"Don't forget that plaque you snatched from Pang Tianze. The Church has been itching to get it back. According to the memories I devoured, that plaque should be an admission ticket to some kind of Immortal Gathering. Someone will undergo the Immortal Tribulation there, and it'll be a rare chance to watch. Don't miss it. Though it seems the gathering is still a long way off—you've got another two or three years before it. That gives you time to build a solid foundation."
As Xu Yi considered his plans for the next step, Huang Mei offered his advice.
Xu Yi said, "You said it yourself earlier: the key for me now is to cultivate my innate nature and comprehend the will of Heaven. Honestly, I don't even know where to begin."
Huang Mei said, "It's difficult, but it's not difficult either. All you need is to find something that moves you. You've cultivated the intent of utmost sorrow, so you should understand that feeling. Cultivating your innate nature and comprehending the will of Heaven are just the same kind of process. You've come a long way now. Why not turn around and take a look?"
Xu Yi froze.
The autumn wind blew beneath the evening sun, and the paulownia leaves had turned yellow. Beneath a mottled paulownia tree, Cheng Yan stood with his arms folded, watching two old men play chess. Both were masters of the game in Tongli Alley. They had gathered not only to duel over the chessboard but also to let someone run a betting pool on the side, making for quite a lively scene. Cheng Yan had just returned with the children and had come over to take in the excitement.
"Brother Cheng, why not have a go? If you lose, I'll cover it. Think