Chapter 901: First Meeting with the Time Master

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The Time Master—Su Yu truly looked forward to this meeting, far more than he anticipated seeing the King of Wen.

She was the very woman who had altered the entire course of his life!

Atop Mount Yang.

Su Yu waited for a while as dusk settled over the forbidden ground; with this day gone, only fifteen days remained until the grand gathering.

Soon after, he flew down the mountain.

Along the path, the several branch lords materialized swiftly, and wasting no breath, Su Yu spoke coldly, "Seal the Heaven-Earth Pass, let no soul enter or leave! Especially that outsider—should he dare trespass into the forbidden ground... kill him without mercy!"

He glared at them, his eyes chillingly dark. "Perhaps someone here has pledged allegiance to the other side, but remember this: at this moment, the Lord of Law has not fully defected. Is the Human Gate truly mightier than my Heaven Gate? Is it more troublesome? Do not forget exactly whose domain we stand upon!"

With that, he fixed his gaze on the branch lords. "Watch one another. If anyone dares make an unauthorized move, execute them on the spot!"

Su Yu was absolute, radiating pure murderous intent!

A collective tremor struck their hearts; then, the Lord of the Death Branch, the strongest among the six, spoke in a low, gravelly tone, "Fellow Daoist Riyue, we know each other inside out, and the Lord of Law remains within the mountain. Things need not come to this..."

Su Yu let out a cold snort. "What of knowing each other inside out? I shall voice the ugly truth first: if anyone ruins my plans, I wonder if Uncle Law will choose to kill or not to kill? Before I perish, half of this Mount Longevity belongs to us, and the other half will certainly not be ruled by a bastard who dares not show his true face!"

A denizen of the Human Gate!

By this point, everything had become transparent to everyone.

Behind Su Yu, a great host of powerful cultivators followed; though none exceeded twenty-five paths, there were more than a dozen above sixteen paths, all currently bearing fierce, murderous expressions.

The old man among them, possessing even greater strength, was himself a master of twenty-four paths.

Previously keeping an entirely low profile, he allowed his aura to burst forth today, saying solemnly, "Rest assured, My Lord. If anyone truly causes trouble... your subordinate will spare no effort to slay them!"

Su Yu nodded slightly, and a massive canyon unveiled itself before their eyes.

This was the forbidden area, a true place of taboo where normally no one would ever come, nor would they dare.

All around the canyon lay dense, restrictive formations.

The sole entrance

was the very Heaven-Earth Pass Su Yu had spoken of.

At that moment, Su Yu glanced at a person within the crowd—a weak old woman whose strength was unremarkable, even meager. Her hair was stark white, and she looked thoroughly weathered by hardships, appearing like one of those downtrodden souls from the lowest rungs of the forbidden ground.

At first glance, she possessed the face of a good person, kind-hearted and gentle; despite her frail strength, her appearance was kept neat and tidy.

In her eyes lingered the sorrow typical of the weak.

Yet, sensing Su Yu's gaze, the old woman quickly straightened her hunched back, murmuring humbly, "My Lord!"

Su Yu gave a slight nod. "You know her best. Guide me inside! The rest of you stay back; too many people will only arouse her suspicion..."

Turning his gaze toward the branch lords and then back to the twenty-four-path elder, Su Yu commanded, "Yu Heng, I place this area under your temporary charge. Branch lords, I expect you to follow Yu Heng’s arrangements!"

Su Yu said deeply, "I suspect that fellow definitely wishes to see me fail. My success, though it would strengthen Uncle Law, does not align with his interests. At that time... if he sabotages us and causes my death, Uncle Law will have no choice but to walk their dark path to the end! Slaying him then would achieve nothing! When that moment truly arrives, I doubt any of you would wish to witness it!"

He continuously manufactured a sense of crisis, fostering a shared enmity.

He was establishing a clear adversary!

And that adversary was the dark shadow.

