Cheng Jingbai’s infiltration had not been easy. Since the commotion last time, Eight Departure Peak had strengthened its security, and there was even a Pilgrim present now. Yet he still managed to slip in successfully to meet with his ally.

After he finished speaking, the Bei Dou people were somewhat surprised.

Qu Zhuyue was the first to react: “It seems your plan doesn’t target Cui Yaocen, but rather the Pilgrim.”

Cheng Jingbai was polite toward Bei Dou’s elders: “Not at all, not at all. Our target is the same as yours—the entire Nan Que.”

“Tonight, when the wedding ceremony begins, as the Pilgrims leave Nan Que, a Red-Winged Vermilion Bird will notify you all.”

Kai Yang said with a half-smile: “Using Nan Que’s messenger bird to send us messages?”

The red shadow spread his hands and said, “At that time, it will be Nan Que’s most special Red-Winged Vermilion Bird.”

*

When the sun rose in the east, the Sound of the Tranquil Spirit Bell echoed throughout Nan Que.

The long, ancient bell sound rang intermittently. Ming Li always woke before the Sound of Tranquil Spirit Bell, absorbing and refining star power alone in her new quarters.

She didn’t focus on cultivating a single star meridian but instead refined all eight meridians separately. None of her meridians were below the third realm, allowing her to use low-level spirit techniques without limitation.

Ming Li’s advantage was that although new meridians required cultivation from scratch, once fully cultivated, each meridian’s power equaled a Pilgrim’s peak state. So even with just one meridian at full cultivation, her power far exceeded others with a single fully cultivated meridian.

Only after all eight meridians reached full cultivation would the enhancement activate several times the growth for each star meridian’s power. Yet Ming Li’s star meridians bypassed this condition, not requiring all eight to be fully cultivated.

In her past life, she had awakened with seven innate meridians at full cultivation, without needing to struggle through cultivation.

Now she was walking a path she hadn’t taken before, yet Ming Li found it wasn’t as difficult as she had imagined.

After absorbing star power, Ming Li got out of bed to wash up. Turning around, she discovered Zhou Zixi sitting on the bed’s edge, having appeared at some unknown time. She happily said, “I want a small braid today.”

Zhou Zixi jerked his chin toward the door: “Senior Sister, why don’t you ask that boy outside if he’s willing?”

Qian Li stood outside knocking: “Zhou Li, genius, are you awake? Today’s dining hall breakfast has red bean buns.”

Ming Li looked at Zhou Zixi with her back to the door and said, “You go first, I’ll be there soon.”

Qian Li had been busy following Cui Yaocen around and was supposed to rest. Seeing that it was already daylight, he hadn’t gone back but instead went to the dining hall, checked the breakfast menu, and ran to tell Ming Li.

“Then I’ll save you a seat first. Take your time, no rush,” Qian Li said before leaving.

Ming Li continued looking at Zhou Zixi.

Zhou Zixi’s gaze shifted from the doorway to Ming Li, and he said lazily: “Senior Sister, that boy you killed seems to be an Earth Ghost, since he can resurrect.”

Ming Li: “Not funny.”

She walked over to Zhou Zixi and extended her hand: “Braid.”

Zhou Zixi lowered his eyes to examine the hand she held out—jade-white and slender, looking very beautiful. He reached out to cup her hand in his palm, feeling his cold palm gradually warming under her touch.

This warmth was truly rare.

Zhou Zixi smiled, musing thoughtfully: “Senior Sister, what should this feeling be called? Milder than jealousy, yet still unpleasant.”

Ming Li replied without hesitation: “It’s called being jealous.”

Zhou Zixi: “I’m not like you, fond of vinegar and spicy food.”

Ming Li bent down toward him with a smile: “I’m not talking about condiments, but emotions. Knowing that you like me, naturally, you wouldn’t be happy seeing other men care about me. But there’s no need with Qian Li—he only sees me as a companion, not as a woman he admires.”

“So stop being jealous and braid my hair.”

