Chapter 22: The Destined One, Young Master Liu

At this moment, the sky above was infinitely resplendent, its radiance interweaving into vast sheets and forming long rivers of starlight.

As Zhuang Lin’s gaze or thoughts focused on that expanse, one of these rivers instantly sharpened, appearing to draw closer and closer. It was not a galaxy in the literal sense, but a path bathed in starlight—a broken, ruined road that seemed to have torn a colossal chasm through the fabric of the universe. Yet, the path possessed a will of its own; despite being severed, it vibrated with an indomitable spirit, as if the pulse had ceased but the life force remained.

"Righteousness endures, our legacy shall never fade..."

Zhuang Lin murmured the lingering echoes he heard. As he clearly perceived the path, a blinding brilliance erupted in his eyes.

*Boom—*

A thunderous sound resonated in his ears. The light filling Zhuang Lin’s consciousness was a lightning bolt from the heavens, striking down from the shattered river of stars. It hit his spirit in an instant, causing his entire being to tremble violently.

At that moment, Tao Yuanming, Liu Hongyu, and the others felt a jolt in their hearts. A vast, oppressive sensation emanated from Zhuang Lin, so heavy it nearly stole their breath. Although he was within arm's reach, to everyone present, Zhuang Zi'an suddenly felt unreachable and untouchable.

Tao Yuanming’s mouth hung slightly agape; the Li brothers and Fu Zeyang wore expressions of shock; as for Liu Hongyu, after an initial daze, his heart began to race wildly.

But it all lasted only for a fleeting moment. Yet, that brief instant dealt a blow to Zhuang Lin’s spirit that surpassed all else. A sensation, as if innate, arose within him, accompanied by a flood of images and information.

This was a Dharma lineage! A remnant of an Immortal path lingering between heaven and earth, refusing to be extinguished.

***

Zhuang Lin sat on a rock by the river, the bamboo scroll unfolded before him. Some time had passed, but he remained immersed in that sensation. No one dared to disturb him; even though the oppressive feeling had long since dissipated, no one felt the urge to speak.

When Fu Zeyang attempted to stand up, the slightest movement drew the gaze of everyone present. He froze in place and slowly sat back down. However, Zhuang Lin seemed to perceive the movement, gradually returning to his senses. He looked around and found everyone watching him.

"How long have I been sitting?"

Liu Hongyu was the first to respond. "Master, you have only been sitting for a short while, at most a quarter of an hour..."

Everyone present had felt the aura that radiated from Zhuang Lin. While others might later dismiss it as an illusion, Liu Hongyu had felt it most profoundly. The sensation was familiar to him; he had experienced something similar when he first "transmigrated" to ancient times and knelt before the home of Doctor Mu to thank the heavens.

*Could I have been wrong? Could I have sought the wrong person? Is Mr. Yuanliang not my master, but Mr. Zi'an?* Liu Hongyu’s heart surged with intense excitement, yet his thoughts were chaotic—a mix of exhilaration and unease.

Zhuang Lin, however, had no time to notice Liu Hongyu’s internal turmoil; he had not yet fully emerged from the experience. His mood was complex. Looking down at the bamboo scroll, he knew that what was written was truly an Immortal technique, or at the very least, intrinsically linked to one.

Through this connection, Zhuang Lin had intercepted a fragment of a lingering Immortal Dharma lineage, gaining clarity on a portion of the path to immortality.

*Immortals truly exist in this world. One can truly cultivate to become an immortal!*

Even after all he had experienced, Zhuang Lin had harbored suspicions, but now, holding the scroll, the realization brought a sense of profound emotion—or perhaps, given the nature of the book, it was more akin to being moved.

Seeing Zhuang Lin fall silent again, Tao Yuanming could not help but speak. He, too, was puzzled by the earlier sensation, but he suppressed his curiosity to follow their pre-arranged plan. "Mr. Zi'an, did you discover something within the book?"

Zhuang Lin looked at the bamboo scroll and suddenly smiled. "I did indeed discover something of note..."

He paused, looking at Liu Hongyu with a smile. By now, Zhuang Lin found the young man quite agreeable—after all, he had been right!

"This is indeed a fragment of an Immortal classic. Of course, the author may have transcribed this portion and added their own literary reflections to construct an essay. Even an ordinary person reading it would find peace of mind..."

Liu Hongyu’s fists, hidden within his sleeves, clenched tight, his body trembling slightly from sheer exhilaration.

"It is a pity, however, that it is merely a fragment..." Zhuang Lin had not yet fully detached from that earlier state.