The shadow might not even appear, and even if it did, it might not harbour any malicious intent before Su Yu succeeded; yet, Su Yu relentlessly drilled the notion into their minds that the creature would certainly cause disruption!

Now, the branch lords grew solemn, and the Lord of the Thunder Branch spoke in a muffled tone, "Rest assured! We understand the gravity of this! Fellow Daoist Riyue, if we cannot even trust each other, then we are being far too cautious!"

"I hope so!"

Su Yu spoke no further, turning to the old woman as he said, "Let us enter!"

The old woman nodded, leading the way ahead while Su Yu followed closely; soon, the two stepped into the maw of the Heaven-Earth Pass.

Outside the pass, the crowd watched in silence, a subtle tension hanging in the air.

Would success be achieved this time?

Furthermore... would that entity from the Human Gate intervene to ruin it?

...

At that very moment.

Within the grand palace high upon the mountain.

The dark shadow spoke softly, "Lord of Law, this individual has repeatedly slandered me with extreme hostility!"

Fa replied indifferently, "Simply ignore him!"

Yet, the shadow remained somewhat troubled. "Lord of Law, I feel this person is far from simple! As the old saying goes, the crying child gets the milk. Had he come and behaved meekly, you might not have paid him much heed. But he arrived, caused quite a stir... and you easily handed an entire branch to him, even granting him temporary control over the other six. This may not portend well!"

Fa laughed. "Could it be that my branch lords would betray me?"

Though he felt Riyue was overly presumptuous, just as Riyue had stated, it served as a form of deterrence—a mutual deterrence between both sides. Riyue and his kin feared his betrayal, while he, in truth, still desired Riyue’s success.

As for controlling the six branches... what of it?

What did it matter!

I am still here!

As long as I exist, no trouble can arise.

If I am gone... then it matters even less; if a man is dead, why worry about such things?

He looked toward the shadow, smiling faintly. "Enough, let us speak no more of this. Play with men's hearts too much, and you will see no one as good. Besides, you and he do indeed share a competitive relationship now."

The shadow was left speechless, only replying after a long silence, "The Lord of Law had best remain cautious. They wish for your success over there, but should you display signs of becoming uncontrollable, you must beware their counter-move—allowing the Time Master to consume you..."

Fa frowned slightly, his voice cool. "That will not happen! The King of Wen is no fool; he has a fair idea of who plotted against him. While Wen Yu remains ignorant, the King of Wen is well aware..."

"Then what if they kill the King of Wen?"

The shadow pressed on, step by step. "This concerns your grand future, after all; I believe caution is paramount!"

The Lord of Law nodded, saying after a long pause, "I shall be careful."

"Then why not probe them a little, to hear what they are saying..."

This time, Fa frowned deeply, his voice dropping low. "Enough! It is not as though you are ignorant of Wen Yu’s condition. If I probe her and get discovered, all prior arrangements will be entirely wasted! If your side wishes to win me over... then produce practical solutions, rather than constant disruption!"

With a cold snort, Fa vanished instantly.

Spying?

Wen Yu and he held joint mastery over the universe; the moment he attempted to pry, it would be easily detected, and every single arrangement would be utterly ruined. This shadow, too, harboured ill intentions.

Seeing him vanish, the shadow could only sigh in frustration.

I was being entirely serious!

Who knows if the Heaven Gate faction might actually resort to that?

Why view human nature with such unwarranted optimism?

Do you not understand that humanity is inherently wicked?

"He belongs to that side after all... The moment this Riyue arrives, he gains command over the strength of seven branches, yet he remains completely unconcerned..."

Shadow thought to himself, it was still no comparison.

Fa might have the intention to defect, but it was built on the premise that the Human Gate could help him refine the Time Master—a purely transactional partnership, devoid of any personal sentiment. Yet toward the Heavenly Gate, Fa still felt some trace of sectarian camaraderie.

