Hearing someone familiar calling her name, Kong Hou turned back to see Cheng Yi standing across the street and was overjoyed. “Senior Brother?!”

Cheng Yi smiled with his hands clasped behind his back and walked toward Kong Hou through the crowd.

“Senior Brother!” Confirming it wasn’t her eyes playing tricks, Kong Hou ran toward Cheng Yi in a light jog, reaching out to throw herself at him. “Senior Brother, how are you here?”

“Recently evil cultivators have been causing trouble. The sect was worried the affiliated sects would suffer disaster, so they sent us personally transmitted disciples to garrison at each sect.” Cheng Yi reached out to steady Kong Hou, pretending to be angry. “After going out to train for a while, how can you still be so lacking in propriety?”

“I’m just happy to see you, Senior Brother. Why talk about propriety with one’s own people?” Kong Hou tugged Cheng Yi’s sleeve and shook it back and forth. “Not seeing you for so long, don’t you miss me?”

Cheng Yi reached out to tap Kong Hou’s forehead. “Heartless little girl.” He recalled that Kong Hou had already advanced to Heart Stirring stage and reached out to check Kong Hou’s pulse. Her meridians were solid and powerful—it seemed her tribulation had gone very smoothly.

Watching with his own eyes as Kong Hou ran toward an unfamiliar man and even threw herself at him, Huan Zong lowered his head to look at his own empty sleeve. Not long ago, Kong Hou had still been pulling on this spot. Seeing Kong Hou allow the unfamiliar man to examine her meridians while talking and laughing with him, Huan Zong slowly lowered his eyelids and walked toward where the two stood.

Watching Young Master walk toward Miss Kong Hou, Lin Hu quietly remained where he was. In the past, Young Master would absolutely never rashly join others’ conversations when they were talking. Or rather, Young Master simply didn’t want to say an extra word with others.

“Kong Hou.” Huan Zong stopped three steps away from Kong Hou. His eyes like black glass quietly looked at the young girl before him.

Kong Hou, who was reminiscing with Cheng Yi, immediately turned back. Meeting those beautiful eyes of Huan Zong’s, she smiled until her eyes curved. “Huan Zong, let me introduce you—this is my senior brother Cheng Yi.” For Kong Hou, Cheng Yi was both brother and father, one of her most important family members.

Huan Zong met Cheng Yi’s appraising gaze, raised his hand in salute, his sleeve drawing an elegant arc through the air. “Greetings, Daoist Cheng Yi.”

“Greetings, Daoist.” Hearing Kong Hou call him Huan Zong, Cheng Yi guessed his identity. This man was very good-looking—even throughout all of Yunhua Sect, one couldn’t pick out a male disciple more handsome than him. At first glance, one would only think he was an ordinary, sickly, beautiful young master without cultivation. But as the other approached, Cheng Yi could be certain this was definitely not an ordinary person.

“Huan Zong is a disciple of Liuguang Sect. All along the way, I’ve been fortunate to have him and Senior Lin Hu traveling with me and looking after me.” Kong Hou introduced Huan Zong to Cheng Yi. “Huan Zong is especially amazing—he knows everything, understands everything.”

Hearing his little junior sister, whom he had raised like a daughter, praising how amazing another male cultivator was, Cheng Yi’s feelings were complex beyond words. However, thinking that his little junior sister could get a Liuguang Sect sword cultivator to travel with her and look after her in every way, within the sourness and complexity in Cheng Yi’s heart was also a few parts of strange pride.

Worthy of being his Junior Sister Kong Hou—when out and about, nothing could stump her.

“Many thanks to Daoist Huan Zong for looking after my junior sister.” Cheng Yi cupped his hands. “My junior sister is young and doesn’t understand things. Along this journey, I’ve troubled you, Daoist.”

Huan Zong thought, if he were Kong Hou’s senior brother or elder, the one now opening his mouth to thank outsiders would be him, and the one closer to Kong Hou would also be him.

“Daoist Cheng Yi is too polite. Kong Hou and I are friends—looking after each other is as it should be. Thanking back and forth instead creates distance.” Huan Zong said neither lightly nor heavily. “Along this journey, Kong Hou has helped me greatly. If anyone should say thanks, it ought to be me.”