Hearing this, Liu Hongyu felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him. He opened his mouth to speak, but no desire to argue arose in his heart. He felt as though Zhuang Lin’s words had struck a chord within him, as if he understood that what the Master said was the absolute truth.

Tao Yuanming frowned slightly, casting a questioning look at Zhuang Lin. *This wasn't the plan; were we not supposed to focus on guidance? Is Mr. Zi'an being so blunt?*

Zhuang Lin nodded at the signaling Tao Yuanming, offering a look that urged him to be at ease. "Li brothers, Brother Fu, and Mr. Yuanliang, would you allow me to speak with Young Master Liu alone?"

Without waiting for an answer, Zhuang Lin stood up with the bamboo scroll and said to the crestfallen Liu Hongyu, "Come with me!"

Zhuang Lin began to walk along the riverbank. Liu Hongyu hesitated for a moment before rushing to follow. Behind them, the remaining four exchanged glances. Tao Yuanming had stood up, but ultimately did not follow.

"Mr. Yuanliang, let Mr. Zhuang and Young Master Liu talk!" "Right, Mr. Zhuang knows best."

"So be it..." Tao Yuanming sat back down and looked at the other three, hesitating before asking, "Did you all feel something strange just now?"

The other three brightened at once. The feeling was ineffable, but they all understood what he meant.

"You felt it too, Mr. Yuanliang?" "I thought it was just me!"

"I thought it was an illusion!"

"So we all felt it—that feeling that Mr. Zhuang was not quite... er, never mind, you know what I mean..."

***

On the other side, Zhuang Lin did not know what they were saying about him, and even if he did, he would not have cared. He walked with his hands behind his back, the bamboo scroll clutched in one hand. Occasionally, he looked up at the sky, as if wanting to see that star-filled expanse again, though his eyes ultimately met only the blue sky and white clouds.

Liu Hongyu followed him, step by step, not daring to speak first. Yet, his intuition felt stronger than ever before.

After walking several hundred paces in silence, Zhuang Lin stopped and turned to look at Liu Hongyu. In the young man's eager gaze, Zhuang Lin could see nervousness and anxiety, but also a burning expectation. Yes, in Zhuang Lin’s eyes, Liu Hongyu’s anticipation was so palpable it seemed ready to burst forth.

"Hahahaha..." Zhuang Lin couldn't help but laugh softly. He tapped the bamboo scroll against his left hand, creating a rhythmic sound. "You cannot attain immortality by relying on a scroll of such pseudo-fragmentary lore. However, I have recognized your determination to cultivate..."

Zhuang Lin studied the young master, who was experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions but remained full of hope. He exhaled slightly, his mind made up.

"Follow us back to the valley. Do not neglect your studies, and above all, never forget: from this day forward, learn how to be a mortal!"

"Ah..." Liu Hongyu’s lips trembled. The expectation he felt seemed to vanish in an instant, replaced by an indescribable sense of loss.

Zhuang Lin’s mouth curved upward as he added, "When the time is right, I will teach you the Immortal arts..."

Zhuang Lin paused, watching Liu Hongyu’s eyes widen and his pupils dilate. His smile gradually grew calm.

"What say you, O Chosen One?"

In that instant, Liu Hongyu felt a thunderous explosion deep within his soul. From body to spirit, he realized that everything he had waited for—the years spent, the space and time traversed—was all for this very moment!

Emotions flooded his heart like a tide, and scene after scene flashed through his mind: his pampered childhood, being treated as mentally ill, his madness, his trans-spatial journey, misidentifying his master, leaving the valley—the sorrows and the joys.

*Finally, I have met a true Immortal Master!*

Liu Hongyu finally burst into tears of joy. He fell to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly to Zhuang Lin. "This disciple obeys. Thank you, Master! This disciple obeys, thank you, Master!"

Zhuang Lin sighed inwardly and nodded slightly. He did not stop Liu Hongyu. In a sense, this young man was indeed a "Chosen One." Although Zhuang Lin had not yet truly set foot on the path of immortality himself, he had gained an epiphany. He was confident that he could at least guide Liu Hongyu onto that path.

Thus, he accepted the kowtows. As for the future, he would deal with it when it came. Since he had obtained this fragment of the Immortal Dharma today, perhaps other opportunities would arise, or he might encounter other immortals.

*He has been forced into psychiatric treatment for years and yet his determination to seek the Tao has never wavered. I am surely no less capable than he!*

With that thought, Zhuang Lin reached out to steady Liu Hongyu, fearing the young man might faint from all the bowing.