I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

"That really happened? How... how does he know your name?" Zhou Muzhi asked.

Xiaoli bowed her head. "Sect Leader, I do not know why."

"And he asked you to brew him a cup of Moxiang Siming Tea?"

"Yes."

"That tea is crafted using a special technique. Only our Four Principles Sect possesses it. The method was passed down by our Founder, and its name alludes to our ’Four Principles and Four Clarities.’ How could he possibly know that?"

Xiaoli knew Zhou Muzhi wasn’t asking her, but was just thinking aloud to sort through his thoughts, so she remained silent.

As Zhou Muzhi pondered, his long brows were deeply furrowed, and a persistent shadow lingered in his eyes.

Outsiders only saw the Four Principles Sect’s immense prosperity, a scene of vibrant success. Its six Core Formation members were all thriving, and since the Core Formation Masters were still young, reaching the Nascent Soul realm was a distinct possibility.

Externally, the Four Principles Sect had many friends and no enemies. The Shengxia Sect was a loyal ally, and even the colossal Qingxu Commerce Association showed the sect considerable favor.

But as the Sect Leader, he alone knew how many traps and perils lay on the road ahead.

Never mind distant threats; just consider the storm brewing within the sect itself.

At some point, a rumor began to circulate within the sect: that the Founder had left behind a Nascent Soul Spiritual Object, and that he, Zhou Muzhi, had secretly taken it for himself.

Just think how vicious that rumor was.

Many years ago, they were just orphans, satisfied to have a sect to call home and build a life.

But now, they had learned to scheme for power and personal gain...

Zhou Muzhi couldn’t help but recall something the Founder had once said offhandedly during a lesson: People always change.

Very few can remain true to who they once were.

With a soft sigh, Zhou Muzhi pushed his thoughts aside. "Come. Accompany me to meet him."

"Yes."

Just as he stood up, Zhou Muzhi let out a puzzled, "Hm?"

"What is it, Sect Leader?" Xiaoli asked, confused.

Zhou Muzhi composed himself and smiled faintly. "It’s nothing."

’Just now, I felt a subtle change in the sect’s Mountain Protection Array... Was it my imagination?’

He wasn’t an Array Master; he only held the Array Plate by virtue of being the Sect Leader, so he couldn’t be certain.

"This is terrible!" A disciple came running over, shouting in a panic, "Sect Leader, this is terrible!"

"What is all this panic? It’s unseemly! Calm down and speak slowly!" Zhou Muzhi chided, displeased.

"Sect Leader," the disciple said, still looking terrified, "the Founder’s personal sword and two Tier Four Treasures... they suddenly started moving on their own and flew away!"

"What?" Zhou Muzhi forgot all about propriety. "What exactly happened?!"

"I don’t know, I really don’t know! All of a sudden, the Founder’s personal sword and the two Tier Four Treasures started flying about wildly, then they smashed through the palace where his relics are enshrined and flew off!"

Hearing this, Zhou Muzhi grew even more vexed. He shot the disciple a harsh glare, then said to Xiaoli, "Come with me. Let’s take a look."

Xiaoli followed him. After a few steps, she realized Zhou Muzhi was heading neither toward the palace enshrining the Founder’s relics nor to the guest room where Master Sui Xiao was staying. Puzzled, she asked, "Sect Leader, where are we going?"

Zhou Muzhi said nothing.

He walked around to the back of the Sect Leader’s residence, toward a small stone house that very few people knew about—the central hub of the Mountain Protection Array.

"Wait for me here." Zhou Muzhi told Xiaoli to stay outside the stone house as he went in to take a look.

Zhou Muzhi emerged a moment later. Xiaoli noticed that although the Sect Leader was feigning a relaxed air, there was a flicker of worry in his brow that only someone who knew him well would spot.

’What’s wrong with the Sect Leader?’

"Let’s go meet our guest." Zhou Muzhi offered a smile that he likely thought was perfectly normal, but to anyone familiar with him, it looked deeply worried.

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Xiaoli had been an obedient child, so even after losing her parents, there were always a few people willing to help her out, allowing her to scrounge up enough food to keep from starving.

That was until Li Fei discovered she had an aptitude for Cultivation. Before that, her life had been by no means good, but it was still better than that of many of her peers.

Unfortunately, after she began her Cultivation, she discovered that her aptitude was merely average, and her Comprehension was nothing special either.

The hope of her ever reaching Core Formation in this lifetime was slim.

Other children who were adopted around the same time and were about her age had already achieved Core Formation, yet she was still stuck, having only just entered the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

But Xiaoli was already content.

Back when she was a teenager, spending most of her days with an empty stomach, she could never have imagined living such a good life.

Seeing Zhou Muzhi’s worry, she felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her own heart.

