“My gratitude knows no bounds for the kindness of dispensing dao.” His hands cupped, Lu Yun bowed to Hua Fengwen. “Whatever debt may exist between you and I is cleared. No one owes anyone anything. If fellow daoist is willing to stay by my side, I would welcome it in the greatest. But if you would like to leave, I will not force you to stay!”

“Well…” Hua Fengwen smiled and shook his head. “Let’s talk about this later. It’s not like I can go anywhere right now, either.”

He refrained from saying anything of the future. Lu Yun nodded slowly and the two put the matter out of their minds.

After finding his path, the long dormant Method of Life and Death within Lu Yun’s body began to operate again and absorb the power of the five flames of hell. The sixth flame—the one of order—required...