Xiao Xun walked up from behind and glanced at Xie Shuci's stunned expression.

"What?" Xiao Xun asked.

Xie Shuci's gaze slowly shifted to Xiao Xun's face, his eyes were very dull, and there was a hint of redness in his eyes. He murmured, "The Immortal Sect Selection... will be held in Sangqi City."

Xiao Xun was somewhat confused. "How?"

how……

Xie Shuci came to his senses. Yes, Xiao Xun didn't remember that he was supposed to go to the Immortal Sect Selection.

"No, it's nothing." Xie Shuci turned her head away, shifting her gaze.

Xiao Xun frowned, looking somewhat puzzled.

Immortal Sect Selection... Xiaoyao Sect... Sang Qicheng...

The location for the Immortal Sect Selection was none other than Sangqi City, which was under the jurisdiction of the Xiaoyao Sect!

The entanglements between the Xiaoyao Sect and the Banxia Clan, and between the Xiaoyao Sect and Xie An... no matter how you look at it, this doesn't seem like a coincidence.

"Huh?"

The king lay in Xie Shuci's arms, his lip hair glistening with oil, his two obsidian-like eyes looking at his father with puzzlement.

What's wrong? Why did you throw away all that chicken leg?

After the location for the Immortal Sect Election was chosen, the whole city spread the news, and in no time, everyone knew that the Immortal Sect Election would be held in Sangqi City.

Xie Shuci lost interest in strolling around and found a knowledgeable gentleman by the roadside, asking him about Sang Qicheng.

I learned from the gentleman that Sangqi City is a large city surrounding the immortal mountain where Xiaoyao Sect is located, roughly the size of two Tianzhu Cities.

Tianzhu City is located on the edge of Bianzhou, while Sangqi City is on the opposite edge, right next to Dongzhou.

Bianzhou is the largest of the nine provinces in terms of land area. If Xie Shuci wanted to avoid other disciples of immortal sects and families to travel to Sangqi City, it would take at least twenty days. If he traveled by normal means, it would only take eleven days.

In other words, Xie Shuci doesn't have much time left. If he wants to travel to Sangqi City via the trade route, he must set off within three days.

After thanking the gentleman, Xie Shuci led Xie An and the king back to Wanhua Tower.

During the journey, Xiao Xun asked, "You're asking so many questions about Sang Qicheng. Are you planning to participate in the Immortal Sect Selection?"

Upon hearing this, the king immediately raised his head and looked at Xie Shuci with a nervous expression, not even noticing a golden bead falling from his neck.

Xie Shuci lowered his eyes, avoiding their gaze, and said casually, "Don't you know who I am? Wherever there's excitement, there I am. Of course I have to join in the fun of such a grand event as the Immortal Sect Selection."

Upon hearing Xie Shuci's words, Xiao Xun involuntarily frowned. For some reason, when he associated Xie Shuci with the Immortal Sect Selection, he felt uneasy, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Awooooo!"

Before Xiao Xun could react, the king, who was lying in his arms, started to struggle.

No! No! Father can't go to that Immortal Sect Selection! The Water God clearly said...

"Your Majesty!" Xie Shuci lowered his voice and glared at it.

This was probably the first time Xie Shuci had looked at it with such a stern gaze. The king was so frightened that its eyes welled up with tears. It stared blankly at Xie Shuci, and then tears streamed down its face.

"Aww..."

Father.

Xiao Xun was unsure of the source of his unease. He stopped, grabbed Xie Shuci's arm, and said in an unyielding tone, "You are not allowed to go to the Immortal Sect Selection."

Xie Shuci froze, glanced at Xiao Xun, wondering if he had remembered.

"Why?" Xie Shuci asked tentatively.

Xiao Xun pursed his lips slightly, "In short, you can't go."

Seeing that he didn't remember what had happened during this time, Xie Shuci breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "I have legs, what can you do to me? I just went to join in the fun, I'm not doing anything else."

After saying that, before Xiao Xun could continue speaking, he took a step forward.

Xiao Xun stood there, watching Xie Shuci's back, his eyes showing a somewhat gloomy expression.

Back at the Guanhua Tower, the King didn't play with the two lion beasts. Instead, he clung tightly to Xie Shuci's clothes with his claws, looking at Xie Shuci timidly and nervously.

Xie Shuci looked at its pitiful appearance with a bit of helplessness, and rubbed its head with his hand. Seeing that it was covered in pearls and hairpins, he laughed and said, "Aren't you tired wearing so many things on your body?"

