I Come to Teach You Cultivation-Chapter 292 - 17: The Return of an Old Friend, Ancient Gods (2/3)

"It was my failure to protect them..."

The woman's— or rather, Qing He's— tearful tone was moving, yet now she was unable to shed a single tear.

For in saving Qing He's life, Ling Guzi's modifications were far from superficial— it wasn't just a mechanical lung, or some mechanical prosthetics.

In truth, Qiwa had been right all along.

Qing He was now, in essence, half a Bronze Beast— a Bronze Beast of flesh and blood.

Her greatest distinction from those Bronze Beasts was that Qing He still retained her own will.

But the commonalities of life— to shed tears, to feel weariness— these were slowly vanishing from her.

"You've already done incredibly well— no one would blame you."

Step by step, Qiwa made his way to Qing He's side. Rarely did he attempt to comfort another.

For just by looking at those looming stitches on Qing He's body, Qiwa could easily imagine what edge of death she'd clawed her way back from.

For someone who'd survived death itself, returning as something almost inhuman— 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Any reproach would be nothing but distrust and disrespect for her.

Qiwa only lacked emotional intelligence, not character; so naturally, he wasn't one to kick another when they were down.

"It really is my fault."

Slowly turning her eyes, Qing He's indifferent expression clashed chillingly with the grief she now felt.

"If I'd been willing to make Talisman Launchers, if I'd been willing to bring in Bronze Beasts..."

"My village wouldn't have ended up like this— everyone but me, their fates unknown."

On hearing this, Qiwa understood instantly the source of her guilt.

Though starting four or five years ago, with the gradual spread of the 'Luo Book,' the Mountain People had grown used to the sight of Bronze Beasts everywhere, and those iron tubes firing Talismans—

There were still villages that, for tradition or belief, rejected these modern things.

Clearly, as the Kingfisher's most devout follower— Qing He's village was such an outlier in this new age.

Since they didn't craft Talisman Launchers, ordinary Talismans couldn't even harm Spirit Monsters or Gods.

Refusing to use Bronze Beasts had doomed Qing He's village in their final retreat, forced to watch helplessly as enemies overtook them.

"Non-crying Baby always said, anyone human will make mistakes."

"As long as you don't keep repeating the same mistake, we all grow through making them."

After a long silence, Qiwa, for all his lack of skill in comforting others, could only say this.

Qiwa didn't want to lie to Qing He—to claim this had nothing to do with her.

So he wracked his brain, pulling from something Li Boyang once said; choosing a phrase best suited to this moment.

"But this mistake I made... the cost is far too steep."

To think of all those villagers she'd lived with— gone, not a single intact body left to find.

To think of the children who, just days before, dreamed of the future by her side— only to be swept away by the waves, or swallowed by Sea Beasts or Sea Demons.

Qing He's sorrow and remorse were uncontrollable, threatening to drown her.

"Then get your revenge!"

All at once, Qiwa's words redirected her thoughts.

"If you truly can't find a reason to keep living, then let vengeance drive the rest of your days!"

"Blood for blood, eye for an eye— that's what Non-crying Baby taught me."

Qing He stared, blank, at Qiwa's earnest face.

For a long time, she was silent— until somewhere, deep inside, the deathly stillness began to awaken again.

"Can I... really do that?"

At her question, Qiwa answered, firm and unyielding.

"Being able is different than being willing— don't you want revenge for your family?"

...........................

Meanwhile, outside the Li Family Village.

Following close behind Li Boyang, Xiluo was deeply curious about the 'old friend' he'd mentioned.

After all, Xiluo had watched Li Boyang grow up; she knew everyone he'd ever met or spoken with.

Xiluo just couldn't imagine which 'old friend' would appear now— and bring news about the South Sea.

"The rain... could it be...?"

As Xiluo's eyes widened in disbelief—

The rain in the sky suddenly coalesced into a body; a white-haired elder materialized before her eyes.

The old man wore hides, yet his frame was strikingly robust.

As he strode slowly out from the rain—

The weather, once overcast and rainy, instantly cleared; as if it had never rained here at all.

"It really is you! Rain Master?"

Grinning, waving to Xiluo, Rain Master then turned his gaze to Li Boyang, standing closer.

"It's been ages, Li Boyang."

Looking at Rain Master with his own hint of surprise, Li Boyang finally found his words.

"I never imagined you'd achieve such immense progress in just a few years."

"To turn yourself into rain itself— wherever rain falls, you can arrive in an instant. That's the power of a Celestial God."

"Yet you became a Celestial God and still kept your physical body..."

"No, not simply kept your body..."

"Even if this is just an incarnation, I sense the vast Life Essence Qi within you."

Nodding in agreement with Li Boyang, Rain Master kept smiling as he replied,

"You once told me, only the path most suited to oneself is truly the best. This road is what suits me now."

"The one regret is, I never managed to use that Perception Technique to cultivate a Primordial Spirit— so I won't know firsthand its mysteries."

He spoke this as if regretful, but from Rain Master's expression, he clearly didn't feel remorse for his choice.

"There are three thousand Dao— the one I walk isn't the only true path; Primordial Spirit isn't some necessity."

"Instead, I'm quite curious how you managed to reach your current level."

Faced with Li Boyang's curiosity, Rain Master hid nothing.

"Because now I am both Rain Master Shangyang, and the Eye of the North Sea."

"I came this time specifically to tell you how to quell this catastrophe."

Glancing at the Celestial Destiny Bone Armor cradled in his palm, Li Boyang merely raised an eyebrow, though he understood instantly.

"Eye of the North Sea?"

"Seems your recent years have been legendary!"

"Then, in that fleeting glimpse I caught of those beings— was that you among them?"

Rain Master did not deny it; he stared deeply at Li Boyang.

"Correct. That Wu Yi may have stepped into the realm of the Great Celestial God, even attempting, by unprecedented means, to remake the order of heaven and earth..."

"Yet not all approve of his methods."

"Especially those ancient gods already near the domain of the Great Celestial God."

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