Rain Butterfly shook her head and chuckled, "This is the first time, but I trust your skills."

Gu Sheng skewered processed camel meat and golden-armored lizard onto iron sticks and began slowly turning them over the flames. The meat gradually turned golden and tempting under the fire's roasting, releasing waves of enticing aroma.

Night fell, and the starry sky sparkled brightly. The two sat by the campfire, enjoying the delicious roasted meat and the peace of the night. The firelight illuminated their faces, making the scene exceptionally warm and harmonious.

"You know, my favorite thing as a child was stargazing," Rain Butterfly said as she gazed up at the sky, her eyes reflecting her yearning, "Back then, I always fantasized about flying up there to explore those unknown planets."

Gu Sheng looked up in response, seeing countless stars that seemed within reach. He smiled and said, "Perhaps one day, we really will fly to the stars and venture into those uncharted realms."

The two continued chatting, sharing stories and dreams. The night breeze gently carried away the fatigue and dust of the day, leaving only beautiful memories and boundless imagination.

Suddenly, a gust of fresh wind passed through, causing the oasis' leaves to flutter softly, as if whispering secrets. Gu Sheng and Rain Butterfly exchanged a smile, continuing to relish this rare moment of peace.

"By the way, has there been news about your little sister who was kidnapped by pirates?" Gu Sheng suddenly recalled something Rain Butterfly had mentioned earlier.

Rain Butterfly gently shook her head, "No, it's been many years. We've never stopped searching for her, but there's been no news." Her tone carried a trace of helplessness and sorrow.

Gu Sheng reached out and gently held Rain Butterfly's hand. "Don't worry. I believe that one day you will reunite." His voice was tender and resolute, as if dispelling all shadows.

Feeling the warmth and strength from Gu Sheng's hand, Rain Butterfly's sorrow lightened a little. "Thank you, Gu Sheng." She smiled gratefully.

The two continued sitting by the campfire, chatting, eating roasted meat, and gazing at the beautiful starry sky… until late into the night, when they reluctantly returned to rest.

The night deepened, and the Butterfly Shadow vehicle silently traversed through the Void. Gu Sheng and Rain Butterfly slept soundly inside, while the vehicle's intelligent system drove automatically, requiring no manual control. By the time they awakened, the horizon was already tinged with twilight, and the vehicle had traveled tens of thousands of miles.

Gu Sheng woke up and activated his Divine Thought, scanning the surrounding environment. Suddenly, his Divine Thought lingered on a nearby ruin, where a human skeleton lay.

"Rain Butterfly, let's go take a look," Gu Sheng said.

The Butterfly Shadow vehicle gently descended, and the two approached the skeleton. Gu Sheng examined it closely, finding that it was weathered significantly but retained traces of being a monk. Beside the skeleton, he discovered a Storage Ring.

Gu Sheng used his Divine Thought to probe into the Storage Ring, finding Buddhist scriptures and monk-related items inside. He speculated that the monk might have encountered misfortune during a journey.

"Let's keep going and see if we can uncover any clues," Rain Butterfly suggested.

The two boarded the Butterfly Shadow vehicle again and continued forward. Along the journey, they discovered more skeletons sporadically, most of them monks, with a few merchants and Martial Artists. These remains seemed to be pointing toward the same direction.

After flying for thousands of miles, a green oasis appeared before their eyes. At its center, a sparkling lake shimmered like a colossal emerald embedded within the desert. Around the lake, verdant trees shaded the area, flowers filled the air with fragrance, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding desert. This place seemed like an Immortal Realm, suffused with tranquility and charm.

"It's beautiful!" Rain Butterfly exclaimed, "Let's go down to take a look."

The Butterfly Shadow vehicle landed beside the lake, and the two stepped out, captivated by the scenery. They strolled along the lakeshore, admiring the rare beauty.

Suddenly, Gu Sheng's gaze was drawn to an ancient temple on the far side of the lake. The temple stood majestically, weathered by countless ages yet still robust. Above its grand entrance, a plaque with the words "Ahans Temple" hung prominently.

