When Dong Tianyun entered the sleeping chamber, little Xiang Su was still lying on the bed crying. Probably because she was crying so miserably, Kunpeng, who appeared to be held by her but was actually serving as a pillow, lay obediently and stoically motionless in the crook of her arm.

He walked to the bedside and sat down, slowly stroking her head along her hair, sliding down to her back, his fingers playing with the tips of her hair intermittently.

Xiang Su sobbed and choked, jumping up to nestle into his embrace. Her height was just right to sit on his lap and hug his neck. Her crying sounded low above his heart—muffled, yet each sound struck painfully in his heart. Dong Tianyun didn’t stop her. If sadness in the heart could be lightened by crying, that was also a good thing.

Kunpeng, who had been pressed down for quite a while, stood up wobbling, shook off Xiang Su’s tears that had fallen on its feathers, and also moved close to its master. Dong Tianyun comfortingly touched its wings, indicating he understood it had suffered.

“Dong Tianyun.” Xiang Su’s little face was flushed red from crying. She slightly loosened her arms around his neck, straightening her back to just meet his eyes.

“Mm?” After teaching her to call him Daddy several times without success, he had also grown accustomed to her calling him directly by name. Being this close, he saw clearly the teardrops hanging on her lashes and couldn’t help raising his hand to wipe them away for her.

“The person who should have filled the wind eye was me…” Xiang Su sniffled. Although being alive was truly good, she would owe Sister Qingsui and Yuanhou Dijun for the rest of her life.

Dong Tianyun coldly interrupted her. “Nonsense!” She had been sad all along, and he hadn’t even thought to discipline her. “I won’t let you die! From now on, you must never again make decisions on your own!” He glared at her majestically, completely changing from his earlier gentleness.

Xiang Su’s heart was sweet, but she got the urge to act coquettish, pouting her lips. “But… you were held back by Chilin…”

Dong Tianyun’s expression turned severe. His hands grasped under her armpits and lifted her to stand. “That’s right. You’re so small yet dare to decide life and death yourself. I was planning to grant your wish.” Did she know that if Qingsui hadn’t been faster, he really would have killed Chilin?

Xiang Su heard him speaking ironically, her heart both sour and sweet. Because he was holding her standing on his legs, she could just cup his handsome cheeks and lower her head to kiss his cold, slightly pressed yet soft and fragrant lips.

Dong Tianyun suddenly turned his head away. Her kiss landed on his cheek instead. Xiang Su felt somewhat disappointed. What did he mind in his heart—was it the “father and daughter” identity they once had, or was it that fake Xiang Su? But at least there was progress. He didn’t push her away, nor did he discipline her again.

“Why are you so pleased with yourself?” A cold voice rang out at the palace doorway. Chilin wore red robes, her figure graceful. She was clearly a ball of fire, yet standing between the magnificent palace doors, she radiated a heart-chilling aura.

Xiang Su hugged Dong Tianyun tighter, as if both depending on and protecting him. Time and again she could only leave Dong Tianyun to Chilin. Helplessness and resentment made Xiang Su even more unwilling to let her approach him again.

Dong Tianyun watched silently as Chilin walked in gracefully. Her shoulders were level, her chin raised slightly with pride. The cold, glamorous elegance of Chiying Dijun surpassed the past, but he knew that this time he had truly hurt her too deeply.

“Dong Tianyun.” Chilin stopped a few steps away from them, expressionless. “However you see it, whether threatening or begging… you can only choose one between her and me!” Her sharp, delicate chin pointed at Xiang Su in his arms.

Dong Tianyun’s lips moved.

Chilin suddenly burst into tears. “Don’t speak! Don’t give the answer so easily! I won’t listen! I’m giving you seven days. If you choose me, hand her over to Jin Zhan, take her back to the Wood Administrator’s residence, and never see each other again for all eternity! If you choose her… then…” She closed her eyes, yet tears still densely slid down from between her trembling long lashes. Her shoulders trembling, she turned around. She had come so proudly, yet left just as disheveled. “We will never see each other again for all eternity!”

Xiang Su’s whole body turned ice cold. Though she had known long ago that Chilin was an insurmountable obstacle between her and Dong Tianyun, having it laid out so clearly and explicitly was still hideously cruel beyond what she could bear.

