Out of fear of death, Invest Everything into Health

"Greetings, Ancestor." Shangli and Baiyu both performed a Dao salute, speaking in unison.

The person who had come was the Celestial Venerable Zizai—Great Freedom Official, Celestial Venerable Zizai.

Celestial Venerable Zizai sat in midair, with long legs crossed, looking indifferently at the two.

"The more you act, the more mistakes you make; the more mistakes, the more you act. A small hole has been needlessly turned into a big mess by you. Celestial Venerable Mihua is a demon cultivator, serving as a warning to others. Just kill him; why wait until the Demon Extermination Bureau comes knocking to show how wrong you are? Everyone can see through this blatant strategy, yet you two choose to rush into it rather than avoid it."

Celestial Venerable Shangli dared not breathe heavily,

"But Celestial Venerable Mihua himself is innocent."

"He was a demon cultivator from the beginning, even if he didn’t realize it himself. His essence is that of a demon cultivator. Since you cannot change that, why not be decisive? Or do you think you can break the situation? You’ve exhausted your means and find yourself wallowing in mud—arrogant, overconfident, and foolish."

Celestial Venerable Shangli dared not rebut, accepting the criticism honestly.

Celestial Venerable Zizai then looked at Celestial Venerable Baiyu, who twitched slightly,

"You did nothing wrong; you simply couldn’t defeat Fan Wubing."

Celestial Venerable Baiyu breathed a sigh of relief, though he felt somewhat aggrieved. He believed he had done his best, and without Fan Wubing, those decisions could never have been smoothly implemented.

Celestial Venerable Zizai said,

"So, tell me your response strategy."

Celestial Venerable Shangli recounted the plans discussed previously with Celestial Venerable Baiyu.

Celestial Venerable Zizai laughed,

"Did getting hit hard finally clear your mind?"

Celestial Venerable Shangli relaxed. The Ancestor’s words indicated approval of their plan.

Celestial Venerable Zizai stood up and said,

"Follow your plan then, cut off the East Continent. As for Fan Wubing, someone will handle him. As for Jiang Sha’s side..."

She said indifferently, "Others are singing and dancing beside your pillow, yet the Shangjing Immortal Dynasty sleeps peacefully through it. Will they only open their eyes if the backyard catches fire?"

"Ancestor, I severely injured Guan Xin; shouldn’t we give an explanation to Wenxin Heaven?"

"Explanation?" Celestial Venerable Zizai said apathetically, "We will address it when they come to demand one."

Celestial Venerable Baiyu hesitated but eventually spoke up,

"Ancestor, Fan Wubing seems to care a lot about Fu Manman. Shouldn’t we carefully consider Fu Manman’s situation in White Jade Capital?"

Celestial Venerable Zizai’s eyelids lowered slightly,

"Manman is very important to us."

Shangli and Baiyu were shocked, understanding the significance of the Ancestor’s "important."

Celestial Venerable Baiyu cautiously asked,

"In the capacity of an Executor?"

Celestial Venerable Zizai’s light brown pupils flashed with a faint light,

"Executors are not important."

With those words, she turned and left.

Shangli and Baiyu exchanged glances, bewildered. If even the Executor of the Heavenly Dao was not important... what kind of existence could Fu Manman be to be called truly important?

The two did not dwell on this further, quickly immersing themselves in their respective affairs.

Nowadays, time is of the essence in White Jade Capital.

...

Before Celestial Venerable Zizai, Fu Manman, who always felt herself tall and full-figured, appeared particularly small.

She barely reached Celestial Venerable Zizai’s breast, needing to crane her neck to see her face clearly.

They sat at the edge of the Infinite Sea, a corner at the world’s edge.

Fu Manman gazed at the endlessly vast sea, saying softly,

"Celestial Venerable, I’m still unable to make up my mind."

Celestial Venerable Zizai’s attitude towards Fu Manman was entirely different from her demeanor with Shangli and Baiyu. She smiled kindly,

"Human beings in this world cannot escape feelings and love."

Fu Manman lowered her head, "I don’t understand. Clearly, I was the first to meet him, spent the longest time with him, and exchanged feelings first. But, why can’t it culminate into success? I can never be completely honest with him, despite my deep yearning, every time there’s an opportunity, I end up avoiding it."

