“Martial Aunt, Daoist Zhong Xi, this junior takes his leave.” A chill ran from the soles of his feet to the back of his neck. Gui Lin performed a bow and turned to leave.

Huan Zong held Kong Hou’s hand as they walked down the mountain. The flowers and grass on both sides of the mountain path were lush and verdant, colorful butterflies danced about, and dewdrops hanging on grass leaves reflected brilliant light. He lowered his head to look at the wooden box in Kong Hou’s hand, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned: “Your Yunhua Sect’s younger generation is still quite good—already knowing to give gifts to elders at such a young age.”

“This child’s personality is too withdrawn. He needs to spend more time playing with his fellow disciples.” Kong Hou opened the wooden box and held the phoenix hairpin beside her hair bun to compare. “Does it look good?”

“The hairpin is not bad.” Huan Zong looked carefully twice. “However, it’s somewhat old-fashioned, making you look a few years older.”

“Really?” Kong Hou put the phoenix hairpin back in the box. This was the latest style from Yuxiao Sect, with exquisite patterns on it, very popular among female cultivators.

“Vulgar things don’t suit you.” Huan Zong took out a pearl hairpin from his storage ring. “Your man is skilled at artifact refinement. Why would you need to use these common things?”

Hearing the four words “your man,” Kong Hou’s cheeks took on a hint of pink. After staying with her for so long, Huan Zong’s face had become increasingly thick-skinned.

Huan Zong looked at the vermillion hairpin in her hair and smiled gently.

“I told Master about us.” Kong Hou put the wooden box into her storage ring. Although Huan Zong said the phoenix hairpin didn’t look good, the younger generation’s heartfelt intention still had to be treasured.

Huan Zong slightly froze, his voice somewhat hoarse: “Didn’t you say you wanted to keep it hidden for now?”

“I changed my mind.” Kong Hou laughed softly and shook Huan Zong’s arm. “You’re so wonderful—how could I bear to wrong you?” At this point, the smile on her face became mischievous. “I couldn’t let the distinguished Daoist Zhong Xi follow me without name or status.”

Huan Zong paused, bent his upright waist, and rested his head on Kong Hou’s shoulder: “Since you’ve already given me status, you must take responsibility for me for the rest of your life.”

Kong Hou patted his waist: “Take responsibility, take responsibility, I’ll definitely take responsibility.”

Heng Yan, who had brought his disciple intending to find Wang Tong, retreated back into the clouds and turned to look at his disciple Wu Chuan: “Daoist Zhong Xi and Kong Hou’s usual interactions… are like this?”

Wu Chuan lowered his eyelids: “Master, this disciple is an upright gentleman. How could I watch what other people’s lovers do for no reason?”

Heng Yan sighed. He hadn’t expected that the refined and handsome Daoist Zhong Xi would actually be like this in private. It was truly impossible to judge people by appearances. Even the most formidable sword cultivators had… a gentle side?

The people of Yunhua Sect quickly discovered that Kong Hou and Daoist Zhong Xi always appeared together, climbing mountains together to admire the moon. When Kong Hou went to the dining hall to snatch delicious dishes, she also took two portions. The sect members who had been immersed in gossip for years immediately understood—these two had definitely become a couple.

That was Daoist Zhong Xi! The legendary Daoist Zhong Xi whose heart was like a rock and who was unstained by worldly dust had been claimed by a female cultivator from their sect.

After spending some time together, everyone discovered that Daoist Zhong Xi was much easier to get along with than imagined. He was just somewhat strict when helping Martial Aunt Kong Hou guide their cultivation. But if disciples had questions about cultivation and wanted to ask him, he would answer them all.

The only problem was that to find Daoist Zhong Xi, one first had to find Martial Aunt Kong Hou. These two were practically inseparable and had never been apart.

On Qiyue Peak, Wang Tong raised his head to glance at Heng Yan sitting across from him and poured him a cup of tea: “Sect Leader Senior Brother, you were looking for me about something?”