"Ouch."

The king called out.

Seeing that Xie Shuci had returned to normal, it touched the back of Xie Shuci's hand with its paw, "Awooo awooo awooo".

Father, can we skip the Immortal Sect Selection?

Xie Shuci looked down at its tense and worried expression, couldn't help but sigh, picked it up and brought it to her, and said earnestly, "I asked the Water God, and he said that my fate has been broken, so I will be fine."

The king blinked twice, bewildered, "Aww?"

Really?

When Xie Shuci and Xie An argued last time, Xie An set up a barrier around them. The king was unaware of their conversation, nor did he know that Xie Shuci actually had two life tribulations.

Xie Shuci smiled and said, "Yes, didn't I almost die at the hands of Brother Xie An? I should have died that time. Do you remember the mark left to me by the Water God? It was the Water God who saved me, so my fate has been broken."

"Awooo!" The king's eyes immediately lit up. Great!

Xie Shuci hugged it again. "So, how could I miss out on such a fun place? Don't you agree?"

"Awooooo!"

Yes, yes, yes! Daddy is right! That's great, Daddy doesn't have to die!

"Brother Xiao Ci!" Xiao Xianlan waved to Xie Shuci from the corridor. "Sister Xiao Lian wants you to go to her room."

"Okay." Xie Shuci nodded.

The king, adorned with jewels, nestled into Xiao Xianlan's arms. Xie Shuci hesitated for a moment before handing it to Xiao Xianlan.

The king is so fond of the little fairy orchid, and has two lion beasts as friends. The people of Tianzhu City also love it very much. It should be very happy and safe living here.

He handed the king to Xiao Xianlan, then turned to look at Xiao Xun, who was following far behind with a cold face. He smiled, took a few steps forward, pulled him in front of him, and said, "Alright, it's not like I'm not taking you with me. Why are you making that face? Let's go."

Xiao Xun glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Xie Shuci and Xiao Xianlan arrived outside Xiao Lian's room, and Xie Shuci raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in," came Xiao Lian's voice from inside the door.

Upon entering the room, besides Xiao Lian, Luo Xianyu was also present.

Xiao Lian said to the three of them, "Xian Lan, take the King to get something to eat first."

Little Fairy Orchid obediently nodded, "Yes."

Then she looked at Xie Shuci and the other person and said, "Come and sit down."

Xie Shuci led Xiao Xun to sit down and asked, "What do you need me for?"

Xiao Lian asked, "You all know about the Immortal Sect Selection, right?"

Xie Shuci nodded. "I've heard about it."

Luo Xianyu continued, "We received a message from Changxuan."

"What news?" Xie Shuci asked, frowning.

Luo Xianyu glanced at Xiao Xun and said, "Young Master Xiao once told the people in Futu Realm that he would definitely appear in the Immortal Sect Selection, so this selection has alarmed the people of Siming Pavilion. I heard from Changxuan that this time, disciples from Siming Pavilion and major immortal sects in Futu Realm will be present in person."

Xie Shuci's face paled, and his fingers unconsciously dug into his palm. Even the elders of the Siming Pavilion would appear... just because of Xiao Xun?

Xiao Lian looked at them with a complicated expression and said, "Ye Changxuan said that if you pass through Tianzhu City, she asked me to tell you that you must not go to the Immortal Sect Selection. At that time, the Floating Pagoda Realm, together with the cultivation world, will definitely lay a trap in Sangqi City, waiting for you to walk into it!"

Xie Shuci moved his lips with a blank face. If he could, he wouldn't want to go either. He could already imagine that Xie An and himself on that day would be fighting against the whole world. There was no need for them to struggle. No matter what, they could not escape the clutches of these people.

But he had his reasons for going, and he believed Xie An did too.

In truth, Xie Shuci was wavering. He even considered being selfish. Since Xie An hadn't woken up yet, if he and Xiao Xun stayed in Tianzhu City, perhaps the subsequent events wouldn't have happened. But if that were the case, would Xie An hate him?

If he prevents Xiao Xun from going to the Immortal Sect Selection, will Xie Shuci hate him after he wakes up?

"Young Master Xie?" Luo Xianyu called softly.

Xie Shuci came to her senses, "I..."

"Thank you all, and please thank Sister Ye for me. I'm going back to my room to rest now."

Xie Shuci's mind was a bit confused. He got up, pulled Xiao Xun along, and pushed open the door to leave the room.

Back in his room, Xie Shuci gulped down two mouthfuls of water before he could finally calm himself down.

