Volume One: All Things Awaken, Four Seasons Forever Spring Chapter Thirty-Eight: Nighttime Drink in the Small Pavilion, Thoughts of Departure

At this moment, the yacht’s cabin resembled a living hell. Though Zhuo Yue was a scoundrel undeserving of pity, Mo Wen had become the scapegoat in this ordeal.

“Teacher, I’ve fallen into their trap!”

Picking up his phone, Mo Wen called Zhao Tiansheng with a bitter tone. Shortly after, Zhao Tiansheng arrived, soaring through the air. Mo Wen recounted the events that had just transpired.

Zhao Tiansheng pondered for a while, then patted Mo Wen’s shoulder and spoke earnestly, “Listen, kid. The younger generation of the Zhuo family showed me disrespect, spoke wildly, and engaged in indecent acts on the yacht. I executed them with a single sword strike!”

Before Mo Wen could react, Zhao Tiansheng grabbed him like a chick and brought him back to the dock. With a flick of his hand, the Sword Dog flew into his palm, and he casually waved it toward the yacht.

A terrifying surge of sword energy destroyed the yacht in an instant. Explosions erupted, and flames roared.

“Stop!”

From the night sky, a figure shot down like a falling star, swiftly descending before them. Upon seeing Zhao Tiansheng, the newcomer clasped his fists respectfully.

“Zhuo Wu of the Zhuo family, greets Senior Zhao!”

Under the illumination, Mo Wen could vaguely see the man’s features—a hooked nose, piercing gaze, and a powerful aura, unmistakably from the Realm of Breaking Illusions.

Zhao Tiansheng sheathed his sword and stood with hands behind his back, nodding indifferently, his tone cold.

“What brings you here?”

Zhuo Wu’s face showed fear as he looked at the burning yacht, but he forced himself to speak, “The family head instructed me to rescue Zhuo Yue, our third-generation member.”

As he spoke, Zhuo Wu cast a hateful glance at Mo Wen. If not for his fear of Zhao Tiansheng, he would have attacked already.

Zhao Tiansheng sneered, his gaze sharp as he stared down Zhuo Wu, “Go back and tell your family head that Zhuo Yue disrespected me. I destroyed him with a single sword. I await the Zhuo family head’s arrival at the academy!”

Cold sweat broke out on Zhuo Wu’s forehead. Though he too was at the Breaking Illusions Realm, he dared not meet Zhao Tiansheng’s eyes and grew even more respectful. Zhao Tiansheng snorted, flicked his sleeve, and carried Mo Wen away into the sky.

After Zhao Tiansheng departed, Zhuo Wu clenched his fists, his face twisted in fury, and spat on the ground. “Well played, Zhao Tiansheng! The Zhuo family will never rest until we see you fall. Just wait and see!”

Mo Wen felt guilty. His own anxiety had placed Zhao Tiansheng in direct opposition to the Zhuo family. Yet Zhao Tiansheng seemed unconcerned. Returning to the small residence, he leisurely flipped through a flashy magazine. Mo Wen glanced at it and nearly burst out laughing.

Modern Lady!

Suppressing his stray thoughts, Mo Wen felt grateful to Zhao Tiansheng and wanted to seize this opportunity for a candid conversation.

“Teacher, won’t the Zhuo family’s Grand Freedom Society…”

Zhao Tiansheng waved his hand with a light chuckle, “So what? I’ve been branded a demon for over ten years. Why should I care about others’ opinions?”

Mo Wen admired him deeply. If only he possessed Zhao Tiansheng’s strength, he wouldn’t fear even the Grand Freedom family.

Suddenly, Zhao Tiansheng’s brows knitted as if recalling something, and he sighed, “Ah, I fear there are deep issues within the Buddhist sect. They scheme tirelessly to stir up conflicts—surely for some grand purpose!”

“Teacher, I’m not part of the Buddhist sect—I’m a student at the Transportation Academy!”

Mo Wen quickly clarified his stance, rebutting Zhao Tiansheng. He was surrounded by enemies; Zhao Tiansheng was his only support, and he clung to him tightly.

Zhao Tiansheng laughed and scolded him. Mo Wen steadied himself and described his experiences in the Dark Prison Realm in detail. At first, Zhao Tiansheng’s expression was indifferent, but upon hearing about the Buddhist master, his demeanor changed sharply. He suddenly grabbed Mo Wen’s wrist, carefully sensing the pure Buddhist energy within him.

