The Veiled Immortal: He Sealed His Cosmic Powers to Live as a Mortal

The small town of Willow Creek existed primarily to serve the Falling Leaf Sect. Merchants, craftsmen, farmers—all oriented their lives around the cultivators who occupied the mountain above them. Some provided goods and services, others hoped their children might show cultivation potential and join the sect's ranks, and a few simply appreciated the protection the sect offered against wandering beasts and bandits.

Wei Yun walked its dusty main street, a list of errands in hand. Two weeks had passed since he joined the Outer Affairs Hall, and he found himself enjoying the simple tasks that took him away from the sect. Today, he was to collect specialized paper from the renowned papermaker Lao Huang and deliver a message to the town magistrate.

"Senior Brother Wei!" A cheerful voice called out.

Wei Yun turned to see Min Fei, a fellow Outer Affairs disciple, hurrying toward him. The round-faced youth had appointed himself Wei Yun's unofficial guide to all things Willow Creek.

"You're heading to Old Huang's shop, right?" Min Fei fell into step beside him. "Mind if I join you? I need to pick up some ink."

"Not at all," Wei Yun replied, genuinely enjoying the young man's company. Min Fei was refreshingly straightforward, with none of the calculation that permeated sect relationships.

They walked in companionable silence for a moment before Min Fei spoke again, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "Have you heard the rumors? About the black miasma in the western forest?"

"I haven't," Wei Yun admitted. His divine sense, limited as it was in his current state, had detected nothing unusual beyond the typical spiritual fluctuations of a world teeming with cultivation energy.

Min Fei lowered his voice. "Three villagers went missing last week. The search party found strange black mist around the ancient burial mounds. No one wants to go near there now."

Wei Yun's interest was piqued. "Has the sect investigated?"

"Elder Zhao sent two inner disciples yesterday," Min Fei replied. "They haven't returned."

That was genuinely surprising. While inner disciples weren't particularly powerful by cosmic standards, they should have been more than capable of handling typical dangers near a small town like Willow Creek.

Before Wei Yun could inquire further, a commotion erupted ahead. A crowd had gathered outside the local teahouse, their faces a mixture of fear and morbid curiosity.

Min Fei pulled at Wei Yun's sleeve. "Let's see what's happening!"

They pushed through to find a disheveled man at the center of attention. His clothes were torn, his eyes wild with terror, and most concerning—his right arm ended in a blackened stump, as if dipped in acid.

"It took Lin and Zhang!" the man was shouting. "The black mist... it... it spoke!"

The town magistrate, a portly man with an official's cap, tried to calm him. "Master Chen, please compose yourself. What exactly did you see?"

"We were at the western boundary, investigating reports of damaged crops," Chen gasped, clutching his wounded arm. "The mist came from nowhere. Lin touched it and... and... he dissolved! Just screamed and dissolved!" His voice broke. "Then it spoke. It said 'The void hungers' over and over."

Wei Yun frowned. The void? That term held significance across multiple cultivation realms. In the highest celestial courts, it referred to the primordial chaos between worlds—a place even immortals feared to tread.

The magistrate turned, noticing the sect disciples. "Ah! Cultivators! Please, you must report this to your superiors immediately!"

Wei Yun stepped forward. "We will. Has anyone else encountered this phenomenon?"

The wounded man looked up, his eyes focusing on Wei Yun's sect robes. "You! You cultivators claimed the burial mounds were safe after your rituals a hundred years ago! You lied!"

The crowd's mood shifted perceptibly, murmurs of agreement spreading. Wei Yun sensed the delicate balance between reverence and resentment that characterized the town's relationship with the sect.

"The sect will investigate thoroughly," Wei Yun promised, infusing his voice with just enough spiritual energy to carry a subtle calming effect. "For now, everyone should stay away from the western forest."

The magistrate nodded gratefully. "Yes, yes. Please inform Elder Zhao immediately. Tell him Magistrate Wong requests immediate assistance."

As Wei Yun and Min Fei hurried back toward the mountain path, they passed the papermaker's shop. Wei Yun paused.

"Our errands—"

Min Fei looked at him incredulously. "Surely this takes priority?"

Wei Yun smiled slightly. "Complete your tasks efficiently, no matter the circumstances. The first rule of the Outer Affairs Hall, is it not?"

He entered the shop swiftly, collected the specialized paper, and rejoined his confused companion.

"Senior Brother Wei, people are dying!"