Otherwise, when this Sun-Moon arrived, not only did he become a Pulse Master outright, but when told to govern the other six pulses, Fa did not refuse.

Shadow believed that if he himself made such a demand… Fa would kill him on the spot!

That was the difference between an old master and a new, uncertain one.

No comparison!

“Does the Heavenly Gate really have a way?”

“If they succeed over there… then Fa’s side can’t be won over…”

One thought after another surfaced in Shadow’s mind. Not to mention, if the other side truly succeeded, he’d really want to go cause some trouble. Even if he couldn’t, he’d have to sow discord. At any rate, it was best if this Sun-Moon failed!

…

At the end of the Heaven-Earth Pass was a screen like water—actually a prohibition—and the Time Master was trapped within it.

At that moment, the old woman said cautiously, “My lord, that Wen Yu has been a bit irritable lately. Please be very careful—she is extremely powerful, and though trapped, she might still lash out!”

Su Yu nodded slightly.

The old woman continued leading him forward. When they reached the base of the great screen, she took out a token and explained, “This is the only token that can open a tiny crack in the prohibition, meant mainly for sending things in. There are also restrictions on the strength of anyone entering. Under normal circumstances, without the Fa Lord’s permission, entry is absolutely forbidden…”

“If a cultivator at the Rule Master realm enters, the Great Path will disturb the barrier and alert the Fa Lord… So it’s best if you communicate with her from outside the barrier. I will open a small fissure for you that won’t trigger the barrier.”

Su Yu nodded again and smiled, “Over the years, she hasn’t suspected anything?”

“She has, but we dispelled her doubts time and again.”

The old woman explained, “Now she firmly believes we’ve come to rescue her—that we are the only force behind the Gate willing to work for humanity. The incident a few years ago made her trust us even more.”

Su Yu nodded, “That makes sense. We even helped her get a copy of the Time Book out. After paying such a heavy price, if we still couldn’t win her trust, she wouldn’t be worth it… So all these years, she never once mentioned handing over the original Time Book for us to take away?”

“No!”

The old woman said helplessly, “We couldn’t bring it up ourselves. In the early years, we actually thought it was the original. When we discovered it was a copy, we were quite frustrated. All we can say is, she’s still very vigilant!”

Su Yu smiled, “Alright, I understand. Open the prohibition!”

“As you command!”

The woman took the token and traced it across the screen. Gradually, the screen began to ripple.

And at that moment, a crisp laugh came through: “Granny Wang, you’re here!”

The next instant, the voice suddenly turned harsh and cold: “Who’s there?”

“Lady Yu, keep your voice down…”

The old woman spoke hastily, cautiously: “It’s me!”

“Who else?”

The voice was wary and cold. The old woman quickly said, “It’s a strong cultivator from the Humanity Sacred Land, here to discuss your rescue…”

“Oh!”

Wen Yu replied indifferently, as if not very interested.

But at that moment, a portal suddenly appeared on Su Yu’s forehead. In an instant, he saw through the screen and beheld a figure!

Wen Yu!

A woman who looked like the girl next door. At that moment, her mouth was still chewing something. Suddenly she froze, cheeks bulging, and abruptly looked outward. The next moment, a portal also appeared on her forehead as she stared at Su Yu.

In that instant, Wen Yu realized—he… had seen through the prohibition and spotted her!

She instantly put away the thing in her hand—it looked like a lamb leg, still steaming, from who knows where.

Not only that, her puffed-out cheeks returned to normal in a flash.

Her somewhat loose, custom white robe snapped back into place. With a flick of her sleeve and a toss of her hair, she suddenly transformed into a female scholar, a lady of letters.

The greasiness at the corners of her mouth vanished without a trace.

But Su Yu’s mouth twitched!

You’re crying so pitifully!

Your whole family is about to die!

Not only that, the space behind the screen now struck Su Yu as oddly familiar.

Good heavens, I really mean good heavens!

