The Greater Sancte stared at Lu Yin. “Go speak with her yourself. Ask in whatever way you wish.”
Lu Yin understood. “Many thanks, Senior.”
With that said, he instantly vanished.
Greater Sancte Green Lotus stared across the Sea of Karma, his gaze complex.
The Sea of Karma was vast, and there were numerous dwellings dotted about within it. Many of them belonged to Green Lotus’s disciples, such as Ming Zhuo and Jing Lian. Naturally, the Seven Fairies also had residences present.
Lu Yin easily found Hong’er’s dwelling. Red leaves filled the area as far as he could see. It might easily have been mistaken for Qiunan Hongye’s home.
“Miss Hong’er, Lu Yin requests an audience.”
Within the depths of the red leaves, Hong’er opened her eyes, her expression calm. “What matter brings you here, Mr. Lu?”
“May I come in?”
“Hong’er is in seclusion. If your matter is not urgent, please take your leave.”