"And we will report it," Wei Yun assured him, "after completing our assigned duties. A small delay will not change the situation, but failing our responsibilities might affect how seriously our report is taken."

Min Fei seemed unconvinced but followed as Wei Yun efficiently completed their remaining errands before heading back to the sect.

---

"Black miasma? Speaking void?" Elder Zhao stroked his goatee, eyes narrowing. "And you say two of our inner disciples have not returned?"

"That's the report from town, Elder," Wei Yun confirmed, standing respectfully before the elder's desk in the Outer Affairs Hall.

Elder Zhao was the youngest of the sect's elders, having reached the early Nascent Soul realm only a decade ago. His responsibility for sect-town relations was considered a minor role compared to those who managed internal affairs or supervised cultivation resources.

"Troubling," the elder muttered. "The burial mounds were cleansed generations ago. There should be no lingering resentment or spiritual pollution."

Min Fei shifted nervously beside Wei Yun. "Master Chen's arm was severely corrupted, Elder. It appeared similar to high-level poison or corrosive spiritual energy."

Elder Zhao's expression darkened. "I must consult with the Head Elder. This may require a formal investigation team." He fixed his gaze on Wei Yun. "You handled the situation in town well, from Magistrate Wong's message. The last thing we need is panic spreading."

"Thank you, Elder," Wei Yun replied with appropriate modesty.

"Both of you will accompany me tomorrow to examine the situation," Elder Zhao decided. "A Nascent Soul cultivator should be more than sufficient to handle any local disturbance, but your familiarity with the witnesses will be useful."

As they left the elder's chambers, Min Fei grabbed Wei Yun's arm. "Did he just say we're going to the burial mounds? Where people are dissolving into nothing?"

Wei Yun patted the young man's shoulder reassuringly. "Behind an elder of Elder Zhao's caliber, we'll be perfectly safe."

Min Fei didn't look convinced. "Senior Brother Wei, you don't understand. The burial mounds are ancient—predating even the sect's founding. The stories say they contain the remains of cultivators from a forgotten era, ones who practiced forbidden arts."

This was genuinely interesting information. Wei Yun had studied this realm's historical records extensively before his descent but had found little about the pre-sectarian period.

"What forbidden arts?" he prompted.

Min Fei glanced around nervously before lowering his voice. "Void cultivation. They tried to harness the power between worlds. The stories say they succeeded—and that success destroyed them."

Wei Yun kept his expression neutral, though inwardly he was intrigued. True void cultivation was indeed forbidden in most realms, not out of arbitrary restriction but because it invariably led to corruption and catastrophe. If cultivators in this lower realm had actually accessed void energy, even in a limited form, the implications were significant.

"Stories often exaggerate," Wei Yun said diplomatically. "I'm sure Elder Zhao will identify the true cause of the disturbance."

Min Fei nodded, clearly wanting to believe this reassurance. "I should prepare for tomorrow. Elder Zhao will expect us at dawn."

As his companion hurried away, Wei Yun decided to visit the sect library. If there were historical records of void cultivation in this region, they might provide valuable context for tomorrow's investigation.

The library occupied one of the oldest buildings in the sect, a three-story pagoda with wind chimes hanging from each eave. Wei Yun had visited once before but had limited himself to basic cultivation manuals to maintain his cover.

The elderly librarian, Master Ju, peered at him over wire-rimmed spectacles. "Outer Affairs disciple? What brings you here? The record scrolls for town business are in the east wing."

"Actually, Master Ju," Wei Yun said respectfully, "I'm seeking historical information about the burial mounds west of Willow Creek."

The librarian's gaze sharpened. "Those are restricted records. Outer disciples have no need for such information."

Wei Yun produced the jade token Elder Zhao had given him. "I've been assigned to assist with an investigation tomorrow. Elder Zhao authorized access to relevant historical materials."

Master Ju examined the token carefully before nodding reluctantly. "Third floor, north corner. The scrolls with red bindings. Do not remove them from the library."

The third floor was deserted, lit only by spirit crystals that cast soft blue light across ancient shelves. Wei Yun located the red-bound scrolls easily—they carried a faint trace of preservation formations, suggesting their importance.

The first scroll contained basic historical information: the burial mounds dated back approximately four thousand years, predating the Falling Leaf Sect by over a millennium.

They were originally the resting place of the Seven Void Seekers, a cultivation group that had achieved significant power before mysteriously perishing in a single night.

