A child’s angry voice suddenly came from the empty windowsill: “Let me go! How dare you be so rude?”

As soon as the words fell, a small black shadow appeared out of thin air before their eyes, wearing an oversized Daoist robe, being held by the back of his collar by Fang Zhun. His hands and feet flailed wildly in the air—it was one of the Daoist acolytes that Qingling Zhenjun had brought to attend the Immortal Arts Assembly.

Fang Zhun said coldly: “Who is the rude one? I didn’t know that Qingling Zhenjun’s disciples included people who specialize in hiding in corners and stalking others. You were eavesdropping on our conversation—you must have been quite pleased with yourself, weren’t you?”

Seeing that his cover was blown, the acolyte simply clenched his teeth and refused to speak, adopting an attitude of “I won’t talk, what can you do about it?”

Fang Zhun said in a low voice: “I know what you’re following her for. Zhenjun must have sent you to secretly monitor her, and once she tells the truth, you’ll capture her soul. Am I wrong?”

The acolyte snorted but still didn’t speak.

Fang Zhun continued: “I also know Zhenjun’s purpose in collecting divine relics. You might as well go back and tell him that if one wants to be an immortal, one should act like an immortal. If he has selfish motives, he might as well be straightforward and do it himself—what can be accomplished by calling over a few mortals?”

The acolyte said angrily: “How insolent! How dare you be so disrespectful to Zhenjun!”

Fang Zhun revealed a mocking smile: “So what if he’s a Zhenjun? He’s not yet a Tianjun or Shenjun, so there’s no need to be so arrogant.”

The acolyte said darkly: “Ruining Zhenjun’s affairs—you’d better be careful! For the sake of a few mere mortals, think about whether it’s worth it!”

Fang Zhun’s hand suddenly loosened, throwing the acolyte out. He watched him roll along the ground like a ball for quite a distance.

“Last time with that child, I didn’t have time to look after him, letting you take advantage. But this time it won’t happen. I’ll look after Hu Sha myself. If you want to capture her soul or threaten her, first ask if I agree.”

The acolyte’s face turned livid, seeming somewhat unconvinced. He glanced toward Hu Sha, and after a long moment, his expression changed: “You… what did you plant on her?”

Fang Zhun tucked his hands into his sleeves, smiling leisurely: “I’m just temporarily lending her one of my capable assistants. You’re just a minor acolyte who has only been cultivating under Qingling Zhenjun for that short a time, yet you dare to come here and show off. Do you really think you’re invincible? Very well, I should still give Zhenjun some face. I’ll be a good person to the end and give you a reminder: bringing those few mortals from overseas is enough—any more, and the Nine Heavens above won’t continue to remain silent. For now, restrain your arrogance.”

The acolyte got up resentfully, and just as he was about to chant a spell to leave, he suddenly felt something stirring in the shadow at his feet. Greatly alarmed, when he tried to dodge it was already too late—that thing struck his chest, and his face immediately turned deathly pale.

Fang Zhun turned his back, saying indifferently: “A lesson for you—don’t be so arrogant in the future.”

Blood trickled from the corners of the acolyte’s lips. He glared at him hatefully, and his figure gradually dissolved into blue smoke and disappeared from the room.

The day they returned to Qingyuan Mountain, light rain fell at the base while a blizzard raged at the peak.

Seeing the familiar ice lake and the blooming apricot flowers of Zhiyan Pavilion, Hu Sha suddenly had a feeling as if a lifetime had passed.

As soon as the snow lion returned home, it began to frolic, rolling around in the apricot grove, sending petals flying everywhere like another chaotic red snowfall. Feng Yi patted her on the shoulder: “Why are you standing here in a daze? Won’t you go inside?”

Hu Sha nodded silently, but her feet didn’t move.

Was this really all right? For her to continue staying here, pretending nothing had happened? No Qingling Zhenjun, no divine relics—she was just one of the relatively fortunate among the myriad beings, reborn in another world. Could she simply cast all the past behind her?

She herself wasn’t sure whether this choice was right or wrong.

“You’ve been a bit off ever since you came back from the Immortal Arts Assembly. Did something happen?” Feng Yi tilted his head and raised his hand to sweep all her bangs upward, forcing her to look into his eyes.

Hu Sha hurriedly stepped back, saying in a low voice: “I… I’m fine. Rather, it’s you, Second Senior Brother—don’t always be so frivolous!”

Feng Yi’s long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly as he revealed a smile: “Second Senior Brother has overstepped. Junior Sister Hu Sha, please don’t take it to heart.” His voice was light, and though his face showed a smile, there was no mirth in his eyes. He released his hand and stepped back two paces. This was also the first time he had formally called her “Junior Sister Hu Sha”—extremely distant and courteous.

Hu Sha immediately became anxious: “That’s not what I meant! Second Senior Brother, really!”

Feng Yi looked at her and seemed to sigh, saying with a half-smile: “Truly, when close they are presumptuous, when distant they complain. Very difficult to please.”

Hu Sha of course knew he was referencing “only women and petty men are difficult to please,” and immediately pouted: “Second Senior Brother is the difficult one! I’ve never seen anyone as hard to serve as you.”