Zhou Zixi continued looking at the hand resting in his palm. A woman’s hand seemed naturally smaller than a man’s, delicate and beautiful. Her fingertips gently pressed against his skin, and even though he was just a shadow, that moment’s faint warmth felt as if it fell on his heart, slowly urging his heart to beat gently.

Ming Li saw him remain silent with lowered eyes, so she bent down closer to him and said: “Zixi?”

When Zhou Zixi raised his head, his movement naturally brushed against her lowered lips. He took her wrist and pulled her to sit beside him on the bed.

Seeing her junior brother’s compliance, Ming Li narrowed her eyes in satisfaction. Even realizing he was deliberately delaying, she wasn’t annoyed.

After Zhou Zixi slowly finished braiding her hair, she said, “My breakfast must be cold by now.”

Zhou Zixi: “You’re the one who wanted the braid.”

Ming Li just smiled, gently stroking her braid before heading to the dining hall.

Zhou Zixi remained sitting on the bed, his eyes fixed on the memory of his senior sister standing in the sunlight by the door, her hand gently caressing her braid.

*

Both Qian Li and Fang Hui were in the dining hall. While waiting for Ming Li, they were joined by Cheng Jingbai and Dou Lanmin, who came over with their bowls, asking: “Everyone’s up so early?”

“I never slept,” Qian Li yawned, rubbing his eyes and saying weakly. “Last night, people from the three super sects arrived at Nan Que simultaneously. The master called me to help receive them, and we were busy until dawn. I’ll go back to rest after eating.”

Fang Hui poured him a cup of hot tea, his eyes indicating “you’ve worked hard.”

Dou Lanmin pretended to know nothing and asked: “Who all came?”

Qian Li stroked his chin and said: “You’d never guess, even Princess Chang Xi from the imperial capital came.”

Fang Hui, who was drinking porridge, suddenly choked and turned away, coughing continuously. Qian Li patted his shoulder and said, “Don’t get so excited.”

Fang Hui painfully replied: “I’m not.”

“Princess Chang Xi is representing Shu Sheng and the Da Qin Emperor, right?” Cheng Jingbai also yawned, earning a glance from Fang Hui.

Dou Lanmin thought to himself, who cares who came from the imperial capital? I want to hear about Bei Dou! He pretended to ask: “Didn’t you just say people from the three super sects arrived at the same time?”

Qian Li nodded and said, “They’re all powerful figures you couldn’t imagine!”

Dou Lanmin asked expectantly: “Such as?”

“For instance, Dong Yang’s Sect Leader! As the leader of an entire sect, he specifically made time to personally come to Nan Que to offer congratulations!” Qian Li raised his chin at him. “Surprising, isn’t it?”

Dou Lanmin thought to himself, I don’t care one bit whether cats or dogs came from Dong Yang!

He stared at Qian Li, waiting patiently.

Qian Li continued: “And Tai Yi, this you definitely wouldn’t guess. After all, it’s just the Young Master’s wedding, not my Master’s… but Tai Yi’s Pilgrim came too!”

Fang Hui wiped his mouth, frowning: “Ye Yuanqing?”

Qian Li nodded: “Yes, Senior Ya.”

Then he suddenly remembered that Ming Li also didn’t call Cui Sheng but Cui Yaocen, and asked puzzledly: “Wait, why do you all call them by their names? Am I the only polite one?”

Just then, Ming Li arrived and sat down beside Dou Lanmin, asking: “Who’s impolite?”

Qian Li: “Fang Hui, Fang Hui is impolite.”

Fang Hui rolled his eyes at him and lowered his head to continue drinking porridge.

Dou Lanmin pointed at Qian Li and explained to Ming Li: “We’re listening to him talk about who came from the three great sects.”

Ming Li ate small bites of her now-cold red bean bun dipped in chili sauce: “Oh, who came?”

Qian Li perked up and said: “Dong Yang’s Sect Leader and Tai Yi’s Pilgrim.”

Ming Li looked up and asked: “Ye Yuanqing?”

Qian Li: “…”

Cheng Jingbai couldn’t help but burst into laughter, while Dou Lanmin laughed and said: “Important figures, all important figures. What about Bei Dou?”