Wei Yun unrolled the second scroll, which detailed the Falling Leaf Sect's cleansing ritual performed three hundred years ago—not one hundred as the townsman had claimed. The ritual had been led by then-Head Elder Ming, a powerful Tribulation realm cultivator who specialized in purification techniques.

The third scroll proved most interesting. It contained fragments of the Void Seekers' own writings, preserved despite attempts to destroy them. Wei Yun's eyes widened as he read their descriptions of cultivation techniques that were remarkably sophisticated for this realm's level of development.

One passage in particular caught his attention:

"The Void speaks to those who listen. Between breaths, between heartbeats, between thoughts—there lies the true power. We have tasted it now, this essence beyond existence. The Prima Void responds to our call, opening doors that cannot be closed with the same keys that opened them. Eighteen vessels we have prepared for the great transcendence..."

The text abruptly ended there, the remainder of the scroll damaged beyond legibility. Wei Yun frowned thoughtfully. Prima Void was a term he recognized from the highest celestial treaties on cosmology—it referred to the primordial void that existed before the formation of realms and worlds.

For cultivators in this lower realm to access such power was not merely unlikely but should have been impossible. The energetic barriers between cosmic layers were fundamental laws, not mere obstacles to be overcome with sufficient cultivation.

Unless...

Wei Yun carefully rerolled the scrolls and returned them to their shelf. He needed to investigate the burial mounds personally. If someone or something had indeed opened a pathway to the Prima Void, the consequences could extend far beyond a few missing villagers or disciples.

As he descended the library stairs, he found Jin Ling waiting at the bottom, arms crossed.

"Library research? You?" she asked skeptically. "I thought you were too busy running errands in town."

Wei Yun offered a small smile. "Even errand-runners can pursue knowledge."

"Hmph." She fell into step beside him as he exited the library. "I heard you're going to the burial mounds tomorrow with Elder Zhao. The entire sect is talking about the black miasma."

News traveled quickly in this small community. "It's probably just a spiritual beast or residual formation energy," Wei Yun said, deliberately downplaying his suspicions.

Jin Ling's sharp eyes studied his face. "You don't believe that. I can tell."

Her perceptiveness continued to impress him. "What brings you to the library this evening?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Research on resonance principles," she replied. "For my alchemy. After seeing what you did to Cai Feng's sword, I've been experimenting with applying similar concepts to pill refinement."

Wei Yun was genuinely surprised. "That's... quite innovative."

"It's not working," she admitted with a grimace. "I keep shattering my cauldrons. But I'll figure it out eventually."

They walked in companionable silence for a moment before Jin Ling spoke again, her voice unusually hesitant.

"Be careful tomorrow. The burial mounds... there are reasons they're forbidden to regular disciples."

Wei Yun nodded. "I appreciate your concern."

"It's not concern," she corrected quickly. "I just don't want to waste the Foundation

Stabilizing Elixir I gave you if you get yourself killed before using it."

With that, she hurried ahead, leaving Wei Yun smiling softly at her retreating form. These mortals and their reluctance to admit genuine emotions—it was endearing in its way.

---

Dawn painted the eastern sky with streaks of crimson as Wei Yun met Elder Zhao and Min Fei at the sect gates. The elder wore formal battle robes and carried a blue-tasseled staff that hummed with spiritual energy.

"Both of you, take these," Elder Zhao handed each disciple a protective talisman. "If we encounter anything dangerous, activate them immediately. They'll transport you back to the sect."

Min Fei clutched his talisman like a lifeline. Wei Yun tucked his away politely, knowing he would have no need for such protection but appreciating the elder's caution.

They descended the mountain path as the morning mist swirled around their ankles. Elder Zhao set a brisk pace, clearly wanting to reach the burial mounds before the town fully awakened.

"Elder," Wei Yun ventured as they walked, "may I ask what you expect to find?"

The elder glanced at him appraisingly. "Most likely a spiritual beast that has absorbed death essence from the mounds. The 'speaking void' is probably just the wind through hollow bones or a beast mimicking human speech."

"And the dissolving victims?" Min Fei asked nervously.

"Corrosive venom or spiritual poison," Elder Zhao replied confidently. "Nothing a Nascent Soul cultivator can't handle."

Wei Yun nodded respectfully but remained unconvinced. The fragments he had read from the Void Seekers' writings suggested something far more significant than a mutated beast.