This remark made Feng Yi laugh heartily. He came forward again to put his arm around her shoulder, pushed open the door and sent her inside, then leaned against the doorframe himself, saying lazily: “Then I cannot disappoint Little Junior Sister’s expectations—I’ll have to be even harder to serve. You’ve become increasingly absent-minded since returning from the Immortal Arts Assembly. Did you run into Qingling Zhenjun? Did he not forgive you and refuse to let you go home?”

Hu Sha’s shoulders slumped. She hung her head in silence for a long while before saying: “I… I’m afraid I can’t go back. Actually, staying here isn’t bad—I can even become an immortal…”

Feng Yi touched her head without speaking.

Hu Sha forced a smile: “It’s nothing really. Actually, after staying here for over a month, I’ve gotten used to it. I really like Qingyuan, and I like Master and my senior brothers too. It’s quite good, truly.”

Feng Yi gazed fixedly at the profusion of apricot blossoms outside the door. After a long while, he suddenly said in a low voice: “You… having your fate toyed with by others like this—doesn’t it make you angry?”

Hu Sha looked up in surprise: “But… he’s an immortal, isn’t he? What can I do…”

Feng Yi smiled faintly: “Yes, an immortal.”

With that, he turned and drifted away.

Hu Sha remained in the room, feeling more and more that something was wrong, but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out exactly what was wrong.

Second Senior Brother… he was from the Ten Isles Within the Seas, right? He should never have been to her world, but what he said… what had he just said? “Only women and petty men are difficult to please”—she suddenly stood up, pushed open the door and chased after him, calling out urgently: “Second Senior Brother! Wait!”

She chased all the way into the apricot grove but didn’t see Feng Yi’s figure. Hu Sha turned around to search in the other direction when she suddenly heard Feng Di’s voice: “Hu Sha, why are you shouting so loudly as soon as you get back?”

With that, he walked over, his expression carrying a hint of reproach.

She said urgently: “Eldest Senior Brother! Have you seen Second Senior Brother?”

Feng Di was taken aback: “Feng Yi? I just saw him riding the clouds out…” Seeing that Hu Sha was about to chase after him again, he couldn’t help but frown and hold her back. “How could you possibly catch up with him? Weren’t you told to return and meditate and cultivate? Why are you still running around everywhere? At this rate, even cultivating for a hundred years won’t let you catch up to him! Get back to your room!”

Hu Sha most feared his habit of frowning and telling her to cultivate, so she could only make up an excuse: “It’s… it’s Master who asked me to find him for something!”

Feng Di’s brows furrowed even deeper: “Lying to my face! Master is at Yuhua Hall on First Eye Peak and hasn’t returned to Zhiyan Pavilion—how could he have instructed you to do anything? You’ve been increasingly restless lately. Go back at once!”

Hu Sha was extremely helpless and could only mutter as she turned to leave.

Before she had gone a few steps, she heard Feng Di call out in extreme surprise: “Grand Master! Why have you come?”

She looked back in astonishment and indeed saw that golden, resplendent Grand Master standing in the apricot grove, expressionless, staring fixedly at her. She couldn’t help but feel confused and instinctively knelt down with Feng Di to bow: “This disciple greets Grand Master.”

Jinting Zushi said indifferently: “No need for such formalities. Feng Di, you may withdraw for now. This venerable one has matters to discuss with your junior sister.”

Though Feng Di was puzzled, he didn’t dare disobey and could only say “yes” and withdraw to outside the grove, though he didn’t dare go far and held his breath to listen to the movements inside.

Hu Sha’s heart was uneasy, not understanding why Grand Master had suddenly come to find her. She raised her head to sneak a glance and saw him standing there motionless, not speaking, his eyes fixed on her with an unreadable expression. This situation made her even more apprehensive, completely at a loss. She couldn’t help but repeatedly review whether she had recently done anything to disgrace her master.

After an unknown length of time, Jinting Zushi suddenly gave a long sigh, turned with his hands clasped behind his back, and said indifferently: “This venerable one was not aware of your entry into Qingyuan at first. Had I understood your origins beforehand, I would never have allowed Fang Zhun to take you as a disciple.”

Hu Sha’s heart sank as she murmured: “It has nothing to do with Master… it was me… it was me who begged him to take me…”

“Whether he took you or you begged him, the result is already as such—there’s no point in saying more.” Jinting Zushi shook his head and turned back, his gaze burning as if it wanted to see through to her internal organs. “Fang Zhun has great potential. In this venerable one’s thousand years, I have taken countless disciples—some left, some died, and many achieved mediocrity. Only he is the finest talent I most value. In the future, when he establishes his altar and announces to the celestial gods, he can be directly ranked among the Nine Heavens Immortal Register. Therefore, I absolutely cannot allow him to do anything beneath his station.”

Hu Sha lowered her head. After a while, she said softly: “Taking me as a disciple… puts Master in a very difficult position?”