Flower valley, swing, river, waterfall, courtyard…

Damn!

Isn’t this a replica of King Wen’s old residence?

So you’ve been living it up here, living a cozy little life!

Not only that, Su Yu seemed to spot small animals scurrying around… Had she even set up a livestock farm?

You’re something else!

Wen Yu, you really are something!

You’re about to be devoured, and you still have the heart to run a farm here!

Meanwhile, Wen Yu quickly regained her composure, her voice carrying a hint of authority: “Who dares spy on me? Withdraw your Dao technique at once! Don’t you know the rule: ‘Look not at what is improper’?”

“A gentleman does not look, does not listen, does not speak of what is improper… How dare you peek into a lady’s private chamber? Shameless wretch, lecher! Granny Wang, see our guest out!”

…

Outside the prohibition, the old woman tensed instantly and turned anxiously to Su Yu.

Su Yu was silent for a moment. The Heavenly Gate vanished.

But damn it, I can’t forget the sight of you eating with grease all over your mouth—infuriating!

So I’ve been tormented for over a decade, and the one I came to rescue is you!

So unfair!

If you were truly in agony, I’d feel a bit better. But you’re feasting and drinking—it’s maddening!

What a Time Eater, what a recipe… Even at death’s door, you can’t stop eating!

Su Yu was speechless, but quickly regained his composure. Fine, maybe she was just putting on a brave face, actually panicking inside, and could only comfort herself with food. He had to understand her.

Yes, understand and tolerate.

Su Yu consoled himself. He couldn’t dwell on it—one thought and his lungs would burst with rage.

Soon, Su Yu introduced himself: “My name is Wen Yu!”

“What?”

Wen Yu’s startled voice came through: “Who?”

"Wen Yu?"

"Yu of the universe—not the same as your name!"

Now Wen Yu grew strange, her voice echoing out: "Your surname is Wen?"

"Yes, I am of the Wen lineage... Strictly speaking, by seniority, you could call me your ancestor..."

Wen Yu could not help cursing: "Go to hell!"

Nearby, the old woman also had a complicated look in her eyes.

My lord, need you go this far?

But saying so was not entirely wrong—descendants of Wen... how common!

If Sun and Moon claimed to be descendants of the Sun and Moon, then now a descendant of Wen appears—no problem either. The key is, why pretend to be a descendant of Wen?

To curry favor?

Bloodlines have been separated for countless generations—this favor may not be so easy to gain!

And on top of that, you claim to be Wen Yu's ancestor, even taking a name similar to hers. Listening to it, it almost sounds provocative!

But Su Yu did not care.

Did I pretend?

No!

According to Star, the Nanyuan branch all carry Wen's bloodline, so is it wrong for me to be surnamed Wen?

Just returning to the ancestral surname!

So I call myself Wen Yu—that's my true name, isn't it?

Saying I am a descendant of Wen—nothing wrong with that, right?

As for who has the higher seniority between me and King Wen... who knows!

Perhaps King Wen's ancestors had a generation every twenty years, while my family's ancestors started with a generation every ten thousand years—by that reckoning, my seniority is even greater!

Su Yu thought to himself.

Yes, that's how it should be calculated!

Inside the barrier, Wen Yu was fuming, then soon grew annoyed: "Are you here to provoke me?"

"No, to rescue you!"

Su Yu smiled: "Granny Wang, please step back and keep watch—don't let anyone barge in. I'll have a private chat with Wen Yu!"

"As you command!"

Granny Wang left swiftly, but her eyes carried worry as she went. My lord, you're not following the script!

Stirring up Wen Yu like this—won't all your efforts be wasted?

Inside the door, Wen Yu quickly calmed down and suddenly said with a grin: "Are you really a descendant of Wen? From our branch? Then did you bring any food when you came? I'm hungry!"

Hungry my foot!

Su Yu cursed inwardly. You're hungry? I haven't eaten in years, and you dare say you're hungry!