“Stop thanking each other, both of you.” Seeing Senior Brother and Huan Zong thanking back and forth, Kong Hou reached out to tug both their sleeves. “Knowing that Jixiang Pavilion is fine, I can relax. Returning with us are also five Jixiang Pavilion disciples. Senior Brother, you take them back together.”

“What about you?” After exchanging courtesies with the five Jixiang Pavilion disciples, Cheng Yi turned to Kong Hou. “You’ve been rushing about outside for so long—first go to Jixiang Pavilion to wash up and rest. Whatever matters there are can wait until tomorrow. We senior and junior siblings haven’t seen each other for so long—don’t you want to tell me about what you’ve seen and heard along this journey?”

“If Huan Zong and I intrude rashly, wouldn’t that be improper?” Kong Hou turned to look at Huan Zong, not immediately agreeing.

“It’s nothing. Lin Hu and I will stay at a nearby inn. If you have any matters, just come find us at the inn.” Huan Zong took out a package of spirit fruits from his storage ring. “These are spirit fruits you like to eat. Don’t forget to eat them after you go to Jixiang Pavilion.”

“How can I let you stay at an inn alone?” Kong Hou didn’t take the spirit fruits. “Don’t be silly.”

Alone?

Lin Hu’s eyebrows moved slightly. In Miss Kong Hou’s eyes, were he and Young Master one entity, or was his presence too weak?

Cheng Yi: “…”

What was all this? Why did he feel like an evil parent forcibly separating two companions with good feelings? The two companions, having no choice, began dividing toys and arranging where to meet next time?

“Daoist Huan Zong is our lifesaver. If you’re willing to visit our humble sect, it would be our honor. Please do us and our sect the honor of allowing us to host you.” Ge Jin, who had finally squeezed out from being surrounded by common folk, looked at the pale-faced beautiful man. In her mind, she had already imagined the scene of him standing alone by a window admiring the moon. Miss Kong Hou and he had such good feelings—how could they be separated?

Moreover, Daoist Huan Zong was a personally transmitted disciple of Liuguang Sect. If he was willing to visit their small sect, it would bring them honor.

Huan Zong looked at Kong Hou. She was looking at him with an expectant expression. Huan Zong turned to bow to Ge Jin. “Since it’s so, I’ll trouble your sect.”

“We wouldn’t dare, we wouldn’t dare.” How would Ge Jin dare receive Huan Zong’s courtesy? She quickly moved aside. “Daoist, please.”

Cheng Yi smiled. “Daoist Huan Zong is too polite. Your sect and our Yunhua Sect have many years of friendship—why stand on such small formalities?” Jixiang Pavilion was an affiliated sect of Yunhua Sect. Other great sects, to avoid taboos, wouldn’t privately associate with small sects that had already affiliated with a sect under ordinary circumstances, lest they be misunderstood as poaching.

Legend had it that a thousand years ago, evil cultivators used this kind of sowing-discord tactic, causing huge conflicts between Zhaohan Sect and Jiufeng Sect. Later, the evil cultivators’ conspiracy was exposed, and Jiufeng Sect and Zhaohan Sect stopped targeting each other, but even now, the relationship between these two great sects remained lukewarm with little private contact.

So to avoid following the old path of Zhaohan Sect and Jiufeng Sect, the current great sects all paid close attention to this issue.

Among the top ten sects currently ranked in the cultivation world, Liuguang Sect had the highest prestige. Zhaohan Sect and Jiufeng Sect were evenly matched, both following the path of dual sword and qi cultivation. Pure Clarity Temple was a Buddhist cultivation sect—when no major events occurred, they loved staying on their mountain growing vegetables and chanting sutras, as if growing a garden full of fresh, crisp radishes was more interesting than cultivation world affairs. All sects affiliated under them were Buddhist cultivation sects. Beast King Sect, Danxia Tower, and Liangyi Sect were all established sects with thousands of years of inheritance. Though in recent years they hadn’t produced many brilliant disciples, the disciples they taught were all presentable. Of the remaining three sects, Biyu Sect, like their Yunhua Sect, didn’t exclusively teach one cultivation method but accepted all kinds of disciples. Yuexing Sect was most skilled at divination. This sect had the fewest disciples and didn’t like appearing outside. Though they ranked last among the ten great sects, almost no sect dared to make trouble for them. Even evil cultivators who loved causing trouble tacitly avoided this sect.