Jinting Zushi didn’t answer, only saying indifferently: “Qingling Zhenjun… as a Zhenjun, though he hasn’t ascended to the Nine Heavens, all the celestial gods must give him some consideration. Whether what he does is right or wrong is not for juniors to comment on. Even if it’s wrong, it’s a tribulation he must face—it has nothing to do with others. This is the Way of Heaven. To oppose it or even contend against the Way of Heaven because of minor notions of right and wrong will only lead to falling into demonic ways. This venerable one will not agree to it, much less approve of it.”

He looked at Hu Sha. She kept her head lowered without speaking, her ten fingers twisting tightly in her sash until they turned pale.

He sighed deeply: “This is also your own tribulation. Relying on heaven or earth for protection won’t work—relying on Fang Zhun is even more impossible.”

After a pause, he continued: “Qingyuan has stood firm for a thousand years, flourishing to this day. I will not allow it to be damaged in any way for the sake of any person or any matter.”

Hu Sha knelt in a daze for a moment, then slowly kowtowed to the ground, saying in a trembling voice: “This disciple… this disciple…” She didn’t know what to say or how to say it. With Heaven above and Earth below, she was naturally just one insignificant, tiny grain of sand among them—flying upward, she couldn’t move; drilling downward, she couldn’t penetrate.

Nowhere to escape.

Jinting Zushi took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and said solemnly: “Qingyuan has never owed Miss anything, and Miss has never failed Qingyuan in any way. From now on, Miss and Qingyuan are unrelated. Please leave.”

“Grand Master?” Feng Di, who had been eavesdropping outside, could no longer restrain himself and cried out, rushing into the apricot grove and kneeling before him, saying urgently: “I beg Grand Master to reconsider! Hu Sha has never committed any major transgression, and her daily cultivation has been extremely diligent—in the future, she may well become fine talent. Having her leave like this—won’t the world mock Qingyuan for not being able to tolerate people?”

Jinting Zushi said indifferently: “My mind is made up. There’s no need to say more. Feng Di, see the guest out!”

“Grand Master!” How could he accept this?

“Feng Di!” Jinting Zushi’s brows knitted together, his voice immediately becoming stern. “Don’t forget what your original purpose was in entering Qingyuan! If you want to become an immortal yet can’t resist interfering in worldly mortal affairs and becoming tainted with vulgarity, how can you become an immortal?”

Feng Di was momentarily speechless.

Jinting Zushi glanced at him sideways: “So? Will you leave together with this Miss, or will you stay? You choose!”

Feng Di’s face alternated between pale and flushed, unable to say a single word.

Jinting Zushi flicked his sleeve: “Go down! Reflect for three days in the Spirit Rock Cave at Third Eye Peak!”

Feng Di drew in a breath and slowly released it. After a long while, he said in a low voice: “I’m sorry, Hu Sha…” Then he turned and walked away unsteadily.

Hu Sha knelt for a while. Apart from her own heartbeat and breathing, she could hear no other sound. She slowly stood up and said in a low voice: “I’ll go pack my bundle and leave immediately.”

“No need. This venerable one has already had someone pack your things and place them at the main gate. You can go retrieve them yourself.” Jinting Zushi extended his hand. “Come. This venerable one will send you out.”

Hu Sha silently took two steps, but in the end couldn’t help herself and murmured: “Master… I mean Master Fang Zhun—can I not bid him farewell? And… Brother Feng Yi.”

Jinting Zushi said coldly: “Farewells and meetings are all worldly affairs. Don’t disturb them further.”

Hu Sha numbly nodded, placed her hand in his palm, and closed her eyes, feeling as if all sounds in her heart had stopped.

Cold wind swept past her face—it was only the blink of an eye. When she had first entered, from the main gate to Zhiyan Pavilion had also been only the blink of an eye, yet her state of mind was worlds apart.

Standing at the main gate were still the same middle-aged Daoist nun and others she had seen last time, and the floating platform above was still filled with people who had come to seek masters. At a glance, Hu Sha saw her own gray, dusty bundle placed on the long table at the gate entrance, with no one paying it any attention—like a piece of discarded trash.

When Jinting Zushi appeared at the main gate, everyone hurriedly knelt down to pay respects, and for a moment all one could see was a sea of backs.

He said indifferently: “Everyone rise. This Miss is leaving Qingyuan. Bai Ting, give her some traveling expenses—consider it Qingyuan’s kind intention.”

The middle-aged Daoist nun called Bai Ting wore an expression full of surprise, clearly not quite believing that Hu Sha was leaving Qingyuan. She had only been here for a few days! But since Grand Master had instructed it, she had to comply. She quickly took out a money pouch from inside her robe and handed it to Hu Sha along with her bundle, saying in a small voice: “Junior Sister, cultivation is truly arduous, but there’s no need to give up halfway! Think it over carefully!”

Hu Sha said nothing. She only held her bundle to her chest but didn’t take the money pouch. Under everyone’s gaze, she turned and descended the steps.

Someone called to her from behind: “Hu Sha.” The voice was gentle and mild, like a spring breeze passing. Yet hearing it in her ears was no different from a violent snowstorm. Her whole body trembled, and the bundle nearly fell to the ground.

