He placed Han by the open windows, allowing it to bathe in the warmth of the natural sunlight while watering it straight from a cup. "You can't die before I see you bloom. Should I try to study plants to understand you? Argh! Why is this world so complicated? How did I once master everything?" He questioned himself, wishing he had a recollection of the memories of the version of him that came to him on his death bed. Why hadn't he told him that it wasn't some random meeting and that he was 'him'?

But, maybe that would have been uninteresting. And yet that was the reason his future self might have taken for granted the version that came to them on Earth.

"Last life. So if I die this time, it's for good? How pathetic."

Ren spent some time standing by the window and staring outside at the serene view of the pond there. The fish swam happily, oblivious to how twisted and difficult the human world really was. They were carefree, just waiting to be eaten or die naturally.

The faint hissing drew him back to the living. He looked down and saw the snake had just put the core back in the pot and was looking up at him as if waiting for praises. Ren chuckled amused. "At least the animals are entertaining and the plants can transform." He rubbed its head. "What shall I name you?"

As if understanding his turmoil, it moved to settle inside the pot and picked up the core. "You want that?"

It shook its head from side to side.

"The name?"

It nodded dropping the core before slithering out of the pot. "Han?!" He said with uncertainty. "But the name is already...oh well, guess I'll be raising two Hans. Or maybe I should call one of you Hand! That's dumb. How about I give you my earthly name, I was once called Clay. Do you like it?"

It tilted its head to the side and stared at him pondering his words. In the end, it nodded excitedly.

"Clay it is."

################

Long black hair with traces of gray hairs. A short beard accompanied by a mustache. Eyes between kind and ruthless. Liuyue's father looked like a typical fifty-year-old man in a government position from Earth.

Seating on the other side of the room, the city Lord examined him back, wondering why his daughter had chosen him as her master. He had no fluctuations coming from him, his red pair of eyes conveyed indifference, and his general attitude was a little cold. He hadn't even touched the food served by the servants.

'Does he think I want to harm him?'

They stayed in silence until Liuyue walked in carrying a wooden tray with three bowls on it. She carefully placed it on Ren's table, moving the previously served food aside and setting the bowls she had prepared down.

Her father watched in awe as the daughter, who had never served him even a cup of tea, was acting so diligently to this young man who was a stranger in his eyes.

When she was done, she occupied the table next to Ren and smiled at the City Lord. "Father, Master has a special diet. I learned that he had come to see you not too long ago. Please forgive any misunderstanding that may have arisen from this."

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

He laughed shortly to dispel the awkwardness. "This old man is not offended..."

Bringing a cup of wine to his lips, he peeked at Ren from its brim and caught the warm expression now on his face as he picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks. The way he held them betrayed his background, making the City Lord think that he had come from a poor family.

Doubts began lingering at the back of his mind about whether this was the master her daughter had spent so much money looking for.

Ren could read the mistrust in the City lord's eyes. But he brushed it off. Even he would doubt someone like himself. The void concealed all traces of his cultivation achievements and presented him as a mortal.

As he dug into the warm food, Clay popped his head from his left sleeve and slid on the table to face the City Lord. It barred its fangs, and a phantom of a gigantic blue dragon with black horns appeared above it that was only visible to him.

The cup slid from his hand and fell on his fo, spilling his wine everywhere including on his clothes.

"Father!" Liuyue squealed jumping from her table to hurry over to him after noticing his stunned state. Using her handkerchief, she patted his sleeve to dry it. "What is it? Are you feeling unwell? Should we cancel this-"

"Ahem! I'm... I'm okay," he lied, hiding his right hand, which was shaking harder than a branch caught in a storm. "You can sit, Fei Fei. Don't forget to serve your master this fine cherry wine."

She sighed, relieved, and nodded. "Of course father. Please, enjoy your meal."

After she was back in her seat, Ren tried making contact with his eyes. He had seen the horrified expression that had now left his face pale and sweaty. His instincts immediately told him that Clay was behind it.

The rest of the meal went by quietly with nobody breathing a word at the other and just ate in the awkwardness.

When they were done and the servants cleared the tables, Ren got up, suggesting a walk with the City Lord.

He almost jumped to his feet, his soul scarred by the phantom he had seen earlier. By age, Ren was older than him. But by their looks, he looked like a son to him.

"Do you want to hold it?" He asked catching the side eyes he kept dashing Clay.

"No! No, no, no. Thank you for your offer...er, how may I address you?"

They were now walking on the marbled path in between wooden houses that radiated spiritual warmth. It wasn't ordinary wood, Ren could tell.

"Renshen."

"No, no, no. That is too informal. Please allow me to call you, Master Renshen... Pardon my manners, but may I ask what kind of beast is that?"

"A snake," Ren answered. He wasn't going to blabber that he had a divine beast on his shoulder.

"Just a snake?"

"Of course."

The city Lord laughed nervously looking away before wiping the sweat from his right temple with his sleeve.

"Fei Fei told me that you may need a piece of land. What exactly are you looking for? I can get it for you if it's under my palm. Even if it isn't, I have connec-"

"Don't bother about that, City Lord. I'll know it when I feel it... But I may need to borrow some resources...to be paid back fully with interest."

"You flatter me, Master Renshen. You're Fei Fei's teacher. That makes you family."

Ren wanted to slap it to his face that family meant nothing to him. He just wanted money and nothing else. But after feeling Liuyue's care for his father from back there, he refrained to give him some face.

As they walked over a small bridge over the thin river flowing through his residence, they met one of his younger sons. He saluted bowing to them, "Father. Teacher."

"Come here, my good son." The city Lord pulled him to stand by his side facing Ren. "Tell me little brat, would you like to have a master like him? Fei Fei made a breakthrough in less than fourteen days. Isn't he amazing?"

His son laughed flattering and Ren understood what was going on. But it only made him frown on the inside at how the City lord's attitude had changed so quickly.

"Only if the teacher would accept m-"

"Do you have the mark?" Ren cut him.

He shook his head. "No. But my talent isn't-"

"I'm sorry. But I'm only taking in disciples with the mark. I'm sure you'll find a worthy teacher. Your qi is overflowing and your aura is firm. If you ever need my help, don't hesitate."

A tinge of disappointment filled his face but he quickly hid it and took a step back to bow to the two of them. "I'll get going. Elder brother Chen called for me."

"Hahaha! Go my boy," his father permitted.

"He's not bad, Master Renshen. The elders said he has a promising future."

"That I do not doubt. But I still cannot accept him."

"Okay. Okay. Okay. May I now take you to choose some gifts from the treasure house? I did not know what to prepare for you. Fei Fei suggested this. I hope we're not offending you."

"Mm..." Ren nodded, tired of the long speech he had already let out.

Walking past the two guards posted outside the building, Ren sensed hostility coming from one of them directed at him.

After his last breakthrough by the lake, his perception had sharpened more than before but not as painfully clear as Liu Ming's. He could feel what others felt for him. This could now help him analyze the people he'd interact with at a deeper level.

The city Lord placed his palm on the round plate between the doors, injecting his qi into it. They responded, recognizing him and slowly gave way, opening in the inside with a dull creak.

Ren felt the energy enveloping the building as they walked inside. If he wanted to, he could have easily devoured it within half a breath.