“I want to talk to you about Kong Hou and Daoist Zhong Xi.” Heng Yan took a sip of tea and couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. His junior brother didn’t have many spirit stones in his pocket, yet he actually had such good spirit tea.

“This tea was given to me by Zhong Xi and Kong Hou. The taste is passable.” Wang Tong lazily changed his sitting posture.

Hearing no ill feeling when he mentioned Zhong Xi, Heng Yan’s heart settled: “In recent days, Sect Master Jin of Liuguang Sect has sent several flying message talismans in succession, intending to have the two children hold a Dao-binding ceremony. What do you think?”

Wang Tong stroked his teacup without speaking. In recent days, he had also received several flying message jade slips from Jinyue, whose words were earnest and full of sincerity. He frowned and sighed lightly: “What else can I do? My disciple has already lured the person into Yunhua Sect. Should I have her toy with someone’s feelings and then turn around and refuse to acknowledge him?”

The cultivation world had no concept of male superiority over females—whoever had higher cultivation was more formidable. Some male cultivators were fond of beauty and kept many beautiful concubines around them. There were also female cultivators fond of beauty who kept a houseful of male favorites for amusement.

He could see Daoist Zhong Xi’s feelings for Kong Hou clearly and remembered them in his heart. But Kong Hou was someone he had watched grow up, his disciple whom he regarded as a treasure—now she was together with another male cultivator. Even carefree as he was, he felt somewhat reluctant to let go.

Hearing Wang Tong’s words, Heng Yan couldn’t help but freeze. Why did these words sound as if Kong Hou had taken advantage?

“I have no objections to holding a Dao-binding ceremony. This matter mainly depends on the two children’s opinions.” Wang Tong sighed and completely let the matter go. “I also don’t know when these two children developed feelings.” When he had gone to test Zhong Xi back then, he had still said he regarded Kong Hou as a junior martial sister.

Hearing this, Heng Yan’s hand trembled slightly. However, as Yunhua Sect’s sect master, he often cleaned up messes for these troublesome junior brothers and martial nephews and had long seen great storms and waves. So he quickly concealed his emotions: “Perhaps it’s fate.”

“Perhaps.” Wang Tong nodded without pursuing the matter further.

Kong Hou and Huan Zong stayed at Yunhua Sect for several months. When the leaves on the mountain turned yellow and the autumn wind grew colder, Kong Hou took leave of the sect.

Learning she was going to visit Moon Star Sect, Wang Tong remained silent for a long while before nodding slightly.

“Master.” Kong Hou took out a package of spirit stones from her storage ring and handed them to Wang Tong with a smile: “This is from your disciple to honor you.”

“Enough. As your master, I don’t owe the sect spirit stones now and don’t lack spirit stones to spend.” Wang Tong refused.

“You still have to take them.” Kong Hou forcibly stuffed the spirit stones into Wang Tong’s embrace. “This disciple’s trip… I also plan to accompany Huan Zong to Tingfeng Valley for a walk. I want to help him find the rest of the medicinal ingredients.”

“Go then.” Wang Tong accepted the spirit stones and patted Kong Hou’s head. The little girl who had been bullied until her eyes reddened back then had finally grown up.

“He’s the person in your heart. As a Yunhua Sect disciple, don’t give your heart away lightly. But once you’ve given it, you must take responsibility for him.” Wang Tong smiled. “Come back soon.”

“Yes.” Kong Hou kowtowed again.

“Go on, go on.” Wang Tong waved his hand with a smile, watching his little disciple’s figure disappear behind the door. Only then did the smile on his face gradually fade.

Every disciple was like a fledgling swallow—they would leave someday. As a master, he had to learn to let go and learn to wait for them to return.

“Ding ling ding ling.”

When Kong Hou stepped out of Yunhua Sect’s mountain gate, the farewell bells rang behind her. She stopped and turned to look at the sect appearing and disappearing in the clouds and mist, then bowed respectfully.