She slowly turned around and saw a person standing at the main gate steps—white robes, black hair, handsome features. It was Fang Zhun.

Her vision slowly blurred, yet his figure became increasingly clear. She blinked, and two teardrops rolled out as she said in a trembling voice: “Master…”

Fang Zhun drifted to stand before her, raised his hand to wipe away her tears, but didn’t turn back, saying in a deep voice: “Master, why must you do this?”

Jinting Zushi frowned: “Absurd! Return at once! Have you still not understood your master’s teachings?”

Fang Zhun smiled faintly: “Who was it that told you from behind? Their tongue reaches quite far. In all fairness, have I truly done wrong in this matter? Is sending her to her death the righteous path?”

Jinting Zushi’s heavy brows stood upright, and he looked about to fly into a rage, but for some reason forcibly suppressed it, saying coldly: “That he can become a Zhenjun naturally has its reasons. Just as you and I being immortals also has its reasons. Her leaving now is also according to reason!”

Fang Zhun laughed: “What fine reasoning! Refusing to save someone in mortal danger is reason, making mistake after mistake is also reason, knowingly committing wrongs is still reason! This disciple thanks Master for his teachings—today I finally understand what the Way of Heaven means!”

“Fang Zhun! Kneel!” Jinting Zushi immediately flew into a rage.

Fang Zhun touched Hu Sha’s head and said gently: “Don’t panic, don’t be afraid. Just stay here and don’t move.”

Hu Sha shook her head, pushed away his hand, stepped back two paces, knelt down and said in a low voice: “This disciple is unworthy, stubborn and lazy, unable to continue cultivating at Qingyuan. Today I must take my leave… Take care, Master Fang Zhun!”

With that, she kowtowed three times, quickly rose, no longer daring to look at him even once, and ran down from the high platform as if fleeing for her life.

Jinting Zushi’s anger had not subsided. He said darkly: “Go inside!”

Fang Zhun gazed at the mountain below for a while, then looked back at him and revealed a slight smile, saying softly: “Master… your reasoning—forgive this disciple’s dullness, but I truly cannot agree with it.”

He drifted through the main gate. Everyone knelt to make way, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Hu Sha walked in a daze for a long time.

The road ahead was completely unfamiliar. Where should she go? What should she do? She didn’t think about it at all. Actually, thinking about it was useless—she was alone again now. It was that simple.

As for that youth as pure as jade and bright as the moon, the profusion of flowers and immortal freedom—from now on, she would just consider it all a fleeting dream and forget it all.

Someone beside her called out: “Little Miss, are you wandering around here alone because you’re lost?”

She turned back to look in confusion, her vision a complete blur, unable to see anything clearly.

Seeing her face covered in tears, that person felt awkward and could only pat his ox cart with his hand, laughing: “Get in the cart. This old man will take you home. Where do you live?”

Where did she still have a home?

Hu Sha stood in a daze for a long while, finally wiping away her tears and saying hoarsely: “Then please trouble you, Grandfather—take me to Little Powder Town.”

Lu Daniang was selling buns in the town as always. When Hu Sha appeared before her, the bun in her hand scared her into dropping it on the ground once again, immediately followed by her stepping on it and crushing it.

“Little Hu Sha!” Lu Daniang excitedly embraced her. “You’re back? Auntie was so worried! I was afraid something would happen to you on the road!”

Hu Sha forced a smile and said in a low voice: “Auntie, I’m truly useless. I couldn’t climb the immortal mountain or take an immortal as my master.”

Lu Daniang quickly led her into the back courtyard with her arms around her, saying repeatedly: “It’s good that you’re back! After you left, Auntie regretted it for a long time. I shouldn’t have told you about the immortal mountain and immortals! So many people who go never come back—that you can return alive makes Auntie so happy.”

After washing in hot water and changing into newly made clothes that were a bit too large but warm and soft, with a bowl of sweet-smelling millet congee in her hands that brought peace of mind.

Lu Daniang held her damp long hair from behind, gently combing it with a wooden comb while chattering: “Ai, child, you suffered quite a bit on the road, didn’t you? You’ve lost so much weight. How did you get through this past month?”

Hu Sha said in a low voice: “Actually, it wasn’t too bad. I didn’t suffer much. There were many kind-hearted people.”

Lu Daniang sighed: “Don’t lie. At my age, can’t I tell whether you’ve had it good or not?” She dried Hu Sha’s hair with a cloth and smoothed it, then went to the outer room to bring her an oil lamp.

“Sleep early and rest well. Tomorrow, Auntie will make you the beef soup you like.” She patted Hu Sha’s small head and pushed open the door to leave.

Hu Sha sat for a very long time, until outside the window everything fell into darkness and all was silent.

The wind struck the paper-covered window, making pattering sounds that were alarming in the deathly quiet of night. Hu Sha blew out the oil lamp in one breath, climbed onto the bed, and wrapped herself tightly in the quilt.

She suddenly remembered her first night at Qingyuan. Outside the window then had also been wind sounds like sobbing. She hadn’t slept well all night, constantly thinking of home. At that time, she thought everything was simple—cultivate well, wait for the Immortal Arts Assembly, find Qingling Zhenjun, then apologize to him. She would be able to go home soon.

