In Zhou Zixi’s second year at Bei Dou, he agreed to go outside with Dong Yeyun to help him solve various strange troubles encountered abroad.

It was also to grow stronger and to see a broader world beyond.

Zhou Zixi began creating his formations, seeking more breakthroughs, becoming obsessed with cultivation day and night, accomplishing what others could not do or even imagine.

He only did this to shorten the distance between himself and Ming Li, hoping to earn a glance back from her.

Therefore, whatever formation Dong Yeyun wanted, Zhou Zixi could create it.

*

When Zhou Zixi and Qing Ying went south to find Dong Yeyun, they once met Wu Liangli there.

In the south, there was a very famous flower field state where spring lasted all year round, and every household grew flowers.

The flower fields layered upon one another, a riot of different colors as far as the eye could see, dazzling yet impossible to look away from.

Qing Ying walked ahead, occasionally sending voice transmissions, sometimes raising her head to look when she caught the scent of flowers.

Zhou Zixi, who had been following behind her, suddenly stopped and turned to look at the flower field.

A young woman in a pale golden dress with rolled-up sleeves was bending over to pick flower petals in the sunlight. She laughed continuously at something someone beside her said, even crouching down while holding her stomach with laughter, only standing up again after a while.

The sunlight was perfectly warm, but Wu Liangli had developed a light sweat from working, with strands of hair at her forehead clinging to her skin with moisture.

She unconsciously looked up and happened to see Zhou Zixi standing in the middle of the path not far away, looking in her direction.

Wu Liangli blinked at him, then turned her head to continue joking with the person beside her.

“What’s wrong?” Qing Ying turned to look at Zhou Zixi, who stood motionless.

Zhou Zixi withdrew his gaze: “Nothing.”

Qing Ying looked at the voice transmission talisman and said, “Yeyun told us to wait for him at Lilac Town. Where is Lilac Town?”

Zhou Zixi: “I’ve been wanting to ask, isn’t his surname Dong Ye?”

“When I was little, I didn’t know it was a compound surname, so I got used to calling him that way.” Qing Ying glanced at him, “I’m impressed you held back asking about this until now.”

Zhou Zixi: “I just suddenly remembered.”

Qing Ying pondered thoughtfully: “Senior Sister and Master both say you’re very good at enduring things. If it’s not something you actively want to say or do, you could keep it to yourself for a lifetime.”

Zhou Zixi blinked back at her: “Senior Sister said that?”

“Is Senior Sister all you focused on?” Qing Ying narrowed her eyes with a smile, carrying a hint of mischief. “Oh, I know now, you have for Senior Sister—”

Zhou Zixi’s eyelashes trembled involuntarily. The panic that his secret feelings had been discovered barely had time to last an instant before he heard Qing Ying say: “Excessive admiration! Aren’t you striving to defeat Senior Brother Fu Yuan? Have you changed your goal to Senior Sister now?”

“…”

Thank heavens she was dense.

Zhou Zixi expressionlessly said: “That’s right.”

Qing Ying: “Then you’ll never be able to win against Senior Sister.”

Zhou Zixi didn’t want to win against Ming Li. He just wanted to become more outstanding, more excellent, stronger, so that the Senior Sister standing at the mountain peak would lower her gaze to look at him once.

He had chosen to pursue the path of cultivation.

Wu Liangli had chosen to hide her star power and blend into the life of ordinary people.

When they discovered that each was living better than the other had imagined, there was no need to ask more.

*

In his third year at Bei Dou, Zhou Zixi began researching teleportation formations.

He only told Dong Yeyun and Qing Ying, not Ming Li, and made the two keep it secret, wanting to confirm success before telling Ming Li.

Dong Yeyun and Qing Ying had grown accustomed to Zhou Zixi’s attentiveness to Ming Li and had also seen through all the little tricks this guy played in front of Ming Li, just to cling to her and play with her alone. But considering the many life-and-death situations they had been through together, neither exposed him.

Coincidentally, an incident occurred that year.

When Zhou Zixi went east to support Dong Yeyun, he died and came back to life during a battle with a strong cultivator at the Life and Death Realm. This scene was witnessed by Chen Zhou, who had arrived in time.

Senior Brother Chen Zhou discovered Zhou Zixi’s identity as an Earth Ghost.

In that moment, countless images flashed through Zhou Zixi’s mind, finally freezing on that night when Mountain Man and the white cat stood by the riverside, looking at him, telling him to leave.

