By the lakeshore.
A cultivator with a stern face and Daoist robes strolled over. As he passed the Chaos Beasts, he even smiled and cupped his hands. "I am Gu Ji. Greetings, everyone."
His bearing was ethereal, exuding an air of peace with the world. He had come carrying only a teapot.
Wooo~~~
The Chaos Beasts drinking at the shore let out another strange cry, as though answering him.
Gu Ji's smile grew much warmer. He did not treat them like fools, merely walked to a corner, bent down, and slowly drew water.
"Second Senior Brother!"
"Quack, Number Two!!"
Splash-boom-
Gu Ji looked up and nodded with a smile.
He drew the water very slowly, yet his movements possessed a seamless natural grace. There was none of the urgency one felt when gathering Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, as though he had merely happened by and was taking a scoop of water to brew tea.
"Quack, he's beyond saving."
The Mountain-Sitting Duck sighed deeply, then looked at Yue Xuan. "I hear Number Two hasn't left the mountain in years. All he does is cultivate in the sect day after day. I hear he's practically become an exalted immortal, a crane among the mountain clouds. Quack?"
With that, the duck burst out laughing.
Though the laughter seemed mocking, it carried an unusual sort of happiness.
Yue Xuan could not help chuckling. "Second Senior Brother is used to a simple, austere life. If you made him go out and wander, he would find it uncomfortable instead. Now, he's the only one still staying by Master's side."
There was respect in his words.
Second Senior Brother was purer and simpler than any of his fellow disciples, and more dependable than them all.
"Old Four, Old Ten."
"Quack!"
"Second Senior Brother."
"Would you