People really shouldn’t be too naive.

She buried her head under the quilt as well, not wanting to hear any sound.

What should she do in the future? Having left Qingyuan, left her master and senior brothers, she seemed unable to do anything—wasn’t that terrible?

Yingzhou, the Shuiliu Qin, Xiaoyao Hall… she repeated these words over and over, as if to brand them into her heart.

Tomorrow… she would set out. No matter what, she couldn’t die in a foreign land because of some inexplicable matter. Whether it was the Shuiliu Qin or some golden pipa, she had to take this job whether she wanted to or not.

The door was suddenly knocked on twice lightly. Lu Daniang said in a low voice outside: “Little Hu Sha, there’s a man outside looking for you, says he’s your friend.”

Hu Sha threw off the quilt: “I’m coming.”

Friend? Who could it be? Did she have friends here?

She put on her shoes, wrapped herself in an outer garment, and opened the door. Lu Daniang grasped her hand, eyes shining: “Little Hu Sha, when did you meet such a young man? So handsome, and his words are pleasing too. Where is he from? Is he married? What’s his family background? What’s his name?”

Hu Sha was completely confused: “I… I don’t know who it is either…”

She carried the oil lamp and walked out. The main door was half open, with drizzling rain pouring inside, wetting a large patch of the ground. A person was leaning lazily against the doorframe, arms folded, watching the curtain of rain outside. That gaudy robe on his body was already more than half wet.

Hearing footsteps, he turned his head. His hair was also half wet, with a strand sticking to his cheek. A water droplet hung on his beautifully curved chin, about to fall but not yet falling, making one’s heart itch.

Seeing Hu Sha, he smiled faintly and said gently: “I finally found you, little Hu Sha.”

The oil lamp in Hu Sha’s hands nearly dropped with a whoosh. While still half an inch from the ground, that person raised his finger slightly, and the oil lamp floated up in the air, swaying and drifting to Hu Sha’s hands without spilling a single drop of oil.

She was completely stunned, catching the oil lamp and murmuring: “Second Senior Brother… you… how did you…”

He smiled without answering, only saying gently to Lu Daniang who was peeking from behind: “Coming to disturb you so late—I’m truly sorry, Auntie.”

Lu Daniang smiled as she welcomed him in, saying: “Go to little Hu Sha’s room—it’s warm there. I’ll go boil some tea.”

She gave Hu Sha’s hand a squeeze and winked at her, meaning roughly that the young lady had good taste. But Hu Sha was still in a state of shock and completely didn’t register it.

Feng Yi put his arm around her shoulders and actually found her room quite easily, pulled over a stool for himself to sit on, propped his chin and just smiled at her.

Hu Sha clutched the oil lamp, forgetting to set it down, asking repeatedly: “Second Senior Brother… Second Senior Brother, how did you come here? Do Master and the others know? You… you must have snuck out… you should go back quickly, don’t let Grand Master scold you…”

He smiled as he took the oil lamp, saying gently: “Guess why I came to see you? Can’t you guess?”

Hu Sha’s face immediately turned bright red, stammering for a long time, instinctively wanting to avoid this question.

Feng Yi didn’t wait for her to speak either, saying in a low voice: “I only learned about Grand Master expelling you when I returned to Zhiyan Pavilion. I wanted to find someone to ask but couldn’t find anyone. Master and Senior Brother also don’t know what they did, but both were punished by Grand Master to sit quietly in Spirit Rock Cave for three days. I could only have my spirit beast track your scent all the way. If it hadn’t been for the rain washing away much of the scent, I would have arrived even faster.”

Hu Sha’s face darkened. After a long while, she said softly: “It’s me who implicated Master and Eldest Senior Brother. Actually, I shouldn’t have gone to Qingyuan—I shouldn’t have gone from the very beginning.”

Lu Daniang came in to deliver tea, also handing Feng Yi a dry towel and a bowl of millet congee, being very enthusiastic: “Young master, please stay the night at this humble dwelling. Outside the wind and rain are fierce, and the roads aren’t good either.”

Feng Yi’s eyes shifted slightly. Seeing Hu Sha’s face full of hopeful reluctance, he smiled: “Then I’ll trouble Auntie.”

After Lu Daniang left, Hu Sha said in a low voice: “Second Senior Brother, if you don’t return for a night, won’t you be punished?”

Feng Yi flicked her forehead with his finger: “Silly girl, have you forgotten I’ve been a disciple for fifty years? These things aren’t for you to worry about. You should think about yourself first.”

Hu Sha lowered her eyelids, her lashes trembling slightly, forcing a smile: “Me? I… naturally will go back to where I came from.”

Feng Yi took a small sip of the tea and said indifferently: “To return to Jiaxing, I’m afraid there will be quite a bit of trouble. Are you sure you can manage it alone?”

Hu Sha’s heart jolted. The matters she had pushed to the back of her mind flashed through her mind like lightning. She suddenly jumped up, nearly knocking over the teacups on the table.