But Chen Zhou looked at him, directly facing his junior brother’s eyes full of distress and embarrassment, watching him rise awkwardly from the ground to look at himself, with extreme difficulty, softly calling him “Senior Brother.”

Chen Zhou did not tell anyone that Zhou Zixi was an Earth Ghost.

Even after returning to Bei Dou, the countless times he wanted to speak to Master, he ultimately held back. He always liked to chat with Dong Yeshou.

Zhou Zixi told Chen Zhou that he was an orphan who had been wandering the mortal world.

He did not reveal everything he had experienced before coming to Bei Dou.

Zhou Zixi felt there was no meaning in telling others how miserable his past had been.

Those memories carved deep marks in his heart, marks that could not be erased, no matter how many times this body was reconstructed. Zhou Zixi would not forget, yet he was unwilling to tell others.

Chen Zhou didn’t question further. As it happened, he knew what it felt like to wander the world with no fixed abode. He could sense from Zhou Zixi that they had similar experiences.

Chen Zhou had never seen an Earth Ghost; everything he knew about Earth Ghosts was hearsay. And when Master and Pilgrim junior sister mentioned Earth Ghosts, their attitude was not one of disgust. Influenced imperceptibly, he also did not harbor much malice or fear toward Earth Ghosts.

“Even if you can resurrect, don’t fight in ways that get you killed. Doesn’t it hurt when you’re shattered like that?” Chen Zhou, sitting under a tree in his courtyard, turned his head and glared at Zhou Zixi in exasperation. “If you can’t win, run. If you can’t outrun them, call for your senior brothers and sisters. You have so many of them waiting in line for you to yell for help.”

“Besides, your Senior Sister is so powerful, she rarely gets chances to take action. When she finally has an opportunity to show her skills, she’d be happy. Next time you encounter something like this, don’t die.”

Zhou Zixi hung his head low as the night breeze swept across his eyes, bringing a chill and tingling to the corners of his eyes.

Chen Zhou: “Did you hear me?”

Zhou Zixi gave a low “mm” sound, a voice seeping from his throat and mixing with the night breeze: “Senior Brother.”

“Can you… not tell Senior Sister?”

This was the only thing Zhou Zixi had ever asked of Chen Zhou.

Chen Zhou said, “Because she’s the Pilgrim?”

Zhou Zixi shook his head slightly. In this moment, he realized that for these years he had been chasing Ming Li’s silhouette, cultivating desperately, feeling immensely happy whenever he advanced a step and broke through, earning a glance back from Ming Li, becoming so addicted to it.

This wasn’t about gaining Senior Sister’s recognition in cultivation, nor about surpassing her.

He just… liked Ming Li, that’s all.

The words “I like Senior Sister” were stuck in Zhou Zixi’s throat, about to be said but not yet spoken, when out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ming Li strolling to Chen Zhou’s courtyard gate. She knocked perfunctorily on the gate and said to the two under the tree: “Dinner time, I’m hungry.”

Usually, Chen Zhou would come to call her right on time, but today he was much later, so Ming Li had to come over to check.

Ming Li stood at the entrance, tilting her head to look at Zhou Zixi sitting behind Chen Zhou. Her junior brother’s eyes seemed to sparkle with light, looking at her with a smile, reflecting the cold moonlight. Though silent, it somehow made her feel a bit sad.

Chen Zhou got up and walked toward Ming Li. She whispered to him, “Did you scold Zixi?”

“Why would I scold him?” Chen Zhou turned his head and yelled at Zhou Zixi, “Why are you still sitting there? Get up and come eat!”

Ming Li: “…”

You did scold him!

*

That winter, heavy snow fell at Bei Dou, covering everything in white overnight.

Ming Li lay on the windowsill watching snowflakes drift down into the courtyard. Zhou Zixi stood in the corridor outside the window, bending to carry potted plants that couldn’t withstand frost into the room.

“The persimmons at Tian Xuan Court are ready to eat,” Ming Li said.

Zhou Zixi said, “I’ll go pick them.”

Ming Li propped her head with one hand, her gaze following Zhou Zixi’s movements, with a hint of a smile.

Zhou Zixi stood in the corridor holding a potted plant, turning to meet his Senior Sister’s appraising gaze, looking back somewhat innocently.

Ming Li asked him: “When is your birthday?”

Zhou Zixi was stunned by the question.

