Seeing that both Gu Qingfeng and Mo Wentian intended to brave the Endless Sea Beyond the Outer Heaven alone, Da Xing the Mad Monk rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat embarrassed as he said, "Well...
Junior Sister, it's not that This Old Monk doesn't trust you, it's just...
Young Gu and Young Mo both came to help This Old Monk. Now that we've run into such rotten luck, This Old Monk can't just abandon them. So...
Junior Sister, you all take care of yourselves."
Water Moon Bodhisattva stared at Da Xing the Mad Monk, her mouth opening as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Perhaps the mysterious black-clothed man had sent her a secret voice transmission, for Water Moon Bodhisattva nodded and said, "Alright then...
You all take care of yourselves too."
"Deal!
Let's do it this way."
Da Xing the Mad Monk shot a meaningful glance at the mysterious black-clothed man but didn't say anything more. Turning around, he addressed Gu Qingfeng and Mo Wentian: "Young Gu, Young Mo, since you both want to brave the Endless Sea Beyond the Outer Heaven, This Old Monk will risk his life to keep you company this time. Though the Endless Sea is terrifying, This Old Monk believes that as long as the three of us join forces, there's no obstacle we can't overcome."
"Get the hell away from me."
Gu Qingfeng was in a foul mood, to be precise, a terrible one. One piece of bad luck after another made him increasingly suspect that this Zen Sect affair was far from simple. Especially Da Xing the Mad Monk, this old bald donkey. On the surface, he acted crazy and foolish, putting on an innocent, harmless appearance.
But that was just how it looked. Who the hell knew what schemes this old bald donkey was secretly plotting?
Most importantly, Da Xing the Mad Monk was a mix of truth and falsehood, reality and illusion. Gu Qingfeng couldn't see through him. Glaring at Da Xing with extreme displeasure, he said, "Haven't you screwed me over enough already?
Planning to keep screwing me over once we reach the Endless Sea?"
"I say, Young Gu!
Can we speak with a bit of conscience?
This Old Monk has said it many times—This Old Monk hasn't screwed you over!"
Da Xing the Mad Monk wore a woeful expression. "This Old Monk has no idea why things turned out like this, truly!
If This Old Monk had known beforehand it would be like this, I would never have called you two over, no matter what. Forget calling you two, This Old Monk wouldn't have come myself! Besides, This Old Monk is in the same terrible situation as you right now. Even if This Old Monk were stupid, I wouldn't screw myself over, would I?"
"That's hard to say."
"You brat, you're just...!"
Da Xing the Mad Monk pointed at Gu Qingfeng, about to continue, but Gu Qingfeng was already too fed up to listen. Helpless, Da Xing could only sigh. "Fine, don't believe This Old Monk if you won't. This Old Monk doesn't want to explain anymore anyway. This Old Monk's own conscience is clear. Think whatever you want."
Seeing Gu Qingfeng ignore him, Da Xing the Mad Monk pulled Mo Wentian over. "Young Mo, you tell me. Is This Old Monk the kind of person who screws over friends?"
"This..." Mo Wentian shook his head with a bitter smile, unsure how to answer.
"'This' what, 'that' what, damn it!
Young Mo, don't tell me you suspect This Old Monk screwed you over too, just like Young Gu?"
"No, Mo simply feels today's events are far too strange."
"Nonsense!
Who doesn't know it's strange? It's incredibly strange! When This Old Monk came earlier, the Little Zen Secret Realm was still normal, and our Zen Sect elders were all here. In such a short time, not only have the Zen Sect elders vanished, but the damn Little Zen Secret Realm has also fallen into the Endless Sea Beyond the Outer Heaven. It's truly bizarre!"
"Could it... be related to the emergence of your Zen Sect's relic?"
Mo Wentian asked. Da Xing the Mad Monk stroked his bald head, pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Maybe. This Old Monk isn't too sure either."
As his words fell—
Boom! Rumble!
