The commotion caused by the demon race in the mortal realm was growing larger and larger.

Gufeng Mountain began to bustle with activity. Disciples intensified their cultivation to improve their abilities, while the master uncles couldn’t even be seen anywhere. The matter of Gui Diao Tang’s resurrection had everyone on edge. Zanxing had made up her mind several times to reveal the entire truth, but was always interrupted. The longer the time dragged on, the less confident she became.

This evening, she sat in her room, taking inventory of the treasures in her Qiankun Bag.

Currently, she had one Wuyou Stick, one copy of the Peerless Heart Sutra, various uncommon talisman papers, plenty of yuanqi pills, and then there was Qinghua Xianzi’s inheritance. Among these, Qinghua Xianzi’s inheritance was most precious, but Qinghua Xianzi’s cultivation was too high; many techniques she couldn’t practice yet and could only slowly comprehend, which slowed down her cultivation progress.

As she was thinking, Hong Su came in carrying a set of dresses and skirts, smiling: “Miss, quickly change your clothes.”

Zanxing was puzzled: “It’s not evening yet, and I haven’t bathed. Why change clothes?”

Hong Su widened her eyes: “Today is your birthday! Did you forget again? Immortal Xuan Lingzi said he would host a banquet at Duoluo Terrace to celebrate for you.”

Zanxing was startled. She had indeed forgotten about the evening’s social obligations. These days, everyone in the sect was busy with demon race matters. Between cultivating and having to watch the begonia flower mark on her palm, her mind hadn’t been on this.

Hong Su placed the dress beside Zanxing: “There will be many people today. Young Master Gu, Young Master Mu, and the others will all be there. You should dress prettily and not be as casual as usual.”

Zanxing sighed and resignedly picked up the dress before her. In truth, she wasn’t in the mood for this right now.

Hong Su was skilled with her hands. After Zanxing changed clothes, she also did her hair. Finally, looking admiringly at the mirror, she said: “Miss, the scars on your face have become very faint. I imagine in another month or two, they’ll completely disappear. Immortal Li said it would take two years to heal the wounds, but actually, it won’t take that long. That’s fortunate.”

Zanxing looked at the young woman in the mirror, suddenly feeling a sense of unreality. When she first arrived here, she had been disfigured by “Yu” and came to the Taiyan Sect to preserve her life. Step by step, afterward, so much time had passed unknowingly. She didn’t know when she had grown accustomed to life on Gufeng Mountain. Though the black scars on her face had faded, something deeper had been left behind.

She just didn’t know how much longer such days could last.

Hong Su pinned a jade hairpin for her and clapped her hands in satisfaction: “Perfect! This is complete now. Miss, let’s set off.”

…

The wind at Duoluo Terrace was as refreshingly cool as always, but the lotus flowers in Changchun Pool weren’t as lively as in days past.

After the Demon Lord’s seal appeared, disciples hurriedly cultivated all day, taking inventory of talismans and magical artifacts that could resist the demon race. Who had the mood for romantic pursuits?

However, there were always some exceptions.

On one side of Changchun Pool stood a massive azure stone. The stone platform was both wide and long, with a flat surface, spread with an entire golden banana leaf. This banana leaf was a treasure Xuan Lingzi had collected for many years, given to him by a wealthy family when he traveled down the mountain. The banana leaf was embroidered with gold thread, the craftsmanship seamless. Spread on the stone platform, it served perfectly as a beautiful tablecloth, making even the snow-white porcelain plates on top seem more expensive.

The dishes on the porcelain plates were also abundant: red bean porridge, Dragon Well bamboo fungus, candied immortal peaches, osmanthus mountain chicken, golden silk crispy sparrow… Because the sect master had currently ordered the mountain sealed and disciples couldn’t go down to buy wine and food, they could only use local materials from Gufeng Mountain. Though chicken, duck, fish, and meat weren’t lacking, the mountain’s cooking methods were ultimately much more plain and healthy than those below, and at first glance didn’t look as tempting as the wine and food down the mountain.

Xuan Lingzi sat at the table, looked into the distance, and asked suspiciously: “It’s already past the appointed time. Why hasn’t Zanxing arrived yet?”

Zi Luo, seated in a lower position, smiled: “When women attend banquets, they always need to dress up carefully. Sixth Master Uncle, it’s normal for Junior Sister to arrive a bit late.”

“Not necessarily.” Mendong immediately countered: “Senior Sister Meng always arrives early to banquets and never dresses up.”

Tian Fangfang burst out laughing: “Of course! With our Senior Sister Meng’s beauty, what need is there for cosmetics… Eh,” his laughter suddenly stopped as he stared carefully at Meng Ying for a long moment. Just when Mu Cengxiao was beginning to frown, he uncertainly asked: “Senior Sister Meng, did you apply rouge?”

Meng Ying’s complexion was like snow, delicate and translucent, but today there was some pink flush on her face. At first glance, one might think she was overheated, but looking carefully, that magenta had spread like traces of rouge.

Zi Luo was also startled and looked toward Meng Ying. Everyone in the Taiyan Sect knew Meng Ying was naturally beautiful and never touched rouge or powder. Today, she had applied makeup exceptionally. She hesitated: “She did indeed use rouge, it’s just this color…”

Before she could finish speaking, they heard Zanxing’s voice from that direction: “Master Uncle! Master!”

Gu Baiying looked up and saw Zanxing walking over together with Hong Su, with Mimi following behind.

Today, she wore a plum-green feathered gauze brocade dress. The skirt wasn’t large and the sleeves were narrow, making her look both slender and spirited. Her long hair was tied in a small bundle at the back of her head, but instead of binding it with a matching ribbon as usual, she had changed to a jade hairpin, looking fresh and lovely.

She sat down beside Gu Baiying, gestured for Hong Su to find a seat, and said to everyone: “I was delayed on the way. My apologies.”

“Today, Miss Yang is the birthday girl,” Liu Yunxin smiled with curved eyes. “No matter how late you arrive, it doesn’t matter.”

Zanxing noticed her natural expression when interacting with Mu Cengxiao and figured Mu Cengxiao must have explained things clearly to her. Liu Yunxin’s face showed no signs of sadness either. Since coming to the Taiyan Sect, she had been continuously taking pills to nourish her heart meridians. Her complexion had improved, and she looked less frail than before, with more liveliness.

“Ahem,” Xuan Lingzi cleared his throat: “Good disciple, this is your first birthday in our Taiyan Sect. Your master doesn’t know what you like, so I set up a banquet for you at Duoluo Terrace. The feast is simple and the food rough – please don’t mind.”

Hearing this, Gu Baiying said irritably: “You talk as if you cooked the food yourself.”

Zanxing caught the meaning in his words and looked at him in surprise: “Master Uncle, you prepared this banquet?”

Xuan Lingzi laughed awkwardly twice: “In our sect, Seventh Junior Brother has the best cooking skills. Even the sect master loves eating his dishes. I was just worried the food wouldn’t suit your taste.”

Zanxing had eaten Gu Baiying’s pastries before in Li’er Kingdom and knew this person had exceptional culinary skills. Such a large table of dishes must have taken considerable effort. She couldn’t help but feel moved and leaned forward to whisper: “Thank you, Master Uncle.”

Gu Baiying’s gaze lingered on her face for an instant, then quickly looked away, huffing: “Consider it a thank-you gift for helping me find the Sacred Tree fruit.”