Behind all sweetness lay unbearable bitterness.

She had originally wanted to be patient. It was despicable—she wanted to endure until after Chilin helped Junshang restore his immortal body, then take Junshang back. She could even comfort herself saying that when Chilin killed her back then, that wasn’t honorable either, so they canceled each other out.

But after hearing him say those words in Dragon Prison Valley that let her die without regrets, she lost the opportunity and hope.

With the wood spirit divine artifact returned to its place, Dong Tianyun’s recreation of his immortal essence could be accomplished immediately. But Chilin could never again tolerate having her by Dong Tianyun’s side, no matter what identity she held.

Dong Tianyun remained silent for a long time.

Xiang Su sat in his embrace, not wanting to break the current peace. Perhaps in the future… she would never again have these arms that gave her such peace of mind embrace her. Never see each other again? Xiang Su blinked. She didn’t want to cry, didn’t want Dong Tianyun to perceive her sorrow. Actually this result… she had sensed it long ago, but had always held onto a sliver of hope.

Dong Tianyun sighed lightly and gently, his chin resting on the crown of her head, his arms around her tightening. “Guess, whom will I choose?”

He seemed to still have the mood to tease her, but she didn’t have the courage to say this answer. No matter whom he chose, she couldn’t bear it.

She had caused him to fall into the Abyss River and caused Sister Qingsui to fill the wind eye. There were millions of reasons that could absolve her, but the despair of owing debts that could never be repaid—from this she had no absolution.

She didn’t know how long she remained silent, long enough that she could speak calmly.

“Never seeing each other again for all eternity… doesn’t matter.” She actually smiled. These words were sincere. It didn’t matter, as long as she knew he was living well, still the proud legend revered by the Three Realms. Rather than being with him while harboring inescapable guilt, it was better to leave gracefully. Besides this, what else could she do for him? Her voice was still very childish, but when she said, “No matter where I go, I will still think of you… Daddy,” even she herself felt the bone-piercing, heart-stabbing grief.

Dong Tianyun’s hands tightened. Before, he had repeatedly asked her to call him Daddy and she refused, but this one call cut his heart like a knife.

“What does a little child like you understand?” He tossed her onto the bed. “Adult matters will be resolved by adults.”

He stood up and left quickly. She was so small, yet seemed to understand everything. But her thoughtfulness made him even more unable to face it.

Xiang Su hugged Kunpeng again. Though it was always arrogant and silent, it quietly accompanied her. Tears dripped again on the feathers on Kunpeng’s back. It didn’t move, only gently rested its head on her tender arm.

When Dong Tianyun returned, the sky had already darkened. Xiang Su had fed Kunpeng Nine Nether flower juice and was watching it proudly pace back and forth on the bed.

Dong Tianyun quietly sat down beside Xiang Su and watched with her.

Xiang Su also didn’t speak. Seven days… Actually she had once thought that on the seventh day, she would acknowledge him as Daddy then. But she was very afraid that if she dragged it out, she would no longer have the courage to cut off her love for him. Having really called him that, she knew she should immediately go find Jin Zhan and leave when her heart hurt most. But she couldn’t bear to… For her entire long life, what remained for her and Dong Tianyun was just these short seven days. No matter how sad, she still wanted to look at him more, speak a few more words with him.

As Kunpeng walked, it suddenly trembled all over. Xiang Su thought something was wrong with it, but unexpectedly it raised its head and gave a low whistle, dropping several feathers as its entire form grew a size larger.

With too much on her mind, she had no energy even to express joy. Dong Tianyun slowly picked up the feathers that had fallen on the bed. His slender, pale fingers against the black feathers were so beautiful she couldn’t look away. Yet she only dared look at his hands, not having the courage to look at his supremely handsome face.

She remembered how before he had used Kunpeng’s feathers to make her the Sinking Star Fan, taken her to many places, eaten many delicious things… and told so many lies, deceiving her heart.

Kunpeng was still small—its feathers had no magical power. His fingers nimbly manipulated them for a while, making a shuttlecock, and placed it in her hand.

Tears dropped one by one… onto the shuttlecock. Dong Tianyun patted her head. “Why are you crying? I won’t separate from you.”