“Bei Dou, well, quite a few people came from Bei Dou. Just at the Hall Master level, four came, and four direct disciples as well.” Qian Li scratched his head, his expression somewhat troubled as he said, “It’s just that the atmosphere with us isn’t great, and they also said the bride looks very similar to their disciple who died in Bei Jing Gui Yuan. Master is very angry about this.”

Although he also thought they indeed looked alike, he couldn’t imagine the preposterous situation that his benefactor sister hadn’t died but was actually imprisoned in Nan Que.

Qian Li could feel Cui Yaocen’s impatience toward Bei Dou, without a trace of goodwill. But he had considerable goodwill toward Bei Dou, so when the two sides met, he tried to watch without speaking or acting.

After hearing this, Ming Li wondered if her senior brother had come to Nan Que. She was about to try getting more information from Qian Li when he received a message from a Red-Winged Vermilion Bird and hurriedly stood up: “Master is looking for me. I have to go. See you tonight.”

The remaining few people silently watched Qian Li’s departing figure. A moment later, Cheng Jingbai also rose nonchalantly and said: “I’m full too. I’ll go first. See you at the wedding tonight.”

Today was the wedding day. Because some guests could only arrive today, and also because of southern customs, the wedding would be held at night. But during the day was the busiest time, with everything needing to be properly arranged.

After Fang Hui left as well, Dou Lanmin quietly said to Ming Li: “Senior Brother and the others are arranged at Eight Departure Peak, and the wedding venue is also there. We can’t get in now, but once the wedding banquet begins tonight, there will be a way.”

Ming Li nodded thoughtfully, glancing at Zhou Zixi, who sat not far away, supporting his chin with one hand, looking out at the peaceful scenery.

From his position, the view outside was a large flower grove. Now, in late spring, the growing green leaves gradually overshadowed the pink and white blossoms.

Being just a shadow, the pink and white spring light shining through the window passed through his body, making him merge with the natural world, unable to exist independently, yet so special.

Only then did Ming Li realize that she hadn’t been able to look at Zhou Zixi so quietly and attentively for a very, very long time.

*

While everyone in Nan Que was busy, the groom couldn’t control himself and went to Boundary Peak, standing at the foot of the mountain, looking up, his silhouette forlorn. The person who arrived saw this and couldn’t help but laugh.

Hearing the laughter, Cui Yuanxi composed himself, his eyes cold.

It was nearly sunset, with the dying rays spilling onto the treetops. The scattered light and shadows could hide the newcomer’s silhouette.

Cui Yuanxi stood on the small path leading up the mountain without turning back, only saying calmly: “Tell me the news you’ve brought.”

“Bei Dou has brought the Divine Wood Bow this time. It’s with Qu Zhuyue. They plan to make their move after the wedding when everyone is well into their cups.” The other person unhurriedly informed him, “Using the Seven Star Token as a signal, their main target is your elder sister. They came to Nan Que this time intending to kill your sect’s Pilgrim.”

Cui Yuanxi laughed coldly: “Overestimating themselves.”

“They came with the mindset of mutual destruction, so don’t underestimate them. The Divine Wood Bow is comparable to the Shi Fei and the Wujian Mirror. With its power…” Before the person could finish, Cui Yuanxi cut him off: “The Divine Wood Bow only exhibits its maximum power in Ming Li’s hands. In anyone else’s hands, it’s just a superior-grade divine weapon. Besides, both Shi Fei and the Wujian Mirror are in our possession. Bei Dou’s attempt is no different from striking a stone with an egg—suicidal.”

“It’s because you’ve bullied Bei Dou too severely these past two years. Now they can’t take it anymore and want a life-or-death struggle.” The shadow paused and then added, “When the time comes, just capture the Hall Masters. The others might as well be released…”

Cui Yuanxi laughed mockingly and turned to look at the other person with arrogant disdain: “After just a few years, you’ve forgotten your identity. A lowly slave from the heaven pit, you think you’re Bei Dou’s Senior Brother now?”

Bei Dou’s Senior Brother’s face changed slightly at these words. For an instant, those terrible memories surged forward but were suppressed as he looked back calmly: “At least I am now.”

