Chapter 102: Two Brothers.
Fang Tian hesitated, then asked softly, "Brother... was your master really an immortal?"
Fang Yuan let out a soft laugh, warm and wistful.
"No... not truly an immortal," he said. "Just a mortal man who had long transcended mortal desires. He lived simply... found joy in the quiet things. That’s why I called him the Thousand-Faced Immortal."
Because he never had a name, Fang Yuan added silently. And I was only his disciple because... no matter what face he wore, I kept finding him.
He lifted his gaze to the skies where birds glided freely beneath the golden sun.
His voice dropped to a murmur.
"But one day I disappointed him and failed him as a disciple. But he still left me that ring, something to remember him by."
Fang Tian turned to him with quiet eyes. "Then, Brother... if this ring meant so much to you, why—"
But Fang Yuan raised a hand, gently cutting him off.
"Because I’m stuck here," he said, his voice firm but not bitter. "And strong enough now that I don’t need it anymore."
He stepped forward and placed a steady hand on Fang Tian’s shoulder, his smile faint but full of pride.
"You’re the one heading out into the world now. And the world’s not nearly as kind as it looks from the mountains. You’ll need it more than I ever did."