By the lakeshore.
A stern-faced cultivator in a Daoist robe strolled over. As he passed the Chaos Beasts, he even smiled and cupped his hands. "I am Gu Ji. Greetings, everyone."
His bearing was ethereal, carrying an air of detachment from worldly strife. He had brought only a teapot.
Wuuu~~~
The Chaos Beasts drinking by the shore let out strange cries again, as though responding to him.
Gu Ji's smile softened considerably. He did not take anyone for a fool, merely walking to a corner and bending down to slowly draw water.
"Second Senior Brother!"
"Quack, Second Brother!!"
Splash splash~~ Boom—
Gu Ji looked up and nodded with a smile.
He drew the water slowly, yet his every movement seemed perfectly natural. There was none of the inner urgency one might have when gathering heavenly treasures; it was as if he had simply passed by and casually scooped up a ladle of water to brew tea.
"Quack, he's beyond saving."
Mountain-Seated Duck sighed deeply, then looked at Yue Xuan. "I heard Second Brother hasn't left the mountain in years. He cultivates in the sect gates every day. I hear he's practically become one of those Crane High Immortals in the clouds of the mountain, quack?"
Having said that, it burst into laughter.
Though its laughter sounded mocking, it carried a peculiar sort of joy.
Yue Xuan laughed helplessly. "Second Senior Brother has grown accustomed to a life of poverty. If you made him go down the mountain and travel about, he would find it uncomfortable instead. Now, only Second Senior Brother remains by Master's side."
His words carried respect.
More than anyone else from their sect, Second Senior Brother was pure and simple—and more dependable than all of them.
"Old Fourth, Old Tenth."
"Quack!"
"Second Senior Brother."
"Will you