"Didn't bring any food. We'll be out soon. I saw plenty of good things in your yard—kill a sheep and treat me!"

Wen Yu was speechless. This was the first time she'd met someone who tried to snatch food from her!

"No, you're mistaken. It's all an illusion. Where would I get food?"

Su Yu laughed: "When a friend comes from afar, can't you even spare a sheep to entertain him? A true Foodmaster must also learn to share. Eating alone, no matter how delicious, lacks flavor. Only when many share the meal does it become truly enjoyable, don't you think?"

Wen Yu found it bizarre. This was the first time she'd met someone who argued with her over food!

"Don't you have food out there?"

"No time to eat!"

Su Yu said flatly: "Too busy—busy saving you!"

Then, almost through gritted teeth, he added: "Yes, busy saving you! To save you, I've had no peace, eating and sleeping poorly. Today I finally saw you, and soon I can get you out—but now I suddenly don't want to save you!"

On the other side of the barrier, Wen Yu blinked. These words... they sounded almost like gritted teeth, full of deep feeling.

It seemed... as if he truly thought that way and had really done so.

Strange!

The liar's skills had improved!

Yes, liar.

She wasn't stupid—she'd actually suspected it long ago. But of course, acting—who couldn't do that?

If she could act her way out, that would be good.

Even if not, she could still mooch food and drink. Hadn't she gotten plenty of good stuff here?

All scammed!

Since she was trapped, she might as well treat herself well.

But today, this liar opposite her—how could he act even better than her?

That tone... if you didn't know, you'd really think he'd been losing sleep over saving her!

"Um... you're going that far to save me? We're not even close..."

Su Yu ground his teeth: "Yes, but I have to save you! If I get you out, I'll lock you in a dark room for five years—no, fifty years—no food, no drink, no sleep, and every day I'll send someone skilled in the Way of the Mind to torment you!"

"..."

Wen Yu was stunned!

Are you using reverse psychology now?

Deliberately using this tactic to win my trust?

How amusing!

She suddenly laughed: "Wen Yu... is that really your name? Aren't you afraid I'll turn hostile saying that?"

"Not afraid!"

Su Yu suddenly smiled: "What do I have to fear? Do you dare turn hostile? Can you? If you do, there are plenty who will teach you a lesson! Even your brother can't save you!"

Such big talk!

"You don't seem that strong."

Su Yu said darkly: "Not that strong? When I am, I'll scare you!"

"Hah!"

Wen Yu almost laughed. Tch, who can't brag!

Su Yu said impatiently: "Kill a sheep and let me taste it. Stop wasting words—I'm in a bad mood!"

Oh, so arrogant!

Wen Yu was amused too. How interesting—this guy was really good at acting!

Su Yu added, "Hurry up, let's eat and talk. This long-distance conversation is too tiring! I'll tell you a little story on the side. Don't worry, Fa won't eavesdrop now—it's just the first time. Only when we're face to face, chatting about the core of the Time Book, will he try to eavesdrop!"

"..."

At that moment, Wen Yu was suddenly startled!

What did he mean?

Her voice instantly changed, becoming wary, becoming grave: "What do you mean?"

Su Yu snorted, "Have you been fooled? I think you're just scamming for food and drink! You're sly as a fox; everyone says you're not to be trifled with. Even your brother wouldn't fall for it—would you?"

"..."

Wen Yu was dumbfounded. What the hell?

Who is it outside, really?

How do you know I'm scamming for food and drink... Bah, I'm not, nonsense!

I believe in your Human Path Sanctuary!

"You... what are you talking about? Aren't you from the Human Path Sanctuary? You're from Fa, right?"

"Less nonsense! Hurry up, kill a sheep!"

Wen Yu was a bit frustrated. It was the first time she had been relentlessly rebutted, and in a way that left her feeling helpless.

She was somewhat unwilling, but... so curious!

