A Cave Within the Text, a Furnace atop the Mountain

"Even if Brother Qiu had not asked, Xi would have told you about this. All this time, I have lingered in the Mortal Realm in my soul body, following at Brother Qiu's side. I have seen many things I never saw in life, broadening my horizons. It is just..."

Hearing Qiu Yan's question, Xi Muyuan's soul revealed complicated emotions. He replied, "A ghostly body is ultimately useless. No matter how much I learn, I cannot put it to use. Watching others study and witnessing the changes of the Human Path only makes the depression in my heart grow. Before, worldly matters delayed me for a time, but the knot in my heart has long since dissolved. Now that Brother Qiu has plans of his own, why not send Xi away before then?"

"Since Brother Xi has made his decision, Qiu naturally will not stop you. But there are some things I must make clear to you." Qiu Yan nodded, then said, "Qiu knows something of divine abilities and can tell Brother Xi plainly: with the extent of your Literary Thought, after death you can only enter the Netherworld, either returning to Unity or drifting without rest, then waiting quietly for reincarnation. How much time that will take is truly impossible to predict. Even if Qiu helps you reach the River of Forgetfulness as you wish, you must still undergo the Womb Mystery, and the memories of this life will not remain."

"I understand this as well. There is nothing improper about it," Xi Muyuan said frankly. "I only hope that in my next life, I may still be born human and study once more."

Qiu Yan nodded. "Naturally. Perhaps you and I may even share another bond as teacher and student. I only fear you may be unwilling. If you