Everyone in the Nine Heavens knew that when Storage Element High God found his beloved daughter, his affection was extraordinary. Not only did he hold a banquet to welcome her back into his sect, but when Yan Cha turned one thousand years old, he also began arranging to find her an immortal partner.
“I am about to enter seclusion, and if you had an immortal partner for company, it would set my mind at ease,” Storage Element said earnestly. “I know you young people don’t like to follow your parents’ arrangements, and I won’t force you. Just take a look at all the talented young immortals in the Nine Heavens, and if you truly don’t like any of them, then so be it.”
As he spoke, he observed Yan Cha’s expression, afraid she might be unhappy.
However, Yan Cha felt indifferent about it. Having one more person by her side or one less made little difference to her. If her father wanted her to have a companion, then she would have one.
So she said: “I’ll follow Father’s arrangements completely.”
Storage Element was delighted, but alongside his joy, he felt somewhat guilty. Yan Cha was too obedient. Despite being about the same age as Er’er, when she should have been rebellious and pursuing freedom, she was always quiet—either cultivating, reading, or cooking. Whenever he made any request, she would agree without any objection. Over time, Storage Element began to worry whether she was suppressing her true feelings.
After some hesitation, Storage Element tentatively asked: “You’ve been in the Nine Heavens for so long, have you taken a liking to any immortal?”
Yan Cha lowered her head to think, then said: “Except for little Junior Sister, I haven’t paid attention to any other immortals.”
After nurturing Er’er’s soul back to health, she had rarely left Storage Element’s immortal island, though Er’er would come to see her once every decade or so.
…
…
Logically, there was nothing wrong with what she said, but in this context, it made Storage Element’s face turn green: “This… High God Li Ye has become increasingly domineering in recent years. Don’t get any strange ideas.”
Yan Cha: “…”
That was completely off track.
Both amused and exasperated, she stood up: “Whatever Father chooses is fine. I have no opinion either way. The tea leaves drying outside need to be collected. I’ll take my leave now.”
Watching her retreating figure, Storage Element felt both heartache and melancholy. What a wonderful girl, how could she have set her sights on Immortal Er’er? If not for High God Li Ye, he might have helped advocate for her, but Li Ye…
Thinking of how a few days ago, the Western Sea Dragon Tribe had caused trouble, and Li Ye had single-handedly captured the Dragon King and turned him into a golden carp to be kept at the Heavenly Gate, Storage Element shuddered and decided to choose another good immortal for her.
Following Er’er’s instructions, Meng Wan delivered a register of unmarried immortals in the Nine Heavens to Storage Element. Storage Element pored over it by lamplight, and after three days of deliberation, he set his sights on someone.
……
“Form an immortal union?” Zhen Huan Gong was feeding his divine beast when he heard this and laughed. “Do I look that desperate to share half my cultivation with someone else?”
“That’s not the right way to look at it,” Qian Tian said, waving his fan. “Although you’ll share your cultivation, you’ll also have a companion from then on, not spending your days alone.”
Spitting disdainfully, Zhen Huan Gong sneered: “Unnecessary.”
Qian Tian knew his temperament and didn’t press further, only saying: “I hear Storage Element High God’s daughter is quite beautiful.”
“How many immortals are unattractive? Even if they were born ugly, they could transform themselves into stunning beauties.” Cupping his divine beast’s head in his hands, Zhen Huan Gong’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Kong Sang, transform into a beauty.”
The divine beast gave a low cry and immediately obliged, turning into a delicate maiden leaning in his arms.
Qian Tian laughed, closing his fan: “I’ve delivered the message. The rest is up to you.”
“No need to see me out.” The divine beast returned to its original form, and Zhen Huan Gong continued feeding it immortal fruits.
Yet as he fed it, he grew somewhat annoyed. Storage Element’s daughter was Immortal Er’er’s senior sister. If she truly set her sights on him, would she force him into an immortal union?
In the mortal realm, there were plenty of stories about arranged marriages forced upon unwilling parties. Could it be his turn now?
Shuddering, Zhen Huan Gong became wary.
***
Whatever Er’er’s governance methods were, within a few hundred years, the Nine Heavens had restored its former order and prosperity. The boundary between the netherworld and the human realm was redrawn, also designating a thousand fathoms below the sea as part of the netherworld, bringing a period of peace.
During this peaceful time, many heavenly immortals began engaging in frivolous activities. One day they would host a feast, the next day a banquet, gathering crowds to drink over the most trivial matters.
As the leader of the Zhen Clan, Zhen Huan Gong naturally received many invitations to drink. At one banquet, he saw Storage Element’s daughter.
Graceful and elegant, with a face like the bright moon, she was indeed beautiful. Unfortunately, her intentions seemed too obvious, constantly moving back and forth before his eyes, as if afraid he wouldn’t notice her.
Inwardly sneering, Zhen Huan Gong lowered his eyes and drank. If he didn’t like someone, he simply didn’t, no matter how much they flaunted themselves.
Yan Cha, however, hadn’t noticed him at all.
Today was Meng Wan’s birthday banquet, and she had come specially to help with the food and wine. Serving dishes was already keeping her busy; how could she pay attention to who was sitting at the tables? Somehow, though, her eldest senior brother kept directing her to serve wine and dishes to the same table. Was this immortal so gluttonous, like a transformed Taotie?
Curious, when delivering the final dish, Yan Cha lifted her head and glanced at him.
Oh, Zhen Huan Gong, that immortal who loved to fight with High God Li Ye.
Withdrawing her gaze, Yan Cha thought that people who loved to fight consumed spiritual energy faster, so eating more wasn’t a big deal.
So she withdrew.
Zhen Huan Gong took the plate she handed over, somewhat bewildered.
Were female immortals now so brazen in their flirtations? Not only delivering twelve dishes to him but also giving him a look while serving?
Yan Cha’s eyes were indeed beautiful—pure and gentle, like a crescent moon with a halo. That upward glance carried no coquettishness, just straightforward curiosity, like a celestial deer he had encountered in the beast forest of Mount Buzhou.
Setting down the plate, Zhen Huan Gong thought: even if she were a celestial deer, she wouldn’t take away part of his cultivation.
Nevertheless, the dishes at this banquet were truly delicious. He had rarely eaten his fill, and now he stared at the meat left on his plate, wondering whether to take some back for Kong Sang.
Just as he was considering this, Meng Wan called to him: “Huan Gong.”
Gathering his thoughts, Zhen Huan Gong looked up to see Meng Wan offering him a food box, bowing as he said: “I heard your divine beast is quite fond of meat. My junior sister prepared some. If you don’t mind, please take it back with you.”
Meng Wan’s junior sister was none other than Yan Cha.
Quite thoughtful, even knowing what his divine beast liked to eat.
Zhen Huan Gong raised an eyebrow, staring at the food box for a moment before saying: “My divine beasts are all rather particular. They don’t like it when I carry others’ scents. Taking this might displease them.”
Being men, Meng Wan naturally understood his implied meaning and immediately withdrew the food box with a slight smile: “In that case, never mind.”
Rising and nodding, Zhen Huan Gong gracefully left the banquet.
However, as he walked away, he began to feel somewhat guilty. Had his words been too direct? The young lady had shown goodwill, and he had rejected her so bluntly—wouldn’t she be heartbroken?