What story would he tell her?

Or rather, how would he act?

After a moment, she considered, then still reached out and beckoned. A sheep materialized. Soon, the wool vanished, the belly was opened and gutted. With skilled hands, Wen Yu asked, "Do you want it braised, roasted, stewed, steamed, or spiced..."

"Roasted!"

Su Yu sat cross-legged, and a table appeared before him. After a while, a lamb leg flew out from the crack.

"Taste it! Then you can tell the story!"

Su Yu said nothing, picked up the lamb leg, and took a bite. At that moment, he suddenly felt that this might be the best food he had ever eaten.

Fragrant, tender, delicious—roasted crispy on the outside and tender inside, fatty but not greasy, just perfect...

Su Yu had never imagined that his first meeting with the Time Master would be like this, but at this moment, he suddenly felt that it was actually quite nice.

This woman truly lived up to her reputation as the creator of the recipe book!

Su Yu ate, and after a while, he spoke: "How about some wine? Got any?"

"You want more? I don't have much in reserve..."

At the request for wine, Wen Yu became a bit reluctant. I really don't have much!

And brewing wine is very troublesome!

"We're almost out anyway, hurry up. Once we're out, you'll have as much as you want!"

Who are you fooling!

Wen Yu was speechless. You, a con artist, come to con me? I'd be a fool to believe you.

But to hear the story, she decided to bleed a little. She picked the smallest, worst bottle of wine and sent it over. When Su Yu opened it, the fragrance of flowers filled the air!

The aroma of wine was also hidden within; this was wine brewed from flowers.

Su Yu took a sip and immediately felt that wine was truly a wonderful thing. Before, he didn't like drinking and rarely did, but at this moment, after one sip, he felt that wine was truly wonderful!

Drinking wine and eating meat, Su Yu said calmly, "This story, to tell it properly, must begin seventeen years ago, in a remote little town!"

"In that little town, there was a child, six years old that year!"

"He lost his mother when he was young, and his father raised him alone. At that time, the town was not peaceful—or rather, the whole world was not peaceful... Of course, though poor, life was comfortable."

"Internal strife, external threats, the extinction of races, the destruction of heaven and earth... none of that had anything to do with this child—too grand, too distant... But all the changes began seventeen years ago!"

"One day, that child obtained a book, which merged into his body and was remembered. He was only six!"

Within the barrier, Wen Yu was also eating, listening curiously as she ate.

It had been years since she last heard a story!

"But ever since that child merged with the book, his hard times began!"

Su Yu narrated calmly: "Have you ever experienced the pain of having your spirit torn apart? The kind that makes you wish for death but cannot die? On that day when he was six, he experienced it. His memory is not clear; he only remembers a powerful beast tearing his body apart in his dreams, splitting it into pieces, flesh shattered, blood and flesh blurred..."

"Pain, excruciating pain! He was not a cultivator, not a warrior, not a soldier. He was just a child from a single-parent family, without a mother since childhood, only his father. He was very young... He didn't know how to describe it, didn't know who to ask for help. He could only suffer in agony, could only beg his father to save him. He was so scared, so hurt, he was sick... He had a nightmare, dreaming that a monster was killing him!"

"But his father was also weak. His father only thought he was sick, because he didn't see that the child's spiritual power had been torn apart and then restored by some force!"

"His father took him to see many people, but no one found anything..."

"And such nightmares accompanied the child constantly. At that time, every day, every single day, as soon as he closed his eyes, he would dream. In the dreams, all kinds of monsters bit his body to pieces, chewed his flesh, devoured his soul..."

"Day after day, he dared not sleep. He endured... endured until his eyes were bloodshot, until he wanted to sleep even while walking, until he didn't want to eat or drink, wishing he could die immediately!"

"But he couldn't bear to... he couldn't bear to leave his father, couldn't bear to die like that!"

"..."

As Su Yu narrated, the Time Master's expression gradually grew strange.

