The willow branches swayed gently, one of them slowly drooping down and reaching towards Lin Yu.
Lin Yu did not dodge.
The willow branch touched him lightly, then hovered in mid-air again.
It came in bursts, as if it were sensing something.
Shi Hao, who had been rambling on about the changes in the village over the years, immediately shut up upon seeing this, his eyes widening as he stared intently at Willow God's movements.
He knows the Spirit Master all too well.
Willow God is usually very sparing with words and rarely pays attention to anyone, so it's definitely unusual for her to take such a step.
Really.
The next instant, two soft green lights separated from the willow branches and gently enveloped Lin Yu and Shi Hao.
When the two came to their senses, they found themselves in a strange space.
There was nothingness all around.
There was no sky, no earth, only endless emptiness and the occasional faint speck of light.
A blurry image was faintly visible in the distance, but it was not clear.
The two stared intently, trying to make out the outline, but they couldn't make it out no matter what they did; it seemed to exist, yet it seemed not to exist at all.
"Willow God?" Shi Hao called out tentatively.
"Hmm." A clear, cool voice rang out; it was Willow God.
Shi Hao looked around curiously. "Where is this? Why did you bring us here?"
The Willow God did not answer him; the ball of light shifted slightly, turning towards Lin Yu.
Lin Yu.
Lin Yu was slightly taken aback. "Willow God."
He quickly and respectfully bowed.
According to the established rules, this senior figure might be even more powerful than the original body, so he cannot be treated lightly.
You have already forged your own path.
The first words Willow God uttered sent a shiver down Lin Yu's spine.
Shi Hao scratched his head. "Willow God, what do you mean by that? Isn't Brother Yu's path just the path of cultivation? Is there some difference?"
Willow God ignored him and continued speaking to Lin Yu, "There is something about you that I cannot see through, something that does not belong to this world. Your path is different from everyone else's."
"I noticed the Dao within you from the very first time you came, but at that time your body was protected by some kind of power, so I couldn't see it clearly."
"You're not the real body, are you?"
"The Willow God has a discerning eye."
Feeling a gaze fixed on him, Lin Yu knew it was Willow God. He didn't explain, nor did he need to.
In the face of someone like Willow God, any attempt at concealment is futile.
Shi Hao was completely confused, but he understood one thing: Willow God was praising Brother Yu.
He grinned. "I knew it! Brother Yu is definitely extraordinary; even Willow God said so."
"But the Spirit Master is truly amazing; he saw through Brother Yu's clone at a glance."
"When Brother Yu first arrived, I thought he was his original form; I couldn't tell at all."
Willow God said calmly, "You certainly know how to pick your words."
"However, Shi Hao has studied your cultivation path for me, and it is not applicable to this world. Although I do not know the purpose of your trip, I imagine that you want to start cultivating again with this body."
Lin Yu nodded. "That's right. To complete the main body's mission, you need strength, which means you have to start cultivating again."
Willow God's voice echoed in this void, every word clearly reaching Lin Yu's ears.
"You have indeed taken a different path."
The soft green light flickered slightly, as if it were watching him.
"Shi Hao's path is one of struggle. Struggle against heaven, struggle against earth, struggle against man."
"His path is destined to be a bloody one, a path he will forge ahead against all odds."
Willow God's voice remained cold and aloof, but a rare hint of emotion flickered when she spoke of Shi Hao.
"But you're different." The tone shifted abruptly.
Lin Yu listened quietly without interrupting.
"There is something about your physical form that I cannot see through, but I see a path within you that does not belong to this world, nor even to any world that I know of."
This time, Willow God's tone carried a hint of approval. "You observe this world, its rules, and its creatures. You treat everything as a reference, as nourishment, to perfect your own path."
Shi Hao scratched his head, seemingly understanding but not quite. "Willow God, do you mean that Brother Yu can't fight like I do?"
Willow God said calmly, "It's not that I can't, it's that I shouldn't."
She paused, then continued, "If you stay by his side, you can only be his shadow."
His brilliance is too dazzling, it will overshadow you; his path is too fierce, it will scorch you.
"You need to leave, you need to go alone, to truly see your own direction."
Both of them understood that Willow God's words were directed at Lin Yu.
Shi Hao, standing nearby, grew anxious. "Willow God, is Brother Yu leaving? I still want to teach him the precious technique."
"No, it's you who's leaving." Willow God's gaze fell on Shi Hao.
"If I leave, where should I go?" Shi Hao was unusually bewildered.
Willow God remained silent for a few moments, clearly speechless at Shi Hao's antics.
"Go where you belong." Willow God said this and then ignored Shi Hao.
Shi Hao scratched his head, looking completely innocent. "Where can I go? Please explain clearly."
Willow God did not respond.
Lin Yu watched this scene, his lips twitching slightly.
The only beings capable of making the future Heavenly Emperor Huang suffer a setback are probably those of the caliber of Willow God.
"Lin Yu." Willow God's voice rang out again, still clear and cold, but with a hint of solemnity.
Lin Yu composed himself. "Yes."
Do you know why I want you to leave?
Lin Yu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Because if I stay by Little Stone's side, I will lose myself."
"Not bad." A rare hint of approval crept into Willow God's voice.
"You're more clear-headed than I thought."
The green light swayed slightly, as if gazing at Lin Yu.
"You possess a quality I've never seen before. Unlike people in this world who blindly pursue power, you are pursuing understanding."
"I've seen this kind of road before, but I've never seen anyone actually manage to get through it."
"But this path is destined to be lonely." Willow God suddenly changed the subject.
"You can't follow anyone around, not even Shi Hao."
Shi Hao, who had been holding back for a while, finally couldn't help but blurt out, "Lord Sacrificial Spirit! How come Brother Yu is just a shadow when he's with me? Would I possibly harm him?"
Willow God glanced at him indifferently. "Of course you wouldn't harm him, but the path you've walked has been fraught with thorns and bloodshed. Those who follow you will not have a good ending."
Shi Hao panicked. "Then I'll protect him, won't that solve the problem?"
Seeing the rare look of conflict on Shi Hao's face, Lin Yu said, "Little Stone, Willow God is right."
"I can't follow in your footsteps; everyone's spiritual journey is different."
Shi Hao gritted his teeth and suddenly pulled out a palm-sized piece of animal hide from his pocket, which was covered with strange patterns.
"What's this?" Lin Yu asked, taking it from him.
"The precious techniques I've acquired over the years aren't complete, but Brother Yu, please don't lose them. You'll have to return them to me later," Shi Hao said with a smile.
Lin Yu put it away and said solemnly, "Okay."
"Please enlighten me, Willow God." Lin Yu then bowed deeply.
Before absolute reality, humility is not weakness, but wisdom.
Within the luminous mist, a slender willow branch drooped down, its surface shimmering with primal runes:
I will not give you power, nor will I give you any special techniques.
Your path lies beneath your own feet.