Cui Yuanxi’s contemptuous expression intensified, but Chen Zhou responded with a provocative smile: “As for you, isn’t it a bit late to realize that your true love is my poor junior sister? Tonight you’ll joyfully marry another woman, while my junior sister can only watch lonely from the mountain…”

Before he could finish, a wind of killing intent flew toward him in the form of a circulating Qi incantation. Chen Zhou calmly avoided it and laughed: “Why is Young Master Cui angry? If you truly love her, stop torturing her like this. Better to let her go.”

“Never!” Cui Yuanxi’s face showed murderous rage. “She can only be with me, she can’t go anywhere.”

Chen Zhou mockingly laughed: “You don’t believe my junior sister would forgive you after she regains consciousness, do you?”

Cui Yuanxi said expressionlessly, “Of course she doesn’t know anything.”

Chen Zhou was stunned, then laughed exaggeratedly, holding onto a tree trunk, nearly crying with laughter. “Young Master Cui… hahaha, you’re really… They say lovers are pitiful, but I never imagined you’d be this pitiful, actually convincing yourself that Qing Ying knows nothing…”

“Have you forgotten why you were severely injured back then?”

Chen Zhou stared at Cui Yuanxi’s face and mocked: “It was because Qing Ying discovered you left Chen Zhou in the heaven pit. She broke ties with you and wanted to rescue her senior brother. She nearly killed you, but was stopped by your elder sister and brought back to Nan Que.”

“Have you forgotten you almost died at her hands?”

His words completely snapped the tightly-strung line in Cui Yuanxi’s mind, and countless humiliating memories came flooding back.

The self-deceptive fantasy was finally shattered by the cruel reality: Qing Ying didn’t know anything, nor had she ever gone to Bei Jing Gui Yuan. Those were all lies from the fake Chen Zhou. Once a destiny star fell, even without finding a corpse, people would assume death.

In Cui Yuanxi’s memory, the woman’s bright and lively smiling face suddenly became tear-streaked. She looked at him in disbelief, with anger and hatred growing in her clear eyes.

He wanted to step forward to explain, but was met with her explosive star power.

Qing Ying’s killing move carried obvious murderous intent, yet also unbearable pain. Cui Yuanxi now finally remembered what she had said, trembling with anger: “How dare you… How dare you do this to my Senior Brother!”

Cui Yuanxi was certain Qing Ying wouldn’t kill him. He thought that since the revelation was sudden, she temporarily couldn’t accept it, so he would let her vent for a while. But he never expected Qing Ying’s sword to pierce his chest without hesitation.

At that moment, he realized perhaps Chen Zhou was more important to Qing Ying than himself.

So he became jealous and angry, ultimately using her as medicine for Jiang Ying, letting his elder sister perform blood-nurturing techniques. If only Qing Ying had uttered a single plea for mercy, he would have stopped immediately. But Qing Ying’s only plea was for him to spare her senior brother.

She would be Jiang Ying’s medicine source if only he would bring Chen Zhou out from the heaven pit.

Cui Yuanxi didn’t agree.

Over these years, he had always treated Jiang Ying as if she were Qing Ying. When they were together, he would often gently cup her face, his fingers instinctively covering the tear mole at the corner of her eye.

He convinced himself that Qing Ying knew nothing.

He let his memories stay in those beautiful times.

After suddenly awakening, he instinctively believed they were in love, that he could still make amends, that they still had a chance.

But it was already too late.

*

After his illusions were shattered, Cui Yuanxi became somewhat dazed. Those unbearable memories kept surfacing involuntarily, making his heart tremble. He didn’t even remember how he returned to Eight Departure Peak or how he was dressed in wedding clothes by attendants.

The wedding music was graceful and beautiful, carrying tender blessings.

The guests had already taken their seats, waiting for the bride and groom to appear.

Kai Yang and Tian Ji sat in the honored guest positions, next to Dong Yang and Tai Yi. Nan Que’s Hall Master sat opposite, with Gui Su Hall Master responsible for watching Bei Dou’s people. Now he noticed Qu Zhuyue and Dan Xun were missing, frowned slightly, and whispered to his disciple Xu Bin to go find them.