Ming Li said: “You never mentioned it in previous years, and Senior Brother and the others don’t know either. I just thought to ask today.”

When is his birthday? Zhou Zixi himself didn’t know.

He shook his head and said, “Any day will do for such an occasion.”

Ming Li knew somewhat that Zhou Zixi had a difficult past; perhaps her junior brother had experienced many of life’s hardships.

Zhou Zixi carried the potted plant into the room, placing it right under the window where Ming Li was.

Ming Li said, “Is it that you don’t remember or you don’t like it?”

Zhou Zixi’s movements of bending and rising paused, and he said slowly: “It’s not that I don’t like it.”

“Then it’s that you don’t remember.” Ming Li turned to look at him. “Since any day will do, then let’s make it today.”

Zhou Zixi looked at her with a dazed expression.

Ming Li asked: “What birthday gift would you like?”

What would he like?

For a moment, Zhou Zixi couldn’t say. His fingertips trembled in his sleeve, unable to voice what he truly wanted.

“I haven’t decided yet,” he said.

“Then let’s go ask others first,” Ming Li naturally took his hand and walked out. Zhou Zixi followed her without her having to exert any force.

Zhou Zixi, his head spinning from the soft touch on his hand, didn’t notice what Ming Li meant by going to ask others first.

Until Ming Li led him to Dong Yeshou’s door and politely addressed those inside: “Today is my junior brother’s birthday. Father, Academy Head, what gifts do you plan to give him?”

Dong Yeshou, who was playing chess with Academy Head Tian Ji: “…”

Frozen Zhou Zixi: “…”

Caught off-guard, Academy Head Tian Ji: “…”

After Dong Yeshou and Academy Head Tian Ji each gave gifts to send them away, Ming Li took Zhou Zixi to find Chen Zhou, who was handling affairs at Yao Guang Court.

Chen Zhou felt something was off the moment he saw her. After Ming Li approached, he heard her say: “Senior Brother, today is my junior brother’s birthday. What gift do you plan to give him?”

Chen Zhou: “Whose birthday?”

Ming Li: “My junior brother.”

Chen Zhou: “My junior brother?”

Ming Li: “Oh, he’s your junior brother too.”

Chen Zhou looked expressionlessly at Zhou Zixi, who stood behind Ming Li, looking up at the sky: “…”

Ming Li pulled Zhou Zixi to find many people, always beginning politely:

“Senior Brother Fu Yuan—”

“Senior Sister Heng Xiu—”

“Aunt Qu—”

“Academy Head Yu Heng—”

“Qing Ying—”

Everyone called by Ming Li: “…”

From the Academy Heads down to the disciples, everyone at Bei Dou knew that Ming Li’s junior brother was celebrating his birthday today.

*

After Ming Li pulled Zhou Zixi around for a circuit and finally returned to the courtyard, they had left empty-handed but returned with more items than they could carry.

Ming Li looked with satisfaction at the gifts people had given Zhou Zixi.

Zhou Zixi wiped his face, thinking that as long as Senior Sister was happy, it was fine.

Ming Li sent a voice transmission to Dong Yeyun, who was away.

Dong Yeyun rarely received greetings from his sister when he was traveling, so he opened it happily, only to find it said: “Today is my junior brother’s birthday. What gift are you preparing?”

Which junior brother of hers?

Oh, Zixi.

Dong Yeyun thought for a moment and replied: “Give him the box on the far right of the second shelf from the bottom of my treasure rack.”

Ming Li looked up and told Zhou Zixi, “My brother says he wants to give you the box of crystal cups on the far right of the second shelf from the bottom of his treasure rack. They’re very expensive and could sell for a lot of money.”

Zhou Zixi smiled and said, “Senior Sister.”

Ming Li knew what he was going to say and waved her hand: “Everyone celebrates birthdays this way. When Senior Brother Liang is happy, he even invites fellow disciples to feast in Seven Star City.”

“Since this is your first birthday celebration, you probably don’t know how to celebrate it. Why not follow everyone’s customs? Next year, the year after, and all future birthdays, you can celebrate however you want.”

Zhou Zixi looked up at Ming Li: “I didn’t hear Senior Sister mention her birthday last year either.”

“I don’t like celebrating my birthday, but I enjoy watching Senior Brother and the others celebrate theirs. Usually, everyone is busy with their affairs, and the rare times we gather are often because someone is having a birthday.”

