Ming Li remained in the Central Hall until daybreak before leaving. She had successfully expanded the Four Realms Formation to encompass all of Nan Que and now only needed to stabilize the attack incantations within it.

After returning to her new quarters, she couldn’t help but recall Zhou Zixi’s words.

Initially, she had only been surprised by this disciple’s remarkable speed with the Eight Meridian Formation, without paying much attention to him otherwise.

Until Zhou Zixi began appearing frequently before her eyes—first with his senior brother, then with his older brother, junior sister, or his father. Every time this junior brother looked at her, he was like a wild beast hiding its claws and fangs, pretending to be docile yet simultaneously being utterly sincere.

Ming Li had seen through Zhou Zixi’s two faces—the one he showed to her versus others—from the beginning, but she silently allowed his performance to continue until gradually she became accustomed to it.

She thought about many things, then finally sat up and called into the void: “Zixi.”

After quite a while, Zhou Zixi appeared, leaning against the doorframe with his head tilted as he looked at her: “Senior Sister, don’t tell me you can’t sleep without me.”

Ming Li nodded.

Zhou Zixi mocked: “Figure it out yourself.”

Despite his words, he didn’t leave.

Ming Li smiled and said, “You did like me before.”

Zhou Zixi narrowed his eyes, thinking her statement strange. Most people would only say, “I liked you before,” but who would say something as seemingly shameless as “you liked me before” to someone else?

But he let it slide since what she said was true.

Zhou Zixi didn’t respond.

Ming Li continued: “I like you too.”

Zhou Zixi blinked, his gaze slowly turning toward her.

“You might not have known before, but now you know. You must remember this—I like you, I like you very much.”

Ming Li’s expression was serious. Every word she spoke at this moment would become an incantation falling upon Zhou Zixi’s heart, yet it couldn’t take effect immediately, so her junior brother still maintained that calm expression of “continue, I’m listening.”

Ming Li wasn’t in a hurry.

“Even if you awaken as an Earth Ghost, I’ll still like you.”

Zhou Zixi couldn’t help but laugh: “Senior Sister, I like you too. Have you slept enough?”

Ming Li’s eyes reflected his silhouette, overlapping with her first glimpse of him when he turned to look at her after coming down from the combat platform.

It’s precisely because I like you that I cannot forgive those who washed away your human emotions.

“Did you remember?” Ming Li asked.

Zhou Zixi lazily lifted his eyelids, answering without any tricks: “I remember.”

Only then did Ming Li lie back down: “Then put out the light for me. I want to sleep.”

Zhou Zixi: “…”

Your real purpose in calling me out to express love was to persuade me to extinguish the light, wasn’t it?

*

Bei Dou, Yao Guang Hall.

Every night, Dong Yeshou would sit on the eaves to observe the stars. The sky held countless stars that normal people saw as elusive, appearing and disappearing. But in his eyes, each star appeared and vanished according to precise rules.

He found his destiny star in the Milky Way, identical to the one that had fallen into the Broken Star River, emitting a faint light.

Dong Yeshou calculated daily when this star would fall, sink into the Broken Star River, and transform into a dragon scale, where it could accompany many old friends.

Perhaps some old friends at the dragon’s head would mock those at the dragon’s tail.

His daughter would certainly be at the dragon’s head, so it wouldn’t matter if he ended up at the tail—those old creatures didn’t even have daughters anyway.

This thought made him feel victorious again.

Dong Yeshou heard someone approaching but didn’t turn around. From outside came his disciple Chen Zhou’s voice: “Master, arrangements with Aunt Qu have been finalized. We’ll depart shortly.”

“Understood.” Dong Yeshou nodded slightly. “Call her over.”

Chen Zhou withdrew to relay the message to Qu Zhuyue.

A moment later, Qu Zhuyue entered the room, glanced at the person sitting on the eaves, and walked over unhurriedly.

Dong Yeshou turned to look at her: “Thank you for your trouble on this journey.”

“I’m eager to go,” Qu Zhuyue said with a gentle smile, her expression serene.

“Tian Shu is already in Zhu Que State,” Dong Yeshou added. “When you go this time, take it along.”

Qu Zhuyue followed his gaze and turned to see the Divine Wood Bow placed on the weapon rack. Surprised, she said: “The Divine Wood Bow is the second most important divine weapon after Shi Fei. You want to bring it to Nan Que?”

Dong Yeshou spoke calmly: “Using the Divine Wood Bow to destroy the Wujian Mirror will infuriate Cui Yaocen even more.”

Understanding, Qu Zhuyue nodded: “That’s true.”

Dong Yeshou continued: “Someone will notify you when Cui Yaocen leaves. During that time, you may do as you please in Nan Que.”

