Not long after the gaunt old man left, a Flying Boat arrived. Xi Ran had come.
"Master, on my way here, I ran into Uncle Han from Stillwater Abbey. Is he planning to stay for a long time?"
The little girl entered the hall without ceremony and ran straight to Daoyinzi's side. She stretched out her small, fair hands and began kneading the old Daoist's shoulders.
Dao Yin narrowed his eyes in comfort and smiled. "He's come to Great Hua Mountain to seek an opportunity for his two disciples."
"Then he's come to the wrong place." Xi Ran giggled. "You even scrimp on yourself and can't bear to eat your own spirit fruit. How could you spare any for someone else?"
Dao Yin laughed. "I'll raise you all well. Once you've grown capable, whichever of you steps Beyond the Mundane will surely show your master proper filial respect."
"How clever of you!" Xi Ran kept massaging as she spoke, and soon coaxed the whole story out of him. "Uncle Han had his calculations all worked out, but you backed him into a corner with just a few words. Three years or two—what excuse does he have left to linger?"
Dao Yin gently shook his head. "He has no reason to stay, certainly. But your little Junior Brother may not need the full two years."
"Is little Junior Brother that gifted?" Xi Ran's eyes darted. "Eighth Senior Brother mentioned him to me. Is he really a Reincarnated Immortal?"
Dao Yin smiled. "Whatever his origins, his insight is his own. I'm sending him into Book Mountain chiefly to make him recognize his shortcomings..." As he spoke, he stroked his beard and nodded.
Xi Ran understood. Clapping her hands, she laughed. "I get it! You're going to take your disciple down a peg