A violent roar sounded, followed by a cacophony of cracking noises. Looking up, heavens—the Little Zen Secret Realm was already riddled with holes. Its spatial structure continuously fractured as various Chaotic Currents surged over like raging river tides.
"The Little Zen Secret Realm is about to collapse! Everyone, get ready!"
Golden Buddhist light instantly radiated from Da Xing the Mad Monk's body. The Five Monsters of Heishan also moved closer to Water Moon Bodhisattva, each circulating their power, ready to act. Even Mo Wentian's body flickered with faint grayish light.
Only Gu Qingfeng remained unmoved, simply standing there, watching the various Chaotic Currents sweeping in from all directions.
"What are your plans, Brother Gu?"
Mo Wentian took out a jar of fine wine and handed it to Gu Qingfeng, then took out two more jars, keeping one for himself and tossing the other to Da Xing the Mad Monk.
With a pop.
Gu Qingfeng opened the wine, tilted his head back, and took a swig. Shaking his head, he said, "What plans can one have in the Endless Sea? Take it one step at a time. That's all we can do."
"Brother Gu speaks the truth."
Mo Wentian also drank deeply, gazing at the surging Chaotic Currents as he sighed. "In the Endless Sea Beyond the Outer Heaven, we are like ants. All we can do is resign ourselves to fate."
"I say, you two, stop saying such discouraging things in front of This Old Monk, alright?"
Da Xing the Mad Monk said irritably. "One of you damn well has the ability of Shifting Stars and Moving Constellations, the other has the skill of Going with the Flow. You don't have to worry about being crushed by the currents or swept into Forgotten Spaces. At most, you'll just wander adrift in the Endless Sea for a while. With good luck, you might leave soon enough."
"It's only This Old Monk! Once I enter the Endless Sea, I'll be like a landlubber thrown into water—at best, I can struggle a few times. Once my power is exhausted, This Old Monk will be done for. And you talk of resigning to fate?
The one who should truly resign to fate is This Old Monk!"
Da Xing the Mad Monk complained about the two.
However.
Neither Gu Qingfeng nor Mo Wentian paid him any heed.
The two stood together, watching the collapsing Little Zen Secret Realm and the onrushing Chaotic Currents, sharing wine as if bidding each other farewell.
Gu Qingfeng smiled. "Regardless, being able to meet Brother Mo here, I, Gu Qingfeng, didn't come for nothing."
"Hahaha!"
Mo Wentian let out a hearty, heroic laugh. "Likewise! Being able to encounter Brother Gu today, Mo considers this trip worthwhile!"
"Come!
Bottoms up!"
Gu Qingfeng raised his wine jar and drank it all in one go. Mo Wentian did the same.
Just as both of them threw their empty jars to the ground, shattering them, the riddled Little Zen Secret Realm finally completely collapsed. In an instant, rolling Chaotic Currents surged over like a tsunami, overwhelming heaven and earth.
"Hahaha!"
Mo Wentian leaped forward, charging head-on into the Chaotic Currents. His heroic voice exploded amidst the roaring waves: "Da Xing, Brother Gu, Mo will go first! Until we meet again! If Mo is fortunate enough to return someday, I'll drink with you all until we're dead drunk!"
"Damn it!
How can Young Mo just leave like that, without even taking This Old Monk!
Young Mo, wait for This Old Monk!"
Da Xing the Mad Monk was about to chase after him when Gu Qingfeng's hand clamped down on his shoulder. Startled, he asked, "Young Gu, what do you want?"
A smile played on Gu Qingfeng's lips as he stared at him. "Da Xing, I'm keeping a tally of today's debt. When we meet again, I'll definitely repay you in full."
Without waiting for Da Xing the Mad Monk's response, Gu Qingfeng leaped up, charging directly into the oncoming Chaotic Currents. He laughed heartily, "Though mountains and rivers change, the green hills remain; though waters flow on, the blue streams endure. When we meet again in the Great Desolate, we shall share wine and converse merrily!
Hahaha!
—"