Qu Zhuyue walked toward the Divine Wood Bow, her fingertip lightly touching its invisible string, concealing it in her hand through materialization of the virtual. She turned back to look at Dong Yeshou: “Senior Brother, who exactly are you collaborating with that can force Cui Yaocen to leave Nan Que on the day of her brother’s wedding?”

Dong Yeshou raised his head to gaze at the stars above. After a long while, he answered: “Someone who absolutely will not harm Bei Dou.”

Qu Zhuyue knew he was unwilling to speak now, perhaps because the time wasn’t right. She didn’t press further, knowing the answer would naturally be revealed after this mission to Nan Que was completed.

She bid farewell to Dong Yeshou and left Yao Guang Hall with the Divine Wood Bow.

Hall Master Wu Yan of Tian Ji Hall and Hall Master Shi Wenqian of Kai Yang Hall were already waiting at the foot of the mountain, alongside Yao Guang Hall’s senior disciple Chen Zhou, Tian Quan Hall’s senior disciple Yin Luo, and several new disciples participating in the Four Directions Examination.

Wu Yan asked Qu Zhuyue as she approached: “Finished talking?”

Qu Zhuyue didn’t break stride: “Let’s go.”

Under the watchful gaze and silent blessing of countless stars, they headed south.

*

Three days remained until the Nan Que Young Master’s wedding, with the Four Directions Examination following immediately after the ceremony.

The southern sects had already arrived early. Nan Que’s patrols and defenses were stricter than usual, yet the atmosphere was also more festive. Guests were uniformly received at Gui Su, as it was closest to Zhu Que State City.

Certain high-ranking individuals would be arranged to stay at Eight Departure Peak, located at the center of Nan Que.

These included people from the other three super sects, as well as some nobles from the imperial capital.

Cui Yuanxi was expressionlessly discussing wedding details with an Elder from the Jiang Clan when someone came to report: “Princess Chang Xi has just arrived. Cui Sheng has gone personally to meet her.”

This Princess Chang Xi was the most beloved daughter of the current Da Qin Emperor. To show gratitude to Shu Sheng for helping him conquer Phantom River, the Emperor had given Chang Xi to Shu Sheng as an adopted daughter right after her birth, specially permitting Shu Sheng to be the princess’s adoptive father, signifying that he would share the empire with Shu Sheng.

Therefore, Princess Chang Xi’s visit represented not only the Da Qin Emperor but also the Pilgrim Shu Sheng.

Cui Yaocen personally escorted Princess Chang Xi to Eight Departure Peak to arrange her accommodations. Beside her was a young woman dressed in colorful clothes, exquisitely refined from her hair down to her heels, with moist almond eyes that held innocent bewilderment and seemed curious about everything.

Jiang Ying watched from a distance as Cui Yaocen’s cold, imposing face bore a smile when facing this little princess. In her heart arose a subtle imbalance and jealousy.

She was simply jealous of those born into favor and love.

Like the princess before her, she was born with everything: her father was the ruler of the world, and her adoptive father the supreme powerhouse of the continent. She could have whatever she wanted, with everyone bowing and scraping before her, not daring to speak a single disrespectful word against her.

Even that stupid woman who had been made into a puppet was the same.

Though an orphan, she was a disciple of a super sect, loved by her senior brothers and sisters since childhood, with people willing to fight to the death for her in times of danger.

And what did she, Jiang Ying, have?

An inborn illness, a family that admired strength and despised weakness, and a man who betrayed her.

The more she compared herself with others, the more Jiang Ying felt resentful and envious.

She took a deep breath, her hand gently caressing her abdomen, and called out to Cui Yuanxi as he walked toward Cui Yaocen and the others: “Yuanxi.”

Cui Yuanxi stopped.

Jiang Ying spoke in a gentle, plaintive tone: “Can we not go back to how we were before?”

After a moment of silence, Cui Yuanxi finally said coldly: “I’m sorry.”

Jiang Ying watched his departing figure, the warmth in her eyes gradually cooling.

The Jiang Clan Elder came to her side and said meaningfully, “Now you should understand that only your family will never abandon you. What Nan Que wants will forever run counter to your hopes. When a man’s heart is not with you, even having his child is useless.”

“Consider my proposal carefully and give me your answer before tomorrow. Otherwise, once you marry, you’ll become a complete loser.”

A loser?

She refused to be a loser!

She had endured for so many years, waiting for the day to turn the tables. Now that she had seen more, she wanted more. A man’s heart was far from enough and no longer precious to her.

Jiang Ying raised a smile and turned to the Elder: “I am forever a member of the family and naturally know which side to stand on.”

*

Ming Li woke early and went to Yi Su Central Hall to work on the Four Realms Formation. She stayed there for a long time without seeing anyone, but after expanding the formation to encompass all of Nan Que, she could use her Eye Meridian to observe people entering Nan Que.