They passed through Willow Creek quickly, drawing curious stares from early-rising townspeople but stopping for no one. Beyond the town's western edge, farmland gave way to wild forest, and an ancient path barely visible beneath centuries of undergrowth led toward their destination.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Wei Yun noted the gradually thinning wildlife. Birds fell silent, insects disappeared, and even the vegetation became sparse and sickly. The air grew heavier, carrying a subtle wrongness that raised the hairs on mortal flesh.

Min Fei's face had paled considerably. "Elder, the spiritual energy here feels... twisted."

Elder Zhao nodded grimly, his staff glowing brighter as he channeled protective energy around them. "Death essence lingers in places of mass burial. Stay close."

Wei Yun extended his divine sense cautiously, probing the surrounding area. What he detected was not merely death essence but something far more concerning—tiny fractures in the fabric of reality itself, like hairline cracks in a porcelain vase.

The forest opened suddenly into a clearing where seven earthen mounds rose from the ground, arranged in a perfect heptagram. Ancient stone markers, their inscriptions long worn away by time, stood at the entrance to each mound.

"The burial mounds of the Seven Void Seekers," Elder Zhao murmured, raising his staff defensively as they entered the clearing. "Stay alert."

Wei Yun immediately noticed the black substance clinging to the vegetation at the clearing's edge—not mist as the reports had suggested, but something more like oil or ink that moved with unsettling purpose, flowing against gravity.

"Elder!" Min Fei pointed with a trembling finger. "There!"

A body lay half-submerged in the black substance near the central area between the mounds. From the yellow robes, Wei Yun recognized one of the missing inner disciples. The body was partially dissolved, black tendrils boring through flesh and bone like hungry worms.

Elder Zhao's expression hardened. "Stand back." He raised his staff, blue light blazing from its tip as he channeled purification energy toward the corpse.

The black substance recoiled from the light, withdrawing from the body with an audible hissing sound. As it retreated, Wei Yun caught a glimpse of something beneath the disciple's dissolved ribcage—a small, pulsing object that was neither flesh nor bone.

"Elder," Wei Yun called out, "there's something inside the body."

Elder Zhao approached cautiously, maintaining his protective barrier. With a gesture of his staff, he lifted the object from the corpse—a perfectly smooth black stone the size of a plum, its surface rippling like liquid despite its apparent solidity.

"A void stone," the elder whispered, his face paling. "Impossible. They were all destroyed centuries ago."

Wei Yun's interest sharpened. "What is a void stone, Elder?"

Before Zhao could answer, the stone pulsed violently. Cracks appeared in its surface, leaking the same black substance they had seen throughout the clearing. Elder Zhao quickly encased it in a containment formation, but not before several drops fell to the ground.

Where they landed, reality itself seemed to warp. The grass twisted, growing and withering simultaneously, while the air above the drops shimmered like heat rising from summer stones.

"We need to leave," Elder Zhao commanded, his voice tight with suppressed fear. "This is beyond a simple investigation. The Head Elder must be informed immediately."

As they turned to retreat, a low moaning sound emerged from the largest burial mound. The ground trembled, and cracks appeared in the ancient earth.

"Run!" Elder Zhao shouted, pushing the disciples ahead of him. "Use the talismans!"

Min Fei fumbled for his talisman, his hands shaking so badly he nearly dropped it. Wei Yun deliberately hesitated, curious about what was emerging but unwilling to blow his cover by showing no fear.

The largest mound split open like an overripe fruit, and from within rose a figure that defied mortal comprehension. It had once been human—perhaps one of the original Void Seekers—but now existed as something between matter and emptiness. Its form shifted constantly, parts of it fully corporeal while others were transparent or missing entirely. Where its face should have been, there was only a swirling vortex of the black substance.

"The void... hungers..." The words came not as sound but as invasive thoughts, forcing themselves directly into consciousness.

Elder Zhao slammed his staff into the ground, creating a barrier of blue light between the entity and the disciples. "Go now!" he commanded.

Wei Yun grabbed Min Fei's arm. "Activate your talisman!"

The young disciple finally managed to channel energy into the protective charm, disappearing in a flash of light as the transportation spell whisked him back to the safety of the sect.

Wei Yun hesitated, watching as Elder Zhao confronted the entity. The elder's Nascent Soul cultivation flared impressively, azure light battling against encroaching darkness.

"You too, Disciple Wei!" Zhao shouted, visibly straining against the void entity's power.

The rational choice would be to follow Min Fei back to the sect, maintaining his cover as a mere Foundation Establishment disciple. But Wei Yun's curiosity about this anomalous breach in cosmic layers outweighed caution.

"I'll help you, Elder!" he called, moving to Zhao's side.

