Li Jian nodded. Seemingly out of things to discuss, he gave him a slight nod, indicating that he could leave.
But Pei Ye did not move. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "Platform Master Li."
"Yes?"
"I'd like to ask you something... I don't know whether this is a suitable place."
"Go ahead."
"May I join the Fate Hounds?"
Li Jian looked back at him. "You know nothing about us. One visit as a guest, and you've taken a fancy to us?"
"I'd like to learn about you now," Pei Ye said.
Li Jian fell quiet for a moment. "First, I must remind you never to reveal anywhere that you've met anyone from the Fate Hounds, much less let anyone know you know them."
Pei Ye nodded.
"Second, of course you can join the Fate Hounds. We are currently observing you as our next prospective member." Looking at Li Jian, Pei Ye once again felt the truth of Xu Chuo's words: "Li Jian speaks to be precise. There are no hidden meanings, and he doesn't much care for cryptic exchanges."
He really did say exactly what he meant.
"However, whether you can enter the Dream of the Queen Mother of the West is not for us to decide," Li Jian said. "If you entered by our permission, then we could also shut you out later."
"Then what decides it?"
"Two things," Li Jian said. "The first is the Queen Mother's bequest. Legend has it that before the Queen Mother of the West died, she cast her legacy into the mortal world. Those who later found her gifts gained the right to be invited into the dream. The Heart of the Western Court is also her bequest-or rather, the most precious of them."
"Then now I..."
"Not just now.