All cultivators knew that cultivators skilled at divination could also cast curses. Offending this type of cultivator easily ruined one’s fortune. Fortune, this invisible and intangible thing, was too important for cultivation.

The ten great sects each had their own style of conduct, but in maintaining peace in the cultivation world, all expended considerable energy. All the great sects knew the current peace was hard-won, so in many matters that could cause misunderstandings, they were doubly careful.

No one wanted to be the sinner who destroyed peace.

“Immortal Elder, Xianzi, please follow me.” Seeing that the Yunhua Sect immortal elder and Daoist Huan Zong had reached an agreement, Ge Jin smiled and led the way. The common folk who wanted her help with divinations, upon seeing Huan Zong and Cheng Yi behind her, immediately didn’t dare approach again and turned to leave.

Seeing the situation was wrong, turning and fleeing—this could be considered one of Feng City common folk’s survival skills.

“Your city’s common folk are truly enthusiastic.” Kong Hou glanced back at Hong Ling and the other three surrounded by common folk. One could tell Jixiang Pavilion had good relations with the local people—otherwise, these common folk wouldn’t dare be so familiar with them.

“You make us laugh, Xianzi.” Ge Jin carried large and small packages of melons, fruits, and vegetables given by the common folk. “We entered the pavilion when very young. To train our divination abilities, our teachers often brought us to the streets to perform free divinations for common folk. Many people on the streets either watched us grow up or we watched them grow up. Seeing us return from outside training today, they’re inevitably somewhat enthusiastic.”

For those who cultivated, seeing infants just born gradually grow old while they remained young in appearance inevitably stirred feelings.

Kong Hou nodded in understanding. She thought of Yong City—the common folk of Yong City treated them Yunhua Sect disciples the same way.

Compared to the exquisite and particular Hefeng Study, Jixiang Pavilion’s architecture was much more plain. However, the atmosphere within the pavilion was equally warm. The disciples in the pavilion were all very happy to see Ge Jin. After learning Kong Hou and Huan Zong’s identities, they respectfully yet warmly led them to the courtyard where the pavilion master resided.

As an emissary sent by the main sect, Cheng Yi held high status at Jixiang Pavilion. Whenever disciples passed by, they would respectfully salute him. But regardless of the saluting disciples’ cultivation level, Cheng Yi would seriously return the courtesy. Kong Hou, following behind him, would also smile and return the courtesy together, not showing half a bit of arrogance because they were personally transmitted disciples of the main sect.

Lin Hu, following behind them, watched this scene and felt he somewhat understood why affiliated sects that joined Yunhua Sect rarely had half a bad word spread about Yunhua Sect. One should know that even Liuguang Sect with the highest prestige would have affiliated sect disciples complaining that their main sect’s rules were too harsh.

Entering the main hall, Lin Hu and the others met Jixiang Pavilion’s pavilion master.

The pavilion master was a slightly plump old man who, when smiling, radiated harmony, just like the most common warm-hearted elderly uncle seen on street corners. If not for the spiritual pressure on him that only a Nascent Soul ancestor could possess, probably no one could tell he was a pavilion master.

Seeing them enter, the pavilion master warmly beckoned them to sit and had disciples bring out large plates of melons, fruits, and refreshments. Looking at the huge plates on the table and the fruits in the plates almost overflowing, Kong Hou quickly took down the spirit fruits at the edges to prevent them from rolling under the table. Jixiang Pavilion’s hospitality was too sincere—how could they possibly finish so many spirit fruits?

“This kind of fruit is sweet with hints of milky fragrance. Xianzi Kong Hou, taste it and see if you like it?” The pavilion master’s gaze toward Kong Hou was very kind, just like a grandfather looking at a beloved granddaughter, wanting to give her all the delicious things.

