I looked over and, with a start, noticed a pool of water below the waterfall, and by the pool, a simple thatched hut.
Its construction was crude, appearing as if made from planks haphazardly joined together, with a messy scattering of straw on top.
However, what drew my attention was not the house, but a figure sitting by the waterfall.
It was an old man, seated cross-legged. In front of him was a stone table, upon which sat a pot of tea and two cups.
As my gaze swept over the elder, my expression shifted slightly, and I instinctively blurted out, "Muzhe?"
"I didn't expect you to come after all..." Muzhe's voice sounded a little dejected. He then sighed and beckoned me, "Come, sit, let's chat for a while..."
Although I was somewhat perplexed by what had happened, I didn't say much, walking directly to the stone table and taking a seat.
Muzhe seemed in no hurry. He picked up the teapot, poured me a cup of tea, then refilled his own, took a slow sip, and placed the cup on the stone table. "It seems you're planning to teach the Mu Shen Jue to others, aren't you?"
Hearing this, my heart gave a slight jolt, and I nodded. "Yes, my situation is not optimistic. I need a relatively strong force..."
"But have you considered the consequences?" Muzhe looked up, his face etched with wrinkles, devoid of any expression.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, bewildered. "I haven't taught them the complete Mu Shen Jue, and these people are within my control. If they have any ill intentions, I can stop them immediately!"
"That's not the reason," Muzhe shook his head. "I believe you know very well that in your world today, there haven't been cultivators for countless years. For many, cultivation is merely a legend..."
I nodded. In the real world, under a worldview that emphasizes science, cultivation felt like a fanciful tale.
"Back then, after all the cultivators disappeared together, it took countless years to finally erase the memory of cultivators from several generations. This was a good thing for us," Muzhe said. "By teaching the Mu Shen Jue, you are essentially reawakening people's understanding..."
"Bringing cultivators back into people's sight!" Muzhe declared.
"This..." For a moment, I didn't know what to say. After hesitating, I continued, "I am currently on a deserted island. Besides the people around me, no one else will know about cultivators..."
"Some things don't need to be seen to happen!" Muzhe said. "This world operates on cause and effect..."
"Cause and effect?" I frowned.
"Precisely. You have now begun teaching the Mu Shen Jue, so you have sown the cause. As for what kind of effect it will bring, it doesn't manifest only when seen. The effect already exists the moment you sow the cause!" Muzhe explained.
Hearing this, my face grew grim. "Does this mean that what I've done will bring about terrible disasters?"
"I don't know," Muzhe shook his head. "If I knew, I wouldn't have let you teach the Mu Shen Jue to others. Perhaps what you're doing is a good thing..."
I felt a sense of confusion but didn't know where to start the conversation, so I sat there awkwardly, in silence.
"Let me ask you a question." Muzhe looked at me. "You have now cultivated the Mu Shen Jue, and you are also teaching it to others..."
"So, are you prepared?"
"Prepared for what?" I asked.
"If this matter triggers some unknown consequences, do you have the courage to bear those consequences?" Muzhe inquired.
Hearing this, I fell silent.
To be honest, my initial intention was simply to allow Luo Yaqin to cultivate as well.
After all, I was encountering many dangers now, and I needed her to have some ability to protect herself.
Later, Lin Chun and some others gradually came along.
But if I were to be precise, when I first taught Luo Yaqin, it already counted as teaching it to someone else.
Did I not have the right to teach her?
"I don't believe protecting the people around me is wrong," I slowly exhaled. "If bearing the consequences is necessary to protect those I cherish..."
"Then, no matter what those consequences are, I will accept them without hesitation!" I said with a stern voice.
Hearing this, Muzhe slowly exhaled. A faint smile appeared on his aged face. "You little brat, you've got a silver tongue for all those grand speeches..."
"But this old man likes listening to them!"