Fan Yi furrowed his brows at Wu Lingtian. “…That’s so light.”

“They would learn.”

Fan Yi glanced at the disciples. “But they almost killed you.”

Wu Lingtian turned to look at Fan Yi. His face read “do I look like I would die from that?”

Fan Yi received the message loud and clear. He nodded and dismissively waved his hand. “Go to the library and study the creatures.”

The disciples who were previously terrified of Wu Lingtian showed a grateful expression. They hurriedly thanked their sect leader and then more sincerely thanked this lord immortal before sprinting towards the library, happy that their sentence had been reduced by so much.

Fan Yi clicked his tongue. “They are far too happy.”

Wu Lingtian glanced at Fan Yi, but didn’t bother saying anything else. It was always a waste of breath talking to him anymore than he needed to.

Fan Yi gestured for Wu Lingtian to stand off to the side as he met up with Li Qing to get a full account of what had just happened. Fan Yi glanced back at Wu Lingtian as he spoke, but Wu Lingtian opted to ignore the other man’s gaze with his head turned away from them. Moments later, Fan Yi returned to Wu Lingtian’s side with a flattering smile.

“Let’s get you some clothes and a nice bath.”

Wu Lingtian observed Fan Yi’s expression with a lazy glance, but he followed Fan Yi nonetheless.

“Shall I carry you?”

“No.”

“Why not? Isn’t it uncomfortable to walk without shoes?” Fan Yi questioned.

Wu Lingtian glanced down at his bare feet. The sense of embarrassment he felt from earlier had completely dissipated along with his recovery from unexpectedly seeing Fan Yi here. “No.”

“Oh,” Fan Yi didn’t seem disappointed at all by Wu Lingtian’s short responses. Instead, he walked with his head turned so that he could watch Wu Lingtian as they traveled back down to his home. Neither men spoke but neither found it necessary to speak either.

“You aren’t going to ask me anything?” Fan Yi finally questioned.

“Is there anything to ask?”

“I mean, I would think there are lots to ask,” Fan Yi said. “For example, you could ask how  I knew to save you. Or you could ask why I saved you at all. You could also ask what happened to you and how long you’ve been unconscious. Or you could ask what happened to Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect.”

“Oh.”

“Not going to ask?”

“I am not interested.”

Fan Yi’s steps slowed. He stared at the back of Wu Lingtian’s head before quickly catching up again. “Why is that?”

“I am aware of my actions and the consequences,” Wu Lingtian said. “As for why you saved me,” Wu Lingtian glanced at Fan Yi, “If you want to use me, I will find out eventually. If it was merely because you are kind, then I do not need to worry about it.”

Fan Yi was stunned for a moment before a chuckle left his throat. “Yu Lan, you sure are strange. You aren’t even afraid if I wanted to use you?”

“You saved my life; therefore, my life is yours.”

Fan Yi chuckled, though the amusement didn’t reach his eyes. “Don’t say that.”

Wu Lingtian continued walking without a response.

“Then, do you want to stay?” Fan Yi asked.

Wu Lingtian lazily glanced at Fan Yi.

“I will feed you and cloth you and raise you until you’re nice and plump,” Fan Yi joked. “I’ll give you a home.”

Wu Lingtian slowly looked away. His expression was the same as it always was. “I do not need a home.”

The soft hum of the cicadas overtook the silence. The sun beat down gently amidst the gathered clouds. A shadow was cast across Wu Lingtian’s face as the pair walked beneath a cloud on their way down the grassy slope. Fan Yi observed Wu Lingtian, taking in the dullness of his eyes.

“But I will stay,” Wu Lingtian concluded. “In any case, in this world, there isn't anywhere I need to be."