Kong Hou wasn’t polite either. Taking a spirit fruit, she bit into it and nodded in praise to the pavilion master. “Very delicious, thank you, Pavilion Master.”

“This kind of spirit fruit is a specialty of our Feng City. Even if other places can cultivate it, the taste isn’t authentic.” The pavilion master explained to Kong Hou how picky this spirit fruit was about its growing environment, and also mentioned there were many fake and inferior products outside that only resembled it in appearance but actually didn’t have the true spirit fruit’s effects.

Seeing the pavilion master was about to explain to Xianzi Kong Hou how to transplant spirit fruit saplings, Ge Jin couldn’t sit still anymore and spoke up. “Pavilion Master, Xianzi Kong Hou and Daoist Huan Zong have been weary from travel protecting us all the way. Let’s arrange for them to rest first.”

“Right, Ge Jin is correct.” The pavilion master stood up. “Xianzi Kong Hou, you’re tired too. Go rest first. Tomorrow I’ll talk with you in detail.”

Ge Jin: “…”

She hadn’t expected Master would grab a young girl and lecture her about planting trees—how was this something young ladies would be interested in? Turning to look at Kong Hou, not only was there no impatience on her face, she was nodding repeatedly. “Yes, yes!”

Ge Jin: “…”

Young girls nowadays—she couldn’t understand them either.

In Lingyou Realm, east was honored, so the courtyards where Kong Hou and Huan Zong stayed were adjacent to Cheng Yi’s, all in the east. Huan Zong wanted to escort Kong Hou back to her room as usual, but when he turned, he saw Cheng Yi had already led Kong Hou into her courtyard. His steps paused as he stood in place watching Kong Hou’s retreating figure, not catching up.

“Huan Zong.” Kong Hou, who had stepped through the courtyard gate, turned back. Meeting Huan Zong’s gaze, she said, “Don’t forget to take your Return to Origin Pill.”

“All right.” Huan Zong’s brows and eyes relaxed, his eyes filled with gentleness.

Cheng Yi’s gaze fell on Huan Zong, yet the sword cultivator who should have very keen reactions didn’t notice his gaze.

“Senior Brother.” Kong Hou reached out a finger to poke Cheng Yi’s arm. “Let’s go.”

“Liuguang Sect recently sent generous gifts to the sect twice, saying it was to thank you for looking after their sect’s disciples.” Cheng Yi pushed open the room door, checked through the room once, laid two more layers of bedding on the bed for Kong Hou, and changed the incense in the room to the spirit-calming incense Kong Hou commonly used. “I observe this Daoist Huan Zong’s body doesn’t seem too well?”

“Mm.” Kong Hou didn’t say what exactly was wrong with Huan Zong’s body, only saying, “However, he hasn’t troubled me with anything. Rather, I’ve constantly received care from him and Senior Lin.”

Cheng Yi sighed. “You like this Huan Zong very much?”

“I like him.” Kong Hou nodded. Seeing Cheng Yi seemed unhappy, her eyes rolled as she hugged Cheng Yi’s arm and shook it back and forth. “But the one I like most is still Senior Brother, truly.”

“Wasn’t it Master and your Second Senior Brother you liked most?” Cheng Yi raised his eyebrows to look at her. Originally, he had thought Kong Hou had romantic feelings for Huan Zong, but hearing her answer this way, he knew he had overthought. How old was Kong Hou? Having been raised by them to be innocent and lively, how could she understand romantic feelings so early?

“They’re not here, so making you happy is most important.” Kong Hou giggled, released Cheng Yi’s arm, and took out an not-very-attractive men’s thumb ring from her storage ring. “This is a magical tool I refined. Though it doesn’t have much use…”

“It’s very nice.” Cheng Yi put the thumb ring on his thumb. “I didn’t expect that in this time out, you’ve even learned artifact refining.”

“Huan Zong taught me. The first two days, I used ordinary true fire to refine and just made a dull gray iron ring. Later, Huan Zong gave me pure fire to practice with, and I refined this thumb ring. This is my first finished product.” Looking at the dull thumb ring on Senior Brother’s clean, slender finger, Kong Hou felt somewhat embarrassed. “It seems… a bit ugly.”

