Actually, Qin Zi had always been quite self-aware.
Although he acted recklessly while insulting others, deep down, he was always afraid after the fact.
Like this time.
After the Lu family was sanctioned by Ziyun Academy, he was very clear that the powerful members of the Lu family must all be itching to kill him.
So, he sensibly hid inside Ziyun Academy and didn't leave.
He stayed hidden for three months.
Of course, no one can hide forever, and Ziyun Academy wouldn't let him stay hidden indefinitely either.
"The Green Lotus Lake at Mount Beiwang will soon host a gathering of young geniuses. Our Ziyun Academy should attend. You should go along as well," a kindly elder said to him.
"Is there any way I can not go?" Qin Zi asked, his face showing misery.
"I know you're worried about the Lu family's revenge, but you can't hide forever. Besides, they won't dare do anything to you," the elder said with a gentle smile.
"How sure are you about that?" Qin Zi asked, full of suspicion.
"Ninety percent," the elder said confidently, his hands behind his back, his white beard flowing in the wind, looking every bit like a man of great wisdom.
"And what about the other ten percent?" Qin Zi pressed.
The elder's lips twitched into a sly smile, and with a wink, he said, "Well, for that last bit, just rely on luck. In this world, who can guarantee absolute safety? Even I might get hit by a falling meteor."
He patted Qin Zi on the shoulder, his face kind and wise, and said earnestly, "Junior, the greatest fear is to worry needlessly."
"There are countless dangers in this world, but remember this: the wise are never confused, the compassionate are never worried, and the brave are never afraid!"
"Break through the obstacles in your heart and take that brave step forward, for your path... is ahead!"
After speaking, the elder flicked his sleeves and walked away with a graceful stride.
His white robe fluttered, making him look like a celestial being, free from worldly concerns.
Qin Zi stood there, staring at the elder's retreating figure, deeply moved.
"The brave are never afraid… I understand now!"
He mumbled to himself, and after a moment, his eyes lit up, and the dark clouds in his heart parted.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior!" He bowed in the direction the elder had left, and then headed home to prepare for the young geniuses' gathering at Green Lotus Lake.
Meanwhile, around a distant corner.
Qin Chuan handed over several shimmering treasures to the celestial-like elder in white robes.
"Thank you for your help," Qin Chuan said.
The elder smiled humbly and replied, "Not at all, just a small favor… Feel free to find me again if you need."
It was clear that this was a well-practiced transaction.
"Of course," Qin Chuan said with a smile and a nod.
The elder walked away, and as Qin Chuan watched his retreating figure, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself—this world really was full of oddities.
That elder had the appearance of an immortal, yet he had the thick skin to make a living as a "spiritual guide."
And surprisingly, he was quite effective!
"People are funny. When they hit a mental block, they tend to shut themselves off. That's why those close to them often can't break through. Only the words of a stranger can help them move forward."
"And such strangers… are what we call 'guiding lights.'"
Qin Chuan smirked as he mused to himself.
Who would've thought that being a 'guiding light' had become a profession?
Though, considering how expensive it was, the title seemed appropriate!
…
A few days later.
Outside the gates of Ziyun Academy, a massive flying vessel appeared.
The vessel had emerged from the sleeve of one of the elders and continued to expand until it became a towering behemoth.
"Father, I'm really going now."
At the academy gates, Qin Zi said his farewells to Qin Chuan for the third time before finally boarding the massive flying vessel.
Because this was a gathering for the younger generation, the older generation of strong cultivators wouldn't attend, so as not to make the young ones feel too restrained.
On the flying vessel.
Many people were already standing there, prepared and ready to go, all waiting for Qin Zi.
He was the last to board, having dragged things out the longest. After all, he was still feeling a bit nervous, which made his goodbyes drag on.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting," Qin Zi said awkwardly, clasping his hands in apology.
On this vessel, he had the weakest cultivation—while the others were at least Fourth Heaven Saints, he was the only Second Heaven Saint.
Initially, Qin Zi wasn't even on the list to attend the Green Lotus Lake gathering at Mount Beiwang because his cultivation was too low.
But…
He had a father who was determined to see his son succeed and had quietly pulled some strings behind the scenes to get him added to the list.
Ziyun Palace Master, knowing Qin Chuan's status, simply turned a blind eye.
"Alright, let's set off."
The most powerful among them, a cold-faced young man dressed in golden robes, gave a slight nod and activated the flying vessel.
Qin Zi vaguely recognized this golden-robed youth, knowing him only as a fellow personal disciple named Jin Zhi.
Soon after, the other senior brothers and sisters on the ship gathered around Qin Zi, greeting him with enthusiasm.
"Junior Brother Qin Zi, I've heard so much about you. Your achievements are truly impressive."
"So, what was Starshatter Academy like? Was it as magnificent as our Ziyun Academy?"
"To be honest, I was thinking about going to block their gates back in the day. But some of their demon geniuses were just too strong, and I wasn't confident. I was afraid I'd die over there."
"Junior Brother Qin Zi, I've heard you come from a Fragmented Continent. Can you tell us what it's like there?"
At first, Qin Zi wasn't used to the attention.
But gradually, he began to relax.
Standing at the center of the group, he started talking freely about life on his Fragmented Continent, like a storyteller with a silver tongue. His stories were full of humor, from magical fruits to quirky customs, captivating his audience.
The golden-robed youth, Jin Zhi, glanced over several times, seemingly wanting to join in the conversation.
But each time he opened his mouth, he caught someone's eye and quickly turned his head away, swallowing his words.
As a result, his expression grew colder, and he stood alone at the bow of the ship, arms crossed, gazing into the distance.
"Why doesn't Senior Brother Jin come join us?" Qin Zi asked quietly, looking at the lonely figure.
One of the others whispered back, "That's just how Senior Brother Jin is—he's a bit of a loner, not great at socializing, but he's a good person."
Another added, "Yeah, I heard he used to be a rogue cultivator before joining the academy, always moving alone."
One of the female disciples, her face turning slightly red, sighed dreamily, "But his talent… It's incredible. In some ways, he might even surpass you, Junior Brother Qin."
Qin Zi blinked in surprise.
He wanted to argue—Senior Sister, you don't know me that well! How can you make such a bold claim?
"Don't take it the wrong way, Junior Brother Qin. I know you have a solid foundation and great talent. But there are some true monsters out there… and Senior Brother Jin is one of them," she said earnestly.
Qin Zi realized he had misunderstood, and he lowered his voice. "Can you tell me what makes Senior Brother Jin so special?"
The others exchanged glances.
Then, one by one, they all sneaked glances at the figure at the bow of the ship, their expressions mysterious.
Seeing their reactions, Qin Zi reassured them, "If it's not a flaw, there shouldn't be any harm in sharing, right?"
The group thought it over and agreed.
One of them, after some thought, leaned in and whispered, "Senior Brother Jin has an incredibly vigorous life force—beyond anything you can imagine. Among our generation, no one even comes close to matching him."
"When he joined the academy, he was unstoppable. Just with brute strength, he crushed all his peers. He even went to block Starshatter Academy's gates several times, always returning victorious!"
"At first, we thought he had practiced some powerful technique or body-refining method, or maybe he was just born with extraordinary strength."
"But then, one morning, without any warning, a massive surge of energy erupted from his residence, forming an awe-inspiring phenomenon. The sight was… unforgettable."