A tall youth clad in golden robes manifested before them.
His hair was bound beneath a small purple-gold crown inlaid with jade, a strand of pearl tassels hanging beside his temple. Though his features appeared ordinary, an untainted, refined aura flowed between his brows, as though he had been born noble.
At Bao Zhen's feet lay a docile, well-behaved whale.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, Bao Zhen has come."
He sized you up from head to toe, his smile undiminished. "Fellow Daoist Chen, your cultivation has become ever more unfathomable."
You returned the greeting with a smile. "You are the one truly roaming free through the mortal world."
Hearing this, Bao Zhen's smile deepened. "These past eight years truly have been joyous days."
"I traveled all the way from the North Sea, passing ten thousand miles of glaciers, crossing boundless grasslands, and stepping into the bustling, clamorous cities of humankind."
"I crossed barren mountains and encountered spirits and demons; I saw water ghosts crossing rivers, and ants fleeing beneath thunderbolts—"
"The preciousness of freedom truly surpasses every treasure in this world."
Bao Zhen's gaze returned to you, and he revealed a sincere smile.
"Therefore, I, Bao Zhen, sincerely thank Fellow Daoist Chen for rescuing me from that predicament back then."
"Even if I could have escaped at the time, I would certainly have been in a miserable state, enduring hardship all the way. How could I have enjoyed such freedom as I do now?"
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You smiled. "You were simply blessed by fortune. What does it have to do with me?"
You then led Bao Zhen into Zhenhai Island of the Taihua Sect.
Bao Zhen said at the proper moment, "Fellow Daoist Chen, wait for me a moment. I'll bring this killer whale along."
"This foolish thing has followed me for a