She jumped onto her flying magical instrument and flew away from Yong City, no longer able to hear Yunhua Sect’s bells bidding disciples farewell.

Moon Star Sect was very far from Yunhua Sect. This place had year-round snow accumulation, like a frozen world. The nearest great sect to Moon Star Sect was Biyu Sect, but these two sects had always coexisted peacefully and never interfered with each other.

When Kong Hou and Huan Zong arrived at the foot of Moon Star Sect’s mountain, they discovered many people standing outside the mountain gate. She was just about to go forward and ask what was happening when a green-robed female cultivator stopped her: “Hey, Fellow Daoist, Moon Star Sect has closed its gates for a hundred years. You won’t be able to see them now. If you want to ask them to divine fortunes, first queue up to get a number. Come back after a hundred years. If you dare to cut in line, you’ll be beaten by other fellow daoists.”

The green-robed female cultivator glanced at Zhong Xi standing behind Kong Hou, who appeared to have no spiritual energy, and her eyes showed amazement: “Fellow Daoist, this male companion of yours is truly exquisitely beautiful.”

Kong Hou turned to look at Huan Zong behind her and said with a laugh: “Thank you for informing me, Fellow Daoist. However, he’s not my male companion, but my dao companion.”

“My apologies, my apologies. My eyes aren’t good.” The green-robed female cultivator apologized with a smile but secretly sighed in her heart. As a cultivator, yet indulging in male beauty and finding a dao companion with no spiritual energy—wasn’t this delaying her own cultivation?

Beauty truly harms people.

While her thoughts wandered, exclamations came from ahead. The green-robed female cultivator looked up and saw two blue-robed messengers flying down from the mountain.

“These are Moon Star Sect’s personal disciples!”

“What happened? Why did they suddenly appear?”

The expressions on people’s faces were mostly frightened, with little joy visible. Moon Star Sect acted mysteriously, and matters they had decided were almost never changed. They had said a few days ago they would close the sect gates for a hundred years, yet now two personal disciples suddenly appeared. Could some unforeseen change have occurred?

The blue-robed messengers descended from the sky and hurried before Kong Hou and Huan Zong, cupping their hands in greeting: “We meet Daoist Zhong Xi and Fairy Kong Hou. Learning that you two were gracing our humble sect, the sect master specially sent us to welcome you.”

“We’ve come to disturb you presumptuously. Our apologies.” Kong Hou returned the courtesy.

“Please.” The blue-robed messenger bowed and made an inviting gesture. Kong Hou and Huan Zong exchanged glances and jumped onto the flying swords.

“Daoist Zhong Xi?”

“That Fairy Kong Hou—could she be the Five Spiritual Roots genius from Yunhua Sect?”

Hearing the surrounding discussion, the green-robed female cultivator’s face turned deathly pale. She felt as if she had taken a turn at the gates of hell. She had actually called Daoist Zhong Xi Fairy Kong Hou’s male companion. That Daoist Zhong Xi hadn’t killed her with a single sword strike was truly magnanimous of him.

She absolutely couldn’t be loose-tongued again in the future. A loose tongue could get one killed.

“Daoist, Fairy, the sect master awaits you both in Constellation Hall. Please.” The blue-robed messenger pushed open the grand doors carved with sun, moon, and stars and stood respectfully to one side.

Kong Hou entered the hall and could barely control the amazement on her face. She had never seen such a scene before. The hall was brilliantly lit, but every illumination magical instrument was placed according to the trajectory of stars. The walls were carved with many exquisite murals—there were images of immortals feasting, images of female immortals flying through the heavens, and some murals she couldn’t understand. Just one glance made her feel there were many stories in the paintings that couldn’t be spoken of.

“These paintings all depict immortals from throughout Lingyou Realm’s history who have ascended.” A pleasant male voice rang out, seeming both far away and close at hand.

Kong Hou came to her senses and saw Wang Su sitting on a meditation cushion.

