The Purple Sky Patriarch sat in the main hall, his face kind and his eyes radiating a gentle warmth, a stark contrast to his usual stern image. He spoke slowly, his voice gentle, "Why did you suddenly come to see me today? Is there something important?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Chu stepped forward and replied respectfully, "Master, it was Bai Xiu who said you were in trouble. I was worried, so I came with Rong Lin to see you."
Rong Lin also bowed quickly and echoed, "Yes, Master. Now that I see you safe and sound, and in a peaceful state, I feel relieved."
Zixiao Patriarch nodded in satisfaction, his gaze darting back and forth between the two, as if examining something. After a moment, he asked, "Why are you two together? Chuchu is in the spirit world, and Ronglin is in the heavenly realm. Could it be that... you're planning a marriage?"
Chu Chu paused slightly upon hearing this, and glanced at Rong Lin awkwardly. She quickly explained, "Master, you misunderstood. Rong Lin and I are training in the human world right now, not seeking marriage. We simply want to improve our cultivation together and face challenges together."
Chuchu muttered to herself, if she wanted to arrange a marriage, she would have done it long ago, why wait until now? However, she didn't dare say this out loud, after all, the master's majesty was inviolable.
Rong Lin, however, didn't seem to be willing to give up. He smiled slightly and said, "Master, you are truly enjoying your retirement. Now you don't even care about the affairs of the Six Realms? This is unlike your old style."
Zixiao Patriarch's smile paused for a moment, then returned to normal. He sighed and said, "I've lived so long I can't even remember my years, so how could I care about the affairs of the six realms? I haven't accepted a disciple for over 20,000 years. The troubles of this world have long since become irrelevant to me."
Chu Chu couldn't help but make a joke when she heard this: "Master, your formations within formations and illusory beasts are not vegetarians. How can ordinary cultivators withstand their power?"
Rong Lin also smiled and agreed, "Yes, Master. You set up six beasts back then, but now there are only three. It seems that you are still too soft-hearted."
Chu Chu was stunned again when she heard this. She remembered there had always been three beasts, so where did the six come from? Was she mistaken? Or was the master deliberately testing them?
However, the Purple Sky Patriarch didn't seem to want to explain this. He said calmly, "No one visits my Purple Sky Holy Land anymore, so there's no need for so many ferocious beasts guarding it. I'm already very happy that you've come to see me."
Rong Lin nodded and said, "Master is right. We came here so hastily today and have disturbed your peace. We are truly sorry. We will take our leave now."
Zixiao Patriarch smiled and waved his hand: "No problem, no problem, just come often when you have time. Although my place is deserted, there is still a place for you."
Upon hearing this, the two of them quickly bowed and took their leave. After leaving the hall, Chu Chu couldn't help but wonder, "Master, I haven't seen you in tens of thousands of years, but you seem to be much kinder. I remember him always having a stern face. Maybe his temperament has changed after not seeing you for so many years?"
Rong Lin's gaze was deep and complex, as if he could see into the most secret corners of people's hearts. He slowly turned to Chu Chu, and there was an indescribable light in his eyes.
"Do you really think so? He, the master who once knew every formation so well, and could even precisely control every detail of the most complex illusory beast formation, now can't even count how many illusory beasts he has personally deployed. Are you still sure he's the master we remember?"
Chuchu was deeply moved by Rong Lin's words, a wave of profound shock welling up within her. Yes, Master had once been so wise and powerful, his understanding of formations seemingly innate. Whether it was the complex arrangement of runes or the profound transformation of formations, nothing escaped his discerning eye. Yet, now, he couldn't even remember the number of illusory beasts he had set up. How could this not be inconceivable? Could it be that time truly could change a person? Even the Purple Sky Ancestor, once feared by all within the Six Realms, couldn't escape the ravages of time, no longer the master they were so proud of?
Seeing Chu Chu's silence, Rong Lin continued, "Also, you just mentioned Bai Xiu, one of Master's most proud disciples, but he seemed to have heard nothing at all and didn't react at all, like a stranger. Don't you find this abnormality strange?"
Chuchu was suddenly awakened by Rong Lin's words. She was shocked and all the warm scenes of Bai Xiu and her master in the past flashed through her mind. The uneasiness and doubt in her heart became stronger.
"Yes, Bai Xiu... How could he forget his favorite disciple? Unless..." She didn't dare to think further. The thought was too terrifying, as if it would become a reality once she said it out loud.
"Could it be that the person before us isn't our Master at all? Instead, some foul creature has transformed into our Master's appearance?"
Rong Lin nodded heavily, and his expression told Chu Chu that he had the same guess.
"That's exactly what I speculated. However, this person's disguise is indeed very sophisticated. I didn't detect any unfamiliar aura just now, which is enough to prove that the imposter is definitely not an ordinary person."
Chuchu's heart sank. She knew the status of Zixiao Patriarch within the Six Realms. Even the Six Realms' Lords feared him. Now, someone had the audacity and strength to impersonate him. "But what should we do now? Should we just go back and confront him directly?"
Rong Lin shook his head slightly, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. "No, we can't just go back like this. We have to conceal our presence, lurk in the Holy Land, and bide our time. Perhaps, while we're unaware, he'll reveal his true form. By then, it won't be too late for us to find a way to expose him."
Chu Chu's eyes flashed with approval when she heard this. She gave a thumbs-up, approving of Rong Lin's proposal: "Good idea! As expected of a leader in the Saint Realm back then, he remained calm in the face of danger and possessed both wisdom and courage."
Rong Lin chuckled self-deprecatingly and shook his head. "If I remember correctly, Master's favorite is actually you. Whether it's training or daily chores, he always pays extra attention to you and shows you special favoritism. But today, when he saw you, there wasn't a single trace of excitement or joy on his face. Isn't this also abnormal?"
Chu Chu heard this, and she felt a mixture of emotions. Yes, she had never doubted her master's favoritism, but today's abnormalities forced her to re-evaluate everything.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, then smiled at Rong Lin. The two of them tacitly transformed into two light auspicious clouds, silently blending into the sky of the holy land, concealing all auras, and began to observe secretly.
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