Xiao Xun walked up behind him and said in a very firm tone, "You cannot go to the Immortal Sect Selection."

Xie Shuci gritted her teeth, turned her head to look at Xiao Xun, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, and asked, "If I don't go, what about you? Will you go?"

Xiao Xun was stunned for a moment, his eyes glazed over, "I..."

Xie Shuci turned around, staring intently at him. "I don't have to go, and you don't have to go either, okay? Do you like it here? Let's stay here, okay? No one will bother us..."

"Xie Shuci, I will attend the Immortal Sect Selection, but you cannot." Xiao Xun interrupted Xie Shuci forcefully. From his slightly immature face, Xie Shuci saw the same resolute determination as Xie An.

Xie Shuci stared at him blankly, his arms trembling uncontrollably at his sides. He asked in a hoarse voice, "Why? Why can you go, but I can't?"

Xiao Xun stared directly into Xie An's reddened eyes, his throat dry. After a long while, he whispered, "Do you always look at Xie An like that? He'll feel like he's made a mistake, he'll feel guilty, and he'll feel heartache."

Xie Shuci gasped, "What?"

Xiao Xun turned his head away, avoiding Xie Shuci's red eyes, and answered irrelevantly, "You can stay here for now. Xie An will come to find you after the Immortal Sect Conference is over."

Xie Shuci felt as if a needle had pierced her heart, and her voice trembled, "Will he really come back? Can he really come back?"

Xie Shuci's question made Xiao Xun's throat tighten. He didn't know how to answer Xie Shuci. What he said was just his truest thought, the thought that Xie An had left in his subconscious.

He didn't know what Xie An wanted to do, and he couldn't give Xie Shuci an answer. Facing Xie Shuci's gaze, he felt as if his heart was being ripped open.

Xie Shuci stared at him with red eyes, wiping away the tears rolling down his cheeks. He took a deep breath; he already had his answer. He didn't want to argue with Xiao Xun.

"Xiao Xun, I'll ask you one more time: if I die, will you go find my reincarnation?"

Even after receiving a definitive answer from Xie An, Xie Shuci remained unconvinced and clung to a sliver of hope that Xie An was merely speaking in anger, trying to dissuade him from the Immortal Sect Selection. He hoped to receive a different answer from Xie An, whom he had spoken as a child.

Xiao Xun's body tensed on the spot, his face instantly turned cold, and his eyes, like bottomless abysses, were filled with frost as he stared at Xie Shuci.

“You will not die,” he said in an unusually cold voice.

"If, I mean if, one day I die and you are still alive, would you go looking for me to be reincarnated?" Xie Shuci asked with a sliver of hope, almost pleading.

Xiao Xun's face tightened, her lips pressed into a straight line. "No."

Xie Shuci felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest by a hand, pulling at his internal organs and meridians, causing him so much pain that he almost couldn't stand up.

He leaned back slightly, his hands resting on the edge of the table, his face as pale as a sheet, and murmured, "Why?"

Why?

Don't you like me?

Why won't you like me if I die?

Xiao Xun stared at Xie Shuci's dazed face, his voice eerily calm, "Because you are dead. There is only one Xie Shuci in this world. If you die, there will never be another Xie Shuci."

Sure enough, whether he was nine or seventeen, his thoughts were never seen.

They only care about this life, not the next.

But Xie Shuci is different. He's an idiot. He likes to get stuck on things. He cares about this life and the next, and that death is death. As long as it's someone he likes, he'll still like them no matter what they become.

Xie Shuci wiped his face and walked out, brushing past Xiao Xun's shoulder.

"Where are you going?" Xiao Xun asked, turning around.

"Don't follow me!" Xie Shuci said sharply, but a moment later his voice softened, "Give me some time, I want to be alone."

After saying that, Xie Shuci left the room.

He didn't know where he should go. He just didn't want to stay by Xiao Xun's side. He felt like he was suffocating. He needed a place to calm down.

Xie Shuci always knew in his heart that he and Xie An were two completely different people.

He was always indecisive, while Xie An was different; whatever he did, he was always confident and prepared.

Bamboo thunder and swift wind.

Perhaps his relationship with Xie Shuci was just a fleeting shooting star to him; once it was gone, it was gone, and he would never reach out to hold on to it.

Xie Shuci couldn't do it. He wanted to have this relationship forever, to have Xie An forever, but he didn't have the ability. He couldn't do it, and he didn't know what to do. He wanted to hold onto Xie An, but he couldn't.