Wang Su wore white robes, his dark hair unbound and casually draped behind him. He was astonishingly beautiful, yet so beautiful that one couldn’t generate even half a thought of disrespect.

“This junior Kong Hou greets the Sect Master.” Kong Hou respectfully performed a bow. Huan Zong beside her was no exception.

“Please, both of you, sit.” Wang Su invited them to sit and poured two cups of tea, placing them before them. “You two have the Marriage Star moving—it seems a happy occasion is approaching. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Kong Hou smiled with pursed lips.

Huan Zong looked at Wang Su without speaking, because he saw that although Wang Su’s mouth said congratulations, his eyes held not a trace of congratulatory intent.

The hall became quiet, with only the sound of Wang Su pouring tea. Wang Su’s hands were very white—so white they were almost without lines, like jade carvings, beautifully lacking any human touch.

“In this short time, Miss Kong Hou’s cultivation has progressed even further.” Wang Su’s dark eyes met Kong Hou’s. “I wonder what matter brings the young lady here this time?”

“The Sect Master truly predicts matters like a god, calculating that the one seeking you is me, not Huan Zong.” Kong Hou smiled. She turned to glance at the silent Huan Zong. “This junior indeed has some matters I wish to ask the Sect Master about.”

“Please speak, young lady.” Wang Su’s face finally showed a hint of a smile.

“Ever since entering the Constellation Gate, I spent ten years of time inside and my cultivation greatly advanced. Not only that, now almost every night I repeat the experiences from behind the Constellation Gate in my dreams. Is this the residual power of the Constellation Gate?”

“Since you passed the test of the Constellation Gate, you obtained all of its power, which is why you continuously cultivate in your dreams.” Wang Su’s face showed appreciation. To experience training again and again almost every night, yet her mental state and spirit remained completely unaffected—truly a natural talent for cultivation.

“The things in the Constellation Gate are the accumulated spiritual energy of our Moon Star Sect’s successive sect masters, carrying supreme power.” Wang Su said, “Please don’t worry, Miss Kong Hou. It has no intention to harm you.”

“But the Sect Master hasn’t said that this kind of high-speed training could possibly affect a cultivator’s mental state.” Huan Zong set down his teacup, his expression somewhat cold. “What does your esteemed sect take Kong Hou for—a cultivation machine?”

“The Daoist speaks too severely. The Constellation Gate won’t choose a mediocre master. Only those who pass its test can obtain its power inheritance.” Wang Su’s expression remained calm. “Miss Kong Hou, as the Child of Heaven’s Mandate, bears the hope of Lingyou Realm’s ascension. We of Moon Star Sect, as guardians of Lingyou Realm’s fortune, how could we do anything to harm Miss Kong Hou?”

“Wha… what Child of Heaven’s Mandate?” Kong Hou thought something was wrong with her ears. “Me?”

“Correct.” Facing the young woman’s astonished eyes, Wang Su nodded. “Miss Kong Hou is the only accident in Lingyou Realm’s fortune and also Lingyou Realm’s only hope. Your ascension is what our entire Lingyou Realm anticipates most.”

Kong Hou felt as if she had heard an absurd story. She had thought herself an unrelated bystander, only to learn at the end that she was the protagonist of the entire story’s conclusion: “Sect Master, are you joking?”

“Miss Kong Hou, I never joke.”

Kong Hou turned to look at Huan Zong, biting her lower lip without speaking.

“There’s no cultivator who doesn’t wish to ascend and become an immortal.” Wang Su said, “Knowing that Miss Kong Hou would come, I prepared a gift for you.”

“What is it?” Kong Hou raised her head to look.

“A small world.” Wang Su flicked his sleeve toward the jade wall to the east. All the illumination magical instruments in the great hall began to change positions. Spiritual energy surged, and a huge vortex appeared on the jade wall.

