Leave it to me.

Tianyan Sect's Great Hall.

Lv Xuan and the others watched Chu Xingchen and Runan walk outside. They claimed to let the people inside continue the discussion, but everyone knew that the two who could actually make decisions had gone out to confer.

Those remaining in the hall could only face each other in silence. Those in the mood could drink a cup of tea, while those who weren't just sat there without saying a word.

The development of the situation had far exceeded the imagination of the Buddhist Buddhas—whether it was the Mortal Buddhas or the Karma Buddhas.

Time passed in silence.

After an unknown amount of time, which felt rather long to everyone, the two finally returned, sincere smiles on their faces, walking side by side into the hall.

Everyone looked over, seeing how harmonious the two appeared.

Chu Xingchen entered the hall and was the first to speak:

"Then it is settled. In the future, when my injuries have healed a bit, I will definitely visit the Great Thunderclap Temple to discuss the Great Dao with you, Daoist Friend."

Daoist Friend?

In the short time they were outside, the form of address had changed from 'Revered Buddha' to 'Daoist Friend'?

The Buddhas turned their gazes to Runan, whose face bore an equally gentle smile.

Runan gave a slight nod, revealing a warm expression that none of the Buddhas had ever seen before, and said:

"Naturally, I will sweep the floors to welcome my Daoist Friend."

Hearing Runan actually respond with the words 'Daoist Friend', everyone's expressions became quite colorful.

Chu Xingchen let out two heavy breaths, looking slightly exhausted as he said:

"The matter is completely settled. The tasks to be done will be mainly handled by my eldest disciple, and I will supervise. If Daoist Friend finds anything amiss, there is no need for hesitation; just speak directly. Seeking common ground while reserving differences is the long-term path."

Runan's eyes lit up slightly at these words—seeking common ground while reserving differences?

As he savored the phrase, he replied:

"That is natural. Daoist Friend's injuries have yet to heal, and you have expended much spirit today, so I shall not trouble you further. I will handle the remaining matters."

Chu Xingchen nodded repeatedly: "Good, then I will leave it all to Daoist Friend."

Saying that, Chu Xingchen beckoned for Xie Lingyu to support him, then gave a slight bow to bid Runan farewell.

Runan returned the bow: "Take care, Daoist Friend."

Chu Xingchen chuckled lightly, then walked out of the hall with Xie Lingyu.

Only when their figures had completely disappeared did Lv Xuan slowly speak: "I presume, regarding the matter Chu Xingchen proposed, Revered Buddha has agreed?"

"Yes."

Runan looked back, his expression toward Lv Xuan also softening a bit. It seemed he now found this Sect Master, who used to disgust the Buddhist sect, a bit more pleasing to the eye and less detestable than before.

Lv Xuan felt a bit uncomfortable under Runan's sudden gentle gaze. He couldn't figure out what Chu Xingchen had said to Runan... to cause such a drastic change.

Could it be that Chu Xingchen had agreed to some other conditions with Runan outside?

After all, with Bai Xuanling as a precedent, selling out the Sect Master was faster than anything else—acting like 'I only negotiate, it's not like I have to do the work'.

If Chu Xingchen picked up this bad habit, wouldn't the one suffering be himself, the Sect Master who actually had to do the work?

Lv Xuan thought for a moment before asking: "Did Chu Xingchen agree to anything else with Revered Buddha outside the hall? So that I may act accordingly."

"He did not agree to anything else. What was discussed inside the hall is what was discussed outside," Runan denied. Seeing Lv Xuan's somewhat hesitant expression, he chuckled and said, "I merely chatted with Daoist Friend Chu about other matters."

Lv Xuan nodded slightly, then said:

"That is good..."

Runan also nodded gently.

Ruzhong, standing to the side and seeing Runan's softened expression, couldn't help but shake his head with a laugh.

His laughter drew the side-glances of the other Buddhas...

Runan naturally noticed Ruzhong's laughter and looked over at him.