The elder's eyes widened in shock. "Are you mad? This is beyond you! Use your talisman!"

The void entity surged forward, tendrils of non-existence lashing out against Elder Zhao's barrier. Where they connected, the spiritual energy sizzled and dissolved like paper in acid.

Wei Yun made his decision. He would reveal a fraction more of his power—enough to save the elder and potentially gain valuable information about this void incursion, but not enough to completely blow his cover.

He stepped forward, drawing on perhaps one-millionth of his true cultivation. To Elder Zhao, it would appear as though Wei Yun had been hiding his true cultivation level— perhaps at Core Formation or even early Nascent Soul—but nothing truly extraordinary by this realm's standards.

Golden light erupted from Wei Yun's palm as he pressed it against Elder Zhao's barrier, reinforcing the weakening formation. The light carried a distinctly different quality from normal cultivation energy—purer, more fundamental, as if drawn from the very source of creation rather than refined through mortal meridians.

"What... what cultivation is this?" Elder Zhao gasped, feeling his formation suddenly stabilize and strengthen beyond its original capacity.

"A technique I learned in my travels," Wei Yun replied vaguely. "Elder, we need to contain that entity before it fully materializes."

The void being recoiled from Wei Yun's golden light, its formless face twisting in what might have been recognition—or fear.

"You..." The invasive thoughts came again. "You are not... of this realm..."

Wei Yun ignored the entity's words, focusing instead on analyzing its structure. It was indeed a partial manifestation from the Prima Void, but something was anchoring it to this world—the void stones, most likely. If they could destroy or contain those anchors, the manifestation would lose its foothold.

"Elder Zhao," Wei Yun said with calm authority that momentarily made the elder forget their respective positions, "the stone you contained is sustaining this entity. We need to find the others."

Understanding dawned in the elder's eyes. "The seven mounds—there must be a stone in each."

They worked together, Wei Yun subtly guiding the elder's actions while appearing to follow his lead. As Zhao created containment formations, Wei Yun reinforced them with his golden energy, ensuring the void entity couldn't interfere.

One by one, they extracted void stones from each burial mound, each pulsing with the same malevolent energy as the first. The void entity howled in that silent, mind-penetrating way as each stone was contained, its form becoming less stable with each extraction.

After securing the sixth stone, Elder Zhao turned to Wei Yun with newfound respect and curiosity. "Your cultivation... you've been hiding your true level."

"Now is perhaps not the time for such discussions, Elder," Wei Yun deflected smoothly, gesturing toward the final mound.

As they approached the seventh mound, the void entity made its desperate move. It collapsed into itself, becoming a swirling vortex of non-existence that lunged directly at Elder Zhao. The elder's barrier shattered under the concentrated assault, and black tendrils pierced his chest before Wei Yun could intervene.

"Elder!" Wei Yun moved with carefully controlled speed—fast enough to catch the elder's falling body but not so fast as to appear impossible for an exceptionally talented Core Formation cultivator.

Elder Zhao coughed black ichor, his eyes wide with pain and fear. "The final stone... you must..."

Wei Yun gently lowered the elder to the ground, examining the void corruption spreading through his meridians. It was severe but not immediately fatal—with proper treatment, Zhao could survive.

The void entity hovered nearby, its form now unstable and fluctuating wildly without the support of six of its anchors. It seemed torn between attacking Wei Yun and defending the final void stone.

Wei Yun decided on a calculated risk. He channeled more of his power—perhaps one hundred-thousandth of his true cultivation—and formed a golden sword of pure energy in his hand. To observers, it would appear to be an exceptionally powerful spiritual technique, perhaps a lost legacy or secret art, but still within the theoretical capabilities of this realm's cultivators.

"Return to the void," Wei Yun commanded, his voice resonating with authority that transcended mortal cultivation hierarchies.

He struck with precise control, severing the entity's connection to the material world while carefully avoiding any display of his true cosmic-level techniques. The golden sword passed through the void being like sunlight through shadow, disrupting its already unstable manifestation.

The entity shrieked silently, its form disintegrating into scattered wisps of black energy that quickly dissipated. Wei Yun wasted no time, moving to the final burial mound and extracting the seventh void stone. He encased it in the same golden energy, creating a containment formation far more sophisticated than those formed by Elder Zhao but not impossibly so.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Wei Yun returned to the injured elder. Zhao's breathing had grown labored, black corruption spreading visibly beneath his skin.

