~~~

As they near the temple, Su Daji grows progressively tense for reasons Liu Jin fully understands. He already shared with her what happened to him the first time he was exposed to the temple's barrier. That thing is not friendly to those of demonic disposition, but that’s precisely why they must visit the temple first. Better to ascertain what will happen to them under controlled circumstances than wait until they are in desperate need of shelter.

A flash of pink appears in the corner of his eyes.

Liu Jin turns, blinks, and immediately has to rub his eyes to make sure he is not imagining things. Over the course of their journey, they flew over vast plains, lush valleys, deep canyons, and dense forests. However, all of that faded away when they reached the Dead Plains. Such is the nature of the dreaded place. The Dead Plains are a scar on the land from which nothing can grow. That has been the rule for millennia.

So why is there a field of flowers before them?

“I thought this place was supposed to be an inhospitable wasteland?” Big Nose Li asks. His gaze switches between the people inside the wagon and the field of pink flowers. There are even petals floating in the wind.

“It was,” Liu Jin says, feeling as confused as everyone else. The land around the temple has been transformed beyond recognition. If Liu Jin weren’t seeing it with his own eyes, he’d have a hard time believing it.

Big Sister Bai sighs and shakes her head.

“That fool. He should have told us of this,” she says.

The Flame-Wheeled Wagons land without issue. Seconds later, so does Soaring Feather. The eagle’s size, already larger than the wagons, causes visible nervousness among the disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan waiting for them.

“Welcome!” a man greets them, bowing deeply. “It does this one good to see you.”

Tall and dark-haired with an owl-like gaze that is a little too unnerving for him to ever be called handsome. He is a Core Disciple of the Eternal Flame Clan whose cultivation is already on the mid-levels of the Heaven Realm. Despite that, there is nothing oppressive about his aura. On the contrary, the air around is overwhelmingly calm, so much so that it invites anyone around him to relax. Paradoxically, that is more likely to make a high-level cultivator nervous.

“Senior Brother Lotus,” Liu Jin says. “It has been a long time.”

He had been Senior Brother Mud when Liu Jin first met him, a Core Disciple under the command of Elder Xun. He was a reliable ally during Liu Jin’s time in the Eternal Flame Clan, who even saved his life. He had been far beyond him back then.

He is far beyond him still.

Though Liu Jin has already reached the Heaven Realm, he cannot imagine a scenario in which he can defeat the man in front of him. One merely needs to look around to understand the fullness of his power.

“This field of flowers,” Liu Jin says, allowing his eyes to wander. The temple has become so unlike the Dead Plains he knows. Even the air smells sweet. “Am I correct in assuming you are responsible for it?”

Senior Brother Lotus smiles.

“We all wish to bloom,” he says. “I merely lent some aid.”

Liu Jin resists the urge to scoff in disbelief. He is not the only one. He can literally feel the incredulity radiating from Big Sister Bai. To make something bloom here is nothing short of an amazing feat. Senior Brother Lotus is truly understating things.

But what if he is not?

What if, for him, this really is as simple as giving his surroundings a little nudge?

“Shall we go inside?”

~~~

The field of flowers is not the only change to the temple. The ancient rooms and corridors have been thoroughly cleaned, and floating white flames have been scattered throughout the building to give it proper illumination. There is even new furniture in every room, all of it brought straight from the Eternal Flame Clan.

The large table in the room that Senior Brother Lotus leads them to is not a new addition. Its surface is smooth like polished obsidian, and several small seats of the same material surround it.

“As I understand, you are looking for two Renegades,” Senior Brother Lotus says as they all sit down.

“Correct,” Liu Jin says. “We are looking for Senior Brother Xiao Nan and the Duke who helped us when we were in the Dead Plains.”

“Ah, the succession crisis.” Senior Brother Lotus shakes his head softly. “It feels like only yesterday.”

He waves a hand, and the table glows with energy. An instant later, a large projection appears over it. It is a map showing the entirety of the known continent, including the Dead Plains.

“Amazing,” Bai Wen says, carefully looking at the map. She tilts her head in Senior Brother Lotus’s direction. “Is it to scale?”

Senior Brother Lotus nods.

“As far as we know, this is the most accurate map of the known continent,” he replies. “When the temple awakened, it seems to have scried its surroundings for countless miles. Alas, the areas on the other side remain a mystery to us.”

