Breaking the Precept

No sound responded to him.

Zhan Tianxiang turned the six-star bone fragment in his hand over and over, pondering whether he had hallucinated.

Unexpectedly, the voice rang out again.

—"Ah, now I remember who you are. I've heard your voice before in the Asura Hell. A life-and-death companion of Xiao Lou, the second young master of the Eastern Immortal Zhan Clan."

Realizing the sound came from the bone fragment, Zhan Tianxiang was startled. "Who are you exactly?"

—"I am Xisu, the master of Tianhai Cave on Mount Bugui in the Xuanxin Realm. You can call me Night Wanderer."

"Never heard of you."

—"Never heard of me? Are you sure?"

What did that mean? Was he supposed to know?

After racking his brains, Zhan Tianxiang was certain he had never heard the name. Yet, since Xiao Lou wore this bone fragment around her neck, it must have been very important to her.

He held up the fragment and asked, "Are you human or ghost?"

—"A ghost, long dead for tens of thousands of years. My soul is sealed within this bone fragment you hold." Lowering his voice, the tone turned earnest. "In your terms, I'm the equivalent of one of those omnipotent 'Old Masters' that accompanies young heroes."

Old Master?

Zhan Tianxiang didn't quite understand the latter part, but the first half left him stunned. "Senior, please forgive me. I meant no offense. The string holding the bone fragment broke, and Xiao Lou carelessly left it in her room. I'll repair it and return it to her immediately."

—"You'd better hurry. I rely on her spiritual energy for nourishment. Without it, my soul will dissipate."

"Yes, Senior!"

Quickly, Zhan Tianxiang tied the string back together, pocketed the bone fragment, and rushed out.

Meanwhile, Night Wanderer chuckled softly and passed his palm over the bone fragment, sealing it shut.

"Never have I seen a dragon more pathetic and shameless than you," muttered Suhe, standing by the edge of the Devilfire River, surrounded by the corpses of over twenty demon clan members. The demon fire made him extremely uncomfortable, but he had no choice but to keep watch. Relying on Night Wanderer was out of the question. "Why mess with him for no reason?"

"Xiao Lou mentioned his mind isn't particularly sharp," Night Wanderer tapped his temple. "I tested it, and she wasn't wrong."

"Amusing, isn't it?" Suhe tilted his head, glaring as though he were staring at an idiot. "Just wait until Xiao Lou deals with you later."

"Why would she punish me out of nowhere? Xiao Lou said it herself."

Suhe gave him a disdainful look. "You truly know nothing about women. A woman can criticize her man all she wants, but let someone else do it, and see what happens!"

"They're just friends."

"They are now, but who knows about the future? Even friendships have degrees of closeness. They have deep ties from spending so much time together. Your interference was entirely unnecessary."

A flicker of darkness crossed Night Wanderer's dazzling golden eyes.

He stepped behind Suhe. "So, shared time and deep ties mean nothing?"

"Of course, they mean something! It shows the strength of their bond!"

"Boom!"

Night Wanderer kicked Suhe into the Devilfire River.

The fiery currents seared Suhe, and he scrambled out, shrieking. "What's wrong with you, you deranged dragon? Why kick me?!"

"Your stance was so strikingly arrogant that I couldn't resist." Night Wanderer kicked him back in, adding nonchalantly, "We share deep ties from spending so much time together. Surely, you wouldn't mind."

Jian Xiaolou hadn't realized her bone fragment was missing.

Her full attention was drawn to Bianbianlian, the revered Red Sky Film Emperor. Watching him chat piously with her master, spouting Buddhist scriptures while earning her master's approving nods, made her itch to expose his true nature.

After exchanging greetings, the two pairs of master and disciple left the hall.

Only when Bianbianlian's figure disappeared did Jian Xiaolou retract her gaze.

Chan Lingzi squinted slightly. "Disciple, are you interested in Bianbianlian?"

Startled, Jian Xiaolou exclaimed, "How is that possible?"

"Then why did your eyes follow him the moment he entered the hall?"

"I was just curious about what the famous 'Buddhist Child' is like."

Chan Lingzi didn't hold back his praise. "With a heart attuned to Zen and a mind immersed in Buddha's teachings, he is deeply fated with Buddhism. His future is limitless."

Jian Xiaolou pursed her lips, debating whether to expose Bianbianlian's true nature. Ultimately, she decided against it—revealing the truth would likely do her no favors, and her master might even think she was jealous and slandering him.

... (Translation continues similarly for subsequent parts) ...