At high noon, Li Fei and Lei Xiuyuan waited punctually in the main hall of Wengu Peak. They saw two elder Immortals leading more than a dozen elders in front of the hall. Only the two of them were junior disciples, which was unprecedented.

Li Fei felt somewhat uneasy. Being with the elders wasn’t as relaxed and comfortable as being with fellow disciples. She tightened her grip on Lei Xiuyuan’s hand and whispered, “Xiuyuan, what do you think the elders have planned?”

After asking twice, Lei Xiuyuan still didn’t respond. Li Fei looked up at him and saw that he was staring intently at Immortal Cuixuan. Lei Xiuyuan had been quite docile lately. Since the Dharma Combat Competition, he would often fall into deep thought, pondering something unknown.

Li Fei decided not to disturb his contemplation. Among the dozen or so elders, she only recognized four: Chongyi, Guangwei, Dongyang, and Qingle. The others were unfamiliar to her. All the elders wore solemn expressions, even the usually smiling Elder Dongyang looked serious, his gourd spinning incessantly at his feet.

The Wuyue Court’s proof was quickly opened, and everyone soared out on clouds. Li Fei felt a gust of wind hit her face, nearly blowing her off the cloud. She quickly steadied herself and saw the sun blazing overhead. The midday sun was unexpectedly harsh for March. The horizon had an eerie blood-red tinge, and wild winds continued to buffet them. The thin spiritual energy in the outside world fluctuated erratically, sometimes dense, sometimes sparse.

Immortal Shouzhong suddenly sighed, “The spiritual energy fluctuations have begun. Various anomalies will arrive in the coming days. Our time is limited; we can only arrange our affairs as best we can.”

Seeing his melancholy words, Immortal Cuixuan laughed, “We still have many days ahead. Why be so mournful? It will only invite mockery from the juniors. Let’s be on our way.”

Li Fei found their dialogue very strange, coupled with the sudden appearance of fierce winds and scorching sun. She couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

Could it be… that the Sea Calamity was coming?

The thought of the Sea Calamity’s arrival filled her with the pain of confronting her origins once again. This pain shadowed her, impossible to shake off. As a child, she desperately wanted to know all the secrets of her background – why others had parents while she didn’t, why others could easily draw spiritual energy into their bodies while her cultivation method was so peculiar.

But now she didn’t want to know at all, not even a bit.

Suddenly, Riyan’s massive form appeared before her. He too was gazing thoughtfully in Immortal Cuixuan’s direction.

“I’ve been looking for you,” Li Fei said in a low voice. “I thought you might have been left alone in Wuyue Court.”

Riyan didn’t respond, as if he hadn’t heard. Like Lei Xiuyuan, he kept staring at Immortal Cuixuan. Li Fei couldn’t hold back anymore and asked quietly, “What are you all looking at?”

Riyan flicked his ears and said flatly, “That Immortal is impressive. He can open a small realm now. It seems he’s hidden something in his small realm… Where are you all going? Why are only you and that boy the only disciples?”

Li Fei temporarily pushed the thoughts of the Sea Calamity’s anomalies aside and smiled, “Master said he’s taking me to catch spirit beasts to forge magical treasures. I don’t know what the other elders are doing. Riyan, will you be unhappy if I use spirit beasts to forge treasures?”

Riyan snorted, “Forge treasures? What a waste. No matter how earth-shattering a treasure is, how can it compare to a living spirit beast? You could command living beasts, yet you want to forge treasures! What a fool!”

Li Fei smiled bitterly, “I don’t want to know what makes me different or stand out. Don’t mention it again. Besides, the sect hasn’t taught anything about commanding beasts. If I suddenly start commanding beasts, wouldn’t that be suspicious?”

Riyan heaved a long sigh, “Ah, you… If you’re content being ordinary, you shouldn’t have entered the academy or joined a sect. Living freely in the world, self-sufficient, would be better than constantly worrying and fearing as you do now.”

Li Fei immediately felt numb. She had initially set out on the path of cultivation for her Master with the medal. Who knew that she would come this far, still unable to find her Master, while his identity changed from a wandering charlatan to a renowned Immortal? She now carried countless ties – master and disciple, friends, soulmates, lovers… Whether she liked it or not, she was deeply entangled and could no longer extract herself to return to that lonely, endless existence.

Riyan seemed unwilling to discuss these troubling matters further. He suddenly said, “Where’s your Earth Lord Protection? Start practicing it now! Don’t think you can slack off just because we’re traveling!”

Li Fei nearly fell off the cloud again. She glared at him resentfully, but the fox was unyielding, “If you don’t learn it today, don’t expect me to teach you any more Immortal techniques in the future!”

She had no choice but to focus on calculating spiritual energy: six parts earth, three parts metal, and one part water. The disparity was too great, making it difficult to grasp. Various spiritual energies burst forth from her body, drawing praise from the other elders, “What a diligent child, cultivating even while traveling.”

By nightfall, she could barely maintain the Earth Lord Protection for about a quarter of an hour. The elders descended into a massive city. Seeing the red walls and green tiles lining the streets, Li Fei immediately felt a sense of familiarity. She seemed to have visited this city with her Master when she was young. Back then, her Master had disguised himself as a great Immortal and swindled several dozen taels of silver from some wealthy family!

As the elders entered the city, their expressions grew solemn. Elder Chongyi quickly attached two talismans to the two disciples and instructed, “There are many cultivators from other sects in the city. We must be cautious on this journey. Do not reveal your identities.”

What exactly were these elders up to, being so mysterious?

Li Fei looked around and saw that Riyan had long since flown off to wander on his own. With elders protecting her on all sides, she had no choice but to obediently follow them to the inn. Seeing her looking around curiously, Elder Chongyi smiled and patted her shoulder. She was still young after all, easily distracted by new sights.

