“You can’t come with me.” Su Yi shook his head. “It wouldn’t be good for you.”

When he said this, he seemed to sense Wen Xinzhao’s despondency, so he added warmly, “Xinzhao, don’t tell me you haven’t realized it? When I’m here, I can shield you from wind and rain, leaving you nothing to fear. However, I’ve made your path too smooth. Inadequate tempering will only hurt you.

“And I cannot protect you forever. That’s true for you, and it's true for the others too. It’s only if I leave that you can truly rise to prominence and learn to stand on your own. If you live under my protection forever, it’ll only hurt your cultivation.”

Earlier, Wen Xinzhao was indeed a bit despondent. 

But when she heard this, she nodded instinctively.

She said softly, “Brother Su, you’re absolutely right. I won’t lie to you: lately, I’ve felt completely useless. Whenever anything happens, you resolve it for me. I haven’t experienced any trials at all. As pleasant as it is, it’s true that my path lacks tempering.”

When she said that last part, she couldn’t help but feel a bit sheepish.

Su Yi laughed. “I’m just glad you understand. Why is it that factions of cultivators arrange...