Celestial Venerable Zizai’s long fingers gently touched Fu Manman’s temple, tidying her messy hair,

"Are you afraid of something?"

"I don’t know either." Fu Manman clutched her chest, "But this fear has grown increasingly intense recently. Every time I see him, I can’t help but feel heartache. I want to be with him, but it feels agonizingly painful."

"Perhaps you are gradually feeling his path."

"What is his path truly like?"

Celestial Venerable Zizai said,

"In this world, most people’s existence holds no discernible significance; only a few are born bearing an unfinished mission. Perhaps after billions of years of evolution, his existence was crafted. And his path is destined to bear the cost of these billions of years of transformation."

"What will happen to him?" Fu Manman asked, feeling distressed.

"He will die," Celestial Venerable Zizai said emotionlessly, "whether he succeeds or fails, death is inevitable. Because only in death does his path truly reach an end."

Fu Manman was lost in a daze,

"How... why is it like this?"

"Such is the end of destiny’s path. He battles against destiny. Even if he succeeds, he becomes destiny itself and ceases to be Fan Wubing. The further he progresses, the less significance he holds as Fan Wubing." Celestial Venerable Zizai looked at Fu Manman, "And you, love Fan Wubing, not his destiny. Is that correct?"

Fu Manman spoke quietly,

"I love him; I don’t want to lose him."

"Therefore, you must know where his destiny begins and where it ends. Carry him, escape destiny’s shackles, and you won’t lose him."

Fu Manman gazed at the endless Infinite Sea,

"Is the answer in this sea?"

"Yes, this sea leading to the Destiny Dao is the most precious legacy left to us by Dao Ancestor." Celestial Venerable Zizai said warmly, "Love can transcend time and space. Only someone who loves him deeply like you can seek his traces in this chaotic and disorderly sea. And this chaotic and disorderly sea always easily changes individuals; only you who control the Eternal Dao can maintain your sense of self."

Fu Manman said sadly, "I can’t bear to leave everyone."

Holding the camera gifted by Zhuge Hong, she looked at the photos of herself with others.

"Do you want to see them?" Celestial Venerable Zizai asked.

Fu Manman shook her head,

"If I see them, I truly wouldn’t be able to leave."

"Then, don’t go; we can find another way."

"No!" Fu Manman said forcefully, "I don’t want to lose him; I don’t want to watch him lose himself and become a victim of destiny! I must pull him out of destiny’s cage."

Celestial Venerable Zizai laughed,

"Frankly, I think this is somewhat impulsive. But young people are always impulsive."

"He changed me and saved me. Without him, I might have died in the shadows long ago. At that time, he hadn’t even truly fallen for me." Fu Manman said, "Doesn’t someone like him deserve my sacrifice?"

The initial meeting at age four bore greater weight in her heart than the subsequent travels with Fan Wubing.

After leaving the Phoenix Dynasty, she didn’t go to the East Continent but searched for the reason behind her unease each time she saw Fan Wubing.

Celestial Venerable Zizai’s appearance offered clarity to her confusion.

For the first time, she touched the concept of "destiny," the first time she realized the future Fan Wubing must face.

After realizing this, she could no longer stand beside him and speak about marching forward together in good conscience. Because she knew very well, such as she was, she wasn’t qualified.

If no change was made, she would be submerged instantly beneath destiny’s tide.

Therefore,

"I’m ready!"

Fu Manman stood up and walked towards the Infinite Sea, holding Zhuge Hong’s gifted camera tightly.

Celestial Venerable Zizai watched her back,

"Remember, maintain your sense of self!"

Fu Manman’s figure gradually disappeared into the endless Infinite Sea.

Celestial Venerable Zizai’s gentle eyes turned slightly oppressive as she whispered,

"Make sure to come back."

She closed her eyes, asking silently,

"Master, please tell me if my choice was right?"

No one answered this question.

Later, she opened her eyes, suppressing all personal emotions to return to indifference.

She extended a finger to lightly touch the boundless Infinite Sea, watching it disappear like a mirage.

She looked up at the brilliant stars, murmuring,

"Wandering into the Peach Blossoms Forest... what does it truly mean?"