“It’s so big,” Big Nose Li says, looking at the map with an awed look. He points to a desert area. “That’s Pure Oasis Country. It's small compared to the Crimson Cloud Empire or the Storm Dragon Empire, but it’s still a country, and yet…”

And yet, it cannot compare to the size of the Dead Plains. Looking at the map makes it clear that the Dead Plains are equal in size to the rest of the known continent. If the other side of the Dead Plains is not inferior to it and each of the three powers controls one-third of it, it means they are nations unto themselves.

“Good. You can see the inherent problem,” Senior Brother Lotus says. He points to a section of the map. “These are the True Dead Plains, an area devoid of any ambient Qi through which no one can pass. However, even if you exclude it, the remaining area is still larger than any known country. Trying to locate two people across such a vast area is a daunting proposition.”

“So you are telling us there is no point in trying?” Su Daji asks. She has her elbows on the table.

“Were you looking for any other two Renegades, that would be my answer,” Senior Brother Lotus replies. “However, these two are known to travel together and often engage in fights, which are quite easy to sense. Seeing as neither has died yet, we are forced to conclude that these are sparring matches.”

“You can sense them fighting regardless of where in the Dead Plains they are?” Liu Jin asks.

“We can all sense them,” Senior Brother Lotus says. “Renegades are notoriously unrestrained. I had no idea how true that statement was until I began living here. This one has been forced to rethink previously held assumptions about the true strength of Emperor Realm cultivators.”

Liu Jin’s eyebrows rise. Coming from someone as capable as Senior Brother Lotus, that is quite a statement.

“This was their last known location,” Senior Brother Lotus says, pointing to a spot far away from the temple. By Liu Jin's estimates, the distance is more or less equal to the diameter of the Storm Dragon Empire. “Of course, that was weeks ago, and Renegades are prone to wandering. Regardless, I’d advise that you begin your search there.”

“What is the longest and the shortest time that transpired between their battles?” Big Sister Bai asks. “I would also like to know their current level of cultivation.”

“The shortest would be about two weeks. The longest…seven months,” Senior Brother Lotus replies. “As for their level, it is hard to make it out from such a large distance, but this one believes them to be in the upper levels of the Renegade Realm.”

“So in the worst-case scenario, it could take over half a year for them to make themselves known,” Su Daji says before perking up. “On the bright side, it means they can start fighting at any moment!”

She lets a short pause go by, perhaps hoping her words would somehow invite the event to happen.

It doesn’t. She deflates.

Senior Brother laughs softly. “Unfortunately, it can never be so easy, but you can use this temple to rest your heads for however long your mission lasts. In fact, this one insists that you do. Night will arrive shortly, and you do not want to start your search after dusk. None of you are weak enough to be reliant on mere sight, but the darkness awakens several dangerous Spirit Beasts.”

Su Daji raises her hand.

“With all due respect, I’m not sure I want to stay the night here. The Eternal Flame Clan may have control over these ruins, but you still do not understand everything about them, do you?”

“True enough,” Senior Brother Lotus says. “However, we have conducted several safety tests, and all have proven satisfactory. While this one is sure some of you have special circumstances, we have taken precautions to ensure the barriers will not react negatively towards you.”

Su Daji gulps. Neither she nor Liu Jin missed the way Senior Brother Lotus’ eyes flicked over them when he spoke of those with special circumstances. While Senior Brother Lotus already knew about Liu Jin, it is surprising that he discerned Su Daji’s nature so quickly.

“That eases my worries,” Liu Jin says. “We thank you greatly for your hospitality, Senior Brother Lotus.”