He said it plainly, but she knew he had made up his mind to give up his immortal essence, give up half his immortal power.

Just as he was angry she had decided to go to her death on her own, she also couldn’t agree to him making such a great sacrifice.

“You sleep. I’ll go out for a walk.”

Xiang Su knew that usually at this time when he went out, it was nothing more than to see that fake Xiang Su. Whether real or fake, “Xiang Su” was that person who always made his heart ache. Both leaving him far away couldn’t be considered a bad thing.

Chilin used the Breath Pearl to hide her own aura, carefully following Dong Tianyun.

Ever since falling in love with him, she had become base and laughable. After saying such words, she didn’t have the confidence to wait for him to come to Chiying Palace. Actually she had long understood—the one he wanted to choose in his heart was not her.

Giving up half his immortal power, for Dong Tianyun, was equivalent to giving up half his life. He would thus become mediocre, even unable to protect Gujun when encountering strong enemies.

With only half his immortal power left, he could be said to be living a life worse than death.

She only had this bit of gambling capital left—the importance of Gujun to him. No matter how the goal was achieved, as long as she could obtain him, that was good.

Following him to Qiuyan Mountain, she had known early on that he would secretly come to see “Xiang Su.” She had even warned Hu Chen to never let his guard down for a moment and expose the truth.

Different from before, Dong Tianyun didn’t silently observe from afar. He landed in front of Qiuyan Palace’s main hall.

Qiuyan Palace seemed to be having some joyous event. Lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere. The servants were all beaming with smiles. Even this late, they were still in groups of twos and threes carrying red silk lanterns and other decorations, adorning and arranging things everywhere.

Hearing that Dong Tianyun had come, Long Zhun personally came out to welcome him. Dong Tianyun looked around, and “Xiang Su” slowly walked out from the rear hall. Even so, Long Zhun quickly went over to support her, smiling and instructing her: “Slowly.”

Dong Tianyun gazed at her. This face he remembered to the bone, this supremely beautiful countenance—looking at it, his heart was much calmer than before.

“Junshang, you also know?” Xiang Su walked before him, shyly lowering her head halfway. Although he had come to say farewell, Dong Tianyun still couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

“Junshang, stay tonight and attend the celebration feast together tomorrow.” Long Zhun also seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Dong Tianyun restrained his expression and smiled faintly: “Celebration feast?”

Long Zhun raised his eyebrows. “So you don’t know yet… Xiang Su, she—” The young couple looked at each other affectionately. “She’s with child.”

Dong Tianyun pressed his lips together very lightly, not knowing what he felt in his heart. “Congratulations.” After a moment of silence, he said, “Xiang Su, in the future… I won’t be able to visit you often. You… take good care with Long Zhun.”

“Junshang, are you going on a long journey?” Xiang Su frowned with worry.

Dong Tianyun looked into her eyes and smiled slightly. “Seeing you like this, I… am also at peace.”

Having said everything that needed to be said, he turned to leave. Toward Xiang Su, toward his own past, he seemed to have given account. In the future… he could be with Youyue with his heart free of burdens.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped, slowly turned back, and looked calmly at Long Zhun and Xiang Su. His waveless, rippleless gaze actually made both of them sweat through to their backs.

“Who exactly are you?” Dong Tianyun took a step toward Xiang Su. Xiang Su was so frightened her face turned deathly pale, staggering backward and nearly falling, but was caught by Long Zhun.

“Junshang, what are you saying?” Xiang Su steadied her mind, her smile forced.

Dong Tianyun took another step closer. “Who are you?”

“Junshang…” Xiang Su still wanted to argue.

Dong Tianyun raised his hand and threw out a thread of soft silk transformed from immortal power. Not allowing Xiang Su to dodge, it rapidly wrapped around her wrist. Dong Tianyun narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly. “You are indeed with child. Wood spirits before five hundred years old cannot possibly become pregnant.”

Xiang Su and Long Zhun embraced each other, looking at Dong Tianyun in fear.

Dong Tianyun lowered his hand. The soft silk transformed into light mist and dissipated. Rarely showing such patience, he looked at them and asked again: “Who are you?”