Chapter 819: From Uncle Priest's Profound Love

A hot potato...

Xu Xiaoshou knew Hua Ying was taking things for granted; his Saint Slave identity wasn't that easy to shed. Whether Saint Palace would protect him was truly debatable. The key was, was that completely unfamiliar place truly his final "home"?

Xu Xiaoshou pondered. Hua Ying stood by, eyes full of hope, still waiting. "What do you say?" she asked.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't respond. After a long silence, he gritted his teeth and nodded, "I'll take it."

Putting everything else aside, this young girl had traveled all the way from the Central Region just to deliver this letter. It was unlikely she was trying to trick him, and accepting it wouldn't kill him. If the Jinyao Half-Saint truly intended harm, and if he were aligned with the Saint Divine Temple, then someone like a law enforcer, not such a naive and easily deceived young girl, would have come. Besides, why would a Half-Saint need to expend so much effort just to deal with a junior Master?

Furthermore, Old Man Sang had said that after he left, Xu Xiaoshou's next patron would be Long Rongzhi. If he couldn't even trust his own grand-ancestor, what else in this world was worth believing?

"The letter, give it to me." Xu Xiaoshou extended his hand.

Hua Ying clutched it like a treasure and pulled her hand back, timidly saying, "You haven't said..."

Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes. "I am your Uncle-Master Xu, alright!" Did it have to be stated so explicitly? Walls have ears, you little girl, don't you know that?

After that remark, Hua Ying finally dropped her last layer of caution. She stepped forward, giggling foolishly, "It would've been so much better if you'd just said that earlier, Uncle-Master Xu." Smiling, she handed over the envelope.

Xu Xiaoshou carefully took it. Under Hua Ying's gaze, he tore open the envelope and pulled out the folded letter. A faint medicinal scent...

"Who wrote this letter?" Xu Xiaoshou asked as he unfolded the letter.

"I don't know." Hua Ying shook her head, leaning forward, eager to see for herself. "Either my master, or my grand-master, or if not them, then my grand-grand-master wrote it!"

That's stating the obvious, Xu Xiaoshou muttered internally.

A single sheet of paper. He peered at it, only to find it completely blank.

"This?" Xu Xiaoshou was stunned, turning the letter towards Hua Ying to show her.

"No words?" Hua Ying was also bewildered. "I haven't seen it! I wouldn't dare peek at my master's mission, and I certainly didn't erase anything."

If it was truly written by those powerful figures, could you even erase it...? Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily speechless. He frowned, as if something had just occurred to him.

Hua Ying was so foolishly direct in coming to him; she handed over the envelope the moment he nodded and said he was her Uncle-Master. Surely, not everyone from the Jinyao lineage was as naive as her. Wouldn't they have considered that Hua Ying might find the wrong person? So, what could serve as the sole proof, across two vast regions, to reveal the letter's content only to the intended recipient?

"Jinyao White Flame!" Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment and found his answer. He smiled and shook the letter.

Poof!

The white flame ignited, and the letter was consumed.

"You really are my Uncle-Master Xu..." Hua Ying was delighted. Regardless of what happened before, seeing the Jinyao White Flame confirmed that the person before her was indeed her Uncle-Master Xu. There were only six direct disciples across four generations in the Jinyao lineage. Besides them, who else in the world could possess the Jinyao White Flame?

"Why do you have the Jinyao White Flame at only the Innate realm, instead of the Jinyao Heavenly Flame?" Hua Ying suddenly recalled something, her face full of surprise. "I'm cultivating in Saint Palace, with so many resources, and I only recently cultivated the White Flame. Uncle-Master Xu is amazing..."

At this moment, Xu Xiaoshou had no time to answer Hua Ying's question. After the white flame burned the letter, a hidden and mysterious energy, using the power of Jinyao as a medium, surged into his mind.

"Xu Xiaoshou."

In his mind, accompanied by the voice, a dark light slowly rose, gradually outlining a figure. This person wore a black robe, had black hair, and beneath high cheekbones hid a fierce intensity. Deep-set eye sockets held sharp, eagle-like eyes. No eyebrows, dark circles under his eyes, thin lips... With just one glance, Xu Xiaoshou formed an immediate impression of extreme harshness and cold indifference.

"You are..." Xu Xiaoshou's heart pounded. This appearance belonged to a villain, didn't it? So, you really sent someone to find me, to kill me, or... to capture me and bury me alive? Xu Xiaoshou truly couldn't detect a hint of "family" in that cold, unfeeling face.

"My name is Mu Lin. Strictly speaking, you should call me Uncle-Master."

The figure of the no-browed man was sometimes blurry, sometimes clear. The only fortunate thing was that his voice didn't match his appearance; far from being cold, the warmth in his words, once spoken, seemed to wash away much of his inherent chill.

"Uncle-Master Mu..." Xu Xiaoshou understood who this person was: Old Man Sang's junior brother, the second disciple of the Jinyao Half-Saint, and also Hua Ying's grand-master in their lineage.

