Fu Young’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded slightly at Tongchan, then ignored him completely and focused on Xiao Shou.

"Master, what were you talking about with him just now? May I listen as well?"

"It was nothing. Just casual conversation."

The matters about protagonists and supporting character could not be mentioned.

As for the strange connection between himself and Tongchan, neither of them understood it yet, so there was no point bringing it up.

Xiao Shou could only say, "Master Tongchan noticed that my spiritual energy was restless and my mind unsettled, so he kindly came to give me some Bodhi Tea to calm my mind."

"Oh? As expected of an eminent monk from Fanghu Mystic Isle. Truly one who saves all living beings. Admirable, admirable."

Fu Young spoke with a completely sincere expression.

Great.

With just one sentence, he had turned the monk’s personal concern for Xiao Shou into something as broad as saving all living beings, making Xiao Shou just one among them.

This guy was indeed irritating.

How did this somewhat foolish young man end up taking in such an overly clever disciple?

Was he not just waiting to be toyed with by his own disciple?

Monk Tongchan felt even more worried.

"Amitabha. This monk only saves those who are fated."

Did you hear that?

Only those with fate.

Let "saving all living beings" go to hell.

"Heh..."

Fu Young let out a faint chuckle.

That made Monk Tongchan feel extremely uncomfortable.

He was always the one saying that to others.

Since when did someone else say it to him?

As he clenching his teacup slightly, he also lifted his head and let out a soft chuckle.

"Heh..."

"By the way, Young’er, you said you obtained the Ten Thousand Year Profound Ice, right?"

Caught between the two of them and getting goosebumps from their exchange, Xiao Shou glanced back and forth.

Although he did not understand what was going on, his instincts told him to quickly change the topic.

An idea flashed through his mind and he immediately spoke.

Seeing his Master’s attention shift to him, Fu Young’s lips curved upward with pride.

"Yes. I also obtained the Source of Profound Ice. I even destroyed the core of the Seven Deadly Sins. This way, Master will never have to worry about anyone becoming its victim again."

"Mm. I have always trusted you to handle things well. Come, have some tea."

Xiao Shou patted Fu Young on the shoulder.

After meeting him, he completely ignored the earlier ambiguous situation.

Without even considering indirect contact or whether his disciple would end up drinking from the same cup, he casually picked up the teapot, refilled the cup he had just emptied, and pushed it toward him.

Fu Young picked up the teacup and deliberately glanced at Monk Tongchan in a slightly provocative manner before drinking it in one go.

Hmph.

Showing off kindness is useless.

Master dotes on him the most.

"Mm. Good tea. No wonder Master likes it. In the future, I will find even better tea for you."

"Hehe... this is only fresh tea made from tender leaves. This monk also has aged tea made from older leaves, with effects more than ten times stronger. However, without reaching the Spirit Transformation stage, one cannot withstand its potency. Be good. When you advance, I will give you some to drink."

Monk Tongchan felt the veins on his forehead about to pop.

It was just tea.

Was all this really necessary?

And what was that "be good"?

Xiao Shou felt his skin crawl just hearing it.

Ignoring both of them as if they had said nothing, he continued, "Since we already have the Ten Thousand Year Profound Ice, the only thing left for your life-bond artifact is the Ten Thousand Year Wind Eye Stone. As far as I know, there is an ownerless Wind Eye Stone mine within the territory of the League of Independent Cultivators. We might be able to find it there. I plan to go take a look."

When Fu Young heard this, he felt pleased that his Master was always thinking of him.

He did not bother to undermine Monk Tongchan or reduce his Master’s favorable impression of him, and immediately said, "Then I will go with Master. Since this is for forging my life-bond artifact, I cannot just sit back and do nothing, right?"

"Hmm... alright!"

Xiao Shou thought about the original plot for a moment.

Xiao Ran was supposed to go to the League of Independent Cultivators much later.

Even with a butterfly effect, it should not happen so soon.

After all, that place was one where the strong devoured the weak completely.

With Xiao Ran’s tendency to attract trouble, if she went there now, she would likely be captured and used as a cultivation furnace for some time before struggling to escape.

So the Heavenly Dao should not be that cruel.

After all, she was the chosen one.

Without Xiao Ran’s overwhelming fortune interfering, with his own strength, taking his disciple along to venture into Wailing Ghost Valley should not be a problem.

Besides, his disciple was not weak.

No, in terms of combat strength, he might even surpass him.

It should be fine.

Unaware of how much the situation had already changed, Xiao Shou reassured himself this way.

What he did not know was that the Heavenly Dao has change its chosen one to a certain disciple.

Xiao Ran had long been transported into a dangerous high level zone during a secret realm trial.

She had even, out of necessity, become the lover of the leader of the League of Independent Cultivators who was now treating her like a treasured possession.

Monk Tongchan who had been listening knew that this was the moment he should tactfully take his leave, since the master and disciple were discussing important matters.

However, as his prayer beads moved rapidly through his fingers, he instead said, "Speaking of which, this monk happens to be in need of a set of prayer beads polished from Wind Eye Stone. Since you two also intend to obtain Wind Eye Stone, why not travel together with me?"