Legends of him abounded in the outside world. He had existed through many Eras of the Immemorial Era, serving as an attendant at the Dao Venerable's side.
By the Primordial Era, his name had shaken the Myriad Heavens and Worlds.
Yet the figure before Meng Chuan now was merely an amiable Daoist.
"I thought of something unpleasant." Meng Chuan shook his head, but did not tell the True Martial Great Emperor what it was.
"Congratulations on escaping assimilation by the Great Dao and recovering your true Return," Meng Chuan said.
Escaping that state of being neither alive nor dead was cause for celebration, no matter how one looked at it.
Unless he died in the very next moment.
True Martial was plainly in good spirits too. He said with a chuckle:
"I must thank the Heavenly Venerable and you for your help. Otherwise, who knows how long I would have remained lost before finally losing myself?"
"I will never forget this kindness."
In saying so, True Martial had all but planted his banner and told Meng Chuan that, from now on, he stood with them.
Awakening him was a favor in itself. And when True Martial tried to reach the Other Shore in the future, the Virtuous Heavenly Venerable, having gone this far, surely would not stand aside.
This was a debt for saving his life and helping him attain the Dao. Nothing outweighed it.
True Martial would repay it.
He was practically bound to the Three Pure Ones' war chariot. He and Meng Chuan were on the same side.
"You're too kind. You laid plans across the ages and had your own contingencies. Awakening was only a matter of sooner or later."
At that, a trace of bitterness and self-mockery entered True Martial's smile.
"What plans across the ages?