Exchanging a glance and a smile, they decided to visit the ancient temple. Crossing the small bridge over the lake, they arrived in front of Ahans Temple.

They pushed open the heavy doors, greeted by an ancient ambiance. The temple was bustling with incense offerings, its solemn Buddha statues inspiring reverence. Gu Sheng and Rain Butterfly wandered through the temple, immersed in a sense of serenity and dignity.

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence: "Brother Gu Sheng, it's been a while!"

Gu Sheng followed the voice to see a bald man approaching them. Looking closely, he exclaimed, "Lin Tianhao, what are you doing here?"

Lin Tianhao smiled faintly, "I've transcended worldly attachments and embraced monastic life. My Dharma name is Mingxin."

Gu Sheng and Rain Butterfly were taken aback, not expecting to encounter an old friend nor foresee Lin Tianhao choosing the path of a monk.

"What brings you here?" Mingxin asked.

Gu Sheng recounted their experiences, and Mingxin listened intently before nodding, "I see. You two have a karmic connection with Buddhism."

The three of them conversed deeply within the temple as Mingxin shared stories and philosophical lessons from Buddhism. Both Gu Sheng and Rain Butterfly felt enlightened.

Finally, Mingxin escorted them to the temple's entrance and said, "The road ahead is long. May you have a safe journey."

After bidding Lin Tianhao farewell, Gu Sheng and Rain Butterfly descended Ahans Temple's stone steps, arriving again at the tranquil shores of Ahan Lake. The golden hues of the setting sun spread across the lake surface, blending harmoniously with the emerald waves to create a luminous spectacle.

"It's truly breathtaking!" Rain Butterfly remarked as she gazed at the lake in the glowing sunset.

Gu Sheng paused beside her, his gaze stretching toward the horizon where the sunset dyed the sky in vivid crimson and gold. The shimmering lake surface sparkled like countless golden stars. He took a deep breath, feeling the fresh breeze and serenity brought by the lake.

"Indeed, the sunset here is stunningly intoxicating," Gu Sheng murmured, with a hint of melancholy. "Back in the day, Lin Tianhao and I roamed the Jianghu together. He was then full of ambition and elegance, even somewhat imperious. Now, he's chosen to become a monk—truly, time and destiny have their ways!"

Rain Butterfly turned to him, noticing the complex emotions flickering in his eyes. She knew that Gu Sheng shared a profound bond with Lin Tianhao and naturally felt sentimental about seeing his friend undergo such a transformation.

"Actually, being a monk isn't so bad," Rain Butterfly said softly. "In Xiwu, many powerful figures have been monks or Taoists. That's merely one stage along the long path of cultivation. They can enter or exit worldly affairs freely—perhaps that's precisely what Lin Tianhao seeks."

Gu Sheng smiled faintly at her remarks and nodded, "You're right. Everyone has their own path to choose. It's just that meeting an old friend and not being able to feast on meat or drink merrily together feels like a bit of a shame."

Standing side by side, they quietly admired the sunset over Ahan Lake. The golden water seemed to mirror their silhouettes and sentiments. At this moment, they felt as though they'd become part of the picturesque scene—merging with heaven, lake, and sunset into a harmonious tableau.

The sunset gradually dipped away, and twilight enveloped the land. Yet Gu Sheng and Rain Butterfly remained entranced by the scenery, reluctant to leave, as if they wished to forever treasure this perfect harmony in their hearts.

A gentle breeze skimmed the lake, stirring ripples. Rain Butterfly gently tugged Gu Sheng's sleeve and said, "It's getting late—we should go."

Gu Sheng snapped back to reality and nodded, "Indeed, it's time for us to move on."

As night deepened, Gu Sheng and Rain Butterfly returned to the enigmatic Butterfly Shadow vehicle. Its spacious interior resembled a small sanctuary, elegantly arranged and equipped with all necessities, akin to a cozy inn.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.