Chapter 282: The Rise and Fall of Affinity, All Is Predestined

The Daoist was currently spouting mostly good things. Only a small portion of it was less than favorable, but none of it was truly bad. It was all rather pleasant to hear, so paying a bit of money felt like no big deal.

But to Chen Xi’s surprise, when she handed him a thick red envelope, the old Daoist actually refused it.

"There’s no need," the Daoist said, his gaze shifting meaningfully toward Chen Mo and Su Yuqing. "To witness such an extraordinary and transcendent fate today is truly my honor."

Chen Xi stared at the old Daoist, her expression instantly turning to one of utter astonishment.

’Normally, once you’ve provided something to help solve a problem, that’s when you get paid.’

’Why isn’t he taking the money?’

’Is it not enough?’

’Or maybe his whole persona is being too noble to accept money directly?’

Chen Xi clutched the rejected, bulging envelope, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the edge, confusion written all over her face.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. She immediately changed her approach, her tone growing even more respectful. "Daoist, one look at this jade and you can tell it’s of the highest quality. Its texture is warm and smooth, and it holds a latent spiritual energy—it must be incredibly valuable. We can’t just accept such a precious item from you for free; that wouldn’t be right. How about this? I’ll donate the money to the Daoist Temple’s Merit Box. Think of it as a contribution toward renovating the temple and promoting Dao Skills."

She deliberately emphasized that it was for renovating the Daoist Temple and promoting Dao Skills.

’As a Cultivator, he’s unlikely to refuse an offer that promotes his faith.’

Upon hearing this, a gentle smile appeared on the old Daoist’s face. He stroked his snow-white beard and said slowly, "If the benefactor is so inclined, making a voluntary donation to the Daoist Temple is, of course, a deed of immeasurable merit. You may decide for yourself. I will not interfere in the slightest."

He paused, his calm gaze falling upon Chen Xi before sweeping over Chen Mo and Su Yuqing. "However, my words and actions today are simply me doing what I must and resolving a destined connection. The jade pendant was a gift to one with whom it has an affinity; it is something her fate requires. My words, which revealed a sliver of heavenly secrets, were spoken due to a fateful convergence. None of this involves a financial transaction, nor is it a trade."

His words were resolute and magnanimous.

Chen Xi was utterly stunned. All the responses she had prepared were caught in her throat.

She looked at the old Daoist’s worn robe and the specks of mud on his pant cuffs, then at the serene, otherworldly calm in his eyes. For the first time, she had the distinct feeling that this old man was perhaps truly different from the Jianghu Sorcerers she was familiar with.

The scales in Chen Mo’s mind began to swing wildly.

’This old Daoist really does have some genuine skill. His words about fate were unnervingly accurate.’

It left Chen Mo wavering between belief and doubt.

’Could it be... he actually saw something? That phrase—"Like a star falling into an alien void, only to trace its path back upstream; a soul-fire burning fiercely, yet concealing the breath of a vast abyss"—it was like an icicle, piercing the deepest secret of his soul with pinpoint accuracy: his rebirth, a journey back across time and space!’

’This was definitely not something a Jianghu Sorcerer could cook up just by reading body language!’

The faint tremor in his fingertips became pronounced once more. He subconsciously clenched his fists, forcing himself to maintain a calm facade. But the look in his eyes as he watched the old Daoist had already shifted from initial disdain and wariness to deep scrutiny and a hint of indescribable dread.

’This old Daoist was something else entirely!’

Su Yuqing, on the other hand, was lost in a completely different set of emotions.

She didn’t quite understand the profound terminologies of fate, but the Daoist’s words when he gave her the jade—"Your Palace of Life reveals a hidden flaw. You need the Dream-Seeking Jade to grant you a dream and complete an unfinished connection from a past life"—had planted themselves in her heart like a seed, sprouting a lingering question she couldn’t comprehend.

She carefully cradled the Mutton Fat Jade Pendant, which felt warm and smooth in her hands. To her, the Daoist’s refusal of their money only served to confirm the jade’s special nature and his own noble character.

The way she looked at the old Daoist was filled with gratitude and an almost reverent trust.

"Your integrity is admirable, Daoist. I am deeply impressed." Chen Mo took a deep breath, suppressing the tempest in his heart, and bowed deeply to the old Daoist once more.

This time, his bow was much lower, and his tone carried a newfound, genuine respect. "I have benefited immensely from your guidance today, Daoist. I will be sure to remember your invaluable advice.

However, I would like to ask one last question."

After completing his bow, Chen Mo met the old Daoist’s eyes for a moment, his gaze pointed and meaningful.

The old Daoist accepted his bow with composure. The knowing smile on his face deepened slightly, as if he could see right through the turmoil in Chen Mo’s heart.

He gave a slight nod. "Speak freely."

"Are there any signs... of my fate’s return?" Chen Mo asked obliquely.

"Ha ha ha." The old Daoist suddenly let out a hearty laugh.

His laughter left Chen Mo and the other two looking utterly perplexed.

"A mortal is a union of three things: Essence, Qi, and Spirit. Essence is the physical body. Qi is the nourishment from heaven and earth. Spirit is the soul itself.

"Young Benefactor, you possess all three. Your Fetal Light has not departed. Although your destiny is an anomaly, the gears of heaven turn, and the wisdom of your past has been awakened. This is the work of Creation itself. How could there be any sign of your fate returning?"

With that said, the old Daoist’s gaze returned to Su Yuqing, his expression both gentle and solemn. "Young lady, take good care of this Dream-Seeking Jade. It only aids those with whom it shares a fate. Wear it against your skin when you are at leisure, or whenever you feel a pull in your heart. It may, perhaps, allow you to glimpse certain illusions—things beautiful but unreal—and let you see clearly some stories that should have been clear, but were lost and forgotten."

The Daoist’s earlier words about her "Palace of Life revealing a hidden flaw" had already left a deep impression on Su Yuqing. Now, upon hearing him mention "seeing clearly stories that were lost and forgotten," she couldn’t help but feel a surge of curiosity, wondering what he could possibly be referring to.

She reached out to stroke the jade pendant and felt it grow even warmer and smoother in her hand, as if a mysterious connection had formed between them.

As her fingertips traced the cool, intricate carvings on the pendant, it felt as if something had gently nudged her heart. An incredibly blurry image, like the moon’s reflection on water, flashed through her mind. It seemed to be... a figure of profound familiarity. It looked like her, but also like someone else. The sense of familiarity was bone-deep, yet the vision was fleeting, gone so fast she couldn’t grasp any concrete details. All that remained was a hollow ache and a longing so intense it was suffocating.

She subconsciously gripped the jade pendant tightly, as if trying to hold onto that fleeting illusion.

"Th-Thank you, Daoist!" Su Yuqing’s voice trembled, a new layer of confusion clouding her features.

Daoist Liu gave a slight nod. "Destined encounters come and go, each with its own time. Cherish what you have, and focus on nurturing your bond with the one before you."

This last sentence felt like a profound admonition, directed at Su Yuqing, but seemingly also at Chen Mo.

With that, he said no more. He picked up the pipe that rested by his feet, slowly packed it with fresh tobacco, and took a long drag. His cloudy eyes drifted toward the distant, misty green mountains, adopting the air of someone seeing off his guests, as if the profound revelations and the gifting of a treasure had never even occurred.