The rest of the day was calm as Tao and Yixing got to catching up. They sat in the Wu family’s serene garden, the soft sounds of a nearby stream adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

"You've certainly grown stronger," Jiang Tao remarked, taking a sip of tea. "That technique of yours, the First Rays of Dawn, is impressive."

Zhou Yixing nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It’s something I’ve been working on for a while. It's a core formation technique, but I've been trying to make it usable at this stage. It’s got a ways to go. But your defense with the Flag was equally remarkable.”

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, enjoying the garden’s beauty. Jiang Tao couldn’t help but notice the way Yixing’s demeanor softened when Wu Lingxi approached with refreshments, despite his earlier brusqueness. She moved gracefully, her concern for Yixing evident in her every action.

“She truly cares for you,” Jiang Tao observed, his tone casual but probing.

Zhou Yixing glanced at Lingxi, a faint frown crossing his face. “She’s a mortal.”

Jiang Tao raised an eyebrow at Zhou Yixing’s dismissive tone. “She’s more than just a mortal, Jun. She’s your wife.”

Yixing only chuckled at that. “Sometimes I forget for all your skill and talent, you're ignorant to the wider world. You were born to mortals so it's understandable.”

Jiang Tao felt a pang of irritation at Yixing’s words, but he kept his voice even. “Ignorant? Perhaps. But I also know that strength isn’t the only thing that matters. Relationships, loyalty, compassion—these are important too.”

Yixing’s eyes darkened slightly. “And I do value them, if I didn't I would have abandoned our friendship for something worth more. I've thrown my lot with Yuhan and you for a reason. You are my friends. I meant it when I said I’d look out for you,”

"Jiang Tao," Zhou Yixing continued, his tone softening. "I might seem cruel from your perspective. We are cultivators even the lowliest of us is a calamity. You might have lived as a mortal before this but you were never like them, even without a sect you would become a force,”

"Perhaps," Jiang Tao said slowly, he knew the difference between cultivators and mortals was vast but Yixing's line of thinking wasn't something he wanted to adopt.

His friend studied him for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “You know, the Dominion is the only place on the continent where mortals aren’t slaughtered like cattle. The Zhang Clan created it to be a bastion of order. The rest of the continent is brutal and unforgiving—lawless cultivators reign, supreme demonic and righteous sects vying for supremacy. Mortals out there can not see a fraction of the wealth mortals here experience,”

“Even so,” Jiang Tao replied, “It doesn’t mean we should be so careless in our interactions,”

“You're naive, you and I might live for thousands of years likely even more, them? they'll be lucky to hit seventy. My Father is five hundred years old and he still considers himself young compared to his peers. We’re not just living longer; our perspectives and priorities shift accordingly.”

“What I am is kind, another of our fellows would have been ruling this village, taking over a minor family is considerate. My clan will see to it she's treated with as much respect as a lady of the Zhou clan, even with her lacking talent”

Tao listened to Yixing's words with a mix of contemplation and unease. The stark reality of this world was undeniable, yet the disparity in their views on mortality was vast.

The fact that he was sort of right made him more uneasy, he didn't want to end up with such a warped view that he considered himself a basically different species from his parents.

He wanted to say more but he knew that he'd sound outlandish, his perspective was colored by his previous life and his lack of wider knowledge as a result of being a peasant for fifteen years of his life.

Tao took a deep breath trying to compose his thoughts, “My thoughts may change in the future but for now, I can’t reconcile myself with seeing people as mere stepping stones or pawns,” Jiang Tao said, his voice steady.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Yixing snorted derisively into his tea but didn't press further.

“I suppose we all have our perspectives,” Yixing said finally, his tone softer but still tinged with a hint of his earlier dismissiveness. “It’s what makes our friendship worthwhile, I enjoy hearing your thoughts as naive as they may be,"

Jiang Tao narrowed his eyes before breaking out into a chuckle “Glad to know my naivety is entertaining,” he said with a wry grin. “I guess we balance each other out, then.”

