In the garden.
Just moments ago, Qin Yang, who had been trimming the flowers and plants, appeared like an ordinary young gardener, nothing out of the ordinary.
But now, as he sat in the pavilion, brewing and sipping tea, though still wearing that simple, unadorned cyan robe, he gave off an aura of nobility and elegance. That nobility seemed innate, and that elegance flowed naturally, as if he were a refined scholar from beyond the mundane world.
"Just now, I heard you mention the Crimson-Letter Monarch, Gu Qingfeng..." The Great Heir Apparent Qin Yang held a cup of freshly brewed mist tea, brought it to his lips, gently blew on it, and took a small sip. He frowned slightly, as if not entirely satisfied with the tea he had brewed. With a wave of his hand, he poured out the tea and began brewing another cup.
Outside the Water Mirror, amidst the sea of clouds, Ye Tianlan asked, "What about him?"
"Nothing much..." The Great Heir Apparent Qin Yang shook his head slightly. After a moment, he added, "'Myriad Living Stupas, All Phenomena Pay Homage'..." Qin Yang murmured these eight words softly. Outside the Water Mirror, the old matron's heart skipped a beat, realizing that her earlier conversation with Ye Tianlan had been clearly heard by Qin Yang without her noticing at all. She knew the Great Heir Apparent was mysterious and unpredictable, likely possessing vast supernatural powers, but she never imagined he could be this terrifying—able to silently probe even Ye Tianlan's sea-of-clouds dreamscape. Truly unfathomable.
However.
Ye Tianlan herself was not surprised. Though she didn't know how Qin Yang had done it, his having such ability was completely within her expectations.
"Why does the Female Sect Master think I would be interested in his 'Myriad Living Stupas'?
And why are you so confident that I definitely won't miss out?"
"Oh?"
Ye Tianlan asked, "Do you mean to say you're not interested in his 'Myriad Living Stupas'?"
"No."
Qin Yang did not deny it, stating frankly, "Regarding the Crimson-Letter Monarch Gu Qingfeng's 'Myriad Living Stupas, All Phenomena Pay Homage,' I admit I am very interested. Just as you said, such a creation is comparable to the True Destiny Son of the Human Path. If he wishes to contend for the Human King's throne, no one can rival him. I believe that too. However..." Changing his tone, Qin Yang smiled faintly and said, "I am merely interested. Being interested does not mean I must possess it for myself. Even if this creation is peerless in heaven and earth, even if it is worth risking everything, including life and soul... perhaps there are those who don't want to miss out and would gamble everything. Hmm...
There should be quite a few such people. To my knowledge, there are more than ten in this world alone. Moreover, their creation and strength are no lower than mine—at the very least, facing them, I have no certainty of victory."
"That many?"
Ye Tianlan was quite astonished. In her mind, those in this world whose creation and strength could match the Great Heir Apparent were probably only the Crimson-Letter Sect's Zixiao King and the Immortal Dynasty's Third Prince, with perhaps a few others hidden deeply. But to say there were more than ten... Ye Tianlan couldn't immediately think of who they might be.
"The more than ten I mentioned are only those like me—people who have responded to the fortunes and calamities of the Present-Ancient Era. If we add in those ancient, revived predecessors, the number would be countless..." Soon, he brewed another cup of tea, took a small sip, and again seemed unsatisfied, pouring it out. He said, "They should all be very interested in the Crimson-Letter Monarch Gu Qingfeng's 'Myriad Living Stupas,' and they should all be willing to gamble."
"And you? Don't you want to?"
"I do not."
Qin Yang shook his head without hesitation. "I dislike gambling. I always have. In my entire life, I have never gambled, not even once. Whether in my past life or this one, I will not gamble."
"Indeed, if you had absolute certainty of winning, it wouldn't be called gambling."
"Ha!
Absolute certainty?"
Qin Yang laughed dismissively. "Female Sect Master, you overestimate me. Even the Three Thousand Great Daos and the heavens above are wary of Gu Qingfeng. No matter how arrogant I, Qin Yang, may be, I dare not act presumptuously before him."
"Excessive modesty is no longer modesty."
"I am not being modest; I am merely stating a fact."
Ye Tianlan couldn't tell whether Qin Yang was being modest or not, but what puzzled her more was that she didn't quite understand why Qin Yang was saying these things to her today.
"Modest or factual, whether you seize it or not, gamble or not, has nothing to do with me."
"Since it has nothing to do with you, then I ask the Female Sect Master not to make rash comments in the future, especially on matters that stir up conflict. Please do not comment lightly. I have no desire to join this commotion."
"Is that so..." Outside the Water Mirror, Ye Tianlan gazed at Qin Yang. After a moment, she replied, "Very well, I have noted it. I will certainly not make rash comments in the future."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Is there anything else?"
"There is one matter I hope the Female Sect Master can help me with."
"What is it?"
"If you happen to meet him, I hope you can convey my meaning to him."
This made Ye Tianlan even more puzzled. She truly couldn't discern what game Qin Yang was playing. After pondering for a while, she asked, "Why don't you tell him directly?"
"I think it's best not to meet him unless absolutely necessary."
"Oh?"
Ye Tianlan grew even more curious. "And why is that?"
"The reason is simple. I do not wish to have any association with a sinner whom heaven and earth cannot tolerate, nor do I wish to form any karma with such an existence."
"You're afraid too?"
"Who isn't?"
"Ha!"
Ye Tianlan laughed. "It's just a meeting. It won't create karma."
"The karma between people often begins with a simple meeting. Love and hatred, gratitude and grudges—none are exceptions."
Ye Tianlan murmured Qin Yang's words, feeling they were directed at her, and fell into deep thought. Then, Qin Yang's voice came again: "Since ancient times, between heaven and earth, there has never been karma without cause, never..." As his words faded, the Water Mirror also dissipated.
Within the sea of clouds.
In the pavilion.
Ye Tianlan stood quietly, Qin Yang's words echoing in her ears, stirring a tumult of emotions within her. It was as if she had gained some insight, like a glimmer of light appearing in the darkness. Yet this light was visible but untouchable, leaving her anxious and helpless.
"Tianlan!
Tianlan!"
The old matron, seeing her expression was off, immediately called out, "What's wrong with you?"
"I..." Ye Tianlan snapped back to reality, shaking her head to indicate her helplessness.
"This Great Heir Apparent is truly profound and unfathomable."
Even through the Water Mirror, the old matron could clearly sense the aura emanating from the Great Heir Apparent. It wasn't an overwhelming, fierce pressure that rendered her speechless, but rather a noble presence that inspired awe and made her too fearful to speak.