In the quiet room, Xiao Xun stood still, his fingertips digging deep into his palm, but he did not chase after them.

He wasn't lying.

When a person dies, it's as if they've disappeared.

Just like after his father died, he never thought of looking for his father's reincarnation.

What's the point?

It makes absolutely no sense.

However, he was afraid of Xie Shuci's tears, and he was also afraid that Xie Shuci would die.

What should he do if Xie Shuci disappears one day?

He didn't know, and couldn't imagine, that he could only do everything in his power to prevent it from happening.

Xie Shuci led the crane away from Wanhua Tower, wanting to go and see Jingyu Mountain.

The crane seemed to sense that he was in a bad mood, so it didn't cause much trouble along the way and obediently let him do as he pleased. They left Tianzhu City and headed towards Jingyu Mountain, which was not far away.

As Xie Shuci stood at the foot of the mountain, looking at the desolate Jingyu Mountain, he could hardly imagine that when the Jingyu birds returned to their nests, this barren mountain would be covered in the color of flames.

Xie Shuci walked up the foot of the mountain and came to the edge of the woods he had visited before.

"It's so cold." Xie Shuci shivered and rubbed her arms.

The weather was getting colder and colder, and there wasn't a single leaf on the mountain. The wind was howling, and Xie Shuci couldn't help but shrink his neck.

When I came here in July, the weather was hot, but more than four months later, it was so cold that my teeth were chattering.

Actually, Xie Shuci had already calmed down on the way here.

He and Xie An have different personalities and ideas, so he can't force Xie An to go to him, can he?

Xie Shuci was just a little sad and a little unwilling.

Anyway, he was determined to attend the Immortal Sect Assembly. He would still be a hero eighteen years after his death. If Xie An died, Xie Shuci would have no chance to find him.

Either way, he's going to die; let Xie An do what he wants, whether he wants to or not.

Xie Shuci walked to the high platform where Xiao Xianlan and the others had once been, and looked down at the entire Jingyu Mountain. It was deserted and uninhabited.

If Xie Shuci had been left alone in a place like this before, he probably would have been scared out of his wits. But now Xie Shuci felt nothing; he just found it very quiet, a place where he could calm down.

“Book of words”.

The strange man's voice rang in my ears again, clearer than ever before.

A chill ran down Xie Shuci's spine. He tensed up abruptly and looked around. Could it be? Could there really be a ghost?

A cold wind blew in my face, accompanied by the rustling sound of leaves rubbing together.

Xie Shuci gripped the reins tightly, and the crane seemed to sense something, lifting its hoof and letting out a muffled groan.

“Book of words”.

The voice was calm and gentle, as if it were ringing right next to my ear.

Xie Shuci shuddered and turned around abruptly, only to see a man sitting by the stone platform behind him.

"Who are you?!" Xie Shuci exclaimed in surprise.

Upon seeing the man who suddenly appeared, Xie Shuci's hair stood on end, like a cat with its fur standing on end. His pupils dilated in fright, and he dared not move.

The man wore a well-fitting blue brocade robe, adorned with many golden feather flowers. He had a handsome face, with particularly bright eyes that held a hint of a smile as he quietly gazed at Xie Shuci.

"Don't be nervous, I've wanted to meet you for a long time," the man said with a slight smile.

Xie Shuci glared at him and took a step back. "Who are you? Are you a human or a ghost? Why did you suddenly appear? Are you the one who's been calling my name in my dreams every day lately?"

The man winked playfully at Xie Shuci and said, "I am Bixie..."

Xie Shuci was jolted, his eyes widening in disbelief, goosebumps rising all over his body. "Who are you?!"

The man stood up from the stone platform and said with a smile, "I am Bixie. But to be precise, I am the spirit of Bixie Huashen."

Xie Shuci was stunned for a moment, "What?"

The man explained, "You can think of it as a wisp of his consciousness remaining in the past."

Xie Shuci: "?"

I can't understand it at all.

Xie Shuci looked at him suspiciously, "You... is there something you need?"

Bixie asked in surprise, "Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"

"..." Xie Shuci raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I asked. Are you going to tell me?"

"Some can be spoken, some cannot."

Xie Shuci looked at him, feeling a little strange. She didn't understand why Bixie would appear now and what his purpose was in getting close to her.

Moreover, he is completely different from what is said in the legends.

The embodiment of evil spirits... Xie Shuci had previously thought he had three heads and six arms or something...

Xie Shuci pondered for a moment, and Bixie watched him quietly without urging him.