The people from the imperial capital had arrived quite quickly.

Since Cui Yaocen was accompanying Princess Chang Xi, Ming Li didn’t look too closely, fearing Cui Yaocen would discover her. After confirming the formation’s range was stable, she focused her attention on Jing Su Hall.

She dropped a star line at Jing Su’s location, examining its layout, and eventually her gaze fell toward Tai Wei Forest, where she became lost in thought.

After a long while, she asked: “Zixi, why do you think they put Shi Fei in Tai Wei Forest?”

It took some time before she heard Zhou Zixi say coldly, “I’m not from Nan Que. How would I know what thieves are thinking?”

Ming Li turned to look at him once, while Zhou Zixi observed the formation she was working on.

“Tai Wei Forest is rich in star power, with abundant spirit grasses and woods that can maximally conceal Shi Fei’s presence. If placed in the armory, Nan Que’s divine weapons might be influenced by Shi Fei; if placed in the Tidal Grounds, the two supreme-grade divine weapons would create repulsion, causing many disturbances,” Ming Li pondered. “But Tai Wei Forest is in Jing Su, and Jing Su’s Hall Master is Yumei, who primarily cultivates the Heart Meridian, focusing on calming the mind and containing emotions. She influences the temperament and emotions of people within Jing Su.”

“She cultivates the Heart Meridian, but differently from Qu Zhuyue, who also cultivates the Heart Meridian,” Zhou Zixi added. “If anyone entered Jing Su with ill intent, she should be the first to notice.”

Ming Li: “She was injured, which is why she couldn’t detect the five people who infiltrated Tai Wei Forest that night.”

Zhou Zixi’s expression became mysteriously profound: “Senior Sister, a friendly reminder—her curse has been lifted. Don’t go wandering around Jing Su for no reason.”

“What curse?” Ming Li turned to ask.

Zhou Zixi answered indirectly: “Yumei is Nan Que’s strategist. Because she cultivates the Heart Meridian, she excels at scheming and is often compared to the Master. But Master believes her mental state isn’t there yet, so he never considered her a rival.”

Ming Li replied honestly: “I know that.”

Zhou Zixi smiled: “But whether Master considers her a rival isn’t important. Anyway, Yumei sees Master as her rival. So what do you think it means that Shi Fei is placed in Jing Su Hall?”

Ming Li suddenly understood.

Yumei was waiting for Dong Yeshou.

Or perhaps waiting for the defeated to come begging her.

Many people knew Ming Li frequented the Central Hall, but they merely thought this little junior sister enjoyed researching the Eight Meridian Formation and didn’t think much of it. After all, the most exciting event at present was the Young Master’s wedding.

Perhaps because the wedding was approaching, everyone became busy, though she wasn’t sure what they were busy with. Her companions, who usually gathered in the dining hall to eat together, were nowhere to be seen.

Ming Li was busy until evening before arriving at the dining hall. By then, few people remained. At the vast dining table sat only a scattered few individuals. As she carried her food box to a corner, she was surprised to find the senior disciple of Jing Su Hall there as well.

Shan Siyuan had been eating quietly when he sensed someone watching him. He raised his head and, seeing Ming Li, was slightly startled: “Junior Sister from Yi Su?”

Ming Li nodded and sat down a table’s distance from him. “Senior Brother Shan.”

She asked: “Is Hall Master Yu feeling better?”

Shan Siyuan answered: “Master has been much better recently, which is why I can leave Jing Su with peace of mind.”

Ming Li responded with an “Oh” and said, “That’s good.”

“Then is Jing Su unsealed now?”

Shan Siyuan said, “It will be unsealed tomorrow.”

Ming Li didn’t speak. Yumei had truly recovered from her injuries.

*

The busiest person due to the wedding was undoubtedly Nan Que’s Young Master, Cui Yuanxi. He needed to receive guests, deal with those who came with ill intentions, and also be mindful of those around him.

Finally busy until late at night, he still worried anxiously about Qing Ying and hurried to Boundary Peak.

Seeing Qing Ying still sitting by the window, his anxious heart calmed. He entered the room with a smile in his eyes and, noticing the wedding dress hanging on the rack, coaxed gently: “This was custom-made for you. Do you like it?”

The porcelain beauty couldn’t speak, only nodding her head according to his command.

Cui Yuanxi knelt at her feet, carefully holding her hand against his cheek, looking up at Qing Ying with tender, devoted eyes.

Her other hand held the Seven Star Token.

“We’ll be fine,” Cui Yuanxi said. “After the wedding, Elder Sister won’t interfere with us anymore. I’ll beg her to help restore you to your original form. By then…”

A red-winged vermilion bird flew out from the void and landed before him.

Cui Yuanxi’s expression changed slightly.

He heard the message from Gui Su: The people from Bei Dou had arrived.