“Nonsense—how could something our Kong Hou refined be ugly?” Cheng Yi smiled. “When I first learned artifact refining, I spent a full three months before I could refine a semi-finished product. You’re much more accomplished than Senior Brother.”

“You’re coaxing me again.” Kong Hou humphed. “When I couldn’t learn divination well, you said you also took a long time to calculate poorly. As a result, Senior Sister Linghui told me you only spent one month before learning it very well.”

Cheng Yi laughed. This time he truly hadn’t deceived Kong Hou—back then when he learned artifact refining, it really did take several months. Cultivators like Kong Hou who could refine magical tools after only studying for a few days were really too rare. Fortunately, Master Uncle Pei Huai didn’t know about this yet—otherwise, he would definitely develop thoughts of snatching Kong Hou to Wuyang Peak.

However, Kong Hou said that Daoist Huan Zong gave her pure fire to practice artifact refining? Pure fire was rare—many artifact refiners, when refining ordinary magical tools, absolutely couldn’t bear to use pure fire, much less use it for practice. One could see that along this journey, Huan Zong really had looked after Junior Sister very well.

“Rest first. Tomorrow morning I’ll come call you for breakfast.” Cheng Yi adjusted the incense burner lid. “What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

“Everything Senior Brother makes with his own hands is delicious.” Kong Hou still remembered that year when she first arrived at Yunhua Mountain, Senior Brother worried she was just new to the mountain and uncomfortable going to the meal hall to eat with other disciples. He also felt eating Fasting Pills wasn’t good for her, so every day he would personally cook for her at Qiyue Peak, until she became familiar with the senior sisters and brothers in the sect. Only then did Senior Brother gradually stop cooking. But even so, she could still often eat meals Senior Brother made.

“Your mouth is so sweet. Good thing you’re not a young man—otherwise, how many young women would be deceived by that mouth of yours.” Cheng Yi laughed. “Rest now.”

“Why don’t you worry that good young men will all be deceived by my mouth?” Kong Hou yawned. “Then I’ll go sleep. You must call me tomorrow morning.”

“All right.” Cheng Yi pressed her onto the bed and covered her with the quilt. “If you need anything, you can call me. I’m staying right next door.”

“Mm.” Kong Hou closed her eyes with peace of mind. She had overused spiritual power and still hadn’t completely recovered yet—she really did need to rest well.

Seeing Kong Hou fall asleep as soon as she closed her eyes, Cheng Yi lowered the gauze curtain for her. When he reached the door, he felt uneasy again, worried evil cultivators might attack in the middle of the night, so he added several more barriers outside the room.

A child he had raised with his own hands—even though she had grown up, in his eyes she was still that little girl from back then. He always felt he had to arrange everything properly before he could relax.

Deep in the night, Lin Hu stood in the courtyard looking at the shadow on the window. Walking to the window, he said quietly, “Young Master, the night is deep. You should sleep.”

The door opened. Huan Zong, dressed neat and tidy, walked out. “Why haven’t you slept yet?”

“I saw the lamp in your room was still lit, so I came to check.” Lin Hu saw Huan Zong looking toward the neighboring courtyard. “Is Young Master worried about Miss Kong Hou?”

Huan Zong didn’t speak. During this period, Kong Hou had stayed in the same courtyard with him. Though the two weren’t in the same room, Huan Zong felt that having Kong Hou living in the room next door made it seem like his room was also touched with a few parts living spirit.

“Cheng Yi is Miss Kong Hou’s senior brother. I’ve heard that since Miss Kong Hou joined Yunhua Sect, this senior brother has treated her extremely well. He combed Miss Kong Hou’s hair when she was small and bought her dresses. Even many cultivation techniques were personally taught by him. Miss Kong Hou will not suffer any grievance with him.” Lin Hu said, “You can rest easy and go to sleep.”

“Lin Hu.” Huan Zong suddenly turned to look at him. “If I brought Kong Hou to Liuguang Sect and took her as my final formal disciple, would she be willing?”