“Second Senior Brother!” she exclaimed. “You… you’re also from my world, aren’t you? Otherwise, how would you know Confucius’s words? You’ve been hiding it from me all along?”

Feng Yi quickly covered her mouth, glanced at the doorway, and after confirming Lu Daniang wasn’t startled, pressed her back down into her seat, leaning close to her ear and whispering: “Don’t shout. Be careful others might hear.”

Hu Sha’s eyes widened. Despite having her mouth covered, she said urgently: “Then… then you really are…”

Feng Yi shook his head: “I’m not, but I once had a friend who, like you, was brought here by Qingling Zhenjun. The condition was that within ten years, he had to find two divine relics to give to Zhenjun before he could be sent home.”

“Did he find them? Did he go back?” Hu Sha was most concerned about this.

Feng Yi’s eyes dimmed as he sighed: “He died.”

In that instant, it was as if lightning struck from the sky, hitting her right in the heart, leaving her entire body numb and covered in cold sweat.

“…Died?” she asked in a trembling voice.

Feng Yi gave a long sigh: “At that time, no one knew where those five sets of divine relics were. He also went through enormous hardships to figure out that the Muhao Bell was located at the bottom of the South Sea of Liuzhou, and that the Shuiliu Qin was hidden in the old hall of Mount Lezheng in Yingzhou. Unfortunately, while trying to retrieve the Shuiliu Qin, he lost his life there.”

Hu Sha drew in a sharp breath, staring at him in a daze, unable to speak.

“That Shuiliu Qin is very different from other divine artifacts… I’m not clear on the specifics either, but it seems one cannot approach it easily. If you go to retrieve it, I’m afraid it will be extremely difficult.”

Hu Sha said in a low voice: “But I still have to try. I don’t want to die here in five years. I want to go home.”

Feng Yi suddenly grasped her hand, holding it tightly. His palm was scorching hot, and that heat actually made her shudder in alarm.

“It’s us who will try—Second Senior Brother will go with you.”

She was startled again, suddenly raising her head, meeting his pitch-black, narrow eyes. They were too deep—she couldn’t understand them. Feng Yi looked at her for a long while, the corner of his lips curving to reveal a gentle smile: “One friend has already died. I don’t want to see you die too. So this time, I’ll accompany you.”

Hu Sha drew in a sharp breath, only then realizing she had been holding her breath all along. She lowered her head, her ears slowly reddening, and even her eyes seemed a bit red as well. After a long while, she called out softly like a kitten: “Second Senior Brother… thank you.”

Feng Yi smiled: “You’ve called me ‘Second Senior Brother’ so many times—how could I ignore you? These courteous words—you don’t need to say them anymore.”

Hu Sha nodded silently, feeling his cool fingers brush past her temple and slide downward to touch her cheek. She instinctively shrank back, stood up from the chair, turned her back, and said with forced naturalness: “By the way, I’ll go see if Auntie has prepared your guest room. I… I’ll go help!”

She pushed open the door and fled as if escaping, running right into Lu Daniang who was coming to add more tea, nearly knocking over the tea tray as well.

Lu Daniang quickly steadied her, laughing and scolding: “Look at you, all flustered and rash! Don’t let that young master laugh at you!”

Looking up and seeing her face flushed like crimson, her beauty surpassing peach blossoms, Lu Daniang laughed even harder, taking her hand and saying in a low voice: “Little Hu Sha, he’s the one who looked after you on the road, isn’t he? I think this young master is quite good. Coming through heavy rain to see you shows how much he cares. Have you asked clearly about his situation?”

Hu Sha didn’t know whether to shake her head or nod, only feeling her heart pounding chaotically, completely unsure what to do.

Lu Daniang smiled and pinched her cheek, then went in to invite Feng Yi to the guest room to sleep. It wasn’t until everyone had left that Hu Sha slowly shuffled back to her own room, blew out the oil lamp, jumped onto the bed, and wrapped her head in the quilt again, feeling restless.

Only this restlessness was completely different from before.

At that moment, one moment Fang Zhun’s gentle black eyes floated through her mind, the next moment Feng Yi’s cool fingers, making it impossible for her to sleep well.

She was flying.

Flying through thick, gray hazy mist.

Above, below, left and right—everything was pitch black, nothing visible. Only the cold wind brushed through her hair, making her scalp tingle.

From the distance came a bone-chilling howling sound, like a demon or a fierce wild beast.

Hu Sha didn’t quite understand how she had ended up here. She tried to move her body, but the surrounding mist immediately dispersed and she plummeted straight down. Before she could even cry out, her body had already crashed onto the hard ground, the pain bringing tears to her eyes.

“Sinner!”

A thunderous roar came down from the sky above, almost shattering her eardrums. Immediately after, countless lightning bolts struck around her body. Though they didn’t actually harm her at all, they were still enough to frighten someone into fainting.

Hu Sha desperately covered her ears, curling her body into a ball.

Shrill shrieks came from all directions as countless bizarre monsters rushed at her like a tidal wave with nowhere to hide.

Hu Sha was so frightened her hands and feet went ice cold, unable to move even half an inch.