“No thanks are needed. The Eternal Flame Clan will always have a place for you.”

~~~

Despite Su Daji’s misgivings, she is the first one to fall asleep. A cultivator of her level has little need for such things, but that might be why she is doing it. Under the Wandering Wind’s tutelage, it is unlikely she ever found the time to rest her head. Now that she is free, she can finally indulge in those simple pleasures.

Liu Jin would be happier for her if she didn’t snore so loudly.

“I thought I’d find you here.”

Liu Jin smiles as Senior Brother Lotus walks up to him. They are both outside the temple but still within the confines of its protective barrier. The field of flowers stretches before them, illuminated by the full moon.

“How long has it been since we last saw each other? Two years?” Liu Jin asks. Senior Brother Lotus thinks it over for a moment before nodding.

“That seems about right,” Senior Brother Lotus says. “Quite a short time.”

Ah.

“I sometimes forget you are more than three hundred years old,” Liu Jin says, shaking his head.

“This one has always been quite youthful,” Senior Brother Lotus says. “However, as long as we are talking about things we can forget, I must confess that if I weren’t trying and failing to locate your dantian, I would forget I am speaking to a copy. Your presence feels nearly identical to the original.”

“It is not that impressive,” Liu Jin says out, raising his hand and making his energy shimmer around it. “The Qi I have at my disposal is far less than what the original has, but it has kept its potency. That is why my aura feels so similar.”

“Interesting,” Senior Brother Lotus says, lightly tilting his head. “But dangerous. You are terribly fond of dangerous choices. Do you know why even strong cultivators refrain from using soul fragments for anything other than minor and temporary tasks?”

“The accepted answer is that using soul fragments for prolonged periods of time puts unnecessary strain on the soul,” Liu Jin replies automatically.

“And the actual answer?”

“Because,” Liu Jin says, meeting Senior Brother Lotus' eyes. “Giving a soul fragment too much autonomy creates a perfect outlet for a Heart Demon. Or worse, it encourages the creation of one.”

Of all forms, the human form is the most suitable of all. That is something written in the teachings Old Jiang left inside his soul. That is why the evolution of a demon is judged by its ability to reach human form, and why a soul fragment is usually given the form of an animal. Elder Xue’s butterfly, Xiao Nan’s sparrow, and Liu Jin’s snake. Those forms aren’t just representations of their selves. They are an instinctive defensive measure. Giving a soul fragment an animal form limits its ability, making it far less dangerous to keep it around for long periods of time.

Liu Jin’s copy isn’t just a soul fragment with human form. He is a soul fragment with a physical body. He last synchronized his memories with the original Liu Jin seven hours ago. In other words, he has seven hours of memories that the original Liu Jin does not yet have. It is only a small difference. Many wouldn’t consider it an issue. At worst, it is a minor impurity that will disappear in five hours when the original synchronizes their memories once more.

But all large impurities tend to begin as small ones.

“You are not concerned about it?” Senior Brother Lotus asks him.

“This might sound arrogant, but I am a very loved person despite my many flaws,” Liu Jin says, pointing at his face. “That sort of thing discourages Heart Demons.”

The edges of Senior Brother Lotus's lips turn white. He is clearly trying to fight a smile.

“You always have such an interesting way of looking at things,” Senior Brother Lotus says.

“I am not doing this just because I thought it would be interesting,” Liu Jin says seriously. “The arts of the people against us surpass our traditional understanding of cultivation. If I do not push the boundaries of what is acceptable, I do not believe I will be ready for them. Senior Brother Lotus, you should understand more than most.”

The process through which a mediocre disciple became Senior Brother Mud and later Senior Brother Lotus is as far from orthodox as possible. Elder Xun imposed a Dao on him a long time ago. It was an act that drew disgust from anyone who understood what had been done to Senior Brother Mud.

However, the field of flowers around them is a testament to its effectiveness.

“I understand,” Senior Brother Lotus says, “but there is a difference between mud and blood. When the owner of the house returns from work and sees mud on his floor, he grows angry. When he sees blood, he grows fearful. You, my friend, are blood, and your victory in the Crimson Cloud Tournament allowed many to see that. People are worried.”

Liu Jin frowns. “Shouldn’t they be more worried about the other side of the Dead Plains right now?”

“Those on the other side have existed for thousands of years, and they have never been a problem for most of us. You have existed for less than two decades and have caused no end of trouble. Many are wondering whether it is worth letting you see a third decade.”

Liu Jin grimaces. “Is it truly so bad?”

Senior Brother Lotus looks at him with extreme patience.

“Your Dao looked at their efforts and deemed them worthless. You grasped their way of life and called it hollow,” Senor Brother Lotus explains to him. “That’s an insult too high. Why would anyone allow someone who thinks like you do to gain more power?”

“Elder Xun told me something like that a long time ago,” Liu Jin says.

“It is his warning I bring you,” Senior Brother Lotus says. “He thought it was necessary to repeat it. I now agree with him.”

Liu Jin closes his eyes. “The original is not going to like hearing of this.”

“Disassociating yourself from yourself already?”

“I have no rebuttal,” Liu Jin says. “Right now, my temporary existence seems like bliss.”

~~~