Ruzhong blinked slightly, as if to say—you felt it too, didn't you?

"Are you alright?"

On the way back to the peak, Xie Lingyu asked with concern: "Is Runan plotting anything?"

"Ah, Runan and I are bros now," Chu Xingchen waved his hand with a leisurely look. "We had a great talk. Who knows, maybe my good brother will invite me to the Great Thunderclap Temple to become sworn brothers, and then I can be the second-in-command of the Buddhist sect."

Hearing this, Xie Lingyu couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head:

"You really know how to spout nonsense."

"The highest form of warfare is to attack the enemy's strategy; don't underestimate the power of spouting nonsense," Chu Xingchen said, rubbing his chin. "When Runan and I become sworn brothers in the future, won't Wukong and Yuan Kong have to call me Grand-uncle? Xu Jin and Yuyang will have to call me Martial Uncle too, right?"

As they chatted, the two arrived at the Loving Family Peak, landed, and headed toward the inner courtyard.

Listening to these words, Xie Lingyu said helplessly:

"Sworn brothers indeed... If Runan ever finds out your true purpose, he might just hang you on the gates of the Great Thunderclap Temple and whip you every day."

Chu Xingchen waved his hand in disgust:

"Eww... Lingyu, your tastes are so heavy."

"I learned it all from you."

"You blame me for learning bad things? Lingyu is a big rascal!"

"You're the big rascal!"

Xie Lingyu raised her hand and lightly struck at Chu Xingchen.

Chu Xingchen quickened his pace to dodge Xie Lingyu's hand, then turned around and raised an eyebrow at her with a very provocative look.

Xie Lingyu naturally didn't let him off, stepping forward to chase him.

Seeing this, Chu Xingchen quickly ran toward the hall, but just as he entered the courtyard, his hurried footsteps stopped, and his provocative look turned into a gentle smile.

"Acting won't work!" Xie Lingyu didn't stop her movements, her tone certain.

Chu Xingchen often used the trick of pretending someone was there to trick her into stopping. If Xie Lingyu really stopped, she would be laughed at again—'Mere Lingyu is truly cute'.

Xie Lingyu walked over quickly, reaching out to pinch Chu Xingchen's arm and give him a good tweak.

But just as her hand touched him, before she could pinch, she heard Bai Xuanling's teasing voice:

"Oh, did I come at a bad time? Am I interrupting your loving moment?"

Xie Lingyu's movements froze, and she looked with a slightly awkward expression at Bai Xuanling, who was sitting alone in the courtyard sipping tea.

Chu Xingchen glanced sideways at the slightly blushing Xie Lingyu:

"See? You should trust me once in a while, right?"

Hearing this, Xie Lingyu glared fiercely at Chu Xingchen.

Chu Xingchen playfully hooked his arm around Xie Lingyu's shoulders and looked at Bai Xuanling with a relaxed expression:

"Naturally, you came at a bad time. Lady Lingyu and I were just flirting. Next time you hear voices, please leave automatically to give us young people space to freely express ourselves."

Xie Lingyu's face turned even redder at his words, and she extended a finger to gently poke Chu Xingchen's waist, signaling him to stop saying such things!

Bai Xuanling clicked her tongue twice upon hearing this and said:

"Alright, alright, since that's the case, I'll take my leave."

Saying that, Bai Xuanling leisurely stood up.

Seeing this, Chu Xingchen hurriedly said:

"Just joking. Young people like us should be able to take a joke."

Bai Xuanling snorted lightly at his words:

"Looking at your appearance, Runan must have been completely fooled by you, right?"

Chu Xingchen said with a righteous face:

"What do you mean fooled? That's the trust between good brothers."

"Whatever you say," Bai Xuanling glanced over. "The beginning has been made, but you won't have such an easy time from now on. Are you fully prepared?"

Xie Lingyu was stunned by these words and looked at Chu Xingchen with surprise and doubt.

However, she saw that Chu Xingchen had put away his playful expression.

His tone was calm and steady.

"Just leave it to me."