Liu Jinghong was Ji Buwang's master, but Ji Buwang did not wish to call her master.
This was because Liu Jinghong had no affection for him; she merely intended to groom him into becoming the sect leader.
On the day he succeeded as sect leader, Liu Jinghong ceased all contact with him, as if her mission were complete, and vanished without a trace.
Initially, after Liu Jinghong lost contact, Ji Buwang should have continued to be a good sect leader according to her plan.
And Ji Buwang did indeed so. Apart from cultivation, he devoted all his attention to managing the sect. Under his leadership, the Xuanji Sect did not decline.
However, it was not until Xu Yi appeared that his predetermined path was disrupted.
In Liu Jinghong's words, Xu Yi was formidable. Although Xu Yi disappeared without a trace, she had also experienced immense pressure.
She had even specifically cautioned Ji Buwang to treat Xu Yi with care if they met, as if she were certain Xu Yi was not dead.
It was indeed perplexing that Xu Yi reappeared as abruptly as she had predicted.
Influenced by Liu Jinghong, Ji Buwang believed Xu Yi must have some hidden agenda, which led him to investigate her closely. Yet, the reality was vastly different from his suspicions.
Xu Yi was outstanding in both talent and personality. The only issue was that her emotions became unstable when it concerned Liu Jinghong.
When she disappeared, Liu Jinghong had not yet joined the sect; why was Xu Yi acting as if facing a formidable enemy?
The relationship between Liu Jinghong and Xu Yi became the greatest mystery in Ji Buwang's heart.
It was at this juncture that the Dean appeared, informing Ji Buwang that he could resolve his enigma, provided he completed a series of tasks set by him.
Ji Buwang agreed.
This was why he later participated in the competition and joined the Kunlun Academy.
And today, having comprehended the Law of Time Reincarnation, the mystery could finally be unraveled.
"Do you wish to know why Liu Jinghong took you as a disciple? Or do you want to know about her and Xu Yi?"
Upon learning that Ji Buwang had lost contact with Liu Jinghong, the Dean was extremely pleased and ceased his circumlocutions, directly asking Ji Buwang the questions he most cared about.
"Everything. I want to know everything."
These questions had accumulated in his heart for hundreds of years, and he was impatient to know the answers.
"Alright, let me think about where to begin..."
The Dean feigned contemplation.
After a long pause, the Dean shook his head and sighed, "This story is too long, and the process is filled with twists and turns. It might be better if you see it for yourself."
"I see it myself?" Ji Buwang was taken aback, then understood the Dean's meaning, "You mean I should use the Law of Time Reincarnation to view the past events of the two of them?"
"A promising student indeed."
The Dean nodded with satisfaction, finding it effortless to converse with an intelligent person.
"The Law of Time Reincarnation consumes a great deal of energy. With my strength alone, I fear I cannot activate it."
Ji Buwang looked at the Dean.
It was only after comprehending the Law of Time Reincarnation that he realized his own power was insufficient to initiate it, let alone construct such a vast temporal realm as the founder of Kunlun Academy had.
"I will naturally lend you a hand."
"Good."
Ji Buwang agreed without hesitation.
The Dean had allowed him to learn the secret techniques of Kunlun Academy, likely anticipating this moment.
The Dean smiled faintly, formed a hand seal, and his spiritual energy naturally flowed into Ji Buwang.
The Dean was a cultivator at the late stage of Mahayana, only one step away from ascension.
The Dean's spiritual energy was overbearing and potent. The moment it entered Ji Buwang's body, he felt as if a majestic invader had breached his internal being.
However, the spiritual energy soon became exceedingly compliant under the Dean's manipulation, gradually merging with the spiritual energy in Ji Buwang's meridians.
Ji Buwang also focused his mind, beginning to guide his internal spiritual energy according to the comprehended Law of Time Reincarnation, rapidly forming hand seals.
His movements were initially slow and arduous, as if each action required immense mental effort. Then, as time progressed, his hand speed quickened, gradually blurring into an afterimage.
Concurrently, a peculiar force gradually emerged from space, transforming into wisps of gentle wind that enveloped Ji Buwang.
Ji Buwang felt his consciousness sinking deeper, his spirit becoming lighter, as if being pulled forcefully by an invisible power.
Slowly, a golden rim appeared around his spirit, followed by a gust of wind that swept across his spirit, causing intense stinging pain.
His brows furrowed uncomfortably, and his lips tightened into a straight line.
Whoosh—
He could even hear the sound of the wind roaring past.
After an unknown period, the sound of the wind finally ceased, and the stinging sensation dissipated. Faint sounds began to reach his ears.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Then he stood frozen on the spot.
"You..."
"You..."
Two identical voices spoke simultaneously, one indifferent, the other gentle.
Ji Buwang looked in shock at the person before him, who shared his appearance but possessed softer facial features.
Is this me?
My past self?
His past self was quite different from his imagination. His brow was slightly furrowed, and a look of unwarranted defensiveness appeared on his face.
However, before he could formulate his words, he heard the Ji Buwang opposite him say softly, "So this is what my next life's self looks like. It's a little different from what I imagined."
Ji Buwang:!
What does that mean?
My next life's self?
Ji Buwang scrutinized the other person again, finally discovering the anomaly.
He thought he was seeing his past self, but the person before him was also a spirit, a spirit belonging to him.
At the same time, the Ji Buwang opposite him also realized something was amiss.
The two of them looked at each other and simultaneously said, "You are not me from this life."
After their words fell, a long silence ensued.
What kind of situation was this, with two selves from different timelines meeting in another timeline?
"Quick! It's Junior Sister Xu's disciple-acceptance ceremony today! We mustn't be late!"
"Junior Sister Xu is the first disciple taken by the Sect Leader, so of course, we won't miss it!"
"I heard Junior Sister Xu has a single fire spirit root and extraordinary talent. She will surely strengthen our Xuanji Sect in the future!"
"..."
Before they could figure out how to phrase their thoughts, the silent atmosphere was broken by the voices of disciples not far away.
They then realized they were currently on the main path within the Xuanji Sect's mountain gate. However, other disciples passing by did not notice them, as if they did not exist.
Upon hearing this, both of them knew that today was the day Xu Yi would officially enter Old Ancestor Yuanming's tutelage and become the sect's senior disciple.
After exchanging a glance, they both headed towards the sect's main square.
The sect square was bustling with activity; almost all the disciples of the sect had gathered there, awaiting the witnessing of this important moment.
Their gazes swept across the sect square, and they finally found the familiar figure below the high platform.
Although Xu Yi was doing her best to appear composed, the youthful innocence on her face revealed her age.
She was nervously reciting the disciple-acceptance process, her hands clenched into fists at her chest.
"Haha."
As Ji Buwang was observing the differences between Xu Yi now and then, he heard his other self beside him suddenly chuckle.
He glanced sideways and saw his other self looking at Xu Yi with a gentle smile.
Rarely had he also...
Ji Buwang thought of something, and his heart felt as if it had fallen into a vinegar jar, sour and bitter.