Zhang Su Hall Master squinted and asked: “Is Yumei not coming?”

“She said she’d come later,” Xing Su replied. “But Zhen Su can’t make it.”

Zhen Su had to guard Nan Que’s divine weapons repository and couldn’t easily leave even for a festive event like a wedding.

Gui Su Hall Master stroked his beard and added, “Then why isn’t Yi Su here either?”

Zhang Su Hall Master looked around and indeed didn’t see Li Yansi.

Ye Yiyi propped her chin with one hand, her eyes occasionally glancing at Princess Chang Xi sitting properly and obediently across from her.

Qian Li stood with several Nan Que senior disciples, quietly retreating to the back. He looked toward the entrance but didn’t see any of his companions, which puzzled him.

The time was approaching, yet they hadn’t come to watch the event.

Ming Li was still working on the Four Realms Formation in Yi Su Hall, adjusting the final necessary circulating Qi incantations. Zhou Zixi had accompanied her all day and suddenly said, “Senior Sister.”

“Hmm?” Ming Li turned to look at him.

Zhou Zixi smiled slightly and said, “After I leave, chaos will erupt at the wedding, and you’ll be able to rescue your junior sister. But before I go, let me tell you a secret.”

Ming Li asked: “Where are you going?”

Zhou Zixi leaned against a corridor pillar and tilted his head toward her, his eyes narrowing.

When people washed away his humanity, they started with several emotions: anger, fear, and hatred.

These were also the easiest emotions to provoke.

So he learned some secrets.

Like who all thirty-nine attackers of Bei Dou were, where Shi Fei was located, what happened to Qing Ying, and what Chen Zhou had encountered.

People wanted him to abandon the recognition that he was a “human,” so they made him repeatedly say things like “I am worse than pigs and dogs” to brainwash him. When he no longer considered himself “human,” everything changed.

Anger, sadness, hatred—he had none of these. If anything, what he possessed now was only an instinctive killing intent.

Zhou Zixi walked to Ming Li, helping her secure the braid that was coming undone because she had no hairpin. He bent down close to her ear and whispered: “Don’t call that imposter Senior Brother.”

Ming Li’s eyelashes trembled slightly. When she looked up again, her junior brother had vanished.

The two Pilgrims at Eight Departure Peak suddenly changed expression and rose. Cui Yaocen left first, while Ye Yuanqing instructed Tai Yi’s people to watch over Ye Yiyi before departing.

As the wedding’s bride and groom began to enter, they attracted everyone’s attention, so few noticed the Pilgrims’ departure.

Those few who did notice seemed to have known in advance.

*

Zhen Su, Divine Weapons Repository.

Blood dripped down the stone steps. The Nan Que disciples guarding this place lay silently on the ground, covered in blood.

Only Zhen Su’s senior disciple stood in the pool of blood wearing pure white clothes that remained spotless. He lowered his eyes to look at Zhen Su Hall Master lying before him. Cheng Jingbai got up from the ground and twisted his crooked neck back into place with a crack.

Zhen Su Hall Master was barely breathing, one eye blinded, the other barely open. As blood flowed from him, he stared at his senior disciple Lin Xiao and asked: “Who… are you…”

Lin Xiao bowed with a smile: “Ice Desert Earth Ghost, Lin Xiao, at your service.”

Zhen Su Hall Master stared at him in disbelief.

Cheng Jingbai stood behind him, holding his neck, and said to Lin Xiao: “Say a proper goodbye to your master. He has already led them away.”

Lin Xiao put his palms together, summoning Red-Winged Vermilion Birds. Three red-winged vermilion birds flew out from the void, then shrieked as they charged toward Zhen Su Hall Master, biting off his head and four limbs before departing in different directions.

One flew toward Jing Su Hall, while the remaining two headed for Eight Departure Peak.

As people laughed, welcoming the approaching newlyweds, a Red-Winged Vermilion Bird flew out from the void and dropped Zhen Su Hall Master’s head onto the ground.