Seventeen years ago, a six-year-old child, with continuous dreams every day, his spirit torn apart again and again...

There was a sense of familiarity, but she couldn't pinpoint what felt off.

And with Su Yu's telling, she felt somewhat immersed in the scene. At this moment, she couldn't help saying, "That book must be a treasure. The dreams should be tempering his spirit every day... but it was too powerful, tearing his spirit apart. Such a treasure should not have been inherited by a child. It would have caused that child to completely collapse... not spiritual death, but annihilation of will. That child must have died!"

The Time Master asserted, "If not dead, he should have become completely insane, raving mad, self-destructive, right?"

Su Yu said flatly, "Let me finish! He didn't die, nor did he go mad. He endured like that for twelve years, all the way until he was eighteen, experiencing thousands of nightmares. He is still alive, living well!"

"Impossible..."

The Time Master said in surprise, "With such an experience, unless a master helped him resolve it, he would either be dead or mad!"

"Perhaps!"

Su Yu laughed lowly, "Wen Yu, do you think this child should thank the strong one who gave him the treasure? Without that book, he wouldn't have had those twelve years of day-and-night tempering, nor his later strength. Do you know what happened to him later?"

"You haven't said yet!"

Wen Yu asked eagerly, "So what happened to him later? After he turned eighteen? Without the nightmares, he should have lived well, right?"

"Pretty well!"

Su Yu smiled: "At eighteen, he entered an academy to study the path of cultivation! He officially embarked on the journey of cultivation! And right then, he was drawn into the inheritance of the elder brother of the strong one who had given him the book!"

"This family and that child truly had a connection!"

Su Yu smiled brightly: "During his Kaiyuan period—do you know Kaiyuan?"

"Kaiyuan? I have some impression..."

Su Yu continued: "At that time, he became the sole heir of that multi-divine literary system—oh, no, he also had a senior sister. As for his master and uncle, they were from the previous generation and had always been suppressed... Because he refused to be bullied, he kept resisting, angering the other side. Later, some Suns and Moons led many people to hunt him down..."

Wen Yu asked in surprise, “And then he was killed?”

“No, he secretly contacted others and turned the tables on them!”

“Impressive…”

Wen Yu paused, then asked, “What happened next?”

Su Yu smiled. “Keep listening!”

He recounted everything about the Great Xia Prefecture and the Great Ming Prefecture. Wen Yu listened for a while, sighed, and said, “So he just stayed in the Great Ming Prefecture doing research after that?”

“How could that be! The trials of factions, the ordeals of his teachers—how could he just stand by… So, after lying low for a few months and breaking into the Sky-Soaring realm, he went to the Battlefield of All Realms…”

Su Yu continued his tale.

As Wen Yu listened, a hint of pity crept into her voice. “How tragic. He went to the Battlefield of All Realms and was hunted all the way too? Poor thing. What happened next? Was he killed? If it were me, I’d rather be dead than suffer like that… So pitiful!”

“Not at all!”

Su Yu chuckled. “He became formidable later on. Just keep listening, listen carefully!”

Su Yu spoke through gritted teeth: “There’s so much more to the story, especially when he reached his breaking point. One day, a person suddenly emerged from his book and told him she was in terrible straits, about to die, that she couldn’t hold on any longer—her brother was fighting, her brother’s comrades were fighting, all on the verge of death, and she needed rescue!”

“And that child, stubborn as he was, thought to himself: I’ve received kindness. Yes, this book brought suffering, but it also brought talent and strength. Having received kindness, I must repay it tenfold. I have to save this person! Besides, he even worried about her dog—surely he would save its master!”

“Though he was no gentleman, his word was his bond… To gain the strength to save her, he drove himself mad—growing stronger, slaughtering enemies, waging war across the realms, battling the mighty again and again. For five whole years, he never closed his eyes, never rested. He killed without cease, forged himself without pause… All because every time, he would recall that sorrowful figure, telling him she couldn’t hold on…”

…

At that moment, within the barrier.

