Li Meirong tentatively glimpsed downward to inspect the painting, but couldn't find any special clue hidden within it. All she saw was just the simple shape of a wide tree bearing a few round fruits, nothing more.
Also, why did she even need to find this tree to discover her identity? She already knew who she was.
She raised her head and gazed at the Sage warily. "Why are you telling me all this? Is there a purpose for your visit?"
"What if I were to say that I am merely curious about your existence?"
"Then I would wonder if there is a reason for you to deceive me." replied Li Meirong curtly.
The Wise Sage smiled wistfully, but unlike before, it seemed genuine. "Child, your shoulders may be narrow, but a heavy weight rests upon them. Your nature is ideal for cultivating slowly and peacefully. In fact, I would have liked to take you in as my disciple, were the circumstances different. However, that is not to be your way. Your destiny's path has already been paved."
'He makes it sound like I'm somehow responsible for the fate of the world…' Li Meirong reflected, feeling apprehensive.
"So you're telling me it was my destiny to die and come here?" Her voice had picked up a frantic note. "Can you tell me the reason why I'm here?"
"Nay." The Wise Sage slowly shook his head. His expression turned grave, his round eyes solemn. "Your existence in this world might be coincidental, but it is certainly unparalleled. You must remember what I tell you, Child. No matter what happens, do not abandon the fox. I fear the consequences might be disastrous should you choose to do so. Do not stray from the path the universe bestowed upon you."
"Wise Sage, do you mean my fox spirit, Snowball? If so, then don't worry, I have no intention of abandoning him. But what sort of path is it that I'm supposed to follow?" Li Meirong asked, bowing her head. "Please explain everything properly."
The Wise Sage blinked in surprise. "Snowball? This… who is this 'Snowball'? How come I do not know?"
"I thought you knew everything..."
The Wise Sage's lips stretched thin in his annoyance. "Well, I do not know anything about a 'Snowball'."
Li Meirong's expression turned gloomy. Could this Wise Sage be anymore confusing?
Thunder suddenly roared in the background like a dark omen.
The Wise Sage nearly yelped uncharacteristically. He got up and paced back and forth, rubbing his neck in a repetitive motion. "Child, I shall not stay for long. Remember what I told you."
Li Meirong likewise rose from her seat and spread her arms wide as if to block his path from leaving. "You aren't going to just leave now, are you? You barely gave me any information! Can you–"
The weather became strangely fickle. Even though it was the middle of a sunny day, clouds unexpectedly gathered into a coat of grey, and a rumbling thunder soon followed.
The heavens expressed their rage like an enraged beast who had woken from its slumber to roar once more.
The Wise Sage nervously glanced into the distance before turning back and signaling Li Meirong to stay quiet.
His short, wobbly figure gradually became more and more transparent as he replied, "Silly child, what you need to know, you already know. What must happen is bound to happen. Perhaps one day, we shall meet again under better circumstances." his voice faded into a whisper. "Remember not to stray from the path."
The rest of Li Meirong's words died in her throat as the self-proclaimed Wise Sage disappeared in a cloud of smoke and shadow.