"Hello?" Not knowing how to greet him, Xu Xiaoshou hesitantly offered a salutation.

Mu Lin clearly had no intention of exchanging pleasantries. "My time is limited. I'll ask you one question: Now that Sang Qiye has been captured, do you want to return to Saint Palace?" He paused, then continued, "Your master defected from Saint Palace a long time ago, but his affairs have nothing to do with you. If you wish, you can become another disciple under my name, merely one who was adrift. Regarding the Jinyao power and other abilities, you needn't worry about anyone's scrutiny."

His words were incredibly assertive. Mu Lin deliberately emphasized the words "anyone." Xu Xiaoshou immediately realized that "anyone" might even include Half-Saints. Was he that powerful? This no-browed master's demeanor completely disregarded the Saint Divine Temple! But then again, Saint Palace and the Saint Divine Temple were essentially equal in status, just with different focuses.

After the question, Xu Xiaoshou hesitated slightly. Anyone suddenly hit with such an immense opportunity would find it hard to choose at first.

"I..." Xu Xiaoshou opened his mouth, but wasn't sure how to respond. He knew that if he agreed right now, all that nonsense about Saint Slave missions, Royal City trials, and Saint Palace trials would be bypassed. He could instantly cross the sea of suffering and reach the pinnacle. If it were before, Xu Xiaoshou might have truly agreed. Coming out of Tiansang Spirit Palace, directly changing places, a new environment, using the passive system to "shear the wool" from another group of people, with a big tree to lean on, not fearing offending anyone—wouldn't that be great?

But he quickly calmed down. Saint Palace was just Saint Palace. The Saint Divine Temple was just the Saint Divine Temple. To put it plainly, both were merely larger "cages." If Saint Palace's path to cultivating saints were truly viable, then this continent wouldn't have produced a defecting Sang Qiye, nor an Eight-Venerate who wished to crush the Saint Divine Temple, an organization of equal standing to Saint Palace.

Xu Xiaoshou composed himself and asked seriously, "Let's put your question aside for now. I first want to know, why did my master defect from Saint Palace?"

Mu Lin smiled faintly, as if he had long anticipated this question from the young man. He replied, "He was too stupid." His words came to an abrupt halt. Xu Xiaoshou waited for a long time, but there were no further words. He was somewhat speechless. "That's it?"

"Saint Palace holds a transcendent position, at the pinnacle of the continent. He was able to enter Saint Palace, yet he still thought of defecting. What else is that if not stupidity? What else besides stupidity?" Mu Lin sneered.

Xu Xiaoshou: "..." If it were anyone else, he would have retorted. But this was his Uncle-Master. As a junior brother, he was just complaining about his senior brother, so it was best for Xu Xiaoshou to pretend he hadn't heard anything!

"You're absolutely right," Xu Xiaoshou echoed.

Who would have thought that after a cold snort, Mu Lin suddenly became pensive? "Stupid is truly stupid. Getting himself thrown into the Saint Divine Temple's prison and genuinely thinking he could transcend?"

Xu Xiaoshou's heart stirred. "Uncle-Master Mu, you don't seem to deny my master's actions?"

Mu Lin stared at him, his gaze shadowy and emotionless. "In this world, which Spirit Cultivator doesn't want to achieve transcendence? But even Half-Saints haven't managed it. Could a mere Tai Xu turn the world upside down? All ideas and no substance, relying on a fool's courage—a complete idiot!"

Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily taken aback and mumbled, "You're right, but actually, I still don't want to go back for now..."

"You joined the Saint Slaves too?" Mu Lin interrupted.

Xu Xiaoshou was silent for a moment. "Yes."

"Idiot! Just like him!" Mu Lin cursed angrily, his voice turning cold. "Think carefully before you answer. Leaving the Saint Slaves now and returning to Saint Palace is an excellent choice."

Xu Xiaoshou sighed and replied seriously, "The sky seen from Saint Palace is, after all, just one patch of sky."

Mu Lin didn't speak, narrowing his eyes and staring intently. Xu Xiaoshou felt his hair stand on end, but his resolve grew stronger. He solemnly stated, "Sitting in a well and looking at the sky is not my choice. I won't return to Saint Palace, at least not now."

"Sigh..." Mu Lin sighed deeply, his figure becoming even more blurred. "I knew his choice would be just like his – stubborn! Fine, I understand your decision."

Xu Xiaoshou apologized, "Thank you, Uncle-Master Mu, for your understanding..."

Mu Lin's style, like his appearance, was direct and unceremonious. Seeing that Xu Xiaoshou didn't want to return to Saint Palace, he immediately changed the subject and interrupted again, "You chose your own path, and as long as you understand it, that's fine. I must go..." As he spoke, his form became even more indistinct, seemingly about to dissipate.