The Time Master’s face changed completely!

She suddenly opened the Celestial Gate and looked out at Su Yu.

Su Yu was eating, drinking wine, a radiant smile on his face. “And so, one day, that child grew up. Braving countless dangers, he fought his way here—to rescue the owner of that book! And that book was called a Recipe!”

Su Yu’s smile was dazzling. “It took him seventeen years to reach this point, and five years to battle the mighty of all realms. He came to save her! To fulfill his promise! And at that moment, the weeping, grieving, dying woman was merrily eating, grease dripping from her lips. Do you think he should hate, or weep, or… laugh?”

Su Yu laughed, a brilliant laugh, so bright that the Time Master forgot what to say for a moment.

Impossible!

It couldn’t be!

Was he that child?

I don’t believe it. It’s impossible!

Five years, battling across the realms, fighting his way to her, just to save her…

The Time Master fell silent. After a long while, she said with difficulty, “Your… your story… it’s not pleasant. I don’t like hearing such stories. They’re too sad. I prefer… something sunnier…”

“Sad?”

Su Yu said flatly, “Not sad. Just a bit twisted. But in the end, he succeeded! He came—came before the woman who had shaped his life, changed his destiny!”

“He ate the dishes she made, drank the wine she brewed. He didn’t blame her, because she never expected to choose that child… Fate plays its tricks, that’s all. But when he saw her eating so happily… he was furious, you know?”

The meat in the Time Master’s mouth suddenly lost its flavor.

She felt a pang of grievance. “But… my only hobby is eating. Was I supposed to just sit here crying every day?”

Su Yu gritted his teeth. “Then don’t let me see it!”

“I never showed you!”

The Time Master grew even more sullen. After a pause, she said, “I still don’t believe it!”

Su Yu snorted. A single teardrop suddenly appeared in his hand. He ground his teeth. “I want to know—is this a tear, or drool?”

…

At that moment, heaven and earth fell silent!

Inside the barrier, the Time Master’s eyes widened to their limit!

And the next moment, a recipe book materialized… though its cover remained intact. Su Yu said through clenched teeth, “Tell me, is this a tear?”

“…”

The Time Master quickly turned her head, twisting it wildly, refusing to look at Su Yu.

It’s over!

He’ll kill me!

“Wah… I’ve suffered too, really! Fa Tian always wanted to eat me. I could only comfort myself with food. Otherwise, I’d have died long ago—either killed or scared to death…”

Su Yu snorted!

Suddenly, he felt drained.

I don’t even want to save you anymore. Eat, go on eating. And on top of that, you’ve set up a farm in there. I’m about to explode with rage!

You’ve got meat and wine, living far better than me—how could I not be angry?

That teardrop in my hand—whether it’s really a tear, who knows?

It might just be drool!

If I weren’t so restrained, I’d punch you until you wailed!

Meanwhile, the Time Master, while pleading her case, kept stealing glances at Su Yu. In that moment, she was truly stunned!

Impossible!

Could a single copy of a book, in just a few years, really nurture someone who would come to rescue its owner?

How surreal this felt!

Even my brother wasn’t this impressive!

At that moment, the Time Master seemed to live through his entire life. Suddenly, she said, “If you tell me you’re lying, I won’t take revenge. Otherwise, I will. I poisoned the food and wine!”

Su Yu said calmly, “If you can poison a 32-path Heaven Opener, one who has opened two heavens, then go ahead and poison me!”

“…”

The Time Master was stunned. “32 paths?”

Su Yu said flatly, “What do you think? Did you think I was like your brother—all talk, not much substance?”

“…”

How could he say that!

The Time Master said weakly, “My brother… is formidable too…”

Su Yu felt weary. Maybe.

At that moment, he ate in silence. If he didn’t eat something, there was no way to soothe his heart!