Yixing chuckled, the tension easing between them. “Indeed.”

----------------------------------------

Auntie Mei promptly led him to Ying Ziyi not even a minute after returning to the Ying family residence. He didn't mind as he had wanted to speak to her anyway.

She led him to a drawing room, where he found her waiting. She was seated by the window, a delicate porcelain teacup in hand, her posture as graceful as ever.

Her appearance was radically different from the last time he’d seen her, gone was her simple rugged attire replaced with fine silks.

The soft, pastel-colored silks draped around her framed her delicate features, highlighting the serene beauty that had always been present, but now seemed even more pronounced.

Her dark tresses were done up with ornate pins, each one sparkling in the soft light that filtered through the window. As Jiang Tao entered, Ziyi’s eyes lit up with a warm, welcoming smile.

“Welcome back Master Jiang,” she said softly, setting her teacup aside and rising gracefully to greet him.

“Lady Ying,” Jiang Tao greeted, bowing slightly as he entered. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Please, Master Jiang, there’s no need to start such formalities,” Ziyi replied with a gentle smile, gesturing for him to take a seat. “I would like to apologize for abandoning you to my father's mercy after our arrival,”

“My younger brother, he has a condition, you see.” She paused, a slight frown marring her features. “His health is delicate, and he needed immediate attention. I trust my father didn’t cause you too much trouble?”

Jiang Tao smiled, shaking his head. “No trouble at all. Your father was most gracious,”

She sighed in relief as Jiang Tao took his seat. "I'm glad to hear that. My father can be quite... stern at times, but he means well."

Jiang Tao nodded, understanding the weight of her words. “Family is important,” he said softly, his thoughts briefly drifting to his own family. It had been close to a year since he left Persimmon Peak.

I wonder how they're doing. He thought

“I heard you went to visit, the wu family. So is it true that their new in-law is a cultivator? I've been away for so long that I don’t know much about their recent developments.”

Jiang Tao nodded, taking a sip of the tea Ziyi had offered. “Lord Liu Jun is a friend, one I didn't expect to find here,”

Ziyi’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “How auspicious!”

"Yes, it was quite a surprise. I didn't expect to find anyone I knew here”

“You both plan to see Lord Bai? About gaining passage to the twilight flame sect?” she asked.

“Of course,” he nodded, his plan had not changed getting back to the sect was the top priority.

Ziyi’s gaze grew thoughtful, and she leaned slightly forward. “Father is very close with Lord Bai, perhaps he can arrange an audience for you?”

Tao raised an eyebrow in interest. “That would be incredibly helpful Lady Ying thank you!”

Her cheeks colored and her smile grew warmer, “Of course, you're a guest of the Ying family, I'll speak with Father,”

Jiang Tao found himself lost in thought as he watched Ziyi's warm smile and the way her cheeks colored with the slightest hint of blush.

He wasn't quite sure what to do with her growing infatuation, they'd only known each other for three days and unlike Yixing, he wasn't looking to get involved with the locals of Black Vale Village to that extent.

She was probably into the idea of a dashing heroic cultivator coming to whisk her away from her oppressive family and unwanted suitors, his thoughts drifted to Xie Ran, he had promised her father not to get involved.

Even if he hadn't he wasn't sure he had the desire to do so, He was only sixteen maybe a lot more if he counted his previous life but unlike his friend, he didn't think he'd be able to carelessly make such decisions on a whim. It would be best if he limited their interactions going forward.

Ziyi’s smile remained soft, but her eyes betrayed a hint of uncertainty as she noticed Jiang Tao’s thoughtful expression. “Is something on your mind, Master Jiang?”

Jiang Tao snapped back to the present and gave her a small smile. “Oh, it’s nothing to worry about. I’m just contemplating the best way to proceed with my plans.”

“Oh alright, I believe I must take my leave now. Please let Auntie Mei know if you have need for me,”

Jiang Tao stood as Ziyi prepared to leave, he offered her a polite bow. “Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Ying.”

He waited a couple of minutes before taking his exit as well.