She was the last person who wanted to see the sect fall into trouble.

It was her home, the place where she lived. It was also her final destination, the place where she would be buried when she died.

’It’s a shame...’ Xiaoli blamed herself. ’I don’t train hard enough, my Cultivation is too low. Now that the Sect Leader is worried, I can’t do anything to help.’

Xiaoli silently followed Zhou Muzhi to Master Sui Xiao’s room.

The moment she stepped inside, Xiaoli was dumbfounded.

’What is going on?’

The Founder’s relic, the Jinhuan Flying Sword, along with the other two Tier Four Treasures, were all dancing in the air around Master Sui Xiao, seemingly overjoyed.

Xiaoli rushed forward, shouting, "Don’t you dare touch our Founder’s relics!"

"Xiaoli!" Zhou Muzhi stopped her, his expression grim and solemn. He took a step forward. "These are the relics of my sect’s Founder. Why are they here with you? I wonder if you could provide an explanation? If you hold the Four Principles Sect in contempt, then our several hundred Cultivators will not hesitate to fight to the death! Even if your Magic is powerful, the disciples of the Four Principles Sect have never known fear and will defend the sect’s honor with our lives!"

Du Youqian looked at this child... yes, he’d known Zhou Muzhi when he was just a boy.

Seeing this dignified man now, Du Youqian could still picture the face of that stubborn, wary boy.

He couldn’t help but smile. "Sanlang... Zhou Sanlang, do you remember why I gave you the name Zhou Muzhi?"

Zhou Muzhi staggered back a step in disbelief. His eyes flickered with shock and doubt, yet a thrill of excitement stirred deep within him.

His mouth felt dry and his tongue thick. "You... you’re..." he said, his voice trembling involuntarily.

Du Youqian said with a gentle smile, "I told you that among all the children, you were the most steady. I said that if I were to leave one day, and Li Fei was no longer around, I hoped you could take care of this big family, protect everyone from being bullied, and allow them to stand tall and with dignity in this world. That’s why I named you Muzhi. The disciples are the flock, and you are the shepherd I chose."

Zhou Muzhi could no longer contain himself. Tears streamed down his face as he fell to his knees. "Founder! You’ve come back! Just now, I felt the Grand Array tremble slightly, as if it were rejoicing, and I thought it was strange. Founder!"

He knocked his head heavily against the floor. "We respectfully welcome the Founder’s return!"

It was Xiaoli who remained wary. She tugged on Zhou Muzhi’s sleeve but couldn’t move him. Resigned, she turned to Du Youqian and asked, "Then what about me? Why didn’t you give me a name?"

Du Youqian gave her an amused look. "Because Xiaoli is a lovely name! Everyone had gotten used to calling you that over the years, and you were so insistent on not changing it that I had no choice but to drop the matter."

Xiaoli was somewhat convinced, but not entirely. She asked timidly, "Then... the sword technique you used to kill Wen Wuxin. Can you still perform it?"

Du Youqian shook his head with a small smile. At a point of his finger, the Jinhuan sword instantly stopped its dance, now radiating a grim, murderous intent.

A sharp, unstoppable Sword Intent pricked at Xiaoli’s skin, making it ache.

She was so frightened she immediately dropped to her knees, crying out, "Founder, please withdraw your Divine Abilities!"

"This is the Broken Water Sword Intent," Du Youqian said calmly. "You’ve practiced for so long yet still haven’t comprehended it. I’m a little disappointed."

Xiaoli said defensively, "This disciple’s aptitude is poor. I spend all my time on Cultivation."

Du Youqian chuckled. "Does chatting with Xiaosu and Xiaowei count as Cultivation? If so, you are indeed a diligent cultivator."

Xiaoli’s face flushed. She lowered her head, all doubts in her heart vanishing completely.

Zhou Muzhi wiped away his tears. With bloodshot eyes and a hoarse voice, he said, "Founder, I implore you to take back the position of Sect Leader and lead the Four Principles Sect to glory!"

Du Youqian smiled and shook his head. "Why would I become Sect Leader again? You’re doing an excellent job. I only require a quiet room to cultivate in peace. If the sect encounters any trouble, I will naturally intervene."

Although he trusted Zhou Muzhi, it was best to make certain things clear. After all, hearts were fickle.

Telling Zhou Muzhi up front that he wasn’t here to seize power would reduce unnecessary friction.

Zhou Muzhi certainly wouldn’t dare to openly defy him, but if he were to drag his feet on certain matters, the results would be far worse than if he acted with enthusiasm.

Zhou Muzhi tried to persuade him a few more times, but seeing that Du Youqian’s attitude was resolute, he said no more.

"By the way, where has Li Fei been all these years?" Du Youqian asked.