Nan Huairen could not help but envy Li Qiye, but he had no desire to be another sacrifice to the LunarVortex·SolarWheel (月涡阳轮·功). Everyone in the Washing Dust Sect (洗尘古宗) knew that those who stepped too deeply into that art were rarely able to escape — most ended their days crippled or mad.
Li Qiye only smiled at his shock, saying nothing.
The next morning, he rose early as always to cultivate. But when he opened his door, a figure stood silently outside — so quiet that even Li Qiye's calm heart skipped a beat.
It was an elderly man, perhaps in his fifties or sixties, thin‑faced and bearded, wearing a plain hemp robe. His eyes were bright as stars, his spine straight, his spirit sharp and serene.
"Good morning, Senior Brother," the old man said with a bow, tone courteous and sincere.
Li Qiye was momentarily speechless. If Nan Huairen called him Senior Brother, that was acceptable. But for this white‑haired elder to call a thirteen‑year‑old boy "Senior Brother" — that was absurd.
"Elder, you must be mistaken," he replied. "I am no senior of yours."
The man glanced around and asked calmly, "This place is the Lonely Peak (孤峰), is it not?"
"It is." Li Qiye nodded cautiously, beginning to wonder if he had run into a lunatic.
"Then you must be Li Qiye, the First Disciple of our Washing Dust Sect," the old man continued.
Li Qiye sighed. "Yes, that is I."
The elder smiled warmly, his manner solemn. "Then I am not mistaken. Since this is Lonely Peak and you are the First Disciple, you must be my Senior Brother."
Li Qiye was left staring in silence. It was impossible to argue, yet wildly uncomfortable to hear.
At that moment Nan Huairen arrived, panting. "Ah— I'm so sorry, I came late!" He laughed awkwardly as he introduced them. "Senior Brother, this is Second Senior Brother. Second Senior Brother, this is—"
"I know. He is our First Senior Brother." The old man interrupted firmly.
"Uh— Second Junior Brother…" Li Qiye blinked dumbly.
"Senior Brother," the elder said kindly, "I am Tu Buyu (, the second disciple of our Master Su Yonghuang . You are the First Disciple — our senior among the third generation."
Li Qiye's brows twitched — he wanted to cry out: Grandpa,you'reoversixtyandyoucallmeJunior?You'rekillingmehere!
He finally invited Tu Buyu inside, pulling Nan Huairen aside and hissing, "What is this?"
"Ah— I did mention Second Senior Brother was returning," Nan mumbled.
Li Qiye had indeed heard, but he had imagined someone around thirty or forty, not this old gentleman before him.
"He's truly the Sect Master's second disciple," Nan assured. "Master has only him as a direct pupil before you."
Li Qiye could only sigh in helpless acceptance. He had yet to even meet his own master, and now a "junior brother" of sixty had appeared. By sect hierarchy, however, he was indeed the elder.
"How many more junior brothers of this age do we have?" he asked dryly.
"Just this one," Nan grinned.
Relieved, Li Qiye turned back to Tu Buyu. "When did you return, Junior Brother? Has Master also returned?"
"Only I returned, Senior Brother — I arrived today." Tu Buyu answered politely.
Li Qiye sighed, interrupting: "Junior Brother, you're an elderly man — you'll make me lose years of life if you speak so modestly…"
"To answer Senior Brother truthfully," Tu Buyu said peacefully, "I am one thousand six hundred and seventy‑five years old."
Li Qiye nearly fell over. Even Nan Huairen staggered in shock.
"Say that again—?"
"One thousand six hundred and seventy‑five," Tu Buyu repeated gently.
"Good heavens…" Li Qiye choked. "A thirteen‑year‑old Senior Brother to a millennium‑old man — how is that fair?"
He waved his hands wildly. "Don't you ever call yourself Junior Brother again! Every time you do that, I swear I lose a year of life!"
Nan Huairen bit his lip to stifle a laugh — it was the first time he had ever seen his composed Senior Brother truly lose his temper.
Tu Buyu simply nodded smiling. "If Senior Brother insists, I shall obey."
"Wise decision, Tu Buyu," Li Qiye nodded grandly.
"In wisdom and might, I am still no match for Senior Brother," Tu Buyu replied with a bright grin.
Nan Huairen rolled his eyes. He had always believed himself skilled at flattery, but clearly Tu Buyu was the true master.
Li Qiye laughed freely. In truth, he found Tu Buyu rather amusing — for a man who had lived over a millennium to bow and smile before a boy and still carry no air of falsehood — such a person was either dangerously shrewd or genuinely intriguing.
But no matter the mask, none could hide from Li Qiye's eyes. He had seen countless souls throughout ages; few could escape his understanding. Otherwise, how could he have once crafted an Invincible Immortal Emperor like Mingren (明仁仙帝)?
After a brief exchange, Li Qiye saw Tu Buyu off. In truth, he did not care why the man had returned. Such matters were irrelevant. His only goal was singular — to strengthen himself and rebuild the Washing Dust Sect. Whoever stood in his way — would die.
The next day, Nan Huairen brought news with his teacher — Protector Mo (莫护法). They climbed the Lonely Peak to deliver important tidings: the Princess Li Shuangyan of the Nine Saint Demon Gate (九圣妖门) would arrive tomorrow.
Protector Mo, who had handled the relations between the two sects, had received official notice from the Demon Gate.
"So she's coming already?" Li Qiye was surprised. "I thought the Nine Saint Demon Gate would wait ten years before acting. No matter — if they come early, so be it."
If the Demon Gate had truly chosen to delay, then eventually they would no longer matter to him. By then, his wings would be spread wide — and he would need allies who offered help in winter, not those who added flowers to his spring.
Protector Mo hesitated to speak openly, so he signaled to Nan Huairen. The young man cleared his throat and asked awkwardly:
"Senior Brother, if… if the Princess really chooses to stay at the Sect — will you truly make her a Sword Attendant (剑侍)?"