Lin Hu: “…”

Wind moved the treetops, making rustling sounds.

“Young Master, this kind of thing—never mind whether Miss Kong Hou would agree or not. If you really did this, I’m afraid our Liuguang Sect and Yunhua Sect would start fighting.” Seeing Huan Zong didn’t seem to be joking, Lin Hu said, “The hatred of stealing disciples—irreconcilable unto death.”

Huan Zong fell silent again.

“Miss Kong Hou’s personality also isn’t suited to staying at Liuguang Sect.” Lin Hu observed Huan Zong’s expression. “Every day before dawn, one must rise to practice sword swings. Light food and heavy cultivation, joy and anger cannot show on one’s face. Miss Kong Hou loves to laugh and play—making her go to Liuguang Sect, wouldn’t that be wronging her?”

“You’re right.” Huan Zong lowered his eyelids. “Liuguang Sect isn’t suitable for her.”

Under the moonlight, Huan Zong’s face looked somewhat cold. Lin Hu wanted to say more, but looking at Huan Zong’s face devoid of any emotion, he fell silent.

Even if Young Master liked Miss Kong Hou very much, they would have their day of parting. In cultivation, there were no years—sometimes one seclusion was decades or even a century. When the two met again, the person would still be that person, but their mental states might long since be different.

Sword cultivators’ cold hearts and cold feelings weren’t because they were born without emotions, but because emotions changed. Ordinary people’s lives were short, and both life-and-death and time wore away at feelings. Mental state had too great an influence on sword cultivators. If outer matters destroyed one’s cultivation, a lifetime’s cultivation would be gone.

Many sword cultivators, to maintain the purity of heart toward sword dao, became increasingly cold and indifferent, becoming accumulated snow on high mountains, abysses at the ocean floor, having no emotional fluctuations year-round. Whether this approach was right or wrong, no one could say clearly.

Several thousand years ago, there were even sword cultivators who killed fathers, killed mothers, killed wives, killed children to prove dao. Fortunately, the great dao wasn’t achieved, so more sword cultivators didn’t emulate them.

Did Young Master know that his attitude toward Miss Kong Hou had long since exceeded his attitude toward others in the past?

“Go to sleep.” Huan Zong raised his hand slightly. “I’ll sit here for a while.”

“Young Master.” Lin Hu wanted to speak but hesitated. After a long while, he said, “Miss Kong Hou will return to Yunhua Sect sooner or later.”

Huan Zong turned to look at him. In the night, his pupils were black and bottomless. “I know.”

Lin Hu bowed to him and turned to return to his own room.

Huan Zong raised his head to look at the sky. Dark clouds approached the crescent moon, trying to cover its radiance. He waved once toward the sky. The dark clouds scattered, moonlight filling all of Jixiang Pavilion. His toes touched down as he stood atop the surrounding wall, gazing toward the direction of Kong Hou’s room.

Outside the room, several barriers had been laid, as if refusing anyone’s approach.

In the main courtyard, the pavilion master closed the window, shaking his head and sighing. “Young people nowadays—one stranger than the next.” A perfectly good sword cultivator, not sleeping most of the night but wearing white brocade robes standing on the wall blowing in the cold wind—what kind of hobby was this?

Just like those several useless disciples of his—they couldn’t divine anything about the great dao of heaven and earth, but every day what clothes to wear and what to eat for meals, they had to divine several times. All strange quirks.

The next morning, Kong Hou heard knocking sounds outside the door. Thinking it was Senior Brother calling her to get up, she sleepily opened the door. The person standing outside was Huan Zong, and he was even holding a bowl overflowing with spiritual energy—the spirit fruits were red and green, truly beautiful.

“Daoist Huan Zong?” Cheng Yi, carrying a tray filled with breakfast, walked into the courtyard. Having looked back and forth at Kong Hou’s door several times, how could Daoist Huan Zong get close to Junior Sister’s room?

What about the barriers he had set up?

—

**Author’s Note:** Cheng Yi: The barrier I placed here, huge, invisible, very powerful—where is it?