“You can play to your heart’s content after the elders finish their business. For now, rest at the inn and don’t wander about.”

Li Fei nodded indifferently. She knew that if it weren’t for the two junior disciples, the elders wouldn’t need to stop at an inn to rest. They were only accommodating the two younger cultivators with limited cultivation.

On this journey, only she and Elder Qingle were female, so they naturally shared a room. Elder Qingle soon left after entering the room. Li Fei spread the bedding on the floor by herself, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. It was barely dark, and she had just eaten a late dinner of vegetarian noodles, accidentally overeating and feeling uncomfortable. Riyan had gone off to who knows where leaving her with no one to talk to and relieve her boredom. She could only get up and walk around the room.

Lei Xiuyuan was probably sharing a room with Elder Guangwei. She wondered if he was asleep yet. Li Fei wanted to go check on him – they hadn’t spoken much while traveling with the elders today. But she felt a bit embarrassed. What if he and his master were already asleep? It would be so awkward to knock on their door.

Li Fei slowly pushed open the window. The chilly March wind blew in, carrying the smoky scent unique to human towns. When she was young and visited here with her Master, she remembered an alley that sold glutinous rice dumplings. She recalled how she had craved them, staring longingly at the dumplings, unable to move. Her Master had no choice but to buy her two, and while she ate, he scolded her: “All you do is eat and sleep! You’re like a silent gourd most of the time, not even able to say something nice. Later when you help me earn money, if you slip up and recite the words wrong, see how I’ll deal with you!”

Thinking of these old memories, Li Fei couldn’t help but smile. She leaned on the windowsill, watching the busy night crowd. Suddenly, she saw a group of young women in pink gauze dresses gracefully approaching from across the street. Two middle-aged women who looked like elders led the way. As they reached the inn, one of the elders instructed, “Recent nighttime anomalies in the mountains and forests make it inconvenient to camp outside. We’ll rest here for the night. Remember, don’t cause any trouble. When we’re away from home, causing problems will bring shame to our Fire Lotus Pavilion.”

Fire Lotus Pavilion? Li Fei’s interest was immediately piqued. Wasn’t that person… what was her name… from the Fire Lotus Pavilion? In her urgency, she had forgotten the girl’s name. She was a princess, right? The one who refused to eat with them at the academy for a whole year insisted on buying meals in the disciples’ quarters and forced Ji Tongzhou to have lunch with her… Something Elegant? She really couldn’t remember.

The Fire Lotus Pavilion seemed to only accept female disciples. The group of more than a dozen people were all young women, their cultivation levels appearing to be between the second and third bottlenecks. They were likely out for trials. Was their trial ground nearby?

Li Fei squinted, looking for a long time. The more she looked, the more familiar one of the girls seemed. This young woman was strikingly beautiful, her mere presence radiating charm. Countless people secretly glanced at her, but no one dared to approach. Her posture, gestures, and demeanor all exuded an air of extreme pride. She stood tall, like a phoenix.

It must be that princess! Princess Lan Ya! Li Fei finally remembered her name. After nearly six years, she couldn’t help but feel excited at this unexpected encounter with an old acquaintance. However, her relationship with Lan Ya had been extremely ordinary. They had initially clashed over the disciples’ quarters, and later, Lan Ya would occasionally engage with them perfunctorily for Ji Tongzhou’s sake. Even if she greeted her here, they would have nothing to say to each other. Moreover, the elders had repeatedly warned them not to reveal their identities.

Li Fei leaned on the windowsill, merely observing Lan Ya with her eyes. Lan Ya noticed a village girl peering out from a third-floor window of the inn, staring at her. She coldly turned her head away, ignoring her.

Suddenly, she seemed to spot someone, and her face lit up with extreme joy. This expression transformed her from a haughty princess into a young woman in love. She stepped forward, curtsying gracefully, her demeanor as noble and elegant as ever.

Li Fei watched in astonishment as a young man dressed in the robes of a Xingzheng Hall disciple approached. With his shapely eyebrows and handsome features, looking dignified and beautiful, it was none other than Ji Tongzhou! How was he here too?!

His expression was surprisingly calm, no longer showing the impetuousness of the past. He stepped forward to help Lan Ya up, and she eagerly called out, “Your Highness! After five years and seven months, Lan Ya has finally seen you again!”

Five years and seven months… she remembered it so clearly…

Ji Tongzhou said calmly, “Ah, I didn’t expect the Fire Lotus Pavilion to have a trial ground nearby.”

Lan Ya gazed at him adoringly, unconsciously grasping his sleeve, “Your Highness, Lan Ya is overjoyed that you would take time from your busy schedule to come here.”

Ji Tongzhou smiled slightly, the expression softening his somewhat gloomy demeanor, “I’m just out hunting spirit beasts with my master. I happened to pass by and received your message spell, so I came to see you. You’ve grown taller.”

Lan Ya said softly, “Your Highness is the one who has truly grown taller, becoming a real man of stature.”

As Li Fei strained to hear their conversation, she suddenly saw Ji Tongzhou glance in her direction, his gaze cold. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned her head away, pretending to admire the scenery.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door. Li Fei immediately turned and said, “Come in.”

The door opened, and a mud-footed peasant walked in. Li Fei stared for a moment before remembering that this was the elders’ illusion technique. She needed to get used to Lei Xiuyuan’s new appearance.

She rose to greet him, but the mud-footed peasant took a step back, looking her up and down. He suddenly frowned with distaste and said, “Little village girl.”

Li Fei burst out laughing, “Look who’s talking! You big mud-footed oaf!”