A clear wind sound rose beside her ears. Golden light immediately blazed forth. In that blinding brilliance, a figure vaguely stood—golden armor, long blade, features like a painting. That person stepped forward and swept the blade diagonally. The monsters instantly shattered like paper scraps, and the thunderclouds overhead were blown apart by a hurricane, revealing a patch of gray-white sky.

A low curse came from above: “Fang Zhun! Ruining my good work!”

The thunder rumbled for a while longer, then everything quieted down and all the illusions broke. This was merely a pitch-black wilderness, vast and boundless, with distant undulating mountains and groves looking as if splashed with ink.

The golden-armored divine being sheathed the blade across his chest. His body turned slightly, and in an instant transformed into myriad golden rays of light, glittering and drifting down. Finally, only a small paper figure remained, falling into Hu Sha’s palm.

A warmth came from her palm. Hu Sha couldn’t help but shudder, sitting up abruptly, covered in cold sweat and looking around. This was still Lu Daniang’s home. The sky had already brightened. She was sleeping in bed—no monsters, no thunder and lightning either.

Hu Sha was dazed for a long while, uncertain whether it had been a dream or something else. She looked down at her palm, where a small white paper figure lay, already soaked through with sweat.

Her entire heart felt as if something had tugged at it—numbly painful.

Master… she murmured these two words in her heart, feeling her throat filled with every possible taste—sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy.

It must have been him who helped her, though she didn’t know when he had slipped the paper figure to her.

Hu Sha carefully placed the paper figure on the quilt, gently smoothed it out, then put it in her pouch and placed it against her heart, as if doing so would give her strength.

Lu Daniang knocked on the door outside: “Little Hu Sha, are you up? Young Master Feng Yi is waiting for you!”

She quickly responded, got up to dress and wash. It seemed Lu Daniang had already asked Second Senior Brother’s name—who knows if she’d asked where his home was or whether he was married… Thinking of this, Hu Sha’s face reddened again. She murmured “how sinful” and quickly scooped up cold water to wash her face.

When she went out, Feng Yi was already sitting refreshed in the outer hall drinking tea, with two buns placed before him.

Hu Sha said in surprise: “Second Senior Brother, those are meat buns! Can you eat meat?”

“Silly, they’re vegetable buns.” He tossed one to her, grinning. “Though we’ve left, cultivation can’t be interrupted. You’re not allowed to eat meat anymore either—just eat a little vegetarian food.”

Hu Sha’s mouth immediately pouted: “But I don’t want to become an immortal…”

Lu Daniang just happened to bring out soup from the kitchen and asked very curiously: “Become what immortal? Little Hu Sha, why do you call him ‘Second Senior Brother’? Didn’t you fail to take a master?”

Hu Sha was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to explain this complicated relationship to her. Feng Yi smiled: “We didn’t have time to tell Auntie—Hu Sha didn’t manage to worship at Qingyuan as a master, but our master is a wandering Daoist. Yesterday because she secretly ate a chicken leg, Master scolded her a few times. This child got upset and ran off, so now I’m hurrying to bring her back.”

Lu Daniang immediately understood, lovingly and amusedly patting Hu Sha on the head: “Silly child, your master is doing this for your own good. I was wondering why you lost so much weight in just a month—turns out you weren’t eating. From now on, be good and listen to your master. Don’t secretly eat meat anymore!”

Saying this, she took the soup back: “If I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have made this meat soup. Wait, let me make you a vegetable soup instead.”

Feng Yi quickly stopped her: “Please don’t trouble yourself, Auntie. I need to hurry and take Little Junior Sister back—if we’re late, Master will punish us.”

Hu Sha was busy eating her bun with her head down when suddenly her back was lifted, and she was lightly pulled out the door. She said urgently: “Wait! My bundle still hasn’t…”

Feng Yi wrinkled his nose disdainfully: “What bundle? Oh, the one wrapped with those ugly clothes? Those are so ugly—just throw them all away. Second Senior Brother will buy you new ones.”

“Throw them away…” Hu Sha was so shocked she nearly choked, momentarily unable to speak.

Lu Daniang stood at the doorway, reluctantly waving her handkerchief at them: “Little Hu Sha, cultivate well with your master, and remember to come visit Auntie when you have time! Young Master Feng Yi, I’m entrusting Hu Sha to your care…”

“Auntie, my bundle…” Hu Sha anxiously waved at her, but the other party only thought she was saying goodbye and waved her handkerchief even more enthusiastically.

In the end, she still couldn’t retrieve her bundle. Hu Sha pouted the entire way, and no matter what Feng Yi said to her, she ignored him.

“All right, Second Senior Brother was wrong.” Feng Yi helplessly tugged at her small braid. “Really just a little girl.”

Hu Sha’s mouth pouted enough to hang an oil bottle, muttering: “You said those clothes were ugly in front of Auntie—that’s so disrespectful to her. She made all of those for me.”

Feng Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Suddenly he took her hand, only saying: “Then Second Senior Brother apologizes to you. Come with me.”

He led her around a corner and into a shop with the sign “Ready-Made Clothes Shop.”