“The small world has abundant spiritual energy with no disturbances. If you stay inside for a hundred years, it will only be ten years in the outside world.” Wang Su stood up, his beautiful yet emotionless eyes looking at Kong Hou. “Hongyan risked his life in battle and, though he gravely injured the Evil Sovereign, in ten years he will certainly return with a vengeance. If the young lady is unwilling, I won’t force you either.”

What did it mean for the Evil Sovereign to return with a vengeance ten years later bearing hatred? It meant the entire cultivation world would be plunged into a great war between righteousness and evil. Countless ordinary people would lose their lives, and innumerable low-level cultivators and rogue cultivators would also perish.

Kong Hou knew Wang Su wasn’t lying to her. She turned to look at Huan Zong: “Can Huan Zong enter together with me?”

Wang Su shook his head: “This small world can only be entered by those recognized by the Constellation Gate. Moreover, cultivation requires avoiding emotional attachment and avoiding mental agitation. If Daoist Zhong Xi enters together with you, you won’t be able to comprehend the true Dao.”

“Huan Zong and I can dual cultivate heaven and earth…”

“Daoist Zhong Xi’s spiritual platform is shattered and his heart demon hasn’t dissipated. If you dual cultivate heaven and earth with him now, it will only slow your cultivation speed and provide no benefit to you.” Wang Su said mercilessly, “He will only drag you down.”

“Huan Zong isn’t my burden.” Kong Hou frowned, her tone somewhat displeased. “Daoist, you speak too severely.”

“My apologies.” Wang Su didn’t understand romantic feelings between men and women. Seeing the displeasure on Kong Hou’s face, he immediately apologized: “My word choice was inappropriate.”

Kong Hou grasped Huan Zong’s hand: “I apologize. I’m just an ordinary female disciple of Yunhua Sect and cannot shoulder the entire cultivation world’s future.” She pulled Huan Zong to stand. “We take our leave.”

“Miss Kong Hou, my spiritual power can only open the small world once. If you leave today, you’ll have no more opportunities.” Wang Su looked at Kong Hou’s back and said calmly, “If the young lady hadn’t come to Moon Star Sect, this small world would never open, and I would never mention this matter before you. But you came.”

“This is fate…”

Kong Hou’s footsteps paused. She had witnessed just how high the Evil Sovereign’s cultivation was. If not for Daoist Hongyan that day, everyone in Liuguang Sect would likely have died by his hand.

If the righteous path failed, the people of Lingyou Realm and the mortal realm could all be treated as fish and meat by these evil cultivators, slaughtered at will.

“Go.” Huan Zong released Kong Hou’s hand and smiled at her. “I’ll wait for you right here. When you come out, the first person you’ll see is me.”

He was unwilling to leave Kong Hou, not even for a moment. But he understood clearly in his heart that if he accompanied Kong Hou out of Moon Star Sect today, this matter would become a knot in Kong Hou’s heart with no solution.

“But…” Kong Hou looked at Huan Zong, the worry in her eyes unresolved. Huan Zong’s spiritual platform was unstable. If she entered the small world to cultivate and Huan Zong suddenly fell into demonic possession, who could help him?

“Though I don’t understand medical arts, I can assist Daoist Zhong Xi somewhat.” Wang Su looked at the two young cultivators gazing at each other. Somehow, he suddenly experienced a “softening of the heart” he had never felt before. “I’ll help Daoist Zhong Xi clear his meridians and can even have Jiufeng Sect send over phoenix blood, guaranteeing that when you emerge, the person standing before you will be whole and unblemished.”

“Can you truly…” Kong Hou looked at Wang Su in astonishment.

“I dare not guarantee it.” Wang Su disdained lying to deceive people. “But I will do my utmost.”

“Thank you, Sect Master.” Kong Hou raised her head and forced a smile at Huan Zong. “Huan Zong, you must take good care of yourself. Most importantly, you cannot look at other female cultivators.”

“All right. I won’t look at others or go anywhere else.” Huan Zong placed a light kiss on her brow. “I’ll just wait here for you until you come out.”