After a long moment, Zhao Tiansheng released him, visibly puzzled. “Your internal energy seems fine. Why would that old monk give you all his pure energy? It makes no sense!”

Mo Wen barely dared to breathe. Zhao Tiansheng’s accidental burst of aura left him trembling.

Zhao Tiansheng fell silent, his sword brows drawn together, but eventually he relaxed. “Though I have a grudge with the Buddhist sect, I can’t deny their pure internal cultivation surpasses all other Grand Freedom families. It’s refined and potent, capable of dispelling evil and driving out toxins. You’ve inherited a true lineage of Buddhist purity, but something about this seems off. I can’t say what—it’s up to you to be cautious.”

Mo Wen grew despondent, understanding Zhao Tiansheng’s mood. No matter what, the Buddhist sect had indeed framed him. Their pure internal cultivation was traditionally passed down orally; the man certainly wasn’t a fraud, which made this all the more intriguing.

Resolute, Mo Wen knelt before Zhao Tiansheng and bowed deeply. “Thank you, teacher, for your guidance. From today onward, I will no longer claim to be the inheritor of the Tian Sheng Sword, but I will never be a Buddhist disciple!”

Mo Wen realized that staying in the metropolis would only bring trouble for Zhao Tiansheng. He had broken with the Zhuo family—what next? If the mastermind repeated their tricks, he would fall right back into their trap.

“Haha!”

Zhao Tiansheng laughed heartily, lifting Mo Wen up. His satisfaction with his disciple grew. “No need for such formality. The path I walk is arduous, perhaps even a dead end. You must think carefully about the road you will take. Otherwise, even if you reach the Realm of Breaking Illusions, you’ll still be mediocre.”

Only Zhao Tiansheng dared call a Breaking Illusions cultivator mediocre. His words struck Mo Wen deeply. Ever since he began his path of evolution, he had always gone with the flow, never considering his own direction.

He once believed he could contend with the Breaking Illusions Realm using his Divine Pivot, but before someone like Zhao Tiansheng, he was nothing more than a child playing at grown-up games.

Having decided to leave, he was about to depart when the sound of high heels clacking against the floorboards came from downstairs—Lin Xi had arrived!

Lin Xi entered with a bright smile, carrying two small jars of wine. She set them gently on the table, boasting, “Uncle Zhao, I managed to sneak these from Grandpa. I was afraid something might happen, so I brought them over in the middle of the night!”

Zhao Tiansheng smiled. Lin Xi clearly knew Mo Wen was here. After the incident at the Bund, she was worried for her lover, though her excuse was perfectly proper.

“Lin girl, you’re thoughtful. Your father is nowhere near as attentive. What was that stuff he served at the last birthday banquet? Go check the fridge and see what dishes we have. I’m hungry—make some snacks for me and this rascal to enjoy with the wine.”

Lin Xi was overjoyed—not just Mo Wen, but she herself had never received such treatment in this little house!

In less than half an hour, four exquisite dishes were set on the table. Zhao Tiansheng looked at Lin Xi, refraining from praise and instead admonished, “Aside from cultivation, Lin girl, you excel at everything else!”

Lin Xi stuck out her tongue, opened the wine jars, and poured for both men.

A rich fragrance filled the air. Mo Wen inhaled deeply; the aroma was intoxicating. He took a sip, and a wave of warmth melted in his mouth, surging through his body, stirring his energy and resonating with his divine consciousness.

“This wine!”

Mo Wen looked at Zhao Tiansheng in surprise. Zhao Tiansheng drank his cup in one gulp, smacking his lips in satisfaction. “Old Lin’s private stash is indeed impressive!”

As the cups were exchanged, Mo Wen’s senses grew hazy. He felt lighter than air, as if he were flying.

When he awoke again, soft warmth filled his embrace—he had returned to the Violet Garden.

“You’re awake!”

The sun was already high in the sky. The softness in the bed gradually became firm. Sensing Mo Wen’s change, Lin Xi instantly transformed into a beautiful knight.

Outside the window, spring sunlight bathed the breeze, and the embroidered bed in the bedroom swayed gently but did not collapse.