Ming Li sat at the table helping him organize the gifts, speaking languidly: “Everyone has different pursuits, whether in cultivation or in life itself. Sometimes separation is necessary; the outside world is fascinating with many changes and experiences.”

“Everyone is busy living their own lives, whether exciting or peaceful, but they always return to gather for someone’s birthday.”

Like Liang Junxia, who spent half a year in the Imperial Capital as a glassmaker apprentice.

Black Fox Mask, who went south to challenge various blade masters.

Qing Ying, who was often called by Dong Yeyun to help and train herself in the process.

Hundreds and thousands of Bei Dou disciples who ventured into the world, each living their own life, walking their path of cultivation.

One day, people scattered across the lakes and seas, in all corners of the world, would rush back for one common reason.

Ming Li loved to watch them return.

Zhou Zixi asked: “What about you, Senior Sister? Don’t you want to go out and explore?”

“I like staying at Bei Dou,” Ming Li turned to glance at him. “Life isn’t always thrilling and exciting. Peaceful daily life is also precious, and besides, someone needs to guard Bei Dou.”

For Ming Li, who had been fighting the Divine Oracle since her breakthrough, peaceful daily life was indeed precious.

Zhou Zixi immediately understood her meaning.

“Take everything back. There are many good things. Tonight, Qing Ying and the others will surely come to take you to play with fireworks. They’re also waiting for someone’s birthday as a legitimate excuse to play.”

As Ming Li spoke, she asked Zhou Zixi again: “Have you decided what you want me to give you?”

Zhou Zixi shook his head and smiled: “I’m still thinking.”

*

This thinking continued until evening.

After nightfall, Qing Ying and others came to drag Zhou Zixi to the mountain to set off fireworks.

It was Zhou Zixi’s first birthday celebration, with many people around him.

Chen Zhou and Fu Yuan were at the back of the crowd, fiddling with a stone-plate barbecue. Qing Ying and other senior and junior sisters stuck firework sticks into the ground, arranging them in a long line before lighting them from both ends, running while lighting.

Ming Li, full and not wanting to move, lazily curled up in a reclining chair, watching them play.

Zhou Zixi stood not far ahead, looking up at the brilliant fireworks in the sky.

Very beautiful.

The sound of fireworks was tremendous, but Zhou Zixi’s heart was very calm. Each disappearing firework reminded him of scenes from the past:

Being beaten bloody by the old matron in the tower.

The beautiful woman said they were just strangers.

Himself talking to shadows under the starry night.

Mountain Man’s family.

The river water accompanied him on night walks.

The martial academy teacher who taught him to write.

The Martial Alliance inspector who made his life worse than death.

The white-robed Calligraphy Sage, who set fire to the Ice Wastes, grabbed his neck and tried to uncover the shadow’s secret.

The Earth Ghosts’ hateful gazes, their venting blows, the moment of death.

People who parted ways at the three-forked road.

Days and nights of wandering alone.

The world was so cruel, yet so beautiful.

Zhou Zixi turned around, opened his arms toward Ming Li behind him, and called out: “Senior Sister.”

Ming Li gently raised her eyes.

Zhou Zixi smiled at her and said, “I have a birthday wish. Senior Sister, can I hug you?”

Somehow, he knew Ming Li wouldn’t refuse.

Ming Li stood up from the reclining chair and strolled toward him. When she reached Zhou Zixi, he embraced her tightly.

Zhou Zixi buried his face against Ming Li’s shoulder.

One brilliant firework after another bloomed behind the two of them.

When Ming Li hugged him back, Zhou Zixi forgave everything from the past.

He forgave the harm, abandoned the hatred.

No longer remembering how he had once been brutally killed.

He extinguished the last bit of hatred for humans that remained in his heart.

It didn’t matter if he wasn’t treated as a human. He could be neither human nor an Earth Ghost. From now on, he was just a disciple of Bei Dou, the junior brother of these people.

*

The black mist around the Grievance Tower altar lingered, with many more piled corpses added.

Zhou Zixi slowly sat up amid the blood and flesh debris shrouded in black mist, awakening from his memories upon yet another resurrection, instinctively catching a broken arrow that flew toward him.

He hung his head, trying to see the broken arrow in his hand, but there was only darkness.

This time, he could see nothing at all.

Zhou Zixi gripped the broken arrow, his expression calm, but his fury transformed into black mist that surged violently.

His eyes could be taken.

But those people at Bei Dou could not.

He would make the Calligraphy Sage return everything he had lost.