Volume One: All Things Revive, Every Season Is Spring Chapter Twenty-One: Beneath the Eyes That Pierce Illusions, All Are Mere Ants!

After a long absence, the city of magic felt almost unfamiliar to Mo Wen. The journey through the riverlands had been fraught with hardship, but at least he had returned safely. In those mountains and rivers, the evolved fought to the death, yet here in the city, the traffic flowed ceaselessly and the campus remained tranquil, as if the two worlds had nothing in common.

The dormitory was still empty. Mo Wen wandered aimlessly through the campus. The sky was overcast, fine rain nourishing the tender leaves of grass and trees. The Sword Dog, as if entering a new realm, was endlessly curious about everything it encountered.

Especially beautiful women.

Though merely a dog, it relied on its charmingly goofy appearance to frequently trail after female students on campus. If not for Coalball’s stern warning not to speak without permission, Sword Dog would surely have approached the beauties with a swagger and exclaimed, “Hey girl, do you think I’m handsome?”

The female students were powerless against the plump Sword Dog, reaching out to pet it, while Sword Dog wore a mischievous grin, its eyes full of self-satisfaction.

Sitting on a bench by the tree-lined path, umbrella-less, Mo Wen was observed by several passing female students who whispered among themselves. One bold short-haired girl walked straight up to him and held a small umbrella over his head.

Mo Wen thanked her calmly, politely declined her offer to exchange contact information, called for Sword Dog, and rose to leave.

Troubled in his heart, he hesitated over seeing Lin Xi. Suddenly, a fragrant breeze swept behind him, and the image he had longed for day and night appeared.

“Well, little brother, you’ve gotten bold, haven’t you? Just up and left, huh? Turned your phone off, too? How did you even know to come back?” Lin Xi, furious, pinched Mo Wen’s ear, prompting him to beg for mercy. The short-haired girl hadn’t gone far; upon seeing Lin Xi, she felt a sense of inadequacy and quietly walked away.

Lin Xi scolded him enough, and struck him enough too. Her eyes were reddened, pearls of tears rolling from her bright gaze as she silently embraced Mo Wen, sobbing softly. Her arms were like golden hoops, nearly suffocating him.

“I won’t leave anymore. Next time I go somewhere, I’ll let you know in advance!”

Lin Xi nodded repeatedly in his embrace. Days of worry and longing gave way to today’s reunion. The young men and women passing by looked at the pair, their envy unmistakable.

After a long while, Lin Xi seemed to calm down, pulling Mo Wen along.

“I just came back from Uncle Zhao’s. Come on, let’s go see him together. Last time, Uncle Zhao saved you, and we haven’t thanked him face to face—that’s really impolite.”

“Alright.” Mo Wen pinched his nose, a little embarrassed, and called over Sword Dog, who was about to start trailing after another girl, following Lin Xi.

Only then did Lin Xi notice the tag-along behind Mo Wen. Seeing the plump Sword Dog, her heart melted and she insisted on carrying it. Sword Dog wore a look of pure enjoyment, its gaze full of cheeky provocation.

Mo Wen shot it a warning look, but Sword Dog ignored him, deliberately rubbing its head against Lin Xi’s soft chest, making her laugh uncontrollably.

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In the detached house, Zhao Tiansheng was somewhat puzzled to see Lin Xi return, and even more so when he saw Mo Wen, his brows furrowing. “You’re still alive?” Mo Wen was a bit embarrassed, and thanked Zhao Tiansheng earnestly.

As soon as Sword Dog entered the house, it wriggled free from Lin Xi’s arms, alert and wary. Upon seeing Zhao Tiansheng, its pupils contracted and it desperately tried to communicate with Coalball.

“I have to get in! Let me in, Coalball!”

Coalball, having nearly been crushed by Zhao Tiansheng last time, was now silent and still.

After the greetings, Zhao Tiansheng naturally noticed Sword Dog, his face showing surprise. With a single hand, he drew Sword Dog into his grasp, examining it closely, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes nodding.

Sword Dog dared not show the slightest resistance, obediently wagging its tail to curry favor.

Setting Sword Dog down, Zhao Tiansheng glanced at Mo Wen and gestured for the two to sit. Mo Wen had many questions but didn’t know where to start. Lin Xi broke the silence first.

“Uncle Zhao, last time I wanted to take him with me. Can you put in a good word for me with Grandpa?”