"Okay." Xu Xiaoshou tensed, adopting a respectful posture to see him off.

Mu Lin, however, waved his hand, and two pill bottles appeared. "It's our first meeting, and I don't have much to give. As your Uncle-Master, before I leave, I'll give you some things for self-defense. I just hope you don't die as early as he did."

Despite being in a spiritual form, Mu Lin's sleeve wave caused two rays of spiritual light to settle. Just like in Old Sang's Tai Xu World, those two pill bottles manifested from the void, storing themselves within Xu Xiaoshou's spiritual world.

"What are these?" Xu Xiaoshou was dumbfounded. Was this how the Jinyao lineage always was, giving out pill bottles?

Mu Lin pointed to the first pill bottle: "This is a bottle of Saint Blood, specially made. Your grand-master often worries about you juniors and wishes you wouldn't get into trouble, so he refined extra Saint Blood. I brought this bottle with me; it should be enough for you... When I first wrote this letter, I actually anticipated your answer." He was still sighing.

Xu Xiaoshou, however, was shocked. Another bottle of Saint Blood! Are they crazy? The Jinyao lineage's tradition... Giving Saint Blood? An entire bottle at once?

"Tha-thank you, Uncle-Master..." Xu Xiaoshou was dazed, his head feeling a little foggy.

Mu Lin pointed to the second pill bottle: "This one contains my imprint. If you're ever about to face a calamity, just crush this bottle with your spiritual will. I'll appear and vouch for your identity as a Jinyao lineage member. Remember, at that time, even if you don't want to return to Saint Palace, you *must* come home."

Xu Xiaoshou was shaken again. Home... Mu Lin had directly paved his escape route. If he ever faced misfortune, he could switch from being a Saint Slave to a true Jinyao successor, washing his hands of dark forces from then on?

"Is that even possible?" Xu Xiaoshou was somewhat doubtful. He felt that if his Saint Slave identity truly led him to a dead end and he was caught by the Saint Divine Temple, what good would Mu Lin's appearance do?

Mu Lin, however, seemed slightly annoyed. "When a senior gives you a gift, just take it. If something happens, crush the pill bottle; leave the rest to me, your Uncle-Master. You're just a junior, what's with all the unnecessary talk!"

"Oh, oh..." Xu Xiaoshou was startled. He was overwhelmed by this weighty display of care.

In his mind, after the no-browed master's final sentence, he didn't even say goodbye, his form dispersing into fragmented specks of light before vanishing.

"Oh my!" It took Xu Xiaoshou a while to recover. This was the Jinyao lineage? Just because there were only six people, they had too many resources, so they casually gave away entire bottles of Saint Blood? Even Half-Saint factions weren't this extravagant! Xu Xiaoshou used to be a fake Half-Saint successor, but after meeting Mu Lin, he felt he should become the richest *true* Half-Saint successor. Not only was his identity confirmed, but if something went wrong, someone would directly protect him. "Leaning on a big tree for shade" was something Xu Xiaoshou hadn't truly understood before. The more he experienced it now, the more unreal it felt.

"Well?" In the hall, Hua Ying had been waiting. Seeing Uncle-Master Xu's eyes regain their spirit, she eagerly asked, "What did the letter say?"

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, unsure how to begin. "The letter had no content, but I met a no-browed master..."

"Grand-master Mu!" Hua Ying's eyes lit up. She excitedly said, "The no-browed master, that's Grand-master Mu Lin! He personally manifested his spiritual will to meet you? And spoke with you? Were you nervous? Let me tell you, he's so scary. I usually don't dare to look up when I see Grand-master Mu Lin. Just looking at his face makes me feel like I've been bitten by a snake, and my heart feels terrified..."

The appearance of the Jinyao White Flame, Grand-master Mu Lin, and so on, instantly placed Xu Xiaoshou firmly in Hua Ying's "family" category. She spoke without reservation, chattering non-stop. Xu Xiaoshou got a headache listening to her. Was she a chatterbox?

He promptly interrupted, "Speaking of which, when you're out and about, do you have anything for self-defense? For example, Saint Blood?" he asked tentatively.

Hua Ying's large eyes fluttered, overflowing with excitement. "Of course I do! Did Grand-master Mu Lin give you Saint Blood too? Let me tell you, that's the Saint Blood specially refined by Grand-Grand-master Jinyao Half-Saint. It has no side effects! I only have one bottle, and I usually can't bear to use it... For self-defense, I have forbidden techniques and sacred martial arts from the Jinyao lineage, and a sacred artifact: a giant bathtub. And also, 'Saint-Smashing Pills' developed by Grand-Grand-master, which explode with saint force to hit people. And Grand-master Mu's illusory image, and Grand-Grand-master's saint image, and also, and also..." Hua Ying counted on her fingers, listing them like treasured possessions. Finally, realizing she couldn't finish, she changed her words, "Master said that when you're out, don't actively bully people, but also never let others bully you!"