Inside the shop, colorful silk garments hung on long bamboo poles. Because the Ten Isles Within the Seas was somewhat different from overseas, the patterns and needlework on them were all unprecedented. Hu Sha looked until her eyes were dazzled, unable to distinguish which was more beautiful.

“Pick whatever you like—Second Senior Brother will buy it for you.” Feng Yi gently pushed her through the door.

“Second Senior Brother…” She gave his sleeve a small tug. “This place looks very expensive. Let’s just go to a small shop and buy a few bolts of cloth—I’ll make them myself.”

He didn’t speak, only soothingly squeezed her hand and carefully selected among the various colorful fabrics.

Hu Sha had no choice but to look around randomly. Suddenly she saw a ready-made garment hanging on a rack ahead—a pale crimson like the glow of sunset, the color extremely soft and beautiful. She couldn’t help but look at it a few more times. The shopkeeper was good at reading expressions and immediately came over smiling: “Miss likes that one? You truly have good taste! This is woven from silk spun by blue silkworms from Tianxiang Lake, dyed with madder from near Duoli Mountain—you won’t see this beautiful red color anywhere else.”

Before Hu Sha could speak, Feng Yi opened his mouth: “Good, we’ll take that one. How much silver?”

She was startled and quickly tried to stop him: “Don’t! I was just looking…”

Feng Yi gently pushed her aside: “I like that color. I want to see Little Junior Sister wear it.”

The shopkeeper said with a beaming smile and flattering words: “This color is so beautiful—only Miss could match it. Miss has good taste and good fortune to have such a husband.”

“Not my husband!” She was so anxious she didn’t know what to do, but over there Feng Yi had already paid and lightly tossed the garment over.

“There’s a changing room in the back. Little Junior Sister, go change quickly. I never want to see the outfit you’re wearing again.”

With things having reached this point, she could only look at him resentfully and carry the garment to change in the back.

The garment was soft and light. Wearing it naturally felt different from ordinary fabric. The key was that despite being so thin, she didn’t feel cold at all. As she fastened the sash, she listened to the shopkeeper chatting with Feng Yi outside, praising how good the fabric was—ordinary blades and spears couldn’t pierce it, and it didn’t easily collect dust, making it perfect for traveling.

She couldn’t help but tug at the sleeves—so soft and pliable. Could it really block blades and spears? She didn’t believe it anyway.

The garment was slightly too large. Hu Sha spent quite a while adjusting it inside when she suddenly heard someone arguing with Feng Yi outside, quite loudly: “This brother is truly absurd. I ordered this ready-made garment from the shopkeeper several days ago. When buying things, there’s always a first-come-first-served principle. Just because you’re paying more, can you ignore reason?”

Feng Yi laughed: “So noisy. I didn’t know you beforehand, and the shopkeeper never told me the garment had been reserved by you. Why can’t I pay for it?”

That person said angrily: “Shopkeeper! Come over here and judge this fairly! Didn’t I order that ready-made garment from you earlier? How could you turn around and sell it to someone else?”

The shopkeeper was caught in the middle like paste, in a difficult position. Hu Sha picked up her old clothes and pushed open the door, saying in surprise: “Second Senior Brother, what’s wrong?”

All three people in the shop turned to look at once. Standing beside Feng Yi was a young man, about twenty-some years old, with refined brows and handsome eyes, dark skin, and a naturally vigorous and bold bearing between his brows. Upon seeing Hu Sha, a flash of amazement showed in his eyes, and the words he was about to say involuntarily got swallowed back.

Feng Yi didn’t bother with him and walked over smiling, pulling her to look her up and down, praising: “It really is true that fine feathers make fine birds. Isn’t this extremely beautiful now? I said long ago that my Little Junior Sister is very beautiful—she just doesn’t know how to dress up.”

Once praised, Hu Sha would blush, stammering: “Re… really?”

“Naturally it’s true. There’s a mirror over there—go look for yourself.” Feng Yi pushed her in front of the large bronze mirror. Immediately, a young woman was reflected in the mirror—skin like luminous white jade, dressed in red with black hair. Because she had barely eaten anything during her month at Qingyuan, she had become much thinner, her chin delicate and pointed, making her eyes look like pools of water. Her former childishness had greatly diminished, revealing some of a young woman’s charm.

Hu Sha hadn’t expected this garment to suit her so well. She was briefly lost in thought, then heard that man behind her saying: “Shopkeeper, how should this be explained? The clothes I ordered—you’re selling them to others instead. Being greedy in business doesn’t mean you can be so lacking in integrity, does it?”

The shopkeeper looked troubled, saying repeatedly: “Young master, that’s not how it is! You ordered the clothes and said you’d pick them up within three days, but this shop waited seven or eight days without seeing hide or hair of you. We can’t do business at a loss, can we? Who would have thought today would be such a coincidence that you’d both arrive together? How about you discuss it with that young master and see how to arrange things—don’t come looking for me.”

Hu Sha tugged on Feng Yi’s sleeve, saying in a low voice: “Second Senior Brother, was the garment ordered by him?”

Feng Yi smiled mockingly: “Ignore him. We’ve already paid the money. Who told him to be late—let him order another one himself.”