Lin Xi playfully stuck out her tongue, smiling at Zhao Tiansheng, her eyes openly hopeful. Zhao Tiansheng chuckled dryly, pushed up his glasses, and sighed.

“Ah, Lin girl, I can help you, but you know your grandpa’s temper. And this kid just happened to learn the inner Buddhist methods—fate’s a tricky thing!”

Lin Xi looked a bit dejected but gripped Mo Wen’s hand even tighter, declaring resolutely, “With Uncle Zhao’s support, I’m relieved. Thanks in advance, Uncle Zhao. I’ll sneak a few bottles of Grandpa’s liquor to you later!”

At the mention of liquor, Zhao Tiansheng’s eyes lit up. He rubbed his hands with a silly grin and slapped his chest in assurance, “Leave it to me! Lin girl, don’t worry!”

But then Zhao Tiansheng’s tone grew serious, his voice grave. “Are you sure about this?”

“Absolutely!” Lin Xi replied without hesitation, resolute.

Mo Wen couldn’t get a word in, unsure of the meaning. Seeing the two seem to reach some consensus, Mo Wen still nursed his own questions and finally spoke up, “Director, what is a Dao Contract?”

His words struck like thunder. Zhao Tiansheng, who had just lifted his tea, trembled upon hearing the term, spilling the tea and setting the cup down, his expression heavy. “Where did you hear that?”

Mo Wen did not hide anything and recounted the incident at Emei’s Elephant Pool in full. Zhao Tiansheng looked again at Sword Dog, his face showing a “just as expected” expression. Mo Wen summarized succinctly, finishing in a few sentences.

Lin Xi secretly pinched Mo Wen several times, her meaning clear: blaming him for risking himself needlessly and causing her worry.

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After listening, Zhao Tiansheng pondered for a while, then shook his head. “The matter of Dao Contracts runs deep and cannot be known without breaking through the illusion.”

Mo Wen pursed his lips, pointing at Sword Dog. “What about it?”

Zhao Tiansheng smiled and dodged the question, “Why not ask the dog? Would it dare reveal anything?”

Sword Dog, unable to hold back anymore, cursed loudly, “Damn, Mo kid, if you want to die, don’t drag me down with you! You’re a walking disaster. If Coalball didn’t insist on sticking with you, I’d have run off long ago!”

Sword Dog’s foul mouth surprised Lin Xi. She couldn’t believe that this seemingly cute and obedient dog was so unruly, covering her mouth to stifle laughter.

Zhao Tiansheng grew serious, patting Mo Wen’s shoulder. “Though you’re already at the Divine Pivot, it’s far from enough. Remember, below the illusion-breaking level, all are ants.”

Mo Wen nodded. Having encountered so many who broke through illusions, he realized that the world’s abnormal changes were not the beginning of evolution, but its end. Those before him had been evolving for countless years already. Time waits for no one!

Zhao Tiansheng hooked a finger, and Sword Dog transformed into a sword, black aura fierce and sharp. Zhao Tiansheng seized the blade, leaping out the window into the front yard.

At some point, the rain had grown heavier. Standing sword in hand in the rain, Zhao Tiansheng closed his eyes. The weather changed dramatically; above his head, the clouds parted and sunlight streamed through, creating a wondrous sight—

A meter of sunlight!

Suddenly in motion, Zhao Tiansheng’s posture twisted and turned, his sword dancing like a beautiful performance. Mo Wen was captivated, silently memorizing the sword techniques.

Ten minutes later, Zhao Tiansheng sheathed the sword and straightened his clothes. Sword Dog reverted to its canine form and ingratiated itself before Zhao Tiansheng, “Master, let me follow you. That Mo kid’s way too dangerous—sticking with him is the fast track to an early grave, and I don’t want to die yet!”

Mo Wen snapped out of it, the sword moves now etched in his mind. Though he couldn’t grasp their essence, he could imitate their form. Seeing Sword Dog’s shamelessness, he was speechless.

“Follow him. This is your tribulation and your opportunity. If you want to take that step, you must endure this trial! I no longer need external objects; ordinary weapons and divine blades are all the same to me!”

There was a fleeting desire in Zhao Tiansheng’s eyes—who doesn’t love divine weapons? But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Zhao Tiansheng seemed impatient and issued a dismissal, “Lin girl, March 1st, see you in North Capital!”