"Disciple Wei..." he managed, eyes filled with questions. "How did you..."

"Save your strength, Elder," Wei Yun advised, placing his hand over Zhao's heart. He channeled healing energy, carefully calibrated to appear powerful but not miraculous. "I will explain everything once we return to the sect."

The elder's eyes drifted to the seven contained void stones. "Those must be... delivered to the Head Elder... immediately."

Wei Yun nodded, gathering the containment formations into a single spatial pouch. "Can you travel, Elder?"

Zhao struggled to sit up, determination overcoming pain. "I must. This threat... greater than you know."

As Wei Yun helped the elder to his feet, a slow clapping sound echoed across the clearing. Both turned to find Envoy Frost from the Celestial Sword Sect watching from the treeline, her white hair gleaming in the morning light.

"Most impressive, Disciple Wei Yun," she said, her cold eyes assessing him with new interest. "Or should I say, Core Formation Expert Wei? Perhaps even nascent Nascent Soul cultivator?"

Wei Yun's expression remained calm despite the complication. "Envoy Frost. What brings you to this dangerous location?"

She smiled thinly. "I never left the region. Something about you intrigued me." Her gaze shifted to the spatial pouch containing the void stones. "And now I see my instincts were correct. A mere outer disciple defeating a void manifestation and saving a Nascent Soul elder... quite the tale."

Elder Zhao straightened despite his injury, protective instinct overriding his weakened state. "This is Falling Leaf Sect business, Envoy Frost."

"Is it?" Her eyebrow arched delicately. "Void manifestations concern all major sects. The Alliance Protocols are quite clear on that point." She extended her hand. "The void stones should be transferred to the Celestial Sword Sect for proper containment."

Wei Yun stepped slightly forward, partially shielding the injured elder. "The protocols also state that artifacts discovered within a sect's territory remain under that sect's jurisdiction until formal council review."

Envoy Frost's eyes narrowed, reassessing Wei Yun yet again. "You seem remarkably wellversed in Alliance law for an outer disciple."

"I read extensively," Wei Yun replied simply.

A tense silence stretched between them, broken only by Elder Zhao's labored breathing. Finally, Envoy Frost inclined her head slightly.

"Very well. I will accompany you back to your sect to ensure these dangerous artifacts are properly secured." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "And to continue our discussion about your... reading habits."

As they made their way back toward Willow Creek, Elder Zhao leaned heavily on Wei Yun for support. The elder's voice was weak but determined as he whispered, "She won't let this go. The Celestial Sword Sect will demand answers about your cultivation."

"Let me worry about that, Elder," Wei Yun replied quietly. "Focus on your recovery."

Zhao studied him with pain-clouded eyes. "Who are you really, Wei Yun?"

Wei Yun smiled enigmatically. "Simply a disciple who wishes to learn at his own pace."

Behind them, Envoy Frost watched their hushed conversation with calculating eyes, her spiritual sense probing unsuccessfully against Wei Yun's perfectly maintained disguise.

The sun climbed higher as they emerged from the forest, illuminating Willow Creek in the distance. Townspeople stopped their morning activities to stare as the procession passed—the injured elder supported by the outer disciple, followed by the imposing envoy from a superior sect.

Whispers spread quickly: The burial mounds had been cleansed. Elder Zhao had been injured but saved by the mysterious new disciple. The Celestial Sword Sect had taken interest in their small town's affairs.

By the time they reached the mountain path leading to the Falling Leaf Sect, a crowd had gathered to watch their ascent. Among them stood Jin Ling, her sharp eyes taking in every detail of Wei Yun's seemingly disheveled but actually carefully maintained appearance.

As their gazes met briefly, her expression shifted from worry to suspicion to something like grudging admiration. Wei Yun allowed himself a small smile in return before continuing the climb, aware that his carefully constructed identity as an unremarkable disciple had just shattered beyond repair.

The game had changed. His cover as a completely ordinary disciple was compromised, but perhaps that had been inevitable. Now he would adapt, presenting himself as a talented but still comprehensible prodigy rather than the cosmic entity he truly was.

As the sect gates appeared before them, Wei Yun felt a surprising emotion stir within him— anticipation. For the first time in millennia, he couldn't perfectly predict what would happen next. These mortals, with their complex societies and surprising adaptability, continued to create novel situations even for one who had witnessed the birth and death of universes.

Perhaps that was why he had descended to this lower realm in the first place—not merely to escape the stagnation of omnipotence, but to rediscover the simple joy of uncertainty.