"What is your purpose?" Xie Shuci asked.

Bixie said, "Resurrect Luo Jingyu."

"Use the Book of Reincarnation?"

"yes."

Xie Shuci didn't expect him to be so easy to talk to. He had previously thought that Bixie's role was that of a villainous big boss.

Xie Shuci hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Even with the Book of Reincarnation, can those sacrificed by the Reincarnation Array be resurrected?"

Bixie stared at him with his deep eyes for a long time before saying, "They became the startled birds in the Samsara Array. When all twelve startled birds gather, the Samsara Scroll can be forged, and at that time, they will become the Samsara Scroll."

How can I revive myself using the Book of Reincarnation?

Or rather, they did not die or disappear; they simply became part of the Book of Reincarnation.

Xie Shuci's expression became complicated, and he asked again, "Is it necessary to sacrifice twelve people to refine the Book of Reincarnation?"

The smile in Bixie's eyes deepened, and he said, "That's not the case. There's an even simpler way."

Xie Shuci's eyes lit up. "What method?"

Bixie slowly shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I can't tell you for now, but you will know in time."

Xie Shuci gripped the reins tightly and asked again, "Am I definitely going to die in the Immortal Sect Selection?"

Bixie shook his head, "I can't tell you."

Xie Shuci didn't press the matter, and continued to ask, "So, is Xie An's insistence on going to the Immortal Sect Selection related to you, the Book of Reincarnation, and the Carefree Sect?"

Bixie laughed and said, "It's not just that; it's related to you and all living beings in the world."

Xie Shuci's heart tightened. "Will he die?"

Bixie's smile faded, his expression turning somewhat cold. "You don't really need to care about his life or death. Of course, if you really want to know, I can only tell you that his life or death depends on every choice you make."

Xie Shuci gasped; he had guessed correctly! His choice had paid off.

This could affect Xie An's life or death!

"Are you helping me?" Xie Shuci continued to ask.

Bixie shook his head. "No, I am achieving my own goal, but I will not harm you."

Whether Xie Shuci believed him or not was irrelevant to him, as his choice would not change because of it.

Xie Shuci was silent for a moment, then said, "After you refine the Book of Reincarnation, if Xie An dies one day, can you resurrect him?"

Bixie's eyes deepened. "Shuci, do you really want him to live?"

Xie Shuci was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Bixie said, "Simply put, his Dao heart has been damaged because of you, so only one of you can survive."

Xie Shuci's face turned pale, and she stared at him stiffly.

"You've been killed by him once, so you should know that after he went mad, the only person he wanted to kill was you. As long as he still loves you, as long as you and he are both alive in this world, he will keep hunting you down until you die at his hands, or until he dies before you."

Xie Shuci was stunned; the wind blew against his cheeks, bringing a faint stinging sensation.

He and Xie An... only one can survive?

Xie Shuci asked in a trembling voice, "What if... what if I am reincarnated? What if he is resurrected by the Book of Reincarnation?"

Bixie stared straight at him and said, "You should know that he is a person whose soul and body are separated, and also a Holy Son of Heaven. If he doesn't want it, even Heaven cannot easily erase his memories. Only one of you can live, unless..."

Xie Shuci bent down slightly, feeling the dull pain in his heart, and asked through gritted teeth, "Unless what?"

Bixie said, "Unless you can find a way to make him forget you on his own."

Xie Shuci's body went limp, and she almost couldn't stand up. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks.

Can only one of him and Xie An survive?

Even if he is reincarnated, even if Xie An is resurrected by the Book of Reincarnation, can't things still change?

unless……

Unless Xie An willingly forgets about himself?

Then he and Xie An could live peacefully, even if they could never be together again?

However, if he were reincarnated, Xie An would not come looking for him, so they would never have been together in the first place.

Isn't this the best of both worlds?

Xie Shuci clutched his chest, his vision blurring, and bitter tears slid down his cheeks.

Why...?

Why do this...?

He just liked someone, why treat him like this?

Bixie looked at Xie Shuci, who was standing on the ground, stunned and weeping. He seemed so fragile that he would fall over if the wind blew him down.

A hint of pity flashed in his eyes. He slowly walked up to Xie Shuci, half-squatted down, gently wiped the tears from his cheeks, and said with a sigh, "Shuci, I have been to the future."

Xie Shuci looked at him through teary eyes.

Bixie smiled at him and said softly:

"In the future I see, there is no Luo Jingyu or Bixie, only Xie Shuci... and Xie An."